The Viper and Survival
Inside the carriage passing through the seemingly endless gardens, Tollin rested his chin on his hand and stared out the window. The meticulously manicured trees and exotic flowers from all corners of the Empire—species he had only ever seen in illustrated botanical guides—might have pleased his eyes, but they did nothing to ease his mind. His thoughts were entirely consumed by the noble council meeting scheduled for today.
Why of all things are they targeting the shelter project? Is their goal the people left on the streets? Do they just want to sweep them away because they ruin the city's aesthetics? The Fides Duchy has no choice but to obey the Imperial Family's decrees anyway, so why go so far as to hold Count Crysa hostage? Knowing these were questions without immediate answers, Tollin pinched the bridge of his furrowed nose.
"Are you alright, sir?" Pale, who had been watching him anxiously from the opposite seat, asked cautiously.
"Yes. Don't worry about it."
"I have headache medicine prepared."
"No, that will only make me drowsy. How much further?"
"We should arrive in about five minutes."
"...It certainly is vast." Tollin closed the carriage window, deliberately ignoring the faint, hazy silhouettes of the forest looming in the far distance.
"Announcing Tollin Crysa, Acting Duke of the Fides Duchy." Stepping into the ivory council chamber, Tollin ignored the collective gaze that instantly locked onto him and walked toward the head of the table.
When Agoni Fides held the title of Duke, these very people had practically clawed over one another just to catch his eye. But after the Duke's execution, they had all turned their backs. They undoubtedly believed that the Fides family, now left in the hands of a mere greenhorn, would crumble in an instant. Yet, contrary to their expectations, Tollin had successfully defended the duchy's assets without losing a single thing. The looks they directed at him now were filled with discomfort, resentment, and a touch of contempt. After all, quite a few in this room had tried to prey on the Fides family's wealth, only to be severely burned by Tollin.
"I have heard much about you. It seems the Acting Duke of Fides is keeping himself exceptionally busy these days," Duke Millio, seated nearby, spoke up with a genial smile shortly after Tollin took his seat.
Though also holding the rank of a duchy, the Millio family was constantly compared to the Fides family, often criticized for their lack of tradition and elegance. Tollin remembered how this man used to pick petty, passive-aggressive fights with Agoni Fides. Tollin gave him a polite, perfunctory nod and looked straight ahead again. The Emperor had not yet arrived. Hoping for at least a brief moment of rest before the proceedings began, Tollin gently closed his eyes.
Or at least, he tried to, until that grating voice uttered a name it had no right to speak. "Agoni Fides would be deeply saddened if he could see the state of his successor now." Tollin opened his eyes, swept his gaze over the duke's greasy, smiling cheeks, and offered a bright smile of his own.
"Ah, Duke Millio. Indeed, I still have much to learn, which is why I find myself bustling about here and there."
"Spoken like a true youth—your handling of affairs lacks any real discipline." Pleased to have finally drawn Tollin's full attention, Duke Millio chuckled. Despite the thinly veiled mockery, the pleasant smile never wavered from Tollin's face as he whispered back.
"Which is precisely why, as you can see, I possess neither fear nor hesitation."
"What?" As the plump face blinked in confusion, Tollin's expression slowly hardened.
"I hear you keep a rather... peculiar hobby hidden away at your private villa..." At the mention of a topic he never could have anticipated, the color drained completely from Duke Millio's face.
"H-how... how do you...!"
"Shh... If you panic like that, everyone gathered here will find out." At that calm, even voice, Millio clamped his mouth shut. A look of sheer terror crept into Duke Millio's eyes. He had always scoffed whenever people whispered about the 'mad dog' of the Fides Duchy. What could a sniveling brat, who had spent his days cowering beside the insufferable Agoni Fides, possibly do?
"..."
"If you don't wish to watch today's agenda shift to the execution of Duke Millio right before your eyes, I suggest you keep your mouth shut today. After all, a single day wouldn't be nearly enough time to relocate your secret playpen, would it?" Who on earth had called this man a mad dog? This was a viper. A venomous serpent that bit and slaughtered every enemy in its vicinity. Finally, some quiet. Tollin averted his gaze from the deathly pale Duke Millio.
"His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and the First Prince are entering." Right on cue, an attendant announced the arrival of the figures everyone had been waiting for.
Two men with breathtaking platinum-blonde hair entered the chamber. The Emperor took his place upon the imperial throne overlooking the table, while the First Prince stood beside him. It was a scene reminiscent of gods in the heavens looking down upon mere mortals. Their ethereal, unearthly features and radiant platinum hair naturally overwhelmed everyone in their presence. Instantly, every head in the room bowed. Tollin bowed his head as well. He clenched his teeth, desperate to hide his eyes—eyes that flickered with a volatile mix of treasonous rage and the deeply ingrained, instinctual reverence demanded by the Imperial bloodline.
The meeting proceeded smoothly despite the stifling tension. Since this noble council had been convened so suddenly, everyone was on high alert, waiting for the Emperor to bring up the true agenda. However, until the tedious discussion on tax rates concluded, the Emperor merely sat with an expressionless face, speaking only the bare minimum required. The stone that finally shattered the calm surface of the water was thrown by the First Prince, Rasiah Abaran, who attended the meeting in his capacity as the Emperor's assistant. Requesting the floor just before the meeting's adjournment, Rasiah Abaran bowed to the Emperor and spoke.
"Your Majesty, the number of criminals in the Capital has decreased significantly of late." Those quick on the uptake stole glances at Tollin, who sat perfectly still. Rasiah extended his arm, pointing directly at him.
"It is undeniable that this is entirely thanks to the Fides Duchy's shelter construction project. The drop in crime rates and the improved security on our streets are all due to their efforts. The Fides family has always been the sword of the Imperial Family and a paragon of nobility. I believe it is the duty of the Imperial Family to look after and support them."
The chamber buzzed with quiet murmurs at the First Prince's smooth delivery, which sounded almost like a rehearsed script. The Emperor, who had been watching them from his throne, finally spoke.
"Acting Duke of Fides. In recognition of your hard work, the Imperial Family shall grant you one wish. What is it you desire?"
At the Emperor's unprecedented offer, every eye in the room locked onto the silent Acting Duke. Tollin fought back the urge to vomit at the sensation of being forced to play the lead in a cheap theater production, keeping his head bowed low. His lines had already been written for him; even if his delivery was clumsy, he had no choice but to play along with his god's script.
"I am deeply honored, Your Majesty. I humbly beg permission to make a single request." After confirming the Emperor's slight nod, Tollin continued.
"As the shelter project is being carried out by employing local residents, we currently suffer from a severe shortage of professional personnel and equipment. Therefore, I humbly petition for the assistance of the Imperial Family."
Because Tollin kept his head bowed even after he finished speaking, no one could read his expression. Though no one spoke it aloud, everyone in the room understood that the 'assistance' he requested from the Imperial Family was far from a simple gesture of goodwill. Yet, no one dared to voice this truth. The Emperor scanned the chamber with his usual bored expression before addressing Tollin.
"Granted." The young Acting Duke of the Fides Duchy bowed deeply once more to express his gratitude. The Emperor continued, "The First Prince shall take charge of this matter."
"I thank you for your boundless grace, Your Majesty." The sound of someone sharply inhaling in surprise echoed through the otherwise silent council chamber.
Rasiah Abaran stepped into the First Prince's palace in an exceptionally pleasant mood. He had never cared much for tedious council meetings, but looking down at the terrified expressions of the nobles was always a delightful pastime. Today, in particular, he felt an immense sense of satisfaction at having thoroughly humiliated that insolent brat from the Fides Duchy.
He still vividly remembered the arrogant Agoni Fides, who had dared to block his path during the last hunting competition by citing ancient traditions. Because of those cursed, archaic customs, his plan to perfectly solidify his standing during the hunt had only been half-successful. He had made his wish under the calculation that nothing would win the Emperor's favor more than protecting the temple of the First Emperor and exalting his name. Yet, that senile Duke of Fides had suddenly intervened, ruining everything.
The Duke of Fides had paid for that interference with his life, and it was the First Prince himself who had ended it. However, Rasiah was not the type to care about the sacrifices of others. Now, with time having passed, the only thing remaining in his mind was the lingering rage that a mere insect had dared to obstruct him. It was his clever younger brother who had shown Rasiah a way to torment the remnants of the Fides Duchy.
Realizing that the Duke had dared to cross him over a bunch of worthless street rats only fueled the First Prince's fury. To him, the Second Prince had whispered:
The First Prince had nodded in agreement. Above all, he had thoroughly enjoyed the final words his younger brother added:
Rasiah Abaran walked into his office, barely holding back the laughter that threatened to burst out. And there, waiting for him, was—
"Ah, you're back. The meeting took longer than I expected."
"Aaaagh!!!"
The loathsome black insect who had been tormenting him the most lately was waiting for him.
"You! What are you doing here?! Weren't you supposed to stay in your bedchamber? Why did you come here?!"
Even as he jumped back in shock, he had apparently learned his lesson about not making too much noise, showcasing his unique talent of screaming in a hushed whisper.
"I never said I'd stay there," I replied with a shrug. Left speechless, he clamped his mouth shut and glared at me.
"Seeing how you walked in with a smile, the meeting must have concluded to your satisfaction?"
"Are you here for treatment again today?" Embarrassed that he had let me see him grinning like an idiot, he ignored my question and asked his own.
"No, I'm here to collect my payment today."
"What is it this time?" The First Prince glared at me with deep dissatisfaction. Well, it wasn't anything grand.
"I believe you've offered to assist with the construction of the Fides Duchy's facilities."
The question 'How on earth do you know that?!' was written plain as day on his face, but I ignored it and continued.
"I have a small favor to ask regarding that matter."
His face instantly contorted.
"No matter what you say, I cannot cancel that decision..."
"No, you must absolutely take charge of it. Don't you know you should listen to a person until they've finished speaking?" At my advice, a look of profound injustice briefly flickered across his face.
"First, proceed as slowly as humanly possible. Drag it out long enough so that every single person in the Empire hears the news that the Imperial Family is helping the Fides Duchy build a massive shelter."
That shouldn't be difficult. Finding my request surprisingly easy, the First Prince tilted his head in confusion.
"What in the world is your goal?"
Well, if I had to put a name to it...
"Survival, perhaps?"
Once again, a look of utter incomprehension washed over the First Prince's face, but I ushered him out of his own office without another word.