Chapter 13: Insubordination Detected! Face Slap initiated!
Havelock briskly strode down the hall towards Evan's room.
He felt a jolt of surprise when he was able to open the door by simply lowering the handle - a feat that was typically impossible due to the chambers being tightly locked. For a moment, he stood motionless, his eyes fixed on Evan, trying to make sense of the unexpected turn of events.
Evan noticed Havelock's hesitation and smirked.
"What are you waiting there for?"
Havelock straightened his posture.
"I'm surprised. You used to open the door for the servants. But now you're not afraid of the non-existent threat anymore. It seems you've changed. I am really happy for you!" Havelock remarked with a smile.
His tone, however, was laced with bitterness. The words dripped with sarcasm and insincerences, and the resentment in his voice wasn't concealed either.
It was true that it was usually Evan who opened the door for others, including Havelock, which used to fill Havelock with a twisted sense of pride. However, on this particular day, what Havelock was looking forward to didn't happen, souring his mood.
Evan couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at Havelock's condescending tone.
He was already aware that Havelock harbored ill intentions.
It was the 2nd of May. According to the memories of Evan's past life as Christian Wolfie, Havelock had already shaken hands with the minor families and betrayed him.
Players could receive the cameo of every single villain in the game after defeating them, so Evan's life story wasn't a mystery to them. The game's developers' intentions might be to use his life as an example to teach players that not everything is as it seems, and even the most hideous of people may have a reason for their actions.
But it was because of this that Evan knew that Havelock had betrayed him.
It was precisely in "Evan's cameo" that Havelock revealed himself to be a spy. He didn't fear revealing his identity as Evan was no longer the Crown Prince.
He revealed the truth while torturing Evan. The person who carried out Evan's punishment in the Punishment Hall of the Frost Clan was none other than Havelock.
Thinking of how badly he was whipped in the cameo of the game, Evan couldn't help but rage. He really wanted to strangle that bastard, but he couldn't do it. He couldn't let his anger get the best of him. He couldn't dispose of Havelock as he was too precious of a chess piece. He couldn't do it until all his uses were exhausted.
[A quest has been generated!]
[Quest Name: Treacherous Servant!]
[Description: You know that the servant you used to trust has betrayed you and joined forces with the Minor Families. Although Havelock is still serving you on the surface, his loyalty is questionable, and he might be plotting against your interests. As the target of his ill intentions, you must teach Havelock a lesson and curb his disobedience.]
[Task: Bring Havelock to justice. You must find evidence of his treachery and confront him. You can choose to either forgive him or punish him, but the decision must be made carefully, as your reputation is at stake.]
[Reward: If you successfully complete this quest, you will receive a valuable item that will aid you in your future endeavors. Additionally, your reputation as a just and fair ruler will be enhanced.]
[Penalty: If you fail this quest or make the wrong decision, your reputation will suffer, and you may face undesirable consequences in the future. Your enemies will take advantage of any perceived weakness, and your reign may be cut short.]
Evan was about to overlook the Eunuch's misbehavior when he received a quest, prompting him to find faults with Havelock.
Evan's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed Havelock. "It seems like you haven't woken up," he said in a low, menacing voice.
Havelock's body tensed, his heart racing as he sensed the shift in Evan's demeanor.
Evan's eyes bore into him with a fierce intensity, and Havelock knew that he was in trouble.
"Surely, you jest. I'm wide awake," Havelock replied, trying to keep his voice even.
Evan, however, wasn't buying it. Havelock's acting was good, but he was acting in front of a person who knew his true colors. His efforts were rendered useless by Evan's 34 years' worth of memories.
"Then what is the reason for your behavior? Just because I laughed with you a few times, do you think you can remain intact after looking down on me?" Evan said, his voice growing louder with each word.
Havelock swallowed nervously. Evan's anger was noticeable. Havelock had never seen him so angry. The Evan he knew was a timid person that didn't talk a lot and was always paranoid. He definitely wasn't someone capable of confronting others.
For a moment, Havelock didn't know what to do.
"My prince, you are misunderstanding me," he stammered, trying to come up with an excuse.
"Shut up!" Evan barked, his voice echoing through the room and poking Havelock like a needle of pain. "I saw everything. You were disrespectful to me and even tried to undermine my authority."
Havelock's condescending words didn't warrant such a fierce reaction, but Evan wanted to find fault with him no matter what. What could Havelock do? Bite him? Well, that will just give another reason to punish Havelock.
Havelock's face turned pale as he realized that Evan had seen through his attempts to disguise his taunt as concern.
He knew that he had to act quickly if he wanted to save his identity as a friend of this paranoid teen.
"My prince, I was merely recalling the past. I didn't know it would offend you. Please overlook my mistake," he pleaded, sinking to his knees in a show of remorse.
Evan seemed to hesitate for a moment before relenting. "Sure. I will forgive you."
A smile appeared on Havelock's face.
Because he was bowing down, it couldn't be seen.
"I knew I could get away with it. He's still the spineless coward I know,' Havelock thought. 'Making fun of this brat in front of Edmund was too good to pass up. Maybe I'll make it a regular occurrence.' Havelock couldn't help but snicker to himself as he stood up.
And that's when he saw a taunting smile on Evan's face.
Evan's words dripped with condescension as he spoke,
"I am forgiving you only because I don't want to be known as a stingy person who bullies crippled youth."
Havelock staggered, almost falling back to the ground. Was this prince pulling his leg all along?!
'When did this brat become so annoying?!'
Despite not being a eunuch, Havelock felt irritated by the taunt of the paranoid crown prince, but he kept his emotions hidden beneath a relieved expression. Inwardly, he couldn't wait to tear apart Evan's mouth. Outwardly, he showed a smile.
Havelock's voice filled with respect and excitement as he exclaimed, "Your highness is fair and merciful!"
Though Havelock may have appeared subservient, Evan was aware of his craftiness, knowing that Havelock was silently cursing him in his mind.
Evan rolled his eyes, feeling disgusted with Havelock. How could a person be so shameless?
"Havelock, you fool. Why are you feeling happy when you only have been forgiven for your minor mistake? You still need to be punished for betraying me."
Evan's words were like a bolt out of the blue.
Havelock's stiffened. The crown prince knows that he has betrayed him!
Edmund was shocked. He thought he was the only one who knew that Havelock was a spy. But now it seemed like he had underestimated Evan!
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone