When Kenley returned to Tia's side, Bishop had already finished his business and was now chatting with Brook and the others.

  "Master! You're back!" Tia exclaimed joyfully, immediately clinging to him.

  However, barely a second later, a sharp look flashed across her face."The scent of a woman... Master, did you just—"

  Kenley looked awkward. As a vampire, Tia was extremely sensitive to scents. He hurriedly patted her shoulder."We'll talk about it later."

  "Understood, Master..." Though Tia said nothing more, her tone was clearly tinged with concern.

  Just then, Bishop turned around.

  "Your Highnesses, this is the adventurer I wish to recommend: Kenley," Bishop introduced, gesturing to the two figures beside him—one tall and one short.

  Kenley blinked in surprise. What was Bishop up to, introducing him to members of the royal family?

  "Lord Bishop, is this the descendant of the hero you mentioned?" The first to speak was someone Kenley recognized: Brody Kevin Ian, the eldest prince and heir apparent to the empire. He was tall and lanky with a rather unappealing face.

  Kenley was well aware that despite his looks, Prince Brody was the legitimate crown prince. However, Brody had a rather unusual hobby—he was obsessed with painting. Mountains, rivers, landscapes, people—he painted them all, but he was particularly fixated on people. Whenever he saw someone he liked, he would go to great lengths to paint them.

  Kenley noticed Tia unconsciously shrink back a little upon seeing the crown prince. A quick glance between them was enough for Kenley to understand—Prince Brody had his eyes on Tia.

  But Tia was a vampire, a descendant of the Golden Bloodline. Marrying a vampire was out of the question, not to mention Tia was Kenley's servant. Without breaking the contract, even the crown prince would have to restrain himself.

  As for what exactly he saw in Tia, that was yet to be determined—whether it was for a painting or something else. Kenley figured he would have to probe a bit later.

  "I don't see what's so special about him. Lord Bishop, if you're planning to introduce such a fallen descendant of a hero to us, you might as well focus on training more paladins for the Church." The second speaker was the second prince, Kerler Kevin Ian.

  Compared to his elder brother, Prince Kerler was shorter but had a more pleasing face and a stockier build.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Kenley knew that Kerler was an incorrigible womanizer, particularly fond of older women. According to the game's plot, he had even been involved with his uncle's wife—truly a scoundrel.

  The way he looked at Tia was filled with disdain, likely due to her being a vampire and a young girl at that.

  Kenley mentally shook his head—neither of these princes was fit to rule. Knowing the empire's eventual fate, he couldn't muster any goodwill towards them.

  Strictly speaking, Brody was slightly better than his brother, but not by much.

  Hearing the two princes' cold and mocking remarks, Kenley remained unfazed. He simply bowed slightly and said,"Greetings, Your Highnesses."

  "Lord Bishop, if there's nothing else, we'll take our leave," Kerler said without even sparing Kenley a glance. He seemed eager to get away, clearly bored out of his mind.

  "Ah, brother, don't be so hasty. Let's at least hear what Lord Bishop has to say," Brody replied patiently.

  Bishop nodded."Actually, it's like this..."

  "Lord Bishop, surely I didn't mishear? Did you just suggest that we grant him a noble title?" Brody's eyes widened, his displeasure evident.

  Kenley's brows furrowed slightly. So the power struggle between the Church and the Crown, the main plotline of the fourth expansion pack"Throne and Divinity,” was already beginning? The Church was starting to dictate terms to the Crown?

  "Lord Bishop, while we share the same faith, that doesn't mean we must heed the Church's every suggestion. We believe in the deity, not the deity's emissaries," Kerler stated bluntly, cutting straight to the point without any attempt at subtlety.

  Kenley was a bit surprised. He hadn't expected the second prince to be so bold as to say such a thing directly to Bishop's face.

  Sensing the sudden tension, Tia grew anxious, unconsciously tugging at Kenley's sleeve. As a member of the royal lineage, her instincts had clearly picked up on something amiss.

  To be honest, Kenley had no need for Bishop to secure him a noble title—he had plenty of ways to earn one himself. What puzzled him was Bishop's motive for doing this.

  Bishop quickly bowed to the princes."Your Highnesses, please do not take offense. I merely made a suggestion. After all, letting a hero's descendant wander in the wilds would disgrace our forebears. I humbly ask you to reconsider."

  Brody's brows immediately knitted together."Offense? Lord Bishop, I fear you misunderstand. This isn't about offense—it concerns imperial law and noble privileges. This man has not yet made any sacrifices or contributions to the empire, yet you want us to hand over a noble title for free? If we set this precedent, won't every supposed hero's descendant come begging us for titles?"

  Kerler chimed in,"Indeed, Lord Bishop. Let's not discuss this further. If you truly wish to grant him a title, take it up with our father. I'm sure with his wisdom, he'll understand your intentions."

  Kenley broke into a cold sweat at the heated exchange. It was hard to tell whether Bishop was truly oblivious or just pretending.

  The worst part was that Kenley now found himself caught in the crossfire. Bishop might have had good intentions, but Kenley genuinely didn't need them. Yet, he couldn't directly refuse either—that would make him appear ungrateful.

  Once the princes had left, Bishop turned back with a wry smile."I apologize, children of heroes, for my presumptuousness. I merely wished to ensure a better future for you in the empire, rather than seeing you continue to wander aimlessly."

  Kenley quickly waved his hands."No, no, Lord Bishop. The Church's support has already been more than enough. We're living quite well now, truly. Thank you for your kindness, but please, refrain from doing such things in the future. We have our own plans for what lies ahead."