819 Chapter 818

Keira and Jenkins exchanged a glance, then shifted their attention back to the scene unfolding in front of them.

Jenkins leaned in and murmured, “If Monbatten really adopts the prince’s son, the power struggle in Country A will split into two factions. It doesn’t directly affect us—if anything, the more chaos there is, the better chance we have to reclaim our position. But, considering he just promised to support my return, wishing ill on him feels a bit… ungrateful.”

Keira nodded in agreement.

Little Amy, however, piped up indignantly, “Daddy already has me as his daughter! Why would he need someone else’s kid?”

Erin couldn’t help but laugh. “Amy, you’ve got quite the imagination. Do you really think you’re a little princess?”

“I am a princess!” Amy declared, hands on her hips, glaring defiantly at Erin.

Before anyone could respond, Amy glanced at Monbatten with a worried expression, then made a sudden dash toward him. Jenkins, quick on his feet, caught her by the back of her collar, scooping her up into his arms. “Whoa there, kiddo! That’s not just a casual argument over there. Those kinds of disputes can get serious—life-or-death serious. Stay out of it.”

Amy kicked her little legs in frustration. “But I am his kid! Why doesn’t anyone believe me? Ugh!”

Keira gave Amy a sidelong glance, her expression thoughtful.

Meanwhile, the tension in the room escalated. Monbatten and his brother stared each other down, their mutual hostility almost tangible.

The prince broke the silence. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Monbatten lowered his gaze and said calmly, “Why don’t you check your phone, brother?”

The prince frowned. “What does my phone have to do with anything? Stop changing the subject—”

Before he could finish, his phone buzzed loudly. He glanced at the screen and hesitated before answering the call. Whatever was said on the other end made his face darken considerably. He turned to Monbatten, his voice sharp. “This was you, wasn’t it?”

Monbatten’s tone remained measured. “If your oil fields were above board, there’d be nothing for me to act on.”

“You—”

Monbatten cut him off. “I’d suggest handling this matter before it becomes public. Otherwise…” His gaze flicked briefly to the ten-year-old boy standing nearby. “The backlash would make it impossible for me to adopt your son—even if I wanted to. Public opinion is crucial, after all.”

Turning the prince’s earlier argument against him, Monbatten left his brother visibly seething.

After a long, tense pause, the prince took a deep breath, clearly trying to rein in his anger. “Fine, Monbatten. You win this round. But you’ll have to come back eventually. The rest of the royal family has already made their decision. Once you return, you won’t be able to escape this issue any longer.”

With that, he spun on his heel, ready to leave.

“Wait,” Monbatten said, his voice calm but firm.

The prince stopped, glancing back warily. Monbatten gestured toward the boy. “Take your son with you.”

The prince’s face turned an even deeper shade of red, but he said nothing. He ushered his entourage to leave, their once-proud procession reduced to a defeated retreat.

Sean approached Monbatten once they were gone. “What’s your plan now?”

Monbatten let out a weary sigh. “Crera is my last hope. If I can find a cure here, or at least someone who can help me father a child, I might be able to buy myself more time. If not…” He paused, his voice heavy. “Then, for the sake of stability back home, I’ll have no choice but to adopt.”

Sean nodded sympathetically. “Power comes with its price, Monbatten. The greater the power, the heavier the chains that bind you. Stay strong.”

Monbatten gave him a faint smile. “There’s a saying here in Crera: ‘The cart will find its way when it reaches the mountain.’ I still have a week left in this country. Who knows? Maybe I’ll find a solution—or maybe even a miracle.”

Sean chuckled. “Exactly. Don’t borrow trouble from the future. Let’s make the most of this week and enjoy our time here.”

They raised their glasses in a toast, the clink of glass breaking the somber mood.

After finishing his drink, Monbatten glanced toward Keira and the others. His gaze landed on Amy, still squirming in Jenkins’s arms. “If I do have to adopt a child,” he mused aloud, “that little girl wouldn’t be a bad choice.”

Sean followed his gaze and chuckled. “That might be tough. King Monbatten, you may be royalty back in Country A, but the Olsen family is the king of business here. Amy is their treasured little princess. Not to mention Keira Olsen and Lewis Horton—they’re both incredibly protective of her.”

Monbatten sighed. “I was just thinking out loud…”

Sean gave him a knowing look. “Can I ask you something? Are you really here in Crera just for treatment?”

Monbatten’s smile turned enigmatic. “You’ve noticed, haven’t you?”

“Yes. Your men seem to be looking for someone in Clance.”

Monbatten’s expression softened, and he looked away. “Years ago, I spent a wonderful night with a woman from Crera. If I have a child out there, it would be hers. I’m hoping… perhaps I might find that child.”