When fate plays its hand (Miranda)

Chapter 981 +25 BONUS Penny's actions had forced Lisandra to make a decision. Summoning the rest of the envoys, she draped her outer robe over her shoulders and forced herself to sit upright in a chair.

"Negotiations will restomorrow afternoon. The terms are up for discussion. There's no need to be so rigid," she announced bluntly.

Leroy's eyes widened. "Discussion? How do you plan to discuss it? Are you saying we should just agree if they demand we pull back our borders?" "We'll put the border issue on hold for now," replied Lisandra, who had already made up her mind and was resolute, disregarding their objections. “We aim to reach an agreement by tomorrow or the day after, then we'll leave for himmediately." "You can't..." Lisandra gave her uncle a cold glance. "I'm not asking for your opinion. This is my decision. If you're unhappy, keep it to yourself." A furious Leroy shot back, "This is pure stubbornness! If we put the border issue aside, how are we supposed to explain it to the king and all the officials? What do we tell the people?" "I'll explain it. I don't need you to do it," the grand princess said decisively.

Having overseen state affairs for years, Lisandra had a natural air of authority. She narrowed her eyes, her gaze alone carrying a commanding presence.

"Now, go back and draft a new proposal. Try to secure more compensation from Starhaven and take the border issue off the table. We will sign an agreement, and in two years, we'll continue negotiations on this matter. I also hope to resolve the border issue through further talks," she instructed.

Pathetic! Leroy cursed Penny in his heart, knowing why Lisandra was desperate to return home. "I disagree. No matter what, the border issue must be settled clearly," he protested. Lisandra threw the incense burner aside, her voice sharp as a whip, snapping, "Go and draft it now." Sebastian had returned with the group to Hell Monarch Estate. In the council hall, the power dynamics had shifted. Now, Sebastian sat at the head of the table, with even Everett relegated to a side seat.

+25 BONUS Chapter 981 The members of the Pathfinders Guild were sitting up straighter, their arrogance on full display.

Sebastian explained, "The Soulgrip Threadworms used in the Brightmoor District case and the ones this tare of the sspecies, though there's a size difference. The worms in the Brightmoor District case were larger and required slow nurturing.

"On the other hand, the threadworms used on Grand Princess Lisandra are smaller but grow rapidly. They would have been fully grown in one or two months. They suck blood, which is what makes them deadly. Also, the disease becomes fatal 12 hours after the symptoms appear." Furious, Jacob said, "No doubt this is Prince Yuvan's doing. He wants Grand Princess Lisandra dead. If she dies, Mr. Stellwyn will be the lead negotiator. And as Grand Princess Lisandra's most trusted female official, Ms. Durham would be the one to say that before Her Highness died, she planned to take General Sullivan back to Westhaven." Rafael furrowed his brow. "And not only that, Grand Princess Lisandra would have died in Starhaven, which would have been extremely detrimental to us.' 11 "That man is truly wicked. He's hoping for war between the two kingdoms, so he can benefit as the opportunist," Violet remarked, seething.

"He missed the best opportunities during the Victory Pass and Southern Frontier battles. Now, it's too late for him to act. Instead, he's only helped the king's reputation grow stronger," said Rafael.

Jacob replied, “He didn't expect Prince Rafael to be able to retake the Southern Frontier. He thought that when His Highness failed, and the Hell Monarch Army and the Sinclair Army were both worn down, he could stir up chaos amidst the rising public anger. Then, he would rally forces, and no one would dare call him a traitor or rebel. At the very least, his follower base would grow." "Rebels are always rebels, no matter what," Everett added, now part of the conversation rather than only listening and summarizing from the head of the table. "Starhaven's king may not be great, but he's still better than Yuvan.

Violet muttered under her breath, "The king's so paranoid now, though, so I'm not sure..."` She was about to add, 'he's any better', but she realized that wasn't something she should say out loud. She had becmuch more composed.

"If the king is really so fearful, why not grant the people he's suspicious of a ΟΜ title and fief, then assign them d (ief, then assign them elsewhere? That way, he wouldn't have to keep watching them so closely," she asked instead.

Sebastian spoke up, "Every king in history has been wary of powerful officials and noble familles, especially when a prince's military achievements are so prominent.

Although 2/3 +25 BONUS Chapter 981 Prince Rafael is no longer in command, he still has the loyalty of the army, and as King Sigmund's son, he is a bigger threat.

"As for granting titles and assigning the people he's wary of elsewhere, it's impossible at the moment. Keeping them under close watch is already e difficult enough. Sending them away would make the king even more uneasy. Although this was common knowledge, hearing it from Sebastian made it more convincing, and it didn't feel as suffocating anymore.

Indeed, those who didn't inspire jealousy were mediocre talents.