The Break-Up Strategy


The year had changed.

On the first day of the new year, Doug entered the palace. Unable to bear seeing Doug pacing back and forth, Patricia finally spoke.

“So, do you think the impossible will become possible? Come, have a seat. If we think calmly, a solution will come to us.”

Doug sighed deeply and sat on the sofa as Patricia suggested.

“I heard the dukes had a secret meeting yesterday. Did things not go well?”

“Hmm.”

“What did you discuss when you gathered?”

“We each shared what we talked about when we met the Emperor.”

After the Emperor declared the true name at the New Year’s Eve banquet, the dukes individually had an audience with him.

“They all left empty-handed. Hmph. They’re like men without a backbone.”

Doug blamed the other dukes, even though he himself hadn’t brought up the unfairness of the true name in front of the Emperor, nor had he heard the Emperor's innermost thoughts.

“What can you expect? The only duchy that didn’t get involved in that matter is the Bless family. And the Bless family is a duchy in name only; they’ve been holed up in their estate and have no power in the capital.”

Doug’s stern expression did not soften.

“His Majesty said he doesn’t want to shed blood. He’s not someone who would make enemies of all the ducal families.”

“There’s something on my mind. His Majesty said he wants to right a wrong. I wonder if it could be... the Acheron family.”

Patricia tilted her head in puzzlement.

“Acheron?”

Twenty-five years ago, Patricia was young. The time of the bloodshed coincided with her debut in society. Because of the chaotic atmosphere, her debut was delayed, and all she remembered was feeling annoyed by it.

“Father was deeply involved.”

“But as far as I know, all the ducal families...”

“To be precise, the other families turned a blind eye. The destruction of the Acheron family was something Father actively led.”

“Why?”

“Because the late Emperor wanted it.”

“What reason would Father have to get involved in such a thing?”

Doug looked at Patricia intently before speaking.

“That’s why you are where you are now.”

Patricia bit her lip and set her teacup down harshly.

“What are you worried about, Brother?”

“The restoration of the Acheron family.”

“Restoration...?”

“If it’s revealed that the Acheron family was innocent, then the blame will be placed on the Rimone family. I’m wondering if His Majesty is trying to keep our family in check.”

“Why would he dig up such an old matter?”

Doug remained silent. Patricia studied Doug’s expression.

“There’s more, isn’t there?”

“...It’s not widely known, but the Duke of Acheron’s daughter was pregnant with His Majesty’s child.”

“The late Emperor’s child?”

“No, His Majesty. The then Crown Prince.”

The color drained from Patricia’s face. The area under her eyes trembled slightly.

“She gave birth?”

“She had a son.”

“What did you say?!”

It sounded almost like a scream.

“Calm down. Both mother and son are dead.”

The Duke of Acheron sent his pregnant daughter to their estate to give birth. When the soldiers, acting on the imperial order, arrived at the duchy, the Duke’s daughter and her child had already disappeared. After a relentless pursuit, they were captured a few years later.

“No way... Did Father kill them? The imperial grandson?”

“It was the late Emperor’s command.”

Ha. Patricia let out a frustrated laugh.

“But he was his grandson. An imperial grandson. Why did the late Emperor hate the Acheron family so much?”

“I don’t know that much. Father never told me in the end.”

“Are you sure they’re dead? Could it be that the Iron King...”

“Father said they were dead, so they must be. Besides, the Iron King’s age doesn’t match up.”

 

 ***


"Your Majesty, you mentioned that you were born in the first month of the new year. Your 26th birthday is coming up soon."

Dian leisurely welcomed the first day of the new year, drinking tea and chatting with Violet at the Iron King's Palace.

"That's right," Dian replied with a smile.

"Actually, it's different from what's known."

"The date of your birthday? Then when is the real date?"

"I’ll tell you later. When we get married."

Violet's cheeks turned rosy.

"Oh, then what should I do? I prepared a gift suitable for the cold season."

"Don't worry. It’s still the cold season."

Relieved, Violet smiled bashfully.

"But don't tell anyone else. It would just be a hassle."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Since you say it’s a cold season, there doesn’t seem to be much difference."

Violet thought there might have been some mistake when Dian first came to the imperial palace.

Dian muttered to himself.

"It's not the date that's different. It's that the upcoming birthday isn't my 26th."

Dian Argent was about to turn 27.

 

 ***

 

Gilbert reported the resignation of one of the guards.

"His father's condition has worsened, and he is no longer able to move. He said he wanted to stay by his father's side until he passed. I suggested he take a leave, but he said he doesn't know if it will be a month or a year, so he requested to resign."

"He wants to serve his father, so there's nothing we can do. Make sure he doesn’t face any financial difficulties while caring for his sick father."

"Yes, Your Majesty. This is the candidate I am considering as his replacement."

Gilbert placed a document on the desk.

As Sienna opened the personnel file, her brows furrowed.

Ben Stus. A familiar name caught her eye.

"Is this someone you know?"

"I don’t have a personal connection, but I am familiar with the name."

"How so?"

"There’s information we share among ourselves. Outstanding peers or juniors are well-known among the knights. It’s not standardized information, more like...”

“Ah, I understand. It's similar to social circles’ gossip. Is he famous?”

“Yes. He is skilled and has a good reputation."

“You wouldn’t have chosen him just for those reasons.”

“The departing guard recommended him.”

Sienna’s eyes narrowed as she reviewed Ben Stus’s personnel file.

“The one resigning must recommend a successor. Your Majesty.”

“I am aware. And then?”

“I compared him with several other candidates I thought suitable and selected him through a document review. Then, I met him for a personal interview.”

Sienna read Ben Stus’s personnel file carefully. She remembered reading a file sent by Patricia before. The information wasn’t much different from what she had read then.

Ben came from a long-established noble family that had lived in the capital for a long time. However, he hadn’t benefited from his family's status. The family had fallen on hard times, and he stood out purely on his own merits.

The back of his certificate, which recorded his excellent grades, was packed with letters of recommendation. He had both skill and popularity. He was an ideal candidate. That was what bothered her.

“Why is he not affiliated with any order?”

“He suffered a fracture during training. He refused offers to join several knight orders, saying that taking a position when a knight couldn’t use his body would be negligent.”

A good excuse. Declining promotion due to an injury. He also showed prudence.

“I like him. I really like him,” she murmured. Contrary to her words, her gaze was cold. If she hadn’t seen this man in her dreams, she would have surely appointed him to a significant position.

"Either my mother or my uncle is behind this person. Does it matter which one?"

She was tired of their persistent efforts to plant people around her.

"How much did the future me miss or fail to see?"

She did not hesitate in reaching her conclusion. Ben Stus was a future that needed to be changed.

"Sir Gilbert."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I trust you. I believe you brought me this file with the pure intention of recommending a capable person."

Gilbert's expression hardened. He sensed the meaningful undertone in her words.

"Your Majesty, if there is a mistake, please do not hesitate to reprimand me."

"Ben Stus. I know this man. He is backed by someone I know. But there’s no mention of that in this file."

"By support, do you mean...?"

"In exchange for that support, he is offering his loyalty."

Gilbert's eyebrows twitched. He suppressed his anger in front of the superior. Naturally, Gilbert's anger was directed at Ben Stus.

Stus had passed the document screening with his superior resume. Ultimately, the positive impression during the interview greatly influenced Gilbert’s decision to choose him. Throughout the interview, he had been sincere without the arrogance typical of someone with his skills.

"If I could serve by the side of the Silver King, it would be the honor of my life."

Stus's earnestness seemed genuine. Since Gilbert himself had risen to this position through hard work without the benefit of his family, he felt a kinship with Stus in similar circumstances.

Gilbert considered becoming the commander of the Silver King's guard the luckiest thing in his life. People envied Gilbert. Many knights asked him what his secret was.

At first, he himself could hardly believe it and thought it might be a temporary position. But watching the selection of the aides, he realized that the Silver King did not consider family background when choosing people.

Gilbert was grateful to the Silver King. He resolved to serve by her side with all his heart. So he was infuriated by Stus. Trying to join the Silver King’s guard while being loyal to someone else? It was unforgivable deception.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I almost made an irreparable mistake.”

“Accept him as the replacement.”

“What?”

“We need to keep him close and watch.”

Gilbert, surprised, nodded with a look of realization.

“Let’s keep today’s conversation between you and me. And when he joins, treat him normally.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And the resigning guard. You need to investigate his surroundings.”

“Yes.”

Gilbert replied heavily. It didn't feel good to have to suspect a subordinate.

“Do not act on it yourself. I’ll introduce someone for you to use for the investigation. They might be more suited for discreet inquiries.”

Sienna thought of introducing Evita. When Evita came to deliver information about the faction last time, she had arranged a way to contact her.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Bring in the replacement within a day or two. There’s no need to delay.”

“Yes.”

“You may go.”

“...There is something I need to say, Your Majesty.”

Sienna, who was about to read Stus’s file again, looked up. Gilbert, uncharacteristically hesitant, spoke.

“Lord Raad sent an excessive gift, and I don’t know if I should accept it. I returned it, but he sent it back again, and now I’m unsure…”

It was also impolite to refuse gifts from someone of high-rank multiple times. Gilbert was caught between a rock and a hard place.

Sienna’s expression softened slightly. It was a change she didn’t notice herself.

“Accept it.”

“But...”

“I hear you have a hobby of collecting quill pens?”

“Yes, it’s embarrassing.”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about a hobby. If he sends them, there’s no need to refuse. If it’s something expensive or rare, you can ask Lord Raad for it. You can even say I told you to do so.”

“What?”

“Lord Raad is wealthy. It won’t be a burden.”

“Your Majesty, it’s not about the price.”

“Sir Gilbert, will you betray my trust for a few valuable quills?”

“Absolutely not, Your Majesty!”

Gilbert was taken aback.

“Then it’s settled. Lord Raad wants to be in your good graces. Think of it as a gift from me.”

Leaving the Silver King's office, Gilbert felt puzzled.

“Why would the Marquis want to get on my good side? And why did the Silver King tell me to think of the Marquis’s gift as a gift from her?”

It was a mystery he could not solve.


<PREVIOUS | NEXT>

Previous
Next