"Do you want to be king?" Alfred asked with the lust for power in his eyes.
Raza thought about it for a moment. Based on how this conversation was going so far, it was safe to assume that Alfred was willing to support him in taking the throne. However, Raza wanted to know what the catch was. Alfred must have had his own motives, and of course, a price for his help.
"What do you want in exchange for your support?" Raza raised an eyebrow.
Alfred was pleased with this answer. Simply asking that question could be considered treason, but since Raza didn't deny it, only one thing could be concluded. Raza was interested.
"I have everything to gain from this. Wealth, power, fame, but more importantly, a position in the Head Council," Alfred said plainly.
Raza understood what this meant. Alfred wanted to be a part of the king's advisors. That position alone would put him down in history. Even more so if he helped a bastard child become king.
"You asking that question implies that you know when the race for the thrown will start," Raza folded his arms.
"I wouldn't go that far, but finding out isn't beyond me either," Alfred replied. "Either way, as you are now, it would be a waste of both of our times if the political race were to start now."
"Explain your thoughts."
"You are the son of a noble that recently jumped ranks 18 years ago. It may have been unprecedented, but not enough for anyone to bat an eye. You need to make a name for yourself. Gain popularity. And just when all eyes are on you…"
"Then I would reveal my heritage and usurp the throne," Raza finished the thought. "But how would I be able to rebel against the king's good reputation? Assuming everything works according to plan, it wouldn't be impossible for the king to forge evidence to deny my claim."
"You think your mother was the only person the king wronged? The brighter the light, the greater the shadow. There are even servants in the main palace that loath the king, but need to work to feed their families," Alfred informed him.
Raza thought about this. He never looked at the king from a realistic point of view. He only saw the king as a target for his revenge, but Raza also kept Alden's words in the back of his head.
Meanwhile, Drifa was looking back and forth between her father and Raza. She never knew that Raza was smart enough to keep up with her father in a conversation. Or that he was the king's son!
'I feel like I shouldn't be here. This is a very serious, very dangerous conversation,' Drifa thought to herself.
Raza looked back up to face Alfred.
"I believe Prince Alphonse is studying all three fields of study at the academy, and he is currently in his second year. That means that he has 4 more years before he graduates. After that, he would most likely continue to grow his already good reputation through whatever job he chooses. Based on what I know from the latest news, Alphonse seemed like the most promising person for the throne, so the race won't begin until at least he graduates," Raza explained.
"And how long do you plan to study for?" Alfred frowned.
He was mentally calculating to see if it was worthwhile to support the man in front of him. When a timetable was introduced, the difficulty of the plan shot up.
"I only planned to study the adventurer branch… However, I don't attend class," Raza shared.
This seemed counterproductive on a surface level, but something clicked inside Alfred's mind.
'Wait! Raza received a perfect score on his entrance exam and defeated the Prince in the physical exam. School is no different than a pastime for him… I could market him as a prodigy, and have him take on jobs. Of course, I would plan around his schedule so that he can take his exams,' Alfred planned out.
"How often do you plan to attend class?" He asked.
"Once a month just to find out what material will be taught in class. I am perfectly capable of studying on my own after that," Raza answered.
"This may be tangible then," Alfred nodded his head. "We can begin building your reputation while you are at the academy. I plan to have you take on different jobs a few times a month that would expose you to the public eye. The best part is, you don't have to fix a persona. If you are just yourself, by the time the race starts, people will already believe that you are an authentic and transparent person," Alfred smiled.
Raza nodded his head in agreement. This was a logical first step, but everything was subject to change. If they planned out for every possible outcome, then they would never make a move. He stood up and extended a hand.
"Very well. I look forward to working with you," Raza said.
"Likewise," Alfred shook his hand.
Raza said goodnight to Drifa before leaving his home. Riding the carriage back, Raza saw his father sitting on the front porch waiting for his return. Raza walked up to his father.
"Take a seat, Raza," Alden told him.
Without saying a word, Raza listened and sat down. He could more than likely guess what his father wanted, but he thought it was best not to jump to conclusions.
"Raza, just between us, how did you really meet Drifa?" Alden sighed.
Raza guessed right. He knew his father was going to be disappointed that he lied, but there was a reason for it. He thought he should have come up with a different excuse since it was out of character for him to help someone who was lost.
"Drifa was being kidnapped by two bandits. They are both dead now," Raza plainly said.
Alden only sighed. He wasn't proud that his son was now a murderer, but at the same time, he couldn't say anything. Alden had his own fair share of battle from traveling on his business trips.
"You did a good and bad thing. How do you feel?" Alden shifted the focus.
This surprised Raza. He was expecting to get scolded or even punished, but instead, Alden checked his mental state. Another unfamiliar concept of love to Raza.
"I feel no different…" Raza truthfully said.
'Right. Even now, Raza shows little interest in anyone who isn't family,' Alden inwardly sighed.
"Raza, I don't know the path you will take, but remember this," Alden spoke up. "Everyone has a home. Somebody or something waiting for them. Every single person is a son, daughter, mother, father, friend, brother, and so on. When you take a life, you are harming everything and everyone that is connected to that person. You'll have to live with that from now on," Alden warned.
"I understand, Father," Raza said after a moment of thinking.
"Now, I'm sure you met Duke Alfred. What did he say to you?" Alden looked at Raza.
"He knew who I was. I suspect him to be part of some large underground organization, and he offered to support me in taking the race for the throne," Raza gave a brief summary.
"That's a lot to unpack, but not all that surprising. What will you do?"
"I plan to accept his support while gaining a good reputation…" Raza paused for a moment. "But I am still searching for a purpose other than revenge."
The silence grew between them as they sat there. Raza never our right asked for help, but he would make it known that he was looking for advice through silence. This was something that Alden learned through endless conversations with him. He sighed as he rubbed his neck.
"You can only take things one step at a time Raza. It's not like you are going to be king tomorrow. Even if it's baby steps, just keep moving," Alden said.
He stood up and pat Raza on the shoulder. Alden walked to the door but stopped to look at Raza. He then went inside, leaving his son to his thoughts.
'You've grown into a fine young man, Raza. Your mother and I did everything we could to raise you the best way we could. The rest is up to you,' Alden thought to himself.
Raza sat on the porch as he thought about his father's words. The more he thought, the more things became complicated. One thing that worried him was his mother. He knew that she would be heartbroken if he suddenly began to claim that he was the king's son. Even if it was true, it was something that no one wanted to dig back up. Raza took a deep breath.
"Thank you, Father."
Raza then stood up and walked to the door. This life was a lot more challenging than Raza's previous one in many different ways. However, he wouldn't trade it for anything. He cherished his parents and siblings deeply… But this love was also what was slowly driving him down a dark road of revenge.