To emphasize the status of the Duchess of the Nation, Anjuri Moston appeared in a feminine form at this moment, with grayish skin and dressed in gender-neutral long robes, resembling a pure Priest. She held in her hands a beautiful and magnificent Laurel Crown, crafted from Fine Gold, not only expensive but also an excellent tool for casting spells.

Anjuri looked at her lover, whose face was tight and body wrapped in Thorn Heavy Armor, and teased:

"Be honest, my dear, how long have you waited for this moment?"

"37 years."

Lady Merston said lightly.

"Isn't that the same age as His Majesty?"

"From the day His Majesty was born, I have been looking forward to this day."

Merston said leisurely:

"My sister desired to give birth to a powerful child to revive the glory of the Dawnbreaker Family, and for this, she didn't hesitate to resort to some forbidden magic... Although this method brought her calamity."

"You're talking about Obyliana, who once planned to make the stronger child absorb the weaker one..."

"She descended into the Starry Abyss once."

Merston communicated this to Anjuri:

"If the mother descends into the Starry Abyss again during pregnancy, using the curse mark and the mechanism of sharing the curse with the same Pathway, she can transfer all curses onto the eldest son, who is still in the embryo stage and has no consciousness."

Anjuri frowned: "Isn't this method a Life Sacrifice? How could Obyliana, who loved sincerely throughout her life, do such a thing..."

"She was afraid, I think, from the moment she was pregnant, someone began eyeing her and her unborn child. So she planned to quickly give birth to the child, but who knew those people kept gaining allies, from causing miscarriages, poisoning, to finally setting fires and killing directly—so many years have passed, yet I still haven't caught them."

Merston mentioned this, then suddenly turned the conversation, asking:

"Does anyone know about His Majesty Leoz having a brother?"

"In this world, only you, me, Leoz himself, and the Doctor Jin who took care of Obyliana know."

Anjuri comforted:

"All these years, even if they abducted the younger one, so what? The young Majesty has grown up with knowledge and martial skills. Even if they plan to support the little prince to ascend, with you here, what can they do?"

Merston fell silent for a moment, facing the mountains of cheers below, yet a sense of unprecedented crisis surged within her.

"How many people know about Leoz's lack of Talent?"

"Well..."

Anjuri hesitated for a moment:

"Many of the palace maids and Knights in the capital know, and many civil and military officials can probably guess."

"Oxiulia has laid its foundation with the Pathway of Redemption, spread benevolence, and used magic to save people. This is a testament to the Royal Family's excellent lineage, passed down from generation to generation. It's safe to say that Oxiulia People have long believed that the King and Monarch should use the power of the Pathway of Redemption to heal the people. It's a traditional skill."

Merston moved her fists, restlessly saying:

"Even though over the years, Leoz has expanded territories and won the people's hearts, the rules are the rules. Leoz lacks Talent in the Pathway of Redemption, which I've hidden for decades, but once it's made public, will those civil and military officials and the people still revere Leoz as King?"

"Or rather."

"Can a Monarch who cannot save, heal, or resurrect the people truly earn the trust of the Oxiulia People?"

On this topic, even Anjuri had to fall silent.

Although she wanted to say this was unfounded worry since it was Leoz who ruled the Empire all these years, Leoz has also offended quite a few civil and military officials in the ongoing reforms.

Many lost their positions due to his reforms; some landlords became ordinary citizens, and the constant warfare left financial officials extremely dissatisfied. Some worried the Empire's expansion would incur the wrath of the Narrative Civilization and urged His Majesty to reflect on himself.

Internal hidden dangers have always existed.

In Merston's worries, there has always been an ending she was unwilling to face:

If one day, the little prince who was abducted years ago suddenly appears and showcases Redemption skills, reviving the dead, healing the sick, and regenerating dismembered limbs.

Then, who is the real rightful Monarch?

Would you prefer to accept a ruler who can keep you safe and healthy, free from the pain and Fear of Death?

Or choose a Sovereign who engages in constant warfare, pushing reforms, and whose radical fervor grows all the more intense?

The answer is obvious, isn't it? Few would be willing to keep fighting for the King indefinitely.

Merston can clear away all enemies for her nephew and even kill others for him.

But, if the opponent against her nephew is her other nephew?

Merston candidly admitted her thoughts:

She cannot do it.

Not only can't she, but she cannot stand by and watch the tragedy of siblings killing each other, a drama of brothers in discord happen. Even the once arrogant and defiant Lady Merston, who was unrestrained in her killings, has her weaknesses.

She became a Demigod too early, losing the ability to bear Life, and due to the Traits of Divinity, she can never have healthy offspring; even those acquired through other means become deformed and Distorted.

For this reason, after hearing about Obyliana's accident, Merston came to Oxiulia almost immediately, and seeing the young, lonely Leoz, she poured all the motherly love she couldn't fulfill into Leoz.

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