Chapter 167 - Would You Like A Drink? (2) (1/2)

Zenard reported details of the party to Carlisle. Carlisle, sitting quietly in his study as he listened, gave a regretful smile.

“I thought the plan would be a success given how carefully planned it was, but the Empress managed to escape again.”

“When I heard the news that the maid Asabe was executed, I thought it that was truly the Empress’ work.”

“That’s the way she likes to operate.”

Despite the care taken in Elena’s plan, Carlisle was not surprised by the outcome. If Ophelia had been an easy opponent, he would have defeated her already.

“Did you find any evidence that the Empress ordered the Flower Bridge’s collapse?”

“We are working hard with the Casey family who built the bridge, and we may have news in the near future.”

Carlisle was still dissatisfied.

“What are the components of the drug found at Redfield’s party?”

“I’ll find out exactly and keep you posted. We know it’s a drug, but it’s difficult to find out the components of the strange powder.”

“They’re out of the battlefield, yet they act like they’re out of the war? Tell them to move fast, before I send them back to the perimeter.”

Although Carlisle did not mean it completely, Zenard knew it wasn’t entirely a lie either.

“Once we find everything out, the Empress won’t be able to escape so easily anymore.”

Carlisle didn’t take those as words of consolation and laughed bitterly.

“I need to become emperor quickly.”

“Haste makes waste, Your Highness.”

The commonplace saying was true for Carlisle’s situation.

“Think of yourself in my position.”

“Is something wrong?”

Carlisle didn’t reply. Zenard thought he was attentive to Elena’s and Carlisle’s relationship, but that wasn’t the case at all. Carlisle never revealed to anyone that he was in a contract marriage with Elena, and with his wife close by every night, no one knew how much temptation Carlisle had to suffer.

“Well. It’s not something I can explain in words. And…”

Carlisle remembered Sullivan’s increasingly frail face. He wouldn’t necessarily call him a good parent, but he couldn’t completely ignore Sullivan’s health either.

When Carlisle spoke, it was in a subdued tone.

“…I should be the one to take over the throne before he dies. “