Chapter 287: Excitement

(The Imperial Capital, Drew’s POV)

After walking out of the Imperial Court, Drew wasted no time preparing his response to the Emperor’s ultimatum.

Before departing the Imperial Capital, he instructed an attendant to bring him parchment and ink, personally composing a letter addressed to Emperor Diomande Valdrak.

The contents were straightforward, although their political implications were far more significant than the Emperor might have anticipated.

Drew demanded that the Emperor and Prime Minister Vinicius declare, within twelve hours, whether the two of them were also willing to testify before the Imperial Court under a Truth Orb, on an issue of Drew’s choosing.

As only if the two of them agreed to testify regarding whether or not either man had participated in, ordered, or conspired to arrange the deaths of any of Drew’s previous sons, would Drew consent to the Emperor’s demand for testimony concerning Riven’s lineage.

Furthermore, copies of the letter were dispatched to every noble who had attended the hearing, ensuring that its contents could not be quietly suppressed.

With this move, Drew had effectively challenged the narrative that Prime Minister Vinicius had been constructing throughout the proceedings.

The Emperor could no longer portray him as a man willing to plunge the Empire into war simply because he refused to answer a harmless question under a Truth Orb.

After all, if such an examination was truly insignificant, then surely Diomande himself should have no objection to undergoing one.

However, Drew knew deep down that the Emperor never would, especially not to these questions.

"Ha..... the fool wants to control the narrative.

Little does he know that narratives don’t work in the East.

My land is made from simple, yet honest folk.

They’ll trust a million Dawnrivers before ever trusting a Valdrak."

Drew muttered while walking towards his carriage, as he knew that within the Eastern territories, political maneuvering meant next to nothing.

Most of the Eastern nobility had already pledged their unconditional support, and Drew had little doubt that they would answer his summons should war become inevitable.

As for the handful of nobles who remained hesitant, Drew intended to deal with them personally before their reluctance became a liability.

"FINALLY I’M FREE FROM ALL THAT SURFACE LEVEL NONSENSE!"

Drew declared the moment he climbed onto the carriage, as with the letter dispatched and his immediate political obligations addressed, he felt a million times lighter.

*Step* *Step*

Riven and Archimedes joined him just a second later, as Drew started to beam from ear to ear upon looking towards Riven.

"I must admit, boy, I was rather proud of the way you reclaimed your weapon from that miserable investigator."

Drew remarked, as he gave Riven the first genuine smile the boy had ever seen.

"You certainly inherited the right temperament for a Dawnriver, and as a reward for entertaining me today, I have decided to show you something you would otherwise never have the opportunity to witness."

Drew declared, as Riven felt a bubble of excitement rise within his stomach, while his eyes started to sparkle.

*SLAT*

Drew leaned forward and opened the narrow communication hatch separating the passenger compartment from the driver’s position.

"Change of plans. We are flying to Blackthorn Castle before returning to White Castle. There is something I wish to show the boy."

Drew instructed the driver, as the man immediately bowed and replied, "understood, Your Grace." Before immediately pulling upon the reins as the magnificent Pegasi spread their enormous wings and began ascending into the open sky.

Within moments, the carriage had risen above the Imperial Capital, accompanied by an escort of twenty-five mounted guards who quickly arranged themselves into a protective formation.

Their destination lay deep within the Eastern territories, where the ancient Blackthorn family maintained its ancestral seat of power.

’Blackthorn Castle?’

Riven wondered, recalling the lessons concerning Eastern politics that Lucius had provided during his time at White Castle.

The Blackthorn family was among the more influential noble houses of the East, although its relationship with House Dawnriver had remained strained for several years.

While Riven did not know every detail behind their disagreements, he understood that the two families were hardly on friendly terms.

And considering the political crisis that had just erupted between his father and the Emperor, an unexpected visit to such a household seemed particularly unusual.

"Father, isn’t House Blackthorn one of the Eastern noble families that has been at odds with us for some time?"

Riven asked, turning towards Drew as the carriage continued climbing through the clouds above the Imperial Capital.

"I remember Lucius mentioning that their relationship with House Dawnriver was rather complicated, so is there a particular reason we are visiting Blackthorn Castle now?"

Drew regarded his youngest son for a moment before his big grin turned into an all out chuckle.

"Hahahaha, of course there is, boy. If war is coming, then I cannot afford to have troublesome nobles causing problems within my own territories."

The Eastern Duke replied while rubbing his palms, as he looked like a kid who could not wait to get his hands on sweet candy.

"I have tolerated certain individuals for far too long, and perhaps this entire business with the Emperor is a good opportunity to remind them exactly who rules the East."

Riven listened carefully, beginning to suspect that his father had something considerably more aggressive in mind than a simple diplomatic visit.

After all, the expression spreading across Drew’s face was hardly that of a man preparing to negotiate with a difficult subordinate.

"Besides, it has been quite some time since I last allowed myself to go wild, and if a war is truly approaching, I suppose I ought to warm up properly."

Drew added, his chuckle deepening considerably as he glanced towards Archimedes, who had already begun chuckling at the unmistakable excitement in his old friend’s voice.

"HAHAHAHA! And how exactly are you planning to accomplish that, old friend?"

Archimedes asked, scratching beneath his chin as he regarded the Eastern Duke with an expression of growing amusement.

Drew turned towards him, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as the smile upon his face grew almost devilish.

"Alone. One shot. Just like old times."

The Eastern Duke replied, causing Archimedes to burst into another round of laughter as their carriage continued its journey towards Blackthorn Castle.