A day without change pa.s.sed by again today.
It was agonizing. The time limit mercilessly approaches.
“It’s in six months.”
“Yes.”
Having an audience with the King became customary now. The conversation should have ended with ‘There was nothing strange in particular,’ but today, it didn’t only end like that.
“There had been a discussion regarding the matter in question. In case an [Explosion] doesn’t happen in half a year, I entrusted Ricardo to take care of the situation. Consult with Prince and discuss the particulars with the him. Report to me by then. You’re dismissed.”
With that, the audience was over.
Matthias left the King’s office and returned to his Master’s room in the Green Water Palace to finish his work as usual. Late at night, he went to the Lapis Lazuli Palace located just a little away from the center of the Royal Palace.
When he told the gatekeeper he wanted to meet with the place’s Master, the gatekeeper rushed to call the butler in a panic. Matthias didn’t worry about since it happens every time. Moreover, he previously received a complaint like ‘here comes the irresponsible adult again’ because of his way of visiting, but even those two do the same thing as himself. Before, those two came over to play without sending a notice first and the surprise they gave Matthias’ house’s gatekeeper was even greater. The gatekeeper who had been working there for a long time strained his lower back, and had to be given several months of vacation.
The butler came and guided him inside. Every time he sees it, he always thought that lapis lazuli was a very appropriate name for this imperial villa. It gives of the feeling of slipping into the depths of the sea.
But when Matthias said it to this place’s Master, he replied that he likes the design of this imperial villa but he would prefer if it was smaller, he said this with a troubled laugh. According to him, it was lonely and he didn’t like that.
Matthias was ushered into the designated room. It isn’t a guestroom nor a bedroom. It’s a small room.
So it was here after all…
This room had been used by the three of them since Ricardo and his mother lived in this imperial villa. Before they entered the academy and became schoolmates and even before Fer was elected as First Retainer (Matthias was taken along since they were always together in the academy), they would take refuge in this room when they sneaked out from their lessons. Every time this happens, only the butler knows where to search for them.
“You came?”
Ric and Fer were looking over some doc.u.ments between them as they sat opposite each other.
“Yeah. I heard from the King today.”
Matthias locked the door and sat beside Fer. He didn’t think that he would come back here one day with this kind of mood.
“I thought about a plan that considers the conditions given by the King.”
“Conditions?” Matthias reacted.
“The a.s.sa.s.sination should be executed away from the Imperial Capital. Perform it secretly as to not attract public attention. Conceal it as much as possible. Lay out a public statement with no inconsistencies, if in case it comes to light. These are the King’s orders.”
Ricardo conveyed the words of his Father King more negligently than usual. He continued it in a manner that made his dissatisfaction clear.
“As I thought, I don’t really want to do this plan… I understand that a prince unskilled in using magic would be a weak point that foreign countries would take advantage of, still…”
“If his existence is not known to many, it’s better to take him outside of the Imperial Capital and quietly live there, isn’t that right? ”
Fer crossed his arms as he continued Ricardo’s words. This time it was Matthias who opened his mouth.
“Who are the people aware of the Prince’s existence?”
“Everyone from the royal family knows. From the Four Colored Houses, everyone up to our generation knows. Especially, those like us who are concerned with the state’s affairs. Rumors spread among some of the aristocrats working in the palace during the prince’s birth, but everyone thinks it’s a groundless rumor because there was no eyewitness. The populace doesn’t have any information at all.”
“Is that so? That’s amazing. But to go to that extent, what’s the reason…?”
The birth of a prince or princess isn’t something that can be concealed easily. No matter how isolated the Inner Palace is, there was a large number of servants, and the news of a woman of n.o.ble relations becoming a mother spreads with surprising swiftness. To begin with, concealing such a happy story was never heard before.
“This may be because it’s the Third Prince’s mother…” Ricardo muttered those words. Coincidentally, Ricardo was aware of it… No, even if he never went to the Inner Palace, he can remember someone resembling that woman. It’s not only Ricardo. Fernando does remember, too. Matthias never personally met her, but heard stories about her. The woman who died giving birth to the Third Prince, what was she thinking about during her last moments? Was it her family? Was it the King? Or was it her son who she had not seen yet? Truly… She was a genius who always found something enjoyable in the dull Inner Palace. She was given the nickname “Sun Princess.” Was it a.s.sociated with her aloof blond hair? The meaning was stifled no matter how many times the King questioned. “Father King most likely… he can’t accept that Sun Princess-sama lost her life giving birth to a prince who can’t use magic, and he can’t bear to think about the Prince. That’s why after meeting him once, he locked him up. However, it’s still unusual that he hesitated until this period. Nevertheless…” Explosion usually happens in the age of three. Having that during four years old is rarely ever heard. But his father’s hesitation had been extended up to six years old. His Father’s orders this time told him nothing about his younger brother. Ricardo only knows his brother’s age and name but not his magic power. Even his appearance wasn’t known. Matthias also said nothing about it. “Even so, right now we can’t do anything rash.” Matt’s voice was firm. “Matt, are you really going to be alright? It’s been decided you’ll do it.” Matt stayed quiet for a while when he was asked, then nodded slowly. “I understand. Then, first…” The conversation’s progress focused around Fernando. … “… the route is here?” “No, that’s too close…” “How about here?” “Mmm…” “How about the guards?” “The coachman can’t be a soldier.” “… how many people?” “One is enough.” “Is it alright?” “We’re travelling incognito.” “It should be someone young so we can bribe him to stay silent, in case it’s exposed.” “A coach and other necessities is being prepared by Mother.” “Clothes?” … They were able to roughly plan. Fernando breathed out a sigh. When he looked up, he met the face of Matthias. “…are you going to be alright?” “We’re able to think this much. It’ll be alright.” … That’s not it. I wanted to know if you are alright. But Fernando wasn’t able to say that. He noticed that Matthias had bitten his lips so much that blood came out.
