Chapter 130: Only one condition

To be a member of the royal family of Kaistein instead of a cardinal.

Reclaiming what had been relinquished was never easy.

Nevertheless, Haverion was confident.

‘In the first place, I didn’t give it up because I wanted to. It was Duke Garcia and His Majesty who made it so.’

Haverion said to the First Princess.

“Please convey to His Majesty to restore my rightful position.”

“You think that’s possible?”

“It might be if I give up my position as cardinal.”

“Haverion… It’s really you…”

Of course, the First Princess was angry.

Being the heir to the throne was not something one could throw away and get back again on a whim.

The same was true for the cardinal position.

“Did you say that because you knew about the trouble you would bring?”

“Absolutely. If that were to occur, not only would there be pressure from the Holy Empire, but the public’s perception of the royal family would also be shaken. Undoubtedly, I would face severe criticism as well.”

“But why?!”

Surely, Haverion couldn’t have not known that.

Haverion was well aware of the future repercussions, so much so that he felt his stomach churning at the mere thought of it, but he didn’t care.

“Have you forgotten that it is this country that forces me to give up my position as cardinal of the Holy Empire?”

“…”

The king would have no choice but to accept his proposal.

Realizing this, the First Princess’s gaze hardened.

“Do you really have to go this far? If you give up your position as cardinal, the Holy Empire will not leave you be.”

“It was you and His Majesty who made me like this, as well as that damned youngest brat.”

If Haverion were to become the heir to the throne, he could get some leniency for his current crime.

Of course, it would come with a price, but that was a matter of no importance to him now.

Haverion asked coldly.

“You haven’t left yet?”

“Fine. I’ll convey your intentions to His Majesty. But remember, the youngest and I will never forget the blood you shed.”

The First Princess responded in an equally cold voice.

But she was inwardly shocked.

‘I never thought he would abandon his position as a cardinal.’

It was something no one had anticipated.

Except for one person.

Haverion, unaware of this, smiled.

“Then, go. Don’t forget my message.”

“I am not your messenger.”

The First Princess left without looking back.

After a long time in prison, someone came to visit Haverion.

It was the chamberlain sent by King Eloin after hearing about Haverion’s proposal.

“His Majesty said he will consider Cardinal Haverion’s proposal positively.”

‘I knew it.’

Haverion smiled without revealing his thoughts.

He believed that even the so-called Blood Lion, King Eloin, would bow before the Holy Empire’s power.

However, the chamberlain’s words were far from over.

“Only, under one condition.”

“Condition?”

Haverion tilted his head slightly.

What sort of condition would he require to reclaim what was rightfully his?

But soon, his eyes couldn’t help shaking.

“The Seventh Prince is currently unconscious.”

“How does that concern me? Are you implying that I should attend to him?”

“Of course not. That’s not what anyone in this country wants.”

“What?”

Haverion couldn’t hold back his anger.

The chamberlain made it sound as though he was disrespecting him.

However, the chamberlain continued calmly.

“His Majesty has declared that he cannot restore your rights as a royal as long as the Seventh Prince remains unconscious.”

“What if he doesn’t wake up?”

“If that were to happen, you would lose not only your position as a cardinal but also your royal status.”

“What?”

“And there’s more. You must also seek forgiveness from Prince Ian.”

Otherwise, Haverion stood to lose everything.

That was what the chamberlain, relaying the king’s message, was saying.

Haverion looked genuinely perplexed.

“You think the Holy Empire will just let this happen?”

“If the Holy Empire chooses to fight, His Majesty would gladly accept it. Kaistein never avoids a fight.”

“What does that even mean…”

That wasn’t all.

The chamberlain’s expression turned cold, unlike before.

“However, without substantial evidence, the Holy Empire will not offer an apology. That is what the king has stated.”

Haverion involuntarily shut his mouth.

Until now, his only desire had been to mercilessly kill Ian and the other heirs.

But from this moment on…

‘Do I have no other choice but to pray for him to wake up?’

For the first time in his life, he had the urge to curse the god he had always prayed to.

***

The First Princess was in a foul mood.

She had heard that Haverion, whom she met in prison, sought to reclaim the status he had once forsaken.

It wasn’t merely that.

“What? Does His Majesty allow it?”

“Yes, he does. Although there are some conditions.”

“What kind of conditions…”

The qualification to aim for the throne was a sacred thing that not anyone could just have.

Reclaiming a status once abandoned was even more unfathomable, especially for someone who had publicly attempted to harm his own brother.

She couldn’t simply overlook it, particularly because Ian, the youngest, remained in a comatose state.

‘He got injured trying to save me.’

The rumors had spread so far and wide to the point everyone, including the royal family, knew about it.

Of course, it wasn’t just a matter of saving face.

‘Never forget grace, never forget enemies.’

With Haverion as their common enemy and Ian having been injured while doing her a favor, she had at least one reason to help him.

And so, when the First Princess arrived at Ian’s bedroom, there were people blocking her path.

“I’m sorry, but you may not enter.”

“Step aside.”

The First Princess shot a cold gaze at the knights, but the royal knights guarding Ian’s room didn’t budge.

“This is His Majesty’s command.”

“What?”

“His Majesty has ordered that no one is permitted to enter until the prince awakens.”

The nobles who had followed the princess shouted.

“What? Then, why is Duke Lavaltor inside?”

“Is our princess less important than him?”

It was outrageous to have mere knights stand in the princess’s way.

Their expressions reflected their discontent, but the situation remained unchanged.

“The duke is inside to protect the prince from potential assassins.”

Upon hearing this, the First Princess glared fiercely at the knight.

‘This man… is not just any royal knight.’

Engraved on the knight’s neck was a roaring red lion.

He was a member of the king’s Blood Lion Knights.

They were a knight order serving only the king.

‘Does this mean His Majesty is deeply concerned about the youngest’s safety?’

It was challenging enough to suppress them with her authority, and disregarding and bypassing this would be akin to disobeying the king’s will.

There was nothing she could do in this instance.

The First Princess motioned for the nobles following her to step back.

“Very well. I will not enter.”

“You have made a wise choice.”

“But please pass on a message to the person inside.”

“He is not awake yet, but I shall do so once he wakes up.”

The First Princess whispered to the knight.

“I won’t forget the favor you’ve shown me. Tell him to come find me if he ever needs help.”

“I… understand.”

The knight’s face momentarily froze in surprise.

He had never thought the cold First Princess would say such words.

But she spoke with genuine sincerity.

‘I will never forget the favor you’ve shown me and the injury you’ve suffered for my sake, Youngest.’

If Haverion ever attempted to cause harm again, the First Princess vowed to wield her sword in defense of her youngest brother.

But before that, there were matters to take care of.

‘Haverion, you will not easily regain what you once discarded.’

She cast a murderous glare at the other younger brother who had sought her life.

***

While the clamor broke out outside, Nathan hurried toward Ian, who was lying bandaged.

“Your Highness! What in the world happened?”

Nathan cried out.

He knew Ian’s intention and had protected the citizens at his command, but he had never imagined that Ian would be hurt.

As he was about to rush toward Ian—

Thwack!

Galon smacked him on the head.

Nathan protested with a pained expression.

“Galon!”

“Keep your voice down. The prince is still recovering.”

“But still…”

Galon shot him a glare as Nathan was about to argue back.

“Alright, alright. Tsk.”

Casting aside Nathan, who backed away, Galon slowly approached Ian.

“If I may be honest, I was shocked too, Your Highness.”

“I’m sorry, Sir Galon.”

“I hope you will never do this again. I never expected you would step forward in person…”

His gaze was genuinely filled with concern.

Although it was by Ian’s command, a sense of guilt for not being able to protect him weighed heavily in his heart.

Nathan and Fiosen shared the same sentiment as well.

“That’s right. Did you really need to do that?”

“I never imagined you would take a stab in place of the First Princess. My heart sank at the thought.”

Yet Ian simply smiled.

He had a plan in mind, one that would be necessary to completely thwart Haverion.

Ian asked Nathan, who had a glum look on his face.

“So, how did it go?”

“It went as Your Highness wished. His Majesty also conditionally approved it. With conditions attached, as promised.”

“Great.”

“But, Your Highness, is this really okay? Wouldn’t this make a dangerous enemy?”

“No. Rather, he’s easy prey. And he will not be able to get his qualifications back.”

“What?”

Ian smiled on seeing Nathan’s bewildered face.

It seemed that the king had kept his word, as per his conversation with Duke Lavaltor, the guardian knight of King Eloin.

“It is His Majesty’s job to demand compensation from the Holy Empire. I want to ask His Majesty for compensation for protecting this country.”

“What do you want?”

“I want Haverion.”

“Even with your status as a prince, he cannot hand over a cardinal of the Holy Empire.”

“What if he relinquishes his position as cardinal?”

“Are you serious?”

Ian was convinced that Haverion would give up his position as cardinal.

‘He is not alone. He is clearly a member of some organization.’

Ceres and several other unknown people were part of this organization.

But could a cardinal of the Holy Empire be merely a pawn?

It seemed unlikely.

‘He’s more influential than I thought. There’s no other way to bring him down.’

That was why he went to such lengths for all this trouble.

If Nathan’s findings were accurate, the organization must be larger and more dangerous than he had initially thought.

‘Now, only one thing is left.’

At that moment, Ian recalled Haverion from his past life.

Haverion was a variable with no connections to him, so he needed to be more careful and beat him to the punch.

Ian was certain that Haverion did not return to Kaistein until he became the last man standing.

But that was why he remembered what Duke Garcia had been disappointed about.

“If only you could have obtained what he had, things would have been easier.”

However, he could not obtain the item Haverion possessed while he held the position of cardinal.

Ian didn’t know the value of that item back then, but it was different now.

Since he needed that item so badly, he would make the cardinal give it up.

And now that he had succeeded…

‘That item is mine now.’

But there was something to acquire before that.

With this in mind, Ian ordered his knights.

“Go and inform the nobles. Spread the news that my condition has deteriorated and I may soon die.”

Ian’s lips curled up into a sly smile.