“As soon as the carriage door opened, Reid and I confidently stepped down on our own.

The man who had unknowingly brought the carriage here was late to notice his companions had passed out and stood there with his mouth agape.

I ordered him coldly.

“Now, quickly lead your master this way.”

✠

The place we arrived at was a reception room boasting splendor befitting royalty.

The sofas, made from only the finest materials, were comfortable and plush. But when I glanced down, Reid’s mood was distinctly uneasy.

“It’s been almost an hour. How dare they keep me waiting.”

The muttered voice was cold. I took a snack from my inventory and placed it in his mouth.

“Eat and lighten your mood.”

“Alright, let’s wait five more minutes.”

If five minutes passed, the plan’s stage would escalate, and mildness would decrease—a risky turn. Fortunately, the person who wanted to see us was rather lucky.

Before the arbitrary time limit ended, footsteps approached the reception room from afar. The murmured voices came along.

“What are those fortune tellers doing inside? Hurry up and bring them out... uh?”

“Interesting talk. Kid, do you want to hear it?” 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

“Yeah.”

Magic to sharpen hearing wrapped my ears. I heard the conversation of two men.

“The astrologer? Did you put them somewhere properly?”

“Yes, yes. Your Highness. They are waiting in the reception room.”

“My knights seem to have done well.”

The satisfied voice was that of a mature adult. Reid provided the information.

“Hadeil Lusben Vinchester.”

“Ah, of course.”

The first prince, who concealed his incompetence and baseness well and had solidified his position. It was surprising he attempted contact with us before the third prince.

The conversation gave a glimpse of Hadeil’s personality.

“An hour? I came too early in a hurry. The atmosphere with the Marquess Alfionel’s daughter was quite good.”

“Was that the important matter...?”

“Of course. She’s the heiress of a wealthy family, so she’ll be a great help in securing my position. Expect it. She’ll soon be on my side.”

“But she has refused several times...”

“She’s just being haughty and throwing a tantrum. I’m a prince. What woman would reject me?”

“.......”

Even his closest confidant was speechless.

Anyway, that was the self-introduction of Hadeil, an egotistical womanizer.

“Let’s finish quickly and get back to the Marquess’s daughter...”

Click. The door to the reception room opened, and a tall, platinum-haired handsome young man appeared.

The mask was truly like a prince stepped out of a fairy tale. But since the first impression had already been trampled in the mud, it failed to excite me.

However, the counterpart seemed somewhat impressed.

“.......”

“.......”

I was the first to meet Hadeil’s gaze. He stopped mid-step at the threshold and stared at me intently.

<What’s with that look?>

I wished it were just because of my exotic attire, but unfortunately, a lecherous prince wouldn’t be that simple.

“If only I knew such a beauty was waiting, I would have come earlier.”

His act of licking his lips was hardly elegant.

A chill ran through me, so I glanced sideways. From Reid’s weary and cloudy gaze fixed on Hadeil, I could clearly read ‘Should I just kill him all?’ in his mind.

I quickly grabbed his sleeve. That seemed to clear his mind a bit, calming his murderous intent.

A retainer whispered to Hadeil.

“Your Highness, that woman is the assistant, and the astrologer is the man over there.”

“Really? I envy him, being served by such a beauty. If I weren’t royalty, maybe I’d be an astrologer too.”

Unaware that not only his life but the Vinchester royal family’s crisis hung in the balance, Hadeil approached with a smiling face.

“No need to stand. I don’t expect obeisance from a noble, so remain seated.”

Pretending to be a noble who freely treats ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ commoners without reservation—it was comfortable for us.

Hadeil sat on the opposite sofa, and refreshments were prepared on the table. With the cast and props all set, it was time for serious conversation.

“So, what is your name, noble?”

Of course, directly communicating with enemies from past lives wouldn’t help maintain the mild level one plan.

From here, I stepped forward.

“He is the astrologer, Lord Reid.”

“I asked that astrologer myself.”

“Those who reveal celestial secrets must not speak lightly. For important questions, he will answer directly. So please show mercy to the one who will rule this kingdom.”

“......Fine.”

This guy was more susceptible to flattery than I imagined. He fell for the roughly patched-up words.

“You said assistant. What is your name?”

“Ayleth.”

“Good, Ayleth. The beauty even has a beautiful voice. I want to hear it every morning instead of birdsong.”

“......Th-thank you.”

“By the way, I imagined a wizened old woman when I heard ‘mystical astrologer.’ This is quite unexpected. That Reid is a young man in his prime.”

“Oh, our astrologer is older than he looks.”

“Really?”

“Yes! Your insight, Your Highness, in expecting an elder is truly admirable! I cannot help but admire it!”

“Ahem, ahem.”

Like it or not, just let it slide.

“Let me ask again. Who do you think I am?”

Perhaps because Hadeil spoke nonsense, or it was an important question, or maybe he disliked the talk of age, Reid answered directly this time.

“The first prince, Hadeil Lusben Vinchester.”

“Yes. Easy question, easy answer. But your tone seems disrespectful.”

“......The astrologer is reading celestial secrets. Reading the fate of a noble is very difficult, so I ask for leniency regarding formality. Also, please consider his age.”

“If Ayleth says so.”

“Indeed, Your Highness! You possess the wise eyes to see through essence rather than appearance.”

“Ahem.”

[‘The Harsh Critic of Balance’ chuckles at Reid’s sullen face.]

[‘The Scales that Judge Souls’ smiles mischievously, planning to soothe him later.]

Hadeil crossed his legs and arrogantly lifted his chin. Wanting to display royal authority, his expression and tone toward Reid became intense.

“If my men didn’t make mistakes, you must be the infamous ‘Black Prophet.’”

“.......”

“I know you’ve leaked various important celestial secrets to the nobles. I hope you will give me a favorable prophecy. What say you?”

“.......”

Reid gazed clearly at the tea.

Just as impatient Hadeil muttered something, a deep voice echoed to block his words.

“First prince, you are—”

At just that one word, Hadeil’s blue eyes immediately shone. Drunk with anticipation, he seemed to be gasping for breath.

Reid joyfully toyed with that desperate greed for the throne.

“There is ample possibility of achieving what you desire.”

“......Possibility.”

Hadeil openly showed dissatisfaction. What he wanted to hear was sweet flattery, after all.

But Reid’s words were not finished.

“I may also help increase that possibility.”

Hadeil, shedding his displeased attitude, straightened up. A measuring gaze, as if saying ‘You little...,’ was fixed on Reid.

“That means—”

“......”

“You will make a prophecy for me?”

“No.”

In front of Hadeil’s face twisted in frustration, Reid smiled and corrected.

“Not for you.”

“......”