Chapter 2 – Contract with the Prince (Part 6)

“Prince Kyle has arrived.”

The chamberlain announced loudly.

Emperor Catheon sat slouched in the audience chamber chair, tapping the armrest.

“Let him in.”

He said indifferently.

As the door opened, Kyle, dressed in the ceremonial attire of the Hellis Empire, walked into the audience chamber.

Catheon looked at his now grown son.

‘The boy who hated ceremonial attire so much…’

Kyle was neatly dressed, indicating he had something important to ask.

With long limbs, chiseled features, and jet-black hair, Kyle didn’t resemble Catheon much, yet there was an unmistakable sharpness reminiscent of Catheon’s younger days.

“I greet the almighty Emperor Catheon of the great Hellis Empire, who is favored by the Sun God.”

Kyle knelt on one knee.

If Tristan always greeted like a nobleman, Kyle’s greeting was disciplined like a soldier.

“What is your business?”

Catheon asked bluntly.

Kyle raised his head to look at his father.

In the portrait of his father from 10 years ago, during the height of the Empire’s subjugation war, he looked like a fierce wolf.

That fierce gaze was still alive but not as intense as before.

Above all, since the end of the war and the onset of peace, the Emperor’s health seemed to have deteriorated rapidly.

‘Like a vampire living off the blood of others.’

It seemed as though he was withering away because he couldn’t indulge in his war-mongering ways, feeding off the blood of the Empire’s people.

“After the Spring Swordsmanship Tournament celebrating the wedding, I wish to return to the North, Your Majesty.”

Kyle said.

Catheon merely nodded.

“It’s about time.”

He looked at his son, who no longer avoided his gaze but faced him confidently.

“I cannot grant you the title of Grand Duke yet. Tristan must first inherit the throne.”

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

Kyle responded obediently.

“Then are you here to bid farewell?”

Catheon asked.

Kyle chuckled at his father’s indifferent tone.

“There is something else I wish to ask.”

Kyle’s words brought a momentary tension to the audience chamber.

It was a feeling Catheon hadn’t experienced in a long time.

“Speak, Prince.”

“I wish to receive the title of Sword Master.”

Kyle said without hesitation.

“Montrey is still alive, isn’t he?”

“Can’t you declare me as the next Sword Master, Your Majesty?”

The title of Sword Master, not an official rank but a recognition of the Empire’s best swordsman, was directly conferred by the imperial family.

Kyle, being Montrey’s longest-serving disciple, was the most suitable candidate for the next Sword Master.

“It is a title that must be earned through demonstrated ability.”

Catheon said in a disapproving tone.

“It is not something you can get just because your father is the Emperor.”

Kyle felt a surge of anger but was mature enough not to show it.

He was no longer the young boy who fought with Tristan, seeking his father’s approval.

“No one can defeat me in swordsmanship except Sir Montrey.”

Kyle said calmly.

It was a widely acknowledged fact, so his tone did not come off as arrogant.

“Then defeat Montrey.”

The Emperor replied.

The reason he couldn’t easily grant Kyle the title of Sword Master was the same as why he couldn’t easily grant him the title of Grand Duke.

Having the first prince of the Empire, who was of illegitimate birth, be the greatest swordsman could incite dangerous ideas among the noble families.

Even though the North was a land of monsters with low productivity, he couldn’t give Kyle the largest territory in the Empire before Tristan officially inherited the throne.

This too could create a misleading impression.

“Then will you give me the opportunity, esteemed Emperor?”

Kyle asked politely.

‘The rigid boy who could only say yes or no…’

Catheon was filled with mixed emotions seeing his son propose a deal with such a sly face.

“What opportunity?”

“I will participate in the Spring Swordsmanship Tournament as a knight.”

Catheon’s gaze sharply focused on Kyle.

‘The gaze I longed for as a child, now it means nothing.’

Kyle thought calmly.

The only gaze that made his heart race now belonged to one woman.

“If I defeat Sir Montrey in the tournament, please acknowledge me as the next Sword Master.”

Kyle clearly stated his desire.

‘What is his true intention, suddenly showing interest in titles after living like a dead man?’

Catheon looked at Kyle with his usual cold scrutiny.

“No.”

Catheon said firmly.

“Even the heads of the knight orders don’t participate in the tournament. It would be disastrous if one of the Northern defenders, either the Sword Master or a knight commander, were injured in these times.”

“If Sir Montrey wins, I will relinquish my position as knight commander to him.”

Kyle played his trump card.

The cold Sun Emperor wouldn’t agree unless the conditions were this tempting.

“Are you serious, Commander?”

Catheon tested him.

“Yes, Your Majesty. If I lose, I will step down as knight commander and protect the North as a regular knight.”

“Are you saying you will return to the same rank as the knights you command?”

“I only hold the position of knight commander because my father is the Emperor, don’t I?”

Kyle smiled wryly.

“I am young and have plenty of time, so I will start from the beginning and rise slowly.”

Catheon watched him with eyes that seemed to say, ‘Let’s see how far your arrogance goes.’

“But if I win, you must acknowledge and declare me the next Sword Master.”

“You know well that being declared doesn’t automatically make you the Sword Master, don’t you, Commander?”

“Isn’t that more advantageous for you, Your Majesty?”

Kyle said unwaveringly.

“Then I will give you time to consider, Your Majesty.”

Kyle said, bowing and leaving the audience chamber before Catheon could respond.

Catheon stared at the door his son had walked out of for a long time.

***

“This is a necklace adorned with opals and emeralds from Kshanti, Your Highness.”

Elena diligently held up the necklace to show Seia.

Seia waved her hand indifferently.

“The next item is…”

“No need to explain each one.”

Seia said with a sigh.

“Crown Prince ordered that each item be explained in detail, Your Highness.”

Elena replied, looking troubled.

Seia turned her head towards Elena.

“Are you my maid or the Crown Prince’s maid?”

Elena looked flustered at Seia’s question.

“I-I am your personal maid, Your Highness.”

“Then shouldn’t you prioritize my orders?”

Elena glanced up at Seia.

“Apologies, Your Highness. I misspoke.”

“No need for that.”

Seia added nothing more.

“Just tell the Crown Prince that I have seen everything.”

“Th-thank you, Your Highness.”

Elena bowed her head deeply.

“I need to visit the Crown Prince’s palace.”

At those words, Agnes, who had been waiting nearby, looked startled.

Natalie quickly grasped the situation and stepped forward to stand in front of Seia.

“I will assist you with your attire, Your Highness.”

Seia took Natalie and moved to the dressing room.

Meanwhile, gifts had piled up in Seia’s reception room.

After hesitating at Seia’s words, the Crown Prince had started sending an enormous amount of gifts to the Crown Princess’s palace the next day.

Dresses, jewelry, and luxury items that women of the Empire saved for years to buy filled the reception room.

‘How predictable.’

Seia thought.

Everyone considered Tristan to be an unpredictable and tyrannical dictator, but to Seia, he seemed like nothing more than a petulant child.

A child’s actions were always predictable.

Failing to win her over by force, he tried to curry favor and gain her interest through other means.

“Your Highness, I have brought the maid who does embroidery as you requested, but since you are busy now, should I ask her to come back later?”

With just the two of them left, Natalie asked cautiously.

“Ah, let her in now.”

Seia said.

“Having a maid assist with dressing is enough, so Lady Natalie, please return to the reception room and rest.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Natalie bowed her head in greeting.

“Then I will let her in right away.”

As Natalie left, Seia let out a long sigh.

‘Playing the noble Crown Princess should be enough now.’

Seia felt a bit more at ease, thinking she didn’t need to act in front of Rey.

“I greet the noble Crown Princess of the Hellis Empire, chosen by the almighty Sun God.”

Rey’s voice came from beyond the door.

“What a grand greeting.”

Seia said mischievously as she opened the door.

Rey smiled at Seia.

“It’s the proper greeting for meeting the Crown Princess.”

Seia opened her arms, and Rey hugged her.

“How is life in the palace? Are the haughty people of the Empire bothering you?”

“No one is interested in me.”

Seia led Rey into the dressing room.

This was to ensure that the maids outside wouldn’t eavesdrop or let their conversation leak out.

“No one asks about your background?”

“What maid would question someone’s background? They all just know me as ‘Rey.’”

No one knew about ‘Freya Yvonne,’ who had inherited the name of the fallen noble family of Aden.

“More importantly, I found out what you asked for.”

“Information about my maids?”

Rey nodded and lowered her voice.

“There’s something you need to know first.”

“What is it?”

“Crown Prince Tristan has a mistress.”

Rey said.

“A mistress?”

“There is a woman who shares affection with the Crown Prince. It seems to be an open secret that everyone whispers about.”

Rumors about the Crown Prince’s affairs were always popular gossip.

Moreover, Tristan wasn’t particularly cautious about his behavior, so it wasn’t surprising.

“But if you judged it important enough for me to know, there must be some risk involved, right?”

Seia asked.

“Can you explain who she is?”

Rey continued calmly.

“Ruby Haisen. It seems the young lady of the Haisen family has been visiting the Crown Prince’s palace for quite some time.”

Seia’s face hardened at the unexpected name.

“Is she the daughter of Luke Haisen?”

The very Luke Haisen who brought bloodshed and humiliation to the Aden Castle.

The one who imprisoned Seia in a tower, castrated Percy, and sold Rey into slavery in the Empire.

“Ruby Haisen and Theo Haisen. The twin siblings are Luke Haisen’s legitimate children.”

“Given that they cling to Hellis, is it possible they sent their daughter to the Crown Prince’s bed on purpose?”

“I think it’s possible, but it’s already well-known that Lady Haisen has feelings for Crown Prince Tristan.”

Seia fell into thought for a moment.

Depending on the situation, it could be a threat or a useful card.