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"I just state why you should accept our proposal," Crown Prince Andres continued. "If you just sit still without doing anything, it will just be a matter of time before Zaro Aventine came after each one of you."

Andres Francia gave a quick thought before he said, "You asked what you would get if we succeed. I promise you that the rule of the Jerivians in Helsia will be over. The people here will be free again but... you will have to choose a new King."

The Crown Prince\'s last sentence confused the ex-officials.

A new King? What does he mean?

"Did you already forget why the war happened?" Andres continued as he understood what they were thinking. "If your King didn\'t insist to avenge his second son, the war won\'t break out and you will never face such a tragedy.

"Not to mention that he lost his other son in the second war. King Rozalez is blinded by hatred and he is not fit to rule. Besides, I will never allow him to gain power again just so that he will have the chance to come after my cousins. I\'m not a fool who will dig his own grave and I\'m sure that among you or those imprisoned, there will be someone who is fit to replace him."

Andres Francia made it clear that he had no plan to put King Rozalez on the throne again but still, he was willing to give back the throne to the Helsians and that alone was a relief for the ex-officials who already suffered under the Jerivian rule for more than a year.

They still remembered how many of them were against the second war but... King Rozalez was so determined to avenge his son. He rejected their opinion and neglected his people\'s suffering just to avenge his son. The war happened and that instantly became the downfall of their kingdom.

For someone who truly loved the kingdom and the people, it was impossible to understand the king.

Was his late son more important than the people or even the kingdom?

However, during the past year, they could only continue looking up at their fallen King because there was no other hope. At least, many soldiers were still loyal to him.

"More than half of our friends are still imprisoned," one ex-official spoke up. "And they are mostly the higher-ranked ones with brains and influence. Can you help us rescue them first? If you can do that, they will be very useful in carrying out the plan."

Andres briefly glanced at Orius before he said, "That\'s not hard. We can work on that."

"Are you the one who brought His Majesty away?" one ex-official asked the moment he heard Andres\'s response.

He said it\'s not hard. It seemed like he had done it before.

Now, all attention was back to the Cedore Crown Prince.

Was it really his doing?!

Andres Francia thought about it for a while and said, "Just know that you will never see King Rozalez again. I believe that the Jerivian King will soon declare him dead anyway. After that, it will be easier for you to take control of the remaining soldiers. You will also need their help if you are to accept our proposal."

"What if we reject your proposal?" one ex-official asked. "We already heard so much. That means you might kill us too."

Andres gestured Orius to answer and the latter promptly spoke up.

"Of course, we won\'t force anyone and we can also ensure you that we won\'t make any move against you, but... " He narrowed his eyes and then glanced at the officials when he said, "However, if you try to reveal anything, then you know what will happen.

"Trust us and we will provide you with everything. Betray us and it will be the biggest mistake of your life. So... make sure to think thoroughly before you make up your mind."

"You all know what\'s the best decision," Andres Francia chimed in. "Even if you don\'t take our hands, you will still end up dying in the hands of Zaro Aventine. Even if you are to die, won\'t it be better to die while fighting back rather than just sit and wait for the blow that will end you?"

*

After the long meeting, the ex-officials left the place and another meeting will be held two days later. At the next meeting, everyone will have to give their answer.

"Do you think it\'s going well?" Andres asked Orius who was still standing beside him inside the chamber.

"Better than I thought," the young Duke replied. "You took control of the situation right from the start and that help a lot."

"They don\'t have much choice," Andres shrugged. "King Rozalez is gone and Zaro Aventine wants their life. They can only choose to take our hands."

"What will we do next?"

"Let\'s wait first but we must keep a good eye on them. I doubt they will open their mouth but we shouldn\'t brush off the possibility," the Crown Prince stated.

"I will take care of that," Orius said. "You should focus on scaling the prison walls once again."

Crown Prince Andres nodded with almost a mocking smile. "Zaro Aventine still neglect this kingdom a lot. Even their security sucks." He looked at Orius and asked, "Do you want to meet him? He wronged you a lot."

"It will be the same as revealing ourselves," Orius said, confused.

"Won\'t it be more fun if he knows that it\'s our doing?" Andres asked with a playful smile. "It\'s not like he can do anything about it." He placed his hand on Orius\'s shoulder and said, "Real torment is when we know our enemy but there\'s nothing we can do. We should let him experience that feeling."

When the Crown Prince withdrew his hand, his face darkened a bit. "Iria already live that way for more than a year. She holds back because she wants to stop more sacrifice and she can only wait for a good chance."

He looked at Orius and continued, "We can give her that chance while letting Zaro Aventine get a taste of his own medicine."