Crown Prince Sells Medicine

“I won’t tell you.”

“…Yes?”

“I said I won’t tell you.”

“…”

Gardin lapsed into silence.

The situation was fraught with tension for the Crown Prince, suddenly finding himself in a standoff with the Second Prince. The trepidation overwhelmed him like the bountiful harvest billowing across the azure plains during a year of plenty.

Such anxiety was only natural.

The Second Prince was far from an easy adversary. Indeed, even by normal metrics, he was an elite, a challenge to even belittle. Yet, the lean and frail Crown Prince, who had been grappling with sickness his entire life, asserted that he held the key to vanquishing the formidable Second Prince.

Hope flickered within him for a fleeting moment.

After all, he was the Crown Prince.

There had to be something.

He must have spoken with purpose.

He yearned for even a tiny glimmer of hope. However, the subsequent words that fell from the lips of the Crown Prince were utterly heartrending.

“I won’t tell you. Why should I tell you that?”

“Your Highness?”

“Yes, what?”

“It’s okay. It’s alright to say that you don’t have confidence in winning. No one will blame you. How dare they blame you. In this Star Palace, no, in the entire Empire, who doesn’t know about Your Highness’s situation? Isn’t that right?”

He made every attempt to offer solace to the Crown Prince.

He exerted himself.

In the face of an utterly absurd and disadvantageous confrontation, just how desperate must the Crown Prince have been? Thus, it fell upon him to provide comfort and unwavering support. As the Crown Prince’s personal physician, it was his duty.

Gardin clenched his fist, steeling himself, and spoke with fervor, pouring out his thoughts. However, the Crown Prince’s response was naught but a disbelieving chuckle.

“What do you mean, isn’t that right? That’s not it at all.”

“Yes?”

“It’s fine. I won’t lose. I’ll win. Of course, I can’t guarantee it yet, and the odds of losing are still slightly higher, but there is a chance to give it a shot. There is a small possibility of winning. Isn’t that enough? Doesn’t that give you some relief?”

“No, not at all.”

“Tsk.”

“Because Your Highness said you’d reveal the secret to defeating the Second Prince, but then you didn’t.”

“I didn’t?”

“Yes, I thought you might be bluffing.”

“Tsk, tsk. Then should I reveal my trade secret?”

“Yes?”

Gardin flinched.

Trade secret?

The Crown Prince continued.

“Think about it. To anyone, it seems like I would lose to the Second Prince. Even if I were someone else, I would think the same. But I have a secret strategy to try in this confrontation. A special method. But would I casually mention such a method beforehand?”

“Ah…”

“Do you get it now?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“That’s right. A leaked secret is no longer a secret. If the Second Prince hears the news and prepares, it would only ruin me. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s true. But, just-“

“Just?”

“I feel upset.”

“What?”

As the Crown Prince raised his eyebrows towards him, Gardin replied with a disheartened expression.

“It’s as if, Your Highness, you think that if you reveal the secret now, I would go around blabbing about it. I’m not that loose-lipped.”

“Hehe, our Gardin, is that so?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“So, you’re upset?”

“To be honest, yes, Your Highness.”

“Will you get upset if I’m honest twice?”

“Of course not… No, I mean, Your Highness.”

“Tsk. Forget it. I’m going to sleep. Check on me before I go to bed.”

“…Understood, Your Highness.”

Gardin struggled to conceal his expression.

It was one of concern.

‘His Highness is bluffing.’

To anyone observing, it appeared to be a confrontation in which the Second Prince could only emerge victorious. Yet, he brazenly asserted the existence of a secret to securing victory.

But did that secret… truly exist?

‘Maybe, no.’

Gardin inwardly shook his head.

No matter how deeply he pondered, and even when viewing the situation through the most optimistic lens, he couldn’t fathom a path to victory for the Crown Prince. He couldn’t discern any hidden secret.

No, it appeared that there had been no solution from the very start.

‘The Second Prince has an imposing physique and has been trained in swordsmanship under great masters since childhood. I heard that he has already surpassed the level of a knight candidate.’

At that level, an ordinary person would not dare to confront him. But the Crown Prince? He doesn’t even have the physical strength to match an ordinary person.

‘How can he win…’

The Crown Prince, his countenance still marked by calm poise.

Witnessing his bearing, Gardin had to suppress the sigh that threatened to spill from him. He felt a tempest brewing within his heart.

♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ 

The early morning arrived.

As he woke up, the sky greeted him with a canopy of dark clouds that mirrored his somber mood. However, there was a subtle change in the Crown Prince’s demeanor.

“Ah, Gardin, are you awake? If you’re up, please step out for a moment.”

“…Yes?”

“There’s a guest here right now.”

Unexpectedly, a stranger had made their way into the Crown Prince’s bedroom. Gardin couldn’t help but inwardly tilt his head in curiosity.

‘A visitor? This early in the morning? Already?’

It was the moment when the eastern sky was gently transitioning into a pale hue. And yet, at this early hour, an unexpected visitor had arrived at the Crown Prince’s palace.

What caught Gardin’s attention even more was the peculiar appearance and attire of the visitor. He appeared remarkably ordinary and unremarkable, lacking the distinctive air of nobility. In fact, one might even describe him as someone who toiled tirelessly, drenched in sweat from day to day…

“He’s the royal palace blacksmith. I called for him.”

“Really?”

“It seems you’re still half-asleep. Make room for now. I have a request for him.”

“Ah, yes, Your Highness.”

He was unceremoniously ushered out of the bedroom, as if being swept away by an invisible force.

Gardin glanced at the guards, silently inquiring about the situation through his eyes.

In response, one of the guards simply shrugged and provided a curt answer.

“It’s indeed the royal palace blacksmith.”

“…”

What in the world could the Crown Prince possibly want with the royal palace blacksmith at this early hour? A wave of curiosity and confusion washed over Gardin.

He pressed his ear against the firmly shut bedroom door, straining to hear any sound. But there was nothing.

No, there was something, but it was barely perceptible.

It felt like he could discern some noise.

Or perhaps not.

It was as faint as the gentle brush of wind against a snail’s shell.

It seemed as though the most crucial words were deliberately elusive, as if a single leaf’s thickness was separating them. Was it a figment of his imagination or something deliberate?

But as he tapped his feet impatiently,

Detecting an odd sensation, Gardin’s gaze wandered and he found himself locked in an unexpected stare-down with a nearby guard.

“…”

“…Ahem! Cough!”

He awkwardly retracted his ear from the door.

In that moment, he made a firm resolution.

‘I shouldn’t be so curious. I’ll have to casually ask the blacksmith when he comes out.’

Somehow, the summoning of the blacksmith in the early morning, coupled with the present circumstances, hinted at a request for something to be crafted. Could this be the very “secret to defeating the Second Prince” that the Crown Prince had mentioned the previous night?

The possibility appeared quite plausible.

And that was precisely why Gardin felt consumed by worry.

‘Why did he request something to be made? I don’t know what it is, but… he shouldn’t attempt something strange or cause unnecessary trouble that could worsen his health.’

He fervently hoped that it wasn’t anything of that nature. If it turned out to be a reckless or perilous endeavor, he resolved to intervene and put a stop to it.

With this determination in mind, he made a solemn vow to investigate further and patiently waited for the blacksmith to emerge.

However, just as he was preparing for the blacksmith’s appearance, an unexpected occurrence unfolded. From the far end of the hallway, a figure hurriedly approached. It was the head steward of the palace.

“Head Steward? What brings you here so early in the morning?”

It wasn’t solely the head steward’s urgent expression that caught Gardin’s attention. Even the substance of his words conveyed a sense of urgency and importance.

“What else could it be? It’s a big deal, Sir Gardin. Just now, His Majesty… announced something unbelievable.”

“Unbelievable?”

“Well, it’s about the duel between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. His Majesty has announced the location of the duel.”

“The location? Why would that be an issue?”

“It’s the Lloy-Javi Bridge. Can you believe it? The bridge is located in the center of the capital city, where thousands of citizens will be watching the duel.”

“…Really?”

Gardin was taken aback upon hearing the head steward’s response.

♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ 

“The order to have a duel on the Lloy-Javi Bridge… that’s too cruel.”

This location was the most secluded part of the imperial palace.

Since early morning, the Second Prince, Theodore, had been seeking an audience with the Emperor, his own father and the ruler of the empire. And now, he stood before him, clenching his fist tightly.

The source of his clenched fist was none other than anger.

“I could understand your acceptance of my brother’s proposal to duel me… Because it was what he wanted, because he chose to sacrifice himself, and for a greater purpose… I could understand that. But, even so, this is not acceptable.”

“What do you mean, not acceptable?”

The emperor posed a weighty question.

Theodore lifted his head in response.

“Do you really not know? The Lloy-Javi Bridge… That bridge is located in the heart of the capital.”

“I know.”

“Then, do you know that countless eyes and ears of the capital’s citizens will be focused on the bridge where the duel will take place?”

“Of course.”

The emperor’s reply came without a moment’s hesitation. It carried an air of annoyance, as if he were wondering why such an obvious question was being asked.

“Besides, the Lloy-Javi Bridge is the largest bridge in the capital. With a wide space, it is quite convenient for a duel.”

“Your Majesty.”

“It was a decision made after considering everything you just said. No, I wish it would be like that. I want as many people as possible to witness this duel and keep it in their hearts. That is my intention.”

“But it’s too much. No matter how much my brother has chosen to sacrifice himself, do you have to go this far? Do you really have to make him a political scapegoat in front of everyone?”

“I made that decision because it is the path that will give you a stronger legitimacy.”

“I don’t need legitimacy gained in such a way.”

“It may not be necessary for you, but it will be needed for the empire.”

“Father!”

“I am the ruler of this empire before I am a father. I am responsible for the lives of hundreds of millions of people who have devoted themselves to the empire, rather than being a father to two sons. And now, you are being led by petty blood ties and trying to deviate from the greater purpose.”

“Your Majesty…”

“That’s enough. There’s no need to hear more. The stability of the empire is more important than the petty blood ties. Through this duel, your heart will be burdened for several years, but in exchange, a more solid succession structure will be established, allowing the empire to enjoy stability and prosperity for decades.”

“…”

“Isn’t that a small price to pay for Raciel, even if he suffers in front of everyone?”

“…”

Theodore nibbled on his lower lip.

The emperor’s unwavering gaze remained fixed upon him. In that very instant, Theodore comprehended that none of his appeals would have any effect. The emperor would not be swayed by any entreaty or resentment; instead, he would calmly witness his brother’s downfall before the eyes of all.

Such was the nature of politics.

‘Brother.’

Suddenly, the image of the crown prince he had encountered the previous night flashed across Theodore’s mind. He hadn’t held any particular admiration for him as an individual. After all, they were merely half-brothers who shared the same father. Furthermore, the crown prince had been plagued by illness since childhood and had never truly fulfilled his duties as a prince.

However… Theodore had never anticipated that he would find himself in a position to usurp his brother’s position like this.

‘I had hoped for a more moderate way. Not like this.’

Even if they were destined to face each other in a confrontation, it would have been tolerable if it had been limited to just a few nobles. Yet, instead, it was set to unfold before tens of thousands of citizens, forcing his brother to crumble in their presence.

In that moment, Theodore was overwhelmed by an immense wave of pity for his sibling.

‘I’m sorry. I have… no other choice. Since His Majesty has no intention of changing the decision, I must…’

With a clenched fist, he withdrew from the emperor’s presence.

‘Brother, once the confrontation begins… I’ll make sure you don’t suffer, and that your honor is protected as much as possible… I’ll end it as quickly and cleanly as I can.’

The Second Prince firmly resolved himself.

Little did he know that at this very moment, while he harbored his desperate determination, Raciel was actually embracing the emperor’s decision with open arms.

“Of all places, on that bridge? With thousands, tens of thousands of people watching the confrontation?”

If that was the case… then all the better.

A contented smile adorned Raciel’s face.