Chapter 68

Chapter 68 – Who Knows What He’s Thinking (2)

At the break of dawn, Count Arsene made his way to the royal palace.

However,

“Today, entry into the palace will be difficult, Count.”

“......Hmm?”

He was stopped by royal guards right at the entrance of the palace. Naturally, Count Arsene’s brow furrowed.

“I requested an audience with His Majesty in advance. Are you telling me I can’t enter?”

“There has been a royal decree to postpone all prior engagements.”

“......?”

A royal decree? Just as his suspicions grew.

‘......Hmm?’

A large procession inside the palace suddenly came into view. Among them was a familiar face.

‘......Marquis Foltaine.’

The bloodthirsty man he would never forget. Not just him, but other marquises were also beginning to appear one by one.

‘Now that I think about it......’

The Grand Nobles’ Meeting. Today was the day when the three ducal houses and the five marquis houses gathered to discuss major state affairs.

‘......I guess causing a scene here wouldn’t be wise.’

It seemed that nothing had happened to Ancelot, so it would be best to retreat for now.

“Well then, please relay a message inside for me.”

“What message should we pass on?”

“Tell them that the criminal inside is my child. That should be enough.”

“......!”

The royal guards widened their eyes in shock.

“C-Criminal? Your child?”

“W-We hadn’t heard anything like that......”

Count Arsene, with an unwavering expression, elaborated further.

“Ancelot, the commoner who recently assaulted the heir of the Treman family. That child is mine.”

“Wh-What did you just say?”

Of course, the royal guards knew exactly who the criminal was. The strange guest who had recently taken up residence in a corner of their quarters was already infamous.

“So, I suppose it’s only right that I take responsibility for the crime. After all, he’s still just a child, isn’t he?”

“......”

“Could you please pass on my message?”

The royal guards exchanged glances for a moment before nodding.

“......We will relay it as you’ve asked.”

***

At the same time, in the royal guards’ quarters.

“You’re not allowed to leave.”

“......?”

I tilted my head in confusion, having been about to go for a walk as usual.

“......What the. I thought I could roam around this area freely?”

“Today is an important day for national affairs. Stay inside and wait quietly.”

Naturally, a smirk crept up on my lips.

“You think just because you tell me to stay put, I’ll obey?”

“......What?”

“Move. Unless you want to get hit.”

“......”

The two royal guards at the entrance gaped at me, dumbfounded.

“He’s a lunatic.”

“We thought it was bad enough when he beat up the count’s heir in broad daylight. What kind of parents raised this brat......”

The veins on my forehead popped.

These guys weren’t even thinking about confronting the person who started the whole thing, yet they had the nerve to talk like this?

“......You just crossed the line. You dare bring my parents into this?”

“W-Wait a second!”

At that moment, another royal guard came running over, out of breath.

“What!? He’s Count Arsene’s child?”

Immediately, three pairs of eyes turned to me in unison.

“......I see. So that’s why Lord Kairos reacted that way.”

“It all makes sense now why he’s been allowed to stay here.”

From the way the situation was unfolding, I quickly figured out what was going on. It seemed Count Arsene had made his move.

“......Even so, further misconduct will not be tolerated.”

“Am I hearing you right? I thought my identity had already been verified.”

“This is the royal palace. You can’t just cause a ruckus here, even if you’re Count Arsene’s child.”

“Ha.”

These guys were practically begging me to hit them.

“Are you going to move while I’m being nice, or move after getting hit?”

The royal guards chuckled softly, their expressions practically saying, ‘You? Really?’

“You guys are hopeless.”

“Don’t do anything stup—”

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Before they could even react, I delivered clean hits to their temples.

Thud!

As I looked down at the three unconscious guards, I casually dusted off my hands.

“Looks like these brats forgot what I’m capable of.”

-Oh, dear. Is that so? Then I’ll do my best to ensure the next gift meets your expectations.

***

After the commotion.

Once the Imperial delegation had withdrawn, Duke Kairos immediately unleashed his pent-up frustration.

“Your Majesty! Their demands have gone too far!”

“......”

“How can they be so arrogant? We must formally protest to the Empire!”

King Melio II, sitting on the throne, murmured weakly.

“......Do as you see fit.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

“......But......”

Melio II glanced toward the entrance of the royal court.

“Is that child outside really the prince of the Duchy of Meeke?”

“......With all due respect, Your Majesty, I believe it would be best to send Prince Andrew back with the Meeke delegation. There’s no reason for us to get involved in another country’s succession disputes.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Of course!”

“......Then, do as you will......”

At that moment, Marquis Foltaine raised his hand.

“I believe that handing over the prince to the Duchy is, in fact, not much different from getting involved in their succession battle.”

“......!”

Everyone’s eyes widened.

“Marquis, are you out of your mind? The Duchy of Meeke is essentially ruled by the queen. Naturally, any children she didn’t bear......”

“You never know. Perhaps she’s just a figurehead, and the real power lies elsewhere— like in our country.”

“......!”

Duke Kairos’s eyes widened with anger. Despite such reactions, Marquis Foltaine continued, undeterred.

“No one knows how things will turn out. It’s foolish to make hasty predictions and jump into the fray based on preconceptions.”

“You insolent fool! How dare you......!”

Duke Kairos’s face turned red with anger, but Duke Herman raised his hand.

“I agree with what was just said.”

“......!”

Duke Kairos’s pupils dilated again, as if to say, ‘Why are you agreeing with him?’

“I heard that Princess Winley is dating the 7th Prince of the Duchy of Meeke.”

“......!”

This revelation sent a shockwave through the court. Even the lethargic king opened his eyes wide in surprise.

“Wh-What did you just say, Duke?”

“It’s something I confirmed directly with those involved.”

King Melio II quickly turned his head.

“W-Winley. Is what he said true?”

“Ah, w-well......”

Winley, too embarrassed to speak, hesitated. For the first time, the King burst into hearty laughter.

“Hahaha! I thought you only cared about swordplay and had no interest in dating. When did this happen......?”

“For the record, setting aside political considerations, I must say that the prince has extraordinary talent. Far beyond what someone like me could ever compare to.”

“......!”

This was coming from Duke Herman, a man whose skill was on par with Duke Kairos.

“I-Is that really true?”

“Yes. Perhaps we should consider welcoming him as a royal consort. His status leaves nothing to be desired, as well.”

“Hoo......”

Of course, Duke Kairos voiced his objections.

“What if this strains our relationship with the Duchy of Meeke?”

A new voice interrupted.

“It won’t.”

“......!”

Ancelot entered the royal court, accompanied by the royal guards.

“I asked them to bring him here.”

“What?”

Duke Herman added an explanation.

“Discussing someone’s fate without their presence is disrespectful, considering his status.”

Another voice, clearly aimed at aggravating Duke Kairos, chimed in.

“Why not just raise me well? Who knows? I might grow up to conquer the entire Duchy of Meeke in the future.”

“......!”

“Rather than trying to gain something by handing over a weak prince and squabbling over whether to kill or spare him, wouldn’t it be more strategic to look further ahead?”

“Ha......?”

“And that’s precisely what Marquis Foltaine, the kingdom’s finest merchant, would call a ‘wise investment’.”

At that, Marquis Foltaine burst into laughter.

“Bwahahahahaha!”

“......What a spectacle.”

Even Duke Herman couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Instead, shouldn’t we be focusing on how to strengthen the kingdom?”

“You insolent brat!”

“Or would you prefer to suffer the same humiliation you did earlier at the hands of that young Imperial noble?”

“......!”

At this, Duke Kairos gritted his teeth.

***