113 Returning to the Inner Court Part 1 (1/2)
Timewise, Konrad had been gone for less than an hour. However, for Iliana who had to remain still within the nuptial chambers while worrying about what was occurring in the outside, that timeframe was already unbearable.
Konrad said nothing, stepping onto the bed to lie by her side.
”Angry?”
”Angry!”
”Why?”
”You're treating me like a fool! Did you think I didn't know you've been plotting with my dad? Even if I didn't know the exact nature of your plan, your use of a scapegoat wasn't hard to guess.
But instead of being frank with me, you chose to keep me in the dark from beginning to the end. Am I your partner, yes or no?!”
While Iliana's rage exploded, Konrad remained stoic.
”If I involve you, can you bear the cruelty of my plans?”
”How will you know if you don't try?”
”Good. Then from now on, I swear to never keep you in the dark. If I lie, may heaven…”
But before he could finish his words, Iliana placed her fingers on his lips while shaking her head in disapproval.
”You don't believe in heaven…”
”True…then, may hell engulf me and forever torture my soul.”
He then pushed her hand aside and pressed her onto the bed with an overbearing kiss.
”Unruly…”
”The night is still young. Beautiful, we have a lot of consummation and dual cultivation to do.”
They then abandoned one another to a night of soul-stirring passion.
…
Meanwhile, Olrich had carried Elmar back to the imperial palace, and tossed him onto the ground…
*Slap*
…before smacking him across the cheeks.
”Useless, foolish, waste!”
He roared while grabbing Elmar by the neck and hauling him up.
”Have you forgotten all my teachings? In the imperial family, the thing you should love the least is, a brother! Today, Holger may be obedient, but if his cultivation one day catches up to yours, and he possesses the means to meet you as an equal, who's to say he won't threaten your throne?
Therefore, you can use him, reward him, show him goodwill and outward trust, but under no circumstance should you forget that he's nothing more than a tool for your rise.
Should the need arise, immediately discard him. That is the proper way!”
Olrich barked while squeezing Elmar's, neck.
”But you…not content on showing him excessive care, you've also allowed him to become a weakness that others have exploited to strike back at you!”
How could Olrich not realize that the ploy was intended to use Holger's life to force Elmar down? The other party had thoroughly analyzed his personality and knew well what choice that heir of his would make at the critical juncture.