At that time, the Duke of Linchester was pleased to hear that Chancellor Langston had held a secret meeting with Lucas.
"I knew that stupid dog would have a hard time maintaining power on his own. It was just a matter of time."
The Duke of Linchester looked down on Chancellor Langston.
It was like that from the beginning, and it is the same now that his prestige is wavering.
"He is a coward and incompetent. He was never meant to be a prime minister in the first place. And that bastard Julian who appointed such a man as his deputy is a real shame."
The Duke poured himself a glass and laughed at Julian.
Heh heh, a smile escaped his lips.
At that time, Julian had no choice.
Originally, Julian had no supporters.
Because rather than building up strength, he was too busy trying to hide.
When he awakened to the power of the curse, he planned to storm the palace alone, take revenge on Josephine, and then die.
It was only Chancellor Langston who happened to learn of his thoughts and jumped at the chance.
The Duke of Linchester also knew of the relationship between Chancellor Langston and Julian, but he judged them both to be incompetent.
Even if he just waited in a state of hiding, it was only a matter of time before Julian's regime collapsed.
That was certainly the case until Bridget showed up.
"It seems that the Prime Minister is trying to drag Bridget Florence out and is urging her to be crowned Queen."
The Duke of Linchester's eyes sharpened as he thought of Bridget.
"I wonder if a stupid dog can even do that properly."
Do you think my will will be accomplished by simply reducing Bridget to a commoner?
"Julian is too young to have an heir. Even if he dies, and even if he doesn't, it's the same. At such a young age, there's no need for an heir."
No matter how much Chancellor Langston brought up the issue of succession.
Julian was still in his twenties.
At that age, it's rare to find someone desperate for a successor.
Not only Julian but even the other nobles would not have thought that the matter was urgent.
So, the justification that a Queen who would produce an heir was needed to oust Bridget was not enough.
"This time. I must help the Marquis of Langston."
There is no better way to bring down a man than through framing.
The Duke of Linchester was a man who breathed slander...
"If she exerts herself inside and out, how long can she last on just her favor? Haha!"
Lucas, who had been silently watching his father being happy, got up from his seat.
"..."
He came out into the hallway and glanced around the old, shabby farmhouse.
It was a very shabby place compared to the splendid Duke of Linchester mansion that he was left to guard alone.
The Duke of Linchester, hidden in such a place, had none of the grandeur of his past.
As the butler followed behind to see him off, Lucas blurted out a word.
"How is thr Duke's health?"
"You are always correct."
"There's no way it won't change. What can survive the passage of time? As he grow older, he must be talking to himself. I'll take good care of him so he won't be lonely."
"...Yes, I understand."
On the surface, it was clearly a request from a dutiful son who was concerned about his father.
But the butler felt that there was some implication in those words. Of course, he could be mistaken.
Lucas shook his clothes off just before getting into the carriage. It was a slightly nervous gesture.
***
Julian was wondering when to start his anti-thief operation.
On the surface, it appeared to be a regular function of the Sheriff's Office, but in reality, it was an operation to pounce on the Duke of Linchester and his associates.
He also had to work hand in hand with the spies that Brigitte had planted, such as Michael.
So, he had to take his time and plan ahead.
At that time, the nobles requested an audience.
No, it would be more accurate to say that they invaded Julian.
"Your Majesty, the fact that the council of nobles has made such a decision regarding the House of Florence is probably because many are suspicious of what has happened to that family."
"There are even rumors going around that Bridget Florence deliberately harmed her ex-husband, Isaac Winston."
"Following the disappearance of the Count Florence family, now the disappearance of Isaac Winston, isn't it strange that these things have happened one after another to those around Bridget Florence?"
"Someone said that Bridget Florence pressured Isaac Winston into making bad investments, which led to the downfall of the family. Shouldn't we look into it?"
Julian sat on his throne, running his fingertips along the ornaments on the armrests.
He tried knocking and tapping.
He scanned the wide throne room with my eyes.
They say humans are forgetful animals.
Julian rested his chin on his hand and looked down at the nobles.
"..."
Just three years ago, Josephine died on this spot and the nobles of that faction were purged.
The memory of that day was vivid for Julian.
This was the perfect place.
Blood flowed so abundantly that the shiny marble floor became slippery.
Corpses with their throats cut off rolled around, unable to even scream, while those with their necks still attached trembled in fear.
The knights of the guard fell to their knees, overwhelmed by Julian, before they could even draw their swords.
Julian remembered that most of these people in front of him had been there that day.
Two seasons.
It's only been two seasons since he last had blood on his hands.
If you don't kill anyone by force and just follow the procedures and rules, they'll already forget their fear.
"Ha."
The nobles flinched as Julian sighed.
As his red eyes passed over each person, everyone lowered their gaze.
It seemed like they had only just realized that their throat was being cut in Julian's head.
Julian was frustrated by their ignorance.
They're trying to drive out Bridget, not knowing that he's saving their lives because of her.
He wishes he could tell them that if Bridget leaves him, they too will leave the world.
But Julian barely managed to swallow it and spoke rationally.
"It was shortly after the Council of Nobles stripped him of his title that Isaac Winston left the capital in despair. Bridget even gave him the funds to get back on his feet. What on earth is Bridget's fault?"
"Ma, if Bridget Florence let things turn out that way, then we need to investigate..."
"Even if Bridget had advised him on a bad investment, would that be her fault? If your spouse had yelled at you to invest all the family fortune in a bad investment, would you do it?"
"However, Your Majesty, an employee who worked for the Florence family testified that Josh Florence, who was close to Isaac Winston, opposed the divorce and was not on good terms with Bridget Florence. The matter is suspicious and needs to be investigated closely..."
"Stop wasting public money and resolve your personal doubts. It's better for you."
Julian chuckled.
"If I step forward and order an Investigation, and it turns out that Bridget is innocent. I won't be able to leave you alone because of the embarrassment."
It was a subtle but clear threat to them that Bridget would be innocent and that if they stirred things up, they wouId all be dead.
Saying this also meant that even if there were any suspicions, they would be dismissed.
"Ugh, ugh."
The nobles could no longer come forward and ran away with their tails tied up.
Even Chancellor Langston, who had sent them to Julian with his back turned, knew that he would not be able to drive out Bridget all at once anyway.
They had accomplished their mission of stabbing Julian anyway.
This only confirms that Julian's favor is strong.
***
When Chancellor Langston learned that the nobles had been driven out in vain, he proposed to Julian that they hold a court banquet.
'No matter how much the King favors the government, he is still a man in his prime. How could he not be interested and exhausted when new and beautiful women wander around in front of him?'
No matter how pretty or smart a man's wife is, when he gets tired of familiarity, he tends to turn to a new woman.
'Men are all the same, especially when they are hot-blooded.'
He had to somehow separate Julian and Bridget.
Since the royal family had been closed off for so long, they held banquets frequently. Interacted with nobles, and... and so on.
Julian's ears were itchy from the voice of the prime minister, who was carefully reciting the words, 'Let's have a banquet.'
But the reason why he couldn't just ignore the prime minister's words and pass them by was because Bridget was happy.
"The Prime Minister's words make sense. Throw a banquet, Julian. Invite people from all walks of life and let them interact with each other. This will invigorate the palace."
The heat had subsided considerably, but Bridget, still craving fruit sorbet, was chattering away with a dessert spoon in her mouth.
"Why didn't I think of that? There are still many people who consider the palace a scary place, so I thought I'd throw a banquet, big or small, to refresh my image and ease the tense atmosphere.."
Chirp. chirp.
All Julian could see was Bridget chirping beautifully.
Since she was lovely, they decided to hold a banquet.
Even if Bridget asked him to open the palace's safe, he could do it, but it's only for a banquet.
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