The Empire's Flower

To the west of the royal palace, there is a palace in a special location, because just two steps from the entrance is the palace garden.

This palace is also an important place in the royal palace, because the eldest princess of the Tiresfa Kingdom lives here. It is a beautiful, classical but somewhat small Rose Palace.

Rediat had unknowingly walked outside the palace gardens. Looking up, he could see the Rose Palace. Even though it was late at night, he could still see the blooming blue roses outside the palace.

These blue roses are planted around the Rose Palace, but of course, even more are in the palace gardens.

Although he had a lot to say, Rediat didn't want to disturb his mother. He knew she was resting, but she would go to the garden to enjoy the scenery every day.

Rediat walked into the garden, where there was a delicate little pavilion, and Rediat sat on it.

I closed my eyes and thought carefully, recalling everything from the past.

He had never known who his father was; only a handful of people in the entire kingdom knew, but none of them were willing to tell him.

Compared to Meinz, he is still somewhat persistent.

Meinz didn't have high expectations for his father, and had a go-with-the-flow attitude, not caring whether he knew or not.

But now, he knows, recalling the clues about his father, he discovers that some things are connected. More than two years ago, his mother became somewhat melancholic, though it didn't last long, but he knows that all of this was buried in his mother's heart.

More than two years earlier, Patrick Redfield, the "The Lone Red," had lost his freedom and was imprisoned in Impel Down, his fate unknown.

Thinking of the proud "The Lone Red," and the blue rose he wore on his chest.

The blue rose is not only the princess's favorite flower, but also the national flower of the Kingdom of Riesfa. The coat of arms of the Carterotge family features a blue rose.

Throughout the territory of the Tiresfa Kingdom, many blue roses also bloom.

Blue roses have a unique meaning: giving blue roses to someone you love expresses that you are unique in my heart, I will only love you, and I will never love anyone else.

At the same time, it also represents endless blessings, wishing the other person all the best and a more relaxed and happy life.

Throughout his life, Rediat harbored a deep-seated, subconscious resentment towards his complete stranger, his father, during his search for him.

The slight resentment that arose from unfulfilled desire, however, gradually faded away as I reflected on it.

There was only one thought: to find him and see him in person.

That night, many things happened. Rediat sat quietly in his chair with his eyes closed, two fallen leaves resting on his shoulders.

As the sky gradually brightened, a gentle breeze carried the fresh scent of the morning. Beautiful blue roses surrounded the entire pavilion, making this the heart of the garden, its very core.

The garden also has other flowers, but they are all outside the central area.

On the flowers, the morning dew dripped slowly. Rediat knew this was his mother's favorite place, a place she would visit every morning.

Inside the Rose Palace, the doors opened, and a beautiful woman stepped out—a beauty beyond words. More importantly, her noble yet gentle demeanor drew people in.

"Princess Isabella, please go to the garden. Prince Rediat seems to be waiting for you; he has been waiting all night." The butler beside her, a mature butler who was also the palace's head maid, bowed his head respectfully to Isabella.

If someone with strong Observation Haki were here, they would realize that this housekeeper is not weak either, and possesses considerable hidden strength.

They were specifically sent to protect Isabella.

Even now, everyone in the kingdom calls Isabella "Princess," and Isabella also has the title "Her Eternal Princess."

"Oh! It's Rediat! I can't believe I've kept him waiting for so long. I haven't seen him in so many days." Isabella's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but smile. Her smile seemed to brighten the whole world.

She lifted her skirt and walked quickly toward the garden.

The housekeeper followed quietly behind Isabella, along with the maids.

Sitting quietly in the pavilion, Rediat looked up at the path leading from the palace. He could already feel that familiar and intimate presence; his mother was approaching.

From afar, he saw his mother, lifting her skirt, walking briskly towards him like a young girl.

Upon seeing Rediat, Isabella couldn't help but smile happily.

"Rediat, are you injured?" As she entered the Rediat, she noticed the bandages still on Rediat's body and asked with some concern.

"It's alright, Mom, my injuries have healed." Rediat replied gently. His injuries weren't serious, and he had almost recovered in such a short time. The fight with Teach had mainly drained his physical strength and energy.

However, after one night, it has basically recovered to its peak condition.

Seeing this, Isabella breathed a sigh of relief. With her keen eyesight, she could naturally tell that the members of the Carterotge family underwent special training from a young age, and each member possessed at least a certain level of strength. With so many powerful individuals produced, the family's bloodline was not weak, and even if someone's talent was lacking, they wouldn't be too bad.

Isabella was no different. She didn't like training and wasn't enthusiastic about strength, but as the king's sister and a direct descendant, her talent was naturally not bad. Although she wasn't as strong as the other members, no one forced her to do anything.

Because her role surpassed that of most other members of the family, she herself was the face of the royal family.

Back then, Isabella disappeared for a period of time without anyone knowing, and a few days after she returned, she discovered that she was pregnant.

This was a thunderbolt from the blue, causing a huge sensation throughout the entire Carterotge family and even the upper echelons of the Tiresfa Kingdom.

An unknown man dared to desecrate their eldest princess, and they almost wanted to mobilize a large army and powerful warriors to kill and annihilate that man.

However, after learning who the man was, everyone fell silent. No one dared to mention it, and only a few high-ranking members of the family and several elderly ministers of the kingdom knew.

There's no way to defeat them; they're too strong. A monster like that could single-handedly take down an entire kingdom, even if they're a world superpower.

It's best not to offend them if possible, and besides, their own eldest princess doesn't seem to be being forced.

Following closely behind was the expectation for the princess's child. As a member of the noble bloodline of the Carterotge family, combined with the powerful blood of the "The Lone Red," the child did not disappoint them, giving birth to two at once. They displayed monstrous qualities, inheriting the monstrous qualities of the "The Lone Red" and possessing the potential to reach the pinnacle of the world.

From that time onward, they were designated as heirs to the kingdom, and the Tiresfa Kingdom even offered two precious, top-tier Devil Fruit that they had kept for a long time.

"It's good that you're alright." Isabella looked at Rediat and couldn't help but reach out and touch Rediat face. He really looked like that man, and she couldn't help but recall his image.

Seeing his mother like this, with a hint of reminiscence in her eyes, Rediat could tell what she was thinking, but he didn't interrupt her; those were probably all fond memories.

After a while, Isabella came to her senses, sat down next to Rediat, and affectionately took Rediat arm. "So, what's up?" Isabella knew that her son must have something to say to him, otherwise, he wouldn't have waited all night.

Looking at his mother, Rediat took a deep breath. "Mom, I know him," Rediat whispered.

"Huh? Who?"

"The person I'm looking for," Rediat replied.

He could sense that his mother's body stiffened when he said those words.

Seeing this, the steward knew that what was about to happen was not something they should hear, so he turned to the maids on either side and said, "Let's leave for now."

Then, one by one, they withdrew, leaving the pavilion and the heart of the garden, leaving the space to the princess and the prince.

"Really? I thought I'd never hear from him again after he went into that place."

To Rediat's surprise, his mother seemed relieved, a smile appearing on her face, and she seemed quite happy.

Keeping it a secret like this puts a lot of pressure on her, making her feel somewhat repressed.

However, she knew that this matter could not be known by others, as it would not benefit the Tiresfa Kingdom, especially the World Government and the Navy. If they knew of the existence of Rediat and the other two, and that these two had inherited the "The Lone Red" qualification, they would use any means necessary, which would be extremely harmful to the Tiresfa Kingdom.

Therefore, the identities of Rediat and Meinz, the Carterotge family, and the high-ranking officials of the Tiresfa Kingdom were well protected, and few people knew of their existence.

Even the World Government and the Navy couldn't find any connection between them and "The Lone Red," nor could they find out the true origins of these two individuals.

Meinz is the child of the eldest princess and the heir to the kingdom. When Rediat abdicated the throne, the Carterotge family had already made preparations. His nominal father is a deceased nobleman.

The kingdom had already made arrangements regarding Rediat's identity. After Meinz stepped into the limelight, Rediat would remain in the shadows. However, there was also a backup plan: after Rediat learned of his father's whereabouts, he might leave the kingdom.

All traces of the kingdom will be erased.

As a member of the royal family, this sense of the bigger picture is essential; for the sake of the family and the kingdom, these are things that must be done.

"Then, tell me about what happened between you and him." Looking at his mother, he saw such a warm smile on her face for the first time, and couldn't help but ask. This was also the reason he came here—to learn about him.

"Alright, since you want to know, I'll tell you." Isabella nodded with a smile.

"If possible, could you please include me in the audience?" A gentle voice came from inside. It was Meinz, with short blue hair, who looked very much like Isabella.

"Brother, I also have the right to know about such things."

"Then you can listen together." Isabella stood up when she saw Meinz approaching, took Meinz hand, and led him to the other side.

The two brothers sat on either side of Isabella.

"How should I put it? Let's start from the day I met him. At that time, I didn't even know who he was..." Isabella smiled, reminiscing about the past and slowly recounting her time with Redfield.

At that time, she was in the most innocent years of her life, the kingdom's eldest princess.

He was a lone, powerful figure who had already made a name for himself on the high seas. Even though the then-dominant sea lord Rocks, invited him many times, he refused each time. Even when Rocks finally took forceful action, Rocks could not subdue him.

Rediat walked out of the garden, followed by Meinz, remembering the words he had spoken and the promise he had made when he left, "Mother, I will rescue him."

Since it wasn't forced, Rediat's negative emotions disappeared. After all, everyone has their own pursuits, and besides, "The Lone Red" herself didn't even know she might have a child.

I clenched my fists tightly, then released them, and Rediat strode forward toward Sanssouci Palace.

What they heard filled in many of their important regrets.

Sanssouci Palace, the kingdom's conference room, still only had the same three people sitting inside as last night: the elders of the Carterotge family, King William, Chancellor of the Exchequer Oscar, and Admiral Hindenburg.

Watching Rediat and Meinz slowly approach.

"It seems you all know. Now that you know, there's nothing more to hide. These are all materials I've collected over the years. I haven't destroyed them; I've kept them." King William took out two intelligence reports about "The Lone Red."

Inside, there were newspapers, a bounty poster, and some intelligence gathered, which were placed in front of Rediat and Meinz respectively.

"It contains his deeds and experiences over the years."

"We had a feeling this way long ago. No matter how well we hid, if you were determined to look for us, you would find us sooner or later."

"Let's talk about the matter concerning the Kraken Kingdom first." Rediat glanced at the intelligence reports, a shadow swept across and swallowed them all. "Today, a member of the Night Pirates will be coming to collect intelligence about the Kraken Kingdom and to discuss specific details of cooperation."