Doubt and Turning Back

"Locke, do you think His Majesty was behind all of this? Was that bastard Wexas, Earl of Wexas, merely pushed forward as a puppet?" Duke Kenmas asked.

Lorist, Duke Kenmas, Duke Felim, and Duke Shahin had all left the city by then. They had taken their families and family forces with them, left the Imperial Capital along the main road for Qilin Port, and planned to board a ship there for Shirovas Island, where they would discuss countermeasures and escape the summer heat.

What surprised Duke Kenmas and the others was how decisively Lorist had fallen out with the Second Prince this time, not leaving him the slightest bit of dignity. If the Second Prince declared the Norton Family traitors, then the Kingdom of Antinak would once again be plunged into turmoil and war. As three of the four great families in the Four Northern Families Alliance, they seemed to have no choice but to stand with the Norton Family against the entire kingdom.

"You could also stand with His Majesty the King and denounce Lorist and the Norton Family for their treasonous actions," Duke Kenmas said to Duke Shahin and Duke Felim.

"We're not idiots." That was Duke Shahin and Duke Felim's answer. They had considered pledging allegiance to the Second Prince, but based on their understanding of his character, the moment they showed any inclination to defect, they would surely become the first wave of cannon fodder sent against the Norton Family. Compared to the Second Prince, they felt it was safer to stand with Lorist. Even if their family forces were completely wiped out, they would not have to worry about being swallowed up by the Norton Family. On the contrary, Lorist could help their families recover and prosper again.

"Yes," Lorist answered with a gloomy expression.