Chapter 166: I''ll Decline

Ian traveled towards the royal palace in a carriage accompanied not only by his mother and sister but also by Galon, Duke Lavaltor, and King Eloin disguised as Cain.

Despite the cramped seating, both the Duke and the King insisted on joining.

“Could you move over a bit?”

“This is my seat, Duke.”

Duke Lavaltor and King Eloin were engaged in a silent battle, glaring at each other.

“Your Grace, it might be best for you to remain at your mansion. It is my duty to protect this place.”

“That scoundrel may not be present, but I should be here at least.”

It seemed that the Duke recognized King Eloin.

In an instant, sparks flew between the two.

However, Ian paid little attention to their conflict.

“Is it okay? I think it would be better if I stayed behind.”

“!”

Ian’s mother, Lila, seemed to grasp the current situation accurately.

If things continued like this, Ian’s qualifications as successor and the throne itself were in jeopardy.

This was likely a deduction made possible by Lila’s past experiences in the royal court as a maid.

Of course, Elaira was no different.

“If this is because of me, Brother, there is no need for you to go through this trouble.”

She had also dealt with the factional struggles in the Holy Empire as a saintess.

Especially in their mother’s case, there had been such threats in the past.

Those who’d attacked Lila because of her origins.

It had nearly cost her her life and the two people in her stomach.

But Ian reassured them with a warm smile.

“Don’t worry, Mother. I will handle everything.”

“But still...”

“I am no longer the powerless person I once was. This time, I am determined to protect both you and my sister.”

“!”

Elaira and Lila were reassured by Ian’s words, yet Cain, or rather King Eloin in disguise as the twelfth seat, appeared discontent.

‘Is it because the Council of Elders moved as they pleased?’

The Council of Elders was a group of elderly members of the royal family and retired nobles, representing one of the most powerful forces symbolizing the royal authority.

‘The strength of the Kaistein monarchy lies in the support of the Council of Elders.’

Even a king could not overlook their influence.

‘But manipulating things behind the scenes is a different matter.’

His frustration was understandable, but as a king, he couldn’t overtly display his anger.

Internal discord would only benefit the nobles.

Especially considering the confinement of Duke Garcia, who could be plotting something at that very moment.

If he was someone who usually aimed for the Council of Elders, he might even try to usurp the position of the Council’s chairman.

‘It’s a tough job being king.’

There were so many factors to consider.

He had to endure for the sake of not just his position but also what he wanted to protect.

‘But not me.’

Ian’s gaze turned cold.

The reason for his mother’s exclusion and his sister’s inclusion had become apparent.

‘They must believe my sister’s status as a saintess holds some utility.’

However, they had miscalculated.

‘Who do they think they are, using my sister like this?’

Just then, Duke Lavaltor broke the silence.

“So, what is your plan?”

“What do you mean?”

“At this rate, we won’t even be able to pass the gates.”

They were almost at the royal palace.

But it was clear that the soldiers under the Council of Elders’s control wouldn’t let Lila pass through.

“If you wish, I can use my own influence to assist you.”

“Are you saying you would intervene personally, Duke?”

“No need for oaths. The title of the First Knight Commander alone should suffice for us to pass.”

In truth, it wasn’t even necessary to invoke the name of the First Knight Commander.

Given his reputation as the strongest on the continent, few could withstand his presence.

Ian wondered if Duke Lavaltor had accompanied them for this reason, but he dismissed the thought.

“Like I said before, all I ask is that you stay still.”

“It’s not difficult to do that, but...”

It was a question of whether it was even necessary.

However, Duke Lavaltor clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“You don’t want to do as they wish, do you?”

This was where cunning politicians played their games.

Ian nodded in agreement.

“Sister, that Ian brat is already seen as next in line for the throne. If he arrives with his mother and a saintess sister, the throne’s stability becomes truly uncertain.”

“Are you implying we should sever family ties, no matter what?”

“Perhaps that’s acceptable for you, sister, if you head to Cantum, but I cannot!”

Servin stared at the queen with a fierce gaze.

“Your Majesty the Queen, surely you have some thoughts on this matter.”

At that moment, a figure entered.

“Did you summon me, Your Majesty the Queen?”

Seeing the figure, Servin and the First Princess shouted in surprise.

“You are...”

“Isn’t that Deputy Chairman Jarken of the Council of Elders?”

Jarken was a distant relative of the royal family and one of the behind-the-scenes figures moving the Council of Elders.

It was natural for the face of the first princess, who had come back dissatisfied from her date with Nathan, not to end properly, to frown.

“Did Mother move the Council? Is that alright?”

“Yes. If His Majesty knows, it could be a big problem.”

However, Deputy Chairman Jarken burst into laughter.

“Don’t worry; that won’t happen.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Even His Majesty cannot intervene in all matters. The internal affairs department falls entirely under Her Majesty the Queen’s jurisdiction. Moreover, we in the Council of Elders hold the responsibility to uphold royal law.”

Even a king had no right to interfere, no matter how much power he held.

“Of course, secretly using His Majesty’s authority would be a problem... but that matters only

when he finds out.”

It was a given that the king in the palace would have no idea.

“We’ve only involved those who are tight-lipped. Besides, the Seventh Prince isn’t likely to confess anything to the king himself. He won’t notice at all.”

“Before that, your neck might end up on the line.”

“In that case, we must act swiftly, before His Majesty decides to take action against me.”

Despite the gravity of the situation, Jarken remained resolute.

“Besides, she’s just a mere maid. The Seventh Prince or King Eloin wouldn’t sacrifice much for her.”

“Do you truly believe that?”

“Absolutely. That’s the essence of power. It’s something you can’t even share with your own children.”

At that instant, the First Princess expressed her disappointment with a frown.

It was in that moment.

“Deputy Chairman Jarken! It’s urgent!”

Someone rushed to him and began whispering in his ear.

“What? What’s the situation with the Seventh Prince?”

“What’s going on, Deputy Chairman Jarken?”

“Oh... it’s nothing, Your Majesty the Queen.”

Jarken smiled as if it was truly nothing.

“It’s been reported that Prince Ian has declined to enter the palace and is awaiting His Majesty’s orders at the palace gate.”

The queen laughed.

“So this is how he plans to come out? Just to delay time. How disappointing.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty the Queen. At this pace, he might even face ridicule from those lowly commoners in the streets.”

However, only Servin and the First Princess were not smiling.

“It doesn’t seem like a time to laugh...”

“What do you mean?”

“You still underestimate the youngest one, Ian. Time is not working against us; it’s on his side.”

In an instant, everyone’s faces hardened. But the First Princess stood up as if giving advice.

“If we don’t hurry and see His Majesty, there will be serious consequences.”

“What do you mean...”

They might end up provoking Ian, which could lead to losing something far more significant than they anticipated.

The First Princess spoke coldly, “If we delay like this, it won’t be Ian who faces the wrath, but the royal family and the Council of Elders. And Ian won’t sit idly by while overturning the support of the people against you and us.”

So they had to hurry to see His Majesty.

If they didn’t treat Lila properly and let Ian anger fester...

“We might witness this nation split in two.”

Upon the First Princess’s words, the expressions of the Queen and Jarken turned gravely serious.

***

Creeeak!

The gates of the royal palace opened.

Not only the king’s chamberlain but also members of the Council of Elders rushed out, shouting in a panic.

“Seventh Prince Ian Kaistein, Third Princess Elaira Kaistein, and Third Queen Lila Kaistein! His Majesty commands you to come to the palace at once!”

But at that very moment, Ian coldly laughed at them.

“I decline.”

Bang!

And he slammed the door of the carriage shut.