As he returned, his face now pale as if bleached, the butler called out to him with concern.
Ian waved his hand dismissively and quickly made his way to the study.
Thud!
After shutting the door roughly, Ian pulled out a handkerchief to cover his mouth.
“Ugh.”
Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, staining the handkerchief red.
‘Damn it.’
Ian hurriedly canceled the tracking spell.
The throbbing pain in his chest subsided, and his racing blood began to calm.
“Phew.”
Ian spat out the remaining blood in his mouth and took a deep breath.
“Did you use magic?”
At the unexpected voice, Ian turned his head and saw Edelmar sitting on the sofa.
“You’re back already?”
“Weren’t you supposed to avoid using it?”
“The situation called for it.”
Having Rose outside was like putting up an invitation for the dark mages to capture her.
He had to bring her back as quickly as possible, and he couldn’t trust anyone else to handle it.
With Rose’s safety at stake, Ian had no choice but to take matters into his own hands.
When Ian sat down on the sofa, Edelmar poured him a warm cup of tea.
“At least rinse your mouth.”
“Thank you.”
With the fragrant tea, Ian swallowed the lingering blood in his mouth.
“Did you have a conversation?”
“Yes.”
The response was so brief that Ian frowned.
“Please, explain properly.”
“Hm.”
Edelmar placed his teacup down with a click and crossed his legs, resting his hands on his knee before he began.
“As we anticipated, they resorted to such measures because Prince Eugene’s faction is not one to underestimate.”
“Does the imperial family even need someone like Loenbaum who doesn’t participate in politics?”
“My brother thinks it’s an issue of legitimacy.”
Ian exhaled a frustrated breath.
“Loenbaum isn’t even of imperial blood, so where’s the legitimacy in that?”
“It’s about how the Loenbaum family supported the founding emperor, so they believe Loenbaum’s backing will add legitimacy to the crown prince.”
***
The Duke of Loenbaum from the founding emperor’s era was a Sword Master who played a major role in the conquest wars.
But Rose was just a five-year-old child, appearing ordinary in the public’s eye.
With such a difference in stature, how could they think merely being together would establish any legitimacy?
“That’s just an excuse.”
“That’s not the point.”
Ian frowned at Edelmar’s abrupt remark.
“What could be more important than Rose?”
“Do you know who proposed that offer?”
“Isn’t it the emperor’s idea?”
Edelmar raised one corner of his mouth.
“Yes. But there was someone who proposed it to him.”
“Who was it?”
“Viscount Wistel.”
“Hah.”
Ian scoffed in disbelief.
“Congratulations. Now we know that Viscount Wistel is connected to the dark mages.”
***
Music filled the grand hall adorned with extravagant decorations.
Although the banquet was brimming with delicious food and drinks, the faces of the gathered people were all dark.
“…Choosing a friend for the crown prince? This doesn’t bode well for the second prince.”
“Why did we receive this news so late?”
“Is Loenbaum finally considering entering politics?!”
“Has Loenbaum lost his mind, defying the wishes of the founding emperor?”
“Exactly! This is practically rebellion!”
As the chaos ensued, Vischar, the head of the second prince’s faction, spoke.
“Would you dare defy the emperor’s orders?”
In an instant, the banquet hall fell silent.
As they hesitated, unsure of what to say, Friyo, the right-hand man of the faction leader, spoke up quietly.
“From what I’ve gathered, Loenbaum isn’t interested in the role of the crown prince’s friend.”
“Not interested?”
Not only Vischar but everyone present was shocked.
The position of being the crown prince’s friend was not an insignificant role. If the crown prince ascended to emperor, it would carry tremendous honor and would be a point of pride for generations.
Though they currently supported the second prince, such a prestigious offer would be hard to refuse. And yet, Loenbaum rejected it outright, leading everyone to think the Duke had lost his mind.
“Yes. He mentioned through the Grand Duke that he feels her young age and difficult past make her unsuitable to associate with the crown prince.”
Vischar fell deep into thought.
Did Loenbaum come purely out of respect for the emperor’s command? Or was this retreat a calculated move?
“We haven’t heard anything about Loenbaum requesting an audience with the emperor.”
At Viscount Lise’s remark, Friyo nodded.
“Yes, the Grand Duke himself requested the audience today.”
“The Grand Duke? The Grand Duke is in the capital?”
Vischar frowned.
Why was the Grand Duke suddenly involved?
“Yes. He’s currently staying at Loenbaum’s townhouse.”
“The Grand Duke is staying at Loenbaum’s townhouse?”
This was shocking, especially since the Grand Duke, usually an aloof wanderer, now seemed connected to Loenbaum.
“Why would he stay there?”
Count Muko quickly replied to Vischar’s question.
“Didn’t the Grand Duke’s townhouse catch fire a few days ago? It seems he lost everything in the fire and had no choice.”
Young Duke Rily frowned.
“That doesn’t seem right. The Grand Duke owns over ten townhouses in the capital alone, not to mention his residence in the palace, which is still available. He could enter the palace at any time.”
This rekindled murmurs among the gathered crowd as they speculated why the Grand Duke and the Duke were meeting and whether it was under the emperor’s orders or for another reason.
“Friyo.”
“Yes, Marquess.”
“Find out what reason connects the Grand Duke and the Duke.”
“There’s no need to investigate.”
Everyone turned their heads at the sudden voice.
A child with green hair and brown eyes, resembling the emperor’s concubine, was entering the banquet hall.
“Your Highness.”
Everyone bowed to Prince Eugene, who wore a kind smile.
“Formalities aren’t necessary. You were discussing the Grand Duke, I believe?”
“Yes. We were curious why he’s staying at Duke Loenbaum’s townhouse.”
After sitting in the seat Friyo offered, Eugene replied.
“There’s no special reason. The Grand Duke is simply interested in the Duke.”
“…Interested?”
Eugene nodded.
“You know about the Grand Duke’s illness, don’t you?”
Everyone was reminded of the void, a condition the former emperor had mentioned regarding the Grand Duke.
“It seems that Duke Loenbaum’s recent changes have piqued his interest, leading him to lend his support.”
“I see.”
If it were merely curiosity, as the prince suggested, there would be no need for further inquiry. The Grand Duke, being a cold-hearted person, would likely lose interest and turn away as soon as he was bored.
“Have you heard that Loenbaum isn’t interested in the role?”
“Yes, I have.”
At Vischar’s answer, Eugene tapped the table lightly.
“If Loenbaum doesn’t want to be the crown prince’s friend, should we consider bringing them to our side?”
“What?”
Vischar’s eyes widened in surprise at Eugene’s suggestion.
“If we’re talking about securing Loenbaum’s legitimacy… then let’s make the first move. Not even my father can take my friend away from me.”
“But Lady Loenbaum is scheduled to enter the palace tomorrow. Besides, we don’t have enough time to implement this plan. The announcement is only three days away.”
Eugene waved his hand dismissively.
“Don’t worry about that. The palace entrance tomorrow won’t go as planned.”
“What?”
Vischar was confused, unable to comprehend Eugene’s words.
Just then, as someone overheard their conversation and turned to the window, they abruptly stood up.
“Fire?”
Everyone’s gaze followed his.
Outside the window, a fierce fire was blazing in the direction of the royal palace.
“Your Highness?”
A startled Vischar looked at Eugene.
“Marquess Vischar.”
“Yes.”
“I ran away.”
Eugene smiled softly and pulled a glass bottle from his pocket.
“Your… Highness?”
Without hesitation, Eugene drank the purple liquid in the bottle.
And then—
“Cough.”
He collapsed, spitting up blood.
***
“The palace entrance has been postponed.”
Ian looked up from his papers.
“Postponed?”
“Yes. Something happened to Eugene.”
“You mean the second prince?”
Edelmar, seated on the sofa, nodded.
Ian put down his documents and stood, reaching for the bell cord to call for tea, but Edelmar stopped him.
“I’ve already instructed them to bring it.”
“Alright.”
As Ian sat on the sofa, he asked the question he’d been holding back.
“What suddenly happened to the second prince?”
“Did you hear about the fire yesterday?”
“Yes. I was told by the butler that there was a fire at the palace.”
“That’s correct. But it wasn’t just an ordinary fire.”
Knock knock
Edelmar closed his mouth as a knock sounded at the door.
“Come in.”
A servant entered, pushing a tray with tea and snacks.
In silence, the tea and refreshments were set on the table. Edelmar poured the fragrant tea as the servant gave a slight bow and exited.
Ian watched the golden stream of tea and asked,
“If it wasn’t just a fire… was it an assassination attempt?”
“Yes. They believe someone poisoned the second prince and tried to cover it up with the fire.”
“Is the second prince all right?”
Edelmar took a sip of tea.
“Fortunately, it wasn’t an immediate-acting poison, and he happened to be visiting his grandfather, Marquess Vischar, that night, allowing him to avoid the fire.”
“Hm.”
Ian smirked inwardly at the second prince’s situation.
Not only was the poison not fast-acting, but the would-be assassin set the fire without even confirming whether the target was inside?
‘Still immature, aren’t they?’
Though the second prince was causing quite a headache for the political realm, his youth clearly showed in his lack of foresight.
“Is there no chance the entrance ceremony will be canceled altogether?”
“No. It’s only delayed to allow time to handle the aftermath of the fire. The schedule remains unchanged.”
“Tsk.”
Ian clicked his tongue.
‘If you’re going to do it, you should make a move that can completely disrupt everything. Simply delaying it is pointless.’
“We’ll have to think of another way.”
“Yes, we will.”
“What about the clockmaker?”
“They mentioned that the design was detailed enough to make it easy to create. And once they get used to it, they should be able to mass-produce… correct?”
“Yes. The only one that requires intricate work is the skeleton clock.”
