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Chapter 123
Chapter 123
Chapter 123 – Politicians (2)
On the night before I was to leave Black Swan, Trevor quietly came to see me.
“You know……”
“What is it?”
“At first, I thought my late lord had returned from the dead.”
“……!”
My body flinched involuntarily. Trevor was staring intently at my face as he spoke.
“No matter how much you studied under the same teacher, the resemblance was uncanny. For someone who’s supposedly never even met him…… After all, my lord passed away before Your Highness was even born.”
“……You’re speaking in the past tense. Are you saying that’s no longer the case?”
Trevor nodded.
“To put it nicely, compared to my lord, Your Highness is more flippant and…… Oh, I guess that’s not exactly a compliment either. Let’s just say the way you act is fitting for someone of your age.”
“Why don’t you just be honest? What’s the harsher take?”
“Well…… Aren’t you already well aware?”
“I’m not, though?”
“A madman, a lunatic, a scoundrel…… You’ve got quite the collection of nicknames.”
Anger bubbled up inside of me, and I was about to clobber him when,
“My lord wasn’t…… Entirely normal, but at least he wasn’t a madman.”
His words froze me in my tracks. That was when I began to reflect seriously.
‘Has my personality changed enough for the people around me to notice?’
If that was true, then perhaps it started from that moment.
‘……It must’ve been back then.’
That day. The day Andy died in front of me, cursing me to his last breath.
But none of that really mattered right now……
‘……After all, madmen recognize each other.’
Even from my deranged perspective, Count Kaiman and Duke Serin were clearly not in their right minds.
They seemed ready to explode at any moment. So I decided to target the most rational one first.
Even if he was a miserable old man, he at least adhered to basic common sense.
“Let’s talk openly, then. Are you saying you’re throwing away Duke Serin and aligning yourself with me?”
Yet this crafty old fox still played his political games to the end.
“I already told you, didn’t I? There’s no need to partner with just one person.”
“Sounds to me like you’re saying you won’t give up on Duke Serin either.”
“Does that matter?”
At my question, Duke Kairos shrugged.
“Not at all—as long as it doesn’t lead to losses on my end.”
Duke Kairos placed particular emphasis on the word ‘losses’.
“So, what do I gain from this deal?”
“Well…… You could at least hold onto the position you seem to treasure so much.”
“……”
Although I had toned it down, Duke Kairos’ face immediately turned icy. At the perfect moment, Duke Herman interjected.
“Including this year, we will ensure you monopolize the export rights for northern crops for the next three years.”
“……!”
Duke Kairos quickly turned his head.
For context, the northern region’s climate was considerably colder than other regions.
This meant arable land was scarce, and the region largely relied on importing crops. Naturally, the resulting profits were enormous.
“Is that true?”
“Have I ever lied to you? If you’d like, we can put it in writing as well.”
“Well, I’d appreciate it…… But don’t you lack the power to make such promises?”
Crops from the Hart Kingdom were practically monopolized by two trading companies.
These were the P.K. Trading Company and the Folstan Trading Company.
As their names might suggest, the former operated under Duke Kairos’ patronage, while the latter was backed by Marquis Foltaine.
All smaller trading companies also fell under one of these two giants.
“Have you forgotten about a close friend of mine?”
“……”
Only then did Duke Kairos nod as if he understood.
Two emotions crossed his face. The first was joy at the enormous profit, and the second was jealousy.
“In fact, I’ve just returned after obtaining their signed agreement.”
Thunk!
Duke Herman placed a document on the table.
“Well, I’ll be…… I still can’t believe it, even after seeing it with my own eyes.”
Although astonished, Duke Kairos swiftly read through the document.
“……Indeed, it bears his personal signature. To think I’d ever get such a concession from that old miser……”
“Who’d be more surprised than me?”
At the same time, Duke Herman’s gaze shifted toward me.
“That’s why they say having a child late in life is so scary.”
“Huh? Child?”
“Just talking to myself.”
The news that I had met with Duke Kairos spread throughout the palace in no time. And then—
Bang!
Sure enough, Duke Serin came to see me without so much as a warning.
“……”
He glared at me in silence for a long time.
“……What do you think you’re doing?”
Duke Serin finally spoke after a lengthy pause.
“Shouldn’t that be my question, Your Grace?”
“You dare play two sides with me?”
“So what if I am? This isn’t some love affair, and unlike you, I’m no politician.”
“You call that a fair transaction? Your actions reek of a scheming old fox who’s been in politics for a century.”
At his mocking remark, I simply shrugged.
“What’s the problem here?”
“You really……!”
“I don’t know why you’re so angry, but if you’re jealous, why not strike a deal with me yourself? Frankly, my dealings with Duke Kairos don’t cause you any harm.”
“……Hah……”
Even as I spoke, the hostility in Duke Serin’s gaze remained unchanged.
Unlike Duke Kairos, who prioritized profit, Serin was more prone to emotional reactions like this.
He was the type who believed grudges had to be repaid, no matter the cost. In moments like this, when his temper flared, he loses sight of reason entirely.
“……Let’s settle this another way.”
After managing to suppress his emotions, Duke Serin muttered coldly.
“I feel utterly betrayed by someone I trusted, and it hurts here.”
He jabbed a finger at his chest as he spoke.
“I never realized how much I meant to you, Your Grace.”
“However, since I’m older than you and a generous man……”
Trailing off, Duke Serin pulled something from his coat. It was a coin, polished smooth from use.
“……We’ll let this decide. Whether to accept your deal or not.”
This was precisely why I sought out Duke Kairos first. The actions of this politician were often outside of my expectations.
“What happens to me if the result isn’t favorable?”
“……”
Duke Serin offered no response. But his expression said it all.
“That’s answer enough for me.”
“……I do appreciate your quick understanding. Depending on how the coin lands, our fates will be decided. You may go first, Prince.”
“It feels oddly poetic, doesn’t it?”
For a moment, Duke Serin furrowed his brow.
“What nonsense are you spouting now?”
“You know, people often liken life to the face of a coin.”
I pointed to the front of the coin, engraved with a soaring dove, a symbol of peace.
“This intricate image on the front represents the sunny side of life. Just looking at it fills one with hope, surrounded by laughter and prosperity.”
“What?”
“The flip side of the coin, marked only by numbers, represents the shadows. Those who live in the shadows are often nameless, reduced to numbers like this.”
Duke Serin’s brows furrowed even tighter.
“What are you rambling on about now?”
“Take slave soldiers, for example……”
Duke Serin fell silent.
“……Or kitchen maids, stable hands, or other nameless workers. The kind of people who the privileged don’t even glance at—whose deaths wouldn’t warrant a flicker of sympathy.”
“What does their anonymity have to do with your absurd metaphor?”
“Think of high society. When nobles talk, do they ever say, ‘Our kitchen’s Emma is remarkable’ or ‘Our stable’s Hans does excellent work’? No. Instead, they brag, ‘Our estate has this many workers!’”
I let out a small sigh.
“It’s unfortunate. Shadows are necessary for the sun’s presence to shine brighter. I bring this up with a bitter heart because few seem to acknowledge that.”
If more people did, maybe it’d result in less resentment-filled souls like you. Though my words were well-meaning, Duke Serin responded with derision.
“How noble of you to speak from the brightest part of the sunniest side yourself.”
“Who knows? A lowly number on the back might one day become a celebrated figure across the continent.”
Duke Serin flinched.
“……Are we talking about the Great Hero now? Well, he used to be a mere slave soldier……”
I shook my head without hesitation.
“No. I meant us.”
“……!”
“After all, illegitimate children are closer to the shadows than the light. If someone like me or the younger you were to die, those basking in the sunlight wouldn’t so much as blink.”
At that, Duke Serin’s eyes widened in realization. There are no inherently lowly people in this world.
Some are born into misfortune, but life is unpredictable. One born on the front side of the coin might end up on the back someday—and vice versa.
You did, and so did I.
‘So take this as my way of telling you to stop scheming like a politician and pay attention to people who are like your past self. Get your priorities straight, man.’
And if someone like me could understand you, that would be even better.
“Shall we begin?”
“……”
Duke Serin stared at me with a peculiar expression before nodding.
“I suppose you’ll choose the front side.”
“Wrong again. I’ll take the back. It suits me better.”
“The champion of the shadows, I see. Fine, have it your way.”
“And……”
Snap.
I snatched the coin from his hand.
“I’ll be the one to toss it.”
His sneer deepened.
“Afraid I’ll cheat?”
“Games are only fair when the proposer and the conductor are different, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Fair enough. Go ahead.”
Duke Serin’s eyes widened, keenly watching my every move.
“Here goes.”
Clink!
The coin soared high into the air, spinning as it rose. The way it twisted and turned before its fate was decided—it felt just like life itself.
***
After dealing with the urgent matter, I made my way to the separate palace housing the Imperial delegation.
“Halt.”
Imperial guards blocked my path at the entrance.
“……Ah, it’s Prince Andrew.”
Recognizing me, one knight gave a polite bow.
“Let Count Kaiman know I wish to speak with him.”
“Upon Your Highness’ arrival, I was instructed to ask you.”
“Ask me what?”
“He told me you’d understand if I just said, ‘Have you convinced two?’”
I chuckled.
“No.”
“……In that case, I’m afraid I must respectfully ask you to……”
I shook my head.
“Tell him it’s three, not two.”
“……!”
* * *