Chapter 8: The Prince's Oath
Seated before Bartlett was a young man of about fifteen or sixteen, dressed in blue, slouched with casual arrogance in his chair. The youth was handsome, but his aura was tinged with pride and violence. This was none other than Richard—the younger lord of the Silverdale royal family.
Richard leaned forward with a sly smile. "So, I hear you tried to make Tyler Windrider your personal servant to tend to your food and daily needs."
Bartlett, still whining, replied, "Young Master, it's not true—"
Richard wasn't interested in explanations. He chuckled. "Tyler Windrider may have been thrown into the dungeon as a slave, but he's still a Windrider. He was once the Crown Prince—so even for me, making him a common servant is out of reach… But you, you actually had the stupidity to try it. You deserve a beating for your efforts."
Bartlett joined his hands in pleading, "Young Master, I admit my mistake, but I still beseech you—please grant me justice…"
He pretended to sulk, but at the same time, discreetly gestured to someone at his side.
A woman of about forty approached Bartlett quietly and knelt beside him.
This middle-aged woman was Bartlett's wife—and Richard's old wet nurse. She had cared for Richard since childhood. Having lost his mother very young and having been raised by this woman for so long, Richard was closer to his old nurse than anyone.
Richard waved his hand. "You don't need to kneel, foster-mother. Bartlett, get up as well."
Bartlett's voice trembled. "Young master… does that mean you're willing?"
Richard stood up from his chair and took two steps toward them. Then he answered, "Big brother David promised to spare Tyler's life, saying he wanted the former prince to watch his greatness unfold. But honestly, Tyler means nothing to us. So I'll just kill him myself and restore your honor."
When Bartlett heard David had promised to spare Tyler, he wanted to say more, but the promise that Richard would seek revenge for him was all he could wish for. Overcome with gratitude, Bartlett nearly shouted, "Thank you, Young Master!"
"But you'll have to wait," Richard continued, running a hand through his hair. "Just a few days ago, I consumed the last of the royal family's sacred divine Elixirs. I need to spend some time in seclusion, harnessing its full power. Wait for the disciples' Assessment Day next month. I'll choose him for the Death Match and finish him myself."
As he said this, a malicious glint flashed in his eyes.
The Disciples' Assessment Day was an annual event, with all Silverdale's honored elders attending to judge the talents of every trainee. Even "training assistants" had a chance—that day included the fabled Death Match. If a training assistant survived the bout, they were granted their freedom and allowed to leave Silverdale to start anew.
The promise of freedom was carefully designed as a beacon of hope for the slaves. It gave the assistants something to live for—if they survived, their shackles would be broken.
But in truth, the Death Match was anything but fair. Assistants usually entered the ring battered and exhausted from their daily beatings. How could they possibly stand a chance against trainees at the peak of their power?
The king himself would be present on Assessment Day, personally judging each disciple and granting rewards. So every trainee aimed to perform their best—pushing for glory, with no regard for mercy. That day, countless slaves died under the trainees' blows.
"Of course, Young Master. Let that Tyler live another month. By the way, I heard that this Assessment Day, there's talk the little princess from the Onyx Empire—Princess Aurelia—might come." Bartlett asked with feigned enthusiasm.
"Yes, you heard right! She'll be coming to Silverdale with her bodyguard, Viktor." At the mention of the princess, Richard's face lit up with anticipation.
"I've also heard," Bartlett oozed with flattery, "that Princess Aurelia isn't just breathtakingly beautiful but also incredibly talented. If she married you, you'd become the most powerful man in Silverdale."
"Exactly! Three years ago, as part of the peace accord between Silverdale and the Onyx Empire, Emperor Bindusar promised to marry one of his daughters to a Silverdale prince." Richard's eyes grew dreamy.
"So all the rumors were true," Bartlett said with mock amazement. "How that traitor Viren Windrider cost us thousands of soldiers, and our King Nathaniel's wisdom not only brought peace but also secured the princess's hand for Silverdale."
"That's why Uncle Nathaniel was unanimously chosen as ruler by the entire court," Richard replied, his tone smug with pride.
"Once we get rid of that wretch Tyler," Bartlett said slyly, "you'll have the perfect chance to win the princess's heart. You mustn't let this opportunity slip by!"
"Certainly! Besides, Big Brother David will soon be leaving for advanced studies at Seven Rivers Abbey, so he won't be competing on Assessment Day. It'll be my victory by default." Richard grinned like a boy who'd already won the prize.
"All right, then. I must return to my cultivation." With that, Richard turned and strode away.
Bartlett bowed low several more times before finally rising, waiting until Richard had fully left the room.
After Richard left, the middle-aged woman tried gently to persuade her husband. "Tyler's already living such a pitiful life—must you push so hard to kill him? Can't you teach him a lesson and then let him go?"
But Bartlett scolded her, "You're just a woman. Focus on your wifely duties. Never forget to keep a close bond with Young Master Richard—we must never afford to offend him."
Chided by her husband, she lowered her head and muttered softly. At last, she sighed but said nothing more.
What will happen next? Is Richard truly planning to kill Tyler? Who is Princess Aurelia?