Chapter 130: Only one condition

Chapter 130: Only one condition

To be a member of the royal family of Kaistein instead of a cardinal.

Reclaiming what had been relinquished was never easy.

Nevertheless, Haverion was confident.

‘In the first place, I didn’t give it up because I wanted to. It was Duke Garcia and His Majesty who made it so.’

Haverion said to the First Princess.

“Please convey to His Majesty to restore my rightful position.”

“You think that’s possible?”

“It might be if I give up my position as cardinal.”

“Haverion... It’s really you...”

Of course, the First Princess was angry.

Being the heir to the throne was not something one could throw away and get back again on a whim.

The same was true for the cardinal position.

“Did you say that because you knew about the trouble you would bring?”

“Absolutely. If that were to occur, not only would there be pressure from the Holy Empire, but the public’s perception of the royal family would also be shaken. Undoubtedly, I would face severe criticism as well.”

“But why?!”

Surely, Haverion couldn’t have not known that.

Haverion was well aware of the future repercussions, so much so that he felt his stomach churning at the mere thought of it, but he didn’t care.

“Have you forgotten that it is this country that forces me to give up my position as cardinal of the Holy Empire?”

“...”

The king would have no choice but to accept his proposal.

Realizing this, the First Princess’s gaze hardened.

“Do you really have to go this far? If you give up your position as cardinal, the Holy Empire will not leave you be.”

“It was you and His Majesty who made me like this, as well as that damned youngest brat.”

If Haverion were to become the heir to the throne, he could get some leniency for his current crime.

Of course, it would come with a price, but that was a matter of no importance to him now.

Haverion asked coldly.

“You haven’t left yet?”

“Fine. I’ll convey your intentions to His Majesty. But remember, the youngest and I will never forget the blood you shed.”

The First Princess responded in an equally cold voice.

But she was inwardly shocked.

‘I never thought he would abandon his position as a cardinal.’

It was something no one had anticipated.

Except for one person.

Haverion, unaware of this, smiled.

“Then, go. Don’t forget my message.”

“I am not your messenger.”

The First Princess left without looking back.

After a long time in prison, someone came to visit Haverion.

It was the chamberlain sent by King Eloin after hearing about Haverion’s proposal.

“His Majesty said he will consider Cardinal Haverion’s proposal positively.”

‘I knew it.’

Haverion smiled without revealing his thoughts.

He believed that even the so-called Blood Lion, King Eloin, would bow before the Holy Empire’s power.

However, the chamberlain’s words were far from over.

“Only, under one condition.”

“Condition?”

Haverion tilted his head slightly.

What sort of condition would he require to reclaim what was rightfully his?

But soon, his eyes couldn’t help shaking.

“The Seventh Prince is currently unconscious.”

“How does that concern me? Are you implying that I should attend to him?”

“Of course not. That’s not what anyone in this country wants.”

“What?”

Haverion couldn’t hold back his anger.

The chamberlain made it sound as though he was disrespecting him.

However, the chamberlain continued calmly.

“His Majesty has declared that he cannot restore your rights as a royal as long as the Seventh Prince remains unconscious.”

“What if he doesn’t wake up?”

“If that were to happen, you would lose not only your position as a cardinal but also your royal status.”

“What?”

“And there’s more. You must also seek forgiveness from Prince Ian.”

Otherwise, Haverion stood to lose everything.

That was what the chamberlain, relaying the king’s message, was saying.

She cast a murderous glare at the other younger brother who had sought her life.

***

While the clamor broke out outside, Nathan hurried toward Ian, who was lying bandaged.

“Your Highness! What in the world happened?”

Nathan cried out.

He knew Ian’s intention and had protected the citizens at his command, but he had never imagined that Ian would be hurt.

As he was about to rush toward Ian—

Thwack!

Galon smacked him on the head.

Nathan protested with a pained expression.

“Galon!”

“Keep your voice down. The prince is still recovering.”

“But still...”

Galon shot him a glare as Nathan was about to argue back.

“Alright, alright. Tsk.”

Casting aside Nathan, who backed away, Galon slowly approached Ian.

“If I may be honest, I was shocked too, Your Highness.”

“I’m sorry, Sir Galon.”

“I hope you will never do this again. I never expected you would step forward in person...”

His gaze was genuinely filled with concern.

Although it was by Ian’s command, a sense of guilt for not being able to protect him weighed heavily in his heart.

Nathan and Fiosen shared the same sentiment as well.

“That’s right. Did you really need to do that?”

“I never imagined you would take a stab in place of the First Princess. My heart sank at the thought.”

Yet Ian simply smiled.

He had a plan in mind, one that would be necessary to completely thwart Haverion.

Ian asked Nathan, who had a glum look on his face.

“So, how did it go?”

“It went as Your Highness wished. His Majesty also conditionally approved it. With conditions attached, as promised.”

“Great.”

“But, Your Highness, is this really okay? Wouldn’t this make a dangerous enemy?”

“No. Rather, he’s easy prey. And he will not be able to get his qualifications back.”

“What?”

Ian smiled on seeing Nathan’s bewildered face.

It seemed that the king had kept his word, as per his conversation with Duke Lavaltor, the guardian knight of King Eloin.

“It is His Majesty’s job to demand compensation from the Holy Empire. I want to ask His Majesty for compensation for protecting this country.”

“What do you want?”

“I want Haverion.”

“Even with your status as a prince, he cannot hand over a cardinal of the Holy Empire.”

“What if he relinquishes his position as cardinal?”

“Are you serious?”

Ian was convinced that Haverion would give up his position as cardinal.

‘He is not alone. He is clearly a member of some organization.’

Ceres and several other unknown people were part of this organization.

But could a cardinal of the Holy Empire be merely a pawn?

It seemed unlikely.

‘He’s more influential than I thought. There’s no other way to bring him down.’

That was why he went to such lengths for all this trouble.

If Nathan’s findings were accurate, the organization must be larger and more dangerous than he had initially thought.

‘Now, only one thing is left.’

At that moment, Ian recalled Haverion from his past life.

Haverion was a variable with no connections to him, so he needed to be more careful and beat him to the punch.

Ian was certain that Haverion did not return to Kaistein until he became the last man standing.

But that was why he remembered what Duke Garcia had been disappointed about.

“If only you could have obtained what he had, things would have been easier.”

However, he could not obtain the item Haverion possessed while he held the position of cardinal.

Ian didn’t know the value of that item back then, but it was different now.

Since he needed that item so badly, he would make the cardinal give it up.

And now that he had succeeded...

‘That item is mine now.’

But there was something to acquire before that.

With this in mind, Ian ordered his knights.

“Go and inform the nobles. Spread the news that my condition has deteriorated and I may soon die.”

Ian’s lips curled up into a sly smile.