In the royal study, the braziers still hadn't been lit, and the cold crept in like a quiet intruder, spreading its chill across the room.

The reports had been reviewed and signed long ago, yet Salvador lingered, his hand resting idly on the pile of documents. His gaze was fixed on the dim flickering of the lamp's flame, his mind adrift.

He read the letter Rafael had written to Carissa, filled with endless longing and heartfelt emotions. It was as if they had just gotten married, and they were deeply in love and inseparable.

This wasn't the first time Salvador had read their letters. While there had been expressions of longing in the past, none were as bold and reckless as this.

Such words would feel awkward to say out loud, let alone write down.

Salvador thought his younger brother's actions were inappropriate and too careless.

There were far better ways to win a woman's affection-why resort to this?

And yet, despite his disapproval, something within him stirred, like a stone tossed into a still pond. Salvador's thoughts rippled, and he couldn't make them stop.

What had he given up to wear this crown?

He had never dared to think much on matters of the heart. There had been moments of infatuation, fleeting glances of desire-but he had always dismissed them as temporary, passing whims. They would fade, like everything else.

He had once felt drawn to Carissa. She was a remarkable woman-who wouldn't be moved by her strength and grace?

But his attraction was never more than a passing feeling. In the grand scheme of things, she was a brilliant political tool. Marrying her off to Rafael had been the perfect move-neutralizing a threat and dissolving his military influence.

In the end, the king's emotions and his desires were just another means to an end.

"Your Majesty, where are you going tonight?" Derek asked softly when he noticed Salvador had finished reviewing the documents and hadn't spoken for a while.

Salvador's eyes refocused, and he shook off the reverie. "Has anything happened at the queen's palace lately?"

Derek bowed slightly, speaking carefully. "Your Majesty, Her Majesty has been sending soup these past few days, and she also sends people to Serenity Palace daily to visit Prince Connor, bringing him some snacks. The people at Everspring Palace say she misses Prince Connor and often cries alone at night." Salvador, rarely thinking about marital affection, felt his heart harden upon hearing Derek's words. "She should be grateful that the queen dowager is taking care of Connor. Crying every night? Who is she crying for? Did we force mother and son to be separated?"

Kylie's crying and missing Connor and being unable to sleep were only spoken about by those at Everspring Palace. Who were these words meant for?

Of course, they were meant for Salvador.

Such short-sightedness!

With Connor staying by Kylie's side, he would eventually be spoiled.

Salvador's voice turned cold. "What else did the people at Everspring Palace say?"

Derek replied, "The people at Everspring Palace didn't say much more, but sòme gossiping servants mentioned that the queen shouldn't personally raise Prince Connor There's talk it will invite criticism from the court, questioning the authority of the queen."

Salvador felt an indescribable sense of disappointment.

Those servants dared to gossip about his decision, and he was certain someone had been fueling these

murmurs.

He still couldn't fathom why Kylie was so intent on keeping Connor by her side. It was clear to anyone watching that now that he was living at Serenity Palace, his progress was undeniable.

Why on earth would she want to turn him into a spoiled, undisciplined child?

If her reason was simply that she couldn't bear the separation from him, then her perspective was too narrow. He had expected better from her-after all, she came from a distinguished family, and such a shallow view wasn't in line with her background.

When Connor was first sent to Serenity Palace, her reluctance had been understandable. But now that he

was showing improvement, why insist on bringing him back to her side?

Now, even Trevor said Connor had made progress, and it was thanks to Ryan entering the palace and setting a good example.

But now, Ryan had returned to the academy. He would re-enter the palace after the New Year to accompany Connor in his studies.

Salvador had begun to feel a glimmer of hope for Connor's future. But as always, Kylie seemed intent on complicating things.

"I've heard Sylvia has been unwell lately," Salvador said suddenly, his voice now firm and authoritative. "I will go visit her. Prepare the carriage."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Derek bowed respectfully. "His Majesty is leaving!"

Sylvia knew that since the treason

case was over, Salvador would enternoveldrama

the harem. But she thought that since Trevor had praised Connor, this should lift Kylie's house arrest, and Salvador would go to visit Kylie first.

So, she had put the third prince, Cecil, to sleep early. Even though he wasn't her biological son, he had

been in her arms since he was an infant. To her, he was as good as her own.

When she heard the palace maid report that Salvador was on his way, Sylvia quickly got up, dressed, and went to greet him.

She couldn't help but wonder-was Salvador still unwilling to go to Everspring Palace?