Twisting the Board

Click.

The moment I returned to my room, I looked down at the back ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of my hand. Precisely, the hand Elysia had grasped.

"……."

It looked perfectly fine on the surface. Yet the sensation from that moment lingered unmistakably. Like a thin thread seeping beneath the skin of my hand.

"I can't let the princess toy with me."

I muttered lowly. What mattered now was my attitude. Since I hadn't signed the patronage contract yet, the initiative was still mine. Keeping that firmly in mind, I focused my consciousness lightly.

"Influence, huh."

I let out a disbelieving laugh. Even after resisting the trait, this residue was still affecting me. Honestly, the emotions this body felt were almost instinctual.

'Overjoyed at Elysia's touch, wanting to help her.'

I knew those weren't my feelings, yet the impulsive surge had hit so vividly in that instant.

"The original Kairon's influence affects me too, but I won't get swept up in it."

I stopped mid-sentence. A curse nearly slipped out unconsciously. Strangely, the words wouldn't come easily after that.

Just recently, I'd thought of Kairon as a total pushover. A handsome, capable guy with everything—wealth, power—who went insane for the princess and threw it all away like an idiot. At least, that's how he seemed in the novel I read.

But now that I was Kairon, it felt entirely different.

Elysia's gaze. Her tender, sweet voice. Her casual touch. And behind it all, that Inevitable Fate trait.

"The princess even knew exactly how she appeared to me and acted accordingly."

Thud.

I slumped onto the edge of the bed. My guest quarters were lavish, befitting the VIP room provided by the Outer Castle. The bed was spacious, the floor covered in soft carpet, and the garden visible through the window.

'Uncomfortable.'

Yet it felt anything but comfortable. Just being trapped in Elysia's space made it hard to breathe.

"Status window."

I muttered on a whim.

Ding.

"It's real."

No surprise at this point, but seeing the actual status window felt surreal. And it differed from what I'd imagined—terse, as if withholding other details.

"Heaven's Luck Dice."

Focusing intently on the trait, the window shifted.

"……Not omnipotent, then."

I tilted my head slightly. Still, it seemed like a solid effect worthy of its high rank.

'Fate, probability, compulsion.'

Especially perfect for resisting the princess's trait. So, what happened earlier was sheer luck.

"Broke through an 18% resistance chance."

And only because the dice rolled a 6, barely succeeding. What if it had been low?

My eyes narrowed involuntarily.

"That would've led to signing the patronage contract."

The worst outcome for me. The thought sent chills down my spine. I'd have signed it of my own will, just like the original Kairon, handing the Balder family to the princess.

"……No joke."

That was all I could say. Now that I'd bought time to think, the situation wasn't good—but not leisurely either.

I sifted slowly through Kairon's memories. The original plot, his actions, and the point where Elysia fully entered the succession struggle.

'The patronage contract is key.'

Everything starts with it. The moment I sign, Balder becomes her greatest patron. The novel romanticized it as Kairon's noble devotion.

But as Kairon now, I understood.

"It looked like pushover behavior due to compulsion, and Elysia knows her power to some extent."

Thus, the inevitable—nay, tragedy—bound Kairon like predestined fate.

So?

"All the more reason not to patronize the princess."

I stated it pointedly. My voice echoed in the quiet room.

Yes, that was the core.

"Twist the patronage somehow. Find another path instead of signing her contract."

This wasn't emotional judgment. It was for my survival.

But that brought another huge problem: turning Elysia fully against me.

Even exiled to the Outer Castle by the current Empress, she was still a princess. Her Inevitable Fate (EX) trait was overwhelmingly powerful, able to shift destinies anytime. Not just on me—on anyone.

My retainers. Outer Castle servants. Visiting nobles. Even the old councilors.

Infinite possibilities. How easily she could sway them if she wanted.

"Haa."

I sighed softly, wiping my face. My palms were clammy.

'If I refuse patronage, someone else might step in?'

Yes, a replacement for Kairon. She'd even said it outright, wanting me by her side, wanting my support.

"……Damn it."

A sharp pang stabbed at my heart. Refusing could lead her to another choice—and just imagining it made Kairon's body react strongly.

'Face certain danger, or an uncertain future in unknown peril.'

A dead end. Even if I left the Outer Castle, someone would become the second Kairon. And she'd use them to gain power.

Then, how I'd look in her eyes after refusing? Obvious.

"She'd want to purge me."

Not just an annoyance, but a target for elimination someday.

So, only one answer: Don't unilaterally refuse her demand. Attach conditions and flip the board itself.

Follow the original intent, but seize control of the deal—twist it.

"Right. A deal where the Balder family doesn't lose out."

I lifted my head slowly. Clarity shone at last.

This couldn't be a mere profit grab. Make it so she could never use my name freely again. Force everything through my permission, making her mindful of me. Even if caught in her trait, the contract would protect me instead.

"Good."

Direction set. This wasn't patronage—it was a power exchange between Balder and Princess Elysia. Not a pushover, but a trading partner. Give something, demand equivalent rights. That was enough.

Swish!

I strode to the desk, pulling a blank parchment in one go. Thanks to Kairon's memories, the Balder ducal formats came naturally. Elegant script, silver sealing cord, Balder seal at the end.

Scritch scritch!

The quill moved with utter familiarity.

'…Why so natural?'

A faint unease crept in. I'd never learned this. Yet it felt instinctive. Even as Kairon's ingrained habit, adapting this fast was odd.

"Whatever. Use what's useful."

I steeled myself amid the dissonance. Yes, use everything needed. Aware I now lived as Kairon, hesitation or fear would let the world crush me.

No room for trifles.

Whoosh!

Conditions filled the parchment one by one.

"Not bad."

The clauses looked similar to the original at a glance—almost matching her terms. But the key was one thing.

'Who holds the initiative.'

I emphasized permissions and approvals throughout. This wasn't patronage. It was practically Balder ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠leashing the princess.

Click.

I neatly folded the new contract and nodded.

"She's probably still half-doubting me."

Which made her accepting it plausible. I'd hesitated unlike past Kairon but ultimately accepted her. What she wanted was Kairon's devotion.

'Depends on my attitude tomorrow.'

Knock knock.

A knock from outside.

"Your Grace."

An Outer Castle servant's voice.

I looked up, frowning.

"What is it?"

"Her Highness the Princess wishes to take tea with you in the garden tomorrow morning."

As expected. No way she'd back off.

I added one final line to the parchment.

With that subtle line, I set the quill down slowly.

"Tell her I accept."

"Yes, Your Grace."

The footsteps faded. I rose and walked to the window. The Outer Castle garden lay sunk in faint moonlight—vibrant flowers, fountains, manicured paths. Fittingly beautiful for a pitiable princess. Yet like a gilded cage.

"Gotta play it well tomorrow."

No certainty. Everything as Kairon felt alien. Strangely, no fear.

'At least I know Elysia's true intentions.'

A woman who didn't love me but sought to use me. My stance was crystal clear.

The next morning, the Outer Castle garden was eerily quiet. Sunlight was gentle, dew still clung to petals. Servants kept their distance. The tea table was set deep in the garden.

To me, it screamed intent. A deliberately private spot to make me more aware of her.

"You've come, Duke."

Elysia was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠already seated. Radiant golden hair, elegant white dress, thin gloves on her fingertips. More vibrant than yesterday—noble over pitiable.

'She's dead set on this.'

I clicked my tongue inwardly. Her plan to draw me in was transparent.

"Yes, Your Highness. I hope I'm not late."

I gave a brief bow.

Elysia's eyes flicked briefly to my hand.

"Not at all. Please, sit comfortably."

Precisely, the hand she'd grasped yesterday. Mindful of her gaze, I moved carefully.

"I've given deep thought to the patronage contract."

Her smile froze coldly at my words.

"Let's talk slowly. I don't want stiff conversation from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the start."

"No, Your Highness. Speaking plainly from the outset will put your mind at ease."

"……."

The garden air chilled slightly. A distant maid glanced our way, then bowed her head.

Elysia stared silently, then caressed her teacup slowly.

"…Very well, speak."

"Yes."

I met her gaze steadily. Her violet eyes held a new allure—chilling yet soft, magnetic, hard to break away from.

"First, the patronage you proposed yesterday is unacceptable to me."

Silence. The garden seemed to halt.

Elysia stared, lips pressed tight.

"…So you'll refuse my patronage after all?"

Then she spoke curtly.

"No, it's slightly different."

"Slightly?"

Her eyebrow twitched faintly. I drew out the new parchment demonstratively.

"I've brought a new patronage contract. One we both can accept."

"…Not the one I proposed, but one you prepared yourself."

She repeated slowly, a faint laugh in her voice. To me, it felt barbed.

"Yes."

I unfurled it casually, offering it for her view.

"You wanted Balder's patronage, Your Highness. But as its leader, I must be cautious."

"……."

"Thus, if you offer fitting compensation, Balder can consider limited cooperation."

Elysia eyed the parchment without touching it, scanning lines. Her expression shifted with each—confusion, displeasure, faint intrigue.

"Northern tax reductions—sensitive indeed."

She read lowly.

"Plus mining transport monopoly. Expanded Northern security means bolstering private forces, and veto on Balder's private requests means refusing my demands in emergencies?"

She looked up, probing.

"This isn't patronage, is it?"

"Depending on how you see it."

I didn't deny.

"Duke, aren't you demanding too much from a princess?"

Her chiding tone met my soft smile.

"Indeed. But compared to what you've asked of me, it's modest."

Her lips stilled.

"I didn't ask much of you, Duke."

"What I mentioned are implicitly what you've demanded, Your Highness."

I listed them one by one.

"Thus, I needed a proper decision."

Speaking freely eased my mind. My true feelings at last.

"Kairon."

She called my name again.

"Yes, Your Highness."

I replied, keeping distance. My heart raced faintly—this body still vulnerable to her. But only that.

"I have no intention of being just one of your patrons."

A breeze swept the garden.

Swish.

A white petal drifted onto the table. Fixing on it, I spoke slowly.

"Since you say you need me, Your Highness, I must become someone special to you."

Double meaning laced the words.

"Someone special……."

Her smile vanished fully for the first time. Seeing her serious face bolstered my certainty.

She's not angry. Calculating now. Reject the contract? Or accept with a smile?

But I knew.

'She can't refuse me.'

She'd set an inescapable trap yesterday—but it was one I could turn on her.

"Didn't you say you wanted me by your side, Your Highness?"

Thud.

Her hand froze mid-motion.