Chapter 19 Frederick paused for a moment before saying , " Although it was Lena's idea to lure Nathaniel to the Northern Frontier battlefield , she's still my loyal subject . Any resentment he feels should rightly be directed at me . " " Lena gave you that advice ? " Ruth's expression tightened , and there was a sudden sharpness in her gaze . " So , the rumors are true , then ? " " What rumors ? " Frederick asked , unaware that whispers had already begun . Ruth frowned . " They say there's a female strategist in your army , one who commands with unmatched skill . Your many victories over these past years are largely due to her counsel . " " Preposterous ! " Frederick denied firmly . " Fred , you need to be honest with me , " Ruth said quietly . Rumors never started without reason . Every time Frederick marched to battle , he took Selena along . At first , Ruth thought it was because he couldn't bear to leave his beloved behind . But now , she wondered if it was Selena's strategic mind he valued all along . " Fred , you've earned the title of Aurensia's Warbringer , but how much of that is truly due to Lena ? Your fourth brother is / returning to the capital . If you don't tell me the truth now , I won't be able to help you . " Frederick was silent for a long moment before he whispered , " Lena is the most brilliant strategist I have ever known . " Ruth suddenly rose , fury blazing in her eyes . " Then , why did you abandon her for the daughter of a traitor ? Do you realize the magnitude of your mistake ? " The Duke of Blackmoor's family may not be what it once was , but their loyalty is unwavering and their service well remembered . The king has always held the duke in high regard . If you were to marry Lena , imagine how much that could help our future . " Not to mention , Lena herself is an extraordinary woman . Even your formidable brother suffered losses because of her strategies ! Do you know that aside from that battle , the Obsidian Monarch has never been defeated ? " Frederick said nothing . Though he bristled inside , he couldn't deny the truth of his mother's words . The more Ruth thought about it , the deeper her anguish grew . " How could you let such a woman go ? If one day she helps Prince Nathaniel instead , you'll suffer a great fall . When that happens , what will you have to stand against him ? " Frederick grew defensive , his pride stung . " Mom , no matter how talented Selena is , it is I who fights on the battlefield each time . How can you put all the credit on her shoulders ? " " The strategist is the soul of the army , " Ruth said firmly . " Without her , the soldiers are nothing but brave fools . How could they possibly succeed ? " Ruth truly had no idea that the truth was even more shocking than the rumors said . If she knew just how valuable Selena really was , she would never have let her son be so reckless as to throw away such an ally . This time , they weren't just losing Selena , an unrivaled strategist . They were also losing the hundred thousand troops of the Campbell Regiment . Her son was utterly foolish ! Growing increasingly worried , she said , " If the Duke of Blackmoor's family and the Obsidian Monarch join forces , what chance would we have ? You must quickly patch things up with Selena . Otherwise , I won't forgive you . " " Selena has been by my side for so many years and is completely loyal to me . There's no way she truly wants to leave me . This is nothing more than a ploy to get me to soothe her , " Frederick replied . Unlike Ruth , Frederick wasn't really that concerned . It was merely a woman's trick ! 1/2 Chapter 10 +25 BONUS " You've been in the palace for so many years , Mom . Haven't you seen this kind of scheming before ? I never planned to abandon her . As for becoming the future queen , Lena can have that title . Fey doesn't care about it at all . " But I never expected Lena to be so reckless as to bring this quarrel of ours to the king . I'm deeply disappointed in her . If I don't teach her a lesson this time , she'll be completely out of control . How can I keep indulging her like this ? "