Tak, tak.
Long, pale fingers tapped the table irritably.
"Shouldn't they be holding the Duke's funeral by now?"
It was a voice thick with displeasure.
"I thought I'd have the Duke's head with this offering."
Dull golden eyes gleamed coldly.
Cassian von Rozerk.
The second prince of the Rozerk royal family, and the prince with the highest succession rank after Arikx.
Arikx's mother, the queen, had died early of illness, while Cassian's mother, the step-queen, was still alive.
And this step-queen was obsessed with having Cassian appointed crown prince.
The same was true for Cassian.
"When you first came to me, I thought the Kalmar Mine would be in my hands within a year. But it's already been three years."
Henrik offered a smooth smile in response to Cassian's reproachful gaze.
"I apologize for causing you concern, Your Highness."
Henrik didn't miss the moment Cassian's lips loosened slightly.
Addressing him this way in a private setting was an implicit show of support—and bordered on flattery—that Cassian would become king.
"Your Highness surely knows that Schmaichel is not such easy prey. Which is precisely what makes it all the more delectable."
"Hm."
Planting a spy in that massive ducal castle and finding an opening to infiltrate was an exceedingly difficult task.
Henrik had invested a considerable sum, and received support for a portion of it from Prince Cassian.
"I did not visit today merely to make excuses. I came up a little earlier than the harvest festival schedule to bring you good news."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I have confirmed that the poison planted within him is working effectively."
Henrik spoke, recalling Joel's report.
"Right now, he is riding high, completely unaware that his life is doomed."
"That would be quite the sight to behold. I never did like Duke Schmaichel much to begin with."
Cassian gave a heung of derisive snort.
"Even back in the academy days, he was always so full of himself. Especially strutting around with my brother, flaunting his prestige for all to see."
It was the kind of remark that would make Dane shrug and say, 'Me?'
He never showed off his martial prowess or boasted of his skill. He simply acted as he always did.
However, to Cassian, who always resented his brother Arikx, it was inevitable that it would appear that way.
"When one falls from the highest point of flight, the speed of the descent is doubled."
Henrik's blue eyes gleamed sinisterly.
"When he thinks everything is over and lets his guard down, I will tear his throat out with certainty."
"You must bring me the Duke's head by the end of this year."
Cassian nodded, but drove the point home firmly to Henrik.
"Only then will I be able to receive the crown prince appointment early next year."
The Schmaichel ducal house had maintained neutrality, never siding with any prince's faction.
The political standing of the Schmaichel family, which protected the kingdom from the monsters of the north, was substantial. Gaining their support would make the crown prince appointment no difficult matter.
That was the reason the second prince Cassian and Henrik had joined hands. They were dealing with each other for their respective gains.
"Leave it to me, Your Highness."
Henrik displayed a flawless smile and withdrew from Cassian's presence.
And as he walked through the palace corridors, following a servant's guidance to leave the palace,
"…!"
he encountered the first prince, Arikx von Rozerk.
Hair as black as a raven's feathers, and golden eyes that seemed forged from molten gold.
He was the prince called by the world the Golden Prince, and undisputedly the first in line to the throne.
Sometimes, even with excellent genes, a failed combination was inevitable.
But Arikx had inherited only the finest qualities of the queen, a beauty of the century, and the king, a strikingly handsome man. Thanks to that, by Arikx's generation, a truly fantastic appearance was completed—masculine yet sharp.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Henrik stopped in his tracks and bowed his head in greeting.
"Count Schmaichel."
Arikx grinned.
Unlike the second prince with his dull golden eyes, Arikx's vividly shimmering golden eyes signified the deep blood of the royal family.
"Raise your head. It's been a while."
The appraisal that being near Arikx felt like standing in warm sunlight was widespread.
Several servants had sworn loyalty, captivated by his human side, and there would be no shortage of nobles who chose to serve at his side.
However.
"Coming to meet my brother?"
A single sharp remark flew at Henrik like sunlight piercing the corner of one's eye.
Much was implied. Arikx seemed to already know about the relationship between him and Cassian.
"……."
When Henrik fell silent, Arikx gave a short laugh.
He neither tried to win Henrik over nor attempt persuasion. As if he already knew that Henrik had fully sided with Cassian.
"Go carefully."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Henrik bowed his head and stepped back. He then watched the retreating Arikx and the servant following behind.
'He resembles him.'
Arikx resembled his older brother. In the way he seemed like an overly perfect creation.
That was why Henrik's stomach twisted whenever he saw Arikx, as if looking at the previous Duke.
Above all, Prince Arikx, Dane Schmaichel's close friend, would not look kindly on Henrik, who sought to dispose of Dane and take his place.
That was why Henrik had sided with Cassian.
He wanted Cassian to drag Arikx down and ascend the throne, and in return, acknowledge him as the Schmaichel.
'This side is easier to use, too.'
The more someone was steeped in inferiority like Cassian, the easier they were to manipulate to one's advantage.
Prince Arikx was not easy for Henrik to handle, and was a dangerous one to try.
Jeobeog.
Henrik resumed walking, hiding the smile creeping across his lips.
'Not much longer now.'
The next time they met, he would be called Duke Schmaichel instead of Count Schmaichel.
With such a promise of the future, he left the palace.
And Arikx watched him from a high window.
"Still an unpleasant fellow."
The appearance of Henrik was similar to that of the previous Duke Schmaichel whom he had met before. It might have been natural, considering they were brothers.
But even with the same blue eyes, the look within them was entirely different.
Every time he saw Henrik's eyes, something dangerous lurked within them, making encounters with him far from a pleasant experience.
"Wonder if he's doing well."
Seeing Henrik reminded him of his nephew and close friend, Dane.
"What's going on that he hasn't reached out even once?"
He knew the fellow was caught in a complicated struggle over succession rights. That was why he had taken a leave from the academy and left.
Arikx had offered his help several times, but Dane was immovable. He firmly refused, saying he would handle his family's affairs on his own.
"Well, he's not wrong."
It was better than needlessly dragging the royal family in and undermining Schmaichel's prestige or inviting doubt about his qualifications as lord.
Even so, Arikx felt a twinge of disappointment.
Even at the academy, that stiff, ice-block of a fellow had never once smiled. He wondered if the man even had emotions to begin with.
"He'll come to the harvest festival this year."
Dane would soon become the complete master of Schmaichel.
To cement this fact among the other nobles, and to inform the royal family of it, he would surely come this time.
When that time came, Arikx planned to ask Dane a question.
Whether he still intended to maintain neutrality, or whether he had any thought of supporting him.
"What number wife is this again?"
Arikx took his eyes off the retreating Henrik and gazed at the distant sky. Its blue but cold hue was just like Dane.
"I should pair him off with my sister or something. It's about time he stopped playing the meaningless marriage game."
A pleasant smile spread across Arikx's lips. He found himself eagerly looking forward to this year's harvest festival.
**
[My beloved subjects, and dear guests visiting this land! Raise your heads and look upon the vast sky and the golden fields!]
The grand plaza before the royal palace.
Countless spectators gathered to hear the king's declaration opening the harvest festival.
"Do not push."
"Halt, this far and no further."
Guards blocked the crowd from advancing past a certain point.
Beyond them, a raised platform was prepared for the nobles. Only the lords and ladies of each house could enter.
There, I and Rose sat. It was the most central seat, overlooking the entire plaza at a glance.
Hu-uu.
Rose let out a long breath and clasped her hands together.
'Your Grace. Please! Do you think I have three bodies?'
Thanks to hounding and pressing Lucy, Rose's appearance today was perfect.
Red hair styled flawlessly and precisely, framed by pearl hairpins. A voluminous dress made with no expense spared on premium fabric.
She was the very picture of a perfect duchess.
"Are you nervous?"
As I leaned my head in close and whispered, Rose flinched in surprise.
"Your Grace. The king is speaking. You should be quiet."
"He can't hear us anyway."
Above the platform, the king stood on the balcony, reading the opening declaration.
[The abundance we greet today is God's mercy, and at the same time, the fruit of your blood and sweat!]
Thanks to a sound-amplifying Magical Device, the king's voice resounded throughout the entire plaza. Volume enough to completely drown out a whisper like ours.
"Even so…"
Rose glanced around nervously.
Many nobles, including those from other ducal houses, sat on the platform.
Being her first time in a gathering of such high-ranking nobles, Rose's expression was noticeably stiff.
"It's fine. Who would dare."
My tone was calm, as if stating the obvious. Left unsaid behind it was, 'Who would dare against Schmaichel?'
Catching on to that fact, Rose let out a po-reu-reu sigh of relief.
"A-hyu…"
How cute she looked, groaning nervously.
Thinking such thoughts, I whispered to Rose once more.
"Relax. There's no one here who can treat you with disrespect."
"…Yes."
[On behalf of the royal family, I bow my head in deep gratitude for your toil. As I return this first cup to the earth, may blessings grace this land again next year!]
The king tilted a golden goblet. The golden liquor inside scattered into the air in droplets.
Behind him stood several faces I knew well.
Standing closest to the king, I spotted a man with jet-black hair, closely resembling the king.
'Arikx von Rozerk.'
The first prince and my close friend.
—or so he had been, but his presence now felt different.
'The protagonist of this world.'