A gathering of elderly individuals assembled in neat rows, each with a chair placed at the front. Snacks were placed on either side, and they engaged in conversation with one another. Suddenly, a distinguished nobleman made a grand entrance, tall and slender with striking green eyes and a cold demeanor. Ignoring the current occupants, he took his place at the head of the group. Minister Reggie, speaking in an authoritative yet calm tone, directed them to proceed with their meeting's purpose. Despite their individual noble titles like dukes, earls, viscountesses, and ministers, they all showed deference to the nobleman. The ambiance was akin to a subordinate in the presence of a superior. After settling into his seat, Reggie gazed coldly at their aged faces before snapping his fingers. An elderly noble in the second row sat up straight and began presenting his report.
". . . The other nobles are expressing disapproval towards our cause but none have taken action."
"I believe they fear your reprisal." A noblewoman chimed in, her demeanor flirtatious, fluttering her eyelashes in Reggie's direction. The other nobles noticed but chose to ignore it, as it was her choice to be manipulated by Reggie. Reggie, the subject of seduction, remained unperturbed and contemplated. "That's good. The Princess is smart; she will catch on quickly if they all switch to our side," Reggie responded after contemplating. Suddenly, the atmosphere grew tense and Reggie sat up straight. "He will make an appearance today, so. . . " The double doors opened again, this time much more gently than Reggie's entrance. The assembly immediately stood up, including Reggie, bowing their heads.
A pale young man entered, his lemon hair neatly combed to the side. He was clad in royal clothing, exuding charisma and confidence as he walked in.
"Hail Prince Philip!" Their voices praised.
His smile widened as he walked through the corridor of people. He took his seat at the head. Minister Reggie had evacuated his seat a while ago and stood at his side.
He waved for them to take their seats and then, with a condescending smirk, he crossed his legs.
"What a good day to be alive." He laughed maniacally; the nobles shivered visibly, and Minister Reggie took in a sharp breath and began laughing alongside the Prince, prompting the others to follow. The room turned into a cacophony of meaningless laughter.
Philip abruptly ceased motion, and his expression turned cold. At this moment, he looked quite different from the Philip that the public and his sister knew.
"Go slow with the plan. . . I do not want to speed up things." He ordered. Reggie served him wine, a sharp contrast to the tea the nobles were served.
"May I ask why?" Reggie questioned with a subservient expression. However, he stared at the other nobles with an arrogant look.
A look that meant to say, "I am the only one worthy of questioning the Prince."
Philip turned his head slightly and paused. He reached for the glass and twirled it.
"Minister Reggie. . .do you know why the predators always chase their prey?" He questioned with a sinister smile.
Minister Reggie stared blankly at the side profile of Prince Philip. For a few seconds, he was speechless, and just when he was about to answer, Philip interrupted him, answering his own question.
"It is to show their authority!"
Without giving them time to comprehend what he meant, he turned swiftly and took Reggie's hand and placed it on the table. With a smooth move, he pulled out a dagger from his pants and stabbed Reggie's hand with it.
All this happened within a few seconds, shocking the nobles and Reggie himself. It took a while for Reggie to return to his senses, and he shrieked painfully. The room turned silent, except for Reggie's painful roars.
"Shut up; you are too noisy." Philip barked, frustrated.
Reggie shuddered in fear. His teary eyes stared frighteningly at Philip, and his sobs quieted down quickly.
He no longer saw the calm and amiable Prince; rather, he saw a deranged beast. He shivered once more out of pain and fear that coursed through him. He stared at his hand, which had been pinned down by the dagger and held his head low.
Embarrassment, fear, pain, and frustration raced through him, but he couldn't do anything.
"Peace, hehe. . . " Philip closed his eyes and relaxed in the chair.
The other nobles held their heads down, but upon a closer look, one could see them shivering.
"What's with this tense atmosphere? Someone would think I am bullying you." He said with a hurt look.
The hair on the bodies of the nobles rose. Their eyes spelled fear, and they contemplated running, but common sense told them to stay.
They stared at each other and then forced a smile on their faces.
"B-bully? How can our magnanimous lord bully us?" A noble with auburn hair stammered. The others nodded stiffly.
"Well, anything you want to pour out?"
"That arrogant Duke sped up things so the Princess would move now without hesitation." The auburn-haired noble said after an eternity of thinking it over.
Philip stared at his wine with a content expression; they didn't know whether his emotion came from what the noble said or the wine.
"Yes, the Duke did a good job, a really good job. Hahaha." He laughed.
Every time he laughed, yelled, cussed, or praised, the nobles felt their hearts being tossed into their gastric juices.
"Earl Eiji, Minister Reggie seems incapacitated for now, so you would be the General in his stead. Do a good job." Philip announced with a monotone, as though he couldn't care less about who became the General.
The nobles all stared at Eiji with envy and pity. Eiji, on the other hand, looked as though he had been struck by lightning; happiness and fear coursed through him.
Happiness because that was the highest position that could be gifted to anyone on Philip's side. That position offered resources and power to act in the Prince's name. And the highest of all was, he had a higher probability of moving to a higher position in the future. The only downside was that he was at the mercy of the unpredictable emotions of the non compos mentis Prince.
"I-I will do my utmost best!" The auburn-haired Earl pledged. His face was painted red in joy, and his hands couldn't stop shivering.
Philip tilted his head and wondered if the Earl was that happy.
*********************
While her brother was in the middle of a gathering strategizing his grandiose scheme, Ely was meeting with some Ministers.
"The death toll has risen, particularly in the village at the Eastern Gate. Over five hundred corpses were uncovered yesterday." The Minister for Justice informed with a serious expression.
A scowl settled on Ely's beautiful face when she heard the report.
Mass deaths have been occurring since Philip's birthday; the citizens fretted more than ever, and they were always filled with apprehension.
It didn't occur in a single place; rather, it was random. Ely sighed.
"What has the Minister in that Region been doing?" Ely asked with a cold face. The matter of death was not one to be taken lightly, but. . was it a coincidence that it started immediately when she decided to involve herself in politics?
It didn't matter now, whether it was a coincidence or not; she would solve it
.