His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 1343

"I know I failed your mother, and I know I have no right to stand before you. But my blood runs in your veins, and that is an unchangeable fact."

Benedict lowered his eyes, every word carefully calculated, tinged with a heavy undertone of coercion. "Right now, the Helgen royal family has no successor. We are facing unprecedented turmoil. I am the Emperor, and I will not simply watch my lineage be usurped and wither away.

"Therefore, I must take one of you back to inherit the throne. This is your destiny, and you cannot escape it. If you stubbornly refuse, I will leak the truth to the public, and it will bring you unimaginable trouble. You may even find yourselves hunted by Helgen Right-Wing Extremists."

Cassius's brow furrowed deeply as he fell into a tense silence.

"I apologize. I do not expect you to understand my selfish motives, but I will do whatever it takes, at any cost, to protect the crown and fulfill my duty."

Benedict met Cassius's dark gaze, speaking with absolute finality. "I am forced to make this choice. Besides, don't you want to uncover the truth behind your mother's murder?

"The answers lie within the royal court. You will only bring the truth to light if you get close."

"Fine, I'll go!"

Bennett stepped forward without hesitation, his eyes burning with resolve. "Leave Cassius out of this. No one wants to be separated from their family or the one they love. I will accept this destiny!"

"No, Bennett, you can't go. If you do, you and Princess Stella will be legally bound as siblings. You'll never be able to be together openly."

Cassius took a deep breath, raised his eyes, and spoke with absolute certainty. "I will go."

A satisfied smile touched Benedict's lips.

As the eldest, Cassius was exactly the one he had wanted all along. The perfect choice.

The room erupted in shock. "Cassius?!"

Evadne rushed forward and threw her arms around him. "Cassius! If you go... what about Chasel?!"

"I have a demand."

Cassius wrapped an arm around his sister's shoulders and stared sharply at the Emperor. "You should know that I have a partner. A male partner. I will only be with him for the rest of my life, and I will never entertain anyone else. I will certainly not play house with a woman."

Benedict's heart sank. "But to inherit the throne, you will eventually need a queen..."

"This is my only condition. I bring my partner. If you agree, I'll pack my things and head to Helgen soon. If you don't, then you can show yourself out."

...

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