The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 148: Laurenz

A few days after Duke Kleinert contacted the Weitling house.

They finally reached out to us. Still, I did not personally meet them and appointed Sebas to act as my proxy instead.

Are they angry?

Rather than angry, I think that they are bewildered, sir. That should be obvious given that you have dispatched your butler to handle such an important negotiation.

The result will not change no matter who went there. So, what did they propose?

The arrested nobles will relinquish their titles, the other nobles who were involved will be demoted one rank by his Majesty, and the rest will pay you a settlement fee, sir.

Their proposal is certainly reasonable.

However, I am not looking for that kind of conclusion.

Rejected.

Yes. I have already turned down their proposal.

I intended to reject their first proposal in the first place.

My stance is to remain a strong front. That is why I rejected my sister in laws plea.

With this, they would think that I will not accept any half baked proposal.

Yes, sir. I am sure that the next time they will include the resignation of Marquis Weitling into the condition as well.

That is the minimum requirement.

But is it alright, sir? If you keep up such a strong stance, this might lead to an even stronger resistance from them.

I nod to Sebass words.

There might be someone who holds animosity against me and do not seek reconciliation.

However,

That is how I want it. What I want is not reconciliation but a guarantee that this will never happen again. Its fine if they want to put up a resistance. It is just a matter of crushing them down.

You are afraid that they might seek to undermine you someday if you reconcile with them?

Correct. With a temporary settlement, this will bound to happen again. I have to thoroughly break their will here. I will not take any half baked measure against them.

Killing them might be easier to serve that purpose, sir.

Probably. But I will not do that. I dont want to shed blood meaninglessly in this stupid conflict.

After all, the strong front I put up was so that we can settle this quickly.

If they understand that they will not be let off easily if they mess with me then they will no longer try to do it again.

If things do not reach the breaking point they will only press down their dissatisfaction. So, if their dissatisfaction is going to blow up anyway then I want them to let it all out here.

That way I can completely beat them down so that there wont be the next time.

You have an evil smile on your face, sir.

You think so?

Not just your smile, what you are currently doing is also evil though. I dont know about cornering your opponent so much and wait for the matter to explode but in case the other side manages to hold themselves back, someone with deep hatred against you will be born, sir. It would be a disadvantage for you if such a person were to join Eric-dono, no?

They are not much of an adult in the first place. I dont know who among them will lose their patience first butif their dissatisfaction in me peaked, they will surely make a move somewhere.

Well, I had two dukes traveled all the way here after all.

The best ending they could achieve is to endure this but I cant imagine that they would be able to do so.

Those guys were being emotional. They will continue to be like that until the end.

Thinking so, I quietly waited for their next contact.

-

A week has passed.

The day of reconciliation arrived. During the past week, the nobles have put forth various proposals for me.

The final proposal is one that the leaders of their alliance including Marquis Weitling will relinquish their titles, pay a large amount of compensation, and submit a paper that pays respect to the imperial family. The other nobles will pay the compensation fee. The arrested nobles will be punished according to the law. The citizens who cooperated with them are acquitted of their crimes and the monetary compensation for their actions will be paid by the noble who used them. 

It must have been a tough decision to make. No matter how great the Weitling house is, they will have no choice but to adopt a new heir from houses that are related to them by blood. Their eldest daughter, Therese, will never remarry, and the second daughter, one of the captains of the imperial knight corps is too busy with her work that she will only become a decoration even if she becomes the head of the house. Even so, they submitted such a proposal was because they desired a reconciliation that much.

Now, lets go. If possible, I hope that Finne wont have to move.

It all depends on the other side, sir. Do you think that [That Person] will really move?

I have no clue. Its a possibility though..well, that person might move if they are faced with the worst-case scenario right? Thats why I prepared a countermeasure in the first place.

It has become quite an important matter hasnt it.

The people involved are that important after all. That person still doesnt have that self-awareness though.

While chatting about that, we enter the throne room.

Father and Franz will also be present at this reconciliation.

After all, this matter will be mediated by two dukes. It is quite exaggerated but this is the biggest conflict in the capital right now so it is a given that they will be present.

Well, it could be taken as they are pressuring us to not cause any more trouble than this though.

Lets see if theres anyone who can act under such pressure.

This is quite a sight huh.

Inside the throne room are Duke Kleinert and Duke Reinfeld who are waiting for us.

On the right side of the entrance are the people involved with the white seagull alliance with Elder Weitling standing at the forefront. The handsome young man with honey-colored hair standing beside him is the current Marquis Weitling, Laurenz von Weitling.

He stared at me as I entered the room.

Other nobles at his side are also looking at me. Their eyes hold nothing but animosity.

It seems I am quite hated huh.

Thinking so, I headed to the left side from the entrance of the throne room.

Utz who arrived earlier is waiting for me there and once I arrived at my position, he confirmed the details of this reconciliation with me in a small voice.

This reconciliation will be handled mostly by the two dukes, Your Highness. The final proposal will be reviewed by both dukes in text form and the settlement will be effective once Your Highness and Marquis Weitling who will be acting as their representative sign the agreement.

I see. I hope this will be over soon.

While saying so, I look at Elder Weitling who seems to be unsettled about something on the opposite side.

When our eyes met, Elder Weitling quietly lowered his head.

Its been a long time, Elder Weitling.

Its been a while. Your Highness Arnold.

Sorry for bringing you out of your retirement. Is your body all right? Are you not pushing yourself?

I am completely fine, Your Highness. Thank you for worrying about me.

Elder Weitling politely replied even though I took a self-important tone toward him.

He is very humble. After all, this is the throne room, if your opponent is a member of the imperial family, his attitude is only natural. However, it seems that the young nobles behind him dont like that.

The thorn in their eyes as they looked at me increased. But I simply keep talking with him without paying them any mind.

I see. Then make sure to educate your next heir. It wouldnt do if Elder Weitling has to come out because of this kind of matter again.

Your Highness.everything happened because my education was lacking. Please have mercy on us.

I will. If you adhere to the proposal you presented that is.

Of course, we will abide by it.

That was the end of our conversation.

The young nobles eyes only got sharper and sharper but once Father and Franz arrived, they settled down.

Everyone knelt on the spot and bowed to Father.

Everyone, thanks for coming. I am glad that we can set up this reconciliation. Also, I have troubled you this time, Duke Kleinert, Duke Reinfeld. My apology.

There is no need for an apology, Your Majesty.

I simply perform my duty as your humble subject.

The two dukes replied while they are kneeling.

Satisfied with their answers, Father leans back on the throne and starts the event.

I will leave this to you two. You may begin  .

Yes, Your Majesty.

Certainly.

Duke Kleinert and Jurgen stand up with permission from Father.

We also stand up and turn our eyes to the other side.

After that, Jurgen act as a moderator and explains us the details and proceed to confirm the conditions for this reconciliation

The event proceeded normally so far. There is nothing unusual and there is no sign of someone starting anything.

Maybe it is because we are doing this in front of Father or perhaps it is because this event is being mediated by two dukes.

In the end, things proceeded to the final task of signing the agreement without anything out of the ordinary.

Your Highness Arnold, Marquis Weitling, this way please.

Duke Kleinert called me and Laurenz to the table where the agreement was prepared.

We step forward at the same time.

Laurenz is a tall handsome young man. He seems like the type that women would naturally flock to him without him doing anything. The word nobleman described him perfectly.

However, his action is far from that of a nobleman. Emotion has corrupted him.

His jealousy must be the root of this. If Leo was the opponent he might be able to suppress it but since its me it exploded all at once.

A mans jealousy is unsightly and pitch-black. Im sure that he cant make a calm decision. 

Laurenz who is glaring at me like I am his sworn enemy took off his glove and threw it at me.

My my.

Laurenz then made a statement while everyone was bewildered at his action.

Your Highness Arnold. I ..Laurenz von Weitling challenges you to a duel. You are unjust and arrogant. I can not recognize you as a member of the imperial family. Please pick up the glove and have a duel with me. Put everything on the line and fight!

This must have been the most foolish and courageous act since the Weitling house was found.

Throwing a glove at a prince in front of the Emperor in the negotiation mediated by two dukes.

In some sense, this person might really be a prodigy.

However, this has gone beyond what I imagined.

To think that he would challenge me to a duel here.

This seems like trouble.

Thinking so, I started adjusting my unruly hair.

Now, its time to put on a performance.