Chapter 416: Crimes Of My Wife’s Families
William calmly flipped through the thick leather bound volume resting upon his lap, his fingers moving confidently across countless handwritten notes until they finally stopped upon a carefully marked page.
"The Viscount families consist of the Kitsune Clan, the Nagen Clan and the Succubi Clan," William began, lifting his eyes toward Damian. "All three are the families of Your Majesty’s wives."
The attendants surrounding the pool quietly continued their work, carefully pouring fragrant water over Damian’s shoulders before gently washing away the lingering oils and flower petals from his skin. Steam drifted lazily through the chamber, softening the warm glow cast by the lanterns overhead.
William continued without interruption.
"On the surface, there appears to be no issue. Your wives are unquestionably loyal to Your Majesty. By extension, their families should naturally become your strongest supporters. Unfortunately..."
He paused briefly.
"...some beneficiaries have taken advantage of that relationship. Especially during Your Majesty’s absence."
Damian’s expression slowly darkened.
Even the attendants quietly washing him noticed the subtle change. Their movements became noticeably more cautious as they silently exchanged nervous glances before lowering their heads again.
"Let’s begin with the Kitsune Clan."
William turned another page.
"Your wife Hazel’s mother currently occupies the office of Minister of Intelligence."
His finger rested upon several neatly written paragraphs.
"Following the death of your predecessor, several officials personally appointed by Lord Lin Qui to monitor and limit the Ministry’s authority were assassinated under mysterious circumstances."
He calmly looked back toward Damian.
"We possess compelling reasons to believe the Kitsune Clan orchestrated those killings. Unfortunately... The Ministry of Intelligence also controlled the investigation. Naturally... No evidence was ever discovered."
Buzz!
"What?!"
The single word escaped Damian like a growl and his purple eyes suddenly blazed crimson.
The bathhouse trembled ever so slightly beneath the pressure leaking from his aura, then his vision blurred.
He could see flames engulfing with screams in the background. Hazel desperately clung to an older female fox spirit while Hagrid shielded both of them despite blood pouring from his body.
Their clothes were torn, their bodies covered in wounds and fear filled Hazel’s eyes. Seeing her in such a condition broke his heart.
"STOP IT!"
Damian suddenly grabbed both sides of his head. His breathing became ragged and his fingers tightened painfully within his own hair.
The vision shattered and silence returned. Slowly, he lowered his hands but his attendants had completely stopped moving.
Several stared at him in open terror while others instinctively backed away inside the pool. William regarded him thoughtfully over the rim of his spectacles. Curiosity briefly flickered behind his otherwise composed expression. While Rin simply frowned.
Damian quietly closed his eyes. He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. When he opened them again, they had returned to their familiar violet.
"Continue."
His voice remained calm.
No one questioned what had just happened, the attendants quietly resumed their duties.
One of them reached into a golden bowl overflowing with fragrant blossoms before withdrawing what resembled a sponge woven entirely from layered flower petals. She carefully scrubbed Damian’s shoulders and arms while another attendant dipped an ornate silver comb into scented water before gently working it through Damian’s long black hair. Rich foam gradually formed along each strand as she patiently combed from root to tip.
William calmly turned another page.
"The crimes committed by the Nagen Clan closely resemble those of the Kitsune Clan."
His tone never changed.
"There is substantial reason to believe both families have been cooperating. Your wife Ruby’s father occupies the office of Minister of Internal Affairs. During Lord Lin Qui’s reign, his growing greed became increasingly apparent."
"To counterbalance his influence, Lord Lin Qui personally appointed numerous provincial governors from outside the Nagen Clan."
William slowly closed the book.
"Following Lord Lin Qui’s death... Every one of those governors died. Every vacancy was immediately filled by members of the Nagen Clan."
The room remained completely silent. Even the soft splashing of water seemed quieter now.
"And the Succubi?" Damian asked.
His voice remained controlled but his eyes continued flickering between violet and crimson with unsettling frequency.
William nodded.
"The Patriarch of the Succubi Clan currently serves as Minister of Infernal Rites. They have committed no obvious actions themselves. However... Our investigations strongly suggest cooperation between the Succubi, Kitsune and Nagen Clans."
He adjusted his spectacles.
"The greatest obstacle remains the Ministry of Intelligence. Kitsune agents oversee the realm’s secret police. Every investigation eventually passes through their hands and reaches a dead end.
Around Damian, the succubus attendants noticeably stiffened. Several lowered their heads even further and one quietly swallowed before continuing to rinse his hair.
None dared meet his eyes.
"The only certainty regarding your wives is that their families will never betray you while those women remain your Queens." Rin finally spoke.
"But... They possess ambition. They’re nothing like the Blood Demons or the Shaki who only seek recognition and survival."
William silently nodded.
"It is an accurate assessment."
Damian quietly absorbed every word. Then another thought entered his mind.
"What about the Kasok Clan?"
William’s expression softened ever so slightly.
"Unfortunately... The Kasok Clan has been systematically pushed aside. They entered Velmora too recently. They possessed neither established alliances nor political foundations. The current families in power ensured they remained isolated."
"They have spent the past decade waiting for Your Majesty to awaken."
Buzz!
Damian felt his chest tighten. So, this was what Rah’s family had endured in his absence.
William carefully closed the heavy book.
"Before Your Majesty reaches any conclusions... I must offer one warning."
Damian looked toward him.
"The Kitsune, Nagen and Succubi are currently represent the strongest political support surrounding your throne. Moving openly against them now... would be unwise."
Damian frowned deeply.
"What?"
His disbelief was impossible to hide.
"I can’t even punish them for their crimes?"
William slowly shook his head.
"Not yet. But if Your Majesty acts before establishing your own faction within the Royal Court... You may discover that you stand alone and that is the last thing you would want in the royal court"
The words settled heavily inside the bathhouse.
For the first time since awakening Damian truly understood how powerless he was. Not even his days as a powerless human were this bad.