Chapter 534: The Plan
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 534: The Plan
"A charity gala... a charity gala... Heh, haha... He’s going to openly oppose me. This is a declaration of war! War!"
Andrew swept everything off his desk in a blind rage—official documents and priceless antiques alike were sent flying. His eyes were bloodshot, making him look like a cornered, feral beast.
"I haven't even made my move yet, and he—damn him!"
"Please, Your Highness, calm yourself."
Orlando pushed his wheelchair toward the desk. From the wreckage of items that were worth a fortune moments ago but were now nothing but worthless shards, he fished out a small card.
It was a business card, or rather, an invitation from the renowned Marquis Angus. It invited any noble with spare time—or rather, a sense of "charity"—to attend a gala in the Lower District a week from now.
The Marquis planned to use the funds raised at the gala, supplemented by his own savings, to build five schools, three orphanages, and a hospital in the Lower District.
Judging by the scale, this was to be a major event. Any noble who cared about their reputation wouldn't miss such an opportunity. Under normal circumstances, Andrew would have been no exception.
But...
"Perhaps Your Highness is overthinking this. Prince Albert might truly just be attending a gala."
"Just attending? Do you even believe the words coming out of your own mouth?"
Andrew pointed a finger at Orlando and roared, his face contorted with fury. "He’s clearly trying to announce to the world that the 'noble' First Prince has returned! He still wants to fight me for the throne!"
"..."
Orlando fell silent, unable to offer a rebuttal.
Unless one was truly beyond help, anyone could see the significance of the First Prince making a public appearance at a time like this.
"By what right? By what right?! The throne was supposed to be mine! It is mine! Why does a brain-dead invalid think he can compete with me? Why?!"
Andrew paced back and forth, muttering at a frantic pace. "No, I can't let him show up there. If he appears there—if he appears anywhere outside the palace—it’ll be a disaster for me. Those stiff-necked fools who keep prattling on about the 'eldest son' will never let this chance go. No..."
"Your Highness makes a valid point..."
Watching Andrew finally start to think for himself, a faint smirk played across Orlando’s lips. He quickly lowered his head and asked earnestly, "Then... what does Your Highness intend to do?"
"What else can I do? At this point, there’s only one way..."
A look of viciousness crossed Andrew’s face. His eyes flickered as he turned to Orlando.
"Get out."
"I—"
"Get out! I want to be alone. Don't let anyone disturb me!"
"As you wish..."
Orlando obediently pushed his wheelchair out of the room.
Silence returned, and even the lamplight seemed to dim.
Andrew stood in the darkness for a long time. Only after ensuring he wouldn't be interrupted did he pull out an exquisite handbell.
The bronze bell chimed, its crisp ring piercing through the night.
Then, a bird-like shadow flitted in through the window, landing gracefully on his antique bookshelf.
"Prince Andrew."
The robin, wearing a tiny bowtie, gave an elegant bow. "Good evening. You summoned me; is there something I can assist you with?"
"I want to see Mr. Bai Hu."
"This..."
"I want to see him!"
"Since it is Prince Andrew’s command..."
The robin sighed helplessly and flicked a wing. A small, delicate magical tool fell before Andrew.
The device activated, and a clear screen of light unfurled in the darkness, revealing a majestic figure.
It was a white tiger standing upright like a man, gently swirling a glass of red wine. He looked toward the screen with a calm gaze, as if he had been expecting this meeting all along.
"Long time no see, noble Prince Andrew. Seeing you in such good health makes me happier than anyone..."
"Cut the crap."
Andrew cut off Bai Hu’s greeting. "You should know why I’m looking for you!"
"...Of course."
Bai Hu smiled. "Right now, all of Belland is watching you and the First Prince. Even if I wanted to be ignorant, I'm afraid it would be impossible."
"Good. The conditions you proposed before—I accept. In exchange, you are to kill Albert!"
Andrew clenched his fist, emphasizing every word. "Kill him completely—body and soul. I do not want to see him at that charity gala!"
"This..."
Seemingly caught off guard by Andrew’s bluntness, Bai Hu actually froze for a moment. "Don't you want to reconsider?"
"There’s nothing to reconsider. I’ve been sick of those Royalist bastards for a long time anyway. 'Royal Faction'? Do they have nothing in their eyes but my dying father? And that Duke Campbell... I personally sent him several letters, and they all vanished like stones in the ocean. That bastard is probably looking down on me too!"
Andrew gnashed his teeth, his usual composure and magnanimity nowhere to be found. He said in a low voice, "I will give you what you deserve—the status and power you want. But the prerequisite is that I sit on that throne! You understand... I must sit on it!"
"Of course. That is precisely why we support you."
Bai Hu placed a hand over his chest and gave a respectful bow. "Then, as you wish, we shall strike with all our might to resolve your troubles. Robin, show the Prince that."
"Understood."
The robin hopped over to Andrew and placed a document in his hand.
"This is..."
"The plan. Everything you need is inside."
"The plan..."
Andrew flipped through it quickly. He didn't have much interest in the so-called assassination tactics; he knew that rigid plans were often useless. In an assassination, the situation changed by the second; what mattered was the ability to adapt.
However, as he read through the entire plan, his pupils couldn't help but shrink. He said in shock, "Albert’s travel methods and routes... are these real?"
"Of course they are."
Bai Hu held up three fingers and smiled. "A week from now, the First Prince has three ways to reach the Lower District. First, in his true identity, traveling by carriage with Marquis Angus.
"Second, disguised as a royal musician, leaving with the Royal Orchestra.
"Third, hiding in a supply convoy.
"But..."
Bai Hu retracted all three fingers at once. "These three methods are actually decoys. The First Prince wants to use these smoke screens to distract us while he uses outside help to sneak out of the palace and head to the Lower District."
"How do you know all this? Don't tell me..."
After hearing Bai Hu’s detailed explanation, Andrew realized that every possible path for the First Prince had been blocked by the plan. He was secretly terrified.
"Exactly. The reason we know this in such detail is, naturally, because I have an insider by the First Prince’s side."
"An insider..."
Andrew’s gaze sharpened. "My brother is clever. Won't the insider be discovered?"
"Rest assured, I can guarantee you this."
Bai Hu flashed a mysterious smile. "The existence of the insider will absolutely never be discovered by the First Prince."
*
"Your Highness, everything has been arranged according to your instructions."
The maid, Lawenny, entered the room silently. She placed her hands gently on Albert’s temples, massaging them to relieve the exhaustion of a long day’s work. "We can depart as soon as the time comes."
"Thank you for your hard work."
"It is my duty."
"I'm glad I have you by my side."
Albert gently took Lawenny’s hand and asked with a smile, "Things might get dangerous soon. Even so, will you stay with me?"
Faced with Albert’s sudden question, Lawenny froze for a moment.
But then, her lips curled into a smile. She leaned down, squeezed Albert’s hand back, and whispered into his ear:
"Of course. I will stay with you forever, Your Highness."