The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 139: The Preparation

Please accept my apologies for yesterday. My study was inadequate. I beg for your forgiveness, Your Highness.

I told you that you dont have to come back though?

I was ordered by His Highness Leonard to assist you, Your Highness.

And I told you that you were incompetent and I dont need your help  right?

I have no excuse.

Hearing me, Utz hangs his head down but it doesnt seem like he will leave.

Rather than give up, its more like he is more persistent now.

Haawho is the most harmless noble in the white seagull alliance?

It is the son of Baron Becker, Damien von Becker. He does have a feeling for Finne-sama but he only joined the alliance because he was invited by his friends.

Hmph.it seems that you have studied them. Still, that information is already outdated since yesterday.

Saying so, I showed Utz a few sheets of paper.

It was a long written apology letter with a signature at the bottom. Of course, that signature belongs to Damien.

This is!?

Ive already removed a few harmless nobles from their alliance. Damien is one of them.

This fast.how did Your Highness do it?

There are various kinds of nobles in the white seagull alliance. Their main members might actually be those who have the chance to become Finnes fiance but there are also those who can only dream of it. A lot of them only joined because of their friends and acquaintances. Those guys usually are not wealthy. So, by digging up their debt record, I bought up all their debt. In other words, their debtor is now me.

That is certainly an effective measure butwhere did you get that kind of money?

I dont spend my money. I leave them all to Sebas for a long time. He has been managing that money for me.

Thats the truth. I left managing my asset to Sebas and he has been using it well and it has now increased dozens of times the original amount. Even so, that story is only there so that people wont get suspicious of me when I spend the money. Our true source of income is the reward I received as Silver. Inside the Empire, perhaps I might be one of the tops in terms of personal assets.

You have been doing that.but, Um.

You want to ask me why I spent that amount of money to get rid of those harmless nobles right?

Yes, exactly.

You will understand. If you are willing to help me then move according to Sebass instructions. Sebas.

Yes, sir.

Utz opened his eyes wide at Sebas who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Well, normally anyone would be surprised huh.

Leaving such Utz aside, I handed a list to Sebas.

My my, this is quite an expense isnt it?

Its okay. Use as much as you want. After all, I will have to thoroughly teach a lesson those idiots at the white seagull alliance. To know their place that is.

In other words, we have to thoroughly crush them, yes?

Thats right. Show all the nobles inside the capital how to properly use money.

Hearing so, Sebas beautifully bowed and left the room with Utz.

Now, lets leave the preparation to those two.

While I was thinking so, a new guest arrived at my room.

Your Highness Arnold. Its me, Alois von Simmel.

Welcome, Earl Simmel. I am sorry that I have to call you here suddenly like this.

Its nothing, I have a lot of time to spare after all.

There was no lie on Aloiss face. I heard that he has been studying a lot but he still has a lot of free time huh. As expected of him.

I smile at such Alois.

Thats good then. I have a little work I would like you to do for me, can you?

That will depend on the content, Your Highness. Unfortunately, I am not such a talented person.

Alois doesnt guarantee that he will do it. Hes good.

So he has been studying in this kind of area as well huh. Thats a good thing.

Silver did vouch for you though?

!?

Oh, should I say that it was Grau instead?

You arehow..?

That is something that only Silver and Alois are supposed to know. However, now someone else knows about it too.

I was the one who asked Silver to assist you. I dont want anything to interfere with Leos work after all.

You werethe one who ordered Grau?

That would be correct.

Hearing that, Alois took a step back and immediately kneeled down.

Whats wrong?

I must express my gratitudeYour Highness. It was because of Your Highness that I was able to save my territory..

I wasnt the one who protected your territory. It was you and Silver. Howeverif you really feel gratitude toward me then I want you to lend me your help.

Yes, please ask me to do anything. I will accomplish it with all my power.

You exaggerated. I just want you to spread some rumors about me, thats all.

To spread the good words about you, isnt it! Please leave it to me!

Aloiss face brightens.

But I shook my head.

Eh?

Its the opposite. I want you to start a bad rumor about me. A rumor that I am a scary and frightening person.

W, wont that worsen your image, Your Highness?

Its all right. And, I already talked about it with Silver. This is his plan, not mine.

I gave Silvers name to ease Aloiss worry.

Still, Alois was half suspicious about it but he reluctantly nodded at my request.

Your Highness, please promise me one thing.

What is it?

Once the situation calms down, please allow me to correct the rumor. I will not be able to face the people of my territory if I do something like that to our benefactor.

That is.it will depend on the situation. I cant promise you that.

No way..

Seeing the pained look on Aloiss face made me feel like I did something wrong. Well, I am indeed doing something bad though.

Cant help it then. If Alois doesnt agree to help me here the plan might fail after all.

Alright. Do whatever you like.

Is that true!? Thank you very much!

Alois vigorously bowed.

Well, even if Alois corrects it, there is not much difference between a man who uses a child to conduct an information operation and a man who performs an information operation on a child though. The situation wont change that much.

Thats all I want you to do. Can I leave it to you?

Yes! Please leave it to me!

Alois cheerfully replies.

When such Alois was about to leave the room, I stopped him. There is something I want to confirm after all.

Earl Simmel, no, Alois.

Yes?

Ah, no..uhh..aside from me, have you met any other imperial family member?

I have talked with His Highness Eric and His Highness Leonard several times but unfortunately, I havent the opportunity to meet with anyone else, Your Highness.

Hearing that, I internally sighed.

The reason why Father left Alois in the castle was not just that he can learn a lot here but also because he thinks that he is a good candidate for Christas husband. Its Father we are talking about. He will never marry Christa off to another country. If thats the case then, the only partners for her would be among the nobles of the Empire.

If she will marry someone anyway, it would be better to prepare a good partner for her. That is probably his thought but the fact that Alois still doesnt have the chance to meet her yet means that Father is probably still hesitating.

It would be great if he can stop being so useless when it comes to his daughter..

Yes?

Just talking to myself. Well, why dont we have a meal together next time? Id like to introduce you to someone.

Is that true? Gladly!

Alois then smiles innocently.

Alois is a boy with a promising future. His capability has been proven with the last civil war. He is also the first on the list of Christas husband candidates. But in the end, it would depend on whether they like each other or not.

For now, lets have them meet and see their reaction.

Thinking so, I dismiss Alois.

Then, passing each other, Finne stepped into the room.

Her expression was terribly dejected.

Whats wrong? Its not like you to make such a cloudy face.

My apologies..it is all because of me

Saying so, Finne looked even more dejected. It seems she thinks that the problem this time is her fault huh.

Thats just absurd.

Its not your fault. Half of the responsibility lies with those foolish nobles and the other half is from my father.

However,..it is because I stay at Al-samas side

Dont misunderstand. If I think that you are annoying then I would have sent you back to your territory a long time ago. The fact that you are still by my side means that I dont think so. You got that?

When I pressed Finne with a strong tone, she nodded with a slightly surprised look. While smiling at such Finne, I ask her to brew me tea as usual.

Good. then can you get me some tea? I want something strong.

Y, Yes! I will prepare it immediately! Uh, Uhh..Al-sama..?

Hm?

Um..I also have some sweets

Of course, bring that too.

Y, Yes! I hope it will be to your liking.

Saying so, Finne starts preparing them while humming some tunes.

The usual scene. The usual daily life.

Now, there are people that are trying to destroy it. More importantly, those who seek to destroy this modest daily life of mine only have the status of my vassal.

I will not show any mercy

I muttered my determination in a small voice so that Finne wouldnt hear it.

When I muttered that, anger rose from the bottom of my heart but I calmed myself down.

I want to smile at least in front of Finne. If I make a scary face, she might get worried about me again after all.

Its ready! Here, Al-sama!

Yeah, thanks.

The black tea I sip was delicious as usual.