Many years had passed since the name of the late king’s son came out of Ivan’s cold lips. Count Clovis, the eldest son of the late king, spent his days in solemn silence ages ago when he and his followers pushing to elect him as king were suppressed.

Basil was unsure why Ivan suddenly spoke his name out of nowhere.

“Do you find him suspicious? Or perhaps you’ve something?”

Ivan shook his head. “No. That’s not it.”

“Your Majesty, on that day, the count attended in the early morning for a moment for the sake of formality before heading back to his place. His wife stayed behind but she did...