Count Volfor sat in his dimly lit study, fingers laced together as he observed the young Emperor before him. His expression remained blank, yet his sharp eyes gleamed with intrigue.
'How will His Majesty react?' Volfor mused, watching as Arthur processed the information presented to him.
The Elmsworth suppression plan had been a delicate affair, involving multiple influential factions. Naturally, nothing could escape Volfor's vast intelligence network. As the head of the Espionage Ministry, his reach extended far beyond what most could fathom.
With a mere glance, Volfor had pieced together the scheme. The Theanbe nobles had gained backing from one of the two ruling factions. Their goal? To force Ginny—Luna—out of the palace and install a more obedient caretaker. A caretaker they could control, ensuring the young Emperor remained a mere puppet in their hands.
But what the factions failed to realize was that their precious 'informants' within the palace were, in truth, Volfor's own agents. Every bit of information they received had been carefully curated by him, twisted to serve his purposes.
A smirk, fleeting and subtle, tugged at his lips.
'Fools. You dance to my tune and don't even realize it.'
Arthur, unaware of Volfor's internal amusement, finally spoke after a long silence. "I appreciate your aid, Count Volfor."
The Count inclined his head slightly. "You need not thank me, Your Majesty."
He straightened and shifted the conversation seamlessly. "Now, let us return to the matter at hand. The history of the Hyperion Empire began with…"
---
The lesson proceeded as planned, a deep dive into the Empire's origins. However, as Volfor narrated the past, he wove a test into his words. He deliberately offered Arthur a hidden clue, measuring the young Emperor's ability to think critically and form his own strategies.
He spoke of the Third Emperor, Ragnar Von Dracon, the son of the legendary Second Emperor, Edward. A brilliant tactician and one of the greatest politicians to have ever ruled.
During the war against the Southern Allied Nations, Ragnar had orchestrated a masterstroke—bribing and misleading noblemen from three enemy kingdoms. They unknowingly sabotaged their own armies, cutting off vital grain supplies.
The result was devastating. The Southern Alliance suffered a crushing defeat, one that left them crippled for half a decade.
Volfor's tone remained neutral, but his emphasis on Ragnar's political maneuvers was unmistakable. He watched Arthur closely, waiting to see if he would grasp the unspoken lesson.
Then, in a measured tone, he said, "War is merely an extension of politics. Unless survival is at stake, politics must always come first."
Arthur's golden eyes flickered with understanding.
'So that's how it is.'
Despite being only five years old, Arthur was sharp—perhaps too sharp for his age. He hadn't yet realized how subtly Volfor was manipulating him, but that didn't matter. The gears in his mind were already turning.
"This is it for today Your Majesty. " Count Volfor declared ending the history learning lesson for today. Packing uo Volfor glanced back at Arthur, with same blank expression and then left the room.
'If war is politics… then how can I use this principle for my own gain?'
Arthur leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. A plan formed swiftly in his mind, a plan that would allow him to outmaneuver his enemies.
'This should lower their guard. Let's give it a shot—what's the worst that could happen?'
Without hesitation, he tore a blank page from a book and began scribbling furiously.
---
The Plan
Step 1: Cause a Ruckus
Arthur would start throwing tantrums, deliberately misbehaving in front of key aristocrats. He would act like an unruly, spoiled child—one who cared for nothing but his beloved Ginny. The goal? To convince the nobles that he was just a naive brat, distracted by trivial matters. If they believed he was incompetent, they would lower their vigilance.
Step 2:
When Duke Raul and Archduke Aquila—leaders of the two dominant factions—came to visit him, Arthur would act out again. But this time, he would be more strategic. He would pretend to be furious about Ginny's departure, throwing a fit as if he had lost his favorite toy.
However, within his complaints, he would subtly hint at something far more dangerous.
'If Duke Raul doesn't help me, then I'll have no choice but to seek out Duke Aquila instead…'
The underlying threat would be clear. If one faction refused to comply, the other would gain more power in the Imperial Court. Even as Emperor, Arthur relied on both of them. Neither side could afford to let the other gain the upper hand.
By manipulating their rivalry, he would force them to assist Elmsworth, ensuring Ginny's safety and maintaining his grip over his personal circle.
Arthur read over his notes, then smiled in satisfaction.
'This should do.'
---
Volfor, who had silently observed Arthur scribbling away, chuckled under his breath.
' A clever boy. Let's see if he can truly pull it off.'
Though he had guided Arthur into reaching this conclusion, he was genuinely intrigued to see how the young Emperor would execute his plan.
It was one thing to come up with a strategy. It was another to implement it flawlessly.
'Well, Your Majesty, I shall enjoy watching your performance.'
As Arthur closed the book, his small hands clenched into fists. This was his first real political maneuver. He was still young, still inexperienced, but he was determined.
'One day, they won't see me as just a child.'
A quiet fire burned in his golden eyes.
And then he kept the paper with himself.
---
The room fell into silence, the weight of unseen battles already beginning to take shape.
Arthur, the boy-Emperor, was preparing to take his first step into the grand game of power, unknowingly.
'Every reaction has an opposite reaction'
Count Volfor, ever the watchful shadow, could only smile.
'Let the games begin.'
---
A/N
Sorry for short chapter...