World Development System 260 191. Antonio's Determination Part 2.

While a fight was going on at the Imperial court, Prince Hector was quite satisfied with the results on how his ministers handled the scandal.

While arguing, Minister Sheer thought and spoke, "It's good that Antonio is dead or else this case would have been more tricky."

Prince Hector laughed and spoke, "Well, you don't need to worry, he was anyway a small pawn in the big game. He can't create big waves. It was good that he died or else it would have been hard deflecting this scandal. Those guys from Laguna family are already on my tail for quite a few days."

Prince thought, 'All of this is certainly the fault of that upstart. I need to do something about him.'

Count Casey watching the show meanwhile decided to show up and speak,

"I would like to speak up on this occasion since this is related to Lord Antonio, I can help you all."

Felix's minister was already on edge and hence spoke in a rude manner and ordered immediately, "Speak fast, don't waste our time."

Casey nodded with a smile and spoke, "I will come straight to the point. Today my men were able to bring back Lord Antonio who was missing for a while after the battle. Why don't we ask him directly since this scandal is related to him."

Suddenly shock and joy could be seen in the face of Felix's minister, he spoke, "Good, Continue."

He thought, 'Now this is interesting.'

Felix's minister asked his men, "Tell me more about this guy."

The person in charge of information came and spoke, "He is Count Casey from the northern domain near Lord Mendez's domain, From what I know, he recently had some friction with Prince Hector and Duke Norman. Today as well he was rejected by Duke Norman."

Realizing something, Felix's minister nodded and spoke, "Good, now I understand." 

Sheer who was in a good mood previously suddenly got pale as soon as he heard Casey, he immediately asked, "Who is that guy."

One of the ministers under him asked, "Count Casey, I heard he was on good terms with Baron Mendez previously. However recently he didn't participate in the northern war where Duke wanted lords to help him in his campaign. Due to this Duke Norman and Prince Hector had started showing their displeasure for disobeying them. Previously he was on good terms with Duke Norman but for a year he has changed his stance as he didn't want risk invading North-frontier town and hence earning their displeasure. Currently, he is on quite good terms with North-frontier Town as his Mulberry fruit trade has earned him a lot of gold coins as they have started extensive production of it after the demand by NF town increase. This trade has also released him from previous debts from Duke Norman. So I guess it's normal."

Sheer nodded and thought, "I see. Now this quite a big variable. Has there been any movements in his domain after the war started?"

The minister shook his head and spoke, "No Milord, there was only 1 movement for the last 3 days. It seems they were trying to capture Antonio. I guess he was trying to appease us but previously Duke Norman declined to meet him and hence the current actions."

Sheer saw that Casey was calling his men to bring Antonio, "Now this is problematic. How was he able to catch this guy. And I don't think Lord John has incapable men who would let this man go so easily."

Most shocked of all among the audience was Prince Hector whose eyes were raging with anger meanwhile Felix's men couldn't help smile as they looked at the current situation.

Hector looked at Alistair and spoke, "How the hell is he present here. Wasn't he dead previously?"

Alistair looked calmly at Antonio, Casey and others, He made a conclusion and spoke, "This looks more like a conspiracy by Lord John from the start when he occupied Dolores. There are hard times ahead for you, Milord. I think we need to be careful in this scandal. I am certain Count John deliberately released this guy to cause us problems."

Watching Antonio going up in stage, Hector hysterically roared to his men, "Kill that guy before he speaks anything. This is disastrous."

Alistair shook his head and spoke, "It is not possible now. Previously Duke Norman rejected meeting Count Casey and it looks like this is the lash back since we were rejecting his policies previously. We can still kill Antonio when he is imprisoned. However, we will be blamed mostly if it does happen. Is it okay, Milord?"

Hector roared and spoke, "The cat is already out of the bag. I don't care about my reputation. Kill him or it will be my ruin. My brothers will surely attack my position of Crown Prince for this scandal."

Alistair nodded and spoke, "Okay, We can still delay the judgment of this hearing. We will kill him in his cells."

There was a lot of displeasure at the court after watching Antonio's arrival. The only group that was happy was Lord Felix's group and his other brothers who couldn't wait to dethrone his brother from his position of the prince.

Antonio came to the podium as Felix's minister smiled and asked, "Tell me about the events which led to war previously."

Antonio nodded as he looked at Prince Hector and Duke Norman with a lot of hate and spoke, "Before the start of the war, I was instigated by Prince Hector and Duke Norman to usurp my father so that they can block the eastern port and use it as a leverage against Lord John."

Smiling, the Minister asked, "Why did you usurp your father, couldn't you convince him?"

Antonio shook his head and spoke, "No, my father was against closing the port as he believed that closing the port would certainly lead to war and he believed that we can't face Lord John in a war. He also believed that Prince Hector and Duke Norman were just using us to fulfill their ambitions and hence we should take decisions calmly. Under greed of power and wealth, I, later on, did the bidding of Prince Hector and Duke Norman. And another reason my father didn't want to do their bidding was because if the war started then Dolores and the surrounding areas under them would become a battlefield and it would be disastrous for us."

The minister nodded and noted down as he asked, "Do you regret anything?"

Antonio nodded as he looked at Hector and spoke, "Yes, I regret not following the advice of my father when he warned me before I usurped him. I also regret joining up with Prince Hector since I never knew that he would so ruthlessly backstab me to save his own skin. I was truly naive when my father warned me. However, currently, I am here because I wish the whole of Aelius and its Lords get to know about the deeds of Prince Hector and never trust him. I am sure I might get assassinated in Prison but this will only serve my purpose and show the true nature of Prince Hector."

Chapter end