Chapter 33

33. I have a duchess.

The tribute negotiation went smoothly.

There wasn’t much negotiation to speak of. Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, Prince Klaus insisted on not accepting the tribute Callion had prepared.

“Please accept it as an apology for my rudeness.”

“I can’t do that.”

Callion stiffened.

“The exchange of tribute is a public event to affirm the friendship of two nations and promote goodwill. It should not depend on private favor.”

“Didn’t the Duke show his undisputed friendship by saving Siegfried’s life?”

“That’s a separate matter. Besides, the empire was involved in that affair, so it would be inappropriate to make a show of it.”

The prince clicked his tongue at the stubborn refusal. He’d heard of the man’s reputation for being stubborn and inflexible, but talking to him made it clear.

Though he is now dethroned and down in this corner of the countryside, he is not a man who will end up like this.

The Emperor of the Empire is inexperienced and has no heir. On the other hand, Callion’s reputation is known throughout the realm.

It wouldn’t hurt to take this opportunity to make a connection.

“Then how about this?”

Prince Klaus straightened up and sat down.

“I will buy the tribute you have prepared.”

“The price of gratitude is too high.”

“A cartload of sapphire alone would be worth the tribute you’ve prepared for us, so you’re actually losing money.”

“Since the tribute we’ve sent in the past few years hasn’t been up to par with the kingdom’s tribute, please consider this a way to repay the debt at once.”

“Duke, I’m trying to make an investment in you.”

The mood changed. Callion, who had been trying his best to remain oblivious to the conversation’s intentions, smiled bitterly.

Prince Klaus’s eyes sharpened. If they knew each other’s intentions, there was no need to go back.

“I know that the Duke, or rather, the Crown Prince, is not the kind of man to sit back like this.”

“…….”

“A few years ago, when the Emperor died and Elkius Isulandt ascended the throne, the kingdom rejoiced, for it was clear what would become of the empire under his rule.”

Elkius Isulandt was not capable of reviving the empire, which had been in decline since the war.

Had Elkius not killed his father, Duke Roxus, he might have been tutored as a crown prince under his father, who became emperor, and developed the qualities of a monarch.

But he seized the throne unprepared, and the empire was slowly slipping away.

“However, watching the empire’s collapse is burdensome for the kingdom too. Due to the empire’s wandering citizens coming to the kingdom and causing trouble with robbery, there have been considerable damages, and trade has been disrupted, causing many difficulties.”

Callion frowned. He had heard of the change in the Emperor and the harder life for the commoners, but he hadn’t realized the repercussions extended to the kingdom.

The fact that High Priest Dorfman had to rent out a slave auction house to keep the Central Temple’s support flowing was a testament to how badly the Empire’s economy had fallen.

“At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before the empire collapses. The Emperor will do anything to keep his grip on power, such as start a war or frame the Duke to divert attention.”

“……You are saying some frightening things.”

“While I don’t know how His Majesty will react, I prefer to have a safe and diplomatic neighbor rather than one that might collapse at any moment.”

Callion did not hide his displeasure at being called to treason by the emissary of an enemy nation.

“Second Prince, do you not realize how dangerous what you are saying is, for if I bring this to the attention of the Emperor and make a formal protest against the kingdom…….”

“Your Grace, you gave me the ledger to inform His Majesty of the emperor’s misdeeds, didn’t you?”

“…….”

When you dig the stem, the roots come naturally.

With the kingdom’s spies in every corner of the empire, it’s only a matter of time before they find out who’s behind this.

It’s a seesaw game, as Callion’s innocence is exonerated while Elkius’ atrocities are revealed.

“I will be crowned king, and I hope to receive the Emperor’s blessing in the name of the Duke.”

“……You are not going to get there easily, either.”

“So the Duke and I can understand each other, can’t we?”

Prince Klaus concluded with a light smile. He had a knack for revealing his own ambitions and seeing through others.

“You have the legitimacy and credentials, so it’s easy for the kingdom to support you. However, there is one problem…….”

“Your Grace, I beg your pardon for interrupting you, but may I come in?”

A light knock on the door interrupted the conversation, followed by Adelaide’s voice, halting the conversation.

Callion got up and opened the door. Adelaide, wrapped in a thin shawl, stood in the doorway with Siegfried.

“What is it?”

“There’s something I think you two should know, and I was wondering if you could spare a moment.”

Callion looked at Klaus with eyes that asked for permission. Klaus nodded.

Adelaide entered the room, squinted at Siegfried, and spoke.

“The Eighth Prince said he had something to say to the Second Prince that he couldn’t say to you, so I’ve brought him here.”

Adelaide gestured toward the lifeless Siegfried. Siegfried’s lips curled at Klaus’s glance.

“Tell me. What’s going on?”

“…….”

Siegfried hesitated, as if to open his mouth, then shook his head. Adelaide spoke for him.

“The Eighth Prince says there was an assassin in the palace just before he left.”

Klaus’s eyes widened. Siegfried gasped and blinked back tears.

“Assassins? Is that true? ”

“Hmph, yeah. Brother, he said you ordered him to kill me…….”

“What?”

At the young boy’s words, Klaus recoiled. Adelaide intervened.

“If the assassins were sent by the 2nd Prince, they wouldn’t have revealed the identity of their employer. It was likely someone trying to drive a wedge between the two of you.”

“So, are you hurt? How did you get away? ’

“W, We got into a fight, and then a servant came in, so they ran away.”

“Ha.”

Sighing, Klaus rubbed his face.

He wondered why he had suddenly disappeared. …….

The prince’s face clouded as he looked at his younger brother.

“But there were traces left by the assassins when they fled.”

“Traces?”

“This…….”

Siegfried held out the knot. It was a knot tied around a sword.

“He must have torn it off during the struggle and fled without realizing it. Wouldn’t this be a clue for the assassins? ”

The knot was purple.

“I’ve heard that in the kingdom, purple is a color only the king and crown prince can use.”

“Everyone ties knots differently, so perhaps comparing the knots will reveal the killer.”

Callion chimed in quietly. Fiddling with the knot, Prince Klaus pursed his lower lip.

“I’m sorry I didn’t know all this before,, Siegfried.”

“Oh, no. Brother.”

“You don’t have to worry about it; I’ll take care of the rest.”

Klaus squeezed Siegfried’s hand, then released it. With the evidence in hand, the rest would be easy.

“I apologize for the interruption, but I’m going to leave now.”

Her purpose accomplished, Adelaide left the room without a second thought. Siegfried followed her out the door in a huff.

Callion glanced at where Adelaide had been sitting, then across the room.

Klaus, who had been silent as he held the knot, laughed self-deprecatingly.

“I’m embarrassed to show you the shame of the kingdom.”

“No”

“I’m going to dethrone my brother and become king, and since the duchess has given me such a good excuse, I’m sure I’ll have some good news for you soon.”

“I wish you well.”

Callion offered lukewarm encouragement. Stuffing the knot into his pocket, Klaus glanced toward the door.

“I didn’t know that Her Grace was such a clever person. If only she weren’t a commoner, she could have become the Empress, it’s a pity.”

“……what do you mean?”

“Whatever past the duchess may have had is not something the kingdom should concern itself with… but lacking legitimacy is a significant weakness.”

“Prince Klaus.”

Callion let his discomfort show through. But Klaus didn’t stop speaking.

“If you want to become emperor, it’s best to eliminate weaknesses as much as possible. Duke, why don’t you make a marriage pact with the kingdom? If you become the king’s son-in-law, the emperor won’t dare to act recklessly against you.”

“I have a duchess.”

“It’s no secret in the kingdom that your marriage was forced.”

“Prince Klaus.”

Anger surged through Callion at the casual way an envoy from a foreign country would bring up his marriage to Adelaide.

Callion clenched his fists and summoned all the patience he could muster.

“Let’s stop these unproductive discussions. I’m already married, and I’ve never considered a second marriage.”

“If it’s about Your Grace’s position, strategic marriages based on mutual interests are common. If you do that, making her a concubine wouldn’t be a bad idea either…”

“Do not insult my wife!”

With a bang, Callion slammed the table. The thin glass plates cracked with a snap.

“If I ever become Emperor, it will be for the Duchess, and I will never abandon my wife for the sake of a modest throne, so don’t you ever speak of it in my presence again.”

“……I apologize.”

Prince Klaus bowed his head meekly in the ominous atmosphere. Standing up from his seat, Callion approached the window and turned away. It was a signal that he didn’t want to continue the conversation.

Klaus rose obediently.

“It’s late, so we’ll resume tribute negotiations tomorrow.”

“You may rest easy.”

“Good night, my lord.”

Klaus watched Calllion’s back, then headed for the door. It was uncharacteristic of the man who was so adept at controlling his emotions in the face of blatant provocation.

He hadn’t thought things between them looked bad, but it was more than that.

He was wrong.

He brought up the idea of marrying Callion to the princess to increase his own power and thought it might help in the future when he became emperor, but the vehement rejection seemed excessive.

Regretting his actions, especially now that he had found Siegfried and even obtained a powerful weapon, he opened the door.

“…….”

Adelaide, who was standing blankly, blinked her large eyes.

“Uh, the…….”

“What are you doing here?”

“I thought you might have left the hawk, the knot, the…….”

“I got it.”

“Oh…….”

Red-faced and stammering, Adelaide bowed her head deeply.

She must have heard everything.

“Well, good night, then.”

Klaus walked politely past Adelaide.