***
Knock, knock.
“Master, His Highness the Crown Prince…”
Bam!
Cardien turned a cold gaze to the unexpectedly open door.
“Long time no see, Duke Mercedes.”
Through the doorway strode a man with a countenance like the sun.
His hair was pure gold, his eyes were green like peridot, and his skin was white, making him the epitome of handsome.
Cardien stared at him for a moment before turning his gaze to Winston, who stood awkwardly behind, and spoke.
“Leave us.”
“…..I’ll prepare refreshments.”
After Winston left, the man seated himself casually on the sofa.
Cardien turned back to his documents, his voice as stony as his expression.
“Weren’t we scheduled to meet tomorrow?”
Though it was labeled as a meeting, it was more of a one-sided notification.
In response, the man, Crown Prince Hysterion, looked apologetic as he spoke.
“An urgent meeting was arranged for tomorrow. Plus, I really wanted to see you even a day earlier.”
“…….”
Cardien remained silent, lowering his pen and looking at him.
“What’s the matter?”
Then Hysterion arched an eyebrow at him.
“We haven’t seen each other in a while. Aren´t you a bit too hasty? We could catch up and have some light conversation…”
“Hysterion.”
“…….”
“I asked what you wanted.”
“……Hmm, that’s odd.”
Rising to his feet, Hysterion stepped in front of Cardien.
The corner of his mouth twitched at the sight of the emotionless eyes staring back at him.
“I know you’re a bit of an outgoing character, but you’ve never been this blunt with me before. Are you hiding something?”
“……You’ve been spouting more nonsense. The Empire’s future seems promising.”
“Hah, hahaha! Don’t forget that your family is also included in that Empire’s future.”
With that, he returned to his seat, plopping down and speaking with a light tone.
“I don’t know what you’re hiding, but don’t worry. I’m not an idiot, and I certainly wouldn’t covet what’s yours.”
“…….”
“Well, I guess I can’t be sure. The reason I urgently visited today is…”
His previously lighthearted green eyes grew heavy and serious.
“I’m sure you know. The attempted poisoning of His Majesty the Emperor. The one that turned out to be the work of Count Lever.”
“…….”
“Well, I suppose you must know, since your household discovered that the lady was in possession of the Akaban.”
“…… That’s right.”
More precisely, it was discovered by the household tutor.
Cardien didn’t bother to clarify that.
“As a result of that incident, His Majesty, I mean the emperor, was on the brink of death. Thanks to the divine power of the Saintes, he was able to wake up unscathed.”
“Thank goodness.”
“Well, I wonder if it’s really a good thing.”
Hysterion muttered meaningfully, tapping the table with his fingers and continuing.
“Since then, His Majesty has been acting strangely.”
“Strangely?”
Finally realizing the gravity of the conversation, Cardien put down his pen and looked at him.
Hysterion nodded his head.
“Even though he appears the same on the surface… Have you heard of the ‘Clean Streets Policy’?”
At his words, Cardien’s shoulders twitched imperceptibly.
“The one where they’re planning to demolish the impoverished District 4 and establish a new commercial zone?”
“…..Well. How do I feel about it?”
A wry smirk tugged at the corner of Cardien’s lips, as if amused by the blunt question.
“If I say I find it repugnant, will I be punished for insulting the nobility?”
“Haha…”
In response to Cardien’s straightforward answer, Hysterion chuckled wistfully, shaking his head.
“No, I share the same sentiment.”
He sighed lightly.
Cardien stared at him in silence.
The Clean Streets Policy.
Although it had recently gained more prominence, it had been lurking beneath the surface for quite some time.
Its purpose was simple.
To tear down the slums that were essentially idle and turn them into more useful spaces.
At first glance, it might seem somewhat ordinary, perhaps even a policy that could contribute to the city’s development.
If only it didn’t involve the displacement of the slum dwellers…
“Children will be sent to orphanages, and adults will be sent to forced labor camps. It might indeed be effective in wiping out the rat’s population.”
There was no separate housing or support provided for them.
Indiscriminately captured, they were categorized according to specific conditions.
Families, siblings, friends – it didn’t matter.
All children would be sent to exclusive orphanages for the poor, while adults would be sent to forced labor camps.
Anyone who disagreed was treated as a traitor to the empire and taken to the dungeons of the imperial palace. None of them ever returned.
It might appear to be the actions of a tyrant, but because the target was the poor, no one dared to voice dissent.
Except for crown prince, Hysterion.
He rambled on.
He sighed softly.
“In truth, a few days before His Majesty fell into unconsciousness and because of Akaban, I managed to convince him.”
“…….”
Cardien was intrigued by the story.
Hysterion’s expression darkened as he recalled the time.
“Give them time to relocate, a small financial support, and the option to choose their own orphanage and workhouse.”
“And the Emperor accepted?”
A bitter smile tugged at the corners of Hysterion’s mouth.
“At first, he was stubborn, but he eventually accepted it. It can’t be helped, because His Majesty is old and would have wanted to reduce the sense of alienation that would arise when I inherited the throne.”
“……I see.”
“It was just a day before the policy was to be modified that he fell into a coma due to Akaban.”
“…….”
“The perpetrator was Count Lever, barely a footnote among the central aristocracy. The Duke of Mercedes, no, Cardien, don’t you think something is amiss?”
“…….”
While Cardien remained silent, Hysterion continued as if he hadn’t expected an answer in the first place.
“Firstly, Count Lever has no motive whatsoever to harm His Majesty. Secondly, Count Lever lacked the capability to smuggle in Akaban. Thirdly, despite plotting the assassination and smuggling Akaban, the post-incident actions were far too sloppy. And lastly……”
Hysterion lifted his head to look at Cardien.
His emerald eyes reflected the sunlight distinctly, glowing brightly.
“The perpetrator was caught too cleanly. As if they were in a hurry to sweep things under the rug.”
“……Are you suspecting the temple?”
The question emerged since the investigation was centered around the temple.
“Well, that could be possible. The balance of power is gradually tilting towards the Imperial side. The fact that the temple is barely holding on is largely due to the presence of the Saint.”
Hysterion tapped his chin thoughtfully.
“However, I can’t understand why they would orchestrate an assassination and then use the Saint’s power to bring His Majesty back to life if they were just exploiting the transition of imperial power. Is this an autocratic decision of the Saint, unrelated to the temple?”
“As a Saint, she has enough credibility for her actions to be considered authoritative. In that case, there might indeed be conflicts within the temple.”
“True. But what truly baffles me is not this.”
Hysterion’s expression turned grave as he lowered his head.
“After regaining consciousness, His Majesty hasn’t paid any attention to what I say.”
“That man never really paid much heed to others’ words. Not surprising, really.”
Hysterion responded with a somewhat deflated smile to Cardien’s acerbic words.
“Well, he is the emperor of this country and my father, after all. And your words can be quite harsh.”
Well, it was a valid point, but…
“Anyway, there’s one reason I sought you out today.”
Hysterion’s expression became more serious than ever.
Cardien stared at him expressionlessly.
Hysterion continued.
“There’s a baptism ceremony coming up.”
“…….”
“Given the atmosphere within the temple, we might be able to gauge something or find some clues. It would be great if you could also attend the ceremony.”
At Hysterion’s request, Cardien raised his head.
His gaze settled naturally on Hysterion, yet Hysterion showed no discomfort.
Hysterion also didn’t point out that aspect.
He needed the support of Duke Mercedes at the moment.
Soon, Cardien’s lips parted.
A voice tinged with amusement seemed to return.
“Why would I?”
“…….”
“I understand Your Highness’s words well. But those are Your Highness’s thoughts.”
Cardien gripped the pen once again.
Moving the pen as if losing all interest, he spoke coldly.
“Whether the temple orchestrated the emperor’s assassination or the emperor became strange afterward, it’s not my concern. I have no intention of indulging your detective play.”
“…Cardien Mercedes. I may treat you with leniency, but I think you’re crossing a line.”
“Then force me. If you want to go against Mercedes.”
“…….”
In terms of rank, Hysterion might have a higher standing, but in practical terms, Cardien Mercedes was the true power figure.
His influence rivaled that of the royal family.
In the end, Hysterion fell silent then.
Knock, knock.
“Your Grace, it’s Livia Pellington.”
Both Cardien and Hysterion turned their gaze simultaneously toward the unexpected guest.
Gradually, Hysterion noticed that Cardien’s pupils were subtly shaking as he looked at the door.
‘Oh, look at this?’
A thick smile spread across his lips.
