ALL NOVEL Chapter 10
“Welcome! Prince Kael, thank you for accepting the invitation.”
“Hahaha! It’s nothing. It’s the Count’s birthday, so of course I should come.”
The event was a banquet celebrating the birthday of the Count residing in the system.
There was really no connection to this side, but since it was a cousin of my father’s acquaintance, I thought I’d drop by.
Fortunately, there were also some mid-level commanders from the military here, so it was a warm welcome.
“You’re the eldest son of Duke Bertier, aren’t you? Hahaha. That friend raised his son well.”
“Indeed! Last time he retired, he told me he was worried about his son!”
“How modest. You’re already doing quite well, aren’t you?”
Next was a party hosted by a senior military official. It turned out to be my father’s direct superior.
Of course, in terms of titles, they are of equal rank or my father might even be higher, but it’s different in the military.
Above all, in the army, military experience is held in high regard.
“Others talk a lot about me, but I think the role of the Legion Commander is incredibly important. After all, you are the one who trusted and supported all my strategies, aren’t you?”
“Hahaha. I felt something special that words can’t describe!”
The Legion Commander, who was the commander in the area I served, invited me to his mansion.
I hurried over. After all, he was the one who actively helped me, so it was only natural.
Moreover, the Legion Commander could never view me as an enemy. My achievements also belong to him.
As a soldier, there’s no denying that, so the Legion Commander is definitely on my side.
Building up that ally is not a choice, but a necessity.
“What’s this? This place is where aristocrats from the Peace Party come often, isn’t it?”
“Yes, indeed, Young Master.”
“You really seem to want to trample on me. The fact that you’re inviting me to your home ground speaks volumes.”
In the meantime, I casually turned down an invitation from the Peace Party.
Are you crazy? Am I just going to walk into enemy territory saying, ‘Hahaha! A banquet should be alright!’?
They say a soldier hides a sword in his scabbard, while a politician hides a knife in his smile.
So why would I voluntarily crawl into a place buzzing with those smiling snakes?
I can only imagine how filled with poison they are. Like vipers hissing.
To reach out from there, you need a lightning-shaped scar on your forehead.
“What should we do, Young Master?”
“Just come up with some vague reasons to refuse. For now, all invitations from that side are a no-go.”
After saying that to Alexei, I focused on my remaining activities.
I ascertained it wouldn’t be long now. I predict it would take at most another week.
Of course, that duration must feel unbearably long for Kaya, though.
“Young Master. That lady keeps asking when she’s going to visit…”
“Tell her I’m busy right now, even if I’m burning up with a fever.”
“There’s also a response regarding that. The young lady herself wishes to come up to the system.”
“Block it. Absolutely block it.”
Some siblings are said to have a fierce rivalry, but my sibling dynamic is different.
We get along. Our bond is strong. The problem is that Kaya can be a bit too intense.
“I can bet she will act as if she’s my bodyguard rather than my little sister.”
From a family standpoint, it’s not a problem, but it might appear odd to others.
Keeping someone like Kaya by my side? In a situation where her interest in me is heightened, it’s not a good option.
Then one day, while checking invitations as usual, Alexei was startled.
“Seeing you stutter means that something significant has finally occurred.”
“Did you know about it?!”
“About that much.”
“What should we do about this?”
Shaking like a leaf, Alexei politely handed over the invitation with both hands.
Seeing his professional demeanor, I realized that being a servant isn’t an easy job.
“On the surface, it’s an invitation from a neutral party, with no affiliation.”
“But, but look at the attendees. If you see here…”
“There’s indeed a very distinguished individual. Yes, it’s Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Gnaius Heldenberg, the Crown Prince. A key player of the Peace Party.
He was the noble who previously tried to take me down but failed.
Naturally, our relationship had become rather ambiguous, and it seemed this was an attempt to resolve that.
“A bit unexpected, actually.”
What if the Crown Prince sent this invitation as a representative of the Peace Party nobles?
That would mean he intends to place you as an opponent in the political arena.
Conversely, leaning on the neutral party like this could be a gesture of reconciliation.
It seems that carrying an egg and unleashing a punch has paid off effectively.
After all, our family belongs to the Peace Party, and I’m just a young man with some luck; I thought I would be dismissed.
However, perhaps my recent frequent appearances in the system to show my face have played a significant role in this.
“This is a bit of a headache.”
I assumed they would regard me with distaste after I carried an egg and struck back.
Surely the Peace Party wouldn’t mind dragging me out to take a bite at me.
Yet, the Crown Prince is coming forward first despite being at the center of the Peace Party.
Using the name of a neutral noble, it appears he’s trying to present it as a ‘coincidental’ meeting.
“What to do, Alexei?”
“What do I know about that, Young Master? I’m just a mere servant trying to do a good job.”
“You’re also the servant of the young strategist they speak of.”
“…Didn’t you dislike that title, Young Master?”
Nodding in agreement with Alexei’s words seemed natural.
Again, I emphasize, I am not a strategist. I’m just spouting some knowledge.
If I mess around with things I shouldn’t, and my true colors are exposed, who knows how far I could fall?
But disliking that title is entirely different from outright rejecting it.
“I dislike it, but if it can benefit the family, it’s not something I can dismiss.”
“Goodness! You’ve truly become a noble of the Empire, Young Master.”
“What are you saying? Are you implying that I wasn’t one before?”
“If you take it that way, I, Alexei, shall be very disappointed!”
*
Meanwhile, at that moment.
“Say that again.”
Isabelle was showing her displeasure with her whole body.
And that discomfort was certainly not without reason.
“My brother, where has he gone?”
“…The Crown Prince is said to be attending a party at Marquis Robgon’s residence. Moreover, Prince Kael has also been invited there.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s the official word from the Ministry of the Palace.”
Upon hearing Lord Rael’s words, Isabelle sighed in disbelief.
I’ve been had. After feeling great these past few days, I’ve let my guard down.
Kael, who hadn’t shown any amiable demeanor toward the nobles of the Peace Party,
was extremely capable. Plus, knowing that such a young man was on my side brought me confidence.
And it was even better that he had been showing his face here and there at the banquets in the system.
Yet, it seemed the Crown Prince thought he could draw Kael over to his side.
No, it appeared he was intent on adding him to his list of must-haves.
“If that weren’t the case, there would be no reason for that man to willingly enter the party from a neutral faction like Marquis Robgon, nor for Kael to receive an invitation at the same time.”
Isabelle knew better than anyone that the Crown Prince was a master of persuasion.
As one of his siblings, she had experienced his rhetoric up close.
Of course, she doesn’t think Kael would fall for his sweet talk.
The instigator was the Peace Party. It’s obvious and undeniable.
And the current Duke of Bertier had never declared himself to be on the side of the Peace Party, but he was perceived as half on that side.
She had not seen Kael express doubt about their father’s position.
That statement means Kael intends to follow the current head of the family as the next Duke.
Therefore, it’s only natural that Isabelle wouldn’t worry about Kael.
On the contrary, her anger was directed more toward the Crown Prince regarding her brother.
“What’s that man thinking? I let him mess up the banquet atmosphere, but now he wants to snatch away the best talent I’ve discovered first?”
There are many things she can tolerate, but this is not one of them. How dare he steal when he has nothing to take?
How many have already fallen prey to his cursed charm, and now he’s doing it again?
“Lord Rael.”
“I’ve already sent a letter to Marquis Robgon. Since the Crown Prince is attending, it would be splendid if Your Highness the Second Princess also graced the event.”
“Really?”
“Also, the carriage and guards are all prepared.”
This is why she has kept him around since the moment individual activities were permitted.
Isabelle praised Lord Rael for doing a good job while waiting for the news.
She wondered what would happen if the Robgon family declined her attendance, but that possibility was minimal.
If he were a noble from the Peace Party, it might be a different story, but he is neutral.
Moreover, having the Crown Prince attend might send wrong messages everywhere, so he would be eager for her presence.
An hour later.
“Let’s go, Lord Rael.”
Isabelle boldly boarded the carriage.
To catch hold of the brother who was licking his lips at the sight of Kael.