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Dark Moon Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 382. Not Playing The Same Game
🕑 Added 2025-03-21 17:39:26 +0000 UTCThird Arc (Fallen Heart) - 382. Not Playing The Same Game
The man smirked. "Prince Jake isn’t playing the same game as his father. He knows that the moment he takes the throne, the wolves will come. His enemies. Those who doubt him. Those who see him as nothing more than a young prince with big shoes to fill. And what do you think a man in his position would do?"
Darius frowned, unwilling to say it out loud.
The man leaned forward as much as his restraints allowed. "He would start looking. Watching. Figuring out who his enemies and friends are—before he sits on that throne."
That was exactly what Angel had guessed earlier.
The man continued, his tone almost amused. "So, tell me, Lord Darius… does that really sound so strange? A prince gathering information before his world turns against him?"
Darius crossed his arms. "What he did was the same as committing suicide. Sending a guest without an invitation is the same as looking for trouble with another kingdom. Especially one like Euphorion."
The man’s smirk didn’t fade. "You don’t know anything about Prince Jake."
Darius’ expression darkened. "Then enlighten me."
The man chuckled. "He’s not like the others. Not like his father, not like the nobles whispering in the shadows, waiting for him to fail. He doesn’t waste time on ceremonies or pleasantries. He gets things done. He sees the bigger picture."
Darius narrowed his eyes. "And what exactly is the bigger picture?"
The man tilted his head slightly. "Survival."
Darius frowned. "Survival?"
The man nodded. "You think this is about politics? About alliances or trade agreements? No. This is about making sure Harmonia doesn’t collapse the moment its king breathes his last. Because trust me, if Jake doesn’t take control fast, someone else will. And it won’t be pretty."
Darius exhaled, rubbing his temple. He hated that some of this actually made sense. Prince Jake was preparing. Calculating. He was trying to anticipate threats before they even emerged.
But that still didn’t excuse this recklessness.
Darius finally spoke, his tone cold. "Even if everything you say is true, he still risked igniting a conflict with Euphorion by sending you in like this."
The man shrugged. "Maybe. But it was a risk worth taking."
Darius clenched his jaw. "And why should I believe you?"
The man smirked again. "You don’t have to. But if you’re smart, you’ll understand that Prince Jake isn’t your enemy."
Darius narrowed his eyes, folding his arms across his chest. “Then explain something to me. King Angelus mentioned that Prince Jake was interested in him after their duel. Is that true?”
The man exhaled through his nose, shifting in his chair. “Yes… but also no.”
Darius arched a brow. “That’s not an answer.”
The man let out a quiet chuckle. “It’s the only answer that makes sense. Prince Jake was interested in the king, yes. But do you really think Euphorion is the only kingdom where he sent agents?” He tilted his head slightly. “No. He sent us everywhere.”
Darius stiffened slightly. “Everywhere?”
The man nodded. “All kingdoms. Every single one. It’s not just Euphorion he’s watching—it’s everyone.”
Darius frowned, his mind racing. “You’re telling me he has spies in every court?”
The man smirked. “I’m telling you that Euphorion is not as special as you think.” He leaned back as much as his restraints would allow, his confidence unfaltering. “For example… I was also in Asteria. I was there for Prince Ilex’s birthday party.”
Darius’ expression darkened immediately. “Asteria…”
The man nodded slowly. “I saw it with my own eyes. How the late Prince Ilex tried to kill King Angelus. How he planned everything and tried to take his wife. And how King Angelus… turned the entire party into a spectacle of destruction.” His smirk widened slightly. “It was impressive.”
Darius clenched his jaw. “You’re saying you witnessed everything?”
“More than most,” the man confirmed. “I saw the real power struggle. Revenge. And everything. It was different compared to the rumours and the official news. Asterian tried to cover up the fact.”
Darius narrowed his eyes. “And yet you claim Prince Jake sent you there too. Why?”
The man shrugged. “Because knowledge is power. He needed to know what happened.” He paused, tilting his head. “And now, he watches Euphorion.”
Darius’ lips pressed into a thin line. “This still doesn’t justify sneaking into Euphorion like a rat.”
