Monterey's words, though tinged with reluctance, carried a hint of helplessness. He knew better than to directly confront the Pope at this time. Derek, though burning with anger, understood the dire situation. It wasn't the time for rash decisions. He gritted his teeth and swallowed his fury.
Returning to the Prince's residence, Derek could no longer contain his rage. As soon as he stepped inside, it exploded like a volcano. Everything he saw seemed to aggravate him, and in a fit of blind rage, he concocted an excuse to execute several innocent maids. The maids trembled in fear, begging for mercy, but Derek ignored them, his twisted fury cutting their lives short. Yet, his anger showed no sign of abating. The entire Prince's residence was engulfed in a stifling, oppressive atmosphere.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye, and the wedding took place under the watchful eyes of all. The entire cathedral was decorated in gold and splendor, with flowers surrounding the place like a dreamlike palace.
Evelyn, in an exquisite white wedding gown, looked like a goddess. The delicate cut and fine lace perfectly accentuated her graceful figure, while her meticulously done makeup made her even more stunning. She looked as though she had stepped out of a fairytale, with her maidens around her, all entranced by her beauty, showering her with praise.
Evelyn's family had spared no expense in preparing the wedding dowry. This was partly to atone for their earlier weakness in compromising with the prince, and partly because Pope Rowan's intervention had forced Derek to return the family's original business. To Evelyn's family, this was a life-saving favor, and they intended to repay it with the most lavish dowry.
The followers, compared to the last time, seemed more composed, merely celebrating the event. Perhaps it was because Rowan's wedding had already broken convention, and people had begun to accept the change without shock or gossip.
The royal family sent a prince to offer congratulations and gifts. While the Emperor did not attend in person, he still ensured the ceremony was honored with the proper respect.
As the grand wedding proceeded, the Emperor, Monterrey, was in a secret chamber of the palace, engaged in a hushed conversation with the Radiant Messenger.
Monterrey's brow was furrowed with worry and urgency. "The Pope has grown bolder. His actions are getting more extreme, openly suppressing our royal family. I fear it won't be long before he takes direct action against us. You must move quickly, or we'll be powerless once he has complete control."
The Radiant Messenger responded with calmness, shaking his head slowly. "Your Majesty, it's not that we're unwilling to act immediately. The timing for our offensive has already been set by the Lightbringer's Order. We must wait a year before taking any action. If we act too soon, it could cause serious trouble. The Holy Alliance is watching, and we cannot act prematurely."
Monterrey's displeasure was evident as his voice rose. "What am I supposed to do in the meantime? The palace defenses are so weak now, I can't feel safe at all."
The Radiant Messenger spoke patiently, "Your Majesty, for now, we must keep a low profile. Avoid drawing attention, and do not give the Pope any leverage against you. He can't just act without reason, and the people are watching. The Lightbringer's Order relies on the support of its followers. He must be cautious in his actions."
Monterrey sighed helplessly, his frustration palpable, but he knew there was little room for rebellion. With a resigned nod, he said, "It seems we have no choice but to wait."
After the wedding, Rowan was constantly working, and within half a month, Evelyn was pregnant. Rowan called upon his three most trusted allies for an important task.
First, he turned to Raymond. "Raymond, I need you to gather every bit of evidence about the royal family's secret dealings with outside forces. Leave no stone unturned. This evidence is crucial for our future actions against the royal family."
Next, his gaze shifted to Blake. "Blake, I need you to go to the front lines. The Royal Guard and City Guard are unpredictable right now. Your task is to weaken their loyalty to the royal family. You must ensure that both forces are aligned with us. Bring in trusted priests, and use the power of faith to make these soldiers loyal to the Lightbringer's Order. We need them as our steadfast allies."
Time flew by, and soon Alice's due date arrived. Rowan took a break from his duties, staying by Alice's side, caring for her every need. Meanwhile, Evelyn, already pregnant, was glowing, her belly round with child. Though her face showed signs of pregnancy fatigue, her maternal radiance still shone brightly, making her even more beautiful.
Rowan couldn't help but feel a whirlwind of emotions as he looked at the two women who meant the world to him. On one hand, he was filled with joy and responsibility, about to become a father. On the other, he eagerly awaited the rewards the system would bestow upon him.
Amidst the anxious and eager waiting, a loud cry broke the silence. Alice had successfully given birth to a son. Rowan, hearing the cry, felt his heart finally settle, a grin spreading across his face as joy overwhelmed him.
At that very moment, the long-awaited system notification echoed in his mind, sharp and mechanical, yet the most delightful sound he'd ever heard.
"Ding! Alice has given birth to a son with exceptional potential.""Reward: 100 cubic meters of storage space.""Reward: Fogcloak – Prevents others from spying, conceals cultivation level, and allows disguise.""Reward: Mid-level Divine Messenger Rank."
Instantly, Rowan felt a surge of power rising within him, his cultivation breaking through a barrier. His entire being seemed to transform as his realm ascended.
"Reward: Great Prophecy – Near invincible at the same level, consumes faith power, use with caution."
The string of astonishing rewards left Rowan in awe. His smile grew broader as he realized that the Great Prophecy was a game-changing skill, one that could potentially decide the outcome of any battle in critical moments. Despite its reliance on faith power, it was an ability that could turn the tide of fate when the stakes were highest.
Rowan's heart raced with excitement as he eagerly thought about what was to come next.