At dawn, the first rays of sunlight pierced through the morning clouds and shone on the oil-paper windows of the castle. The servants in the residence were already bustling about.

Simon, who had barely slept all night, rose early. Gius was busy arranging the servants who would accompany Simon to the banquet.

For a spring outing, a prince naturally had to bring many servants. Among these servants, Gius had secretly placed numerous secret guards. In addition to Lancelot’s thirty elite soldiers, there were over twenty secret guards disguised as servants to ensure Simon’s safety.

The castle appeared calm, but Lancelot and Baldwin were already hard at work. The Brambleford army had left the city the previous night and ambushed in the grove.

Lancelot was also planning how to ensure the Brambleford cavalry could quickly come to their aid. Ancient battles were akin to street brawls, often lasting a long time.

As long as Simon wasn’t immediately captured by the powerful families, the Brambleford army could buy plenty of time.

By noon, Simon set out, surrounded by servants.

On the grassland south of the pond, Lothair had already had his servants prepare the ingredients needed for the banquet, waiting for everyone to arrive.

When Simon arrived, Lothair, Bertram and the others were already present. Many of the powerful families sat on the grass, chatting. "Your Highness, you’ve finally arrived," Lothair said obsequiously as he approached Simon.

The other powerful families stood up and bowed in greeting.

Led by Lothair to the main seat, Simon returned the greetings and spoke. "Please, everyone, take your seats."

Baldwin and Lancelot sat to Simon’s left and right, while thirty heavily armoured guards stood on either side.

Bertram glanced at the fully armoured soldiers and smiled. "Your Highness, today’s banquet is meant to reconcile us with Your Highness. After this, we will disband our private armies and return the land. Having these soldiers here somewhat ruins the mood."

Before Simon could respond, Lancelot said. "Sir Bertram, you worry too much. Even when you travel, you bring your own guards. His Highness, a prince of noble birth, travelling with only thirty guards, is already extremely modest."

"Captain Lancelot is right." Lothair flattered. "His Highness is a prince of the imperial family. When Her Highness the Princess travelled recently, she had over a thousand guards. There’s no need to make a fuss over this. Bertram, you’re overthinking it."

Bertram’s expression was haughty. In his view, since Simon had arrived, he had already fallen into his trap. That was why he dared to speak so disrespectfully. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

At this moment, he felt no need to grovel. He had his own plans.

The Redwyck and Goldwynd families had been allied through marriage for generations. The Goldwynd family’s secret dealings were all known to the Redwyck family, and they had participated in them all. Because of this, Bertram knew that if Simon uncovered the Goldwynd family’s crimes, the Redwyck family would also be doomed.

The other powerful families he had coerced into this plot were unaware that they were merely pawns in Bertram’s game. The Redwyck family had made thorough preparations. If this plan succeeded, all would be well. If it failed, they would flee to the grasslands. By then, not even Simon or even the emperor could touch them.

These were Cedric’s original plans. Bertram simply hadn’t expected that the Redwyck family would be the ones to carry them out.

After a moment of contemplation, Bertram made up his mind. He spoke. "It’s not that I’m overthinking things. It’s just that Your Highness has always been wary of us. Otherwise, why would the Goldwynd family suddenly be destroyed? Although I’m not a member of the Goldwynd family, I know Cedric well. He would never dare to assassinate the princess. Your Highness, you know the truth better than I do."

With a cold laugh, Bertram continued. "Using the Goldwynd family incident, Your Highness immediately issued decrees to weaken us, the powerful families of Brambleford. You couldn’t wait, which shows how deeply you despise us."

Instantly, the grassland fell into silence. Everyone’s breathing seemed as loud as thunder.

Lothair’s face turned pale, and his body trembled slightly. He spoke. "Bertram, what do you mean by this? You invited His Highness to this banquet. Why are you speaking so disrespectfully?"

"Lothair, you’ve disgraced us, the powerful families of Brambleford. Tell me, in the entire Eldorian Empire, where are the powerful families not treated as honoured guests by the princes? Yet you willingly degrade yourself to the level of commoners, no better than pigs or dogs. You’ve shamed all of us." Bertram said, pointing at Lothair without any courtesy.

Arnulf angrily said. "Bertram, what do you mean by this? Are you here to cause trouble? This is a grave disrespect. Although we’ve disbanded our private armies and returned the land, we’re conducting our business openly and honestly. What’s shameful about that?"

"That’s right. What’s shameful about it?"

"It’s a disgrace, a humiliation to the powerful families."

"..."

As soon as Arnulf finished speaking, the powerful families led by Bertram and those led by Lothair began to argue, and the scene quickly descended into chaos.

"Everyone, stop arguing. Let Sir Bertram finish what he has to say." Simon suddenly said.

Bertram was impatient, eager to embarrass Simon as soon as he arrived.

"Your Highness, my meaning is simple. Please revoke your decrees and clear the Goldwynd family’s name." Bertram said, a strange smile playing on his lips.

"What a fine way to clear the Goldwynd family’s name. If I admit to this, will you rush to Eldora to report me, ensuring I’m punished and stripped of my title as prince?" Simon said calmly.

"Exactly. The title of prince is not for the unworthy. Your Highness is clearly unworthy, as evidenced by the opposition of so many powerful families. Even Lothair is acting under duress. Those who have virtue gain support; those who lack it lose it. Your Highness, can’t you see that now?"

"Hahaha..." Simon suddenly laughed. "What a fine saying, those who have virtue gain support; those who lack it lose it. Sir Bertram, why don’t you ask the common people who have more virtue?"

"What do those lowly commoners know? My virtue is the virtue of the powerful families. This empire belongs to the powerful families. Our interests come first, and you, Simon, are going against the tide. Since you refuse to repent, I have no choice but to seek justice for us."

With that, Bertram suddenly whistled. From the grove, the sound of charging soldiers erupted.

Lancelot’s expression changed drastically, and he immediately led the thirty guards to protect Simon.

At the same time, screams erupted from the banquet.

Bertram was shocked. The moment the whistle sounded, the servants at the banquet suddenly turned violent, killing over a dozen of the powerful families who had come with him.

Several of them charged straight at him.

"Protect me!" Bertram shouted, and a dozen servants rushed forward.

Lothair was frozen in fear, staring blankly to the north. From the grove, more people emerged, all clad in silver armour, radiating killing intent.