Beyond the Throne: The Monarch's Return

"What's that sound? Hey, did something happen? Have you taken care of that younger brother who came out of nowhere?"

The communication device rolled to a stop at Ian's feet.

However, for Ian, the voice coming from the device was far more significant than the object itself.

"Ah. I thought you were Duke Lavaltor's assassin. Is he the one behind this?"

Ian smirked, finding the question absurd. He knew the voice all too well.

How could he not?

"This madman has been trying to kill me ever since."

Alberto Kaistein.

The second prince, and Ian's older brother.

At the same time, he was the one fully supported by Duke Lavaltor and the man closest to the throne.

"Though close, only in appearance."

One of the kingdom's two most powerful dukes, Lavaltor, stood as his guardian.

With his influence, few nobles or commoners didn't know his name.

Since the death of the First Prince, who was the most likely to inherit the throne, everyone believed Alberto would assume the crown.

But Ian knew better.

"He's a mad tyrant."

With the face of a saint, Alberto was more ruthless than anyone else.

In truth, there were others closer to the throne who posed even greater threats.

That didn't mean the Second Prince was easy to deal with.

"He wasn't chosen by Lavaltor for nothing. He's the most dangerous one right now."

Most who bore the blood of Kaistein, a kingdom known for swordsmanship, were skilled in combat.

Among the royal family, the Second Prince was such a formidable fighter that Lavaltor held him in high esteem.

Still, this same prince had sent assassins after his brother for some time now.

"Perhaps the sneak attack wasn't Lavaltor's will, but the prince's personal move."

There was a distinct difference.

Lavaltor's family adhered to a strict code of chivalry.

Ian hadn't realized it then, but later found it odd.

Why would such an esteemed family employ assassins?

"Is that why Lavaltor and Garcia fought so often?"

At one point, Duke Garcia accused Lavaltor of sending assassins during a ceremony, but Lavaltor denied it vehemently. The accusation strained relations between the king and Duke Garcia for some time.

Unfortunately, Ian, backed by Garcia, took the hit as well.

"It was a hassle being despised by the king."

Back then, Ian assumed Lavaltor was making excuses.

"Maybe the Second Prince secretly raised assassins under Lavaltor's name."

Lavaltor's house boasted the mightiest military power in the kingdom.

With so many resources, it wouldn't be hard for them to train skilled assassins.

Even in this precarious situation, Ian grinned.

"If the Second Prince raised an assassin group without Lavaltor's knowledge..."

Even if it tarnished Lavaltor's reputation...

"If I play this right, I might be able to take down the Second Prince from the start."

At that moment, a voice came from the communication device.

"No. 23. Can you hear my voice?"

A cold, emotionless voice, addressing its subordinate by number.

Ian quickly picked up the device, prompting Nathan to flinch.

"Huh? Wait…"

Before Nathan could fully react, Ian spoke.

"Hey, are you the one who sent this trash?"

"...!"

There was a brief silence.

The man on the other side, along with Galon and Nathan, seemed stunned.

Ian's manner of speaking was unusual.

Nathan, however, held back. Interfering now would give away too much information to the enemy.

The man on the other end seemed to think similarly.

"Interesting. Did you kill No. 23?"

Ian furrowed his brow at the man's suddenly lively tone.

The man was one of the king's six legitimate children, known as the 'Mad Dog.'

How Ian responded now would shape his future.

The thought of gaining information brought out Ian's playful side.

He answered calmly, "He's alive. Why? Want me to take care of him for you?"

Nathan was terrified.

Why was this kid provoking someone who had just tried to kill him?

To everyone's surprise, laughter came from the communication device.

"You're amusing. Alright, please dispose of him for me. Failure deserves no mercy."

"Sure. It's bothersome, but I can manage. But, shouldn't you at least tell me your name in return for my efforts?"

The other end went silent for a moment.

But Ian could picture the half-brother's smirk.

Sure enough.

"Or should I do the honors? The Second Prince of Kaistein, Alberto Kaistein?"

"...!"

A sharp gasp echoed.

The tone of the voice changed.

"Who are you?"

The once-relaxed voice now carried an edge. The assassin couldn't have uttered that name; restrictions had been placed.

But this stranger knew it.

Alberto's wariness rose, but Ian smiled, satisfied with the reaction.

"Why should I reveal my name to a coward who hides his face? The saintly prince who sends assassins to another's home?"

Vicious laughter crackled through the device.

"You must be from Duke Garcia's line. Heinley Garcia, perhaps?"

Ian grinned.

He had mimicked Heinley's voice, and it worked.

"Someone aiming to be king should watch their manners. How dare you speak ill of the heir to the kingdom's most prominent family?"

"Who do you think you're talking to?"

"Who else? Isn't this the Second Prince?"

Ian's words dripped with derision.

Alberto couldn't reveal his identity now; it would expose the assassination attempt.

So Ian continued.

"Am I right? There's no way a future king would act so disgracefully. For someone aiming for the crown, your words lack dignity."

Ian moved the device closer to his lips.

As if urging the man to listen carefully.

Then, in his own voice, not Heinley's, he whispered.

"Prepare yourself. You sent an assassin, but next time, I'll come for your head."

It was a declaration of war.

Ian's eyes gleamed in the dim light.

"And by the way, our prince is far better suited for the throne than an idiot like you. So don't even dream of inheriting it. Goodbye, you bastard."

"...!"

Ian didn't wait for a response.

Instead, he smashed the communication device underfoot.

The crystal ball shattered, its light extinguished.

Galon rushed over, worried.

"Prince, are your feet alright?"

Ian replied calmly, "I'm fine. I'm wearing shoes."

He had anticipated the assassin's attack and wore shoes even in bed.

Nathan mumbled, still shaken by the encounter.

"Why did you do that? The Second Prince will definitely seek revenge…"

"Will he?"

"What?"

Ian smiled triumphantly.

The Second Prince was a man with two faces.

"He'll never admit to what happened today."

If anything, he might try to secretly kill Heinley instead.

But Ian knew Duke Garcia would never let that happen. Heinley was his son, and even Alberto wouldn't escape the consequences if he tried.

"Even if he tries to act openly, the Duke won't let him off lightly."

Ian's plan was set in motion.

Seeing the determination in Ian's eyes, Nathan fell silent.

He finally understood why Ian had suddenly mimicked Heinley.

"The communication device didn't convey the voice clearly enough for Alberto to tell the difference."

Ian glanced at Nathan thoughtfully.

"I didn't expect you to come here, despite the knight training."

Nathan wasn't part of Galon's squad; he belonged to a different commander.

"Maybe he could be useful, alongside Galon."

But there were still things to do first.

"Oh, and one more thing. The assassination attempt tonight is a secret, got it?"

Nathan sighed, pointing to the unconscious assassin.

"What about this?"

"What?"

"When did you set up these traps? And the equipment… it looks like something from the knight's armory. Were they all stolen?"

Ian grinned.

"That's another secret between us."