At the Duke's palace on Gaesa, Leprian Ulnir would say "His Victory is when he kills me." His words were filled with fear and rage.
Duke Ushik placed his hand on his forehead while trying to calm his grandson "Calm down boy, trust in your Grandfather. I will make sure to keep you safe." But Leprian turned his gaze towards his grandfather and responded "But you did not keep my brother safe." The words didn't contain any ounce of emotions.
The Second Prince seemed to be filled with rage against the Fourth for killing his younger brother.
King Philip had to marry one woman from each Ducal House as in total 4 wives. One of the children from this 4 would be chosen to be the next King. This was a long standing tradition started from the time of the Third King Maximilian Angeras who had 4 adopted sons.
King Maximilian adopted 4 sons because he and his wife lacked any heir wants and was told that they wouldn't be able to have a child by themselves.
To find a solution the King adopted 4 sons who were raised by him as they helped him when he expanded a small city state into a large Kingdom but by the end of it a miracle occurred where the Queen gave birth to the King's trueborn son.
To avoid a civil war and prevent any idea of division, the King made his 4 adopted sons to create their own families. Then the king gave his 4 sons the title of Duke thus the creation of 4 Ducal Houses. He also created a law where his successors must wed one woman each from the Ducal Houses so the next line will have relations to the 4 Duchy.
It was a success, peace came even though the later successors disliked this method. One of them was Philip who also disliked it since he was forced to marry 4 of them.
But he did love one of them, daughter of Duke Ushik Ulnir. Because she was the only one amongst the 4 to have two children, brother of Leprian Ulnir. Unfortunately that child was tortured to death by Estafan which prompted their mother to jump from the balcony.
The rage from that situation which occurred 10 years ago hasn't been let go by Leprian who even rejected the idea of competing for the throne. All he wanted was revenge against Estafan.
Duke Ushik said "I really hoped the brat would succumb to his punishment and die on the border." Leprian refuted it by saying "Punishment? Father never punished him. He saved him by sending him to the border." But the Duke thought otherwise "Banishing a ten year old to an active warzone is definitely a punishment."
Leprian Ulnir simply sighed "It's extremely why it's not a punishment grandfather. Not only he succeeded to survive but ended up overachieving. Now he is potentially a threat to the remaining true heirs." Duke Ushik nodded to those words "Indeed, if you all perhaps joined hands then we might be able to finish him off."
The Prince laughed hearing that "The great Duke Ushik is asking for me to team up with the others to finish off a useless son of a maid? I would rather do it myself than to share the glory of killing that monster with them." Considering the fact that Estafan was a war hero and is infamous for being really strong especially with Aura.
The Prince's blue eyes shone as his mind was filled with evil thoughts "But Grandfather." Suddenly the smile on his face disappeared. "Do not let him enter the mainland."
Though the Duke lifted his shoulders "I believe it'll be hard, considering he conquered six Nations the King will be compelled to grant at least one wish of that brat." Leprian Ulnir interrupted his grandfather and said "He will definitely ask for his banishment to be revoked."
The Duke nodded in agreement "Or he could ask for the throne. Either Way he shouldn't be allowed to do so." Leprian said "If only we could maybe assassinated him."
"An assassination in the borders." Duke Ushik wondered.
"Not easy."
"You are correct."
"How about sending mercenaries." Leprian asked his grandfather.
He took a minute to think but responded with a "No." The Duke continued "Sending a mercenary group is easy but they could get captured by the Army which could make it harder for us."
"Although there is a good solution."
"What is it?" Asked Leprian while looking at his grandfather.
Duke Ushik turned around facing his back to his grandson while he spoke "If you became the King then we could send Estafan to the prison and be tortured." Leprian dismissed it saying "Father would never choose me."
But Ushik said "He doesn't have to choose you, does he." Leprian was confused but the Duke continued to explain "All you have to do is be at the Palace when Philip dies and then since you are the one there you could claim the throne for yourself."
Leprian scoffed at that idea "It's not like he'll die today or tomorrow." Suddenly he saw the face of the Duke and realised what he meant as he said "That would be a hard thing to do Grandfather."
Duke turned around facing Leprian "Maybe, but not for you. I have taught you the arts of poison which our family has treasured for years and kept as a secret. They won't even be able to figure out what happened."
The Duke was suggesting the idea of treachery, poisoning the King himself so his grandchild could claim the throne since Philip has yet to choose an heir and may not pick his grandson.
This move will also strengthen House Ulnir because the King would be from their house and they would by default have a puppet on the throne. Would also increase their influence and strength as well since all 4 Houses do compete with each other on influence.
Leprian responded to his Grandfather's idea "That is an interesting Idea for a bitter sweet revenge grandfather." He was smirking, realising the potential of this idea.