Galen chuckled softly with his hands still clamped behind his back.
Although, his voice was calm, but anyone could sense the anger simmering from it.
Galen couldn't believe his little brother had actually rejected his invitation and now, Austin had the guts to tell him he was simply too busy to pay him a visit.
Just what was a lazy prince like Austin doing, to be so busy he couldn't pay Galen a visit.
Of course, this wasn't the main reason why Galen felt so annoyed right now, but it was definitely an important factor.
However, anger wasn't the only emotion he was feeling right now.
In fact, Austin's rejection of his invitation was actually the least of Galen's worries right now because more than anything else, Galen still couldn't understand how Austin could still be alive when he had clearly been poisoned by him a few days ago.
'So, shouldn't he be dead by now?'
'Then why is he alive?'
'Could it be I gave him the wrong poison?'
'Or maybe it wasn't potent enough to kill him?'
'No, that's impossible.'
'The poison I spiked in his tea was definitely potent enough to carry out its objective.'
Galen continued to ponder about how Austin could have detected he was poisoned but since he couldn't come home with a reasonable explanation, Galen decided not to think too much about it.
For now, he had more important things to worry about, and he probably wouldn't even be worried about his little brother if the Von Jurgen Household had willingly announced their interest to support him in the race for the throne.
He cared little about Austin and Galen didn't even see the fourth prince as a threat until the Von Jurgens had rejected his invitation to see them, and this had made him worried about his position in the race for the throne.
Galen had even tried sending a series of gifts to the Von Jurgen Household, hoping that the gifts would be enough to persuade the head of the household into having an audience with him.
However, just as how his initial invitation has been rejected, his gifts had also been sent back to him as well.
This had happened twice already this year but Galen wasn't going to give up so easily.
'Hmm, maybe I should send over a bigger tribute of three carriages filled with gold, silver and expensive silk.'
'This should be enough to prove to them just how much I need their support.'
'Yes, they won't be able to say no after seeing how determined I am to win them over.'
Galen made up his mind as he walked away from the pond, eager to make preparations for what he was about to do.
.....
A few days later.
A male figure could be seen emerging from the shadow of a pillar.
The man was clad in dark armor and he stepped forward from the pillars shadow before bowing in front of the room.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. The third prince's gift and tribute had been returned back to him last night and that would make it the third time this year the Von Jurgens had rejected an audience with him." The shadow guard relayed his message, and the emperor chuckled softly from within his room.
"A third time this year?"
"Yes, Majesty."
"Galen must be really intent on having their support, but tell me General, do you think there's a reason behind why his invitations had been rejected."
"Forgive me if I may be wrong, but maybe the Head of the Von Jurgen Household is already intent on supporting the fourth prince, but they're simply waiting for the prince to awaken his bloodline before officially announcing their support to him."
"Hmm, I see. So to get their support before it gets too late, Galen keeps sending gifts over to them."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Moreover, there's been word about the fourth prince frequenting his training room over the last few days now."
"Oh, such a news would definitely be a troubling one for Galen. It would be unfortunate for him if all his brothers except him had a Great Family supporting them. He'd probably be seen as the least likely candidate to succeed the throne and he wouldn't want that. He might even try to hurt his brother. Anyways, when will Austin be leaving the palace?"
"Today, Your Majesty,"
"Hmm. Then that means Austin's journey to the West won't be an easy one."
Hearing this, the shadow guard General inquired. "Your Majesty, shall I assign someone to protect the fourth prince?"
"Don't bother. Austin's not a child anymore. He is surrounded by those who can protect him but if he has unable to protect himself then it means he isn't ready to face the trouble that comes with leading a particular territory."
From an outsider's prospective, one would think of the emperor as a cruel father who didn't care about his sons, but the General knew exactly why the Emperor couldn't help Austin.
If a shadow guard of the emperor had accompanied Austin to the Western Estate, the three other princes would see it as the emperor protecting the son who he wishes to see in the throne.
And this would only put Austin in more danger by those who would do anything to support his three older brothers.
.....
Meanwhile, in the fourth prince's pavilion.
Austin could be seen standing in front of his quarters but two beautiful maids could also be seen bowing respectfully in front of him as they plead for him to take them along with him.
"Your Highness, please, let us accompany you to the Jade Swallow Estate."
"It would be our honor to help you with anything you'll need in the Jade Mansion."
Austin stood still as he glanced at the two maids in front of him and two transparent panel appeared before him, displaying the maids profile.
=====
[Sana]
> Age: 28
Race: Dog-tailed demi-human
Title: Fourth Prince's Retainer, Maid
Loyalty Level: 2
Class: Exorcist (Tonfa Specialist)
Power Rank: Second Order
Magical Affinity: Wind
Identification: Raised as a maid in the Von Jurgen household, Sana accompanied Evelyn as a dowry and care-maid.
---
[Mae]
> Age: 28
Race: Cat-tailed demi-human
Title: Fourth Prince's Retainer, Maid
Loyalty Level: 2
Class: Exorcist (Spearwoman)
Power Rank: Second Order
Magical Affinity: Ice
Identification: Raised as a maid in the Von Jurgen household, Mae accompanied Evelyn as a dowry and care-maid.