Chapter 63: The Difference Between Loyalty and Treachery

As Emmeline brought in Mayor Victor, Christine’s restoration plan officially began.

By the campfire, Christine eyed the bloodied man, smiling. “Mayor Victor of Notting City, right?”

Victor, hands bound, was forced to kneel by Emmeline.

He studied Christine, finding her familiar. Then she introduced herself.

“I’m Christine, daughter of the late king. Do you remember me?”

Victor laughed, realizing why he’d been captured. “Haha, no wonder Freeman kept me searching for you. You’re really alive.”

“Oh? They never stopped looking?”

“Yes. His Majesty says he won’t sleep soundly until he sees your corpse. Now I see why he’s so paranoid. He’s wise.”

Before Christine could offer terms, Victor continued, “As the kingdom’s eldest princess, you fled at four or five with nothing. How did you survive?”

Seeing him veer toward insults, Emmeline slammed his head into the ground.

Dazed, Victor forgot his words.

Christine, unfazed, waited for him to recover. “Help me, and I’ll forgive your past.”

“Forgive?” Victor sneered. “You think Notting City alone can challenge Londe? That’s a pipe dream.”

“Five thousand elite troops arrive tomorrow. Even if I helped you, I’d be branded a traitor.”

“I’ll never help you.”

Christine frowned. “Were you part of that night?”

Victor stayed silent.

“If you were, I won’t kill you now. I’ll save you for when I catch Duncan, so you die together.”

“If not, I’ll end you quickly.”

Victor shook his head. “I wasn’t there, but I led the purges of nobles afterward.”

Christine glanced at Emmeline, who nodded.

Victor, knowing pleas were futile, followed Emmeline to the woods without resistance.

Whether he feared his execution, no one knew.

Christine sighed. “One less ally. Handling Notting City’s affairs will take time.”

She turned to Lucia. “This is tricky. Five thousand troops out of nowhere—we’re in a bind.”

“True, but you’ve only secured the mayor. The defense commander’s still out there…”

“Oh, him? I know of him. He’s someone we can win over.”

“Win over?”

Just then, Fratina approached with an elderly man.

Despite his white hair, he stood tall, clearly a formidable warrior in his youth.

Fratina led Uther forward, bowing slightly. “Lord Lucius, Princess Christine, I’ve brought Notting City’s defense commander, Uther.”

From the moment he saw Christine’s purple hair and familiar face, Uther trembled.

He dropped to his knees, voice heavy with grief. “Your Highness, I failed… I couldn’t protect His Majesty and the Queen, nor dared to avenge them. Please punish me!”

Lucia understood why Christine saw Uther as an ally.

He was one of many in Londe who resented Duncan but feared rebellion.

If Christine rallied such people, she could truly challenge him.

And they had more than just Uther.

Christine, moved by Uther’s loyalty, especially after Victor’s defiance, shook her head. “It’s alright, Captain Uther. Your restraint kept you alive to help me now.”

“Captain?” Uther blinked. “You remember me, Your Highness?”

“Of course. I remember all the royal guards, especially officers like you. You were so kind. Father forbade sweets, but you’d sneak me some at the gates. I never forgot.”

Uther’s tears fell, touched that she remembered his kindness.

He longed for those days in Elan City, now gone forever.

Emmeline helped him up. “Lord Uther, no need for such deference. We’ll need your help going forward.”

Wiping his tears, Uther said, “When the Hero came last night, I thought she was lying. I never dreamed Your Highness was alive.”

Standing tall, he declared, “I, Uther, a sinner who failed the royal family, vow to atone by protecting Your Highness with my life.”

“I trust you, Captain Uther.”

Christine rose, stepped forward, and placed a hand on his head, accepting his renewed loyalty.

Lucia and Fratina watched, stunned.

No wonder rumors said Duncan was unraveling. With a rival this beloved lurking, his paranoia was justified.