Raised From The Wild-Chapter 398: A Father’s Mercy

"Sapiro, you could fool other people, but not me. I judge you with mercy this time because you are my son and did not cause significant damage. But there would not be a next time. It also does not mean you can get away with what you have done. You will be indefinitely suspended from your post in the Intelligence Bureau, though you keep your title as Prince, and you can continue to manage the business in the North."

Sapiro’s body trembled after hearing the king’s verdict. It was, however, a better outcome than him becoming a commoner or his entire family executed.

He slowly turned around, and he fell to his knees a second time without approaching the bed.

"Thank you for your mercy, Father. I promise I will not fail you again," he said, rising and leaving the room.

Queen Lucinda sighed. She felt relieved. She was always a gentle queen and did not wish for the king’s other sons to end badly. After all, they had also become her sons.

Princess Amaya regarded her grandfather with a complicated look. Wasn’t her grandfather too soft-hearted? While she sympathized with her uncle’s family, she worried about the potential consequences if he achieved his goals. Could it lead to the ruin of the Rocas family?

King Duncan could sense the whirlwind of thoughts in his granddaughter’s mind. As he struggled to sit upright, the princess rushed to assist him.

"Come, sit here, my dear." He tapped the edge of the bed and beckoned Amaya.

Princess Amaya obediently sat beside him.

"I was once ruthless and heartless, making decisions based solely on what I believed would benefit the country. But where did that lead me? My actions caused great heartache to your Grandma, leading to her chronic illness and causing Lireya to lose its queen for more than a decade. It also alienated our other son, who passed away without us ever seeing him..." his voice started to croak. "In the end, I harmed not only my family but also hindered Lireya."

"Grandpa, I understand now. It is all in the past." Princess Amaya comforted the King.

"Your Uncle Sapiro is not inherently bad. He doted on his twin siblings when they were younger. He did not harbor any intention on the throne, so someone might have manipulated him." King Duncan uttered in a voice full of concern.

"The Dark Phoenix organization specializes in human psychology and in controlling not only people but also animals." King Duncan continued.

"Grandpa, during my time at the Nower Research Institute, I discovered that the legendary Dragon Lord had resurfaced and shared crucial information with the Alliance of the Four Continents. It seems that the days of Dark Phoenix are numbered."

King Duncan’s eyes widened when he heard the resurgence of the Dragon Lord.

"Dragon Lord has reappeared?"

...

The King’s Palace, the country of Ra-Iya ...

King Ralden was filled with rage as he marched toward Zanzara’s chamber. He forcefully pushed open the door, which startled Zanzara, who had a noticeably swollen belly.

"Useless! Your father is useless! How could he get caught like that?" His eyes were filled with rage as he swept the vase off the table.

The floor was carpeted so the vase did not shatter, but the bouquet of colorful peonies scattered on the floor.

Zanzara trembled with unease. "What are you implying, my King?" She attempted to rise from the reclining chair, but her movements were cumbersome due to her significant pregnancy. Her feet had also become swollen.

Her maidservant hurried to her side to help her up.

"You are just as useless as your father. You don’t even know what is happening in Lireya." King Ralden’s voice thundered.

Zanzara lowered her head and did not say anything. Her relationship with her husband had gotten worse in the past few months.

"I’ll go visit my family, My King. On the 21st, my Uncle Ibrahim’s death anniversary."

A sudden thought crossed King Ralden’s mind.

"Why don’t you invite your sister and your cousin over instead? You will be giving birth soon, and it is not safe for you to travel." His voice considerably softened and carried the charm that once swept Zanzara off her feet.

"My cousin is still studying, My King." Zanzara’s voice trembled. She felt that her husband was plotting something. He had always wanted Amaya to be his queen. Did he still have those thoughts?

"But she is graduating at the end of this month, right? Isn’t it perfect? You are about to give birth next month. Invite them to be our son’s godparents."

"But, my King..."

"Zanzara, you know my temper when someone disobeys me. Don’t test my patience." The gentleness in his voice vanished, replaced by anger.

"I will do my best to have my sister and cousin come over in time for our son’s arrival, My King." Zanzara tried to hide the tremor in her voice, but King Ralden did not miss it.

He placed his hands over Zanzara’s bulging belly and put a strand of her hair behind her ear.

Zanzara was hoping that he would kiss her like he used to. But while his actions were gentle, she could see the disgust in his eyes. She knew how ugly she had become when she reached her last trimester. Her neck has turned dark. Her face has become so round, and her once small nose become big.

"That’s my good girl. Rest well and take care of the baby."

"I have been looking all over for you, your Majesty." A coquettish voice coming from the door caused Zanzara to clench her fists.

King Ralden turned around and opened his arms to welcome Sofia.

"And why are you looking for me,, my dear?" King Ralden asked gently, looking at Sofia with a tender and loving gaze.

Among his wives, Sofia was his favorite.

Sofia hugged King Ralden and then gave Zanzara a sly smile. She then tiptoed and sought the King’s lips.

Zanzara gritted her teeth. ’How shameless!’ 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"I have big news for you, but we cannot discuss it here, My King."

"Okay. Let’s go to my chamber then." The king placed his hand around her waist and led her out of the room without looking back.

Before they exited the room, Sofia threw one last glance at Zanzara, a smug smile on her lips.