Volume 5, Chapter 6: Crown Prince Pedro
In a luxurious room within Crown Prince Pedro's detached palace in one corner of the royal palace, Crown Prince Pedro paced restlessly.
He was somewhat tall but had a slender body. Nervous by nature, he constantly chewed on his nails.
"Is there still no news?"
As he walked about in agitation, a slightly shorter, chubby man entered the room. He was Count Rodriguez, self-proclaimed aide to Crown Prince Pedro.
"It appears that those Padrian men have been released, and furthermore, His Majesty the King plans to offer an apology," Count Rodriguez informed.
"Why should they apologize?!" Crown Prince Pedro exclaimed.
"It might be related to the connection with Lord Kazanzakis of Padria. Moreover, they seem to have ties with Yamato," Count Rodriguez explained.
"This is ridiculous! If we could just use their weakness against them, we could easily control Padria. But, Father holds that small country too dearly."
Crown Prince Pedro looked frustrated.
"Well, I, too, understand your feelings, Your Highness. I find it frustrating that Tela, which ruled over the archipelago nations, is being underestimated by those people," Count Rodriguez said.
"That's right. Marrying a second queen from that country, I can't help but think Grandfather's judgment was a mistake."
Crown Prince Pedro said with a contemptuous expression.
"In fact, to avoid being identified as the mastermind, we had the lady-in-waiting of Your Highness's mother, Queen Uraka I, instruct the police to detain and interrogate them. However, it seems that the police mistakenly released them on their own. When the lady-in-waiting reprimanded them for that, one of the stubborn police officers leaked that those men might have been involved in the fall of Alexia."
Count Rodriguez looked concerned.
"What do you mean, they are followers of the Savior?"
"Well, there are members of the Yamato royal family among them, so it's a possibility."
"You're saying they're planning to destroy Tela and seize control of the archipelago nations?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but it's not entirely implausible."
"I see, that would make sense. That's why the plan is in motion to give Alfonso, the younger brother born to Queen Marina II, to the Theotokis family of Patrida as an adopted child. They are probably saying that they no longer need Tela."
"What?! Are you serious!"
Count Rodriguez was surprised.
"I can't forgive those people from Patrida. But what should we do?"
"If they are indeed connected to the Savior, I have an idea that might work..."
"What idea?"
"Actually, some people deceived by the Savior have come here."
"What?!"
"If we can use them wisely, we might be able to defeat those people."
"Understood. I'll leave it to you. But can we make it in time?"
"Yes. I will definitely make it happen."
Count Rodriguez stared intently at Crown Prince Pedro.
"Alright, I'll trust you."
Crown Prince Pedro said to Count Rodriguez.