“Find a scapegoat?” Nathaniel asked.
He looked confused. He didn’t understand what Cynthia meant. “Could you explain what you mean, Mother?”
“Think about it. If your enemies are too powerful to deal with, why not let the royal gods from the Hall of Gods handle them?” Cynthia explained.
She smiled slyly and added, “Your brothers, for example. Or any other thorns in your side.”
Nathaniel perked up, and a glint of understanding flashed in his eyes.
“That’s brilliant, Mother. I see it now.”
He had been so frantic earlier that he hadn’t seen the bigger picture. The royal gods of the Hall of Gods arriving at his doorstep wasn’t just a threat but an opportunity.
If he played it right, Nathaniel could use the Hall of Gods to eliminate his enemies. It wouldn’t just resolve the crisis, but it’d also keep him on good terms with the West
Lucozian monarchy.
He could let the royal gods handle the dirty work while clearing his path to the throne. This wasn’t just killing two birds with one stone but a clean sweep on all fronts.
As always, his mother’s advice had proven invaluable.
“No matter what happens, you must stay calm and find a way to turn the situation in your favor,” Cynthia reminded him.
She went on, “I’ve said all I needed to say. You know what to do. Surely, you don’t need me to plan the rest for you?”
“Don’t worry, Mother. I know how to handle it,” Nathaniel said with a nod.
Now that he had a plan, it was time to implement it. His intel network and personal connections would finally come into play.
“Before I forget, there’s something else you should keep in mind,” Cynthia said, as if suddenly recalling something. “You should start building a stronger relationship with Logan. He’s going to be key to your claim to the throne. If you can win him over, he’ll be one of your greatest assets.”
Nathaniel shook his head. “His connection to the West Lucozian monarchy definitely makes him valuable, but from what I’ve seen, he has no interest in politics. No matter what we do, I doubt it’ll make a difference.”
To be honest, he never had a good impression of Dustin. He’d tried to win him over more than once, but Dustin never responded and didn’t even bother to show the slightest courtesy.
What really got under Nathaniel’s skin was how Dustin had used the Dracan essence to scheme against him. If Cynthia hadn’t calmed him down, he might’ve already turned hostile toward Dustin.
What looked like a golden opportunity turned out to be a dead end. So, Nathaniel had no reason to keep investing in someone so useless.
“Even if Logan isn’t interested in politics, there are other ways to win him over,” Cynthia said. “The point is-he’s a valuable asset and definitely worth the investment. No matter what, do not make an enemy out of him. Understand?”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Mother,” Nathaniel replied. He didn’t argue, but he wasn’t about to make any promises either.
As far as he was concerned, Dustin might be valuable. But if he couldn’t be put to use, then he wasn’t worth the trouble.
Nathaniel had already gone out of his way to extend an olive branch. If the man wasn’t interested, there was no point in wasting any more effort on him.
He’d tolerated Dustin’s schemes and put up with the messes he brought. He had already gone above and beyond-more than anyone could expect. If Dustin still didn’t get the hint, he wouldn’t humiliate himself by groveling for his favor.
Nathaniel was the prince of Dragonmarsh. Why should he keep bending over backward for Dustin, who had a lower rank than him?
Even if he couldn’t gain Dustin’s allegiance, he had no intention of making him an enemy-provided Dustin didn’t provoke him first.
“It’s getting late. You should go home now. Remember, those who aim for greatness must tread carefully. Don’t rush the process,” Cynthia reminded him again.
“Understood, Mother. I’ll take my leave now,” Nathaniel said, bowing respectfully.
Looking at his retreating figure, she sighed softly and muttered, “He still has much to learn.”
Given her sharp insight, how could she not see through her son’s thoughts? While he had taken most of her advice to heart, his feelings toward Dustin clouded his judgment.
“Prince Nathaniel is young and ambitious, so it’s no surprise he’s a bit headstrong,” said Nita Ambrose, the elderly maid standing beside her. “It’s only natural for him to feel competitive with someone his own age, like Logan.”
Nita had been by Cynthia’s side since childhood and was her most trusted confidante. Despite their status, they were as close as sisters.
On top of that, Nita was a grandmaster martial artist and Cynthia’s bodyguard.
Cynthia’s rise through the palace ranks among the other consorts and even outmaneuvering the queen wouldn’t have been possible without Nita. With her guarding every step, Cynthia never had to look over her shoulder.
Cynthia said softly, “Years ago, someone from the Regal Observatory predicted that Logan was destined for greatness. He is also the best right-hand man for a future king. Even though he has kept a low profile for years, he still possesses great untapped potential.
“Many people focus solely on the West Lucozian monarchy backing him, but overlook that Logan himself is the real key. I just hope Nathaniel knows how to seize this opportunity.”
“If Logan isn’t interested in politics, there’s nothing Prince Nathaniel can do,” Nita replied. “The wisest move is to make sure not to turn him into an enemy.”
Cynthia nodded thoughtfully, then changed the subject. “I need you to go to Spanner Villa and tell the two elders to protect Nathaniel discreetly, just in case anything happens.”
“Yes, my lady,” Nita responded and vanished into the shadows.
