NOVEL NEXT Chapter 71
The Imperial Capital of the Kletan Empire, the Crown Prince’s Palace
“Hmm.”
A long, slender finger flipped through a few sheets of paper before losing interest and letting them fall.
Most of the documents scattered across the massive desk were treated the same way—glanced at, then discarded without a second thought.
Even in silence, Crown Prince Raiden exuded a pressure that weighed down on anyone near him.
“Ahem…”
Duke Ludwig cleared his throat before bowing deeply once more, his voice filled with urgency.
“Your Highness, please withdraw the cavalry from Salt before it’s too late.”
“What are you saying, Duke Ludwig?”
There were plenty of reasons, but… would the Crown Prince, even with his mask of generosity, be willing to listen? A man whose nature was inherently self-righteous?
The old duke clenched his stiff hands into fists and began his explanation.
“Salt has been a long-time ally of our empire. Until now, the surrounding nations have ceased grain trade with them out of fear of Kletan’s might. But the moment an invasion becomes apparent, they will realize that the threat could just as easily turn on them.”
“This was inevitable, was it not?”
“Even so, Your Highness—”
Raiden waved his hand lazily in the air.
His expression, as if he found the conversation too tedious to continue, made Duke Ludwig press his lips together in frustration.
“Duke Ludwig. I have done nothing yet.”
“…….”
“There is only one thing I seek. A frightened king of Salt who surrenders everything of his own accord. I, too, do not wish for my precious imperial citizens to be harmed.”
Duke Ludwig did not believe him.
To His Highness, the citizens are nothing more than grains of wheat to be harvested for his ambition.
Even so, there was nothing more to be said. The duke had no choice but to withdraw.
Not long after that—
Once again, the doors to the audience chamber opened.
“Thank you for granting me an audience, Your Highness.”
The man who carefully stepped forward was none other than Marquis Stefan.
With a bright smile blooming beneath his scruffy beard, he bowed respectfully. But his polite gesture was met with Raiden’s cold voice cutting through the air.
“What is it?”
Had Duke Ludwig, who had just left, disturbed his mood?
Even at a glance, the crown prince’s irritation was apparent, and Marquis Stefan couldn’t help but deepen his smile.
After all, today was a day he could not afford to retreat.
After waiting for so long, he now stood before the crown prince, and his eyes burned with determination.
‘I must persuade His Highness no matter what.’
The Stefan Marquisate was an old and prestigious family that had long thrived in the luxury trade, selling expensive goods exclusively to nobles.
But recently, their storerooms had emptied, and the vast wealth accumulated by their ancestors had started to dry up.
Their financial power alone was no longer enough to revive their collapsing business.
The situation had deteriorated so much that Marquis Stefan now had no choice but to bow his head before the crown prince.
And the culprit behind it all…
‘That damn Grand Duke Blaire!’
Grinding his teeth in silence, the marquis straightened his shoulders and looked directly at Raiden. Then, putting on his most pitiful expression, he raised his voice.
“Your Highness, the business ventures run by Grand Duke Blaire’s household are disrupting the empire’s market order!”
At his words, Raiden, who had been resting his chin on his hand with an indifferent expression, lifted the corner of his lips in amusement.
“Disrupting the market order, you say?”
Even in his dry tone, Stefan could sense a hint of interest.
Raiden, who had been absentmindedly stroking his chin, straightened his posture and fixed his gaze on the marquis.
“Are you aware that the Empress herself is personally supporting the Grand Duke’s business?”
“…I am. My wife even sought an audience with Her Majesty, but she was told not to interfere since it was merely a hobby.”
“I feel the same way. My mother, who has devoted herself to my sake for so long, has finally found a new and enjoyable pastime.”
A brief silence fell between the words.
“As her son, I can hardly stop her.”
“…….”
“Even if I do find it somewhat irritating.”
A response that seemed casual and nonchalant.
But to Marquis Stefan, it was a massive clue. His eyes gleamed.
‘So His Highness finds it bothersome after all! That’s right. There’s no way he’d let that Grand Duke Blaire run amok.’
The rivalry between the crown prince and Grand Duke Blaire was no secret—it was as well-known as a stray dog on the street.
That was precisely why Stefan had chosen the crown prince as his last resort.
‘A lifelong enmity doesn’t just disappear.’
Stefan chuckled inwardly as he recalled the past—when the young Kayan, despite being an imperial concubine’s son, had excelled in all areas and posed a serious threat to Raiden’s legitimacy.
That arrogant brat had once shaken Raiden’s position as the crown prince.
It was only because the Empress sent Kayan away to Blaire after his mother’s death that things settled. The unexpected passing of the previous Blaire heir further cemented Kayan’s status as the new successor.
Since Kayan had voluntarily stepped away from the imperial stage before an official confrontation, doubts about Raiden’s legitimacy as crown prince had never fully disappeared among the nobility.
Which meant Raiden must still hold resentment toward Kayan.
And Stefan only needed to take advantage of that.
Like an actor in a perfectly scripted play, Marquis Stefan willingly knelt before the crown prince.
“Your Highness! My family is determined to restore order to the market, no matter the cost. Please, believe in us!”
“That would be… troublesome.”
As expected, the crown prince appeared to hesitate.
Although his words suggested reluctance, his demeanor remained as composed as ever.
And that was precisely why Stefan sensed victory.
As his expression slowly relaxed in confidence, Raiden finally spoke.
“…If it’s for the greater good, my mother will surely overlook my investment in your family’s business.”
“Exactly, Your Highness. After all, what you are doing is merely an ‘investment,’ not interference. Moreover, Your Highness would have no direct knowledge of how I utilize the funds you provide.”
“Indeed. I will simply trust you.”
Before Stefan could even blink, Raiden’s voice followed.
“Marquis Stefan, I trust in your remarkable business acumen.”
Why, then…?
Why did a chill run down Stefan’s spine the moment he met the prince’s gentle gaze?
“…I will not disappoint you, Your Highness.”
“I expect nothing less.”
Raiden, who was watching his subject with an almost benevolent expression, soon turned his head away.
His eyes, however, gleamed coldly like shards of glass.
* * *
At last, the long ban on outings and the forced period of rest had come to an end.
It had been nearly a month—practically house arrest.
Perhaps my exhaustion had been worse than I thought, as the enforced rest had ended up lasting even longer.
And now, outside, the season had shifted past the transitional period, settling into the chilly embrace of late autumn.
“…Haaah.”
It was late afternoon, the perfect time for tea.
I took a slow sip from my tumbler, letting the warmth seep in, and let out a sigh.
Then, I turned my gaze toward the crimson leaves drifting endlessly beyond the terrace railing, sinking into deep thought.
‘As the weather grows colder, people will naturally seek more indoor entertainment….’
Yes, to be honest, during my confinement, I had come up with something I wanted to create.
But I hesitated to bring it up, fearing that it would only lead to more work.
The weight of my existing responsibilities was already crushing me… I couldn’t take on any more.
If anything, the people in the grand duchy might kill me before my sense of duty does.
“My lady, the wind is too cold. Please come inside.”
Just then, Bonita stepped onto the terrace, one hand carrying a thick shawl, the other clutching a hefty stack of documents.