Pirate Kingship-Chapter 633 - 448: The Incompetent’s Last Lifeline_2

But just when the whole nation was rejoicing, believing that the Kingdom finally had an heir, the ever-diligent court steward, while checking the King and Queen's daily records, discovered something. Although the royal couple had indeed spent time together during that period, it was also the Church-mandated forty-day fasting period.

For Enrique IV, a traditionally conservative devotee who always revered the Church, it would have been utterly impossible to consort with his wife on such significant days. No need for prophecy or divination to declare that the Queen must be adulterous!

Even if Enrique IV, swallowing his pride and bitterness, wished to wear this cuckold's cap himself to redeem the royal dignity, he could not.

After the divorce, the political storm did not subside but intensified instead. A faction within the Kingdom's nobility stepped forward. They argued that since the male twins the Queen later bore were illegitimate, Princess Juana might also not be of the King's bloodline and thus lacked the right to inherit the Leading Maritime Power.

In these troubled times, it was "Puppet King" Louis who voluntarily stood by his elder brother Enrique IV, striving to uphold his authority, face, and his heir, Princess Juana.

Louis also gained the trust and favor of Enrique IV.

The subsequent ten years involved remarrying, divorcing, and remarrying again. Now 47 years old and known as the 'Incompetent,' Enrique IV, after a 32-year marital history spanning four wives, still had only Juana as his sole issue.

The King was no longer young. At 47, even within the pampered Royal Family, he was approaching old age.

Time was running out for Enrique IV to prove his "ability" and father another heir or several.

In the past, he had not been driven to that point. As a devout believer, he had never considered tapping into the power of Black Sorcery. But now, old as he was, he had to admit his inadequacy.

Currently, the Church's Saints and the Cardinal Archbishop are plotting to become Angels, while Edward IV of the Kingdom of Hightins seeks to become an immortal king. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

With a secret command from Enrique IV, many people naturally helped him find appropriate forbidden knowledge and treasures. Moreover, his need was more urgent than that of the Habsburgs.

Regathering his scattered thoughts, "Puppet King" Louis sneered inwardly, Edward IV of Hightins still dreams of eternal life every day, unaware that the Church hierarchy has already shared the intelligence of the Blood of Immortality with me. Even if Edward IV manages to obtain the Blood of Immortality of the Night Demon from the Mythological Era, he will not be the first to drink it. Just as the farmer who grows grain can never taste the white bread made from his own wheat field. White Rose York? Merely a lapdog.

Upon looking up and seeing the expectant Sailboat Collector, he hesitated no more and nodded with conviction, "Since it is His Majesty's command, there will be no problem. To ensure the continuation of the Kingdom, for my brother's future, I am duty-bound! This matter will only be known amongst the three of us, and the spread of this information will be restricted from now on. When the fleet arrives from overseas, there will be no struggle. You just need to deliver the Information Black Box to me when the Treasure Fleet sails back from Havana Port at the end of October."

At this moment, "Puppet King" Louis perfectly embodied the image of a loyal younger brother assisting his elder in governing the nation, entirely deferential to him.

Once the communication ended, the Sailboat Collector once again respectfully bowed and vanished into the crystal ball.

But as the collector disappeared, the genuine devotion and loyalty in Louis's eyes vanished completely.

Suddenly, a light footfall sounded from behind.

In this place of strict protocol, it was daring for someone to intrude unsummoned into the "Puppet King's" room; strangely, the "Puppet King" did not get angry.

A gust of fragrant wind arrived, and she nestled smoothly into the arms of the "Puppet King," delivering a kiss.

If the Sailboat Collector were still present, he would have immediately recognized her as none other than Queen Joanna, the second wife of the 'Incompetent' Enrique IV!

The voluptuous and aristocratic former queen, just over thirty and beautifully preserved, with her typical hourglass figure, was like a ripe peach that would spill its sweet juice with a single bite. Without a doubt, she was a temptress.

By all logic, Queen Joanna, whose affair led to the breakdown of her marriage, should not appear beside the "Puppet King," the prince so loyal to his own brother.

But if not by logic...

A voice like a husky cat's purr sounded, almost teasingly, "Louis, Enrique must never obtain The Native Totem God, nor father his own child. The throne belongs to our little Juana!"

What Queen Joanna said next was even more astonishing. She had not only overheard the conversation between the two Fifth-order Legends but also revealed a secret that could cause a political earthquake in Castilia.

The sole heir of the Leading Maritime Power, Princess Juana, was not actually the offspring of the 'Incompetent,' but their daughter. Enrique IV would never have guessed, not even in death, that the adulterer was his most trusted and loyal younger brother!

"Puppet King" Louis patted his former sister-in-law's fragrant shoulder, smiling comfortingly at her, "Relax, I have everything under control! The last time, we felt that little Juana alone wasn't secure. We even wanted to help my brother have two more sons to solidify your position and ensure the throne would eventually fall into our hands. Unexpectedly, it backfired. But this time, I absolutely will not allow the same kind of accident to happen again."

As if remembering some unpleasant memories, a cold light flickered in his eyes. "Seventeen years ago, we were the ones who met first at the ball and fell in love. But before we could make it public, you were forcibly married by Enrique and became Queen. How could your family refuse a marriage alliance with the King of the Leading Maritime Power? No one can understand our pain. Everything we've done is justifiable; this is all what Enrique IV owes us. But I am not the same person I was ten years ago. This time, nothing and no one can defy my will!"

The "Puppet King's" domineering nature evidently had its roots.

How could he possibly allow a [King's Title] to overshadow him, one that had usurped his love and altered the course of his happy life? Even if that person was his own brother.

Moreover, to ensure no one could ever defy him again, he was determined to secure the throne of the Leading Maritime Power.

The three children he had fathered with his first love and sister-in-law, Queen Joanna, were an essential part of the plan. The harrowing intricacies of their plan, if detailed, would be enough for an eighty-episode palace drama series; now, it was all water under the bridge.

Louis wrapped his arms around Queen Joanna's voluptuous body, his mind made up. "I will immediately send my confidants to track down those Guardsmen, find that female Totem God ahead of time, and dispose of her."

Joanna was still somewhat uneasy, biting her red lips. "Louis, what if we can't find them?"

The "Puppet King's" eyes grew colder. "If we really can't find those Guardsmen who have entered a state of silence, then I, as the Keeper of Secrets for the Treasure Fleet, will have to become... a leaker of secrets."

And he added to himself: Use bait to lure those with ill intentions, then double-cross them, wiping out these pirates who plundered the treasures in one fell swoop! Finally, I'll pocket the tens of millions of pounds in wealth belonging to the entire Kingdom. This will not only prevent Enrique from shedding the 'Incompetent' moniker but also clear out a large number of potential enemies for the Kingdom I will one day rule. It will also allow me to gorge myself—a triple win indeed! The key now is to quickly find a suitable target for the double-cross, someone of appropriate strength.

Just then, outside the large window of the 'Castle of Dreams,' a streak of gold flashed in his eyes.

"What is that?"

The "Puppet King," who usually disdained everything, had some impression of that ship.

It was 'The Golden Deer,' the 'little beauty' that Mordent Gray, the other Keeper of Secrets in this operation and the Sailboat Collector, had been longing for.

A complete plan slowly took shape in his mind, his lips curving slightly. Now, even the scapegoat for when the news leaks—the final piece of the puzzle—has been found. Sailboat Fanatic Mordent Gray, you might as well keep running. The almighty Creator is truly aiding me!

As he thought this, a transparent thread of silk flashed from his fingertips, its other end quietly landing upon... 'The Golden Deer.'