nightmare (5)
After the hearing, the 2nd Prince faction went through the process of disbandment.
It was mercilessly destroyed in a direct political battle, and it was because nothing could surpass the first prince in terms of succession or achievements.
– It’s a fight that doesn’t make sense to drag on any longer.
-Even what I thought was a reason for disqualification was nothing more than a catch-up.
In addition, the disappearance of the duke and his subordinates, who were the main axis of the 2nd Prince faction, also played a part.
– Since there is no one to deal with the internal confusion, it is only natural that it collapse.
The second prince, who had been behind in the succession right in the first place, was able to divide the aristocratic powers, which was not his original ability.
It was because he himself killed Asus, who was a close friend of the king and the greatest supporter of the first prince.
What the 2 Princes faction did was, in fact, only aim for that gap.
That’s why the remaining chance for them was also the last one to bring down the first prince by citing the reason for his disqualification.
However, the first prince strode forward to the next throne himself with his overwhelming achievements.
Unlike the 2nd Prince, who only moved according to the Duke’s will like a scarecrow, he firmly defended his position.
At this point, even the aristocrats who supported the second prince had no choice but to admit it.
-It’s like twisting a child’s wrist.
– From the beginning, they didn’t even care about us.
That the two powers competing for the throne was just a battle between adults and children… … .
And even in such a rapidly changing situation, the second prince felt more liberated than ever.
‘In order… … is it.’
The faction of the two princes had lost even its remaining name, and the nobles were disbanding in disappointment.
As if saying that it was an inevitability given to failed works.
It was a change so fast that it was unimaginable that it had happened in just a few days.
but.
“doesn’t care.”
Albedo muttered lightly, as if feeling refreshed.
This is because he had to take all his responsibilities and step back.
Even as the second prince of a country.
… … And even as someone’s son.
food-
The smile on Albedo’s lips was peaceful for the first time.
From noble mtl dot com.
From the moment I stepped into the mud fight, unable to shake off my mother’s earnest request. It was a sincere heart that couldn’t laugh at all.
‘I’ll have to visit my older brother soon.’
Everything finally started cruising on the flow of ‘natural’.
Now, the losers standing in the way of his older brother will disappear, and Esteban will regain his daily life again.
Albedo only hoped that the first prince would show him the last mercy.
cause my own miserable exit.
… … Have pity on my mother who dared set her eyes on the throne.
“Is today the last time we meet secretly like this?”
Albedo gently closed her eyes at the scenery of the territory seen from outside the carriage.
In this way, the carriage was advancing toward its destination in a quiet, peaceful way.
To the dukedom of my maternal grandfather, the last place I summoned myself.
“… … .”
back-
In Albedo’s hand, the precious pendant was already clutched.
* * *
“… … They say that the faction of the two princes is collapsing.”
“It is nothing new.”
A week has passed since the hearing.
I received a call from my father and visited the king’s office.
The beginning of the conversation was, of course, related to them.
“The 2 Prince faction was like an old castle built on sand. Even the support base was unstable from the beginning, there is no way the 2 Prince faction can withstand this.”
“A castle on the sand… … .”
The 2nd Prince faction was quickly formed after the death of Asus.
It came into being only about a year and a half, if only judging by the timing.
Excluding the direct subordinate of the central duke, the forces that have not been united for a long time and were formed only for profit will overcome the complete defeat of the hearing that added to the contraction so far?
In short, it was absolutely impossible.
“So even the bastards must have thought this was their last chance.”
“… … .”
“With time, there will be no other way to do it.”
… … It’s so urgent.
I smiled and talked behind my back.
“Well, in the end, even that opportunity fell in vain to the trap called Mithril, so the end must have been decided.”
“… … Right.”
Mithril’s existence was a long-awaited trap.
As a dagger to one day thrust into the chests of those who annoy me… … .
Of course, when the time came, there was no reason not to use it.
‘I also had to organize the 2nd Prince faction before winter came.’
The existence of Mithril, which was kept secretly, became a decisive means of tearing their power at the critical moment as planned.
At that moment, my father twitched his lips with a slight hesitation, then reluctantly began to open his mouth.
“… … What are the people who belonged to the faction of the two princes going to do?”
“yes?”
“They asked if they would change the structure of power given to them.”
“Why are you asking me that?”
He asked, looking a little bewildered.
Until now, there were cases where he had touched state affairs and there were times when nobles were directly punished, but those were only acts of his father’s authority.
But isn’t that question from now on, as if I have the right to decide whether to wield a personal mace?
As I wondered at that, my father’s expression began to harden with determination.
“Allen Esteban, I have decided that this will officially appoint you to the position of crown prince.”
“… … !”
“As expected, it won’t be new to you. You will be the next king.”
“… … You mean the seat of the crown prince?”
But even this surprised me.
It was literally a proclamation that he would recognize not only the slanted current succession, but also the ability of the ‘first prince’ in the name of the king.
… … no.
Rather, it was also because he had not thought of the position itself as the crown prince.
‘In the place of the crown prince that I couldn’t be in the past… … Am I going to climb?’
before regression.
Because of my father’s sudden death, I, who was the first prince, had to ascend the throne without hesitation.
Of course, it was no different from the future that was decided at the time, but I had never been so directly acknowledged by my father.
Not even once.
But this life was different.
Even though the future was different, I was confident that I would ascend the throne. In an unexpected moment, even the position of crown prince was recognized.
And that fact evoked a stronger conviction than ever before.
my move
That he is leading Esteban in a better direction.
Anyway, I tried to erase the impressions that came to my mind and said.
“… … So you’re asking me. What to do with those who lost in the battle for succession.”
“I don’t think you would leave any regrets that would get in the way, given your personality that I’ve seen so far. After being formally installed as crown prince, the justification would be sufficient.”
“You are not wrong.”
Actually I had no intention of leaving them alone.
Aside from anything else, it was said that there was a reason why they immersed themselves in the hastily created 2nd Prince faction.
‘For example, like the remnants of Asus who hid in the 2nd prince faction.’
To put it simply, they wanted to push me away because they also had something to hold on to.
So, I thought to weed out a few instigators first, and then sort out the rest slowly.
But then I caught a glimpse of uneasiness in my father’s eyes.
“You are hiding your true intentions. What is your true concern right now?”
“… … I guess I couldn’t hide it It is not different. It’s about that guy, Albedo Esteban, who confronted you directly.”
“You mean Albedo?”
My eyes twitched and narrowed.
Did he think I would kill Albedo, who was pushed out in the battle for succession?
It was a good enough guess. It was also something that happened uncommonly on the continent.
‘… … no.’
However, something was engulfed in an unknown certainty.
What is your father worried about? the fact that it’s not like that.
And maybe that… … .
“… … I don’t think this is the time to argue about that.”
“is it… … .”
“We still have work to do.”
The work of the Commonwealth Empire.
… … And also the ‘final plan’ that Duke William is plotting.
I continued talking even though I knew that it could be reflected as if I was turning my words around.
“So, we will talk about the installation of the crown prince after the work is finished.”
“… … I get it. If that’s what you think.”
“I’ll hear you again next time.”
Saying that, I got up from my seat and bowed my head.
After that, I left my father’s office with a little quicker step.
“… … .”
A face that pretended to be relaxed.
It was after he had been hardened from the moment he left the office.
* * *
same time.
Entering the mansion in the duchy, Albedo was standing in front of the door and knocking.
smart-
“Grandfather, I am.”
Then I made some predictions about what was going to happen after this.
for now… … You may be drunk and stupefied.
Maybe it was after he broke all the things because he couldn’t overcome his full desire.
… … Of course, that’s just an assumption.
However, in his opinion, the most probable thing would be that a teacup engulfed in anger would fly into the room.
‘Well, I’ll hit you instead of avoiding you today.’
There was no reason to avoid it if you could do your last duty with it.
However, it took only a moment for those speculations to be wrong.
“Come in.”
“… … .”
Startle-
A deep voice came from beyond the door.
For some reason, it was so calm that Albedo’s body trembled, and it was also chilly.
It was very strange considering the personality of my maternal grandfather, Duke William.
“… … .”
kiik-
So the door opened without a word.
Before long, what came to Albedo’s eyes was the undisturbed appearance of the duke who had been waiting for her.
“You called.”
“okay.”
I couldn’t even find the reaction I expected from his mouth.
Queek-
Then there is the sound of a chair creaking.
Duke William rose from his seat and approached the window as if he had been waiting.
Albedo’s eyes, looking at this, also followed the Duke.
“As expected, he had one last move hidden.”
“… … yes. Given that most of the nobles did not know, it must have been managed with strict security, just like the agreement with the Holy Empire.”
“So I don’t understand.”
The eyes of the peacock who was quietly looking out the window were torn as thin as snakes.
“It was the royal family that managed it. Albedo Esteban, is it true that you haven’t heard anything?”
“Will you tell me, a political opponent, about such an important matter?”
“… … I guess so.”
It was reasonable to think so.
And the duke knew this better than anyone else.
“But it doesn’t matter now. Because we have already secured the minimum foundation.”
“… … yes?”
Duke William took off his coat and looked out the window.
At the same time, Albedo was puzzled.
Why the hell did I keep looking there from a while ago?
‘… … Is there something out there?’
Besides, the aloof and meaningful appearance that I had seen earlier… … .
Albedo’s gaze, suddenly feeling uneasy, followed it.
“… … !”
And looking at it outside the window, both eyes widened in astonishment.
The knights standing while sharpening their sharpened momentum.
After that, a group of countless soldiers advancing in line while quelling the heat.
“That, like that… … No way… … .”
Albedo hesitated and shivered.
Because there was no way I wouldn’t have noticed what that meant.
But the Duke, who was smiling contentedly, was different.
“No, I can’t let a tyrant rule over Esteban like this.”
okay.
It was the last resort and plan prepared by the man in front of him.
From the beginning, everything else was bait for him.
An exaggerated play to turn one’s eyes to the things he prepared.
“We will fight to stop his tyranny.”
Her eyes, looking at the window, were bloodshot red and flashed with desire.
“Follow me. Albedo Esteban.”
madness.
The place the snake’s tongue headed was the capital of Esteban.