Kingdom Bloodline

The Duke's study was quiet for a long, long time.

After hearing the prince's proposal, the two Kevindirs had different expressions and took a while to digest it.

"So, after all this, we are still standing still," Federico was the first to speak, with a complicated expression, half smiling, "In the end, he was cleared of all charges, everything went on as usual, and he continued to be the Duke of the South Bank that he usurped?"

"Everything as usual?" Zhan En said disdainfully.

"But you have become the new Viscount of Archsea City, Feder."

Thales raised his eyebrows and forced a smile:

“That’s a big step.”

"Being under his control and obeying his orders, maybe even being killed by him in the end?" Fed raised his voice.

  Without waiting for Thales to react, Zhan En snorted coldly:

"So according to you, Feder returned home with honor after clearing his name, and even became the second-in-command of the Kongming Palace and a special spy in the capital, while I have to give up some of my rights and tolerate my evil cousin who interferes with my rule and makes things difficult for me. Maybe he will even usurp my throne in the end?"

The Duke of Iris sneered:

"Everyone is happy?"

  Federico replied at the right time, also with a sarcastic look on his face:

"Let bygones be bygones?"

The two of them each had their own focus, but they both stared at Thales with chilling smiles, making the latter's back shiver.

The sense of déjà vu before his eyes reminded Thales of the Hall of Heroes many years ago, when he faced Charman Lombard and the four Grand Dukes.

  But compared to the privileged nobles of Ex who are full of contradictions, aren’t you Kevin Deer a family?

Thales sighed.

Thor was right, it seemed to be more difficult than imagined.

Well, a little smaller.

  Thales forced himself to smile, as if the conversation just now was going well:

"Very good, it seems you all understand. Before we move on to the next step, if you still have questions about the details..."

"Your previous proposal was much better than this," Zhan En's smile disappeared, leaving only a cold face, "At least you promised to send him to the Bone Prison?"

"At least?" Federico frowned.

"But you disagreed and asked me to wait a few more days until the situation in Emerald City gets worse before coming back," Thales shrugged, "so I waited."

Zhan En sneered and ignored the prince's sarcasm.

"So you have completely taken control of the situation: debt, trade, law and order, nobility, military funds, and even gangs... You have solved all the problems in Emerald City, which is why you are so reckless and unscrupulous."

  Zhan En looked at his cousin with a tense expression:

"Whether to me or to him?"

Thales simply picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea, his demeanor calm and expression unchanged.

Damn, it’s so miserable.

"As the saying goes, a united iris can achieve great things - well, in fact, you two don't need to like each other or even cooperate with each other in the Emerald City. You just need to cooperate with me separately."

Thales continued to put on a fake smile.

In fact, perhaps it was the extremely bad relationship between these two brothers and their deep hatred that left the greatest amulet for the future Emerald City.

And if they really cooperate sincerely in the future...

  Thales thought:

The Emerald City might be in great trouble.

"Please forgive my dullness."

  Federico whispered:

"Your Highness, since you have already taken control of the situation and have no worries about weapons, why don't you make a concerted effort to achieve your goal?"

Thales frowned.

To complete the task...

  The question is, what is full achievement?

Where is the full achievement?

Whose credit is all?

"Your Highness, please think twice. We have made so much effort and have captured the Emerald City. Our goal is about to be achieved. The only thing left is to deal with the culprit." Fed looked up at Thales, trying his best to hide the dissatisfaction in his eyes and tried to bargain. "At least send him to the Bone Prison, or even put him under house arrest in the capital, as long as he is away from the Emerald City?"

Zhan En frowned slightly.

Federico was extremely serious:

"Otherwise, even if he agrees to your Highness, with Zhan En's ambition and management, it will only take two years for him to regain power, and all our efforts will be wasted."

Well, that makes sense.

Thales nodded slightly.

but……

"But you're not going to let that happen, are you?"

  Thales downplayed it:

"As Viscount of Gonghai City, Feder, promise me that you will do your utmost to serve the country and curb your cousin's ambitions."

Federico gritted his teeth.

"The above conditions are negotiable, Thales, but you have to send this guy to the gallows or to jail."

  Zhan En spoke at this time, and he spoke righteously:

"To prevent the bad apples from following suit and usurping the throne of the family, which would put everyone in the Nineteen Stone Seats in danger and make it difficult for you to conquer the Six Realms in the future."

Thales was startled when he heard this.

  I only heard the Duke of South Bank hum:

"As for the Viscount of Gonghai City, you just need someone to keep an eye on me. You can let anyone do it, even the Black Prophet."

This……

"Then you may not survive until tomorrow morning." Thales sighed in response.

"It's better than dying with regrets one day." Zhan En said softly.

"Your Highness, you don't mean the Black Prophet." Federico said expressionlessly.

"That's not what I said." Zhan En said coldly.

The two Kevin Dills looked at each other with deep hostility and caution.

It was like two swordsmen dueling with each other, stepping forward and testing each other.

It would be nice if Tails wasn't in the middle.

Ok.

Thales rubbed his scalp. The scar caused by Sak'el's cut was still clearly felt.

"But as long as you agree to my conditions," Thales said tentatively, "no matter what happens in the future, you can at least get out of your current predicament, regain your freedom and even power, act independently, and no longer be prisoners who can only wait anxiously."

"But that's not freedom." Federico shook his head.

Zhane snorted.

"If we agree to this condition, he and I will both be imprisoned here in the Emerald City, just like the location of our rooms: we will monitor each other and be wary of each other, and become each other's cages."

Zhan En chuckled, picked up the teacup, and said sarcastically:

"This new tea is really delicious."

"I never thought that I would agree with you one day," Feder said coldly, also raising his teacup and gestured, "Dear cousin."

Well, although this bad idea was indeed inspired by Mallos's accommodation plan for the two Kevin Dills...

Thales pulled the corner of his mouth helplessly.

"To be honest, you two seem to be getting along pretty well right now," the coordinating Second Prince sighed, "Do you really not want to consider working together? You two would make a good pair."

"I understand your Highness's painstaking efforts, but in reality not everything can be perfect." Federico remained respectful.

"He won't let me go." Zhan En said concisely.

"Just like he won't tolerate me." Federico was equally firm.

Oops, this déjà vu is happening again.

Thales closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

How did he convince those Northerners who only knew how to fight and kill?

If anyone disobeys, you will use magic power to crush him to death?

Zhan En glanced at his cousin and concluded disdainfully:

"If we do as you say, Thales, one day, one of us will die... and something will happen to us at the hands of the other."

"That's easy," Thales forced out a sincere smile, "Whoever gets into trouble first, I'll kill the remaining one."

The smiles of the two Kevin Dills disappeared at the same time.

It seemed like the tea in my hand suddenly lost its fragrance.

The whole study fell into silence.

Only Thales was left smiling, looking at the two Iris, one red and one black, with sparkling eyes:

  Fair enough, right?

After the joke, Thales still sighed.

"Listen, I'm trying my best to protect both of you," he said tiredly, "but you have to kill each other to be satisfied?"

"He is only responsible for his crimes," Zhan En said coldly, "Don't forget, how many lives have been killed since he returned to the Emerald City?"

"Every one of them deserved it," Feder shot back. "They were all participants in the old case, paying for the injustice and torture my father suffered at your hands."

Thales began to rub his scalp again.

  He leaned on the noble leather backrest used exclusively by the Duke and muttered to himself:

"Forget it. I might as well kill both of you at the same time and let Xilai take over as the Duchess of South Coast Guard..."

  Zhan En frowned and warned:

"Tails!"

Thales snorted coldly: "Or I'll send both of you to the Bone Prison and lock you up in a single room..."

  Federico glanced at the two of them, his eyes moved:

"If this is because of Cecilia, your highness, because you can't bear to see her disappointed, then with all due respect..."

Thales' eyes moved.

"Under the current situation, only Zhan En is gone - of course, this is his own fault, and has nothing to do with you," Feder said softly, "You and her will have no more obstacles and will finally be together."

  what?

Thales froze instantly.

Zhan En shuddered at first, then slowly turned his head:

"What did you say?"

no……

  Thales was confused:

Did he, they all misunderstand something?

"And we can do this: I promise she will hate me, not you, Your Highness."

Federico nodded respectfully, ignoring his cousin's sharp look that seemed to want to rip him open:

“When the time comes, I will sincerely bless you—something Zhan En will never be able to do in his entire life.”

Zhan En's gaze became even more terrifying.

Thales felt a throbbing pain in his head.

This topic is taking a bit of a bad turn.

But unexpectedly, the Duke of South Shore, who always exploded when his sister was mentioned, did not lose his temper. He just took a deep breath and replied to Fed calmly.

"Don't involve her, cousin," Zhan En said slowly, "When our family was in trouble, she was not even old enough to understand."

  But Federico didn't give any face:

"Is she not old enough, or do you think she is not old enough?"

Zhan En's brow twitched.

"Can't you see it, my dear cousin? Fate has determined that no matter what you do, no matter how much you want to, you can't stop Xilai from getting close to the person she likes."

Thales felt a little embarrassed when he heard this. He was about to argue, but he felt that if he really did so, it would only make things more awkward.

So I had to keep quiet.

  Feder continued relentlessly:

"It can't stop her from living the life she deserves, a life not burdened by her family."

Zhan En was shaken.

  Federico laughed as he spoke:

"So your existence is a hindrance, Zhane, and will only bring pain and struggle to our little sister."

Thales finally got over the awkward period, and couldn't help but frown when he heard this.

Zhan En's eyes had never looked so terrifying.

He stared at Federico, his breathing became heavier, and his whole body was visibly shaking.

"She is not your sister."

"So you'll only allow her to be yours?" Federico tutted. "How sick."

"Sick?" Zhan En gritted his teeth and spoke with difficulty: "The person who said this has lived underground with vampires for eleven years."

  But the other Kevin Deal was not to be outdone, and even went a step further:

"Excuse me, cousin, if it's really for your sister's good, you should die sooner."

"enough!"

Thales had to interrupt the two people who were gradually beginning to criticize each other.

He frowned and paused for a moment, feeling that it was not worth it for Shila to be used and offended in the conversation between Jane and Federico.

Her brothers who share the same surname and blood... whether they love her or hate her, they are all creatures of power.

He suddenly felt bored.

He didn't want to care about the grudges between them anymore.

No matter who cares more about whose sister, or who really killed whose father.

It's the same anyway.

Trivial, childish, boring.

And you have big things to deal with, Tails.

It concerns national affairs and the livelihood of all people.

The voice in his heart said coldly: It is better to resort to more powerful and more realistic means.

Thales's face turned cold.

"Neither you nor he will die."

The two of them turned their heads at the same time and looked at Thales sarcastically, with disbelief written all over their faces.

"Okay, I know my handling of the situation has made you all unhappy and even uncomfortable," Thales got up from his chair and changed his strategy, "but believe me, you won't be able to get a more satisfactory result."

Neither Kevin Dill reacted.

Thales turned to one of them.

The one who has more and therefore cares more.

"That's right, Zhan En. I can do as you wish: execute Feder and allow you to set good conditions to return to the Dukedom. I can make up for the superficial situation and let you continue to mediate in the midst of peace and prosperity..."

  Thales' tone tightened:

"But that will be destined to be the last time I help you. Whether I want to or not, next time, I will definitely not be able to help you make everyone happy like this time, and patiently help the Emerald City to "control the situation"..."

  He paused:

"... not to mention helping Xilai."

Zhan En's eyes moved.

Thales said calmly:

"Even if I have the will, I am powerless."

Zhan En said nothing, looking thoughtful.

Thales ignored him and turned to the other person.

He who loses more, therefore cares less.

"And you, Feder, forgive me for being blunt, it is precisely because someone wants to overthrow the deeply rooted Duke of Iris that you, as an exiled noble - this is a nice way of saying it, a more realistic way of saying it is 'a fallen man' - have the opportunity to return to your country and seek justice."

Federico's face changed.

  Thales narrowed his eyes:

"If Zhan En just died like this, was gone, no longer around... do you really think you would be the final winner?"

Federico's eyelids twitched.

"Believe me, when the time comes, I want to help you, but it will be much more difficult than me helping Zhan En now."

Feder gritted his teeth and snorted:

"I don't care - I came here with awareness."

"Because you had nothing before," Thales said expressionlessly, "but that was in the past, Lord Viscount Federico."

Hearing this name, Fed's eyes changed.

"A great man in the kingdom once gave me a warning, and I am passing it on to you now."

Thales said calmly:

"He said, 'Now that it's been given to you, hold on to it, hold on to your sword.'"

Thales narrowed his eyes:

"'Don't lose it.'"

Federico fell into deep thought upon hearing this, his breathing quickened and his expression struggled.

Thales closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead gently.

Very good, Tails.

  The voice in his heart murmured in approval:

You got it.

Being in this position, he plucked the silk thread in his hand and played the music, hitting the vital weaknesses of both of them.

Even without...

Thales opened his eyes a little.

Observing their reactions can also provide a lot of information. Continue to hook the next thread.

Until you turn...

The whole net.

"What about you?"

Federico's sudden question brought Thales out of his thoughts and back to his senses.

"Since you know that Zhan En is going to be overthrown and that I will not be the winner," Feder's expression was very strange, half-smiled, with a kind of madness after relief, "then Your Highness, you are still so casual and hasty in your judgment, and you are secretly against him..."

He looked at Thales:

"Will he be satisfied?"

he.

Thales frowned deeply.

The young man looked at Federico with a gloomy face, hooked his fingers, and wanted to move the silk threads on the other party, but he felt that the whole net was shaking.

"That's my business."

The moment he opened his mouth, he felt a silk thread in the pocket of his Gurtaksar being plucked.

  Thales ignored the discomfort in his heart and spoke slowly:

"I've only known you for a short time, Feder, but I thought after all the dealings we've had, you should understand a little bit..."

"Don't mention 'him' in front of him."

  Zhan En sighed and saved Thales the second half of the sentence:

"I speak from experience, cousin."

Federico looked at Zhan En, then at Thales, took a deep breath, and said resolutely:

"I said, as long as revenge is achieved, as long as justice is restored, as long as the truth is found, as long as Zhan En pays the price, I don't care who the winner is, whether the winner is me or someone else..."

"You can't win!"

Thales suddenly shouted loudly, startling both of them and they looked at each other in surprise.

  The prince immediately realized his mistake. He had to take a deep breath and take a sip of tea to remind himself before returning to his normal tone:

"Like he can't win either."

  Thales' eyes were burning:

"Even if I didn't intervene, even if I let you kill Zhan En and let you become the regent of Kongming Palace or even the Duke of South Bank, even if South Bank will be directly under the jurisdiction of the royal family from tomorrow... he, he can't win."

Federico and Zhane frowned at the same time.

"Because he was so high up, he thought that as long as he sat in the capital and made all kinds of plans, and used some threats and inducements, the Emerald City would fall into his trap and receive a salary of ten thousand gold coins a year. He thought that as long as he hit the trunk of the tree roughly and forcefully, the Emerald City, this cash cow, would drop money obediently."

  Thales gritted his teeth:

"But he has never been here, never seen it like I have, the people of the Emerald City, its interiors and exteriors—even I haven't seen enough."

Far from enough.

"Because he, like you, thinks he has experienced destruction and injustice, tragedy and pain, so he has the right to not care, the right to only know how to take and not how to give. But he doesn't understand, and he has no chance to understand: he has to first extend his hands to protect the branches, water and fertilize, so that the tree can grow fruit."

Thales' mind flashed back to what he had seen and heard in the Emerald City these days. He remembered what Zhan En had told him, that six generations of Kevin Dill had fought one after another, turning Iris from the highest ring of the Emerald City into the lowest ring, and then back to the highest ring, and it had taken more than a hundred years of hardship.

“So he can’t win.”

Thales said in a trance:

"And the day he reaches out to shake the money and finds the branch dead, and he has to admit that he can't win..."

He turned to the pale Federico:

"You sitting on the Duke's throne, or the dead and broken Emerald City, which do you think he cares more about?"

Federico frowned and swallowed.

His lips moved, but he didn't answer.

  Thales chuckled and nodded:

"Correct answer: He doesn't care."

Thales sighed and leaned back in his seat.

"Please consider my proposal again."

Neither Kevin Dill spoke.

Not bad.

  The voice in Thales' heart said to him:

As a strong person, it is also a good method to show your difficulties and pain at the right time, and in turn seek the effect of winning by surprise, but you must be careful...

"I see."

  Federico interrupted his thoughts, in disbelief and disappointment:

"It turns out that the most conservative, negative and unenterprising person in this city is far from Zhan En."

  Thales snorted:

"Whatever you say."

That's what happened anyway.

Now just look at the two of them...

"Can't you see, Feder?"

Zhan En, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke, but not to Thales, but to his cousin who had a sworn enemy with him.

"Our beloved prince, he is doing what he is best at, or the only thing he is good at..."

  Zhan En glanced at Thales with contempt and complexity:

"To smooth things over."

Thales's movement of holding the teacup froze.

  what?

Even Federico frowned at his cousin.

"Not just between the two of us Kevin Dill," Zhan En sneered, "but also between him and his father, and perhaps between himself and Xilai."

Thales looked grim.

"Avoiding conflict means neither us nor His Majesty can win, and even we cannot win," Zhan En's eyes seemed to see through everything, which made Thales feel cold in his heart. "Naturally, no one will 'lose'."

The Duke of South Shore turned to Federico, but seemed not to be looking at him but at something behind him.

"There is no gambler who has lost all his money and turned the table over and showed his knife."

Zhan En snorted disdainfully:

"There is also Xihuang, and even Exter many years ago. God knows how many 'crises' he has solved by using this muddy method in the past, thinking that he has deceived himself and others, and how many worse hidden dangers he has planted, and how many future disasters he will bring..."

Damn little flower.

Thales stared at him with an unfriendly look.

  But even as he cursed, he couldn't help but think of what the barber shop owner Balta had said:

[Before that, all the rescue measures are just adding fuel to the fire. Not only are they futile, but they are also self-righteous...]

Although he thought so, Thales still did not spare anyone:

"At least you're still sitting in the Palace of Clear Sky, Zhane, instead of turning your head upside down and turning into a brush to scrub my toilet."

Zhan En couldn't help but frown: "What?"

  Thales turned to the other person and tried to convince himself to get through this hurdle first:

"And you, Feder, should know when to stop: the Viscount's mansion and the dank dungeon are not difficult choices."

Federico frowned deeply.

"In comparison, I think none of you would like to be defeated by the other party, right?"

Thales took a deep breath and tried not to think about the deeper meaning of Zhan En's words:

"It is better to die because of a friend than to die because of an enemy."

Neither Kevin Dill was very happy to be taught a lesson in their own language.

"My conditions may be harsh for the two of you, but please remember that if it were someone else sitting here, the conditions would only be harsher."

  Thales gritted his teeth:

"I'm tired. I've explained the reason clearly. It's up to you whether you understand it or not."

The prince obviously wanted to expel the guests, which made the two Kevin Dills frown.

"No matter what your response is," Thales continued, "I will announce the result of the nobles' arbitration at the final celebration banquet of the Emerald Celebration."

Thales stood up, and Zhane and Federico had to stand up as well—either because of their upbringing or because of their status.

"Until then, if either of you changes your mind, please come directly to me."

  Thales walked towards the door - but after taking two steps, he subconsciously stopped and then remembered awkwardly:

Now he, Thales Brightstar, acting regent of Emerald City, is the master of this place.

He shouldn't have been the one to leave.

Thales turned his back to the two of them, looking frustrated.

Oops.

  The Duke of Xinghu was inevitably embarrassed, but he responded in time, quickly adjusted his expression, turned around to face the guest gracefully and naturally, stretched out his arm, and gestured to the door to see the guest off:

"But please remember: no matter how much it costs, first come first served always gets a discount."

Jenn and Federico looked at each other.

"As for those who can't come... well, it's not a question of whether there is a discount, but whether the product is in stock."

Facing the Acting Regent who smiled and saw them off, both of them were silent for a while.

Just as Federico was about to bow and leave, Zhan En suddenly spoke.

"You need us."

  Thales smiled as usual:

"Excuse me?"

Zhane raised his head and looked at Thales firmly.

"You need the Emerald City, Thales," he affirmed, "just as you need the Western Wasteland."

Amid the puzzled looks of Thales and Federico, Zhan En continued coldly:

"You need Kevin Dill to be alive and in pain. You need a profitable but 'unfinished' Emerald City to continue struggling and resisting, sandwiched between you and His Majesty. Only then will you have the confidence and bargaining chips to face him when you return to Renaissance Palace in the future."

Thales's expression changed slightly, while Federico seemed to be thinking about something.

  Zhanen pointed at Federico:

"That's why you need to play the game between us. You need us to live in the Emerald City, hating and tolerating each other."

Thales frowned and thought for a while.

"I have to say, Zhan En, I admire your imagination and conspiracy theory, including your mindset of regarding everyone as profit machines and power creatures, but don't be too..."

  But Zhan En interrupted him with a sneer:

"how long?"

how long?

Thales looked puzzled.

"A gambler has not lost, so he has not yet turned the table over. But he has not won, so he refuses to leave."

  Zhan En's words were clear and each one was shocking:

"But how long can a gambling game that neither loses money nor wins money last? How long can the guests endure without giving up the gambling game or even..."

  He looked at Thales with ill intent:

"Change dealer?"

Thales's face darkened.

"One game? Two games? Ten games? Forever?"

Federico looked at Thales, then at Zhane, his thoughts racing.

"From what I understand about them, Thales, a gambler rarely flips the table over losing money," Zhan En said coldly, "but often fights hard for poverty."

Thales didn't say anything.

The Duke of South Bank did not leave his seat; instead, he sat down at ease, like the owner of the place.

"Unless someone is determined..."

  Zhan En's eyes were sharp:

"End the bet."

As soon as the words fell, there was only dead silence in the study.

After a while, Thales took a deep breath.

And in front of him, in the invisible air, the entire net covering him was shaking uncontrollably.

Driving countless silk threads, tightening inch by inch.

"Bet less money, Zhan En," Thales recalled what he saw in the Black Gold Casino in the capital when he was a child, and fought back with difficulty, "From what I understand about them, it's not terrible for a person to lose a bet."

  He looked up at Zhan En:

"The scariest thing is that he actually won the bet."

Zhan En turned his head and looked at him coldly.

"Because if he loses, it's all gone, but once he wins, he can't help but keep on gambling, betting on the next bet, and the next one, and the next one."

Thales said softly.

"Until he gambled with chips that he couldn't afford to pay for," the prince looked at the two people in front of him and no longer smiled, "he could only drag others, countless people, innocent people, people who were not in the game at all, to pay for him."

Zhane and Federico pondered over this statement.

  Thales raised his arm again to see the guest off:

"You should return to your rooms. Please remember: I will only wait until the Praise Feast."

Federico glanced at Jean, who was sitting in his seat with no intention of leaving.

"Well."

  Zhan En spoke softly, but the words he said startled both of them:

"I agreed."

  accepted?

he……

Tels paused for a moment, then slowly raised his head, confirming his hearing in the clear and cold eyes of Zhan En and the incredulous gaze of Federico.

"I can't hear you," he whispered.

Zhane sneered.

"I say, Thales, I accept your above conditions, everything you want, damn, disgusting."

  Zhan En pointed at the other Kevin Dill, straightened his body, and said in a very serious tone:

"This includes letting this bastard live in South Bank Territory, or even in my Kongming Palace - and one more thing: ensuring Xilai's absolute safety."

  Federico's face changed!

"Oh, really?"

Thales lowered his arm to see the guest off.

"Do I look like I'm kidding?"

Federico finally came back to his senses from his shock and couldn't help but say, "Your Highness!"

But Thales stretched out his hand to stop him from speaking, walked quickly back to his seat, and sat down with interest.

"Go on?" Thales picked up the teacup.

Under Federico's incredulous look, Zhane smiled.

"And you, Thales, take this awkward and struggling Emerald City as a gift, or even as a bet, and go to the Renaissance Palace to report."

Thales' smile disappeared.

"Just remember, if you can't end the gambling..."

  Zhan En's eyes were sharp:

"It's better not to lose the bet."

  He sneered:

"Otherwise, as you said..."

Tails's breath hitched and he had to swallow.

  I only heard Zhan En whisper:

"You alone can never afford the compensation."

At that moment, Thales felt that the study room became a little stuffy.

Small and cramped.

Suffocating.

Like falling into a trap.

Zhan En exhaled a breath of relief and took a sip of yerba mate tea.

Smooth down the throat.

No discomfort.

"No!"

Federico reacted and subconsciously denied it.

He angrily argued with Thales:

"No, Your Highness, Zhan En will never make a choice that is harmful but beneficial. He agreed so readily, there must be something fishy behind it. You can't--"

"You're right, Feder!"

Before Thales could reply, Zhan En interrupted him. He put down his teacup and smiled in a somewhat scary way:

“I placed my bet.”

Thales had no expression on his face.

Federico's fingers trembled.

Place a bet?

What to bet on?

Whose bet?

"But believe me, cousin, it's definitely not that pleasant."

Zhan En smiled and raised his hand to the teacup beside Federico:

"It's your turn, Feder. Do you want some tea?"

Thales still didn't speak.

This time, it was Federico's turn to turn around.

He was breathing in a trance and looked at his cousin in disbelief. (End of this chapter)