Kingdom’s Bloodline

 The Duke's study was quiet for a long, long time.

 After hearing the prince’s proposal, the two Kevin Deeres had different expressions and digested it for a long time.

"So, after going through so much, we are still standing still." The first person to speak was Federico. He had a complicated expression and seemed to be smiling. "In the end, he was innocent and everything was business as usual. He continued to do what he had usurped. Duke of South Shore?”

 “Business as usual?” Zhan said disdainfully.

 “But you have become the new Viscount of Gonghai City, Fede.”

Thales raised his eyebrows and forced a smile:

 “This is a big step.”

"Being under his control, listening to his orders, maybe even being tortured to death by him in the end?" Fede raised his voice.

 Before Thales could react, Zhan snorted coldly:

"So according to your statement, Feide returned home honorably after clearing his name, and became the second-in-command of the Kongming Palace and the special agent of the royal capital, but I have to hand over some rights and tolerate my evil-minded cousin. My rule is very fickle and difficult, maybe he will usurp the throne in the end? "

Duke Iris sneered:

 “Everyone is happy?”

Federico answered in time, with the same sarcasm on his face:

 “Let bygones be bygones?”

The two of them had their own priorities, but they both stared at Thales with a chilling smile in tacit understanding, making the latter feel hairy on his back.

 Back and forth, the sense of déjà vu reminded Thales of the scene in the Hall of Heroes many years ago, when he faced Charmaine Lombard and the four Grand Dukes.

However, compared with the conflicted nobles of Exeter, aren't you Kevin Deere a family?

Taylors sighed.

Thor is right, it seems to be more difficult than imagined.

Hmm, a little smaller.

 Thales smiled, as if the conversation just now was going well:

“Very good, it seems you all understand. Before moving on to the next step, if you still have any questions about the details…”

"Your previous proposal was much better than this," Zhan En's smile disappeared, leaving only a cold face, "At least you promised to send him to the Bone Prison?"

 “At least?” Federico frowned.

"But you don't agree. Let me wait a few more days and come back when the situation in Emerald City gets worse." Thales shrugged, "So I waited."

Zhan sneered and ignored the prince's sarcasm.

“So, you have completely controlled the situation: debts, commerce, public security, nobles, military resources, and even gangs... All the problems in Emerald City have been solved, and that’s why you are so unscrupulous and unscrupulous.”

Zhan looked at his tense-looking cousin:

 “Either to me or to him?”

Thales just picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea. He behaved calmly and his expression did not change.

 Damn it, it’s so painful.

"As the saying goes, an iris is of one mind and sharp in its decision--well, in fact, you two don't need to like each other in the Emerald City, or even cooperate, you just need to cooperate with me separately."

Taylors continued to put on a fake smile.

 In fact, perhaps the two brothers have a very different relationship with each other and have an incomprehensible hatred, which is why they can leave the greatest talisman for the future Emerald City.

 And if they really cooperate sincerely in the future...

 Thales thought:

 The Emerald City may be in for a disaster.

 “Please forgive me for being blunt.”

Federico spoke in a low voice:

“Your Highness, since you have taken control of the situation and have no worries about the weapons, why don’t you just go all out and achieve the full result?”

Tales frowned.

　　　　…

 The question is, what is the full merit?

Where is the full credit?

Who takes full credit?

"Your Highness, please think twice: We have made so many efforts, the Emerald City has been captured, and the goal is about to be achieved. We only have the last step to solve the culprit." Feder raised his head and stared at Thales, trying to hide the dissatisfaction in his eyes and trying to bargain. , "At least send him to the Prison of Bones, or even put him under house arrest in the capital, as long as he stays away from the Emerald City?"

 Zhan frowned slightly.

 Federico is extremely serious:

“Otherwise, even if he agrees to His Highness, with Zhan En’s ambition and management, it will only take two years for us to regain power, and all our previous achievements will be wasted.”

Hmm, that makes sense.

 Tales nodded slightly.

but…

 “But you’re not going to let that happen, are you?”

Tiles understated:

"As the Viscount of Gonghai City, Fede, promise me: you will do your best to serve the country and curb your cousin's ambitions."

Federico gritted his teeth.

"The above conditions are negotiable, Thales, but you have to send this guy to the gallows or to prison."

Zhan spoke at this time, and he spoke sternly:

“Lest the black sheep of the big families follow suit in the future and usurp the family head, causing everyone in the Nineteen Stone Seat to be in danger and making it difficult for you to conquer the six realms in the future.”

Thales was startled when he heard this.

I just heard the Duke of Nan'an hum:

“As for the Viscount of Gonghai City, you just need someone to keep an eye on me anyway. You can let anyone be you, even the Black Prophet.”

this…

“Then I’m afraid you won’t survive tomorrow morning.” Thales responded with a sigh.

"It would be better if I die with my eyes open one day." Zhan said softly.

“Your Highness does not mean the Black Prophet.” Federico said expressionlessly.

 “That’s not what I said.” Zhan En said coldly.

 The two Kevin Deeres looked at each other with deep hostility and caution.

 Like two swordsmen dueling each other, stepping on each other's feet, testing each other.

 It would be nice if Taylor wasn't in the middle.

All right.

 Thales rubbed his scalp, and the scar cut by Sak'el was still clear to the touch.

"But as long as you agree to my conditions," Thales tried, "No matter what happens in the future, you can at least get out of the current predicament, regain freedom and even power, act independently, and no longer be prisoners who can only wait anxiously."

“But that’s not freedom.” Federico shook his head.

Zhan snorted softly.

“After agreeing to this condition, he and I were imprisoned here, in the Emerald City, just like the location of our rooms: monitoring each other and guarding against each other, becoming each other’s cage.”

Zhan chuckled, picked up the teacup, and said sarcastically:

 “This new tea is really delicious.”

"I didn't expect that one day I would agree with you," Feder said coldly, raising his tea cup as a gesture, "Dear cousin."

Okay, although this bad idea was indeed inspired by Mallos' arrangement of accommodation for the two Kevin Deeres...

Tales twitched the corner of his mouth helplessly.

“To be honest, you two have quite a tacit understanding at the moment,” the second prince, who was in the middle of the coordination, sighed. “You really don’t want to consider working together? You two will become a good couple.”

"I understand His Highness's painstaking action, but in reality everything cannot be perfect." Federico was still respectful.

 “He won’t let me go.” Zhan En said concisely.

"Just like he won't tolerate me." Federico was equally determined.

 Oops, this feeling of déjà vu is coming again.

Tales closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

How did he convince those Yankees who only knew how to fight and kill?

Whoever disobeys you, use magic power to crush him to death?

Zhan glanced at his cousin and concluded with disdain:

"If we do as you say, Thales, one day one of us will die...at the hands of the other."

“That’s easy,” Thales forced out a sincere smile, “Whoever gets into trouble first, I’ll kill the one who’s left.”

The smiles of both Kevin Deeres disappeared.

It seems like the tea in my hand suddenly loses its aroma.

 The entire study fell into silence.

Thales was the only one left smiling, with bright eyes looking at the two iris flowers, one red and one black:

 Fair enough, right?

 After the joke was over, Thales still sighed.

“Listen, I’m trying my best to protect both of you at the same time,” he said a little tiredly, “but you have to kill each other to be satisfied?”

“He is just responsible for his own crimes,” Zhan En said coldly, “Don’t forget, how many lives have been lost since he returned to Emerald City?”

"Everyone deserves what they deserve," Feder shot back. "They are all participants in the old case, repaying the debt for the injustice and torture my father suffered at your hands."

Tales started rubbing his scalp again.

He leaned on the noble leather backrest reserved for dukes and murmured to himself:

“That’s all, I might as well kill you two at the same time, let Heeley take over directly, and protect the Duchess of the South Bank...”

Zhan frowned and warned:

 “Tiles!”

Thales snorted coldly: "Maybe I'll send you both to the Prison of Bones and lock you both in a single room..."

Federico glanced at the two of them and his eyes moved:

“If this is because of Cecilia, Your Highness, and because you cannot bear to see her disappointed, then with all due respect…”

Tiles’ eyes moved.

"Under the current situation, only Zhan is gone - of course, this is his own fault and has nothing to do with you," Feder said softly, "Only then can you and her have no obstacles and finally get married."

ah?

 Tiles suddenly froze.

Zhan trembled first, then slowly turned his head:

"What did you say?"

no…

Tales was confused:

Him, did they all misunderstand something?

"And we can do this: I guarantee she will hate me, not you, Your Highness."

Federico nodded respectfully, ignoring his cousin's sharp eyes that wanted to open his chest and disembowel him:

“When the time comes, I will sincerely bless you—this is something that Zhan will never be able to do in his life.”

Zhan’s eyes became even more terrifying.

 Thales felt a sharp pain in his brain.

This topic is going a little bit wrong.

But unexpectedly, the Duke of South Bank, who was always about to explode when he mentioned his sister, did not lose his temper. He just took a deep breath and calmly replied to Feder.

"Don't involve her, cousin," Zhan En said slowly, "she wasn't even old enough to be sensible when something happened to our family."

 But Federico gave no face at all:

“Is it because she is not old enough, or do you think she is not old enough?”

Zhan En’s eyebrows trembled.

"Can't you see, my dear cousin? It's fate. No matter what you do, no matter how much you think, you can't stop Hiley from getting close to the person she likes."

Thales was a little embarrassed when he heard this. He was about to argue, but he felt that if he really did so, it would only make him more embarrassed.

 So I had to keep quiet.

Just listen to Feder continue without mercy:

 “There is no way to stop her from living the life she deserves, without being tied down by her family.”

Zhan En was stunned.

Federico smiled as he spoke:

“So your presence is a hindrance, Jenn, and will only bring pain and struggle to our little sister.”

Tiles finally got out of the awkward period and couldn't help but frown when he heard this.

Zhan’s eyes have never looked so scary.

 He stared at Federico, his breathing became heavier, and his whole body was visibly shaking.

 “She is not your sister.”

“So you only allow her to be yours?” Federico tutted, “How sick.”

"Sick?" Zhan gritted his teeth and spoke with difficulty: "The person who said this has lived with vampires underground for eleven years."

 But another Kevin Deere showed no sign of weakness and even went a step further:

“With all due respect, cousin, if it was really for your sister’s good, you should die earlier.”

"enough!"

Taylors had to interrupt the two people who were gradually starting to attack each other.

He frowned and paused for a moment, unable to help but feel unworthy of the use and offense Heeley received during the conversation between Zhan and Federico.

Her brothers with the same surname and blood...whether they love her or hate her, they are all creatures of power.

 He suddenly felt bored.

 He no longer wanted to care about the grudges between the two of them.

 No matter who cares more about whose sister, or who really killed whose father.

  It’s the same anyway.

 Trivial, childish, boring.

 And you have big things to deal with, Thales.

 It is related to national affairs and the livelihood of all people.

 The voice in his heart said coldly: It is better to resort to more powerful and realistic means.

Tales' face turned cold.

 “Neither you nor him will die.”

The two of them turned their heads together and looked at Thales sarcastically, with disbelief written all over their faces.

“Okay, I know that my handling of the situation makes you all dissatisfied and even uncomfortable,” Thales left the back of his chair and changed his strategy, “But believe me, you can’t have a more satisfactory result.”

Both Kevin Deeres had no reaction.

Tales turned to one of them.

 The one who has more and therefore cares more.

"That's right, Zhan, I can do what you want: put Feder to death, and let you return to the position of Duke with good conditions, so that you can continue to be a good mediator in the sound of peace... "

Thales’ tone tightened:

"But that is destined to be the last time I help you. Whether I want to or not, next time, I will definitely not be able to help you 'happy everyone' like this time, and patiently help Emerald City 'control the situation'..."

 He paused:

 “…let alone help Heeley.”

Zhan’s eyes moved.

Thales said lightly:

 “Even if you have the intention, you are powerless.”

Zhan En was silent and thoughtful.

 Thales ignored him and turned to the other person.

 He who has more to lose and therefore cares less about.

"And you, Feder, with all due respect, it is precisely because someone wants to overthrow the Duke of Iris with a deep root. As an exiled nobleman - this is a nice way of saying it, a more realistic way of saying it is 'lost residence' - you have Opportunity to return to China to seek justice.”

 Federico’s expression changed.

Thales narrowed his eyes:

“If Zhan just dies like this, is gone, is no longer here... do you really think you will be the final winner?”

Federico’s eyelids twitched.

"Believe me, when the time comes I want to help you, but it will be much more difficult than it is for me to help Zhan now."

Feder gritted his teeth and groaned:

“I don’t care—I’m enlightened when I come here.”

"Because you had nothing before," Thales said expressionlessly, "but that was before, Lord Viscount Federico."

 Hearing this title, Feder's eyes changed.

“A great man of the kingdom has given me a warning, and I am passing it on to you.”

Thales said lightly:

"He said: 'Since it has been given to you, hold on to it and hold on to your sword.'"

Thales narrowed his eyes:

 “‘Don’t lose it.’”

Federico fell into deep thought upon hearing this, his breathing quickened and his expression struggled.

Tales closed his eyes and gently rubbed his forehead.

Very good, Thales.

The voice in his heart gave a low voice of approval:

 You're on to something.

Being in this position, flicking the silk thread in his hand and playing the music hit the key points of weakness of both of them.

 Even without…

Tales opened his eyes through a slit.

 You can also get a lot of information by observing their reactions. Continue to pick up the next thread.

 Until the dial...

 The whole snare.

 “What about you?”

Federico's sudden question brought Thales out of his thoughts and came back to his senses.

"Since you know that Zhan is going to be overthrown, and you know that I will not be the winner," Feder's expression is very strange, half-smiling but not smiling, with a kind of madness after relief, "then your highness, you still make such casual decisions and make hasty decisions, Confront him in private..."

 He looked at Thales:

 “Will he be satisfied?”

he.

Tales frowned deeply.

The young man looked at Federico, who had a cold face, and moved his fingers, trying to pluck the threads on the other man's body, but he felt that the whole net was shaking.

 “That’s my business.”

The moment he spoke, he felt that a certain thread in his pocket containing the "Kortaksa" was being plucked.

Thales ignored the discomfort in his heart and spoke slowly:

“I’ve only known you for a short time, Feder, but I thought after all our interactions, you should understand...”

 “Don’t mention ‘him’ in front of him.”

Zhan sighed and saved half the sentence for Thales:

 “Speaking from experience, cousin.”

Federico looked at Zhan, then at Thales, took a deep breath, and said decisively:

"I said, as long as I can get revenge, as long as I find justice, as long as I find the truth, as long as Zhan pays the price, I don't care who the winner is, whether it's me or someone else..."

 “You can’t win!”

Tales suddenly shouted loudly, startling both of them and looking at each other.

The prince immediately realized that he had lost his composure. He had to take a deep breath and took a sip of tea to remind himself before returning to his normal tone:

 “It’s like he can’t win either.”

Thales’ eyes were burning:

"Even if I didn't intervene, even if I let you kill Zhan En, and let you become the regent of Kongming Palace and even the Duke of Nan'an, even if the Nan'an Territory will be directly under the jurisdiction of the royal family from tomorrow...he, he can't win."

Federico and Zhan frowned at the same time.

"Because he is aloof and thinks that as long as he sits in the royal capital and strategizes, and adds some coercion and inducement, the Emerald City will be able to get there, and he will be paid ten thousand gold a year. He thinks that as long as he hits the tree trunk roughly and forcefully, the money tree of the Emerald City will fall. money."

 Thales gritted his teeth:

"But he has never set foot here. He has never seen it with his own eyes like me. He has seen all kinds of people in the Emerald City, both inside and outside - even I haven't seen enough."

Far from enough.

"Because he, like you, thinks he has experienced destruction and injustice, tragedy and pain, so he has the right to not care. He has the right to only take but not to give. But he doesn't understand, let alone has the chance to understand: He has to reach out to protect the branches first. , water and fertilize so that the tree can grow fruit.”

Thales' mind flashed back to what he had seen and heard in the Emerald City these days, and he remembered what Zhan had told him. The sixth generation of Kevin Dill had succeeded in turning Iris from the highest link in the Emerald City to the lowest link in the Emerald City. , and then return to the highest level of more than a hundred years of hardship.

 “So he can’t win.”

Thales said in a trance:

“And the day when he reached out to shake the money and found that the branch was dead, and he had to admit that he couldn’t win…”

 He turned to the pale Federico:

“Which one do you think he cares about more, you sitting on the Duke’s throne or the dead and broken Emerald City?”

Federico frowned and swallowed.

His lips parted, but in the end he didn’t answer.

Thales chuckled and nodded:

“That’s right: he doesn’t care.”

 Thales sighed and leaned back on his seat slumped.

 “Consider my proposal again.”

 Neither Kevin Dill spoke.

Not bad.

The voice from the bottom of Thales’ heart said to him:

As a strong person, it is also a good method to express your difficulties and pain in a timely manner, and in turn achieve a surprising victory effect, but you must be careful...

"I see."

Federico interrupted his thoughts, disbelieving and disappointed:

“It turns out that the most conservative, passive and unprogressive person in this city is far from Zhan En.”

Thales hummed softly:

 “Whatever you say.”

 That’s the thing anyway.

 Just looking at the two of them now...

 “Can’t you see, Feder.”

Zhan, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke, but it was not to Thales, but to his cousin who was at odds with him.

"Our beloved Prince, he is doing what he has always been best at, or the only thing he is good at..."

Zhan glanced at Thales with contempt and complexity:

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ulation

 Thales couldn’t help but stiffen in his movements while holding the tea cup.

What?

Even Federico frowned and looked at his cousin.

“Not just between the two of us, Kevin Dill,” Jenn sneered, “but also between him and his father, and maybe between himself and Hilley.”

Tiles looked ugly.

"Escape from conflict means neither one of us will win, nor His Majesty, nor even myself." Zhan's eyes that seemed to see through everything made Thales feel cold. "Naturally, no one will 'lose' ”

The Duke of South Bank turned to Federico, but it seemed that he was not looking at him, but at something behind him.

“There is no gambling gambler who turns over the table and flashes his knife.”

Zhan snorted disdainfully:

"There is also Xihuang, and even Exter many years ago. God knows how many 'crises' he has solved in the past using this harmonious method, deceiving himself and others, and how many worse hidden dangers he has buried, and how many futures he will bring. The disaster…”

 Damn little flowers.

Tales stared at him with an evil look in his eyes.

But curses are curses, but he couldn't help but think of the words of Balta, the former barber shop owner:

　　【Before that, all the rescue methods were just trying to put out the fire with salary, which was not only futile, but also self-righteous...】

Even though he thought so, Thales still said:

“At least you’re still sitting in the Kongming Palace, Zhan, instead of turning your head upside down into a brush to clean my toilet.”

Zhan couldn't help but frown: "What?"

Tales turned to the other person and tried to convince himself to get through the hurdle in front of him first:

"And you, Fede, must know how to accept things when they are good: the choice between the Viscount's mansion and the dank dungeon is actually not difficult."

Federico frowned deeply.

"In contrast, I think you are not willing to lose at the hands of the other party, right?"

Thales took a deep breath and didn’t think about the deeper meaning of Zhan’s words:

 “It is better to die because of friends than to die because of enemies.”

Neither Kevin Deere was very happy to be lectured in his own family language.

"My conditions may be very harsh for you two, but please remember that if it were someone else sitting here, the conditions would only be even more harsh."

 Thales gritted his teeth:

"I'm tired. I've explained the truth clearly. It's up to you to figure it out."

 The prince obviously wanted to drive away the guests, which made the two Kevin Deeres frown.

“No matter what your response is,” Thales continued, “I will announce the result of the noble arbitration at the final praise banquet of the Emerald Celebration.”

Tales stood up, and Zhan and Federico also had to stand up—either out of upbringing or out of status.

“Until then, if one of you changes your mind, please come directly to me.”

 Thales walked towards the door - but he took two steps and subconsciously stopped, then he remembered with embarrassment:

Now he, Thales Brightstar, the acting regent of Emerald City, is the master here.

 He should not have been the one to leave.

Tiles turned his back to the two of them, with a look of frustration on his face.

Oops.

Duke Xinghu couldn't help but feel embarrassed, but he responded in time, quickly adjusted his expression, turned around to face the guests appropriately and naturally, stretched out his arms, and made a farewell gesture towards the door:

“But please also remember: No matter how much it costs or how much it costs, there will always be a discount for those who arrive first.”

Zhan and Federico looked at each other.

“For those who haven’t arrived...well, it’s not a question of whether there is a discount, but whether there is stock.”

Facing the acting regent who saw off the guests with a smile, both of them were silent for a while.

Just when Federico was about to leave, Zhan suddenly spoke.

 “You need us.”

Tales’ smile continues:

"please forgive?"

Zhan raised his head and looked at Thales firmly.

 “You need the Emerald City, Thales,” he affirmed, “just like you need the Western Wasteland.”

 While Thales and Federico looked puzzled, Zhan continued coldly:

"You need our Kevin Deere to be alive and in pain. You need a profitable but 'unfinished' Emerald City to continue to struggle and resist, sandwiched between you and His Majesty's breath, so that you can have the confidence. If you have a bargaining chip, you can return to Fuxing Palace to face him in the future.”

Tales' face changed slightly, while Federico was thoughtful.

Zhan pointed at Federico:

“That’s why you need to live in harmony between us, and we need to hate each other but tolerate each other, live in the Emerald City.”

Tales frowned and thought for a while.

"I have to say, Zhan, I admire your imagination and conspiracy theories, including your mindset of understanding everyone as a profit machine and a power creature, but don't be too..."

But Zhan interrupted him with a sneer:

"how long?"

how long?

Tales’ eyes were puzzled.

“A gambler hasn’t lost, so he hasn’t tipped the table yet. But he hasn’t won, so he won’t leave.”

Zhan En’s articulation is clear and every sentence is shocking:

“But how long can a gambling game that neither loses nor wins money last? How long can the guests endure without giving up the game or even..."

 He looked at Thales with evil intentions:

 “Change the dealer?”

Tales’ face darkened.

“One game? Two games? Ten games? Forever?”

Federico looked at Thales and then at Zhan, his thoughts changing rapidly.

"As far as I understand them, Thales, a gambler will rarely turn over the table just to lose money," Zhan said coldly, "but he will often fight for poverty."

Tales did not speak.

The Duke of Nan'an did not leave his seat. On the contrary, he sat down as easily as the master here.

 “Unless someone makes up his mind…”

Zhan’s eyes are sharp:

 “End the bet.”

As soon as the words fell, there was only dead silence in the study.

 After a while, Thales took a deep breath.

 In front of him, in the invisible air, the entire net covering him was shaking uncontrollably.

  Driving countless silk threads, tightening them inch by inch.

"Gamble less money, Zhan," Thales replied with difficulty, remembering what he saw at the Black Gold Casino in the Royal Capital when he was a child, "As far as I understand them, it's not terrible if a person loses a bet."

 He looked up at Zhan:

“The most terrifying thing is that he won the bet.”

Zhan turned his head and looked at him coldly.

“Because if he loses, he loses it, but once he wins, he can’t help it, he can’t help but keep betting, the next one, and the next one, and the next one.”

Thales said softly.

"Until he bets chips that he can't even afford to lose," the prince looked at the two people in front of him and stopped smiling, "he can only drag others, countless people, innocent people, people who are not in the gambling game at all, to replace them. He will pay for it together.”

Zhan and Federico thought deeply about this sentence.

 Thales raised his arm to see off guests again:

"It's time for you to go back to your room. Please remember: I'm only waiting for the praise banquet."

Federico glanced at Zhan, who was sitting in his seat with no intention of leaving.

"Well."

Zhan En spoke softly, but what he said shocked both of them:

 “I agreed.”

accepted?

he…

 Taylor paused for a moment, then slowly raised his head, confirming his hearing in the eyes of Zhan En's clear and cold eyes and Federico's disbelief.

 “I can’t hear you.” He said softly.

Zhan sneered.

"I say, Thales, I accept your above conditions, whatever you want, **** it, disgusting things."

Zhan pointed to another Kevin Dill, straightened his body and looked extremely serious:

"Including letting this **** live in the South Bank Territory, or even living in my Kongming Palace - plus one more thing: ensuring the absolute safety of Xi Lai."

 Federico’s expression changed!

 “Oh, really?”

Tales put down his arm to see off the guests.

 “Do I look like I’m joking?”

Federico finally recovered from the shock and couldn't help but say: "Your Highness!"

But Thales stretched out his hand to stop his words, walked quickly back to his seat, and sat down with interest.

 “Go on?” Thales picked up the tea cup.

 Under Federico’s disbelieving look, Zhan smiled.

"And you, Thales, take this awkward and struggling Emerald City as a gift, and even more as a bet, and go to the Fuxing Palace to do business."

Tales’ smile disappeared.

 “Just remember, if you can’t finish the gamble…”

Zhan’s eyes are sharp:

 “Then it’s best not to lose the bet.”

He sneered again and again:

 “Otherwise, as you said…”

Tales' breathing was stagnant and he had to swallow.

Just listen to Zhan En whisper:

 “You alone cannot afford to pay the compensation.”

At that moment, Thales felt that the study became a little stuffy.

  Narrow and cramped.

  Suffocating.

 Like being caught in a snare.

Zhan exhaled happily, raised his glass and took a sip of yerba mate.

 Smoothly enters the throat.

 No discomfort at all.

"No!"

Federico reacted and subconsciously denied it.

He angrily fought for Thales:

"No, Your Highness, Zhan will never make harmful or unprofitable choices. He agreed so happily. There must be something fishy behind it. You can't-"

 “You’re right, Feder!”

Without waiting for Tels to reply, Jenn interrupted him. He put down the tea cup, and his smile seemed to be a little scared:

　　“I placed my bet.”

Tales’ expression was expressionless.

Federico’s fingers trembled.

 Place a bet?

 What bet?

　Whose bet will be placed?

 “But believe me, cousin, it’s definitely not that pleasant.”

Zhan Enyan smiled and raised his hand to the tea cup in Federico's hand:

 “It’s your turn, Feder, do you want some tea?”

Tales still didn’t speak.

This time, it was Federico's turn to turn around.

He was breathing heavily and looked at his cousin in disbelief. (End of chapter)