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“I’m sorry, but you are not allowed to enter right now.”

“……!”

The eyes of Marquis Foltaine, who was leading the group, widened. Standing beside him, Milon also didn’t bother to conceal his displeasure.

“Not allowed to enter? Do you not know who we are?”

“There is a royal decree to prohibit entry, regardless of identity, rank, or any other consideration.”

“A royal decree, you say?”

“Yes. As you might already be aware, a fire broke out in the Twilight Palace. Until the cause of the incident is identified, this measure has been taken, and we ask for your understanding. Even those inside cannot leave, and access is currently restricted for all esteemed guests.”

The royal guard swiftly provided additional context. At this point, even Marquis Foltaine had no choice but to back down.

When entry is denied to everyone without exception, what more could be done?

“In that case, we will take our leave for now.”

With a polite gesture, the royal guards retreated inside the gate. Simultaneously, Marquis Foltaine let out a groan.

“Damn it. If they were going to be like this, why bother informing the high-ranking nobility……!?”

“That must have been part of their scheme.”

“What do you mean?”

Milon muttered grimly.

“Watch closely. We’ll make you wither. This is the power of the Empire.”

“……So this is more than just isolating the weak. This is a clear warning directed at us?”

“They must have included foreign delegations as well, leaving them trapped and helpless.”

“Damn it. Though it’s presented as a royal decree, I’m sure this is the work of Duke Kairos, that cunning old fox. After all, he controls the palace security.”

Having listened quietly to their conversation, I let out a sigh.

‘They’ve effectively built a fortress in the heart of someone else’s kingdom.’

Who could have conceived such a wild idea as setting fire to the royal palace?

These people, who used to settle for slipping poison into meals, now acted on a much grander scale, befitting their growing power.

Just then, Marquis Foltaine turned towards me.

“Let’s head to Duke Herman’s estate for now. I need to see with my own eyes what that lazy man has been doing while all this unfolded.”

***

“I heard of your return. Good work, all of you.”

Duke Herman greeted us with a strained smile. Though it was still early morning, he was already awake.

However, he looked utterly exhausted.

‘Maybe he didn’t sleep at all?’

Just when the question popped into my mind, Marquis Foltaine asked him bluntly.

“Did you stay up all night?”

“With the kingdom in this state, how could I sleep?”

“Tch. If you say that, I can’t even vent my frustrations on you.”

“Haha. Were you planning to vent on me? More importantly, where is the princess?”

After a brief exchange, Duke Herman immediately inquired about Winley.

“Don’t worry. We left her back with Count Arsene.”

“With her personality, she must’ve insisted on coming along.”

“All thanks to this cheeky fellow, we managed to persuade her to stay.”

Marquis Foltaine nodded towards me, and at that, Duke Herman gave me a small, amused smile.

“The princess chose her fiancé well.”

“Now, tell me. What exactly happened while we were away?”

“Hmm……”

Duke Herman briefly summarized the recent events and his conversation with Count Kaiman.

“Joint investigative authority? Are they insane!? They dare demand this nonsense after causing the mess?”

“Well, there’s no evidence to prove it.”

“We lack material proof, but the circumstantial evidence is clear!”

“The only fortunate part is that His Majesty is actively working to uncover the truth. I’m sure he won’t allow himself to be dragged around as the Empire wishes.”

Marquis Foltaine scoffed.

“Now that’s more like a proper king. Imagine if the former king were still on the throne—he would’ve fled to the imperial palace in fear the moment the queen was murdered.”

“That’s why we sparked the revolution, wasn’t it? Although result-wise, it ended up inviting the wolf inside.”

Duke Herman gave a bitter smile.

“In any case, we need to clean up the mess we made.”

“I take it you’re thinking the same thing as I am?”

Perhaps it was the bond between close friends—without needing to say too much, they both seemed aligned in their thoughts.

“Care to fill me in?”

Unable to suppress my curiosity, I finally asked the two.

“Do you remember the advice I gave you? That you should meet Duke Serin as soon as you returned?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“I plan to persuade him first.”

My eyes sparkled with understanding.

“You mean to eliminate their justification?”

First, we gather support from the influential figures within our own ranks. Setting aside political factions and personal beliefs for the time being.

Even rivals who often clash must unite in the face of foreign threats. That is politics, and that is patriotism.

“There are three dukes who act as the elders among the nobility. But unless you raise your voice together with the other two, they won’t listen.”

As I said, the other side currently had the justification. This was because Duke Kairos had thrown his full support behind the Empire.

However, the influential nobles of this country still remained. What if the remaining two dukes came together and spoke out against the issue?

“We can convince Duke Serin and declare that the Hart Kingdom will conduct an independent investigation into the incident. The suspects should, of course, include the Empire.”

“Haha, see? Tell him one thing, and he understands two. That’s why it’s so convenient to have him around.”

At Marquis Foltaine’s compliment, Duke Herman also nodded approvingly.

“I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“I heard that Duke Kairos is the core of the royalist faction, while the other two dukes lead the noble faction. Did I misunderstand?”

Duke Herman gave a knowing smile.

“You’re wondering if Duke Serin is already on our side, correct?”

“Yes.”

“In short, no. His stance has always been ambiguous.”

Seeing my puzzled expression, Marquis Foltaine explained further.

“Why do you think the royalists and nobles have been locked in a standoff for so long, despite the imbalance in their strategies?”

“Hm.”

“As you know, we have two Masters—individuals akin to one-man armies. Including me, unofficially, we have three.”

“Technically, it’s only two. You’ve had to keep your abilities hidden, after all.”

“Oh?”

Marquis Foltaine raised an intrigued brow.

“Keep going.”

“The point is, an unofficial Master is a card to be kept hidden until the right moment. The deadliest weapons are most effective when left sheathed, aren’t they?”

Again, Marquis Foltaine was an ‘unofficial’ Master.

If the existence of a third Master became public knowledge, the Hart Kingdom would face not only the Empire’s scrutiny but also the watchful eyes of neighboring nations.

The situation differed from that of the Meeke Principality. They publicized their third Master to elevate their status to a ‘kingdom’.

In contrast, the Hart Kingdom already had three Masters.

“In situations where the risks outweigh the benefits, it’s better not to draw your weapon at all.”

“Heheh. I’ve nothing left to teach you.”

Though Marquis Foltaine smiled warmly now, I found his demeanor unsettling.

After all, he had once been ready to unleash his power in a conflict with the Arsene family.

Up until then, he had been regarded as nothing more than a powerless old man—aside from his title.

Which could only mean one thing.

‘He had intended to kill them all from the start.’

Now, that same dangerous figure was my staunch ally. It’s true what they say—you never know what life has in store.

“Since you’re quick on the uptake, I’ll be blunt. Duke Serin is merely a noble in name—he avoids involvement in state affairs. Think of him as someone like Milon. It’s a crucial secret we keep to maintain morale among the lower ranks.”

“That makes me even more curious.”

Marquis Foltaine grinned mischievously.

“Shall we go meet him, then?”

“Right now?”

Duke Herman offered a word of caution.

“Just be careful what you say in front of him. Unlike us, he’s quite sensitive.”

“Heheheh. If you act toward him the way you do with us, you might get slapped.”

“Oh? That would be quite a sight.”

“I agree. Let’s get going.”

And just like that.

Off I went to meet the kingdom’s final duke.

Duke Serin resided in a grand mansion in the southern part of the capital.

‘Is he really a man?’

That was my first impression of him. Standing by the window with his back to the rising dawn, Duke Serin was breathtakingly beautiful.

So much that even in my previous life, I could count the people with such a striking appearance on one hand.

“Welcome.”

He greeted us with a smile. Even his voice was androgynous, making it difficult to discern his gender.

“It’s been a while, Your Grace.”

“Yes, it has, Marquis. And……”

Duke Serin’s light blue eyes—like a reflection of the sky—turned towards me.

“……You must be the renowned Seventh Prince of the Meeke Principality.”

Despite my youth, Duke Serin treated me with utmost courtesy.

‘This feeling…… Where have I felt this before?’

A face immediately flashed through my mind.

‘……Ah! That Imperial bastard, Kaiman!’

Duke Serin exuded a similar aura to Kaiman. In other words, the aura of someone deliberately wrapping themselves in layers of courtesy to conceal their true nature.

‘Kaiman’s core was madness and ambition. I wonder what this man hides under his polite exterior?’

While these thoughts ran through my mind, Duke Serin spoke again.

“So, what brings such distinguished guests to this humble abode?”

“You are a man, right?”

Thunk.

Marquis Foltaine swiftly delivered a kick to my foot

‘Are you crazy?’

—Is what his expression seemed to be saying.

Meanwhile, Duke Serin made an odd face.

“……You’re more entertaining than I’d heard, Prince Andrew. No one has ever walked out unscathed after commenting on my appearance like that……”

“Oh, my apologies. I didn’t realize your appearance was a sensitive topic.”

“Hahaha. And you, Prince, are quite beautiful yourself. Are you certain you’re not a princess?”

“Shall I strip to prove it?”

Just as I’d gripped the waistband of my trousers, Marquis Foltaine conveyed his thoughts into my mind.

-You lunatic! What do you think you’re doing? That’s enough!

-Come on, who would think that face belongs to a man?

-Haven’t you heard that curiosity kills the cat?! You only have one life, you fool!

-It’s not like he’d listen to anything we say anyway.

-What?

-Living so close to the palace, he must know everything going on. But he’s dropping hints about his annoyance by asking why we’re here, isn’t he?

-……Wait. You’re saying he’s annoyed?

While we exchanged silent thoughts, Duke Serin’s voice took on a chilly edge.

“……I suspect this meeting will leave quite an unpleasant memory.”

Marquis Foltaine urgently transmitted another thought:

-Stand down, for now. Don’t make things worse!

Cough, cough.

Clearing his throat, Marquis Foltaine tried to steer the conversation back on track.

“We apologize for the early visit, Your Grace. We came today because……”

Duke Serin interrupted.

“You apologize, yet I believe you intend to keep bothering me.”

“……!”

Marquis Foltaine’s face stiffened.

“……Your Grace.”

“Allow me to be blunt. I’m sure you’re aware. Opposing the Empire is suicide.”

Marquis Foltaine fell silent at those words.

“I didn’t oppose your previous idea to involve the Empire because it didn’t seem to harm the national interest. But this time, it’s different.”

“……I see you’ve already made up your mind.”

“You came knowing this, but still hoped for a miracle, didn’t you, Marquis?”

Marquis Foltaine let out a silent sigh.

“……Yes. It’s true I came to try my luck.”

With that, he turned to me.

“Let’s go.”

“Wait, we’re just going to leave?”

Marquis Foltaine’s thoughts rushed into my mind again.

-We’ve learned his position, so it’s a tactical retreat. If we push further, he might side with that old snake, Duke Kairos. He was never someone we could persuade anyway.

Taking my wrist, Marquis Foltaine began to lead me out.

“Then, we’ll take our leave.”

“Wait. May I offer some advice to the young prince?”

Marquis Foltaine froze as Duke Serin spoke again. I nodded without hesitation.

“Of course.”

“Words mark both the beginning and the end of relationships. They can bridge distances, but they’re a double-edge sword that can also burn the bridge.”

He smiled gently.

“Sometimes, silence is the wisest option. Holding your tongue can be as useful as knowing what to say. I hope you remember that.”

“I appreciate the advice.”

At that moment, I heard a faint sigh beside me. I didn’t need to look to know who it came from.

“So that’s why. Now, I understand.”

“Wait. Can’t you not say the next part?”

How desperate must have Marquis Foltaine been to have spoken out loud?

“Why you’ve chosen to hide, whether or not the nation falls apart. Since silence is the wisest opt……”

“……Damn it.”

Marquis Foltaine shut his eyes, as if resigning himself to the inevitable. Of course, Duke Serin’s blue eyes turned ice cold.

“……In any case, I personally will pass on cowardly silence. Holding in my words will only rot me from the inside. I’ll say what I need to say and live accordingly.”

“And if those words cost you your head, Your Highness?”

I gave him a bright smile.

“Will keeping silent change anything?”

“……!”

If my insides rot and decompose, it’ll be the same, anyway.

***