Deal with the Northern Archduchess (1)
A chilling, languid woman's voice flowed from the second prince's mouth, sending shivers racing up my spine.
I held my breath, staring into Arthur's eyes, which gleamed grotesquely silver.
"……The White Witch."
My murmur made Arthur's thick lips curve into a bizarre arc with a smirk.
That's right. Ella von Arzenheim, the eldest daughter of the Northern Grand Duke and the rightful heir to the Grand Duchy. Is this our third meeting now?
"What the hell is this? Casting mind domination magic on imperial family? You trying to start a war?"
I just wanted to talk to Prince Ian. I swear I won't harm Arthur at all. If you let me release the spell now, nothing will happen.
"How can I trust that?"
The moment I harm Arthur, it's all-out war, and the North isn't fully prepared yet. I swear I won't do any harm.
"I hear the entire Imperial Palace is lined with magic-nullifying stones."
If something like that stopped me from using magic, I'd have to surrender my archmage title. It's a huge hassle, and I can't cast big spells, but little ones like this? No problem.
Mind control magic on a person is "little"? Then what the hell qualifies as a big spell? A nuke?
"No restrictions or anything?"
Oh, I did agree not to use magic on palace servants. They never imagined I'd risk war to target the imperial family, so they didn't bind me that far. That's how I can borrow Prince Arthur's body to chat like this.
"……."
I was so dumbfounded I couldn't speak.
No, if they can't even implement the most basic safety measures, why the hell does the imperial family employ mages in the first place?
"…Aren't the palace mages ridiculously incompetent?"
Well, if you want an excuse, the smarter people are, the blinder they get to threats right under their noses. Especially the cocky ones overflowing with confidence in their abilities. Guys who clawed their way up from the bottom are often like that. If they'd really locked it down tight, I couldn't have done it.
Indeed, the moniker "Witch of the North" wasn't just for show.
Ella continued in a delighted tone.
Originally, I planned to slip telepathy into your head during the social banquet's first dance at the ball. But some clueless girl from the Espada family ruined it by butting in.
"……"
Arthur's hand rose to scratch the back of his head.
So I tried casting an impromptu spell on you to shake her off. But it didn't work. Why the hell not? I've never failed before.
"……"
Thanks to that, I ended up looking like some psycho using magic to flirt with ball partners, and now noble ladies are ripping me apart. Whatever, not my problem. The important thing is elsewhere.
"You nearly got me in real trouble. I'm already a precarious hostage, and I almost broke my promise to the Second Imperial Princess. How would you have taken responsibility?"
…Sorry about that. For now, I swear on my name—if anything happens, I'll help you flee to the North.
"Not much help."
…I'll think of something better. Anyway, back to the point. While I was pondering what to do, the second prince comes humming along, saying he needs to train Ian~ Perfect timing. No surveillance on imperial family means fewer risks.
"So, what's the purpose of borrowing His Highness's mouth in the dead of night to seek me out? What do you want from me?"
At my direct question, Ella paused briefly before lowering her voice.
First off, this is as the Northern Grand Duke's proxy and envoy. Ian Sterling, will you cooperate with the North in toppling the Empire and claiming this land?
"No. You think I'm crazy enough for that?"
I refused without a second's hesitation.
Plotting rebellion right in the heart of the Imperial Palace? Am I insane?
"What were you even thinking? The North beating the Empire is impossible. Population alone is several times greater, and production capacity? Dozens of times."
Why would I stake my life on such an obvious losing battle?
Instead of anger at my sharp rejection, Ella burst into cheerful laughter.
Hahaha! Of course. That was just my father's will—a formal inquiry. Right within expectations.
Arthur's head tilted sideways, his silver eyes flashing toward me.
Now, this is my real proposal. If you don't want the Empire to collapse… how about stopping it from expanding further? Just maintain the status quo.
"……?"
The Kingdom of Loran in the west, our Northern Grand Duchy, and the current Empire. Keep these three great powers on the continent in balance from here on out.
"Tripartite division of the realm?"
Oh, nice term. Yes, that's the picture I want.
Borrowing Arthur's body, Ella smiled thinly.
Truth be told, my father burns with vain ambition to become Emperor himself… but realistically, it's impossible. The North can't beat the Empire alone. But allied with Loran? We can't win, but we can fight forever. The Empire could take us one-on-one, but not both at once.
"……"
My goal isn't the Empire's destruction. It wouldn't fall that easily anyway. I just want the three powers in perfect balance, forcing the Empire to halt expansion right here.
…Who knew reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms six times would pay off. I got it immediately… but honestly, it's impossible.
I was tempted at first, but shook my head.
The witch of the North before me wasn't Lu Su from Wu proposing alliance, and I sure as hell wasn't Zhuge Liang.
I was just a hostage dragged to the Imperial Palace, a flimsy life from a defeated nation.
I countered in a cold voice.
"I get that's your personal goal. But why would I think you'd expect me to join your insanely risky plan?"
Because your position is unstable. No matter how much the Empire's nobles adore you or the Emperor's taken a shine to you, you're still a hostage from a defeated kingdom—the Empire holds your leash. A cliff-edge life where the Emperor's whim could end you like a dog. Don't you want out?
"No, not at all. I'm confident in my abilities, and I can win even more favor here than now."
……Huh?
"If the Emperor's whims scare me, I just make myself indispensable. Like… becoming his son-in-law. He won't execute his daughter's husband just because he doesn't like him."
Chloe or Victoria, either works.
Marry the Emperor's daughter, and unless I openly rebel, my head stays attached.
Well, unless my fake prince gig gets exposed… but let's not think about that now.
……
Ella fell silent for a while.
She seemed to have more to say, her lips twitching, but she swallowed it with a short sigh.
…Sigh. Fine, if you're that confident, I won't argue your ambitions. I'm not here to mess with your romances or career anyway. Marry Victoria or Chloe? Your call.
Ella lowered her voice even more secretively.
Bottom line: In my plan to halt the Empire's expansion, two lunatics are in the way. Deal with those two, and we're good.
I instinctively knew who she meant without asking.
But for confirmation, I opened my mouth.
"Who are those two?"
The witch wearing Arthur's face whispered treason through her chilling, curved smile.
The current Emperor of the Empire, and Crown Prince Maximilian.
"……!"
Remove those two sadists obsessed with war and tormenting people, and put peace-loving Arthur on the throne next. That's my real goal.