Kylie timed her visit perfectly and made another trip to the study to personally retrieve Connor. Together, they returned to Serenity Palace to offer their greetings to Victoria.

The procession was grand, with a whole entourage following behind. Even Connor was carried back by a young chamberlain, only being set down once they reached the palace gates.

Kylie straightened her appearance and held Connor's hand firmly as they entered.

After performing the proper gestures to greet Victoria, Kylie remained on her knees and maintained perfect decorum throughout the entire time.

However, Victoria made no motion to let her rise. Instead, she turned her attention to Connor, gesturing for him to approach. "Did your tutor praise you today?"

Connor hesitated, shrinking back slightly. He cast a cautious glance at Victoria before answering in a timid voice, "The tutor forgot to praise me today."

Still kneeling, Kylie quickly interjected. "Mother, Mr. Young is strict and doesn't hand out compliments lightly."

Kylie had no idea that Victoria had made a deal with Trevor. If Connor behaved well and showed diligence that day, Trevor would offer some praise at the end of the lessons. Otherwise, there would be none. This simple system allowed Victoria to immediately gauge Connor's behavior on the day.

Victoria ignored Kylie's explanation entirely. Her gaze remained on Connor as she asked evenly, "Do you remember the rules?"

Connor's face paled, and he quickly tried to defend himself. "Grandmother, it's because Mr. Young was unhappy that Mom came to see me. That's why he didn't praise me!"

"Oh? Then tell me," Victoria said with measured calm, "who should be punished for this-yourself or your mom?"

Without missing a beat, Connor pointed at Kylie. "Punish Mom! She loves copying books the most." "Yes, of course," Kylie chimed in quickly, eager to shield him. "I'll do the copying. I don't mind. It's my failing for not teaching him properly. I deserve the punishment."

Victoria cast a cold glance at Kylie before turning to the nanny. "Take Connor inside for his meal, then send him to the study. He isn't to leave until his copying is done. If he doesn't finish by nine in the evening, he may stay the night in the study."

Connor's face fell immediately, and he turned pleading eyes to Victoria. "Grandmother, you promised we'd play hide and seek today!"

Victoria looked at his miserable, crestfallen face. It seemed like he was perpetually upset the moment he stepped into Serenity Palace.

It was only through strict supervision that he had managed to develop a semblance of discipline and focus

in his studies. Yet the moment Kylie appeared, all that progress unraveled, and he reverted to his

careless, lazy ways.noveldrama

To put it plainly, even if they gave Connor a push, he wouldn't take a single step unless forced. To entrust great responsibility to such a child-was it asking too much of him?

"Tell me honestly-do you truly not want to go to the study?"

Connor wanted to say yes. Every

part of him longed to shout that he hated the study, the endless lessons, and how harshly Trevor treated him. But when his gaze met Victoria's-those deep,

ovel.

unfathomable eyes that seem ve

pierce straight through him-the words caught in his throat.

Instead, he turned toward Kylie and Elena with a desperate, pleading look.

Kylie laughed awkwardly. "Mother, he's still young. It's only natural for children to want to play. Perhaps he could use a little rest...'

Victoria cut her off sharply. "Rest?

Certainly. Starting tomorrow, I'll

instruct the royal tutor to teach only Caden. But you should think carefully, Kylie. Connor is the eldest son of the king. If he doesn't become Crown Prince-if he isn't the future king-do you know what his fate will be?"

Victoria's words were very straightforward, with no hints or indirectness that could lead to misunderstanding.

Kylie stared at her, disbelief flashing in her wide eyes. Her voice wavered as she replied, "What do you mean by that, Mother? He's the eldest son of the king! It's his rightful place to—"

"Rightful?" Victoria let out a cold laugh. "No wonder you've been indulging him so recklessly. You think everything will fall into place simply because of his birth? He may sit on the throne, but without any ability, he wouldn't even see his downfall coming.

Kylie's face turned pale. She wanted to say Grace wouldn't dare do anything.

But if Grace wouldn't, did that mean Sylvia wouldn't either?

Victoria's tone turned even colder, cutting through Kylie's thoughts. "The position of Crown Prince isn't a shield. On the contrary, it's very fragile. He needs the ability and skill to hold onto it. If he can't, it will lead to his death."

The weight of Victoria's words struck Kylie like a physical blow. Her lips moved, but no sound came out. Of course, Kylie had always known that the royal family's affairs were a constant battle-a perpetual struggle for power. Yet, she had clung to the belief that her son was different. After all, he was Salvador's eldest son from the queen, not a concubine.

Surely, that alone set Connor apart.

Finally, Kylie lowered herself fully to the floor. "It was my foolishness and shortsightedness, Mother. Please guide Connor and plan for his future. I won't interfere again, nor will I indulge him as I have." Victoria looked at her, unimpressed. She had seen this cycle from Kylie too many times-momentary clarity followed by the same old habits. Kylie would only change when the consequences of her actions became too dire to ignore.

"Go back," Victoria said coldly. "And hear me clearly-without my express permission, you are not to disturb Connor's studies again."

Kylie looked up at Connor, whose eyes were filled with tears. Though her heart ached, she had to hold back her feelings. If Victoria sent Caden to Trevor, it would be like telling everyone that Caden was also a candidate for the throne, and people would naturally start picking sides.