Augustin’s POV
He reported, “My beta will arrest the individuals we identified. They’ll do it quietly to avoid alerting anyone here. We don’t want to tip off the local conspirators.”
Matthew frowned, leaning forward. “And then what? Arresting them only buys us time. We need a more permanent solution to this problem.”
I nodded, appreciating his directness. “I plan to give you and Kieran seats on the Elder Council. It will strengthen my position and yours.” I paused, my gaze sweeping across the room. “And we need to find him, the one they call ‘Sovereign.”
The room fell silent as everyone considered the implications. We had pieces of the puzzle but were still missing the central figure orchestrating everything from the shadows.
I drew a deep breath, making a decision. “There’s something else you should know. Something about Helena Holbrooke.” I glanced at Evanth, uncertain if he already knew. “Did you know Helena had a son?”
Evanth’s head snapped up, his expression shocked. “What?”
“Helena was… prolific in her relationships,” I said. “She had affairs with our father, with Bryloch’s father, with Adryx’s father… possibly others.”
Kieran let out a low whistle. “She got around, didn’t she?”
I nodded grimly. “A few months ago, I discovered that Helena kept extensive records, official and personal. Some of the content was… disturbing, to say the least. That might explain why she was killed. She knew too much. And then Halloway was framed for it.”
Kieran looked confused. “What?”
Bryloch quickly explained, “Helena was killed in the Levenston residence in Goldenvale. The attack was made to look like you were responsible.”
Evanth shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “It seemed plausible at the time. Border skirmishes were increasing, and there was already tension between our territories.” His voice carried a note of shame. “I… I said some things to the women that I regret now.”
“Someone was desperate to start a war,” Kieran concluded, his expression grim.
I nodded, keeping my face carefully neutral while my thoughts raced. The truth was more complicated, my mother h killed Helena and framed Kieran for it. But that was a secret I needed to keep, even from these men. My mother had her reasons, and I understood them, even if I didn’t approve of her methods.
“Let’s get back to Helena’s records,” I said, redirecting the conversation. “She claimed to have had a child with my father, a son. According to her, my father took the child away.”
“Why would she keep that a secret? Matthew asked.
“Helena’s husband was already dead by then. She had taken his seat on the Elder Council. If it became known that she had a child with another man, she would have lost the Ashford seat,” I explained.
Evanth’s lip curled in disgust. “Another bastard.”
I shook my head firmly. “If what Helena claimed is true, then her son would be the only actual bastard. As I said, Chris
isn’t one,
“Not just that,” I continued. “Helena’s child’s paternity was uncertain. It could have been any of her lovers‘ child. She was obsessed with our father, though. She convinced herself the child was his.”
Adryx nodded. “Freya mentioned reading some of Helena’s journals. She said the contents were delusional and bizarre.”
“Her mental state appeared increasingly unstable over the years,” I added.
A heavy silence fell over the room as everyone processed this information.
“You think this son might be the ‘Sovereign‘?” I finally asked, voicing the theory that had been forming in my mind.
Evanth shook his head immediately. “He’d be too young–maybe 25 or 26 years old. This feels like a continuation of problems from Father’s era.”
“Our intelligence is contradictory,” I admitted. “I initially suspected Chris, but after meeting him, I’m convinced he’s not involved.”
Matthew leaned forward, his eyes intense. “We should investigate this son. If he believes he’s the legitimate heir to the throne, he would have a strong motive. What else would drive someone to want to be King besides believing it’s their birthright?”
The others nodded in agreement. Matthew had a point, someone who believed they were denied their rightful place would have the strongest motivation to overthrow me.
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