Chapter 27
◇Side: Edward◇
There is no such thing as unconditional love——that was my life. Believing in others only leads to loss… so I made rational judgments. No matter how cruel it may seem, I pursued what would be beneficial from a broader perspective.
――And yet.
Natalie, a person like you exists… and if I were to acknowledge that, my own ugliness… it would be too much. I cannot… show it to you.
◆◇◆
The first crack appeared――when the First Prince realized that my own brother had been poisoning me.
“Brother… is it true?”
“Yes, it is true. I swear on my duty as Chancellor… it is indeed the truth.”
I heard this shocking fact around the time I had finally started studying statecraft. My brother, only slightly older than me, usually so normal and kind—how could he do such a thing?
Even though he is family… why…?
Looking back now, even the Chancellor was wearing the mask of a fox――but unaware, I followed his instructions and went to the designated place.
“You’ve put poison in Edward’s meal… yes?”
“Y-Yes… but… are you sure?”
“Hmph, you… just obey my orders.”
My frail brother had, in his own room, instructed a taster to poison me… hidden in a closet inside his seldom-used room. From that gap, I heard his true intentions.
The reality that I might be killed by my own family filled Edward with fear. In the dark closet, until his brother left, all he could do was tremble.
Unable to bear this truth alone, Edward decided to consult our parents. “I might be about to be killed by my brother… but maybe it’s just a lapse in judgment. Perhaps I’ve done something to displease him—”
When I tried to speak of it――and approached our parents’ room, the door was slightly open.
“…I see. You’re planning to poison Edward.”
“…Well.”
My parents were talking with the retainers. I thought, Ah, they already know and will protect me…
“Then, let it be. The First and Second Princes――the one who survives will be fit to be the next king.”
“…But you—”
“…It cannot be helped. This is the fate of those born into the royal family. I was no different.”
“…I see…”
“Ah… it may seem cruel――but it is survival of the fittest. A lion’s cub needs no weaklings.”
Hearing those words, my still-young heart shattered. My parents said as always, “The First Prince is weak, but if he rises through strategy… that may be acceptable,” but none of it reached me. Quietly, I distanced myself from the door and returned to my room without a sound.
From that point on, I stopped trusting people and instead pursued what would be beneficial for my future self.
◆◇◆
Inside the castle, there were few people I could trust. So even the meals prepared by the tasters… I couldn’t eat. But I reasoned that the Chancellor, who had given me advice, would not allow poison. I began to take the meals he prescribed.
However, my cough worsened—my health clearly deteriorating. As a child, I lacked everything. Above all… putting hope in the Chancellor was… naïve.
◆◇◆
As time passed, Edward’s magical talent was recognized, and he obtained his own Magic Knights. His frail brother focused on political affairs.
The tension over the succession inside the castle remained. Even if I felt unwell, I could not show weakness. So I plastered a smile on my face and continued pretending nothing was wrong.
Would I want to become king? I didn’t really know. But if I didn’t, death awaited. That instinct for survival may have been the reason for my “smile.”
“Cough, ugh…”
“Prince Edward… are you alright?”
“Yes…”
After gaining my Magic Knights, I further selected guards to surround me. With my father’s approval, they acted as “Shadows”—hidden yet ready against enemies. In reality, straightforward enemies seldom appeared.
Assassins, spies――they were inside the castle, targeting only those with succession rights. Likely, most were sent by the First Prince.
Yet the real problem wasn’t the attacks—it was that my cough persisted.
“Have you investigated…?”
“Yes, most doctors and nobles in the castle town were under the First Prince’s influence.”
“I see…”
“However… I heard of a reputable doctor in a remote area.”
Due to my failing health, I had the Shadows investigate a place where I could be treated. Most places were entangled in power struggles. Eventually, I chose the remote doctor.
This led to my meeting with Franz.
◆◇◆
“Well now… Prince Edward, you’ve become quite the regular…”
“Ha… I’d like to graduate from being a regular soon…”
“Hoho. You are spirited, at least… I wish the same.”
During brief intervals between political duties, I used my teleportation magic to visit Franz’s clinic. At first, I found his laughter and gestures suspicious, but with the Shadows present, and his medicine easing my symptoms, I judged it safe to entrust him with my health.
“Then… wake me at the usual time.”
“Understood. Rest well.”
I received my medicine with practiced motions and lay on the curtained bed, the few places I could rest. Over time, I had grown too trusting of Franz… yet I allowed myself this rare sleep.
Soon, Franz’s laughter reached my ears. Perhaps he was communicating magically… accustomed to silence, my sensitive ears reacted.
――What is it? Isn’t it too early to wake?
My body felt lighter thanks to Franz’s medicine, though I was still fatigued.
――Waking early isn’t a problem.
I shifted my mindset and pulled back the curtain, only to see someone else—Natalie.
◆◇◆
“Prince Edward… how do you feel?”
“…Ah, very comfortable.”
“That is truly wonderful.”
After receiving Natalie’s magic and returning to the castle with the Shadows, my mood brightened. Healing magic isn’t rare, but most practitioners are nobles, whom I usually avoid. This time, Franz recommended it and the Shadows were present. I also realized ignoring my worsening condition had no benefit.
The decision worked—my body felt remarkably light.
“…Shadows. Investigate near the Chancellor… and expose his misdeeds as much as possible.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Most importantly, thanks to her healing, I realized the cause of my symptoms had been poison. Despite following the Chancellor’s instructions to avoid poison, I had still suffered. The irony was bitter.
Now back in the castle, I ordered the Shadows to corner the Chancellor. I also needed to reconsider my future strategy—mainly regarding the nobles, and also Natalie Pettigrew.
Though healing magic is not rare, after receiving it firsthand, I realized the Pettigrews’ magic was extraordinary. Only someone highly skilled in magic would notice the finesse in her power.
――Protect her as part of the royal family…? No, more than that…
Normally hesitant about anything uncertain, I impulsively gave Natalie a royal pendant. At first, it was purely strategic—releasing such power was dangerous, and her actions deserved reward.
The royal pendant works in my favor inside the castle. Whether she knows it or not, it allows her free access and ensures her identity. Moreover, it’s an item a royal gives to someone important—a fiancée.
――Connecting the Pettigrews with the royal family could be beneficial… also in the balance of power.
I repeatedly justified the decision in my mind: strictly for mutual benefit, not sentimental reasons.
◆◇◆
Before the ball, the Chancellor was imprisoned.
He had plotted something horrifying—colluding with foreign and domestic nobles to orchestrate the deaths of the First and Second Princes. He intended to use the innocent Third Prince as a pawn to seize power.
Specifically, he had administered slow-acting poison to me and my brother, gradually weakening us. The First Prince, not wanting the collusion exposed, denied all knowledge. Yet his own frailty eventually left him bedridden.
“…Edward, well done.”
“Father, thank you. After the ball, I plan to publicly announce the Chancellor’s imprisonment.”
“…Impressive. Continue to uphold the pride of royalty.”
“Yes.”
My father, more as a king than a parent, began listening to my opinions more after this incident. Returning to my room after speaking with him, I encountered my younger brother.
“Brother!”
“Oh, were you playing here?”
The Third Prince, my youngest brother, played with a child of the lions in the hallway. Likely considered outside the power struggle, he was treated as ornamental. I thought that might be for the best, but I still chose to protect him. Affection as a family—nonexistent. As royalty, I treated it as an investment for the future, in case he assisted me someday.
I smiled at him like a good elder brother. My smile was so perfect it hid my true intentions. Yet… the Third Prince always looked sad when seeing it, something I had never noticed.
◆◇◆
Even before foreign duchesses, observing Natalie’s composure, I noticed not just her angelic beauty, but her strength of spirit.
With such strength, she would not be swayed in the royal family and could become a fine queen. That would be highly beneficial for the Pettigrews.
Searching for Natalie after the ball, I overheard retainers gossiping about allied dukes.
――A monster… but as long as it benefits the nations, the dukes would understand.
Then I saw her—she had injured her foot, tended with a handkerchief. I wanted to reduce her burden, for the sake of potential future benefits.
Yet her words stopped me: “Do not overexert yourself,” “a person who helps others.” Hearing that made my heart skip—it was exactly the kind of thought I had denied myself.
――I must not entertain such ideals.
I tried to discipline myself, yet humans are drawn to what they lack. Her words and transparent eyes held me captive.
――What is this feeling?
Though I teased her with my words, I felt I had something forbidden. Deep involvement doesn’t lead to profit, proceeding efficiently would be better… yet I found myself wanting to speak and interact more with Natalie.
