Chapter 97: do you know why the dead receive more flowers than we do?

".... And now, I want to help you, Fiona," I said, looking into Fiona's eyes.

I could see the indecision in her eyes, and the tears falling from them were because she was on the verge of making a difficult decision. "But what are you asking me to do?" she asked.

"Fiona, if I hold Liam's newborn son, I can protect both you and my own family. I promise nothing will happen to the baby, and I'll even arrange for you to visit him secretly when you want, but I swear, no harm will come to the baby. This is the only way I can stop Liam without killing him, Fiona," I said, gently stroking her arm.

"But... But you're asking me to betray my son! How can I do that?" Fiona's trembling voice reflected the dilemma and conflict in her heart. It was impossible not to understand how hard this decision was for her. In these moments of complexity, I needed to reassure her.

"Fiona, do you know why the dead receive more flowers than we do?" I asked her. Fiona was surprised by my seemingly unrelated question and shook her head in response.

"Because Fiona, regret is stronger than gratitude, and that's why someone who has died receives more flowers. When I lose the throne, the only person you'll need to bring flowers to in the grave won't just be Lugoar. Who do you think will protect Umala when I'm dead? Do you really think Richard will abandon his alliance with the Tamerid Empire just for Umala?

And do you believe that Liam will show mercy to your other children?

Lugoar's death wasn't your fault, Fiona, but now the lives of your other children are in your hands. If your other children die, that will be your fault. Tell me, Fiona, do you want to live with regret for the rest of your life, or do you want to save everyone left in your family now? The choice is yours, Fiona..." I said, looking into Fiona's face.

As I watched the horrified expression on Fiona's face, I tried to help her make this difficult choice. Her eyes filled with tears again, but this time there was something beyond fear and sorrow: a deep understanding. Fiona's lips trembled, and she struggled to speak.

'Hah, so I'll have to gamble,' I thought, and then stood up, stepping away from Fiona.

"Now the decision is yours, Fiona, but let me say this to you sincerely," I said, lowering my eyes to look at her again. "If any harm comes to someone in my family, I will kill Liam and everyone who helps him, including your children, Fiona. The main reason I came here was to prevent such a massacre." I said, turning towards the door.

I heard Fiona covering her face with her trembling hands. As the silence echoed through the room, I felt the weight of her indecision and fear. I paused for a moment as I walked towards the door, slowing my steps, when I heard Fiona take a deep breath.

"Wait..." Fiona said, her voice soft but resolute.

Before turning to her, I wiped the sly smile off my face that had spread across it. Fiona's eyes reflected the dilemma she was in and the pain in her heart, but they also carried the weight of a decision. Fiona stood up and gripped my arm.

"I'll do it... I'll tell you where my grandson is, but I want you to promise me something. No matter what happens, my grandson won't be harmed. Promise me, Ethan... Please, promise me."

Looking into Fiona's eyes, I nodded seriously. "I promise you, Fiona," I said in a calm but determined tone. "No harm will come to your grandson. I will keep him safe and keep the promise I've made to you. This is the only way we can win."

To be honest, I really didn't plan on harming Liam's one-year-old son... at least not unless Liam didn't do what I wanted. Frankly, I wouldn't hesitate to kill Liam's child as a last resort. Yes, I know this isn't ethical, or that in my previous world, such a thing would probably be seen as despicable, but I don't care.

As long as I'm the one who wins in the end, I'll kill even my enemy's unborn child if necessary.

The day Emilia truly died, I made the decision. I would never show mercy to my enemies again. I would never suffer such a humiliating defeat again. I would never lose someone I loved again. All of this can only happen if I don't show mercy to my enemies, and frankly, I would turn my heart to stone if necessary, but I wouldn't show mercy.

Even though I promised Fiona that no harm would come to her grandson, I didn't intend to keep my word. Even if it means losing my honor, I'll break my promise when needed. But all of this is for the simple reason that in the end, only the one who wins can do as they please in this world.

Fiona's eyes were still filled with tears, but now there was a glimmer of hope. Slowly, she let go of my arm and took a deep breath. To reassure her, I leaned in once more. "Once you tell me where your grandson is, I'll act immediately. We'll seize the best opportunity to stop Liam and ensure the safety of both your family and mine. You can be sure of that."

As Fiona wiped the tears from her eyes, she said, "My grandson is safe right now... he's with his mother in the western port city of Aurandale..." Fiona then gave me more specific details about the location where her grandson was secretly kept.

I listened carefully to Fiona's words, etching every one into my mind. Aurandale… a city of strategic importance on the western coast. Liam hiding his son so far away showed just how cautious he was. Seeing the resolve and sadness on Fiona's face reminded me once again of the difficult situation she was in. Sёarᴄh the nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

I understood how hard this decision was for her, but for me, it was just another step in the struggle for the throne. However, I had to do one last thing to ensure Fiona didn't do something foolish out of guilt for betraying her son and let something slip.

I approached Fiona dangerously close, disregarding the surprise in her swollen eyes. Grasping her shoulder, I pulled her closer and hugged her. "You did the right thing, Fiona. You did it for your family, so don't be sad. You're a wonderful mother." Of course, I wasn't sincere in my words, but it seemed they affected Fiona more than I expected.

I felt Fiona silently crying on my shoulder, her arms around my back. As she clung to me, she cried out loud. This moment was an opportunity to give her some reassurance while I was filled with a cold satisfaction of getting a step closer to my victory. Fiona had made a great sacrifice to protect her family, but the true cost of that sacrifice had not yet fully emerged.

' Fiona, you saved your own life, even if you don't know it now. I was going to kill Liam and your other son, Fiona, but now I'm sparing your life for helping me. As long as you don't make a mistake in the rest of your life, it will be yours, but at the slightest mistake, I will find you, Fiona. I will kill everyone who stands in my way, including your sons and that brother of yours. '

After hugging her one last time, I pulled back and saw the tired and exhausted look on her face. There was still sadness in Fiona's eyes, but it was the weight of accepting her situation and making a difficult decision. I understood Fiona's internal conflicts, but my job was done.

"Now, all you have to do is stay calm and act as if nothing happened, Fiona," I said in a calm voice. "Your grandson will be safe, and everything will be fine once I deal with Liam. Until then, don't tell anyone anything. No movement, no word… Nothing should jeopardize this plan."

Fiona nodded slightly in agreement. An uncertain hope replaced the sorrow in her eyes, but I knew how to play with that hope. I would let Fiona cling to this hope until I got what I wanted. I took one last look at her and quietly left the room. As I closed the door behind me, I could hear Fiona's sighs. New plans began forming in my mind.

I needed to carefully calculate every step to corner Liam and gain full control over him. The information Fiona provided was crucial to this plan.

I need to say goodbye to my family before leaving the palace, but more importantly, I need to visit Althea first. Another woman who risked her life for me... She must have endured as much as Roxanne, if not more. Moreover, she was injured more severely than Roxanne, which probably means she fought with Liam's men at the cost of her own life... Stupid girl.

I told her to run if her life was in danger, but she seems not seem to have listened. I suppose I should at least confess my feelings to her...

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It's a bit late, but I finally added the character profiles of Luciana, Emilia, Kayle and Violet. Feel free to leave a comment if you want me to add any other characters.