Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: An Unforeseen Visit
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The royal family's unexpected visit threw the Sigmund family into an uproar.
And for good reason—the royal family had arrived without any prior notice.
Their visit was as sudden as it was unusual.
The royal family rarely made such moves...
As a result, Grand Duke Guntram had to leave the castle gates immediately upon arriving in Decaron to greet them.
No matter that he was the head of the Sigmund family and the one and only Grand Duke of the kingdom; before the royal family, he had no choice but to humble himself completely.
Grand Duke Guntram personally went outside the castle gates and knelt on one knee before the Crown Prince.
“The eye that pierces the veil of the future, the gaze that reveals the truth tomorrow seeks to hide, the blood of the royal family seated on the throne of foresight—the North bows its head in reverence. Guntram van Sigmund, Lord of Decaron, Head of the Sigmunds, and Grand Duke of the North, greets Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Even Grand Duke Guntram, the ruler of the North and arguably the strongest man in the Allied Kingdom, could not avoid showing such deference to Crown Prince Gordon.
The royal family reigned supreme over the twelve families that supported the Allied Kingdom.
Before their dominance and influence, built upon the power of foresight, even the Sigmund family had no choice but to bow their heads.
Besides, the Sigmund family was currently on a tight leash held by the royals.
“Your Grace, why do you kneel?”
Crown Prince Gordon hurriedly helped the Grand Duke to his feet, as if such a gesture were entirely improper.
“The Grand Duke of the Allied Kingdom has no need for this. Please, rise.”
“I am deeply grateful for your benevolence.”
“I am concerned that my sudden visit may have troubled you.”
“How could that be? The Sigmunds are the royal family's most loyal sword. You are welcome here anytime.”
“I am simply grateful that you think so.”
The Crown Prince gave a warm smile and clasped the Grand Duke's hand firmly.
Meanwhile, Carlyle, who was watching the scene from his room far away, felt extremely displeased.
The distance was too great for him to hear their words, but the sight of Grand Duke Guntram kneeling on one knee and bowing his head was enough to irritate him.
*Why?*
Carlyle was suddenly puzzled by his own displeasure.
*Why is that?*
*Grand Duke Guntram isn't even a blood relative.*
*Of course, the blood flowing in this body is the same as the Grand Duke's, but I'm not the real Carlyle van Sigmund.*
*It's not because he's my father. We're strangers. I probably just don't like seeing that arrogant prince force an elder to his knees. And the royal family is a bunch of frauds, too. That must be why I feel so rotten.*
Carlyle reached his own conclusion, justifying his feelings.
***
The royal visit put the entire Sigmund family on high alert.
Accordingly, security in the capital, Decaron, was tightened severalfold, and the guards within the inner castle were reinforced.
It was so thorough that there wasn't a single corner of the inner castle without a guard.
With guards stationed every few steps, it would be no exaggeration to say that the inner castle of Decaron was now safer than the royal palace itself.
And that was only natural.
If anything were to happen to the Crown Prince, it would be the end of the Sigmund family.
“You must be weary from your long journey.”
“Not at all.”
The Crown Prince smiled warmly.
“How could I be weary when I traveled by carriage? It is my retinue who endured the hardship.”
“You are truly a benevolent ruler.”
Grand Duke Guntram's demeanor toward the Crown Prince was exceedingly polite.
The Crown Prince was the current power within the royal family and, for all intents and purposes, the king of the Allied Kingdom.
Although it was too soon for a formal coronation, it had already been over five years since the Crown Prince began his regency after the king fell ill...
“In any case, you have my sympathies, Your Grace. I was forced to raise the tax rates, so...”
“It is nothing.”
Grand Duke Guntram shook his head.
“It is the royal family's command. We are duty-bound to obey.”
“I am simply grateful that you see it that way.”
Grand Duke Guntram wanted to ask.
Why had he raised the tax rates?
Why was he suddenly increasing the stockpile of mana stones?
But he knew all too well that the only response would be an empty smile or a polite refusal, so he didn't bother asking.
It was unthinkable for the royal family to reveal the future they knew, and even if they did, it would surely be laced with some dangerous, hidden meaning.
“As expected, the North's loyalty to the royal family is beyond question. We will never forget your efforts.”
“I am deeply grateful for your benevolence.”
“I hear your second son has matured quite a bit.”
“He is still himself, but he has improved much compared to the past.”
“That is truly something to celebrate. You must have suffered a great deal because of him. I am glad to hear it.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“In fact, the matter concerning your second son has been weighing on my mind.”
“Weighing on your mind...?”
“Was he not falsely accused some time ago?”
Grand Duke Guntram's expression hardened.
In truth, it would not have been strange at all if that incident had led to a territorial war between the Sigmund and Lauren families.
Without the royal family's intervention, a war would have been highly likely.
Although confessions were extracted from the culprits, there was no conclusive physical evidence...
“The more I think on it, the more that incident bothers me. I intend to use the upcoming Victory Day celebration as an opportunity to resolve the lingering animosity between the two families and offer further mediation.”
“And what are Your Highness's thoughts on the matter?”
Grand Duke Guntram's question was, in fact, meaningless.
With their foresight, there was nothing the royal family didn't know...
It was merely a question to hear the Crown Prince's official answer.
“I will defer my answer for now. I will speak of it at the banquet following the Victory Day ceremony.”
“Hmph.”
“Rest assured, I will propose a resolution that even you, Your Grace, will find acceptable. So please, do not worry.”
“I am deeply grateful for your benevolence.”
Grand Duke Guntram struggled to suppress his rage.
It was an undeniable fact that the Lauren family was behind the incident.
But even more than the Laurens playing innocent, the royal family's behavior—knowing everything yet using the situation to profit from the middle—was utterly disgusting.
It was the same now.
The Crown Prince spoke of an acceptable resolution, but there was no way Grand Duke Guntram would be completely satisfied.
No matter how much of a lost cause Carlyle was, to the Grand Duke, he was a cherished son.
What Grand Duke Guntram wanted was bloody revenge, not some mediation proposal from the royal family.
And yet they were scheming to profit from the middle of it all...
Perhaps the Grand Duke's displeasure was palpable, as a cold sweat trickled down the Crown Prince's back.
*I feel like I can't breathe.*
Outwardly, the Crown Prince maintained a calm smile, but inside, he was anything but.
Grand Duke Guntram was a man whose very existence exuded an overwhelming presence.
As such, the Crown Prince couldn't help but feel an underlying pressure.
If the Grand Duke so wished, he could kill not only the Crown Prince but his entire Royal Guard in the blink of an eye.
“So, has your second son truly improved?”
The Crown Prince deftly changed the subject.
“He's been much calmer since his near-death experience, and after enlisting in the army, it seems he's matured. He's been carrying out his duties quite well.”
“That is good to hear. Then, is there room to reconsider the proposal I mentioned last time?”
“That, I cannot say. He has improved, but his stubbornness is quite... formidable.”
“A pity.”
The Crown Prince clicked his tongue.
“Would it not be a fine opportunity for the boy? If he were to study in the capital, he could grow into an excellent spirit user.”
“I think so as well, but the boy himself seems rather opposed to the idea of studying in the capital.”
“How can that be?”
“As Your Highness knows, we Northerners have long been known for our strong territorial instincts. The reluctance of a Northerner to leave the North is etched into our very blood.”
“If that is the case, I cannot force the matter, but it is a shame to waste such talent. If it is not too much to ask, would you grant me an opportunity to speak with your second son?”
“That is...”
A look of bewilderment crossed the Grand Duke's face.
Carlyle and the Crown Prince, meeting?
*Ossaak!*
The mere thought was horrifying.
Like any Sigmund, Grand Duke Guntram had held a sword from a very young age and spent his entire life on the battlefield.
In that time, he had met countless powerful warriors, defeating them all to rise to the pinnacle of strength.
But even he could not help but feel fear at the prospect of Carlyle meeting the Crown Prince.
Recalling Carlyle's usual words and attitude, the likelihood of him committing treason against the Crown Prince was extremely high.
“Your Highness, if I may be so bold, I believe that would be unwise. It would be better to discuss this matter with me instead.”
“It seems you are worried your second son might make a mistake.”
The Crown Prince said with a smile.
“Yes, Your Highness. Although he has improved, he is still ill-mannered and arrogant. I fear he might dare to commit treason against you.”
“Do not worry about that. Surely your second son wouldn't curse at me, would he? Haha.”
Grand Duke Guntram's face grew even stiffer.
If Carlyle were to curse at the Crown Prince...
“Your Highness, I must repeat myself. It would be unwise for you to meet him.”
“It is fine.”
“But...”
“I promise you, no matter what rudeness your son shows me, I will not make an issue of it. Surely you do not distrust my promise, Your Grace?”
“That is not it. It is just that he is so...”
“It is fine. Please, summon him.”
“Huuuh.”
A sigh escaped from the depths of Grand Duke Guntram's chest.
*It seems our family's fate has run its course.*
Grand Duke Guntram squeezed his eyes shut.
***
“The Young Master Carlyle has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
At the Grand Duke's command, the door clicked open, and Carlyle appeared.
Grand Duke Guntram had never once felt fear in his life, but this moment was an exception.
He had not felt even a shred of fear when facing the great chieftains of the barbarian tribes beyond the border...
“You called...”
Carlyle began to speak in a slightly irritated tone, but his face crumpled into a scowl when he spotted the Crown Prince.
*Thump, thump...*
For the first time in a long while, the Grand Duke's heart began to pound violently.
But contrary to his expectations, Carlyle's response was surprisingly impeccable.
“The eye that pierces the veil of the future, the gaze that reveals the truth tomorrow seeks to hide, the blood of the royal family seated on the throne of foresight—the North bows its head in reverence. Carlyle van Sigmund, son of Guntram van Sigmund, Lord of Decaron, Head of the Sigmunds, and Grand Duke of the North, greets Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Carlyle knelt on one knee, showing the Crown Prince the utmost respect.