"Duke Fey, Lady Yillenzia, that maid from Baroness Elsfied house," I mumbled as I wrote down the names on the paper.
These are all the names that have insulted 'me' before ever since I recovered the memories of my other personality. Somehow, there's a silver lining to it. When I was a retarded prince, a lot of people looked down on me, which made me help filter out the people that I require help from. Surely some of those people were talented and getting help from them is better, but it's a nuisance to persuade them if my first impression is not favourable.
Plus I am a petty person. I wouldn't let things slide easily. Especially that crown prince. But remembering last night, I blushed and smiled to myself.
I suddenly miss her. "Maybe I should sneak out again tonight," I mumbled.
"Your highness,"
"Demetrius, enter," I ordered.
Demetrius bowed and his eyes looked at me with profound respect. Lately, his own young master that he served changed. He was skeptic at the sudden change, but when he gave out orders that were precise and demanding, he knew Vance had become a leader that he's unaware of.
But to disobey the emperor's orders' and asked Demetrius to sneak out from the palace and do his bidding, it was definitely a bold move.
"Just as you ordered, I've sought out the Odinel Mercenaries. I've also found out rumours circulating around the capital and it's...unpleasant," Demetrius paused, knowing that whenever there's a matter concerning Carina, his own master, it would displease Vance greatly.
My eyes twitched. "Well?,"
"They were rumours that the crown prince tried to assassinate by poisoning Lady Carina because she suddenly coughed blood during a visit that has no invitation proof. The emperor detained him so further investigation couldn't be made. And Duke Caine was angry that he lashed out at the second prince so the investigation could be commenced,"
I gripped my quill until it splits into two. No wonder Carina didn't tell me anything. She wasn't sick. She was poisoned!
"That bastard!!," I clenched my teeth.
All of a sudden, I remember one of Carina's teachings. "Right, I have to calm down first," I composed myself. "It can't be the crown prince. That bastard insisted on marrying Carina because of the power the Aspera ducal house holds,".
"I agree. Which is why I think Duke Caine went off on the second prince,".
I nodded. But then again, the second prince in my memory is very ignorant towards relationships with most nobles. Although he's a straight-laced person, he's a coward and wouldn't dare to even look at the most fearsome ducal house like the Aspera.
Well, things turned out in my favor. I can let the second prince and crown prince fight each other like dogs while I slowly grow my power. In the meantime, I need to see if I could get a good doctor for Carina.
"My mother?,"
Demetrius shrugged. He would leave her meals outside the door, but when he went back to check the tray, she only took a glass of water and a fruit with her. "She hasn't had proper meals ever since,".
I stood up from my desk to go and visit my mother. "Demetrius, remember that I am still the retarded prince," I said.
Demetrius quickly understood the underlying meaning of his order meant. He wondered, though, why Vance still wanted to pretend to be retarded.
He knocked on the door while I waited outside. With a fake cough, I let out my fake shrill voice, "Mama!! Let's go out and play!,".
I sighed. If Carina were to witness this, I'd fear she will only remember me as a child.
There were no answer so I ordered Demetrius to kick down the door. "V-Vance?," Uld, at the corner of her room, jolted in shock when she saw his son alive and walking.
"Y-You're alive, how did this happen?,"
Uld has become delusional day by day. Her room is filled with books of ancient magic and even some forbidden magic. It made me wonder why Uld was so quick to change her behaviour. But it made sense. Maybe she was on the edge of insanity ever since she bore a child of the person she hated.
Yes, if I recall, mother never really liked the emperor. I've heard her talk about protecting me, but I have yet to understand.
"Mama, what's wrong? Are you okay? Come on, let's play!," I acted as I childishly took my mother's trembling hand.
It was such a fragile hand that I was almost afraid of breaking it. Uld had become so pale and thin. "My child, let's go back to Frigore. It's not safe here anymore. Let's quickly escape okay?,"
How could my cautious and intelligent mother became so paranoid like this?
There must be something going on. Something I don't know of.
"Your highness!," someone shouted from the corridor. Demetrius quickly went to the butler that was running.
Demetrius widened his eyes in shock at the news that the butler bring. "Your highness, the second prince is here,".
I scoffed.
How should I play my game this time?