“Your Royal Highness, it’s an honor to have you here,” Jonathan said.
Upon seeing the distinguished guest arrive, he quickly pulled himself together and aside his grief. He led his family to greet Tristan, and they bowed in respect.
Before they could finish the gesture, Tristan raised a hand to stop them.
“No need for such formalities,” he said. ” The deceased deserves our respect.”
He turned to Jovian’s portrait, which was displayed in the mourning hall, and sighed deeply.
Tristan continued, “Mr. Jovian’s untimely passing is truly a great loss to Dragonmarsh. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to your family during this difficult time.”
Jonathan’s eyes were filled with tears as he bowed his head slightly. “Thank you, Your Highness, for your kind words. My family is heartbroken over my brother’s tragic death.”
Tristan nodded slightly. His gaze quickly swept across the hall before asking, “I’ve heard that Duke Lachshire fainted from grief. How is he doing now?”
Jonathan sighed and replied, “My dad was overwhelmed with sorrow, which caused a sudden strain on his health. He’s fine now but still needs a few more days of rest.”
“He is the backbone of Dragonmarsh,” Tristan said gravely. “I deeply sympathize with his condition. Please do not hesitate to let me know if he needs anything during his recovery. I will offer my full support.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Jonathan said.
He understood Tristan’s underlying message.
Despite being the eldest, Tristan’s influence was the weakest among the three princes. He needed strong allies to ascend to the throne, and securing the Ballard family’s support would undoubtedly strengthen his position in the government.
Jonathan was aware of this but couldn’t openly express his thoughts at that moment.
“Announcing the arrival of His Royal Highness, Prince Matthias.”
Just as they were conversing, the announcement near the doorway cut through it.
Everyone’s gaze shifted toward the entrance, including Tristan’s. A tall, sharp-eyed young man strode in, followed by several officials.
The young man had an undeniable presence-the kind typical of someone hardened by countless battles. He was none other than Matthias Linsor.
“Your Highness, it’s an honor to have you here,” Jonathan said. He quickly led his family members to greet and bow respectfully.
“There’s no need for such formalities,” Matthias responded.
He raised his hand to stop them. Just as he was about to speak, he noticed Tristan standing there. Matthias frowned for a moment, but it smoothed out quickly.
“I didn’t expect to see you here, Tristan. This is quite the surprise,” Matthias said with a forced smile.
“Mr. Jovian died serving the country, so I had to come pay my respects. But I must say, Matthias, with your busy schedule, it’s impressive you could make the time to be here,” Tristan replied evenly.
“We both have our reasons.”
Matthias didn’t continue with the conversation. He walked into the mourning hall, lit a candle, and stood quietly for a moment of respect. His movements were quick and decisive, reflecting his no-nonsense demeanor.
After offering his respects, Matthias asked Jonathan, “How is the Duke of Lachshire?”
“My dad is fine. He just needs a few days of rest,” Jonathan replied with a nod.
“Death is as inevitable as the extinguishing of a flame. I hope he will take care of himself. If your family needs anything, please don’t hesitate to come to me. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of,” Matthias said confidently.
Tristan couldn’t help but frown at the familiar, almost rehearsed words.
Jonathan bowed his head again. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Like Tristan, Matthias was keen to court the support of the Ballard family.
Matthias excelled in combat and was highly respected in the military. If he could secure the Ballard family’s support, his position in the battle for the throne would be greatly strengthened.
“Announcing the arrival of His Royal Highness, Prince Nathaniel.”
Another announcement came from near the doorway.
At once, the atmosphere turned uneasy.
Tristan and Matthias exchanged glances before looking toward the entrance in unison. To them, another competitor had arrived.
With all eyes on him, Nathaniel strode into the hall and was accompanied by several officials. He was tall and handsome, with an elegant air and piercing eyes.
“Your Highness, it’s an honor to have you here,” Jonathan said. He quickly composed himself and led his family members to greet and bow again.
He hadn’t expected all three of Dragonmarsh’s most powerful princes to appear in such a short time. With their presence, today’s mourning ceremony was bound to be anything but peaceful.
“Mr. Jonathan, please accept my condolences,” Nathaniel said solemnly as he entered.
He continued, “The Duke of Lachshire’s contributions are well known, and now Mr. Jovian has sacrificed his life for the country. Your family is truly loyal and honorable. I will speak on your behalf before my father to ensure your family receives the recognition it deserves.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Jonathan said.
The three princes had gathered in the mourning hall. They were ostensibly there to offer their condolences, but each had their own motives and were quietly vying for support.
Jonathan hoped the situation wouldn’t escalate into a power struggle that would disturb Jovian’s peaceful passing.
In a corner of the mourning hall, Dustin watched the scene unfold and shook his head. He had no desire to get involved in the government’s political struggles, but now that he was here, it was hard to ignore.
As he observed the three princes vying for the throne, a sense of unease filled him. If the wrong ruler was chosen, Dragonmarsh could easily descend into chaos.
