Chapter 22: The Grand Duke Reads the Morning Scandal (2)

Did this child just praise me?

Me?

The Grand Duke of Sonomi?

Bold little thing. I guess he’s taking up after me.

I still should have scolded him, though. Unfortunately, the smile was too bright, and my mouth refused to form anything remotely stern.

My mother’s cursed upbringing trained me against rudeness, but no one warned me that fatherhood came with emotional ambushes at breakfast.

Children are quite dangerous.

After the meal, William followed me into the study with the first batch of reports already prepared. I had only instructed him last night, yet the man had somehow gathered the necessary preliminary information before sunrise.

At this point, I was convinced William was not entirely human.

Perhaps butlers were their own unique species.

"That was quick," I remarked as I took the documents.

"Some records were already kept in the Elysian Estate, Your Excellency. Your parents maintained regular reports on the Capital’s political climate."

"Of course they did."

My parents may have appeared to be carefree wanderers, hopping from one honeymoon location to another like irresponsible migratory birds, but they were Konstantins through and through. Their laziness was refined, not negligent. If a matter concerned the family’s position, they would know about it. No matter how impossible it may seem, they will always have a way of knowing.

It is only that they simply preferred to let me deal with it.

Such loving parents.

I sat behind my desk and opened the report.

Abi came along, of course. He had taken to haunting my study as if it belonged to him too.

Worse, he brought a plate of sugared pastries from breakfast and had the nerve to eat them while sitting on my sofa.

"Spiro?" I asked.

"Bernard is accompanying the Young Master to the library," William replied. "The Head Maid has also arranged a light schedule for him. Reading, rest, fitting adjustments, and a brief walk in the inner garden."

"Good. Do not let him overexert himself."

"Understood."

I returned to the report.

The Crown Prince’s public health records were unsurprisingly pristine. Imperial heirs were not allowed to be sick on paper, after all. Apparently, it can be a destabilizing factor to the nation. And it was bad for public confidence.

According to official documents, His Highness was healthy, trained in swordsmanship since childhood, educated by the best tutors, and blessed by the temple on his seventh birthday.

A perfect prince. Which could only mean the truth was buried somewhere else.

I flipped to the next page.

There were notes from servants’ rumors compiled over the years. Those accounts were far more credible compared to the obviously fabricated official medical report.

The Crown Prince had occasional fainting spells in childhood. Long absences from public events explained as study retreats. A private physician dismissed seven years ago for unknown reasons.

Rare herbs were being mported from the western isles under the empress’s household budget. Mana stabilizers were being purchased through intermediaries. There were also quiet renovations in the Crown Prince’s residence involving reinforced warding formations. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Ah. Not even one real proof. Yet so many shadows leaning in the same direction.

"Interesting," I murmured.

Abi stretched lazily. "Is the puppy secretly fragile?"

"Haven’t we already established that?"

William’s expression was grave. "Your Excellency, the herbs listed here are unusual."

"You recognize them?"

"Some of them. The Lady once used similar ingredients when treating backlash from unstable mana circulation. But the dosage listed here is far beyond what would be necessary for ordinary treatment."

I tapped the paper.

Hmm. Mana circulation. Suppressed life force. Warding formations.

A prince that was raised as the gleaming future of the empire while quietly being held together by medicine and secrecy.

"Could it be an inherited defect?" William asked.

"That’s unlikely," I said. "If it were, the imperial family would have prepared a more airtight cover. These procurement routes are too scattered. Cautious, yes but not enough. It suggests they are hiding the cause, not merely the condition."

Abi chewed on a pastry. "Maybe someone cursed him."

"Perhaps."

"Or maybe someone is feeding him poison slowly."

"That’s also possible."

"Maybe the emperor did it."

William’s gaze sharpened as he turned to Jinn.

Abi blinked. "What? Humans do terrible things to their offspring all the time."

I leaned back. "That’s true. But do not toss accusations for entertainment."

"I was not accusing anyone of anything. I was listing viable possibilities."

"Your possibilities tend to come with explosions and possible treason."

"Only sometimes. And aren’t you happy with treason?"

I wisely ignored his accusation and turned back to the documents.

The emperor. The empress. Court factions. The central nobles. The magic towers. The temple. Rival bloodlines. Foreign powers.

There were too many hands capable of reaching toward the Crown Prince’s throat.

Tsk.

A mystery was enjoyable when it had a shape.

This one was still crude, shrouded thickly in fog, unfortunately.

"Continue digging," I said. "But do not use obvious channels. I do not want the palace knowing I am interested in His Highness’s health. I don’t believe that my resources is as messy as theirs."

William bowed. "Understood."

"Also, contact Sonomi’s apothecaries. Ask them about conditions where Vita’s Tears would react as a stimulant rather than a lethal overload."

William’s expression shifted faintly. Not the least bit surprised that I possessed such a rare item. He must have also pieced two and two together. Because his next question was...

"Shall I mention the Crown Prince?"

"No."

"Then what reason should I give, sire?"

"Say I am bored."

William paused. Then he nodded, as if that was somehow a perfectly reasonable explanation.

It probably was.

A bored Konstantin was a terrifying thing. The Sonomi apothecaries would respond quickly out of either loyalty or fear.

Most likely both. Even better if both. That would make things more efficient.

Just as I reached for the next document, a soft knock came from the door.

"Enter."

Bernard stepped in, bowing. "Your Excellency, a letter has arrived from the imperial palace."

I raised a brow.

"Already?"

"Yes, Your Excellency."

He crossed the room and handed over a sealed envelope.

The imperial crest pressed into gold wax gleamed under the study light. It was formal and direct. Unsubtle enough to be official, yet the delivery speed suggested something more of a personal urgency.

So impatient.

I opened it.

The letter was written in refined script. It was different than all other palace letters I’ve got. It was not the emperor’s and not the palace secretary’s either.

It was the Crown Prince’s.

Your Excellency,

I thank you again for the conversation last night. Your words were frank, perhaps more than I expected, but they have given me much to consider.

If your schedule allows, I would be honored if you would attend the exhibition of imperial archives tomorrow afternoon. Several historical pieces from the founding era will be presented, including some related to the eastern territories.

I believe such matters may interest you.

May the desert remain kind beneath your steps.

Crown Prince Adrien Valerian Yarina

I stared at the final line.

May the desert remain kind beneath your steps.

Hmm. How did the imperial puppy know about this? It was not a Capital phrase, a Sonomian one. It was uncommonly known unless one had lived a while in Sonomi. Did I leave out a spy in my midst?

My eyes narrowed.

"He is either trying too hard," I murmured, "or there is a need for me to purge the people around him and see who the little tattletale is."

Abi unaware of my internal contemplation,vleaned forward, eyes bright. "A second meeting already? My, brother, the puppy is attached."

"Attached huh? We both know he is baiting me."

"Well,are you going?"

"Of course, why wouldn’t I?"

William looked unsurprised again. I set the letter down and smiled.

An imperial archive exhibition of historical pieces from the founding era with some originating from the Eastern territories. This polite invitation was a wrap prettily used around a hook.

The Crown Prince wanted another conversation. But he also wanted to offer me something I could not easily refuse.

History.

Ancient records.

Possibly even documents related to the original oath between Yarina and Sonomi.

The boy had done his research indeed.

"How thoughtful," I said.

Abi grinned. "You look pleased."

"I enjoy being baited properly. It makes for a satisfying clown show."

William made the faintest sound, which he covered with a cough.

I looked at him.

He looked perfectly innocent.

Hah.

This household was becoming lawless.

"Prepare my response," I said to Bernard.

"Accept the invitation and keep it formal."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"Also, have the library prepare all records we have concerning the founding oath. I’ve gone through those but I want to compare them with whatever the palace intends to show me."

Bernard bowed and left quickly.

Abi finished his pastry and licked sugar from his thumb with excessive satisfaction. "So the prince offers you history. Then you investigate his illness. That would make the court think you may possibly support him ending Sonomi’s neutrality. The gossip woman thinks you are growing flowers and your son is learning to scold you for not catching imaginary falling ladies."

I smiled with enough sarcasm to drown people.

"What an accurate summary. You outdid yourself."

"Are you still claiming this is villainous?"

"Of course."

"How?"

I picked up the Crown Prince’s letter and studied the elegant script once more.

How indeed?

From the outside, one might mistake my actions as supportive. Perhaps even kind. I was investigating the Crown Prince’s hidden illness, considering whether to cure him, protecting my son from gossip, and accepting an invitation to discuss historical matters like a dignified pillar of the empire.

Disgusting, when phrased that way.

But the intention mattered.

I did not intend to support the Crown Prince out of loyalty. I did not intend to support him at all. I intended to use him, make use of him. I did not intend to cure him out of compassion. It was all to secure leverage. I have no plans stabilizing an empire I want to own or destroy. Whichever is the result of this process. I intended to do that in the most satisfying way possible.

There was no contradiction in that, only poor interpretation.

"It is villainous because I said so," I replied nonchalantly.

Why bother explaining?

Abi stared at me and laughed.

"I see. How tyrannical of you."

"Thank you."

"It was not praise, though."

"I’ll accept it as such anyway."

William, who had remained silent, spoke carefully. "Your Excellency, there is one more matter."

"What is it?"

"The palace invitation is for tomorrow afternoon. However, tomorrow morning you are scheduled to receive several noble callers."

I paused and frowned.

"What noble callers?"

"The ones who sent requests after last night’s ball."

I stared at him.

William continued with the composure of a man delivering a death sentence. "There are twenty-seven formal requests so far. Eight from families wishing to offer greetings. Six from those seeking trade discussions. Four from ladies who were apparently acquainted with the young lady you assisted last night.

Three from factions close to the Crown Prince. Two from temple representatives. One from Marquess Veyron. One from Lady Evelina’s father. And two from persons claiming distant relation to House Konstantin."

Silence fell.

Then Abi whispered, "Your blooming garden is popular."

I slowly turned my head toward him.

He smiled.

I smiled back.

"William," I said gently.

"Yes, Your Excellency?"

"Commission the lamp."

Abi’s face dropped.

William bowed.

"As you command."