House Divided: A Noble’s Gamble

After a long silence and inner turmoil, a portion of the family members ultimately chose to leave.

Augustus watched their departing figures, a hint of reluctance and helplessness flashing through his eyes. Yet, he did not stop them. He merely let them go in silence. Taking a deep breath, he turned to face those who remained. His gaze burned with fierce determination as he declared, "Since we have chosen to stay, we must give it our all. From this moment on, our entire family must stand united. I will devote every ounce of our wealth to this war. We shall fight alongside the Radiant Church and carve our own glory!"

Meanwhile, within the grand hall of House Lance, Duke Lanska sat in the main seat, his brows furrowed deeply. He was caught in a dilemma. In recent times, he had used his temporary authority over the Blue En Principality's court affairs to secure considerable benefits for his family, further strengthening their influence. However, he was acutely aware that his power had its limits. No matter how hard he tried, he could never shatter that invisible ceiling and seize the throne for himself.

Breaking the heavy silence, Lanska finally spoke, "Everyone, I assume you are all aware of the current state of the war. Our family stands at a crossroads. The choice before us—whether to stay or leave—will determine our survival. I want to hear your opinions."

The moment his words fell, an elder immediately stood up and urged, "Your Grace, in my opinion, we must begin the evacuation of our family members at once. At the same time, we should secretly transfer our wealth. We cannot continue to tie our fate to the Radiant Church. I see no hope for them to turn the tide of war. If they are defeated, House Lance will become the prime target of retribution, facing utter destruction."

Another elder quickly echoed his sentiment. "Indeed! Your Grace, as the acting administrator of the principality's court, you have already drawn the ire of the Holy Church. Do you truly believe they would ever forgive us? We must act before it is too late."

However, a more tactically-minded elder proposed a different idea. "Your Grace, what if we attempt to contact the Holy Church and negotiate? If we can pledge our allegiance and prove our worth, perhaps we could earn their leniency. That way, even if the Radiant Church falls, our family might not be wiped out."

Duke Lanska immediately rejected the notion, shaking his head decisively. "That is out of the question! You are well aware of how ruthlessly the Radiant Church's inquisition operates. Any slight suspicion could spell our doom. If they catch wind of our secret dealings with the Holy Church before their downfall, they will not hesitate to execute our entire bloodline. The risk is far too great—we cannot afford such recklessness!"

The weight of his words struck the assembly like a hammer. Many nodded in agreement, realizing the perilous tightrope they were walking.

At that moment, the Grand Elder slowly rose to his feet. His deep gaze carried the weight of experience, and his tone was calm yet resolute. "Your Grace, after careful deliberation, I have come to a single conclusion: we must retreat, and we must do so swiftly. The Holy Church's domain is stable, untouched by war. If we relocate there, our vast accumulated wealth will allow us to reestablish ourselves and thrive once more."

Duke Lanska weighed the risks one last time before sighing in resignation. "It seems we have no other choice. Begin the preparations immediately, but ensure that everything is carried out in complete secrecy. Our family's survival must take precedence over all else. No carelessness can be allowed in this endeavor."

The Grand Elder inclined his head slightly and reassured, "Rest assured, Your Grace. We have already made prior arrangements. The evacuation will proceed without a trace."

Across the Blue En Principality, similar discussions were unfolding within the halls of noble families. Some chose to stand their ground, determined to fight alongside the Radiant Church to the bitter end. Others, paralyzed by fear, abandoned their lands, seeking refuge in the chaos. Yet, there were also those who turned their backs on their oaths, betraying their own in pursuit of self-preservation.

The nobility was now a fractured entity, consumed by turmoil and division.

During this turbulent time, Rowan found himself preoccupied with two things: the imminent birth of his child and the system's supposed matchmaking recommendations. Yet, no matter how long he waited, no mysterious beauty ever appeared.

Shrugging off his disappointment, he turned his thoughts elsewhere. "Seems like I'll have to trouble Alice a little more for now."

Hearing his words, Alice blinked in surprise before breaking into a radiant smile, her eyes filled with indulgence. "You really love children that much? Then I'll give you as many as you want, as long as it makes you happy."

Rowan's heart swelled with joy. Pulling Alice into his embrace, he grinned mischievously. "Oh, it's not just the children I love—I love you giving birth to them."

Alice's cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She playfully smacked Rowan's chest, feigning annoyance. "You're impossible."

Thus began another round of Rowan's "exhausting" conquests, their days filled with passionate intimacy. Their bond grew stronger, their moments together tinged with both sweetness and indulgence.

One day, Raymond arrived to deliver an urgent report. However, the wait stretched longer than usual. He cast a glance at the surrounding maids and noticed their reddened faces, their lips barely concealing suppressed giggles. Amusement flickered in his eyes—he immediately understood what his "Exalted Holiness" was preoccupied with.

Raymond sighed internally, both in admiration and disbelief. "Even at a time like this, with the entire kingdom on the brink of upheaval, my lord still finds the leisure to... enjoy life. His stamina is truly remarkable."

Meanwhile, Rowan and Alice's blissful routine soon bore fruit—Alice was once again pregnant.

Ian, moving with haste, strode into the Pope's chamber, his expression grim. After a quick bow, he spoke urgently, "Your Holiness, we have grave news. House Lance has already smuggled the majority of their wealth and people out of Blue En Principality. By the time we caught wind of their movements, it was already too late. As of now, only Duke Lanska and a small number of his kin remain. What are your orders?"