Chapter 25
Julian's POV
Inside the East Wing manor, I was listening to my informant Samuel Harper's report. He was my most capable deputy, with eyes and ears planted in wolf packs across the territories.
"Your Highness," Samuel lowered his voice, "regarding that great battle years ago, I've uncovered some interesting details."
I lifted my head, signaling him to continue.
"The duel between the Crimson Flame Warlord Xavier Scott and the Silver Fang War Princess Stella—Xavier should have won decisively. He commanded powerful fire elemental magic and far surpassed Stella in combat experience. But apparently, before the battle, an informant we'd planted within the Blood River Pack secretly revealed Xavier's old injuries and weaknesses to Stella."
I narrowed my eyes.
I'd never heard anything about this informant.
"Both ended up grievously wounded, and the two sides signed a ceasefire treaty," Samuel continued. "But the Blood River Alpha and nobles were extremely dissatisfied with this outcome. They believed Xavier had deliberately held back to preserve his own military forces."
"Interesting." I raised my teacup and took a sip. "Who was this informant?"
"Unclear, Your Highness." Samuel shook his head. "This matter seems known only to a select few. Perhaps you should ask Alpha Walter."
I pondered for a moment. Father had never mentioned planting an informant within the Blood River Pack either.
It seemed there were deeper secrets here.
"Xavier, as Blood River's military commander, controlled vast armies," I said slowly. "No Alpha would feel comfortable allowing such a person to exist. Moreover, fire elemental power has been passed down through the Scott clan in orderly succession—the nobles couldn't help but fear it."
"Precisely." Samuel nodded. "So the Blood River Council of Elders voted to strip Xavier of his military command due to the war's failure. Overnight, the Scott family virtually vanished from Blood River territory!"
"What?" My head snapped up.
"Absolutely true, Your Highness." Samuel's tone grew grave. "According to our sources, all Scott family assets in Blood River were confiscated, clan members either imprisoned or missing. Xavier himself disappeared without a trace."
I stood and began pacing the room.
Something wasn't right. With Xavier's power, even gravely injured, he couldn't have simply surrendered.
"The Blood River leadership must have purged the Scott family," I said in a low voice. "But Xavier possessed elemental power—how could he submit so easily?"
"In that battle, Xavier was severely wounded," Samuel said. "Your Highness, elemental power may be formidable, but this world contains many types of magic—elves, witches. Perhaps some secret art could suppress elemental power."
I stopped in my tracks.
"So Ella truly is a descendant of the Crimson Flame Warlord?" I murmured. "That seal..." I paused. "I see! The Blood River royal family would never imagine that the true fire elemental power was sealed by Xavier inside a young girl's body. And a surviving Scott daughter... actually became Kane's slave! My dear brother made quite the fortuitous discovery during his time as a hostage. How enviable."
"Your Highness," Samuel lowered his voice, "Blood River has been concealing this information. Losing elemental power threatens national extinction. They've dispatched many advance teams to various territories, trying to recover the elemental force. Most likely, squads have already infiltrated Silver Moon territory."
I let out a cold laugh. "As long as the ice element remains in our hands, it doesn't matter how many they send. The only question is how to handle this slave."
Just then, Fiona's cheerful voice rang out from beyond the hall: "Brother! Brother!"
I signaled Samuel to quietly withdraw. He bowed and left through the side door.
Fiona burst through the entrance, her face glowing with excitement.
"What has you so happy?" I asked indulgently.
"News from the West Wing—Victoria is pregnant!" She grabbed my hand and shook it. "Kane is going to have a baby! I want to go congratulate them. Come with me!"
A thought stirred in my mind. This was an opportune moment.
"Alright," I said with a smile. "I'd like to visit as well."
Fiona cheered and pulled me toward the door.
I allowed her to lead me along, though my mind was calculating. A perfect chance to see how Ella was faring lately.
That little thing with fire elemental power sealed inside her must be suffering terribly right now.
The corner of my mouth lifted slightly.
Kane, oh Kane. You think you've claimed her, never realizing you've acquired a double-edged sword.