CHAPTER 440: LUST IS BIGGEST WEAPON

"I never expected Miss Helen to possess such unique insights into aristocratic floral artistry, masterful not only in color coordination, but especially skilled in spatial arrangement. Truly admirable."

In the garden, Lucas gently blew across the surface of his tea, dispersing the rising steam, then took a small sip, letting the sweet liquid moisten his mouth.

While drinking, his mana was active, ensuring the tea contained no toxic ingredients that could damage his body or severely affect his health in the short term.

A peak tier Master knight might have skipped this step, thanks to their superior physical constitution and acute danger perception, they could naturally avoid contamination by most poisons. However, as a prince raised under strict noble etiquette, and blessed with royal blood that granted him innate high elemental affinity, Lucas subconsciously considered magic as superior to combat skills. He thus never specifically trained his physique, avoiding the strenuous tasks required only of knights.

This also meant the damage caused by his excessive indulgences took a long time to heal. Once his foundation weakened, no matter how many royal treasures he consumed, the effects remained minimal.

Hearing Lucas’s praise, Helen smiled gently before replying.

"I don’t possess exceptional magical talent, nor high affinity with any elemental type. Unable to pursue magical studies, I simply stayed at home, learning various noble etiquettes from the steward. Having more spare time, I naturally devoted more effort to these pursuits."

"As for Prince Lucas, as an imperial prince burdened with countless responsibilities, it’s surprising you have knowledge in this area as well."

"No one surpasses you among the imperial City’s young generation."

Sipping her tea, Helen fluttered her eyelashes and spoke softly.

"To have a talented prince like Your Highness as a pillar of the nation is truly the empire’s fortune."

"You flatter me. I’ve merely studied it a little."

As he spoke, Lucas glanced around, seeing several members of the guard squad still present, and calmly continued.

"I’ve heard Lord Roast’s private estate has a magnificent tulip field. I wonder if I might have the chance to see it today?"

Feeling the tea session had lasted long enough, Helen set down her cup and replied gently.

"Of course. That’s exactly why I invited Prince Lucas here."

"Once we finish this tea, we may head out."

Lucas nodded in response, politely saying,

"I’m deeply honored."

Elsewhere, noting the crown prince and the white-dressed noble girl leaving the parlor, Alistair quietly included a nearby attendant. Moments later, a group received orders and evacuated the estate, tasked with clearing away weeds concealing magical circles as directed.

The assassination plot against Lucas consists of two stages. The first involved Helen luring the unprepared crown prince to bed and killing him there. If this succeeded, everything afterward would be simple, just find a scapegoat and seize his political resources.

Should the first stage fail, should Lucas sense danger and summon his guards, the second phase will commence: mages stationed outside the estate will activate a pre-prepared magical barrier, sealing Lucas and his guards within the area. Then Alistair himself would personally execute him.

Currently, only Alistair himself, an early tier Arcanist, was hidden within Roast’s estate. However, in the nearby countryside, several hidden Magnus and Master Knights lay outside the guards’ magical detection range. To ensure Lucas’s death, Alistair had wagered all his hidden strengths at once.

If he fails, he will lose any chance of recovery forever.

Unconsciously clenching the hilt of his sword, his fingertips turning white, Alistair took a deep breath and lowered his head, wanting to look at the distant Lucas.

He couldn’t afford to let the other notice the dense killing intent nearly solidifying around him.

Twelve more hours, and this man sharing similar blood would vanish from the world.

Just endure a little longer.

...........

The sun quietly sank, turning the northwest of the Capital City into a brilliant red. Astrid sat by the window, leaning back against her chair as she listened to Elise’s report.

"Prince Lucas entered Lord Roast’s estate and first had tea with Miss Helen, discussing floral arrangement techniques and suggestions on garden color coordination..."

"Afterward, the two went to the estate’s center to view the tulip fields."

"After lunch, Prince Lucas stayed at the estate, took a nap, then drank afternoon tea with her, chatting about noble gossip in the capital, furs, and jewelry."

"According to the latest intelligence, Prince Lucas is expected to spend the night at Lord Roast’s estate."

Spending an entire day on such meaningless socializing, during the critical golden hours before succession, meeting someone he’d only seen once. Lucas’s true intention was clear just this final act.

Once again marveling at the crown prince’s arrogance and foolishness, Astrid rested her hand on her forehead, legs naturally crossed, feeling a hint of pity for her lust-driven elder brother.

If only the common language in this world included the saying "lust is a knife above one’s head," given his insatiable craving for bedroom pleasures, even without the second prince’s deliberate scheme today, he would eventually suffer a major downfall in this area.

"So this intelligence officer returned to the capital under the pretext of purchasing gardening tools?"

"Yes. He’s now boarding a carriage heading to the estate."

Elise held her tea cup, speaking calmly.

"I’ve had someone continue watching."

The calmness of the day didn’t mean everything was safe. Even without Miss Astrid’s specific instructions, Elise’s years of experience as a head maid allowed her to sense a subtle unease beneath the surface.

Astrid softly hummed in acknowledgment, her pale fingers gently tapping her cheek.

No matter the outcome of the conflict, she needed to prepare in advance.

"You don’t need to overly concern yourself with the Velmont family for now. Their connection to the royal family has always relied on the Empire Weekly and the Finance Minister as intermediaries. There won’t be major changes in the short term."

"As for the magical devices Reform Draft, I’ve already polished the initial version. I can submit it to Father for review anytime. You may also relay this message to Duke Cassian."

"Tell him this is the reformist faction’s internal discussion result, a compromise regarding his cooperation deal with Lucas. The outcome should satisfy both sides."

Quietly instructing Elise on the next steps, Astrid added appropriately,

"Of course, these plans are based on the premise that Lucas loses control of his political faction."

In other words, should he be assassinated.

"If Alistair makes a mistake, we’ll execute Plan B."

Since Hibbort refused to let royal scandals go public, she could simply shift targets, such as Vorelter, the duke’s son who had previously schemed against Lyra.

This man had long been on bad terms with Astrid, but she’d never had the chance to deal with him. Now, Elise had already gathered a batch of compromising information. Even if Alistair failed to assassinate Lucas and she didn’t plan to expose Vorelter as a scapegoat, she could still use this intelligence to force Alistair to sacrifice one of his own.

When striking at political enemies, kicking them while they’re down was never excessive.

"Understood, Miss." Elise replied softly.

Regarding what Alistair might do, Astrid had previously discussed it with her. As head maid, Elise fully trusted her judgment.

Astrid these days was no longer that arrogant, capricious little girl.

"Then that’s settled."

Astrid spoke gently, uncrossing her black-stockinged legs. Her soft, smooth ink-black feet in delicate high heels slowly rose as she stood.

"It’s time for dinner."

Leaving her bedroom, she called out to Amalia next door. Just as she stepped out of the little princess’s room, Astrid saw Elise standing in the corridor, quietly speaking with a maid, then approaching her with a serious expression.

"Miss, I have urgent news to report."

"What is it?"

"His Majesty has invited you to dine with him in his chambers." Elise paused, glancing at the dark-haired little girl holding Astrid’s hand.

"And His Majesty specifically mentioned you may bring Miss Livia along."

Bring Miss Livia along?

Astrid’s dark brows instantly tightened, her grip on Amalia subconsciously tightening.

Hibbort hadn’t been seen for some time, so why suddenly invited her for dinner?

And at a time like this...

The crown prince had left the capital, possibly walking into the second prince’s trap. Meanwhile, Hibbort summoned her to stay directly under his eyes, and brought Amalia along.

Although not mandatory, since he mentioned it, Astrid had to carefully consider Hibbort’s intentions.

"..."

"Did Father send any other message?"

"Reporting, Miss. The attendant said His Majesty merely mentioned ’it’s been a while, and he misses you, hence arranging a private family banquet.’"

A family banquet... not even inviting the crown prince, the second prince likely wouldn’t be there either...

Sensing this banquet wouldn’t be so simple, Astrid hesitated for a moment, looking at Amalia. The latter similarly raised her eyes, her red irises showing no panic.

’I can go.’

Understanding the message in Amalia’s gaze, Astrid narrowed her eyes and replied softly.

"I understand."

"Shall we go now?"

Elise shook her head, replying truthfully.

"His Majesty said in an hour."

Seven-thirty, an hour later than their usual dinner time.

Learning she had an hour’s buffer, Astrid nodded calmly.

"Then let’s go back and rest a while."

"Yes, Miss."

Half an hour later, outside the capital City, at Lord Roast’s estate, unlike Astrid, who hadn’t eaten yet, Lucas had just finished his last sip of wine by candlelight, his blue eyes tenderly gazing at the white-dressed girl across the table.

"Miss Helen’s beauty intoxicated far more than the red wine in this cup."

Hearing Lucas’s complimentary words, Helen similarly took a sip of wine, her crimson lips parting slightly.

"Prince Lucas is no different."

Bolstered by a bit of wine-induced courage, Helen gently swirled her wine glass, her tone slightly bolder.

"Dining with such a handsome and graceful prince is hard not to make one’s heart race."

This was practically an outright invitation.

Lucas’s lips are involuntarily curved upward. Then he heard Helen speak again.

"It’s so rare to enjoy such a pleasant evening. I truly hope today doesn’t end too soon..."

"If possible, Prince Lucas, could you spare a little more time?"

"I’d like to invite you for a nighttime conversation, to continue our topics from this afternoon."

The wine gently swayed, the deep red liquid contrasts sharply with the woman’s pale skin. Lucas looked at the beauty before him, her cheeks slightly flushed from a small amount of alcohol, and his heart instantly warmed.

"Since Miss Helen has said so, probably would only make me seem insensitive."

"Prince Lucas flatters me."

"Then let’s end dinner here. I’ll go bathe first."

With that, Helen set down her wine glass, her shimmering eyes shyly glancing at Lucas.

"Okay, Miss Helen."

Seeing this, Lucas naturally didn’t refuse. He casually drank the last drop in his cup and followed the attendant back to his room to wash and change.

Night fell. The silver moon hangs high in the sky. A cool breeze carried the quiet night, fluttering at the man’s clothes.

"Prince Lucas, please follow me."

"The place Miss Helen arranged for your nighttime conversation is just ahead."

That place... if he remembered correctly, it was Helen’s private chamber...

Lucas glanced at the building the maid pointed to, weighing his distance from the guards. In the end, he didn’t have anyone follow him.

Such a beautiful night, extra company will only spoil the mood.

Following the maid’s guidance into the small mediaeval house, ascending the stairs, breathing in the faint floral scent in the air, Lucas’s mind gradually relaxed.

"We’ve arrived, Prince Lucas."

Stopping before an elegantly decorated door, the maid bowed slightly and turned away.

Lucas stepped forward, gently knocking on the door. After a brief silence, the door opened with a crack. A rich scent of cosmetics mixed with another fragrance rushed into his nostrils.

Helen wasn’t wearing the daytime tea dress. After bathing, she’d changed into an extremely revealing strapless nightgown.

Entering the young lady’s private room, Lucas’s magical energy instantly spread outward. Just as he finished checking the vanity, he heard Helen speak.

"Good evening, Prince Lucas."

Although it was a simple sentence with no embellishment, the moment instantly inflamed Lucas’s desire.

"Good evening, Miss Helen."

The so-called conversation was merely the prelude to a symphony. After brief formalities, everything finally reached the main event.

Outside, the night grew deeper. Moonlight bathed the treetops. A blond, blue-eyed man hid in the shadows, silently waiting.

Carefully sensing the movements, confirming the rhythm steadily rushing, just before the peak of blood-boiling passion, the woman reached under her pillow, pretending to adjust the bedsheets, but actually carefully searching.

A cold metal dagger fell into her palm. At the exact moment the mental string snapped, human vigilance dropped to its lowest.

In the hazy moonlight, a flash of cold light sliced through the darkness.