Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 1576

Everyone had stopped fighting altogether. Or rather, Andrew's side had temporarily set aside any thoughts of attacking.

On the other side, only Stanley was left. He said, "Andrew, I've never had any real grudge with you or anyone here! Remember back at the Wright estate, Mr. Lloyd, when you scammed me out of a billion dollars? I didn't even bat an eye at that loss!

"Now I'm standing at death's door. I don't want to kill anymore—I just want to live. So, I'm hoping we can settle this without bloodshed!"

He raised both hands in surrender, his face full of desperate sincerity as he pleaded for peace.

Chantelle frowned. "Mr. O'Higgins, is everything you said about the old royal court really true? We know that the Demon Queen had only one son—Maximus, the last emperor."

Stanley smiled. "Ms. Garcia, you're an educated woman. Real or not, I think someone like you can judge for herself. After all, we're standing in the Underworld Kingdom of the Dead—this place tells its own story.

"As for Maximus, I know for a fact he was the younger brother of the Little Emperor. He spent his entire life under that old woman's shadow. When the empire was already collapsing, that was when they gave him the throne.

"To become emperor at the end of an era? That's no gift—it's a curse. I've kept track of his fate, even from abroad. And honestly? He fared better than his brother, my childhood friend, Maximillian Newmont. At least Maximus lived long enough."

Tiana let out a cold laugh. "The Demon Queen was cruel and controlling. She kept the Fallen Crimson Dynasty on its knees to foreign powers for decades—what a disgrace to Etharia! But to say she poisoned her own son? I'm a mother myself, and I don't buy it."

"And once we get out, I'll use my influence to make sure you become the most powerful, wealthiest man in all of Holtrien."

Andrew started to laugh, slow and measured. "I've got to say that your offer is… very tempting. And your story? It's a good one. Moving, even. Makes a guy want to feel sorry for you."

Stanley smiled. "So what do you say? Are we friends now?"

Andrew's grin widened. "I have no interest in becoming your friend. Because if I did? I'd probably end up just like the one who used to sit on that throne!"