“‘It must be said it’s ‘only for you.’”

“......!”

To the final mastermind, the art of manipulating others’ hearts with words was apparently essential.

Hadeil’s face brightened noticeably. His eyes gleamed more intensely.

“I didn’t expect you to be the one to propose first. What is it you want?”

“.......”

I stepped forward again. Flattery was a must in negotiating the reward.

“It is enough to have the opportunity to pledge loyalty to Your Highness, the noble prince.”

“You speak like a noble.”

“Even commoners know honor and glory.”

“Is that your own wish, Ayleth? Or the astrologer’s?”

“I always convey the astrologer’s will.”

“I see? That pleases me very much.”

Here again, Hadeil seemed eager to act the part of the prince who knows things and has great ambition.

“I have no intention of being stingy. I know prophecies are proportional to the reward.”

Moreover, feeling good, his ambition truly grew.

“Astrologer, Reid.”

“.......”

“I promise you the position of prime minister. If I become king, throughout my reign you shall enjoy wealth and glory.”

“Y-Your Highness!”

An aide tried to stop him, but Hadeil raised his hand to silence him. Then he looked straight at Reid and said,

“In return, you must show me proof of your loyalty.”

“Proof?”

“Nothing special. Simply, your words about commoners knowing honor and glory touched me deeply. It will be meaningful to you, so feel free to give thanks.”

Just when I wondered what he was trying to swagger about,

Hadeil sank deeply into the back of his chair and raised his right hand. The back of his hand, adorned with a thick jeweled ring, was extended toward Reid.

“Come closer and kiss it. As a pledge of loyalty.”

Feeling the atmosphere in the reception room grow heavy, I screamed silently inside.

‘Crazy. What are they trying to make Reid do?’

Fortunately, the situation was not as serious as I feared.

Because beside me was not a passive holy knight but a sharp final mastermind.

“Such things I reserve only for the beloved. No way I’d do that for scum like you.”

“Hmm? What did you say? Too small to hear.”

“I read the divine will. I will now prophesy for the first prince.”

“No, first the oath......”

“A great event that will shake the royal family will occur soon. If you watch for the right opportunity, the third prince will fall from grace, and you will achieve what you desire.”

“What?! Is that true?!”

At the shocking forecast, it seemed the reckless show-off finally quieted down.

“What exactly is the event? Explain in detail!”

“Well. The future vision is still blurry.”

“I see......”

I stepped up to close the matter.

“The astrologer seems to have lost much energy from revealing too much divine will. At your age, too... I’m sorry, but may we take our leave for today?”

“Ah! Do so then. What’s the fuss? The noble guest is leaving.”

Hadeil personally opened the reception room door for us.

“I’ll see you often, Lady Ayleth.”

The way he winked at me still lacked any grace.

“Well then, shall I guide you outside the palace... huh? Where did you go?!”

We easily shook off the attendants and guards who tried to escort us and entered the garden. The trees, full of summer vitality, provided good cover.

“You don’t need the prince’s men to follow you when you know the way.”

“You must have been quite frustrated.”

You’re not the only one.

...Of course, I didn’t mention that aloud.

“Yeah. I think I can breathe now. Let’s go.”

I looked up at the sunlight streaming in beams overhead. The leaves, their veins clearly outlined in bright light, looked like green stained glass.

I glanced at Reid subtly.

Honestly, ‘messy family regrets’ and his hidden birth could easily produce bad synergy, so I was worried. But compared to dealing with Hadeil, Reid seemed in fairly good shape.

Of course, we can’t let our guard down, since we don’t know what’s coming.

‘What messy family regrets? There might even be some romance in that genre.’

It was when I was grumbling about not being able to confess.

[‘The Wordsmith Who Builds the World’ emits a subtle sigh and falls into anguish.]

[‘The Eye Watching the Chaos of All Things’ narrows its eyes, insisting on rolling the Long-Speech Fist until it gets a GL (good ending).]

[‘The Scales Judging the Soul’ agrees that it would rather be an R-rated romantic fantasy prison story and supports buying the Long-Speech Fist again.]

[‘The Balancing Cynic’ laughs wickedly, saying let’s endure various hardships, or rather, experiences, up to ten times.]

[‘The Creator of Economic Growth’ really likes ideas that boost sales.]

What is this? Except for the Wordsmith, it feels like the other gods are conspiring somehow?

At that moment,

[‘The Cliché Gourmet’ slightly sticks its head in and asks if this is really the hotspot.]

A newcomer I hadn’t seen before appeared. Who could that be?

[‘The Wordsmith Who Builds the World’ asks with displeasure what’s going on here.]

[‘The Cliché Gourmet’ replies it was just passing by, found it interesting, and came to watch.]

[‘The Wordsmith’ quietly tells it to watch calmly and leave, with a sullen attitude.]

[‘The Cliché Gourmet’ nods enthusiastically.]

Probably just a passing god.

Reid and I left the garden and walked down the corridor hallway. The palace servants frequently passed through here, so it was a place with much attention, but we paid it no mind.

No, rather, we purposely strode confidently down the center of the corridor hoping our unusual presence would quickly reach ‘someone’s’ ears.

“I refuse the trouble of making two visits to the palace.”

“Yeah, that’s why I dressed unique and fancy.”

“Oh, you’re really wise.”

Watching the whispering maids and servants pass, I smiled pleased, thinking everything was going according to plan.

<Ayleth, listen.>

A cautious voice came from the necklace. Agnes seemed worried after the meeting with Hadeil.

<I’ve been thinking. Prince Hadeil seems weak to flattery and won’t be a wise king.>

“You saw that exactly, Agnes.”

<Then why try to put Hadeil on the throne? What did the people of Winchester do to deserve this?>

“Hey, that can’t be.”

<Then?>

“The thrill of a three-way contest is to pit enemies against each other, isn’t it?”

<Oh? Then could it be......>

“Yes, that could be it.”

<Ah ha!>

When Agnes blew away her worries, a group of knights was seen striding towards us from across the hall.

They had come to greet us already.

“Well then, shall we get the next schedule done right away?”

✠

A clean hand proving noble birth filled a teacup with water and offered it.

The coldly beautiful boy with platinum hair and cobalt eyes was Rigares Ezentel Winchester, the third prince born to the current queen.

Yes. Right after meeting the first prince, we were summoned to the third prince.

Clink—the sound of Rigares placing down the teacup broke the silence of the reception room.

“I’ll get straight to the point.”

“.......”

“Prophesy for me. Whatever that Hadeil bastard promised, I’ll pay you twice as much.”

Reid and I calmly sipped tea, the sweet aroma lingering on our tongues.

The impatient youngest prince started his business before touching the tea, but just because he was restless didn’t mean we had any obligation to accommodate him.

Reid quietly set down his teacup and looked at Rigares. Their sharply contrasting eyes met in midair.

“.......”

“.......”

Though this was supposed to be a place for persuasion and negotiation, a tense atmosphere hung in the air. Considering Reid’s past, it was natural.

Throughout all timelines of Tesilid Arzent, Rigares was like a lifelong nemesis who tried to kill him.

Though the reasons changed with circumstances, it was always the same. The hatred, malice, and murderous intent rivaling even the most fateful loves.

Though back then he was a noble holy knight and now a fallen final mastermind, we couldn’t let our guard down.

After staring at Rigares for a long while, Reid finally spoke. But it was not an answer to Rigares’s proposal.

“I don’t really see the resemblance.”

“Hmm? Oh, you mean Hadeil? That’s true.”

“.......”

Reid deliberately remained silent without correcting him.

“So, your answer?”

Rigares showed no sign of caring about Reid’s disrespect.

Maybe because he was eager to get hold of the black prophet sooner than his own brother, or maybe because my early reveal of Reid’s age story reached Rigares’s ears, I don’t know.

Reid seemed intent on continuing to talk directly with Rigares.

“The first prince promised the prime minister position.”

“He only offered power. I’ll fill you with honor and wealth. I’ll grant you the dukedom and the lands befitting that rank.”

“The third prince has big ambition.”

“Do you like it?”

“Not sure.”

“Speak freely. If you don’t like prime minister, would you prefer regent?”

The word “regent” slipped from the mouth of one who eyes the throne. Is he planning to sell out the country?

Under Reid’s steady gaze, Rigares revealed his true intentions.

“Want to hear something interesting? Honestly, I don’t care what happens to this damn royal family and kingdom, as long as I can wage war against the Elfenheim church.”

“.......”

“My only goal is to destroy the Elfenheim church and dedicate it. Everything else, including the throne, is just a means to that.”

His bright blue eyes shone with madness and prophecy.

Probably the same look he had when he sent good, faithful holy knights repeatedly to their deaths.

We must not let Reid face those eyes too long. It would cause trauma.

Luckily, I knew a good way to divert Rigares’s attention.

“Your Highness’s grudge is...”

“.......”

“Because of Prince Reminic, I suppose.”

“......I warn you. Don’t mention °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° that name carelessly in front of me.”

It was immediately effective.

The brother complex guy glared at me. Yes, look at me, not Reid.

<So young and green. What will you do if I warn you?>

Agnes was right, too. Holding eye contact boldly without fear, the gaze lasted longer than usual.

“.......”

“.......”

As time passed, Rigares’s expression changed. He looked somewhat intrigued...

“By the way, I didn’t catch the woman’s name.”