*Author Note: Different POV
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Thirteen months ago, Before The King's assassination attempt.
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Even though this building was located in the red district, the interior looks very exclusive and expensive. I believe the one who design this had an artistically taste as high as nobles of Herencia.
The illumination was good enough. The crystal lamps hanging on the wall has to provide a deep sense of an aristocracy. The red carpet did the same. The sofas, the desk, artistic pictures on the wall, the beverages everything was in order. As if as I was in the Royal Palace of my country, The Nevernian Kingdom.
I could not stop my surprise that in this backward continent, I found such level sense of art. How can such underdevelopment society produce such excellence? I can believe it. I must be exaggerated since this was the only luxury I found all over this Country.
"Your Highness, Prince Vasta Yuda, I Francois Taque, The envoy of Nevernian Kingdom, Trade ambassador of this sailing, It's an honor to meet you."
"Cut off the formalities." He nodded. "I believe that you would have a great deal that would benefit all of us."
He looked at me.
"But the business day had just passed, and the night has come for us. I am not coming here to do business. Nor for talking about it."
He took a glance at two men beside me. The one who held the expensive liquor bottle was The Head of Royal Advisory Council, Earl Fritz Hayes. He was the owner of this luxurious red palace. The one who organized this moment. I felt he had some scheme behind. I did not care as long as my objectives were succeeded.
The other one was Minister of Defence, Earl Franc Zonk. He had a muscular body and a scratched face.
Hayes filled the glass for us and then lift that crystal glass to toast "For your success your highness."
Cling!
"Thank you!"
Well, It was time to do some bootlicking here. See if my skill could be used to these backward people.
" Your Highness, I heard news about your success. To be acknowledged by the King and been appointed as minister of foreign affairs. Allow me to express my humble happiness and present you a gift, a military product born from our latest technology of The Nevernia Kingdom."
" Ah, What is it?" His face has grown a smile.
Got you, I said inwardly.
I presented him with a luxurious box.
" This is a matchlock musket invented to facilitate the firing of a hand-held firearm. Adding a matchlock made the firing action simple and reliable by a single person, allowing him to keep both hands steadying the gun and eyes on the target while firing. This is our latest technology. It can penetrate the knight's armor or even the magical shield of the mages." I sold him every word I could remember in my brain.
Yes, I bribe him to let him open his heart to me.
His eyes shone like a greedy child found a new toy.
" Francois, How to use it?"
" Allow me to present the example, Your Highness!" I said.
Bang!
A Knight armor put on the corner room at the distance about two hundred foot step was blasted.
He laughed "Amazing !"
"Do every soldier of your Kingdom had this one?"
I sense a bad intention in his word. I can sense it softly. Looks like I got him now.
" Let's toast against for Your Highness health, wealth and success."
That one was another voice come from Hayes. Just like Prince Vasta, I could also sense an evil intend emerged in his heart.
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An hour later, all of us were dropped drunk in the carpet.
I tried so hard to keep my mind clear, not affected by liquor. I'm still on my duty, even in the middle of the night. Unlike these inferior human being around me who easily falls in my trap.
" Mr envoy."
" Yes, Your Highness...,"
"Hicks.. you should not remind me about those appointments.. hicks!"
" Your Highness. You are drunk."
"No!!!" He looked angry and flip the desk. " I am not drunk... hicks! ... I crown prince wasn't allowed to drunk! Remember that!"
" Yes, Your Highness...,"
" Hicks! My heart was shattered when my old man appointed me as a minister of foreign affairs. Hick! Why does he appointment my younger brother as a minister of internal affairs? Hick!. Do you know why ?"
" Yes, Your Highness...,"
"Hahaha... hicks! As I thought, no one understands me. Hick!... a minister of foreign affairs will be required to spend his workdays outside the country, while a minister of internal affairs will have his day inside the Kingdom. He could grow his networks and prepare for King succession. Hicks! Mr. Envoy.."
" Yes, Your Highness...,"
" Hick! You can see it, being a minister of internal affairs are the correct shortcut for enthroned as new King. While I, as a minister of foreign affairs, feels like being throw out of the game. Hick! This is unfair!"
" Hick! My father bestowed me as the crown prince. As his heir, everyone knows that fact. But when will I be enthroned? Hick!"
"Hick! My father has grown old. So do I. Now my younger brother has inaugurated as a minister of the internal affair, while I will be on my tour of duty out from the country. How can I build my own faction? Hick !"
"Hick! In a few years, his faction will grow greater than mine. How will I survive? Why I am not so loved by my father? Hick!"
Then he cried on the floor. Drunk and cry, what a pitiful prince.
This was my time to stick in my fang in her throat. I came to him while putting an act of a drunkard. I whispered in his ear, "Correct, Your Highness, according to through my experience, that was an implicit way to shift your right into your brother. Soon he will replace your position for the throne. Would you still be silent, Your Highness?"
"No !!!" He screamed.
" So What do you want, Your Highness...? How can I help you ?"
His drunk eyes took a glance at me. I can see his rage, jealousy, greedy and wicked intent shone through his eyes. Something that will make a demon shiver.
Checkmate! Game over!
I gave him my best smile. A smile that similar to the one who just won his gamble.