Galen chuckled softly with his hands still clamped behind his back.
Although his voice was calm, anyone could sense the anger simmering underneath.
He couldn't believe his little brother had actually rejected his invitation, It seemed that Austin now had the guts to tell him that he was too busy to pay him a visit.
What could a lazy prince like Austin be doing that made him so busy he couldn't pay Galen a visit?
Of course, this wasn't the main reason Galen felt so annoyed, but it was definitely part of it.
However, anger wasn't the only emotion he was feeling right now.
In fact, Austin's rejection of his invitation was the least of Galen's worries right now because, more than anything else, he still couldn't understand how Austin was still alive when he had clearly poisoned him a few days ago.
'Shouldn't he be dead by now?'
'So, why the hell is he still alive?'
'Could it be that I gave him the wrong poison?'
'Or maybe it wasn't potent enough to kill him?'
'No, that's impossible.'
'The poison I spiked his tea with was definitely potent enough to carry out its function.'
Galen continued to ponder over Austin's survival and whether he had detected that he was poisoned, but since he couldn't come up with a reasonable explanation, Galen decided not to dwell too much on it.
For now, he had more important things to worry about, and he wouldn't even be worried about his little brother if the Von Jurgen Household had willingly announced their intention to support him in the race for the throne.
He cared very little about Austin and didn't even see him as a threat, at least that was until the Von Jurgens rejected his invitation to meet with them, and this had made him worried about his position and his chances in the fight for the throne.
Galen had even tried sending a series of gifts to the Von Jurgen Household, hoping that they would be enough to persuade the head of the household to have an audience with him.
However, just as his initial invitation was rejected, his gifts were also been sent back to him.
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; three carriages filled with gold, silver, and expensive silk sound just about right.'
'This should be enough to prove to them just how much I need and will appreciate 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 begin making preparations for the gift he hoped would turn the tide in his favour.
.....
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 pillar's shadow before bowing in front of a room.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. The third prince's gifts and tributes were returned to him last night. This will make it the third time this year that the Von Jurgens have rejected an audience with him." The shadow guard relayed his message, and the emperor chuckled softly from within his room.
"The third time this year?"
"Yes, your Majesty."
"Galen must be really intent on getting their support, but tell me, General, do you think there's a reason behind his invitations being rejected constantly?"
"Forgive me as I may be wrong, but the Head of the Von Jurgen Household might be intending to support the fourth prince, but they're probably waiting for the prince to awaken his bloodline before officially announcing their support of him."
"Hmm, I see. So to get their support before it becomes too late, Galen keeps sending gifts over to them."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Moreover, there has been word about the fourth prince frequenting his training room over the past few days."
"Oh, such 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 will probably be seen as the least likely candidate to succeed the throne, and he definitely 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 is unable to protect himself, then it means that he is not ready to face the trouble that comes with leading a territory."
From an outsider's perspective, they might think of the emperor as a cruel father who doesn't care about his sons, but the General knew exactly why the Emperor couldn't help Austin.
If a shadow guard of the emperor accompanied Austin to the Western Estate, the three other princes would see it as the emperor protecting the son whom he wished to see on the throne.
And this would only put Austin in more danger due to those who are willing to 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 pleaded 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 might need while in the Jade Mansion."
Austin stood still as he glanced at the two maids in front of him, and two transparent panels appeared before him, displaying the maids' profiles.
[Sana]
> Age: 28
> Race: Dog-tailed demi-human
> Title: Fourth Prince's Retainer, Maid.
> Loyalty Level: Level 2.
> Class: Exorcist (Tonfa Specialist).
> Power Rank: Second Order.
> Magical Affinity: Wind.
> Identification: Raised as a maid in the Von Jurgens household, Sana accompanied Evelyn as a dowry maid and care-maid.
=====
[Mae]
> Age: 28
> Race: Cat-tailed demi-human
> Title: Fourth Prince's Retainer, Maid.
> Loyalty Level: Level 2.
> Class: Exorcist (Spearwoman).
> Power Rank: Second Order.
> Magical Affinity: Ice.
> Identification: Raised as a maid in the Von Jurgens household, Mae accompanied Evelyn as a dowry maid and care-maid.
=====