To be confident his wife liked him, and to say it’s because he’s excellent — at first glance, it seemed like tremendous self-esteem. However, Gideon’s expression as he said those words was somewhat self-deprecating.

“I’m the only disciple her father acknowledged and cherished. That’s quite an important part for my wife.”

“……”

“That’s why my wife acknowledges me and accepts me as a man.”

To Tatiana, those weaker than her were objects of protection, not interest. They could even less be objects of romantic interest.

The reason Gideon had been able to receive more attention from her than others until now was purely because he was strong.

He was Bloom’s disciple and had Bloom’s acknowledgment.

But now that unique position was about to be shaken.

“Now do you understand why I’m irritated?”

“……”

Kay thought he bore no responsibility for this situation. He had never wished for this outcome.

It felt unfair, but he nodded. Because he could understand what the prince was concerned about.

But Gideon, seemingly finding that insufficient, added quietly as if in warning.

“Don’t shake my wife’s heart.”

“……”

“Let me tell you in advance, if you two fool around, I’ll only kill you. Even if my wife initiated it, the result will be the same.”

“……”

“So conduct yourself well.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll keep it in mind.”

Gideon clicked his tongue disapprovingly but decided to leave it at that. He also knew that Tatiana’s curiosity about Kay wasn’t directed at him as a man. Though it was true that the boundary seemed ambiguous with someone whose only interest was swords.

“And I know you’re both excited to find worthy opponents, but don’t go too far to the point where you draw blood. If it seems like it won’t end at sparring level, stop.”

“Yes. I will certainly do so.”

“If my wife gets hurt, I’ll still only kill you then. Regardless of who started it. Understood?”

“……”

Kay, who had been looking down, glanced at the prince at those words. Then he silently nodded.

It seemed like one way or another, he was saying he would definitely kill him someday. 

***

The regular state council meetings presided over by the Valter royal family are held twice a month.

Though separate meetings are called frequently depending on current issues, all major policy directions were required to go through the regular meetings.

There was no famine and the people’s livelihood was stable.

While there were minor conflicts between nations, wars threatening national existence had ended some 20 years ago.

This could be called a great era of peace, but the regular meetings sometimes had an atmosphere like walking on thin ice. This was due to the tension between the Queen and the First Prince.

However, today there was one more peculiarity.

Gideon watched with indifferent eyes as his father the King entered during the meeting, supported by the Queen.

‘It’s been three months.’

Gideon had once told Tatiana that there was no history of mental illness in the Ainsler family.

Though he wasn’t sure if this was something to boast about, they had another notable characteristic. They generally lived long lives.

Yet the King of Valter, not even sixty, had a complexion that wouldn’t look strange if he were laid in a coffin right now.

When the King’s health deteriorated this rapidly, Gideon had actually suspected the Queen.

Not because he had clear evidence, but out of habit — she was always his first suspect whenever something happened.

This thought process had activated when Count Bloom was assassinated too, and he still kept that possibility in mind.

However, regarding the King’s health issues, even Gideon found it difficult to be certain the Queen was behind it.

Because even if the King were to die right now, it wouldn’t particularly benefit the Queen. Rather……

‘His death would actually help me.’

If the King passed away, Gideon would ascend to the throne according to the succession order without any special designation process.

But since his health deteriorated, the King had begun relying far too much on his wife.

How would the nobles interpret this? His attitude was only making the once-clear succession structure confusing.

So at one point, Gideon had pondered deeply. About what his father’s true intentions might be.

Was it to strengthen Prince Vaikal’s position? Because he found his caring wife lovely? No. He was anxious.

Old men who become toothless tigers sometimes weigh their children against each other over their wealth and power.

They often pit their children against each other too. Because that’s how they can maintain their presence until the very end.

The feeling of being pushed from the peak of power would be miserable for anyone, but for royalty, it could become a matter of survival.

Gideon clicked his tongue and resumed the meeting.

“If we leave the north unattended like this, the damage this winter will be severe. Based on what I confirmed during this inspection, they desperately need military support.”

He knew his opinion wouldn’t resonate much with the nobles in the capital. Even if the borders were invaded by foreign enemies right now, it would take time for that sense of crisis to spread to the center.

Therefore, Gideon fully expected opposition.

He didn’t expect this proposal to pass today. Only when the situation becomes more serious could he take full authority while saying ‘Didn’t I warn you beforehand.’

The Queen immediately seized speaking rights as soon as Gideon finished.

“Prince, the principality’s troubles with monsters isn’t a recent issue. I’m only concerned this might unnecessarily create anxiety among the soldiers and people. What does the Commander of the Capital Defense Force think?”

Gideon gave a derisive snort.

It was all too obvious what the Commander — the Queen’s brother and Vaikal’s maternal uncle — would say. Anyone who couldn’t predict that didn’t deserve to sit in this meeting chamber.

“Your Highness, harvest is in full swing and there are numerous major construction projects underway. Currently, we don’t have many troops available. Moving soldiers for the principality would create security gaps in the capital as well.”

This time, the Northern Army Commander raised an objection.

“Pardon my boldness, but the reason we can even discuss harvest and construction now is because the northern border is peaceful. You can’t deny that the principality has been acting as that breakwater all this time. If they fall, the hordes of monsters will expand their territory, and our people will certainly suffer.”

Another noble from Gideon’s faction began adding his voice.

“Let’s advance the northern troops and move the defense line up. If the principality falls, won’t we end up having to block with rocks what we could have blocked with pebbles? Isn’t it always better to prepare in advance?”

The nobles began murmuring and sharing opinions.

Political meetings were ultimately a numbers game. The First Prince’s faction and Queen’s faction raise their voices in battle, and whoever absorbs more moderates wins.

Though endless recruitment efforts occurred behind the scenes for this, at least during meetings, they had to compete with logic and evidence.

At this point, Duke Muller, the Royal Guard Commander, opened his mouth.

Gideon watched him with greatly interested eyes, but for some reason, he avoided the gaze and spoke in a heavy voice.

“The north is where my men suffered a tragedy three years ago. Grand Duke Rigor has never taken responsibility for that, and has been consistently passive in tracking down the perpetrators. Before dispatching knights, we should receive a sincere apology and compensation first.”

Gideon smiled slightly and narrowed his eyes.

He agreed with the Duke’s opinion to some extent. Hadn’t he actually said similar words to the Grand Duke’s face? However, Gideon wasn’t naive enough to take the Duke’s words at face value. 

 ‘What’s your real intention in bringing up that issue specifically at this meeting?’

The Duke’s statement, regardless of right or wrong, was disadvantageous to Gideon who wanted to dispatch troops to the north immediately. He had now officially taken the opposite side from Gideon in the meeting.

‘Ah. So that’s your decision? But why?’

People might think Gideon had mistreated the Royal Guard, but the Duke had been just as ambiguous in his attitude until now. That’s why it felt awkward to try courting him with blind trust.

Though he had anticipated the Duke would eventually side with the Queen, it was still unpleasant to have it confirmed like this.

Gideon looked around the assembly and spoke again.

“The late Count Bloom was my wife’s father and my master. No one here mourns his death more than I do.”

As he said this, Gideon glanced once at the Queen.

Was it his imagination? The face that showed almost no signs of aging seemed to hold a faint sneer. While closely observing that expression, he continued speaking.

“However, we cannot let the people’s safety be threatened because of that incident. Besides, everyone seems to have forgotten that the principality is technically Valter territory.”

“……”

“There have been consistent arguments to fully subjugate the principality to Valter, and I’m not unaware of that intention. However, know that if it falls first, there will be nothing left to divide.”