CHAPTER NINETEEN – TO SET THINGS RIGHT THIS TIME AROUND
********
Ever since he went back in time, Eugene worked hard to show his talents not just in magic but in other aspects such as swordsmanship, politics, martial combat, and other areas that could help him with his plans.
He governs the empire for over 20 years in his past life that he knows the inner workings of the political circle and everything that he needs to know.
Even the illegal dealings and black markets that are hidden within the empire that have connections within the high-ranking noble households. He knows it like a back of his hand.
Just thinking about how to sever their connections and weaken their influences within the empire little by little, he could feel the incoming headache.
'I know I couldn't do this alone but… If protecting the ones that I loved and cherished then, I'll do whatever it takes and I'm willing to dirty my hands if needed.'
In his past life, Eugene never experience to have his hands bathed in blood when he was still a Crown Prince until he ascends to the throne. He is known for his benevolence and righteousness of justice.
However, because of these traits of his, this became his weakness.
As he navigates within the political schemes within the empire over the years that he reigns as the King, Eugene learned how to become ruthless if needed. Show no mercy for those who commit atrocious crimes that are not redeemable.
His hands are now tainted with the blood of his enemies that he killed during his reign and had encountered countless assassination attempts on his life that he, somehow at least, survive or most of the time, receive injuries from those attempts.
As he recalled the memories of his previous life, Eugene couldn't help but to clench his fists in anger as he remembered those mistakes that he made and regretted for the rest of his life.
Particularly about Jules.
'Just as I failed to protect Chester and his family, I also failed to my promise to Lady Hanezza. Because of me, Jules became the target of those rotten bastards and they dared to frame him for something that he didn't do!'
"H-hey! Hello? Eugene, are you with me?"
Eugene got startled from reminiscing about those memories from his previous life that he almost forgot that Chester was right in front of him… and alive.
'Yeah. That's right. None of the tragedies had happened yet since I traveled back in time. Which makes me wonder how that happens?'
He remembered the day where the attempt of his life took place, and he would never forget the person who poisoned him on his deathbed.
'My intuitions never failed me. I shouldn't have trusted that person. Tsk! Just thinking about it makes me wanted to rip off that person's face and thank goodness that I didn't see that person back at the banquet or else…'
However, what he didn't expect is that as he embrace his death, he suddenly opened his eyes and what welcomes him is a funeral ceremony with a portrait of someone that he didn't expect to see.
The portrait of the late Lady Hanezza…
At first, it baffled him why he was dreaming about Lady Hanezza's funeral and the thought came to him about his failure for not protecting Jules. Eugene thinks that Lady Hanezza is disappointed with him.
He got scared for a moment until he felt someone tugging on his sleeves and that's the time he noticed the much younger Jules by his side, crying as those innocent crystal blue eyes looking at him, which shocked him the most.
After he sorted out his feelings and his surroundings that time, he realized he wasn't dreaming but… he went back in time, in his 12-year-old body.
On the day of Lady Hanezza's funeral…
He felt devastated at first because if he went back in time; he thinks that at least let him go back before the day of Lady Hanezza's death took place.
However, thinking about that, he went back in time…. That means…
None of the tragedies had happened yet. The tragedies that happen in his past life, he could change it or, much better, be prepared for the upcoming events that would happen.
Eugene couldn't make any drastic changes as he feared for whatever changes that he would make; he won't be able to predict the future patterns that happen in his past life.
'I won't be able to eliminate those people, but no need to rush things, as it would take time for that. Why not started with those people who had the most influence within the Empire?'
In his previous life, Eugene didn't expect to learn about the Albert's darkest secrets.
Starting from the current Duchess, Jasmine Lorraine Yurikov-Albert.
'I wonder what will happen if the secrets that she hides would reveal to the public? Can't wait to see that old man's reaction, especially from Duke Albert. Heh.'
However, before that, there are matters he needs to prioritize for a moment.
"We'll leave the matters about the incident at the banquet for now. I need to check on my little brother first"
After he said that, he cancelled the spell with only a snap of his fingers and walked at the direction of the door to leave.
Chester; "Are you going to let them get away with this, Eugene?"
The Crown Prince stopped in his tracks but didn't look behind as he snorted.
"As if I'll let them get away with it, even if they proven innocent. However, the mere fact that the assassination attempt happens inside their household but did nothing about it means only one thing"
Eugene's tone of voice proven to be firm yet vicious at the same time that there was no hint of a gentleness when he said those words and that makes the young future Prime Minister shivered suddenly.
'Why do I feel the sense of déjà vu? I had the feeling that this time, it won't be good. The Alberts awaken a slumbering dragon in anger. Tsk! Serves them right for challenging the authority of the royal family!'
Chester didn't like anyone in the Duke Albert household, especially the patriarch, the so-called sworn brother to the King.
'Tsk! That old bastard of a man who is nothing but a parasite who latches on someone with power!'
He might look young and still inexperienced, but the young man is sharp and observant within his surroundings. This makes his father to be proud of him as he could tell what was right and what was wrong.
Not just that, Chester possessed an incredible magic affinity that could be on equal grounds to the Crown Prince, and he is also highly skilled in combat as well.
Marquis Bonaparte trusted his eldest son and heir that he gives Chester the half of the authority of the Bonaparte family holds, which makes Chester to be considered as a semi-patriarch of the household.
This is the reason that the other royal princes wanted to curry favor from him, even though he only wields half of the authority that grants upon him from his father. It also holds the influences within the social and political factions.
"It seems like now's the time to take out the food that I preserve for a long time that needs to be presented in the public in order for them to feast upon it. What do you think, Chester Adrian Bonaparte?"
Chester thought; 'There he goes again. It looks like the Duke Albert household would experience hell for the first time.'
"Let's get going. I want to see my little brother now"
Before Chester could say anything, the Crown Prince left the premises, that makes him sigh in frustration.
'If there is one thing that I could complain about him, is his overprotective nature for the Fifth Prince.'