Earl Ster's betrayal didn't concern Prince Alexei much. But it absolutely could not happen while he was there!
That would destroy his future, even if his ruthless elder brother was to blame. In the royal family, right and wrong never mattered. Only ability did.
If he witnessed everything and still failed to control the situation, he would have no future at all.
So as long as Earl Ster's anger was aimed at the second prince rather than the entire Damboro Royal Family, that was the best outcome.
But Alexei no longer hoped to draw the Ster Family to his side. This time, they would probably become traditional nobles. When Dieter, their eldest son, inherited the earldom, he likely would not swear to obey the king in all things. Instead, he would swear not to betray Damboro or defy any of the king's commands that accorded with proper custom.
The Ster Family had long tried to forge its own path. The current earl and his two predecessors had simply been on good terms with the royal family, leaving them hesitant. Otherwise, the Mage Families would not have been so wary of them.
Even nobles who had earned their titles through military service did not all swear to obey the king without question.
Alexei looked toward the capital, then glanced at Countess Ster. A trace of regret stirred in his heart. What a pity. If only my engagement to Ellie had worked out!
Hill knew nothing of what had happened in Stell Castle, nor did he care. But he could not ignore the information Ellie had brought him. The connection between spiders and Crystal Fruit immediately brought that black spider with its flailing legs to mind.
A shadow fell over his otherwise pleasant mood.
He wasn't afraid of Rose. Unless Hill went