TCFGBH Chapter 113

After three wormhole jumps and over twenty hours of accelerated travel, the spaceship landed at the capital star’s port the following afternoon.

To prevent any complications, Xia Yan had all the crew members on the spaceship sign a confidentiality agreement, forbidding them from disclosing the encounter with the star pirates.

Perhaps his previous actions had earned their trust, as no one raised any objections and signed their names without hesitation.

Of course, this measure was only for outsiders.

When it came to his family, Xia Yan hesitated for a moment, missing the best opportunity to intervene, and ultimately allowed the bodyguards to report the matter to his father.

This resulted in Xia Yan being greeted by his mother’s enthusiastic embrace as soon as he disembarked: “Welcome home, sweetheart. Your Dad and I were so terrified.”

The warmth of his family made him momentarily dazed.

After a slight pause, he gently patted his mother’s back to reassure her. “I’m fine, Mom.”

The port was bustling with crowds, and the Xia family’s striking appearances made them highly recognizable, drawing plenty of attention. Duke Xia glanced around and suggested, “Let’s leave here first.”

Lina nodded. “Alright.”

The mercenaries’ mission was complete with Xia Yan safely back in the capital. The final payment would be transferred to them later. They parted ways at the port, and the Xia family of three boarded an aircraft, its AI system charting their air route.

The enclosed and quiet environment was relaxing.

Lina retrieved a chilled water bottle from the fridge and handed it to Xia Yan. She exchanged a glance with her husband and gently nodded. “Xiao Yan, Mom and Dad have something to discuss with you.”

Xia Yan took a few sips of water. “What is it?”

“About the throne…” Xia Jiuqian’s face remained composed. “It seems the Emperor has chosen Grover.”

“What? How could that be? How is he better than me?” Xia Yan feigned a look of shock.

The situation in the capital was ever-changing, and no one could predict who would fall next. Xia Jiuqian analyzed the current circumstances. Although the empire was a constitutional monarchy, the King possessed both wealth and power, making a palace coup nothing but a pipe dream.

To help Xia Yan achieve his dream of ascending the throne, Xia Jiuqian made significant efforts.

He lamented, “The Gillingham family head is protecting Grover too well. Even the assassins I sent couldn’t kill him.”

What?

WHAT???

Xia Yan nearly spat out his water.

Wasn’t that a bit too bold?

Fortunately, the assassins had failed; otherwise, how would the storyline progress?

Xia Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Xia Jiuqian and his wife seemed somewhat restless, as if wanting to say something but swallowing their words repeatedly. It wasn’t until the aircraft reached its destination and landed in the manor’s courtyard that they finally made up their minds and told Xia Yan about their escape plan.

The entire plan was straightforward, but it came with a significant cost: they would have to abandon all their current privileges once they left.

Xia Yan… was utterly dumbfounded.

Because the plot he’d been given was limited and revolved mostly around the two protagonists, the original owner’s parents were mere background figures in the storyline, entirely unremarkable.

He had never expected them to stir up such trouble.

“Xiao Yan,” the woman held his hand, her voice soft, “what matters most is that our family stays together. Don’t let Mom and Dad lose you, okay?”

The man patted his head gently, like comforting a child. “Even if we leave the Empire, we’ll live well. Once we settle down, your grandparents will come visit us too. Nothing will change.”

Their tender voices and boundless love momentarily blurred Xia Yan’s vision.

What would happen to them after his death in the original storyline?

These parents, who cherished their child so deeply, would never flee alone. They’d stay and oppose the protagonists, a choice that would doom them to destruction.

“I…” Xia Yan wanted to refuse, staying true to the original owner’s persona, but the words stuck in his throat. Under the hopeful gazes of his parents, he hesitantly nodded, “Alright.”

–

The Imperial Palace.

After a period of recuperation, Ludwig’s health had fully recovered. His mental energy control had become increasingly refined, and his strength had undergone a qualitative leap.

Xia Yan had always been the focus of his special attention.

Seeing the photos of the Xia family of three uploaded to the interstellar network, Ludwig knew Xia Yan had returned.

With only three days left until the duel, Ludwig toyed with his intelligent brain as his mind sketched Xia Yan’s figure. The longing surged uncontrollably.

In recent days, he had sent messages to Xia Yan, but none had received a response.

How was Xia Yan doing… with his boyfriend?

Were they still blissfully in love in the holographic world?

If their relationship was merely one of convenience, then surely now… Ludwig could offer Xia Yan even greater benefits. Could he win him over?

Ludwig wasn’t the type to hold onto outdated principles.

If he had leverage, why not use it?

He mulled over countless possibilities. In the end, he thought about the dormitory he and Xia Yan shared. The fussy young master would surely be annoyed if he returned to find the bedsheets hadn’t been changed for half a month.

‘I have to go back’, Ludwig decided.

The dormitory needed a thorough cleaning.

Ludwig wasn’t one to care about material comforts. After moving into the palace, everything had been provided for him. He had no intention of bringing anything along when leaving—just walking out as he was.

But before leaving, it was only polite to inform someone.

When Clarence received his son’s request for a meeting, he was a little surprised. Over time, he had come to understand Ludwig’s character fairly well:

Cold, reticent, and aloof.

At the same time, he was talented, quick to learn, and adept at reading people.

Cattle move in herds; predators walk alone. A king didn’t need to be cheerful or optimistic. He only needed to wield power decisively, remain calm under pressure, and understand how to command others.

Ludwig wasn’t yet a qualified ruler, but Clarence believed that with some guidance, his son would be capable of safeguarding the Empire.

“Father.”

“Mm.” Clarence set down the documents in his hands. “What’s the matter?”

Ludwig nodded. “I’m returning to school.”

Clarence thought for a moment and remembered Xia Yan’s upcoming duel with Huo Ruihe. “Ah, I almost forgot about that. There are still a few days left. Why not stay here until the duel day? We can go together.”

This would also allow him to prepare people in advance.

Afterwards, he planned to host a grand banquet to announce Ludwig’s identity.

“Xia Yan might return earlier than expected. I need to go ahead and wait for him.”

“Oh… Hmm?” Clarence stared at his son, his tone low. “Did he order you to do that? Is he using his power to coerce you?”

Ludwig looked back, startled. “No, this is entirely my choice.”

“?”

Seeing his father’s evident confusion, Ludwig replied decisively, “I like Xia Yan and want to pursue him. Naturally, I should do things to make him happy.”

“…” What did he just hear? Quick! Someone get him a hearing aid!

“Xia Yan is… adorable.” Ludwig’s typically cold expression softened, a trace of tenderness flickering in his gaze, his eyes blazing with intensity. “He’s the partner I’ve chosen. I love him, just as Father loves Mother.”

“…”

At that moment, Clarence felt his breath stop.

What had he done before?!

The supposed “bullying” in those reports had clearly been his son’s one-sided attempts to curry favor.

Dazed, he missed whatever Ludwig said next, letting him leave the palace freely. Then… he immediately activated his intelligent brain to issue new commands.

Five minutes later.

Clarence listened to his subordinates’ reports and exhaled in relief. It was still early. No irreparable damage had been done, and there was time to make amends.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The duel day arrived.