Ryden's Manor
Since such an assassination incident has happened, naturally, the vacation of the two was cut short
How can they be in the mood to enjoy their vacation when Clyde almost died?
The incident made both of them furious. They were lucky this time that Clyde managed to survive and kill all the assassins that abducted him
However, what about the next time? Would their luck be the same? Would that luck works?
Besides, is it even lucky for Clyde to survive an assassination attempt when in the first place, he should not be assassinated?
This incident further opened the eyes of the two of just what kind of world they are living in
They already know that it was not a kind world but they still dealt with things in the way that they does
Their moved and actions were still too moralistic but now, that would change!
To defeat a monster, one must also become one
As soon as Clyde and Ryden returned to the Manor, the atmosphere was not the same as before anymore
The Manor was shrouded in a dark and oppressive fog. None of the servants were not afraid to even breath loudly
In the past, Clyde is always kind, gentle and smiling to the servants. But now, although he did not abused or hurt any of them, he was not as friendly anymore
As for Ryden, although he has the risk of exploding, when he is in his sane state, he never did anything bad to the servants
They were the kind of masters that any maid would be happy to serve. But now, the kind masters that they have is gone
Even though Clyde still has not recovered yet, he still started to make plans and work again
This time, Ryden did not stop him. He was almost powerless when Clyde was kidnapped. He don't have the guts to stop his wife from working anymore
The faster they secure their well being, the better it would be
Ryden doesn't like it but he is still realistic as he would rather have Clyde tired today than see him in danger again tomorrow
One of Clyde's first agenda was summoning Prince Kervy in his and Ryden's bedroom
As soon as Kervy arrives, he immediately senses how different the two were. They were not as friendly as before
In fact, in the past, although it was subtle, the two looks and feels kind to those that would really observe them. But now, they feel the like the complete opposite of that
But thinking about the report that Clyde was abducted and was almost killed, Kervy thinks that this change is not that weird
"You called for me?" Kervy asks carefully. He didn't dare be as casual to them as before anymore as he can clearly sense that the attitude of his brother and brother in law had a complete change
Even without Clyde's order, Ryden moved as he unsheathed the sword in his side
He might be able to create his own sword with magic but that is more taxing. It was always better to use and channel his power into a real sword
As of right now, Ryden don't have any intention of not always bring a sword with him
As soon as Ryden unsheated his sword, he immediately placed it in his own brother's throat, ready to slice it any moment from now
As a result, Kervy did not dare move. If Ryden really wants to kill him then he don't have the power to stop that
"I am going to ask you only once and your fate would be decided by your answer" Clyde said, his tone far from being friendly
He don't treat Kervy the same anymore. In the past, they can be considered as friends but now, Clyde has an attitude that Kervy can only be useful or not useful to him
"You are planning to become an Emperor. Are you also planning on marrying my brother to gain the Duke's support?" Clyde questioned him
Upon investigation, the assassins were once again sent by the Family of the Duchess
As such, if Kervy was planning on marrying Jermaine as to gain the support of the stronges Nobility in the Empire, Clyde would cut him down right here, right now
"I don't" Kervy answered almost instantly. He might not be looking for love but he also don't have plans on marrying someone with Jermaine's personality
With an Empress like that, the Empire would just sink which was the exact opposite of what Kervy wants
"Then you have two choices now. Help us in destroying the Duke, the Duchess, and their family and in return, we would give you our support. Refuse and you will die right this instant" Clyde said, giving the Prince hard choices which aren't much
One is opposing the strongest Nobility that would be detrimental for Kervy's ascension and the other is death. What kind of choices were that?
As such, this is not an answer that Kervy can answer easily and his mind started to think
Would Clyde and Ryden really be willing to take the risk of killing them? The repercussions is surely not small
The Emperor himself would be angered
Kervy started thinking of answering without choosing either option but obviously, if he can think, so was Clyde
"If you were thinking that we wouldn't take the risk of killing you then think again. We don't plan on playing kind and safe anymore. Killing you is easy and causing an accident to kill the 1st Prince in the borders is also easy. Without both of his Princes, what kind of position would the Empress be in? That is one less thorn in our side. And I doubt that the Emperor would execute us if we were to kill you. After all, only if he mobilized the Empire's army can he defeat Ryden" Clyde said, showing how serious he was in those two choices and Kervy understood it now
It was either he completely and 100% choose Clyde and Ryden's side or he would die
After all, Clyde perfectly said his plans and the possible things that would happen in the future and all of them were accurate with almost a hundred percent chance of happening
No matter how influential the Empress and his family is, as long as he don't have a Prince that can become the next Emperor, he is still soon bound to fall
Even his family would be weakened as the other Nobles that they antagonize would start to launch a counterattack
"T-then you leave me no choice. I will support the both of you" Kervy said bitterly
The moment he met Clyde and Ryden today, his fate is already sealed. It was death or siding with them
Only when Kervy gave his answer did Ryden sheated his sword
"I will not just accept you without any assurances" Clyde said and Kervy have a bad feeling about this
"I want you to kill Marchioness Vrine" Clyde said
The Marchioness is the mother of his step mother. Kervy killing that person would almost completely burn the bridge between him and the Duke
It would almost be impossible to gain their support anymore if he were to do such a thing
Naturally, Kervy has to prove that he is really on Clyde and Ryden's side and not just saying things because of his current situation
"T-that…" Kervy said unsurely. He planned on thinking about the situation after he arrived in safety but Clyde did not give him time to think
"I want you to do it tonight and don't worry, to make things easier, my husband will help you in the dark, ensuring an easier assassination" Clyde said, sounding really scary
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. The Duke of Rothland is strong not just because of his own abilities but also because of his connection
His wife after all came from a Marquis Household and naturally, the two Noble Houses are allies
One is the highest Nobility Title one could get and the other is the second highest one. They were connected via marriage
Touching one side would also touch the other side
"Are you going to do it or not?" Clyde questioned coldly
Since the assassins came from the Marquis's Estate, Clyde would have his revenge on them first before he moved on to the Duchess, the Duke, and even the Empress
Everyone that gave him and Ryden a hard time in this world would suffer
"If you can't do it then might as wel just accept your death today" Ryden said as he unsheated his sword again to place in his brother's throat
The blade even left a shallow mark in Kervy's neck, drawing some blood from it
Kervy did not expect that these two would have such a complete changed in attitude after they returned from their vacation
The change was just too extreme and merciless and they left him with no choice but to obey