How a Two-Life Scoundrel Lives - Chapter 86
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Chapter 86】
The unexpected visit from the royal family turned House Sigmund upside down.
And for good reason, as the royal family had not contacted them in advance.
Their visit was sudden and also unprecedented.
The royal family rarely moved unless absolutely necessary…
Therefore, Grand Duke Guntram had to immediately leave the castle gates to greet the royal family as soon as he arrived in Dekaron.
Even as the head of House Sigmund and the kingdom’s one and only Grand Duke, he had no choice but to thoroughly humble himself before the royal family.
Grand Duke Guntram personally went outside the castle gates and knelt on one knee before the Crown Prince.
“Eyes that Pierce Beyond the Veil of Future, Sight that Reveals Even the Truth Tomorrow Tries to Hide, the Northern Region bows its head to serve the blood of the royal family seated on the throne of prophecy. I am the lord of Dekaron, head of House Sigmund and Northern Grand Duke Guntram van Sigmund, greeting Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Even Grand Duke Guntram, who could be called the ruler of the North and the strongest in the United Kingdom, could not avoid showing proper respect to Crown Prince Gordon.
The royal family was the house that reigned over the twelve families supporting the United Kingdom.
Before their dominance and influence based on prophetic power, even House Sigmund had no choice but to bow their heads.
The current House Sigmund was also thoroughly leashed by the royal family.
“How could the Grand Duke kneel?”
Crown Prince Gordon hastily helped Grand Duke Guntram up as if it were preposterous.
“The Grand Duke of the United Kingdom need not do such things. Please rise quickly.”
“Your grace is overwhelming.”
“I’m deeply worried that this sudden visit might disturb the Grand Duke’s peace of mind.”
“How could that be? House Sigmund is the royal family’s most loyal sword. Please feel free to visit anytime, anywhere.”
“If you think that way, I can only be grateful.”
The Crown Prince smiled brightly and firmly grasped Grand Duke Guntram’s hand.
Meanwhile, Carlisle, who was watching that scene from his room in the distance, felt very uncomfortable.
The distance was too far to know what words were exchanged, but just the fact that Grand Duke Guntram knelt on one knee and bowed his head in respect was enough to make Carlisle unpleasant.
‘Why?’
Carlisle suddenly found it strange that he was feeling displeased.
Why was that?
Grand Duke Guntram was actually a stranger with whom he shared not a drop of blood.
Of course, the blood flowing in his body was the same as Grand Duke Guntram’s, but Carlisle wasn’t the real Carlisle van Sigmund, was he?
‘It’s not because he’s my father. We’re strangers after all. I just didn’t like that insolent Crown Prince bastard daring to make an adult kneel. The royal family is also a group of fraudsters. That’s probably why I feel disgusted.’
Carlisle reached his own conclusion and justified his emotions.
* * *
The royal family’s visit put House Sigmund into a state of extreme tension.
Accordingly, the security of the capital Dekaron became several times more stringent, and the security forces of the inner castle were also further reinforced.
It was to the extent that there wasn’t a single corner of the inner castle without guards.
With guards stationed every three or four steps, the inner castle of Dekaron was probably safer than the royal palace itself, without exaggeration.
And that was natural.
If anything happened to the Crown Prince’s safety, House Sigmund would be finished right then and there.
“You must have had a hard time traveling such a long distance.”
“Not at all.”
The Crown Prince smiled brightly.
“How could I have had a hard time when I came by carriage? Only those accompanying me would have had difficulties.”
“You are truly a wise ruler.”
Grand Duke Guntram’s attitude toward the Crown Prince was very respectful.
Currently, the Crown Prince was the real power of the royal family and could practically be called the king of the United Kingdom.
Though it was still premature to hold a formal coronation ceremony, it had already been over five years since the Crown Prince began acting as regent after the king fell ill…
“By the way, the Grand Duke has been working hard. I had no choice but to raise the tax rate…”
“Not at all.”
Grand Duke Guntram shook his head.
“It’s the royal family’s command, so I should gladly follow it.”
“I can only be grateful that you think that way.”
Grand Duke Guntram wanted to ask.
Why did you raise the tax rate?
Why are you suddenly increasing the stockpile of magic stones?
However, he didn’t bother asking because he knew too well that the answer would be an empty smile or a polite refusal.
It was impossible for the royal family to teach them about the future they knew, and even if they did, there would surely be some dangerous hidden meaning behind it.
“Indeed, the North’s loyalty to the royal family goes without saying. The royal family will never forget the North’s hard work.”
“Your grace is overwhelming.”
“I heard that the Grand Duke’s second son has become quite mature.”
“He’s still the same, but he has improved a lot compared to the past.”
“That’s truly something to celebrate. The Grand Duke must have suffered greatly because of your second son, so this is fortunate.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
“I’ve actually been uncomfortable and bothered by the matter concerning the Grand Duke’s second son.”
“What do you mean by uncomfortable…”
“Didn’t your second son get falsely accused some time ago?”
Grand Duke Guntram’s expression hardened.
In fact, that incident could have easily led to a territorial war between House Sigmund and the Loren Family.
Without the royal family’s mediation, a territorial war would have definitely broken out with high probability.
Though they managed to get confessions from the culprits, no solid physical evidence emerged…
“No matter how I think about it, that matter bothers me, so I’m thinking of using this Victory Day as an opportunity to resolve the grudge between the two families and provide additional mediation.”
“What does Your Highness the Crown Prince think?”
Grand Duke Guntram’s question was actually meaningless.
The royal family knew everything through their prophetic abilities…
It was merely a question to hear the Crown Prince’s official response.
“I’ll postpone my answer for now. I’ll tell you at the banquet that will be held after the Victory Day ceremony.”
“Hmm.”
“I assure you, I plan to present a mediation proposal that the Grand Duke will find sufficiently acceptable, so please don’t worry.”
“Your grace is overwhelming.”
Grand Duke Guntram struggled to suppress his anger.
It was an undeniable fact that the Loren Family was behind the incident.
But the royal family’s behavior of trying to profit from the situation while knowing everything, rather than the Loren Family who played dumb, was truly disgusting beyond measure.
It was the same now.
The Crown Prince said it would be a satisfactory mediation proposal, but Grand Duke Guntram could never be completely satisfied.
No matter how much of a disappointment Carlisle might be, to Grand Duke Guntram he was a child who wouldn’t hurt even if placed in his eyes.
What Grand Duke Guntram wanted was bloody revenge, not some mediation proposal from the royal family.
And in the midst of all this, to be scheming for profit in between…
Perhaps Grand Duke Guntram’s uncomfortable mood showed outwardly, as cold sweat ran down the Crown Prince’s back.
‘I feel like I can’t breathe.’
Though the Crown Prince was outwardly pretending to be calm with a smile, inwardly he was not.
Grand Duke Guntram was someone whose very existence overwhelmed his surroundings with dignity.
As a result, the Crown Prince couldn’t help but feel pressure unconsciously.
If Grand Duke Guntram set his mind to it, he could kill not only the Crown Prince but even the Royal Guard in the blink of an eye.
“So, has your second son improved greatly?”
The Crown Prince subtly changed the subject.
“He’s become much more well-behaved since his near-death experience, and since enlisting in the military, he seems to have matured and is performing his duties quite well.”
“That’s good news. Then, might there be room for reconsideration regarding the proposal I mentioned last time?”
“I cannot say for certain. He has improved considerably, but his stubbornness is so deeply ingrained…”
“That’s unfortunate.”
The Crown Prince clicked his tongue.
“Wouldn’t this be a good opportunity for that child? If he came to study in the capital, he could grow into an excellent spirit mage.”
“I think so as well, but his own will seems somewhat negative toward studying in the capital.”
“How can that be?”
“As Your Highness the Crown Prince knows, we Northerners have been famous for our strong attachment to our homeland since ancient times. A Northerner’s reluctance to leave the north is carved into our bloodline.”
“Then I cannot force it, but his talent is too precious to waste. If it wouldn’t be presumptuous, could you give me an opportunity to speak with your second son?”
“That is…”
Bewilderment crossed Grand Duke Guntram’s face.
Carlisle meeting the Crown Prince?
Shudder!
The mere thought was terrifying.
Grand Duke Guntram, like any Sigmund, had wielded a sword from a very young age and lived his entire life on the battlefield.
In that process, he had met countless strong warriors and broken them all to rise to the position of the strongest.
But even such a Grand Duke Guntram couldn’t help but feel fear at the prospect of Carlisle meeting the Crown Prince.
Considering Carlisle’s usual words and behavior, there was a very high possibility he would commit lese-majeste against the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, though it may be presumptuous to say, I must inform you that such a thing cannot be allowed. Regarding that matter, it would be better to discuss it with me instead.”
“You seem worried that your second son might make a mistake.”
The Crown Prince said with a smile.
“Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Though he has improved considerably, he is still ill-mannered and arrogant. I fear he might dare commit lese-majeste against Your Highness.”
“Don’t worry about that. Surely your second son wouldn’t curse at me, would he? Haha.”
Grand Duke Guntram’s face hardened even more.
If Carlisle were to curse at the Crown Prince…
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I must repeatedly say that meeting him cannot be allowed.”
“It’s fine.”
“However…”
“I promise you that no matter what rudeness your second son commits against me, I will not take issue with it at all. Surely the Grand Duke doesn’t distrust even my promise?”
“That’s not it. It’s just that he is so…”
“It’s fine, so please call him.”
“Sigh.”
A deep sigh burst forth from the depths of Grand Duke Guntram’s chest.
‘It seems our family’s fate has run its course.’
Grand Duke Guntram squeezed his eyes shut.
* * *
“Young Master Carlisle has arrived.”
“Tell him to enter.”
At Grand Duke Guntram’s words, the door opened with a creak, and Carlisle appeared.
Grand Duke Guntram had never felt fear once in his life, but this moment was an exception.
Even when fighting the Great Chieftains among those barbarians beyond the border, he hadn’t felt the slightest fear…
“You called for…”
Carlisle began to speak in a slightly irritated tone, then discovered the Crown Prince and scrunched up his face.
Thump, thump…
Grand Duke Guntram’s heart began to beat violently for the first time in a long while.
But contrary to Grand Duke Guntram’s expectations, Carlisle’s response was surprisingly excellent.
“Eyes that Pierce Beyond the Veil of Future, Sight that Reveals Even the Truth Tomorrow Tries to Hide, the blood of the royal family seated on the throne of prophecy, the north bows its head in reverence. Carlisle van Sigmund, son of Guntram van Sigmund, lord of Decaron, head of House Sigmund, and Grand Duke of the North, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Carlisle knelt on one knee and respectfully bowed toward the Crown Prince.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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