Chapter 573: Thin Rope

Rael had thought something like this would happen. Honestly, he would be more surprised if Lucien hadn’t arrived here to ruin the ceremony.

What he hadn’t expected, however, was for the person standing in front of him to be so unfazed. Her son had just come back, and yet, it didn’t even seem like she had begun to process it.

But amongst the mysteries that lay behind that calm expression, there was one simple deduction.

She already knew he was coming.

More importantly…

Kareth disappeared some time during my questioning. Maybe after the 70th person? Rael wondered. Does it have something to do with Lucien and Anastasia, or…

“You know, I’m really unhappy with this reception,” Rael said, gritting his teeth through the pressure. “On one hand, I have support, on the other, I have two people who dare to enter right after the guest of honor comes. Rather, I guess I should say the successor instead of the guest.”

“You are not worthy of that,” Anastasia replied coldly, her pressure increasing. “The Hollow Family line and succession has always been determined by birthright. Not only do you not share a drop of blood with us, but you were also arrogant enough to offend me.”

Her pressure suddenly vanished as she turned toward Lucien.

“My son has all the qualities of a ruler. The power, the looks, and most importantly, decision making. That’s the downside of Kareth. He had everything but proper decision making. If only he listened to his family, none of this would have ever happened.”

“Damn…” Rael sighed, rubbing his glabella. “So you claim that your son, who just got out of prison, is suitable to become a ruler of the Hollow Throne? I mean, woman, I would call you an idiot first and a stupid mother second. But just what exactly are you thinking?”

He took a step backward, turning his back to her and continuing:

“You claim Kareth’s decision making was shit, but that’s only because it didn’t align with your goals. Am I right on the money so far?”

He knew exactly how these manipulative women operated. Even the child card was nothing short of predictable.

It was like he was playing out some kind of Korean drama, except he felt like his life could be ended at any time.

This sure is nerve wracking. But where the fuck is Kareth when I need him? Rael thought, hiding his panic. Was his grand plan to pass on the torch and dip on his family? I mean…

He subtly glanced at Anastasia.

I can see why he would want to leave, I guess.

Still, he maintained his composure and turned around with a smile, facing her again.

“What is it you want from me?” he asked. “Do you want me to concede the Hollow Throne to Lucien?”

Anastasia scoffed, crossing her arms.

“This is only the beginning of the succession. At the moment, you are nothing more than a candidate.” She turned to Lucien and pulled out another fan, pointing it at him. “He too is a candidate.”

Before Rael could answer, she said, “Like Kareth, I am a part of the Hollow Family line. I have enough authority to recognize a single successor, just like he can. For that reason, I recognize my son Lucien as the second candidate to the Hollow Throne.”

Once again, she covered her face and looked around at the crowd. Unlike their previously energetic looks, none of them dared to meet Anastasia’s gaze, and for that reason…

“Since no one is objecting, and my husband isn’t present, I shall lead the succession trials. I hope you do not mind, Rael Sutekh,” she added, and with a slight giggle, she stepped off the podium.

Instead of walking over to Lucien, she simply exited the ballroom, closing the door behind her. Yet when the door slammed shut, a notification appeared in front of Rael.

<Ding!>

<Hollow Throne Succession> <The first trial will begin in 24 hours…>

With that, an uncomfortable silence engulfed the room once more. Rael clenched his fists in anger, but right as he was about to step off, Lucien once again raised his hand. Then, with a slight smile, he spoke.

“Can I not ask a question?”

Rael narrowed his eyes. “You’re still on about that?”

Lucien shrugged. “You’ve answered every single question you’ve been asked truthfully. You even entertained my mother’s game. Since I’m also an attendee, I deserve an answer too, don’t you think?”

“…”

What is this guy even playing at? Rael thought warily. It doesn’t seem like he’s trying to tinker with my mind. No… my Neural Core, as well as Gaia, are more than enough to automatically counter him. So is he seriously asking a normal question now?

As much as Rael didn’t feel like answering, he was quite curious about the ploy Lucien wanted to throw. Therefore, he went ahead and played his game.

“Very well… Ask away.”

Lucien smiled and then rose from his seat, the champagne bottle still in hand. He approached the podium, stopping right before it.

There was a certain hint of confusion in his eyes, and it was a first for Rael. Every time he had met Lucien in the past, it always seemed like he was ahead of everything, but now? Not so much.

“Say, if you ever find yourself standing atop a thin rope, and you had to pick a side on which you’d fall, which side would you pick?”

He chugged the bottle of champagne and then raised a single finger.

“The side which would offer you everything and anything you could ever please with nothing but your loyalty toward the greater goal in return, or…”

He raised a second finger.

“Or the uncertain side, whose goal clashes against the other side’s. You would not be promised anything, nor would you have any guarantee of victory. Furthermore, by picking this side as opposed to the other, someone you love would die.”

Uncorking another bottle of champagne, he put it up to his mouth. However, right as he was about to take a sip, he shook his head and once again met Rael’s gaze.

“I know your answer now, but I do not wish to hear it. At the end of the succession trial, I wish to hear your answer in its raw form.”

Turning around, he stored the bottle of champagne in his inventory, and with slow and deliberate steps, he too exited the ballroom, leaving behind only the flustered guests and Rael to ponder over his words.

Or rather, the choices which partially mirrored Evelyn’s prophecy. Check latest chapters at novelFɪre.net

But even so, Rael remained silent, and after a few minutes of standing still, he slowly left the ballroom as well, a cold expression on his face.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.