Prince Damon of Kensilom was the only child and heir of the King, but he was not very vocal about politics.
One reason may be his naturally gentle and reserved personality, but most people thought that he could take a bystander position because he did not need to actively participate in politics and create his own side.
To tell the truth, that was only half true.
“There is not a single day that is quiet.”
Helen, the Queen mother of the Kensilom kingdom, sighed and slowly sat down.
She used to enjoy horseback riding and was very active outdoors, but as she got older, her back pain got worse and she had difficulty sitting and standing without taking medicine regularly.
The person who took care of her more than anyone else was her grandson, Prince Damon.
Helen had the power to make any noblewoman of a distinguished family her maid, but for several years now, she had been without a single maid of honor because of Damon.
The maid who had cleared the table made a final touch to the flowers in the vase and politely stepped aside.
Damon saw Helen let out a long sigh and leaned back before pulling out a chair and sitting down.
“Still, thanks to my grandmother’s care, we were able to save an innocent person.”
Helen’s wrinkled forehead furrowed even more at her grandson’s words.
She snorted, clicked her tongue, and shook her head.
“Your father is becoming more and more reckless and tyrannical.”
Damon dropped his gaze without saying a word. He had always agreed with his grandmother’s assessment of his father in silence.
Helen spoke again.
“I should have put the brakes on when he let go of Vetor’s hand too hastily."
She thought he had his own reasons, so she left him alone without saying anything... The problem was that he tried to assassinate the King of Vetor.
One reason may be his naturally gentle and reserved personality, but most people thought that he could take a bystander position because he did not need to actively participate in politics and create his own side.
To tell the truth, that was only half true.
“There is not a single day that is quiet.”
Helen, the Queen mother of the Kensilom kingdom, sighed and slowly sat down.
She used to enjoy horseback riding and was very active outdoors, but as she got older, her back pain got worse and she had difficulty sitting and standing without taking medicine regularly.
The person who took care of her more than anyone else was her grandson, Prince Damon.
Helen had the power to make any noblewoman of a distinguished family her maid, but for several years now, she had been without a single maid of honor because of Damon.
The maid who had cleared the table made a final touch to the flowers in the vase and politely stepped aside.
Damon saw Helen let out a long sigh and leaned back before pulling out a chair and sitting down.
“Still, thanks to my grandmother’s care, we were able to save an innocent person.”
Helen’s wrinkled forehead furrowed even more at her grandson’s words.
She snorted, clicked her tongue, and shook her head.
“Your father is becoming more and more reckless and tyrannical.”
Damon dropped his gaze without saying a word. He had always agreed with his grandmother’s assessment of his father in silence.
Helen spoke again.
“I should have put the brakes on when he let go of Vetor’s hand too hastily."
She thought he had his own reasons, so she left him alone without saying anything... The problem was that he tried to assassinate the King of Vetor.
"If only I had stepped forward and forced you to accept the throne.”
Damon replied.
“If Grandmother had stepped forward then, who knows what Father would have done? You know he wouldn’t have simply given up the throne to me.”
That’s the problem, Helen thought.
The stupid and greedy stepson, Grax, who had never liked her, had done more and more things that would have made him look bad as he grew up. After the previous King died, he tried to treat her as an old woman in the back room, and after being embarrassed in front of all the officials, he developed a nervous disorder that made his face turn red whenever Helen appeared.
Another reason for his violent behavior was his only child, Damon.
Grax had persistently suspected that the Queen had been pregnant with Damon through infidelity and that she had lied about the child as his own.
There was no evidence or circumstantial evidence, but that was also the result of Grax’s vicious temper developing into absurd suspicions.
The Queen, unable to bear the occasional intrusion and tyranny of Grax, eventually committed suicide when Damon was two years old.
It was the worst incident since the establishment of the Kensilom royal family.
Until a year or two ago, he had made a minimal effort to maintain his dignity as a King, but even that had long since disappeared.
In Helen’s view, Grax no longer could lead the country.
He was a semi-madman, as evidenced by his intense obsession with hair.
Damon replied.
“If Grandmother had stepped forward then, who knows what Father would have done? You know he wouldn’t have simply given up the throne to me.”
That’s the problem, Helen thought.
The stupid and greedy stepson, Grax, who had never liked her, had done more and more things that would have made him look bad as he grew up. After the previous King died, he tried to treat her as an old woman in the back room, and after being embarrassed in front of all the officials, he developed a nervous disorder that made his face turn red whenever Helen appeared.
Another reason for his violent behavior was his only child, Damon.
Grax had persistently suspected that the Queen had been pregnant with Damon through infidelity and that she had lied about the child as his own.
There was no evidence or circumstantial evidence, but that was also the result of Grax’s vicious temper developing into absurd suspicions.
The Queen, unable to bear the occasional intrusion and tyranny of Grax, eventually committed suicide when Damon was two years old.
It was the worst incident since the establishment of the Kensilom royal family.
Until a year or two ago, he had made a minimal effort to maintain his dignity as a King, but even that had long since disappeared.
In Helen’s view, Grax no longer could lead the country.
He was a semi-madman, as evidenced by his intense obsession with hair.
“If only you had been greedy earlier.”
“I thought there was still time. I never thought the Hirschsten side would accept such a request...”
Damon answered calmly.
Helen’s eyes, looking at her grandson, who she had seen every day for twenty-six years, were bold yet analytical.
She knew Damon's abilities and worth better than anyone else in Kensilom.
She had urged him to prepare for repairs before he turned twenty, but Damon wanted to move more cautiously.
Above all, he thought that he should inherit the throne with a more justified cause since his father, King Grax, hated him to death.
Who could have predicted that the relationship between the Empire and the Inner Allies would change so drastically in just a year?
Helen said.
"Well, I didn't know that the King of Vetor would make such a condition and try to smother the Empire. If the previous Emperor had been alive, it would have been impossible. The Princess's luck ran out. The Emperor died suddenly at that time."
"I thought he was gentle and tolerant, but it felt like I was hit."
"People like that are quick to act when they make up their minds. You should learn from the King of Vetor in that regard."
Damon smiled faintly again without answering. After a moment of silence, he looked up and saw Helen.
“Count Hillot will persuade Count Trivi. He will delay or cancel the sending of the delegation to the Empire as much as possible.”
“Did you order it?”
Damon’s eyes blinked quietly.
“Yes. After the assassination attempt on King Vetor, I recruited Count Hillot. Count Trivi is cunning and frivolous, and untrustworthy, but Count Hillot...”
“Hillot is more useful than Trivi in many ways. However, he is also a man of unknown intent. If you are going to use him as one of your four, you must know him well.”
“Understood, grandmother.”
Damon fell into silence again.
He had thought that the nobles of Kensilom were waiting for the day when the throne would pass, believing that Damon was the only successor, but that was not the case.
He had been taking care of his grandmother who loved him, and was gradually preparing to step down from his father with her advice.
And now he felt that time was right around the corner.
“I think you should visit Vetor.”
“Vetor?”
Helen nodded.
“Yes. Your father has brought in Etonhorn and Vinothin and now he wants to reach out to the Empire, but huh! That’s ridiculous. Was it Tenek? If that young Emperor had been content with just receiving a little bit of food, he wouldn’t have even thought of driving out the Princess and taking her place in the first place. Just wait and see. If things continue this way, our Kensilom will be the first to fall prey to the Empire. Rather than watching that happen with my eyes open, I’d rather go and hang your stupid father right now.”
It was an abusive language that lacked even a shred of humanity, but Damon felt no emotion about it.
He had been treated the same way, or perhaps even worse, by his father.
There was no affection or loyalty between them, just like between Helen and Grex.
Helen was deep in thought. Her thinking speed and sharpness had slowed and dulled with age, but she had countless lessons from her years and experience.
She wanted to choose the best solution for her grandson.
“In the end, the King of Vetor will have to step forward. It was Vetor who brought the inland kingdoms together in the first place. Meet the King and make it clear that you and your father have different ideas. Then we will be able to get help when we need it.”
“But, Grandmother, what are you going to do with Etonhorn and Vinothin?”
“Isn’t that our problem?”
Helen’s response was indifferent, even cold.
Damon, who had been pondering for a moment, also concluded that her judgment was correct.
Now that the facade of the previous alliance was being stripped away and tensions of division were spreading throughout the inland, it was impossible to continue to drag on the interests of the old generation. It was now up to each of them to make a better choice or not.
“Understood. Then I will do as Grandmother says.”
“And tell Count Hillot that I’ll see him. Tomorrow or the day after... The sooner the better.”
“Yes, grandmother.”
“I’m tired, I need to lie down, my dear.”
Damon got up immediately and helped Helen up. He took off her hair ornaments one by one, carefully arranged her bedding, and helped her lie down.
Helen reached out her wrinkled hand and stroked the back of his hand.
“Don’t worry about anything, just do your job. I’m behind you. Remember that I’ll always be supporting you until you see yourself on Kensilom’s throne.”
“Thank you, grandmother.”
Damon bowed his head and waited for Helen to fall asleep before quietly leaving the Queen Mother’s villa.
‘Meet the King of Vetor.’
His eyes lit up for a moment as he walked through the quiet and peaceful garden.
‘I must find a good way to bring down my father as soon as possible.’
He returned to his quarters, lost in thought.
Erdene opened Roelica’s letter and thought long and hard about what to write in reply.
Most of the things Erdene had been curious about were in Roelica’s letter.
Of those, the part that worried her was that Thelma and Merton were assigned to the Emperor’s inner guard.
Could Tenek have kept them by his side because he cared for them? Not at all.
‘He must be trying to keep an eye on them so they don’t do anything foolish. Maybe he sensed something.’
It was quite possible.
Right now, Hirschsten’s Golden Castle would be completely covered in the eyes and ears of Tenek and Atelgadis.
There was no way Tenek wouldn’t be on edge about those three people who wouldn’t betray Erdene even if they were to be beheaded.
'It's fortunate that Empress Roelica has come to us. It's even more so now that Thelma and Merton can't move easily... For now, it would be better to use the conditions the Empress has set as much as necessary.'
“I thought there was still time. I never thought the Hirschsten side would accept such a request...”
Damon answered calmly.
Helen’s eyes, looking at her grandson, who she had seen every day for twenty-six years, were bold yet analytical.
She knew Damon's abilities and worth better than anyone else in Kensilom.
She had urged him to prepare for repairs before he turned twenty, but Damon wanted to move more cautiously.
Above all, he thought that he should inherit the throne with a more justified cause since his father, King Grax, hated him to death.
Who could have predicted that the relationship between the Empire and the Inner Allies would change so drastically in just a year?
Helen said.
"Well, I didn't know that the King of Vetor would make such a condition and try to smother the Empire. If the previous Emperor had been alive, it would have been impossible. The Princess's luck ran out. The Emperor died suddenly at that time."
"I thought he was gentle and tolerant, but it felt like I was hit."
"People like that are quick to act when they make up their minds. You should learn from the King of Vetor in that regard."
Damon smiled faintly again without answering. After a moment of silence, he looked up and saw Helen.
“Count Hillot will persuade Count Trivi. He will delay or cancel the sending of the delegation to the Empire as much as possible.”
“Did you order it?”
Damon’s eyes blinked quietly.
“Yes. After the assassination attempt on King Vetor, I recruited Count Hillot. Count Trivi is cunning and frivolous, and untrustworthy, but Count Hillot...”
“Hillot is more useful than Trivi in many ways. However, he is also a man of unknown intent. If you are going to use him as one of your four, you must know him well.”
“Understood, grandmother.”
Damon fell into silence again.
He had thought that the nobles of Kensilom were waiting for the day when the throne would pass, believing that Damon was the only successor, but that was not the case.
He had been taking care of his grandmother who loved him, and was gradually preparing to step down from his father with her advice.
And now he felt that time was right around the corner.
“I think you should visit Vetor.”
“Vetor?”
Helen nodded.
“Yes. Your father has brought in Etonhorn and Vinothin and now he wants to reach out to the Empire, but huh! That’s ridiculous. Was it Tenek? If that young Emperor had been content with just receiving a little bit of food, he wouldn’t have even thought of driving out the Princess and taking her place in the first place. Just wait and see. If things continue this way, our Kensilom will be the first to fall prey to the Empire. Rather than watching that happen with my eyes open, I’d rather go and hang your stupid father right now.”
It was an abusive language that lacked even a shred of humanity, but Damon felt no emotion about it.
He had been treated the same way, or perhaps even worse, by his father.
There was no affection or loyalty between them, just like between Helen and Grex.
Helen was deep in thought. Her thinking speed and sharpness had slowed and dulled with age, but she had countless lessons from her years and experience.
She wanted to choose the best solution for her grandson.
“In the end, the King of Vetor will have to step forward. It was Vetor who brought the inland kingdoms together in the first place. Meet the King and make it clear that you and your father have different ideas. Then we will be able to get help when we need it.”
“But, Grandmother, what are you going to do with Etonhorn and Vinothin?”
“Isn’t that our problem?”
Helen’s response was indifferent, even cold.
Damon, who had been pondering for a moment, also concluded that her judgment was correct.
Now that the facade of the previous alliance was being stripped away and tensions of division were spreading throughout the inland, it was impossible to continue to drag on the interests of the old generation. It was now up to each of them to make a better choice or not.
“Understood. Then I will do as Grandmother says.”
“And tell Count Hillot that I’ll see him. Tomorrow or the day after... The sooner the better.”
“Yes, grandmother.”
“I’m tired, I need to lie down, my dear.”
Damon got up immediately and helped Helen up. He took off her hair ornaments one by one, carefully arranged her bedding, and helped her lie down.
Helen reached out her wrinkled hand and stroked the back of his hand.
“Don’t worry about anything, just do your job. I’m behind you. Remember that I’ll always be supporting you until you see yourself on Kensilom’s throne.”
“Thank you, grandmother.”
Damon bowed his head and waited for Helen to fall asleep before quietly leaving the Queen Mother’s villa.
‘Meet the King of Vetor.’
His eyes lit up for a moment as he walked through the quiet and peaceful garden.
‘I must find a good way to bring down my father as soon as possible.’
He returned to his quarters, lost in thought.
***
Erdene opened Roelica’s letter and thought long and hard about what to write in reply.
Most of the things Erdene had been curious about were in Roelica’s letter.
Of those, the part that worried her was that Thelma and Merton were assigned to the Emperor’s inner guard.
Could Tenek have kept them by his side because he cared for them? Not at all.
‘He must be trying to keep an eye on them so they don’t do anything foolish. Maybe he sensed something.’
It was quite possible.
Right now, Hirschsten’s Golden Castle would be completely covered in the eyes and ears of Tenek and Atelgadis.
There was no way Tenek wouldn’t be on edge about those three people who wouldn’t betray Erdene even if they were to be beheaded.
'It's fortunate that Empress Roelica has come to us. It's even more so now that Thelma and Merton can't move easily... For now, it would be better to use the conditions the Empress has set as much as necessary.'
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