Chapter 260: Sacrificial lamb, scapegoat

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

“We had a deal!” Sami’s voice trembled with excitement. “You agreed to my proposal, so why did you change the plan halfway? Do you realize the extent of the losses this will bring?”

“What does it matter? I am the princess of the empire. I can’t simply stand by and watch the king perish, can I? If he dies, I’ll be left with nothing.”

Loya elegantly took a sip of her fruit tea. “We’re all driven by self-interest, and there are greater gains ahead. Why should I assist you?”

“You wretched woman!” Sami yearned to leap at Loya and tear her throat apart.

“Do you even comprehend what’s happening with the king? The truth about the pollen will soon be revealed, and the Sam Family will be entrusted with transporting all the green sprouts. If the Sam Family crumbles, you’ll face damnation! ”

Sami approached Loya with an even fiercer expression.

Yet, Loya remained undeterred. “The king already knows I’m not the true princess. He has entrusted me with governmental affairs and ordered me to investigate this matter thoroughly, If you want the Sam Family to remain unscathed and the Liao Family to be kept out of this, you’d better choose your words wisely.”

Upon hearing Loya mention the Liao Family once again, Sami’s anger subsided. This woman possessed an alarming amount of knowledge, and now she had earned the king’s trust. The situation was growing increasingly difficult.

“What is it that you want?” Sami inquired coldly.

Rather than answering directly, Loya posed a question of her own. “I heard that there used to be a queen in the empire.”

“What?” Sami stared at her incredulously. “Zhu Fei, don’t indulge in delusions! Do you think the king would hand the throne to an outsider? Stop daydreaming!”

“Perhaps the dream will become reality?” Loya regarded her with a half-smile. “You and your mother have been residing with the Sam Family for some ulterior motive, haven’t you? I don’t know the exact intentions of the Liao Family, but if the royal family becomes our ally, perhaps our dream can come true.”

Sami scrutinized Loya and realized she wasn’t jesting. She cautiously asked, “What do you want?”

It was only then that Loya smiled. “That’s how negotiations should proceed.

Since we’re working together, I will undoubtedly protect you.”

The following morning, Loya presented the results of her investigation to the king.

“Are you certain of this?” The king scrutinized the findings, harboring some doubts despite the absence of concrete evidence.

“Yes, Father, ” Loya responded respectfully. “Count Bell’s estate has been cultivating green kale, and the majority of green kale available in the market comes from their family. We also have evidence suggesting that Count Bell once kept a large number of elves and harvested pollen from the green sprouts. Due to the high toxicity of the pollen, almost all the elves in their family perished. ”

The king’s expression grew serious. He had received reports several months ago regarding the demise of the elves in Earl Bell’s family.

The elves were skilled in potion-making, and unless faced with fatal injuries, their deaths wouldn’t occur in such large numbers.

Moreover, Earl Bell had always been a supporter of the First Prince’s family, so the king hadn’t delved further into the matter. He believed that a family aligned with the Third Prince’s faction wouldn’t betray the royal family. However, the current turn of events cast doubt on that belief.

“Who gave you permission to search Earl Bell’s residence? Do you have no respect for the royal family and nobility?” The Eldest Prince shouted at Loya, disregarding the king and failing to bow.

“How dare you!” The king, already suspicious of Earl Bell, became even more furious upon witnessing the Eldest Prince’s behavior.

“Had it not been for Loya’s investigation, we would have remained unaware of the Bell Family’s rebellious intentions. They even poisoned me and attempted to harm the empire’s citizens!”

The king tossed the results of Loya’s investigation toward the Eldest Prince. “This is the family that supports you. Are you involved in this or not? Do you wish for my demise so that you may ascend to the throne?”

Staring at the investigation results, the Eldest Prince glared at Loya. ‘You fabricated this! The Bell Family would never engage in such treachery!” Before Loya could answer, the king’s voice sounded again.

“They won’t do such a thing.. What about you? Will they do this for you so you can take the throne?”