章 17: A Potential Decision

Awakening magical talent was indeed a significant leverage.

However, relying solely on this seemed insufficient, which was probably why Rain had come to him.

"Even if you've regained your magical talent, our father won't consider you seriously. In fact, you have no choice but to support me, right?"

"You know better than I do how much our elder brother despises you, how much he hates your mother. If he ascends to the throne, do you think you would survive in Lionara?"

"Now, I'm giving you an opportunity. Choose to support me unconditionally, and when I ascend the throne, I will ensure your survival," Rain said, spreading his hands with a confident air.

He looked down at Leo as if bestowing a favor upon him.

Leo's face still bore a faint smile, showing no anger at Rain's words.

He sized up Rain as if looking at an interesting animal, a gaze that made Rain increasingly uncomfortable and eventually angry.

"My dear brother, I don't appreciate your current look. You should be kneeling before me, thanking me!" Rain suddenly stood up, staring at Leo, his voice ice-cold.

"So it seems I really don't have a choice?" Leo spread his hands.

"You never had a choice. You don't think you're eligible to compete for the throne, do you? A child born of a lowly wench!" Contempt was undisguised on Rain's face.

Hearing the term "lowly wench," a flash of murderous intent was barely concealed in Leo's eyes.

However, after a moment, his face regained its smile, even more brilliant than before.

"My dear brother, since you are so sincere, of course, I will choose to help you!" Leo bowed slightly.

Rain, seeing Leo bend towards him, finally showed a satisfied smile.

He stepped forward, coming close to Leo, then placed his hand on Leo's shoulder and lowered his voice:

"In that case, my dear brother, could you tell me how that potion which awakens magical talent is concocted?"

Hearing this, Leo's mouth twitched slightly.

Of course, he couldn't answer that question, because there was no such potion to awaken magical talent; it was just a concoction of herbal residues.

"I only managed to concoct a single bottle by sheer luck, and I haven't fully mastered it yet," Leo replied, lifting his head with a smile.

Rain was momentarily taken aback, then narrowed his eyes.

He obviously didn't believe Leo's words, thinking Leo was just unwilling to reveal his secrets.

However, now was not the time to confront Leo, so he smiled again.

"Alright, it seems we still need some time to figure things out," Rain said with a nod and a smile.

...

The two men walked out of the manor smiling.

Leo watched Rain return to his carriage and waved with a smile.

Only after Rain's figure had disappeared from his sight did Leo slowly turn around.

He looked at Lilith and Frett standing to the side and smiled faintly.

"It seems Prince Rain didn't notice you at all, didn't even greet you,"

Leo said to Lilith with a smile.

"Your Highness, I don't understand what you mean," Lilith said, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

To say that Rain meant anything substantial to her was a stretch, and even if there had been anything, she no longer harbored much emotion to regret it.

"Ha!" Leo laughed, then said, "What I mean is, that guy you once liked is an idiot."

"Are you trying to insult me in this way?" Lilith bit her lower lip lightly.

"Why, isn't it allowed?" Leo asked.

Lilith, suppressing the feeling of humiliation in her heart, responded in a cold voice, "I have no relations with Prince Rain."

"You don't need to explain to me," Leo said indifferently.

He started walking towards his bedroom.

As he walked, he said, "Come to call me before eight tomorrow; I need to pay a visit to our dear father."

"Yes," Frett nodded.

Lilith watched Leo's retreating figure, her hands clenched into fists, her gaze trembling slightly.

She couldn't understand why Leo seemed so keen on tormenting her.

...

The royal palace of Lionara was undoubtedly the most luxurious building in the nation.

The red carpet, embroidered with intricate patterns, greeted officials and nobles from all over the country as they walked through the palace, ascending the white marble stairway to meet the most revered King.

Horn, in his exquisite armor and accompanied by his attendants, entered the palace.

Rain, with his entourage and favored nobles, also stepped into the palace.

Leo stood outside the palace, his face showing a hint of abstraction.

It was a place so familiar, yet he hadn't been here in a long while; the air of that small town almost made him forget.

Many people noticed his presence, but no one approached to greet him.

Everyone knew of Leo's reputation and preferred not to be associated with him.

Leo, unconcerned about these attitudes, entered the palace with Lilith.

"Leo!" Rain, seeing Leo, smiled.

"My dear brother," Leo nodded in acknowledgment.

He sensed the veiled threat in Rain's eyes, his smile becoming more pronounced.

Turning, he saw a face both familiar and strange appear in his line of sight.

Horn, in his opulent armor, shone with a divine light under the natural illumination, looking at Leo as if a god were gazing down upon an ant.

"I hear you've been doing well in your domain. Good, don't disappoint father and me anymore," Horn spoke with an indifferent tone.

At this, Leo's mouth twitched. He raised his head, his smile somewhat exaggerated.

If there was anyone in this world he wanted to kill, or even torture to death, it would be this soon-to-be king.

So, he found it laughable, hence the forceful smile.

"My dear elder brother, I have received your concern and will remember it well," Leo said with a double entendre.

Horn's expression stiffened slightly.

He was well aware of what he had done, but he didn't expect Leo to dare provoke him at this time, which angered him.

"You'd better know what you're doing," Horn said coldly.

"I think I understand better than some fools who only know how to brandish swords and spears," Leo replied with a smile.

Horn's expression turned completely cold.

He thought Leo's provocation was already enough.

Who was he calling a fool?

Himself?

Had this fool gone mad in the wilderness?

"Ha! Very well!" Horn looked at Leo coldly, his eyes already harboring murderous intent.

Like his father, he had always despised Leo, a child born of lowliness, and wished he could kill him directly.

Now, Leo dared to provoke him time and again, making it increasingly hard for him to contain his murderous intent.

Standing aside, Rain couldn't help but reveal a smile upon hearing the exchange between Leo and Horn.

"Your Majesty!"

"..."

Suddenly, the atmosphere grew noisy.

Sensing the change, Leo looked up to see King Vickery III of Lionara, supported by servants, coming into view.

He was clad in a magnificent robe, adorned with a golden crown, his curly beard and deep blue eyes prominent.

His stature was imposing, full of authority; even in his old age, he resembled a majestic lion.

King Vickery III surveyed the room, his gaze lingering over his subjects and children, until it fell on Leo.

His brows creased imperceptibly - fathering this child with a woman of low status was his greatest regret.

He believed Leo tarnished the royal bloodline, and if not for ethical considerations, he might have already ordered the execution of this 'base-born'.

"Horn, it's been a long time since you've been to the capital, hasn't it?"

When his eyes landed on Horn, a smile finally appeared on King Vickery III's face.

Seeing his father's smile, Horn immediately stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty, it's been about two years! In this time, we have annihilated no less than ten beastfolk tribes and resisted the attacks from the north!"

"Very good, worthy of being my son. You shall receive the rewards you deserve," King Vickery III said, nodding with a smile.

Then, his gaze shifted to Rain.

The smile on his face became more pronounced, even showing a hint of indulgence.

Rain's background and behavior were his favorite, and he saw in Rain the son who most resembled his younger self.