“I’m going back, yap!”
Ryan snapped his fingers.
And he speaks with a surprised expression.
“What? You’re saying His Highness the Third Prince must get engaged? Then who is the partner?!”
"Are you kidding me?"
“...”
"Oh no!" Ryan couldn't bear to look at Bane and squeezed his eyes shut.
“In what part of what I said was there a misunderstanding?”
“First, could you please forget my rude remarks?”
"I will."
“Thank you. I understood that you meant he is engaged to that person from the Kingdom of Ebonwind.”
"That's absurd."
“No, if you talk about an arranged marriage and then immediately say you need to rush the engagement, of course I’ll misunderstand!”
"Why?"
Bane tilted his head as if he couldn't understand.
"My brother expressed his desire to be engaged to your daughter three years ago, and I made it clear that I would support it".
“...That’s right.”
“In that case, when Nike said he was betrothed, he must be referring to your daughter, right?”
“...”
"Aha."
Bane sighed as if he had realized something.
"So that’s why you got angry, calling me a rational person or whatever. Because you thought I changed my mind and pushed for a marriage alliance with the Kingdom."
“You said you’d forget what I said?!”
“It’s surprising that there was this much lack of trust. I thought we had grown quite close by now.”
"Oh, me too."
Ryan clasped his palms together and rubbed them together.
“But I can’t believe it. Common sense dictates that His Royal Highness the Third Prince cannot be betrothed to a young lady from a low-ranking provincial noble family.”
Right now, Ryan was very dazed.
“I know that even though Your Highness has made a promise, it is not an easy matter. However, since you suddenly spoke of an engagement, my train of thought naturally... drifted toward a more realistic marriage alliance rather than assuming that the partner would be my daughter.”
"I see."
Bane nodded and added.
"It’s true that it’s not an easy task. But you don’t need to worry about that. I’ll take responsibility and make it happen."
"I appreciate your kind words, but..."
Ryan was confused by the completely unexpected event.
The point in time he had in mind when he asked Nike to wait for Vania was 'when everything was finished.'
So, it was when the goal of 'exterminating Wassenberg' was achieved, and Vania made an undeniable contribution to the castle called 'Belzer' that she holds.
It would only be then that she might be able to stand next to the royal family.
'But this fast?'
Ryan glanced at the inscrutable Crown Prince.
Currently, Vania is merely a Count's daughter.
Even he, who is Vania's father on paper, has not yet cleared his name, and his criminal record remains intact.
The Crown Prince's decision to bring Vania in as a member of the Imperial Family in this situation is... insane.
But.
"I guess there is something to gain."
Ryan has also been deeply analyzing the Crown Prince for the past three years. Bane is a man who acts based on pragmatism.
It means that even though he's a doting older brother, he wouldn't rush into an engagement at this point and suffer a huge loss just because he wants it.
"You seem to be deep in thought."
Bane, who had been watching Ryan, let out a chuckle.
"Yes, a little."
Honestly, it gives Ryan a headache. He gets exhausted from having to act while constantly reading the opponent's moves.
“Ryan. Does your head hurt?”
Bane, wearing a strange smile, leaned his upper body slightly closer and spoke.
“We’ve become quite close over time, haven’t we? I think that was enough time to build trust with each other.”
“...That’s right.”
“But even so, there must be secrets that one must agonize over countless times before telling the truth. If you are human.”
“...”
“Secrets that you would find easier to confide in without having to go around in circles, but which you hesitate to speak of because you cannot gauge the repercussions...”
Ryan swallowed hard.
'Why are you acting like you know everything!'
Actually, everything Bane said is correct.
Ryan had to reveal it soon.
The fact that they have the goal of legally exterminating Wassenberg.
And he also had to reveal that he possessed the power to make that goal possible—that is, the fact that he was the possessor of <Instant Death>.
"I think it is time for us to peel back the layers and have a frank conversation."
“...”
"To be honest, I already have an idea. So, I’d rather you just open up and let it all out so we can comfortably plan our future path."
“What are you guessing?”
“As you may have noticed, there is another reason why I am rushing to bring your daughter to the imperial palace.”
“You must have judged that it would be to Your Highness’s advantage in some way.”
"That's right."
"In what sense?"
“Not your daughter, but your half-sister. Vania must be Duke Edgar Wassenberg’s biological child.”
“...”
Ryan froze.
To the Crown Prince, who seemed to be asking with certainty already, it was difficult to decide in an instant whether to pretend it wasn't true or just admit it.
“Since she must have been a member of the Wassenberg family before the regression, she would be well aware of their weaknesses. And she would be the only person who knows the future at this point in time.”
Bane added before Ryan could even be shocked.
"The Duke of Wassenberg will seek her out again. It was foreseen from the moment I decided to elevate you."
“...”
“Appeasement, intimidation, elimination. The Duke has countless tactics at his disposal. I need a way to separate Vania from all those evil clutches. And a way for you and me to secure genuine trust in each other, not just empty words.”
The young Crown Prince's eyes gleamed.
“It is effectively a marriage alliance from which I can gain the greatest advantage.”
An eagle sat on the throne.
This refers to the influence of the Wassenberg family in the Valencia Empire, which is more powerful than the Imperial Household.
Duke Edgar of Wassenberg approached the window with a gold cup bearing the family's eagle seal resting in his hand.
A smiling face was reflected.
A person with supernatural abilities.
Beings who are bound to become gods all too easily, amidst ordinary humans.
But what meaning does a god reigning over ants have?
Thus, Edgar became a contradictory human being who had coveted power his entire life but did not desire the supreme position.
Not the boring supreme position that is easily attainable and to which everyone naturally bows their heads.
It had been a long time since making that supreme ruler kneel before him had become much more meaningful.
A structure where, no matter how great the power or authority, they ultimately have no choice but to bow to him. The exhilaration that comes from that.
The actual... supreme.
Edgar needed someone who would devote their interest to him for the rest of his life, someone to stand against.
'Has there ever been a time in my life this interesting?'
He has been continuing his rivalry with the Crown Prince of the Empire year after year.
The Crown Prince, full of youthful vigor, was an ant that he really liked.
The Crown Prince sometimes angered Edgar, and sometimes caught him off guard.
But all those fights eventually...
It merely served as a stimulus to arouse Edgar's interest and competitive spirit.
'Was it today?'
The day Ryan, the son abandoned more than a decade ago, is granted the title of Count.
It was so obvious that the Crown Prince’s ulterior motive for constantly pulling Ryan up was enough to make him laugh.
But so, what can be gained, and what can be done?
'His expression would be quite a sight to behold if he lost a hand he had worked so hard on.'
He has deliberately watched to see how far this would go, and now it is time to hang in there.
The Crown Prince has nurtured his son whom he had cast aside, so now Edgar, his father, just has to harvest.
“Did you call, Dad?”
Edgar turned around at the sound of a voice.
Christa Wassenberg, the youngest of the family, became an adult this year.
The youngest daughter was an illegitimate child from Windsor Castle.
"I miss Vania and Alex."
She is a child who had a deep bond with the incompetent children Ryan was raising.
"What is the matter?"
"Do you think I'd call you if there was something to do? I called you just because I wanted to see my daughter's face."
Edgar smiled as he hugged his lovely daughter, who would be of use to him.
Ryan snapped his fingers.
And he speaks with a surprised expression.
“What? You’re saying His Highness the Third Prince must get engaged? Then who is the partner?!”
"Are you kidding me?"
“...”
"Oh no!" Ryan couldn't bear to look at Bane and squeezed his eyes shut.
“In what part of what I said was there a misunderstanding?”
“First, could you please forget my rude remarks?”
"I will."
“Thank you. I understood that you meant he is engaged to that person from the Kingdom of Ebonwind.”
"That's absurd."
“No, if you talk about an arranged marriage and then immediately say you need to rush the engagement, of course I’ll misunderstand!”
"Why?"
Bane tilted his head as if he couldn't understand.
"My brother expressed his desire to be engaged to your daughter three years ago, and I made it clear that I would support it".
“...That’s right.”
“In that case, when Nike said he was betrothed, he must be referring to your daughter, right?”
“...”
"Aha."
Bane sighed as if he had realized something.
"So that’s why you got angry, calling me a rational person or whatever. Because you thought I changed my mind and pushed for a marriage alliance with the Kingdom."
“You said you’d forget what I said?!”
“It’s surprising that there was this much lack of trust. I thought we had grown quite close by now.”
"Oh, me too."
Ryan clasped his palms together and rubbed them together.
“But I can’t believe it. Common sense dictates that His Royal Highness the Third Prince cannot be betrothed to a young lady from a low-ranking provincial noble family.”
Right now, Ryan was very dazed.
“I know that even though Your Highness has made a promise, it is not an easy matter. However, since you suddenly spoke of an engagement, my train of thought naturally... drifted toward a more realistic marriage alliance rather than assuming that the partner would be my daughter.”
"I see."
Bane nodded and added.
"It’s true that it’s not an easy task. But you don’t need to worry about that. I’ll take responsibility and make it happen."
"I appreciate your kind words, but..."
Ryan was confused by the completely unexpected event.
The point in time he had in mind when he asked Nike to wait for Vania was 'when everything was finished.'
So, it was when the goal of 'exterminating Wassenberg' was achieved, and Vania made an undeniable contribution to the castle called 'Belzer' that she holds.
It would only be then that she might be able to stand next to the royal family.
'But this fast?'
Ryan glanced at the inscrutable Crown Prince.
Currently, Vania is merely a Count's daughter.
Even he, who is Vania's father on paper, has not yet cleared his name, and his criminal record remains intact.
The Crown Prince's decision to bring Vania in as a member of the Imperial Family in this situation is... insane.
But.
"I guess there is something to gain."
Ryan has also been deeply analyzing the Crown Prince for the past three years. Bane is a man who acts based on pragmatism.
It means that even though he's a doting older brother, he wouldn't rush into an engagement at this point and suffer a huge loss just because he wants it.
"You seem to be deep in thought."
Bane, who had been watching Ryan, let out a chuckle.
"Yes, a little."
Honestly, it gives Ryan a headache. He gets exhausted from having to act while constantly reading the opponent's moves.
“Ryan. Does your head hurt?”
Bane, wearing a strange smile, leaned his upper body slightly closer and spoke.
“We’ve become quite close over time, haven’t we? I think that was enough time to build trust with each other.”
“...That’s right.”
“But even so, there must be secrets that one must agonize over countless times before telling the truth. If you are human.”
“...”
“Secrets that you would find easier to confide in without having to go around in circles, but which you hesitate to speak of because you cannot gauge the repercussions...”
Ryan swallowed hard.
'Why are you acting like you know everything!'
Actually, everything Bane said is correct.
Ryan had to reveal it soon.
The fact that they have the goal of legally exterminating Wassenberg.
And he also had to reveal that he possessed the power to make that goal possible—that is, the fact that he was the possessor of <Instant Death>.
"I think it is time for us to peel back the layers and have a frank conversation."
“...”
"To be honest, I already have an idea. So, I’d rather you just open up and let it all out so we can comfortably plan our future path."
“What are you guessing?”
“As you may have noticed, there is another reason why I am rushing to bring your daughter to the imperial palace.”
“You must have judged that it would be to Your Highness’s advantage in some way.”
"That's right."
"In what sense?"
“Not your daughter, but your half-sister. Vania must be Duke Edgar Wassenberg’s biological child.”
“...”
Ryan froze.
To the Crown Prince, who seemed to be asking with certainty already, it was difficult to decide in an instant whether to pretend it wasn't true or just admit it.
“Since she must have been a member of the Wassenberg family before the regression, she would be well aware of their weaknesses. And she would be the only person who knows the future at this point in time.”
Bane added before Ryan could even be shocked.
"The Duke of Wassenberg will seek her out again. It was foreseen from the moment I decided to elevate you."
“...”
“Appeasement, intimidation, elimination. The Duke has countless tactics at his disposal. I need a way to separate Vania from all those evil clutches. And a way for you and me to secure genuine trust in each other, not just empty words.”
The young Crown Prince's eyes gleamed.
“It is effectively a marriage alliance from which I can gain the greatest advantage.”
***
An eagle sat on the throne.
This refers to the influence of the Wassenberg family in the Valencia Empire, which is more powerful than the Imperial Household.
Duke Edgar of Wassenberg approached the window with a gold cup bearing the family's eagle seal resting in his hand.
A smiling face was reflected.
A person with supernatural abilities.
Beings who are bound to become gods all too easily, amidst ordinary humans.
But what meaning does a god reigning over ants have?
Thus, Edgar became a contradictory human being who had coveted power his entire life but did not desire the supreme position.
Not the boring supreme position that is easily attainable and to which everyone naturally bows their heads.
It had been a long time since making that supreme ruler kneel before him had become much more meaningful.
A structure where, no matter how great the power or authority, they ultimately have no choice but to bow to him. The exhilaration that comes from that.
The actual... supreme.
Edgar needed someone who would devote their interest to him for the rest of his life, someone to stand against.
'Has there ever been a time in my life this interesting?'
He has been continuing his rivalry with the Crown Prince of the Empire year after year.
The Crown Prince, full of youthful vigor, was an ant that he really liked.
The Crown Prince sometimes angered Edgar, and sometimes caught him off guard.
But all those fights eventually...
It merely served as a stimulus to arouse Edgar's interest and competitive spirit.
'Was it today?'
The day Ryan, the son abandoned more than a decade ago, is granted the title of Count.
It was so obvious that the Crown Prince’s ulterior motive for constantly pulling Ryan up was enough to make him laugh.
But so, what can be gained, and what can be done?
'His expression would be quite a sight to behold if he lost a hand he had worked so hard on.'
He has deliberately watched to see how far this would go, and now it is time to hang in there.
The Crown Prince has nurtured his son whom he had cast aside, so now Edgar, his father, just has to harvest.
“Did you call, Dad?”
Edgar turned around at the sound of a voice.
Christa Wassenberg, the youngest of the family, became an adult this year.
The youngest daughter was an illegitimate child from Windsor Castle.
"I miss Vania and Alex."
She is a child who had a deep bond with the incompetent children Ryan was raising.
"What is the matter?"
"Do you think I'd call you if there was something to do? I called you just because I wanted to see my daughter's face."
Edgar smiled as he hugged his lovely daughter, who would be of use to him.
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