Chapter 1219 - 1159: Mumu

By the lake, the surroundings were quiet. Kiya sat on a small stool fishing while Gavin reported the situation in Abyanabad to him.

"...The Dowager Queen is not listening to Vincent Grant’s advice and insists on holding power. I also found out that the real person in charge at the Imperial Palace is actually a ’cousin’ from Gulit’s family."

Gavin shared the information he had gathered with Kiya. The situation in Abyanabad was much more complicated than he had imagined.

"Cousin? What cousin?" Kiya asked, frowning.

Although Kiya was in Blackwood, he had always been concerned about the situation in Abyanabad. He was the Sultan of Abyanabad and couldn’t bear to see the six-century-old legacy of the Abyanabad Royal Family destroyed.

"It’s said to be a cousin from Gulit’s maternal family. I also checked—since Gulit’s birth mother had a low status and passed away early, there was no concrete information. Whether it’s a real cousin or a fake one is unclear."

A fish took the bait, but Kiya was so deep in thought that he didn’t reel it in in time, and the fish that had eaten the bait managed to escape.

"What does this cousin look like?" Kiya asked.

"Because of a scar on his face, he’s afraid of scaring people and always wears a silver mask, so no one knows what he looks like."

Kiya laughed, "This is quite interesting..."

Wearing a mask, there is another reason—it means someone cannot show their face. If that’s the case, can we investigate from among the people he knows?

Kiya lifted the fishing rod, realizing the bait was gone, and the fish had run away... cunning fish.

Gavin looked at Kiya and asked, "Sultan, what do you think should be done about the Dowager Queen?"

Kiya and the Dowager Queen were mother and son. Kiya understood his mother better than anyone. She was competitive and liked to have control over everything; she wouldn’t be willing to sit back and do nothing.

"Is Vincent Grant also powerless?" Kiya asked.

The Dowager Queen was more inclined to listen to Vincent Grant than her own son. The influence of pillow talk was significant.

"This time, even Vincent Grant’s words don’t work."

Kiya had already identified who was trying to kill him—the cousin from Gulit’s family was the main suspect, as he seemed to be the biggest benefactor so far, possibly with Gulit’s assistance.

Since they could attempt to eliminate him, they would be even less merciful dealing with the Dowager Queen who stood in their way.

Kiya was in a bind, not knowing how to handle this tricky problem.

The Dowager Queen might be difficult, but she was still his mother.

"Keep monitoring the situation over there, but don’t reveal your identity," Kiya instructed.

"Yes, Sultan."

"You may go; I want to be alone for a while."

Gavin left, leaving Kiya alone to fish. Kiya’s mind wasn’t on fishing. The bait was eaten by fish several times, and he didn’t notice. The morning passed, and when it was time for lunch, he returned with an empty bucket.

Paige Desmond saw the man return empty-handed after fishing all morning and couldn’t help but tease,

"How come you didn’t catch a single fish? I was planning to make carp soup for my sister-in-law at noon."

Kiya apologized, "Sorry, the fish just weren’t biting today."

"Oh well, just go buy one," Paige instructed Kiya, who dutifully went out to buy fish.

Gavin noticed Kiya coming out with a bamboo basket and knew the Princess Consort had sent the Sultan to buy something again.

Their great Sultan, now being treated like a servant—Gavin felt uncomfortable about it.

"Sultan, let me go instead."

Kiya said, "I’ll go. You wouldn’t know which fish to buy."

Gavin: You could just tell me which fish to buy, and then I’d know, wouldn’t I?

Gavin followed, secretly protecting Kiya.

Today was market day in Blackwood, about three kilometers from the farm. Kiya pushed a bicycle and along the way met his son, Kiya cycling while carrying Dylan to buy fish.

The people in Blackwood, upon seeing Kiya and Dylan, would never imagine that this father and son were a Sultan and a Crown Prince.

"Kiya, buying fish again? Is your wife pregnant, craving fish?" An old man at a fish stall greeted enthusiastically.

Kiya replied with some regret in his tone, "Not pregnant yet..."

"You and your wife are young, she’ll get pregnant soon."

"Thank you for your blessing." Kiya also hoped Paige would soon conceive a little princess.

"Ha ha, what type of fish do you want? I’ll give you a good deal; they were just caught from the river today, fresh."

"I’d like to buy a carp."

"A carp? How will you prepare it?"

"For soup."

"For soup, two small ones will do." The old man, experienced, helped Kiya select fish.

Having bought the fish, Dylan spotted a candy floss seller and bought one... Kiya carried his son back to the farm.

Days like these were simple and warm. If possible, Kiya really wanted to live like this with Paige. However, his sense of responsibility wouldn’t allow it.

Abyanabad—that was the legacy passed down from his ancestors; he couldn’t let anyone destroy it.

...

The Johnson Family,

In contrast to Adrian Desmond’s intense struggles, Sienna Johnson’s life was much more peaceful. She handed over her business to Vivian Abbey and spent most of her time at the Johnsons’, with her child, peacefully nurturing her pregnancy.

As the weather warmed up day by day, Sienna Johnson’s belly also gradually grew bigger. Carrying twins was indeed very tiring.

Night Owl occasionally sent her a text message. Because Night Owl often changed phone numbers, Sienna Johnson couldn’t block his messages.

"Mama..."

Sitting beside Sienna Johnson, Sheehan suddenly cried out when he noticed his mother wasn’t playing with him.

"Mama..."

Sienna Johnson was startled and looked at Sheehan, unable to believe her ears. "Sheehan, what did you just call me?"

"Mama..." Sheehan snuggled into Sienna Johnson’s lap, wanting milk. Sienna Johnson took out a toy to entertain him, but didn’t give him milk.

"Mama..."

’Mama’ should mean ’mommy,’ though Sheehan couldn’t pronounce it clearly.

Sienna Johnson was still excited; this was the first time her son spoke, and he called out for his mommy.

"Sheehan, call again, say ’mommy’..." Sienna Johnson coaxed, but Sheehan didn’t repeat, persistently snuggling into her lap.

"If you don’t say ’mommy,’ no milk for you," Kiya threatened.

Sheehan’s good temper was contingent on getting his way. If not, his temper was quite bad.

"Waa..." Sheehan burst into tears, waving his fists in a fit of dissatisfaction.

"You little rascal..."

Sienna Johnson cradled him, nursing him, and he finally calmed down, though he still whimpered a bit, his eyes filled with reproach as he looked at Sienna Johnson.

"Sheehan, grow up quickly into a big man..." Sienna Johnson wiped the sweat from her son’s forehead.

This child nursed eagerly, always working up a sweat while feeding.