CHAPTER 303: CHAPTER 303: [APPLE]

If the Eldest Prince is a gentle spring breeze, a friendly Haven.

Then the Second Prince is a star high in the sky, so distant yet so dazzling; he is the royal Adrian.

Therefore, the return of the Second Prince did not garner much attention in the Royal Capital.

At most, people would secretly whisper to each other, saying that there was going to be another spectacle in the Royal Capital.

The rivalry between the Eldest Prince and the Second Prince has long been an open secret.

Since the Second Prince came of age, he has been competing with the Eldest Prince in all settings and fields, not willing to fall behind.

The attitude of the Eldest Prince toward this was, "Adrian is still young; young people always like to compete. As his elder brother, I can only step aside for him."

This was indeed the approach of the friendly Haven.

He was gentle to everyone, like a breeze caressing one’s face.

But in the end, this is a royal struggle — to put it more bluntly, it’s a fight for the throne. Saying such things is equivalent to showing weakness.

So, in the eyes of outsiders, it appears that the Eldest Prince fears the Second Prince, which also gives everyone a certain illusion that the Second Prince has more chances of inheriting the throne.

This time, no sooner had the Eldest Prince survived an assassination attempt, the Second Prince returned, and this happened while the Eldest Prince was insinuating many times that the person behind it all was the Second Prince...

"It’s all my fault, Your Highness, it was my lack of discernment..."

Lying on the hospital bed, Michelle lowered his head, not daring to look at the Eldest Prince Havenius sitting in front of him.

Even though, that day, in order to save Havenius, he directly crippled his own right hand, it’s probably beyond saving now, and he’ll have to use alchemical prosthetics from now on.

Yet compared to this, allowing Trafford, who held many secrets and whose identity was sensitive, to fall into the hands of the Second Prince’s people was irreparable.

"Don’t say that, Michelle, you’ve done so much for me, I won’t forget. I know exactly what kind of person you are. Here, you’ve worked hard, have an apple."

Havenius calmly peeled an apple for him and handed it over.

Michelle hesitated to take it, but under Havenius’ implicit urging gaze, he still accepted it, carefully taking a bite and then immediately showing a very satisfied expression.

"Is it good?"

Havenius wiped his hands, his smile growing warmer.

"It’s good, very juicy."

Michelle tried to relax himself, showing how much he enjoyed it.

"That’s good."

Havenius nodded and sighed.

"I, I’ve never known what I should do to compensate you guys for your dedication to me."

"Your Highness, everything we do is what we should, without need for any repayment — it’s all for Your Highness."

Michelle quickly expressed his loyalty.

"How could I not understand your feelings? Michelle, as I always say, you are my vulture."

"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness."

"Eat, keep eating, these are apples from the southern province, specially supplied to the royal family, don’t waste them."

Michelle, hearing this, ate more vigorously.

Until he almost swallowed the core.

"If you like it, in a few days, I’ll have someone send you some more."

"Thank you for Your Highness’s grace."

Havenius nodded, stood up, and patted Michelle on the shoulder, as if to encourage him.

"Alright, take a good rest. I’ll come to see you again in a few days."

"Your Highness is busy with state affairs, you need not trouble yourself."

Michelle was apprehensive.

"Speaking of state affairs, yes, there’s something that’s troubling me, it’s your subordinate Trafford, I still can’t find him, but if he’s still alive and says anything reckless, it’s always quite concerning."

Havenius had already reached the doorway but stopped, turning back to look at Michelle.

"What do you think should be done?"

The air in the room fell silent.

Michelle felt that the apple he had just eaten was not juicy at all, rather bitter beyond words.

"I understand, Your Highness, I will certainly ensure your headache does not persist."

He gradually finished the last of the core, swallowing it down.

Seeing this, Havenius nodded.

"Michelle, you indeed haven’t changed, always knowing how to solve the issues that give me a headache."

After leaving the ward, Havenius adjusted his attire, then asked the attendant.

"How is Jonas doing?"

"He is still unconscious; the gunshot wound was in a very dangerous spot, almost didn’t make it, but, he should be able to wake up."

"That’s good, otherwise, if he died, my headache would be worse."

He spoke as he walked to the window, looking at the fine weather outside, taking a deep breath.

"Actually, this might not be a bad thing. Now, the old fox from the Evans family won’t easily run away; this shot was well-timed. Oh, right, Ed is back, so Solomon must have returned, too. It’s just as well, I’ll visit him. I’m quite interested in that gun."

That afternoon, the head of the third division of the Kingdom Defense Bureau, formerly the Eldest Prince’s personal guard and a man with a legendary life, Michelle, died of an untreated right-hand wound.

Ethan was not aware of this.

Because such news wouldn’t make it to the newspapers, no one would care about the death of a Kingdom Defense Bureau official they barely knew.

People were more interested in what new moves Ethan had and whether he would have any association with the recently returned Second Prince.

At this moment, Ethan hadn’t seen the Second Prince; he hadn’t received any new updates from Joseph.

He was chatting with Kevin and Finch, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, at a café downstairs from Lone Star Broadcasting.

"Thank heavens, boss, you’re back, otherwise, I really wouldn’t know what to do."

Upon seeing Ethan, Kevin immediately professed his loyalty.

Of course, there might have been some genuine sentiment in it.

After all, Ethan had saved his career and given him new hope.

After chatting for a while, they got to the main topic, mostly about the follow-up strategies for the broadcasting station and matters related to cinema.

Ethan wasn’t interested in meddling with the broadcasting station’s practical affairs, so he would only provide the funding.

Kevin was capable and could handle it well.

"Here is the thing, I plan to shoot a historical struggle based on my family as the blueprint. Are you two interested?"

"Your family..."

Finch hesitated a bit.

He must have seen those reports.

"I’ve already written the script. You can look at it first."

Ethan did not force them, handing them the script.

Neither rejected it, accepting it.

After a while, Finch hesitated again and said, "By the way, Mr. Ethan, Mr. Azertu wants to invite you for a meal; do you have time?"

Oh?

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

What does Azertu mean by this?

What does he see in Ethan?

"Of course."