The most important thing for a crown prince is patience

Equipping servants for poison testing wasn’t uncommon in aristocratic circles; in the royal family, it was standard.

Rather, it was the Crown Prince’s previous method of using hidden guards for surveillance that was more peculiar, as he had never had such personnel before.

However, in Flora Haggia’s opinion, the job of poison testing was actually somewhat cruel and low-end.

Chronic poisons either couldn’t be detected or took a while to manifest, while strong poisons would needlessly claim a life…

So, in her plan, she intended to equip the Crown Prince with professional medical toxicologists rather than expendable poison testers.

But in the current situation, she could only serve as a poison tester for once.

Of course, she didn’t think Baron Fate would poison the food; she was only doing this to prevent Flax Mounten from reacting impulsively and doing something irreversible.

Without waiting for the Crown Prince to react or give further instructions, Flora Haggia quickly took a bite of every dish.

Unexpectedly, she choked while swallowing quickly.

She promptly accepted the water offered by Baron Fate and repeatedly thumped her chest… it took a great effort to regain her breath.

“No, no problem!”

She gave the Crown Prince a thumbs-up, panting as she spoke.

Her actions made Flax Mounten look deeply at the Crown Prince, who had picked up his cutlery again, and he, too, sat down.

Baron Fate quietly observed Flora Haggia and the Crown Prince, then slowly took his seat as well.

Flora Haggia let out a long sigh, silently retreating to stand by. Not long after, a woman with a visibly pregnant belly walked into the dining room, supported by a maid.

“My dear, why are you here?”

Upon seeing the woman, Baron Fate stood up in surprise.

“With such distinguished guests in our home, how could I not come to greet them?” Supported by the maid, the woman, with some difficulty, bowed to everyone.

“Please be seated, Madam.” Flax Mounten completely abandoned his intention to act. “Baron Fate, you are truly blessed.”

“You jest, Earl. To be honest, this is my first child.”

Baron Fate walked over, affectionately helped his wife sit down, a happy smile on his face.

“My dear, you’ve worked hard these past years.”

“Nonsense, this is all I can do for you.” The madam lightly kissed Baron Fate’s cheek.

Flax Mounten gently lowered his head, remaining silent.

The Crown Prince did look at Baron Fate’s family but said nothing.

The atmosphere instantly became awkward.

Flora Haggia had no choice but to step forward again.

“Madam, how many months pregnant are you?”

Her method was to pretend to be a curious girl, using the Baroness as a starting point to continuously create conversation topics, eliciting simple responses from Baron Fate, and prompting Flax Mounten and the Crown Prince, who didn’t know what to say, to chime in with a word or two.

The only problem was that as a maid, speaking freely during dinner might be a bit presumptuous…

But Baron Fate was eager for someone to break the awkward silence and didn’t mind, and the Baroness was also very kind.

Flax Mounten seemed to have given up resisting; whatever Flora Haggia asked, he would answer.

Most crucially, the Crown Prince… Flora Haggia had unexpectedly seen him display a gentle expression.

(Seriously, what is this guy up to?)

Flora Haggia couldn’t help but feel a little angry.

Dinner concluded in an outwardly pleasant atmosphere.

“Your Highness, please make your decision soon.”

Flax Mounten walked up to Ryan Rowland and whispered, then followed the Baron’s servants to his room.

The constantly chattering, noisy blonde girl went outside to greet the guards, who had been on alert, and invited them to eat.

Ryan Rowland, meanwhile, followed Baron Fate to his study.

After closing the door, Baron Fart’s slit-like eyes opened slightly, revealing a sharp glint:

“Why didn’t you act just now?”

Ryan Rowland did not reply.

“You received orders to kill me, didn’t you?”

Fate said sternly, “Why did you hesitate!”

Seeing this familiar scene, Ryan Rowland was very annoyed and stubbornly said:

“My orders were to investigate whether you were colluding with Duke Jefferies and plotting rebellion!”

Upon hearing this, Fate grew even angrier.

“How many times have I taught you not to be soft-hearted!”

“Or have you completely slackened these past few years, unable to even grasp such a simple truth!”

Fate continued to scold, making it impossible to connect him with the kind and amiable demeanor he had just displayed outside.

Even more unimaginable was that he, a mere baron, dared to speak to the Crown Prince in such a manner.

Ryan Rowland remained silent, merely lowering his head.

Just like years ago, he listened to his teacher’s reprimands and teachings like a child.

Seeing this, Fart couldn’t help but sigh, sitting on the desk with a hint of dejection.

“His Majesty can no longer tolerate me.

That Earl from the Azure Knights was sent by him to monitor whether you would execute the task.”

“I know,” Ryan Rowland stubbornly said.

“Just now was the best time to act. I had sent all my subordinates out… Even I don’t know which families those guys were planted by.”

“I know,” Ryan Rowland gritted his teeth.

“I have offended too many people. Although most of the dukes have obediently handed over their lands, it’s impossible not to be resented by them.

His Majesty also deliberately guided them to point their spears at me… I must die.”

“I… don’t know.” Ryan Rowland’s face was distorted.

“You must know, you will be the ruler of this country!”

Fate said sharply again. “His Majesty’s actions are not wrong, just like Baron Hera, who, when he proposed weakening the power of the dukes, triggered the ‘Revolt of the Seven Duchies’… Our fate is only death! Both the current Emperor and the previous one have done this, and can only do this!”

“I… don’t agree!” Ryan Rowland said with an angry expression.

“Even if you don’t agree, you must agree and accept. This is what an emperor must do, the destiny he must accept!”

Fate slapped the table and stood up, his face filled with exasperation.

“Even if you don’t do it, in a couple of days, the moles among my subordinates will act!

Earl Flax Mounten, who came with you, won’t be able to resist acting either!”

“You can’t stop it, and you mustn’t! Think of everything you have accumulated so far, everything you have worked so hard to get, think of your ultimate goal!”

Fate gave Ryan Rowland no chance to retort.

“I know you have many dissatisfactions. When you become emperor, all these dissatisfactions can be eliminated!

Those who have offended you now, those you dislike, you can eradicate them then! But not now! Now, what you must do is endure! Obey the current Emperor!”

Fate took a deep breath, regaining his composure.

“Don’t worry about me. The moment I advised His Majesty, I was already psychologically prepared.

All I’ve ever sought in life is to display my talents and leave my name in history… I have achieved all of this, and I have no regrets.”

“I still have some loyal subordinates… Tomorrow, I will arrange for them to assassinate you. You cooperate well.”

“If you still can’t bring yourself to do it, then arrest me and let the observer act…

I will not be allowed to return to the imperial capital alive.”

Fate said nothing more or offered any further explanations; he believed his carefully instructed student must have understood.

The imperial family is the most ruthless.

Opening the door, Ryan Rowland walked out with heavy steps, bidding farewell to his esteemed mentor.