Salvador''s eyes were filled with guilt. "It is my fault, Mom."


    "I could remind you of your bond with the Sinir family, speak of the past, and ask you to forget your position as king and treat Ryan as an elder would," Victoria continued, "but I will not do so. If you need to be reminded of a rtionship to remember it, then that bond was never genuine in the first ce. So, I will be direct with you: You must treat him well. No one is allowed to bully him."


    Her words stirred many memories within Salvador.


    It was as if he had just remembered that he too once had had close friends. When he formed his alliance with the Sinir family, he didn''t act with ulterior motives-his friendship with them had been sincere.


    When Hector and his sons died on the battlefield for the kingdom, Salvador had recently ascended the throne. His mind had been consumed with securing his position, gaining the loyalty of his subjects, and building achievements.


    He valued the sess of reiming the Southern Frontier, and when he first learned of the Sinir family''s deaths, he didn''t immediately mourn. Instead, he was consumed with worry. He sent his younger brother to the Southern Frontier, always waiting for news of


    sess.


    In the midst of waiting, he had inadvertently pushed aside the grief over the Sinir family''s men''s sacrifice. By the time the great victory came, all he felt was happiness.


    Now, Victoria''s words brought it all back to him. He lingered in those memories, the weight of guilt and sorrow slowly creeping into his heart. As he stood, his eyes were brimming with tears. He bowed deeply, his voice thick with emotion.novelbin


    "I swear this will never happen again, Mom. As long as I live, no one will dare to harm Ryan Sinir."


    Victoria finally allowed a smile to touch her lips. "I believe you, my son. Your word is as good asw."


    Later that day, Salvador personally arranged for Ryan to be sent out of the pce, providing him with two carts of rewards as well.


    Once Ryan had left, Salvador made his way to Everspring Pce.


    Inside, Kylie was kneeling, her face filled with worry. She had been deeply frightened when Barrett arrived to take Connor to the royal chapel earlier.


    Kylie had been angry when Rafael disciplined Connor, but with the queen dowager present, she dared not show any emotion. After bringing Connor back to Everspring Pce, Kylie couldn''t bear to scold him. Instead, she had to calm him down, reassuring him until he was settled.


    Kylie knew in her heart that she was spoiling her son, but she simply couldn''t help herself. Connor''s birth had given her enough confidence-she didn''t need to fight for anything. His future as the crown prince was assured.


    Because of her deep affection for him, she naturally became more indulgent and lenient.


    Salvador walked in without a word, sitting down without immediately addressing her. He had already learned that Kylie had not only refrained from punishing Connor, butforted him instead.


    Kylie slowly turned to face him. Her eyes flicked up nervously, her heart fluttering, but she knew she had to speak up for her son. "Your Majesty, it is my failure as a mother. I am at fault. I''ve already punished him."


    Salvador''s tone was calm. "How did you punish him?"


    "I... I struck his palms," she answered quietly.


    He raised an eyebrow. "How many times?"


    Kylie hesitated and averted her gaze. "Twenty times."


    swnew


    A servant entered with coffee. Salvador slowly took the cup, sipping it thoughtfully. Still, he didn''t allow Kylie to rise. He simply asked, "Did he understand his mistake?"


    Kylie was relieved he seemed to believe her and quickly responded, "He knows he was wrong. He said that the next time Ryan visits, he will apologize to him properly." Salvador nodded slightly. "It seems the punishment worked, then."


    "Yes, of course." Kylie breathed a sigh of relief. "He won''t dare make the same mistake again."


    Salvador fixed his gaze on her, setting the cup aside. "Since you say you''ll strike his palms twenty times, bring him to me once he finishes his kneeling at the royal chapel. Dwill personally ensure it''s done."


    Kylie''s face drained of color, and she looked up at him in shock. "Your Majesty, I''ve already punished him."


    Salvador''s voice remained steady,


    though there was an edge to it. "Think carefully before you respond If you didn''t actually strike him, and you say you did, then perhaps it''s best to send him to the queen dowager to be raised. So, did you punish him or not?"


    Kylie''s voice trembled. "Your Majesty, twenty strikes to his palms could ruin his hands. He''s still so young. Surely, if he spoke out of turn, it can be forgiven... It''s not unforgivable."


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!