Chapter 2: Manoeuvre

Knock. Knock.

“You may come in.” A virile voice resonated within the entirety of the magnificent office. Through the window panes, the dazzling radiance of the sun shines on the splendid man wearing majestic clothing that befitting of a prince.

The man entered the office and saw the prince’s back in front of him, despite that, he bowed and gave his respect towards the only prince of the empire. “Greetings to Your Royal Highness, the esteemed one; Crown Prince Friederick.” he saluted.

“I heard that man went to the palace.” Prince Friederick paused seemingly in thought. “It seems the marriage between my sister and the bastard from the Fuhrer family is progressing too well.”

“Y-yes Your Royal Highness. It seems His Majesty is set to this marriage and guaranteed abundant benefits to Marquess Fuhrer. Sir Neilson’s appearance within the palace after the court meeting speaks a lot of volumes as well as issues.” the man’s heart thumped loudly and cold sweat appeared on his back and palms. He knew the goal of this marriage and the increasing friction between the empress and the emperor grew more intense, as a result━

Thud

“Y-your Royal Highness..?” He abruptly raised his head as his thoughts were interrupted, and saw the prince open the window. On the window sill, a pigeon was standing. The man watched as the prince clasped the bird’s feet with a small cartridge that was attached to the pigeon's right leg.

“What about Marquess Pinnick’s side?” The man was dazed for a moment as he watched Prince Friederick take out the letter from the cartridge and freed the pigeon out of the window. When their eyes met, he saw his aurous eyes that gleamed with profundity. He quickly bowed his head and answered.

“Lord Pinnick tacitly assented this marriage without any qualms and stayed silent throughout the process.”

“What about the Imperial Mother’s opinion?” Friederick asked the man as he simultaneously opened and read the letter that the pigeon was carrying earlier.

“In regards to that, Your Royal Highness, Her Majesty did not express anything yet. It is unknown what the empress’ opinion and course of action is.” the man replied truthfully without daring to raise his head and looking at the prince’s expression. At the end of the day, it is better to know less to keep one’s head.

“It is bold of you to guess the empress’ mind.” Hearing this, the man immediately knelt and bowed towards the prince.

“Y-your Royal Highness! It is I who misspoke! I dare not challenge the empress! Forgive me, Your Highness!”

“Halt at once, Lord Gill. It is only a jest.”  Friederick raised his hand to signal him to stop as he sighed. He looked at Baron Gill who fastened his clothes and appearance as he stood up.

“I-is that so?” The man named Baron Gill forced out a smile that is comparable to crying.

“You may leave now.”

“Yes, Your Royal Highness.” Friederick watched as Baron Gill bowed and left the office as he closed the huge door. He sat down on the chair and looked at the letter he was holding.

“Sigh. After I observed Baron Gill’s actions a while ago I need to reassess my understanding of him.” Friederick glanced on his left as he looked to the man who spoke.

“Kane, it seems you have a penchant for eavesdropping in your master’s affairs.” The man named Kane chuckled on hearing this phrase from him. He took a short glimpse at the letter that was resting on the desk without speaking. His umber eyes observed the prince’s actions of tapping the desk with his forefinger rhythmically.

“Baron Gill has no connection in the capital, he is a rural noble with no significant value that could change the direction of the nobility. No one would pay heed to his actions, so it is reasonable for us to use this opportunity to let him monitor and deliver news from the capital.”

“Your Royal Highness, with what we have witnessed earlier, seeing his countenance, he might divulge some information on the way; he might not even cover his tracks.” Kane looks at Friederick to express his concerns.

Their eyes met, one was the color of an umber and the other one was aurous, their tension grew, seemingly wanting to probe with each other by using their eyes. At last, a silent and subtle sigh reverberated throughout the enclosed yet opulent office.

“Kane, you must have neglected your studies in politics.” Kane raised his sleek eyebrows in confusion, witnessing such an action only made Friederick’s forehead throb in frustration.

“Imperial Father is growing too suspicious of Imperial Mother. It is better to control what they want to see rather than hide too many things and in the end, will go out of our control. Now, everyone will view the insignificant rural noble, Baron Gill, fawning to me and it is only a natural course of action.” Friederick stood up and walked towards the intricately decorated hearth, which was carved fully by various shapes that signified sanctified meanings.

“He is not our sole source of intelligence,” he raised the neatly folded letter towards Kane’s direction. “Baron Gill’s information does not carry much relevance. So whether he left his back bare or not, it does not concern us the slightest.”

His eyes squinted as his left hand rubbed his chin as he stared at the ember that was burning vigorously. His thoughts wandered as he made his calculations in his head. Kane watched Friederick, who was lost in thought, silently and waited for his next orders.

It is one of Friederick’s habits, to rub his chin using his left hand, it signifies that he is to start his plans and calculate what the next action would be. It was unknown how long time had passed as the silence ensued and only the occasionally crackling sounds could be heard from the fireplace.

“It seems the Imperial Mother is in a dilemma, knowing how decisive she is, it is impossible for her not to act.” Friederick let out a short hearty laugh, but from Kane’s opinion, it sounds sarcastic; full of ridicule. “If it is not for me required to complete the ceremonial rites necessary for receiving a title, and need to be confined inside the cold walls of the cathedral for several months; she would have made a move a long time ago.”

Kane frowned by hearing this. He knew that being sent here, in the Cathedral of Divine Luminescence, would lead them far behind about the news outside. Even that is the case, there was nothing much could be done. It is customary for nobles, who will be conferred a title, to go to the cathedral to complete the ceremonies and be blessed by the upper echelons of the church. This required for every nobles to stay here in seclusion for months in the name of being cleansed regardless of their ranks.

“Your Royal Highness, does that mean that it is His Majesty planned along?” He was shocked by realizing this far.

The Crown Prince, Friederick Claus Terence Winstanley VI, who was the only prince born from His Majesty, Emperor Claus Edmund Fergus Winstanley V, should have received his title a long time ago in his teenage years. It is to be expected because all of the imperial children are to be given a formal title, even a courtesy title.

The title of ‘Crown Prince’ is only a courtesy title of Prince Friederick, everyone acknowledges him as an heir, due to this, all the nobles subconsciously called him that. But…

Even a courtesy title must undergo a ceremony, yet it’s been years… and everyone must have forgotten this critical point.

So when His Majesty granted this opportunity to go to the Cathedral of Divine Luminescence, finally giving a formal title and acknowledging Prince Friederick’s status within the empire, made them feel that all their efforts had finally paid off. But it seems that is not the case.

Presently, on the surface, everyone thought that the emperor decided to do this to avoid those dukes refraining their actions of coveting the Imperial Throne.

Maybe it is also part of His Majesty’s plan, and also to cripple the empress’ power, Empress Matilda. Separating Prince Friederick from Her Majesty, in the guise of conferring a title, cutting the empress’ support. Now, by marrying Princess Fiona into Marquess of Tecy, the Fuhrer family, is the main goal of the emperor.

Simple yet very resolute and vicious.

“It seems the Imperial Mother is in a concession with the emperor, so she could not move hastily; one wrong action from her will affect me.” Friederick sighed. “The Marquess of Gulbury is on a tight leash held by the Imperial Mother, but it does not anymore.”

The letter he was holding is being held by his two fingers. Then he released his hold of the letter and it slowly cascaded as it fell upon the blazing ember of the hearth. The small paper was caught in fire and soon engulfed as it burned into nothingness.

Kane watched his actions and his facial expression was grave.

“The letter’s appearance is the evidence of the Imperial Mother’s present predicament. Although it is hard for us to move due to the eyes that were planted to us, it does not mean we cannot use others.” Friederick turned his body to look at Kane, who was dressed in knight’s uniform.

He smiled elegantly, befitting of a perfect gentleman, appeared on his face. On the other hand, Kane who witnessed this felt his hair rise for unknown reason.

“We will proceed as planned.”

“As you wish, Your Royal Highness.” Kane answered.

“If the Imperial Mother could not decide, then we will decide for her.” Friederick ruffled his golden hair and took out his pocket watch that was engraved meticulously and luxuriously.

“Let us lessen Her Majesty’s burdens.” Then he closed the cover of the clock with a click.

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