Chapter 156 (1/2)

Princess Maurice’s next words came crashing down like a wave. “I too like Claire.”

In an instant, Nancy felt his entire body go cold. He stared fixedly at the pretty, yet ice-cold face. Maurice had unexpectedly fallen for Claire!

“Brother. You must become the emperor. Our battle with the crown prince has already evolved into this. If he becomes emperor, you know better than anyone how our fate will end. You must be decisive!” Maurice’s gaze became more and more chilly.

Nancy rubbed his temple, his thoughts a mess. He knew better than anyone what would happen if they failed. Death, and not just any kind of death. The first prince would first banish him from the palace to some remote area, then assassinate him using disease as a cover. This was the way of the successor battle. Nancy knew clearly that if he lost this silent battle, it would not only be him who died, but also Maurice, their mother, and anyone else related to him.

Most importantly, royal authority was at stake! He could not let divine right usurp royal authority!

He could not afford to lose!

Maurice watched the changes in Nancy’s expression silently, sighing in her heart. Her brother was not ruthless enough! He was not cunning or decisive enough to be the successor! But it was still fine. She was there to assist him. She would help him obtain the highest position, fulfilling the dream she could not fulfill. If women could not ascend the throne, then she would let her brother fulfill her wish for her!

Maurice looked up. “Brother, our only choice is to force that old fox Gordan to publicly declare his stance. The Temple’s conditions simply cannot be agreed to. If agreed to, the throne’s position will be unstable. I do not want your name to go down in infamy.” If the Hill clan took a stance, they would be a strong ally against the crown prince and Temple.

“I know, I will definitely not agree.” Nancy sighed helplessly. He was still hesitant in his heart, somewhat bitter. How could he face Claire afterwards?

“Brother, don’t worry. I will take care of everything. It will have nothing to do with you. When the time comes, the prince will be the one to face the Hill clan’s ire,” Princess Maurice said coldly. From the bottom of her heart, she too did not want the golden haired green eyed girl to hate her.

“Is this really fine?” Nancy was still hesitant. He could still remember his promise to Claire clearly and that beautiful face.

“Brother, you must remember, you are the future emperor. You cannot be obstructed by emotions.” Maurice frowned. “Once you ascend the throne, you can think of a way to marry her. But right now, you must be decisive, otherwise you won’t obtain anything, but lose everything instead.”

Nancy gazed at Maurice’s serious expression and cold eyes. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh.

“Alright,” he said quietly, as if his entire strength had been spent. Nancy closed his eyes and gently leaned back in his chair. He knew that taking this step mean he and that golden haired, jade eyed girl could never be…

Maurice sighed in her heart, seeing how defeated Nancy was. But now, her brother had taken the first step to become the emperor. In the future, he would be a splendid emperor!

“It will be done as soon as possible.” Maurice’s voice was ice cold.

Nancy’s eyes remained closed. In his heart, he sighed. In truth, Maurice was more qualified that he and the crown prince! Her ruthlessness, her way of handling things, and her cunning all surpassed his and the crown prince’s by far!

And so, the two made this decision this night. However, they never would have imagined even in their wildest dreams what disastrous consequences this would bring! But by then, it would be too late to regret.

Three days later, as Princess Maurice’s head lady in waiting, Katherine was arrested for attempting to poison the crown prince. She was locked up in Calou garden, a place designated for nobles who had committed crimes. This matter was directly linked to second prince Nancy. The struggle for the throne had begun.

A storm had just begun. A tense atmosphere loomed over the capital.

The Hill clan was also ill at ease.

Princess Maurice stood at a window in her bedroom, look up at the sky, laughing coldly in her heart. “Humph! Now that old fox will take his stance!”

But Princess Maurice had heavily misjudged the importance Katherine held in Claire’s heart. What later happened left her filled with endless regret!

Hill manor. The study.

Duke Gordan sat at the study desk, his expression heavy. Roger stood at the side, his expression filled with worry.

“Father, what do we do now? This is clearly a conspiracy!” Roger hollered with exasperation.