Chapter 491: Please Tell Me the Truth

Lost in thought, Ava realized that someone behind the scenes had surpassed the Montgomery family in Edmund's mind. He was ready to go against them for this person's plan.

It seemed odd, but Ava knew it wasn't just friendship driving him. It was more about the benefits this person could offer the Ramirez family, leading Edmund to sacrifice his niece, Hestia, by marrying her off to Shawn.

Hestia's voice cut through the night like a velvet-wrapped dagger, precise and chilling.

"Accept it!" Hestia's voice quivered slightly, but it felt more like a deliberate touch than a loss of control.

"Do you know what I risked to see you tonight? And you tell me to accept it... Quinton, hearing that from you gives me chills!"

She stepped closer, the moonlight highlighting her furrowed brow and intense eyes. "Remember the letter you sent me two months ago? You said you were going to ask my father for permission to marry me soon, and that Edmund had approved of us. I was so excited for our wedding. And now?"

Her voice rose, filled with disbelief. "You want me to marry Shawn, a coward who's been locked up for over twenty years! And it's happening in three weeks! I'm being treated like a commodity, sent to Zotburg, a dangerous place!"

"Do you even realize what this means? Shawn has the Lewis family bloodline, but I don't. Everyone will see what I represent as his bride. How could you make me give up my life like this!"

Quinton gasped, struck in a vulnerable spot.

"Hestia, please, don't do this!"

Hestia pulled away from Quinton's embrace, like an abandoned kitten, gently shrugging off his attempt to hold her. "Some decisions can't be undone once made. I..."

"I don't know!"

Hestia cut him off, her voice sharp, then softened with betrayed pain. "I just want to know what benefits made Edmund change his mind? What did your leader offer him that he'd break his promise to my mother and send me to Zotburg?"

"Why me? Who is your leader... that masked woman, is her father your leader?" She locked eyes with Quinton, pushing on, "I heard your argument today. Her father wants you to watch her, to stop her from making mistakes, and to gather information... Is that your esteemed leader, sacrificing my happiness? And you, sacrificing me for him, is that it, Quinton?"

"Who is this person that has you wrapped around their finger like this?"

Her question sounded like a heartbroken girl searching for answers, but to Ava, it felt like uncovering the truth for the submerged Ava - who was this mysterious figure, and what were their true intentions?

Hestia's intense gaze forced Quinton to step back, his face reflecting a mix of struggle and pain, eventually settling into determination.

"Sorry, Hestia, I... I can't say. It's the leader's secret!"

"And this plan is a game, Hestia. You should know as little as possible; it's safer that way."

"A game?"

Hestia let out a bitter laugh. "My marriage used as a game? For what? You're saying it's for my good."

"Come on, Quinton, you don't love me, do you? You've just been using me to help your leader, right?"

"No!"

Quinton blurted out, then realized his mistake, but seeing Hestia's heartbroken expression, his remaining rationality faded.

"Do you need me to die in front of you to change the plan, or find another woman to do your dirty work?"

"No, don't be ridiculous!" Quinton panicked, pulling Hestia back into his arms, gritting his teeth. "It's to keep Zotburg on edge about the Soth Empire."

"...What?" Hestia looked at him incredulously, "How does that benefit them?"

Quinton lowered his voice, a hint of anxious confession in his tone. "It may not seem significant now, but you, a noble of the Soth Empire, marrying Shawn right before he returns to Zotburg, isn't that suspicious?"

Hestia nodded, her eyes reflecting confusion, evoking both helplessness and sympathy from Quinton.

"Yes, that's why the leader needed a reliable woman by Shawn's side, someone who could handle pressure from the Lewis family to gather information, and they chose you."

A touch of bitterness tinged Quinton's voice, unsure if it stemmed from heartache or something else. "You see, Prince Ronald of Zotburg is a hawkish figure. There are hawks opposing the peace treaty at the border. Some masterminds have infiltrated, aiming to disrupt the peace between Zotburg and the Soth Empire."

"But why?"

Hestia couldn't comprehend. "Wouldn't peace at the border and open trade routes benefit Kiliath, especially being close to the border? Even if Edmund doesn't see it, shouldn't Melantha understand? She's working with people from Zotburg!"

"It's not that simple. Short-term gains, more land, even titles, they all play a part."

Quinton clenched his teeth, trying to keep his expression from turning too grim.

But faced with Hestia's despairing gaze, Quinton couldn't continue the deception, nor could he deny her!

"I don't quite get it. Even if the treaty between Zotburg and the Soth Empire isn't permanent, wouldn't opening trade routes benefit Kiliath, being a city near the border, more than others?"