It has been a week.
The letters that I sent to the concubine's palace is ignored. And Uld keeps replying that Vance still hasn't recovered. It's annoying and I am slightly alarmed at Uld's behaviour. She's weird. I swear she looked gentle and caring the first time I saw her. But what do I know about her any way? She may have a grudge on me too, for leaving her, a 10-year-old orphan, alone in Frigore after Helena's death.
I remembered Helena. My friend in the north, land of the witch, Frigore. Every woman in Frigore have black hair and a quatrefoil-shaped birthmark around the area of their neck, a sign of someone that holds incredible mana. Helena is one of those who are born with it. Talented, beautiful and graceful, but that's all I know about her. The time I spent at that place was short, and so the time I know about her is short too.
I admit, getting help from Frigore is quite reckless. After all, I don't know much about Helena von Frigore. The Frigore family itself is shrouded in mystery. But, if I have a chance to end this vicious cycle of reincarnation, I figured why not.
"Ah, stop. All this thinking makes me crave for glucose,"
"Glu-cose?," Emmy repeated, not understanding what I meant.
I smiled at her and ordered for her to bring desserts and a strong black tea. I stood up from my chair and opened the door to the balcony.
The invitation letter from the crown prince, Hern has already arrived, but I delayed it slightly under the pretense that I was swarmed with work when in reality, I was actually waiting for Vance's recovery. Plus, I haven't left my room for a week and so I haven't been talking with my brother yet. The slight anxiety I feel in my heart won't let me focus on scheming against Hern.
"Hmph. It seems I've been very lax on people...or maybe I am just completely unbothered. Either way, I shall forget the formalities then," I thought.
If I don't have an invitation from her, I'll just sneak in and intrude.
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Why am I stuck here discussing boring stuff?
"Lord Caspian, what do you think?," one of the vassals of the imperial family asked.
Currently, I am gathering with the vassals and ministers, discussing Duke Aspera's victory in the last battle. But what is there to discuss? The Asperas will always bring victory to the empire. And when we do, the emperor grants us a favor, which we all usually delay it purposely until the right time. It's how we keep the emperor tied to his leash.
The crown prince, however, is a different matter. He is sitting at the centre of the table, smiled contently when he noticed that I gave an icy glare.
Yes, he's definitely a scheming bastard. If he is on the throne, we won't be able to control him as much as we control the current emperor.
"This meeting is stupid. Clearly a victory march has to be arranged. The banquet should be moderate as the casualties are lower than the estimation report. And the spoils should be distributed evenly. Is there a need to discuss such obvious matters," I frowned.
All the people in the room cowered in fear except the crown prince, still putting up that smile. "Of course! We'll do as you say. I am sure the duke will be touched with your efforts as usual," Hern said.
He stood up and the rest followed. "The meeting is adjourned," he announced.
With a swish of my cape, I left the meeting room quickly. I need to meet up with Gale who is currently lining up at the dessert shop that is run by a humble baker. My little sister loves the madeleines there but unfortunately it's sold out quick. It would've been better just to buy the bakery shop and own it so she can have an endless supply of baked sweets but Carina said that if we own the business, we will put an indirect pressure to the bakers and would affect the quality of their products. Either way, I would always be considerate of Carina's wishes.
I smiled just imagining Carina feeling delighted once she receives those madeleines. It has been a week that Carina is cooped up in her room. As her only brother, I still lack the understanding of emotions that she's going through but I wanted to at least cheer her up and tell her that father will return home soon.
"Lord Caspian," a gentle voice called from behind me.
Damn it, it seems I didn't leave as quick as I thought. I clicked my tongue and turned behind. "What? I am in a hurry your highness," I said with a clearly annoyed tone.
He laughed. "Only the Asperas can walk around without being accompanied by their knights. Indeed, everyone in Aspera is interesting,".
I frowned. Clearly, he is indicating someone I have in mind. My mood quickly turns sour, both at the fact my little sister walked around with being accompanied AND his presence alone. For him to even desire my little sister. If he's not someone from a royal family I would've sliced his head. "If you don't mind me asking, is Lady Carina still busy with her work?,".
"Yes. She's busy. The duke will return home soon. I don't think it is that hard to be considerate," I said with a slight snide.
I let out my mana and pressured them. His knights trembled and Hern gulped his saliva. "I understand. I apologize for my discourtesy," Hern bowed slightly, quickly composed himself.
Without waiting for his goodbye, I left the hallway.
"Your highness, are you alright?," Hern's knight asked.
Hern dropped his act and grabbed the knight's neck, slowly gripping it tightly. "Useless. You can't even withstand someone's pressure," he said. The knight choked and struggled for air. Clearly, Hern is frustrated. He is always left with the imperfect products. Weak knights, stupid father, useless siblings. All he wanted in life is perfection. And all the perfection in this world is somehow given to Asperas.
He then threw the knight to the side and quickly wipes his hand with his handkerchief.
"The manners of the Aspera won't be excused any more as soon as I obtain both the crown and Carina," Hern thought.
Finally, the world won't be much of an eyesore for Hern.