?


    In the study, Jacob, Rafael, and Kyle had been discussing for over two hours.


    If Harvey wasn''t in the capital, there were three possible ces he could have gone.


    The first was Victory Pass. Yuvan, Harvey, and their people likely had nted some informants there. The second was Stonebridge County, where their private army was stationed. The third option was a military garrison outside the capital. Harvey had probably been covertly establishing connections there over the years.


    No matter where he went, it indicated that they were taking action.


    However, Rafael and the others had always believed that Harvey was the most patient among them. Why was he the one making a move first now?


    ''Perhaps he''s going all in," Jacob said. "After all, Eleanor is still alive. They might prefer to take a gamble rather than live in fear."


    Rafael shook his head. "I don''t think it''s a gamble. They''ve been plotting for too long. The best opportunity to strike was during the battle at the Southern Frontier, and they didn''t do anything then. Without a justified reason, they''re even less likely to act directly now. My greater concern is whether anything will go wrong on General Sullivan''s side at Victory Pass."


    "Westhaven!" Jacob''s expression darkened.


    The biggest variable at Victory Pass was Westhaven. It was likely that Harvey already learned that Westhaven''s king was critically ill. If he had indeed headed for Westhaven, he probably already had nted someone there for a while. In fact, he might very well be close to the new crown prince.


    Victory Pass, Fawnrun City, Westhaven-thesebined were a ticking time bomb that was bound to go off sooner orter. Rafael and his group had made preparations, but when that bomb exploded, they might not be able to handle the fallout as well as they hoped.


    No matter what they did or how they acted, one fact remained unchanged-the overallmander and marshal at Victory Pass was still Dominic.


    That was the source of everyone''s greatest concern.


    Carissa didn''t have much family left, so they had to protect whoever was left of it.


    ''Let''s enjoy the New Year first," Kyle said. "I''ll write to Winona and ask her to keep an eye on any news from that side. If there''s any movement, she''ll report back quickly."


    "Okay, thank you, Kyle," Rafael replied.


    They had to make the most of the New Year, as there were only a few peaceful days left. They stayed up almost until the early hours of the morning.


    Rafael''s leg had healed. When he returned to his room, he decided to take a more active approach. The couple were busy for quite a while before they finally fell asleep. But it didn''t feel like he had slept long before a knock at the door interrupted him-someone had arrived to give their New Year''s greetings.


    Rafael blinked his bleary eyes. "So much for a peaceful New Year."


    Carissa was already up and dressed. "Yeah, it''s not just theming to greet us. We have to visit others too. There will be several banquets we can''t avoid."


    The visitors that morning were from the Lloyd family. Most importantly, it was Hannah who hade. Davis wouldn''t normally be up this early. Since he was a court official and usually woke up early, he had intended to enjoy his holiday, but had been dragged out of bed by his wife.


    Hannah was dressed in a blue gown, wrapped in a cloak, and holding a hand warmer. As she entered, she kept ncing back at Davis, urging him to hurry. When she saw Jacob waiting to greet them, her expression brightened with a smile.


    She hadn''t brought her children and grandchildren this time. It was just the couple who hade. She was not only there to pay New Year''s greetings, but also to discuss Skye Embroidery with Carissa.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    The matter had been weighing heavily on Hannah''s heart, and she had felt a surge of enthusiasmtely- something she hadn''t experienced in years.


    They had barely settled in their seats when Rafael and Carissa emerged.


    After the customary greetings, Hannah was about to suggest moving to the side hall for a chat when they heard an announcement from outside.


    Zoey had arrived.


    Before the New Year, Zoey had been officially granted her second-rank noble status. While she had always been the Earl of Silverstone''s wife, her husband''s title meant she should have been recognized as a noble. However, Sigmund had kept the Earl of Silverstone''s family at arm''s length and had kept the titles for the female family members on hold.


    "Oh, if it isn''t Madam Zoey." Hannah smiled and went to greet her.


    She didn''t call Zoey "Mrs. Prince" but rather "Madam Zoey'', showing her admiration for Zoey as a person and not the family she was associated with.


    Zoey had alsoe without her family. She was apanied only by her sister-inw, Luna, and her maid, Jane, who was carrying gifts.


    Zoey and Luna stepped forward. "Greetings, Your Grace, Mrs. Lloyd."