Draven immediately noticed the change in atmosphere.
"Tia, is there anything wrong?" Draven asked, his voice calm.
"No, there is nothing," Tia said, shaking her head slowly before continuing.
"After he sent those men to stab you, he reported back to the palace and told the elders that you were killed by a forest beast," she said quietly, not daring to look up. After a long pause, she continued.
"I don't know why he's been so bent on killing you ever since our father passed away—despite the fact that you're willing to forfeit the throne."
Draven absorbed everything silently. So his father was dead in this world. That meant the throne was still vacant.
Just as Draven was about to ask more questions, Maxwell, the palace physician, burst into the room in haste.
Both Draven and Tia turned in his direction, shock flashing across their faces.
"Maxwell, is everything alright?" Tia asked, her chest tightening with anticipation.
Maxwell was known throughout the palace for his wisdom. He was always seen in white garments, a symbol of purity according to him. He had already lived for over 200 years, and the white hair on his head reflected that longevity.
"All is not well," Maxwell said as he began preparing herbs for Draven.
"The elders have decided they must see Cao's body before they will fully crown Han Jue as king," Maxwell explained while mashing herbs and chanting an incantation over them.
"That's brilliant news!" Tia exclaimed in excitement.
"We could actually reveal that Cao is still alive to the elders. Han would be punished for lying against him!" she said breathlessly.
The room fell silent. Draven was still struggling to understand what was truly at stake.
Soon, Maxwell finished his incantation and turned to face Tia.
"Well, that would have been a good idea—if the acting empress wasn't Han," Maxwell said as he rushed to apply the herbs to Draven's wound.
"But it's still a good bargain. We could find a way to get one of the elders involved and—"
"Stop, Tia. Just stop. I am one of the elders, if you remember clearly. And from what I've seen, some of them have already been bribed," Maxwell said, lowering his voice instinctively as he glanced toward the door.
"He even tried to bribe me too," Maxwell whispered, continuing to press the herbs against Draven's body. Draven winced in pain.
Tia glanced at Draven, then back at Maxwell, before speaking.
"But—"
"No buts." Maxwell snapped back, then quickly softened his tone.
"I'm sorry, my lady. But you know I was the one who brought Cao here last night." He met Tia's longing eyes before continuing.
"No one saw me bring him in, so everyone assumes he's dead. But here's the surprising part…" Maxwell gestured for Tia to lean closer.
"Since his body hasn't been found, Han has ordered all his guards to bring him Cao's head."
Tia's mouth fell open. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Although only she and Maxwell knew it was the prince who had attacked Cao, she had never expected him to request for his head.
Finally, after a long pause, Tia whispered:
"So… what are we going to do now?"
Maxwell nodded slowly, sitting down.
"You two will leave at midnight," Maxwell said, his eyes avoiding Tia's.
"Are you out of your mind?" Tia lashed out.
"Cao is not even strong enough to sit up, and you want us to leave tonight?" Anger sharpened her voice.
Maxwell turned to her calmly.
"My lady, forgive me for being blunt, but you can be certain the guards will search every single house in this community for the prince."
Draven watched silently, piecing the situation together.
"I even heard he hired a swordsman for the execution," Maxwell added quietly.
Those words cleared the last of Draven's doubts.
This is the Martial Realm, Draven realized with a faint smile. He had never actually thought the books he read in the library would ever be useful. But now it made sense. Martial cultivation could only be practiced to its fullest within the Martial Realm.
And this realm was dangerous—a combination of many kingdoms that fought endlessly against each other.
A chill ran down Draven's spine at the thought of a swordsman being after him.
What if the swordsman is a professional? Maybe even at the Qi Condensation stage close to immortality? All he'd need to do is wave his sword from a mile away… and my head would be gone.
"Also, take this…" Draven snapped back to reality as Maxwell, now standing, handed him a small vial.
"This will help numb the pain and give you enough strength for the journey."
Maxwell bowed, then left the room.
Tia sat in silence, still digesting everything Maxwell had revealed. Suddenly, she turned to Draven.
"Cao… I think Maxwell is right. You'll have to come back when the time is right. Han would be a terrible king. You have to save this kingdom from him," Tia said, standing to prepare the herbs.
Once finished, she handed the cup to Draven.
"Take this. I'll make another for you tonight before we leave."
Draven drank the mixture, nearly spitting it out. It was so bitter it felt like it would permanently stain his taste buds.
Setting the cup aside, he finally asked:
"Why is he still after my life if he already has the throne?"
Tia looked at him seriously before answering.
"Well, the law clearly states that the younger sibling cannot rule if the older one is still alive," Tia explained, her eyes locked on him.
"Or have you forgotten—he is the cause of the curse placed on you?"
"He is?" Draven narrowed his eyes in suspicion.