Chapter 288: Meeting Belfor for the First Time

"Belfor is inside, Brother, Your Highness Nolan. I’ll ask an officer to escort you," Allen said politely.

Alvaron and Nolan nodded slightly, saying nothing. Allen then called a warden and asked him to accompany the two to the detention room.

The warden nodded and immediately approached them.

"Brother, Your Highness, this is Tuvar. He will escort you to Belfor. I still have work to do, so I’m sorry I can’t come," Allen said, scratching the side of his face awkwardly.

"It’s okay," Alvaron replied gently, patting his brother’s shoulder. He then turned to Tuvar. "Shall we go?"

"Yes, Duke Austin." Tuvar bowed respectfully.

Without wasting any time, he led Nolan and Alvaron straight to the cell where Belfor was held.

...

"I want out... How can I be here... This isn’t fair!"

Inside the special cell, Belfor slumped against the wall, staring blankly at the ceiling.

He still couldn’t believe what had happened. Just a few days ago, he had been a successful businessman with the massive Red Obsidian Trading House backing him.

And now, fate had turned on him so suddenly, like the flip of a hand. It felt surreal—almost impossible—to imagine.

"This is nonsense," he growled, anger bubbling up. "Someone must be manipulating this behind the scenes."

He was certain of it. It made no sense that he’d been imprisoned without warning, as if someone had been waiting for him to lower his guard.

"Who did this? Could it be the Blue Moon Trading House?"

The thought made his chest tighten. Only they could have the means to do this.

He had always known they were eyeing his dominance in the eastern region, constantly trying to suppress him both openly and in secret.

"Damn..." Belfor cursed under his breath. "If I were free, I’d declare war on them and crush them completely!"

His trading house was smaller than the Blue Moon’s, but that didn’t make him afraid. He swore he would wage a trade war as soon as he escaped this legal trap.

Just then, footsteps echoed outside, and in the next moment, two unexpected figures appeared.

"Duke Austin?" Belfor’s voice caught in surprise. Even more shocking, a young man stood beside him—Nolan.

"Prince Nolan?" Belfor’s eyes widened. Alvaron’s arrival might have made sense, but why was Nolan here too—especially alongside Duke Austin?

"Hello, Belfor Horven," Alvaron greeted with a faint smile. "How does it feel to live in this place? Comfortable?"

There was a subtle mockery in his tone that made Belfor boil with anger.

"Duke Austin, did you come just to mock me? If so, it’s pointless. You are not welcome here. Go back," Belfor snorted coldly.

He had never liked the Austin family, especially Alvaron. His ambition had always been to dominate the eastern region’s economy, but the Austins had consistently stood in his way.

Of course, he had tried everything—offering marine business partnerships, applying for low-interest loans—yet Alvaron had been too stubborn, rejecting every proposal without a second thought.

In the end, Belfor had shifted his focus to other noble families like Grimvel and Castellan, as well as the Viscount, Count, and Baron families.

But misfortune struck again: the Castellan family had stumbled into a scandal a week ago, causing Belfor and his trading house enormous losses.

And now, he was arrested by the eastern region authorities on a myriad of accusations. Though many were true, some felt awkward and unjust.

"Pfft!" Alvaron chuckled softly, waving his right hand. "Don’t be rude, Belfor Horven. I came with good intentions—to give you a little reminder. In two weeks, your trial will begin in the Imperial Capital, and I suggest you pray hard if you want to survive. After all..."

His words trailed off, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips. "A very severe punishment awaits you."

Badumb!

Belfor’s heart raced, fear creeping in. If he wasn’t mistaken, there were fifteen accusations against him—each severe, and all undeniably true.

Still, he hurriedly suppressed his panic, forcing a stern expression as if to hide any hint of weakness.

"Keep dreaming, Duke Austin! Do you think you’ve won? Huh! I’m sure His Majesty the Emperor will save me. After all, I am innocent, and my daughter is one of his concubines. There’s no way he’ll allow me to be imprisoned or punished severely," he said confidently.

Anyone else in his position would have been desperate—terrified, even.

It was only natural—these charges carried severe punishments, some even punishable by death.

Yet Belfor clung to hope. He was the emperor’s father-in-law, and Melinda, one of the concubines, was his daughter. With their support, how could he possibly be punished?

He was absolutely certain they would intervene to save him.

Alvaron froze at Belfor’s words. Thinking it over, he realized Belfor had a point.

He had forgotten that Belfor was both the emperor’s father-in-law and the biological father of Concubine Melinda.

If the trial proceeded, it wasn’t impossible that they would use every means to protect him.

In an instant, Alvaron’s expression turned grim. If the palace acted, there was nothing he could do—the ultimate power was still in their hands.

"My father won’t do it," Nolan’s chuckle echoed from beside him.

Belfor shot him a sharp look. "What do you mean, Prince Nolan?"

Nolan was unforgettable to him—not out of any kindness, but because of a foolish bet his grandson had made.

As a result, sixteen million Sharn had simply vanished. As a businessman, he valued every single Sharn, and that sum could have been turned into a profitable investment.

Alvaron was just as puzzled but remained silent, waiting for an explanation.

Nolan folded his arms, a playful expression on his face as he studied Belfor.

"Belfor Horvern, I’m sure you know my father well. From your perspective, what is he like?"

The question caught Belfor off guard. To him, Ragan was a stern, fair, and strong emperor—the embodiment of a responsible ruler. He couldn’t understand why Nolan was asking such a thing.

Nolan gave a small chuckle, as if reading his thoughts, and continued. "You may say he’s kind, firm, and so on. But don’t forget how he came to the throne. He killed his own brothers, his hands drenched in blood. So..."

He sighed softly, giving Belfor a pitying look.

"Don’t dream that he’ll save you..."