Chapter 538: Sincerity
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 538: Sincerity
Under the cover of night, the Old Rhine River shimmered with starlight, reflecting the distant glow of the city’s lamps.
In a secluded, neglected stretch of the riverbank, a carriage came to a halt. Albert stepped out, supported by Lawenny’s hand. He frowned slightly, clearly uncomfortable with the faint, stagnant stench wafting from the waterway.
He covered his nose and mouth with a handkerchief and scanned their surroundings.
“Has the contact not arrived yet?”
“They should be here soon.”
Lawenny pulled out a pocket watch and glanced at it. “It’s almost the appointed time.”
No sooner had she spoken than the two of them, both highly alert, caught sight of a shadow piercing through the thin mist.
It was an ordinary-looking small boat, drifting silently across the calm surface of the river. Its black hull was perfectly camouflaged by the night; had it not drawn close, they would have struggled to notice it at all.
Sensing the figures on the bank, a spark of light flickered at the bow, blinking with a rhythmic, measured frequency.
It was the agreed-upon signal.
“They’re here.”
Albert gestured for Lawenny to respond.
Lawenny nodded and lit a lantern, manipulating the shutter so its dim light flashed in return.
Soon, the lights on both sides went out, plunging everything back into darkness and silence. Yet, the small boat had already drifted to the shore without a sound.
Albert studied the vessel. He noticed there wasn't even a boatman on board, and he couldn't tell how it was being propelled across the water. It looked like a ghost ship from a fairy tale, meant for ferrying souls to the underworld.
Despite Lawenny’s worried expression, he didn't hesitate. He bent down, lifted the curtain, and stepped into the cabin.
The cabin was cramped, roughly the size of a carriage interior. A few slivers of light were enough to illuminate the space. Sitting directly opposite him was a man dressed in a black formal suit and a tall top hat.
Albert could tell at a glance that the man wasn't a Belland local. His deep-set features and a nose as sharp as a blade were the hallmark characteristics of the northern Slavs.
However, when the man spoke, it was with a perfectly polished Belland accent.
“Greetings. A pleasure to meet you, Prince Albert.”
The man smiled. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I expected Miss Muse.”
Albert showed none of the awkwardness or caution typical of a first meeting. Instead, he sat down directly across from the man, his back ramrod straight.
“Miss Muse... she has other matters to attend to. Therefore, I have been tasked with ensuring your safety until you reach your destination.”
The man’s smile remained unchanged. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is of little consequence, but you may call me... Bruce.”
“Bruce?”
Albert’s pupils contracted. “The ‘Dark Emperor’ of the Lower District?”
“Now, now. In the presence of Your Highness, I wouldn't dare accept such an irreverent title as ‘Emperor.’”
Bruce—or rather, Muen, who had come personally to receive him—adjusted his top hat and shook his head with feigned humility. “I didn't expect Your Highness to have heard of me. I’m truly flattered.”
“Heh. I’m not exactly deaf or blind. I’ve heard a thing or two about the famous figures of the Lower District.”
Albert scrutinized Muen again, narrowing his eyes. “But I didn't expect you to be one of the Campbell family’s people... No wonder!”
Rumors said the Dark Emperor had consolidated almost the entire Lower District overnight with ruthless efficiency. Many had speculated about his true identity and backing.
But if he was backed by the legendary House of Campbell, then everything made sense.
“To cooperate with Your Highness, the Campbell family must show at least a little sincerity, mustn't we?” Muen chuckled.
Meeting Albert in the guise of Bruce was a decision Muen had reached after careful consideration.
After all, while the title of "Dark Emperor" sounded grand, he was essentially just a gang leader in the Lower District. Celicia knew his identity, as did the high-and-mighty but currently ailing Emperor.
Therefore, if Albert were to actually ascend to the throne in the future, he would inevitably find out as well.
Rather than waiting until then for him to discover the link between Bruce and the Campbells, it was better to disclose it now as a gesture of sincerity.
In a sense, sincerity was the foundation of any partnership.
Besides, he had no intention of revealing the true face hidden beneath this persona just yet. He wanted to use this layer to mask something even deeper.
“You are the representative of the Campbell family now? Can you mobilize their full strength?” Albert asked.
“That... might be a bit difficult.” Muen frowned, looking "conflicted." “After all, I’m not that brilliant, martial, and dashing Young Master Campbell. I can only mobilize the forces within my own sphere of control.”
“Young Master Campbell... The fact that the core of the Campbell family hasn't returned to Belland is indeed a major problem. The influence of the Campbell name is your sharpest weapon. My younger brother truly played a masterful move there.” Albert sighed with a touch of melancholy.
“Rest assured. The fact that I’ve come to meet Your Highness personally means we will support you with everything we have.”
Muen’s tone shifted. He leaned forward, lowering his voice as he spoke slowly, “But since our sincerity has been proven, what of yours, Prince...?”
“I am merely a man who has just recovered—”
“Your Highness, those words are a bit hurtful. To have Marquis Angus himself step in to help you... I find it hard to believe you’re just some helpless, sickly prince.”
“...”
Albert opened his mouth, stunned for a moment, before shaking his head with a self-deprecating smile.
“I suppose I can’t hide anything from a clever man. But I must warn you, the power I currently hold is very limited. Compared to my brother, I’m likely far behind.”
“If Your Highness truly had the power to rival Prince Andrew on your own, you wouldn't need me.”
Muen reached out his hand and said earnestly, “As I said, as long as we can show each other sincerity and trust, our combined strength will be quite formidable. We won't necessarily lose to your brother.”
“...”
As if caught off guard by Muen’s sudden declaration, Albert stared at him blankly for a long while.
Eventually, he let out a smile of relief. His tense posture seemed to relax all at once as he reached out and grasped Muen’s palm.
“I look forward to it.”
“As do I.”
Muen returned the smile. Their joined hands made them look like a pair of intimate, soul-sharing friends.
Any potential grudges or suspicions seemed to turn to dust and blow away in the wind as the two men shared a look and a smile.
At least, that was how it appeared.
“However...”
Muen looked past Albert, eyeing the maid, Lawenny, with feigned surprise. “I wasn't told Your Highness would be bringing anyone else. At a time like this, the fewer people who know your route, the better.”
“Don't worry. Lawenny is trustworthy. She is my personal maid.”
Albert moved slightly to shield Lawenny behind him, instinctively taking her small hand in his.
Seeing their interlaced fingers, Muen froze for a moment, his eyes immediately lighting up with the spark of gossip.
“You two are...”
“Ahem. It’s exactly what you’re thinking. So, you should understand—Lawenny would never betray me.”
Albert gave a dry cough to ease the awkwardness. Behind him, Lawenny’s face, which she was trying so hard to keep composed, flushed a faint crimson.
“I see, I see...”
Muen flashed a cryptic grin.
Who would have thought? The seemingly rational First Prince was actually playing out the trope of a forbidden romance between a prince and his maid. With his intelligence, surely he knew that in this turbulent climate, given his sensitive status, it was almost impossible for a relationship with a mere maid to reach a happy ending?
Still...
Regardless of how this romance ended, a First Prince with a visible weakness was indeed much more approachable than the one from a moment ago.