Soon after all of that unfolded, the guards quickly dragged Raymond away. A few bystanders watched the commotion, terrified that a member of the Divinity Clan was working with the demons. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel★fire.net
His son, Julius, was shaken to his core. He seemed like he couldn’t accept what was happening in reality.
Dhein observed him. Based on the information Zarria provided, he didn’t show any clear signs of being in cahoots with the demons like his father. Those behavior could just easily be a result of manipulation.
’Still, it’s pretty hard to believe...’ he thought to himself.
Plus, what about those masked men coercing Rose? Raymond clearly wasn’t working alone. Silver Cloud had been caught, but there should be more of them lurking around the manor.
That was what Dhein was about to interrogate Raymond about.
If it weren’t for Axerion cutting his tongue by a mysterious power.
Dhein glanced at his father reuniting with his grandfather.
"Rio! You’re back!" the old man Edvic exclaimed, running towards his son.
"Poppa!" Axerion returned the enthusiasm and met his old man.
After breaking the hug, the two discussed the tragedy that was Raymond Theocheirós’ life.
’What was Raymond about to say...?’ Dhein couldn’t help but think.
Watching his father, he looked just like a typical laid-back and cheerful guy. But do not be fooled. He had witnessed his father be consumed in rage and it never looked pretty. His words were just as harmful as his power, and speaking of harm, he somehow knew how to inflict the perfect amount in any sort of situation. He could be terrifying.
But despite that, he had been a good father to him and Zarria, and a good husband for Neral. Under his ruling, the Divinity Clan had also prospered like never before.
It was hard to imagine him doing something that should be kept a secret... so why?
’Is he hiding something..?’ Dhein dreaded.
He prayed that that wasn’t the case. If this man were to somehow become an enemy that he too would have to face, he doubted even Cyreth would be able to do the job.
Cutting his thoughts, Fiorelle walked up to his table by the gateway and placed the tray of reversal potions.
"There’s many more upstairs, Dhein," she muttered.
"Princess Shina and the others should be here soon."
Dhein nodded.
And in that moment, a loud announcement filled the air.
"The emperor has arrived!!!"
The imperial carriage followed by several more occupied the path of the manor. Stopping in front of the gate, Emperor Vedis and Shina got off. The carriages behind them revealed Thevon, Augros and Jaizen and a few soldiers and servants.
Axerion and his family stood in a line and lowered their heads to the monarchs.
"Welcome to our humble domain, your Majesty," the leader of divinity intoned.
Vedis raised a hand, signaling them to rise.
"Shina has gathered the remaining victims from the capital. We believe that’s all of them."
Came forward was a group, a mix of Olcourians and people from the slums.
The princess walked up and stood beside her father. All eyes instantly landed on her as she stood out like an ethereal flower in a field of plain grass.
She wore a gown that had a dark blue bodice with gold details and soft ivory sleeves. With the white, puffed fabric blending with her fair skin and the dark blue with golden outlines contrasting it, the gown really made her unmatched beauty stand out. Her layered skirt mixed blue and white fabric with delicate embroidery, giving it an elegant, almost otherworldly look.
She spread her gaze to all that was present, and, with practiced elegance, spoke in a soft but clearly audible voice.
"This is the Divinity Clan. Those who still haven’t had the mark of divinity, please proceed to the priests after you are cured."
And so, the crowd she had gathered began to systematically receive the cure.
While Axerion, Edvic and Vedis were having a formal chatter, Shina lifted her skirt slightly and walked towards Dhein.
Seeing Shina act like a real princess was, ironically, a bit of an unusual sight for Dhein. Come to think of it, this might have been the first time she interacted with him as the official imperial princess.
"It wasn’t as easy as you made it sound to be, Dheinyrus," she stated with a sigh. Though officially, their ranks were leagues apart, she still spoke to him like a casual friend. That tone didn’t change.
Pushing all of the negative thoughts at the back of his mind, Dhein responded.
"Sorry about that. But at least you made it."
Before heading home, Dhein had instructed Shina to gather all of the people who had eaten the cursed food all over the empire. That was nothing but wishful thinking. He knew that the people whose souls were already too far gone would not step out. The soldier from Selense, for example, had deliberately eaten the cursed food and betrayed the empire. There should be many of them left and the empire had to be prepared in dealing with them.
Though, there was one thing that shocked Dhein.
"Why are the other scions and your father also here?" he asked.
The princess shrugged.
"I also don’t know. Maybe the other scions came for more protection, for father, I’m not sure. But since it diverted his attention from Remi, I didn’t object."
"So Remi is fine?" Dhein asked, turning his head towards her.
"He’s weirdly close to my mother and I’m starting to get jealous," she replied with a small pout.
A moment later, the emperor had an announcement to make.
Everyone gathered around and listened to his words.
"Now that we have successfully banished the looming threat in our empire,"
’Not so sure about that...’ Dhein remarked in his mind.
"...I think it’s time for this discussion."
Dhein raised a brow, curious as to what the emperor was about to say.
"It’s about the grand tournament between the clan scions."
His face paled.