That evening, Jeremiah chose to stay in the palace.

Salvador still hadn't visited the harem, nor had he returned to his chambers. Instead, he had made his bed on the couch within the royal study.

Jeremiah watched as Salvador finished his medicine and then offered him a piece of candy.

Salvador accepted it, but he didn't eat it right away. His expression softened, and he smiled.

"I still remember. When I was younger, my dad would punish me here in the royal study. Afterward, you would always give me a piece of candy and say a word of encouragement."

Jeremiah glanced at Salvador. "Yes, I remember that as well. You used to tell me that you wished to be a wise ruler one day."

Salvador's smile faltered, and he bit into the candy. His voice grew muffled as he spoke. "Have I disappointed you, Mr. Murray?"

Jeremiah shook his head. "No, not at all. In my heart, you're a wise ruler, Your Majesty."

"I am not," Salvador said, his eyes darkening with a hint of regret. "I still have many ambitions, but I fear I may not have the chance to achieve them."

"The Royal Medical Department hasn't made a definitive diagnosis. You shouldn't be so disheartened." Jeremiah's words felt thin, lacking the warmth they were intended to carry.

Salvador sighed, his expression clouded. "I am disappointed, yes. But more than that, I am planning."

He reclined deeper into the couch, his gaze distant. "First, we must decide on the Crown Prince. What do you think of Connor, Mr. Murray?"

Jeremiah considered the question. "Prince Connor is the eldest prince, and he's the son of the queen. He has matured greatly under the tutelage of Mr. Young. He is no longer the mischievous boy he once was. With time, I am confident..."

Salvador cut him off. "Time is something I don't have. What of Caden?"

Jeremiah paused, deliberating. "Prince Caden is sharp and capable. Though he is just beginning his studies, his diligence is evident. But whether he can maintain that effort, we cannot yet say. People and children especially are complex. I don't know enough about him to make a judgment."

Salvador's gaze grew more intense. "And what of the Quinton family and Grace's natal family? Which poses the greater threat?"

Jeremiah remained silent. Did Salvador truly need to ask? How could Grace's family possibly compare to the Quinton family?

Still, with Salvador's eldest son in the picture, the second prince would always be in a questionable position-unless Kylie was deposed and Grace was made queen instead.

If that happened, Connor would become the son of a deposed queen, while Caden would be the son of the new queen.

But that would cause a storm of turmoil, wouldn't it?

If Salvador only had a year to live, his methods would undoubtedly be ruthless. It was hard to imagine how many heads would roll to calm the resulting chaos.

"Do you not favor Prince Connor, Your Majesty?" Jeremiah asked directly. "Is it a problem with Prince Connor, or is it the Quinton family?"

"Connor is my eldest son, born from my queen and not concubines," Salvador replied, his voice steady but carrying a weight. "I value him the most."

He paused, then exhaled slowly.

"But he is the kind of person who

only moves when forced. Right now, he's not unruly, but he's not even average, let alone exceptional. His improvements are measured only against his past behavior. And even then, it took a great deal of effort from Mr. Young and the queen dowager to shape him into what he is now."

After another pause, Salvador smiled bitterly.

"With the power of his maternal family growing, his personality makes him, the perfect puppet. Even if he manages to rule on his own at 18, his laziness and stubbornness are things he'll never change

"Mr. Murray, you know that some people simply aren't meant to be king. Over the years, I've been too busy with state affairs—wars, reforms, constant policies. Inoveldrama

neglected Connor's upbringing and left him to Kylie, who spoiled him too much. That's how he ended up like this.

"It's my responsibility... If I could live to my forties or fifties, there would still have been time for him to change. But now, that's no longer possible."

"Your Majesty..."

Salvador didn't want to hear any comforting words. He had already sorted through his many thoughts in a single day. His mind was sharp, focusing on the core of the matter.

"What about the Hell Monarch?"

Jeremiah's weary eyes raised slightly. "What aspect do you mean?"

"Regency. Rebellion!" Salvador drew his blanket tighter around him, his brow furrowed with concern.

Jeremiah hesitated, thinking carefully before responding. "Expecting a rebellion from him is impossible." "Why do you say that?" Salvador asked.

"To reclaim the Southern Frontier is an unparalleled achievement. He has no need to usurp the throne and commit the acts of a traitor that would forever tarnish his name."

"Should he take the throne, the history books will say what he wants them to," Salvador replied flatly.

Jeremiah couldn't prove Rafael's loyalty, so he asked instead, "Do you truly believe he would do that, Your Majesty? What makes you think he would seek to replace you?"

"Everyone has ambition. Who doesn't want to be king? He commands a powerful army and has the people's support. If I were him, I would!"

"That's just you projecting your thoughts onto him. It's not objective," Jeremiah replied.

"At the very least, I see that you also defend him and appreciate his abilities," Salvador retorted.

"The Hell Monarch is a loyal minister. As such, it's only natural that an old minister like me supports a loyal one," Jeremiah said.

Salvador studied him for a long moment, then smiled. "Well said. He is a loyal minister. If I had no heir, I would trust him to serve as regent."