Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing - Chapter 286

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Successor Doesn’t Matter—Let’s Just Heal Chapter 286

The moment Lion’s gaze shifted entirely and the First Imperial Prince flinched in deeper alarm.
In the brightest, most glittering corner of the Banquet Hall, Ricshel and Bydentis spoke in hushed tones.
To the naked eye, the two cut striking figures that might have been whispering sweet nothings—but the truth was far grimmer.

“The rat’s slipped inside.”
“My lord, that’s rather harsh language. Calling him a rat?”

In reality, they were discussing something quite sinister.
Their gaze naturally drifted toward where the First Imperial Prince and Lion stood.

“Apologies to the rats, of course.”
“Indeed.”

Bydentis nodded with perfect indifference, then asked again.

“So what’s the plan? The First Prince will blow this whole thing wide open.”
“Hmm.”

That was the problem.
Still, now that the First Prince had heard it, information would certainly reach my brother’s ears as well.

‘The First Prince’s intelligence network is uncertain.’

But my brother—he can grasp everything from even scattered fragments of information.
Ricshel adjusted his sleeve, fingering the cufflinks that Lion had made for him.

‘So it’s better to gauge how far my brother’s deductions will reach.’

The level of things the First Prince could discover…

“You’ll have already foreseen that the Second Imperial Prince is turning the coup to his own advantage.”
“Isn’t that grasping almost everything?”
“Because you’re my brother.”

Bydentis accepted this at once.
Lion Asteri was not a man who could be reduced to the simple word ‘eccentric.’

‘Though one would be hard-pressed to find an eccentric quite like him.’

He possessed talents and strength beyond that, and the maturity to wield them rightly.

‘This ornament alone is proof of it.’

At first he’d wondered why Lion would craft such a thing and gift it—but here it was, proving invaluable.
Clarentia tucked the hair that had slipped from her shoulder behind her ear.
The Ear Cuff nestled against her lobe gleamed brilliantly, and simultaneously she heard the clear sound of several nobles gasping in admiration.
He must have foreseen this much.

‘Perhaps… from the moment he asked me to be Ricshel Asteri’s partner.’

To devise strategies of this caliber, to plan with such precision.
If he’d set his mind to it, he could have changed the Empire’s very name to Asteri.
But Lion Asteri wouldn’t do such a thing.

‘He positively detests tedious affairs.’

No doubt he’d wear that bewildered expression—’What? Why would I covet such a vexing position?’—and close it out with an awkward laugh.
That was the kind of person he was.

“Then we simply continue with our assigned task.”
“Yes. Look over there—the Second Imperial Prince’s expression is quite worth seeing. The First Prince will likely be handled soon enough.”

The two of them, calm to the point of being almost serene, drew every eye in the Banquet Hall as they moved through it, undisturbed even by the First Prince’s sudden intrusion.

“There is, however, a minor problem.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve never learned Ballroom Dancing.”
“There is a way to resolve it.”

Bydentis offered the solution matter-of-factly.

“Dance upon my feet.”

It was, in fact, a remarkably sensible approach.
The dress hem was long enough that the feet would be concealed, and Bydentis knew how to dance well.
Moreover, with a Swordmaster’s body, a light, lean mage standing on his instep would cause him no bruising whatsoever.
And hadn’t he deliberately chosen not to wear Flat Shoes, precisely to prepare for such a contingency?
……As long as Ricshel Asteri didn’t feel too ashamed of it.

“If you dislike that, dancing poorly will do just fine. It will draw attention in its own way.”

The Successor of the otherwise flawless House Asteri—having no sense of rhythm!
It would certainly be talked about for years to come.

“……There is still time, so I shall consider it. For now, let us move in that direction.”
“Very well.”

And so Ricshel and Bydentis moved like clockwork along their pre-planned route, drawing every gaze.
It was truly excellent tanking…….

* * *

And just as Ricshel had anticipated.

“Good heavens. So you’re telling me that the one targeting me is Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Th-that’s exactly it!”
“Well! I never expected that!”

The First Prince had no idea he was being played like a puppet in Lion’s palm as he eagerly opened his mouth.

‘Heh heh. Yes! Just as I thought—living such an eccentric life, he swallows everything he hears without question.’

In fact, it wasn’t Lion Asteri at all who would be the target at the Hunting Tournament—it was his illegitimate half-brother!
Well, if Grandfather—rather, that cunning old schemer Lepicent—could be disposed of while they were at it, then why not weave it all together in one plot.
Terus lowered his brows as much as he could and continued speaking in a pitiful tone.

“Although I have done you grievous wrong, blinded by ambition for a higher station……Ah, you know how it is. Now I am finished. And so I tell you this.”
“Truly vital information. Thank you most sincerely.”

Lion, his words belying his true demeanor, leaned against the railing with arms crossed, watching Terus intently.
In mere minutes of conversation, he had extracted quite valuable intelligence from the First Prince.
That a coup would take place at the Hunting Tournament.
He couldn’t know exactly where or how they would strike, but with it being their last chance, they would surely play their final hand.

‘And I happen to have a shield right here.’

The First Prince standing before him.
He’s probably trying to pin everything on him.
Probably fabricated all the evidence that the First Imperial Prince was preparing a coup.

‘That fool doesn’t seem to know…….’

It was strange that he’d come into possession of this much information in the first place.
Everyone already connected to the First Imperial Prince was cutting their ties with him.
All that remained were people from the Lepicent Family.
There was no way they’d have given information to the First Imperial Prince.
The less he knew, the easier he was to control.

‘Even if he’d heard rumors circulating…….’

Acquiring information this detailed would require—forgive me for saying so—more intelligence than the First Imperial Prince possessed.
Besides, he was a man who’d never accomplished anything of his own.

‘Then someone must surely be feeding him this information from behind the scenes…….’

Lion spoke up once the silence had stretched long enough.

“The Empress is targeting me to send a warning to the Second Imperial Prince, yes?”
“Exactly!”
“And Your Highness informed me of this fact so that I might establish a connection with the Second Imperial Prince?”
“That’s right, exactly right!”

The First Imperial Prince nodded vigorously and began speaking freely.

“My brother dislikes me so much he won’t even speak with me. But surely he’ll listen if it comes from you.”
“Yes. I’d say the Second Imperial Prince and I are quite close, actually.”

Lion hummed thoughtfully, as if turning the matter over in his mind and wrestling with it.

“I believe I may have been underestimating Your Highness. To possess such Insight!”

It was a bald-faced lie, but Terus’s expression brightened.
That Lion Asteri—a man who commanded the trust of unseen powers—had evaluated him so fairly meant more than mere survival. It might mean something greater.

‘Ahem, yes. My mind isn’t dull just because I haven’t exercised it.’

That’s why the Archbishop chose me, naturally.
A man of such caliber was paying attention to Lion Asteri, so he must have just thrown me in somewhat carelessly, but it seems to be working out.
Even if it wasn’t, what did it matter!
Either way, he was the one who’d provided the information.
He’d be recognized for his achievement.

“Well, it’s nothing much really.”
“It most certainly is. Gathering and organizing information of this caliber is no ordinary feat. So I must ask—however did you manage it?”
“That is…….”

The First Imperial Prince caught himself and closed his mouth.
Speaking so freely wasn’t good. He remembered being taught that once.

“It’s because I wanted to request protection from the Second Imperial Prince while also showing him that Your Highness possesses considerable talent.”

Lion smiled warmly and continued casting his lure.

“From what I can see, Your Highness’s abilities might prove quite valuable in the future. The Second Imperial Prince has a rather sharp temperament, doesn’t he?”
“That’s true…….”
“It most certainly is not.”

Lion spoke with fluid ease, his lips barely moving.

“A man of such caliber requires someone who can perceive the full breadth of available strategies. But Your Highness the Second Imperial Prince, consumed as he is by personal vengeance toward the First Imperial Prince—well, you understand without my saying more, don’t you?”
“Ah, yes, quite right.”
“Which is why I wish to speak plainly. Rather than removing the First Imperial Prince, you ought to place him in a position of great distinction.”
“A p-position of distinction?”
“National Preceptor, perhaps. To become both his elder brother and his mentor!”
“National Preceptor, you say…!”

The First Imperial Prince’s mind spun with sudden possibility.
How expertly Lion had sensed his unease and scratched at precisely that itch.
It was sweeter than any honeyed words from the court sycophants.
And so the First Imperial Prince, forgetting his caution from moments before, let slip the source of his information.

“Then, then I’ll speak of this as well.”
“Of course. Whisper it only to me. I shall tell no one.”

Lion bowed low, tilting his ear forward, while Terous glanced quickly about and divulged the most sensitive intelligence.

“I cannot speak with certainty, but the Temple is monitoring this matter closely.”
“Do you have proof?”
“No proof, but I myself am witness to it.”
“…I see.”

Lion’s eyes turned cold for a moment, then softened again into warmth.

“My profound thanks! I shall inform His Highness the Second Imperial Prince of this matter with all speed. For now, do enjoy the party without burden.”
“Truly? I’m, I’m grateful. Thank you! I shall repay this kindness one day, I swear it!”

The First Imperial Prince, his hollow words tumbling out once more, stepped onto the Balcony with considerable relief.
No doubt he would now revel like a madman at the party, his conscience at last unburdened.

“Well, I was useful tonight, wasn’t I?”

Lion smiled slightly, addressing the figure who had been watching from the shadows.

“Who gave you leave to speak of the position of National Preceptor?”

It was Kyle, who had slipped in secretly the moment the First Imperial Prince departed.
For some reason, he wore a distinctly displeased expression.

“Ha. It’s the only rank I happen to know.”
“…It seems Jack has been spreading strange rumors. Pay them no mind.”
“Mm. Ha.”

Kyle stepped beside Lion, who had deftly sidestepped the issue.

“I heard the whole conversation. But there’s no need for concern—the Temple has assured me it will not involve itself in this matter.”
“Is that so?”

As expected, he meant to use the coup to his advantage.
He had already made discreet arrangements with the Temple beforehand.

‘Officially, the Temple has declared its non-involvement. But…’

Officially, perhaps.
Yet.

‘No matter how one frames it—he is still the First Imperial Prince.’

There were few who could approach someone of his stature with ease.
And among those few, only one didn’t shy away from entanglement in politics.
The Archbishop.

‘He’s definitely been provoking me.’

Well, after goading me like that at the Great Barrier, I suppose it was only a matter of time before he prepared his counterattack.
The problem is…….

‘He’s withdrawn from this matter entirely.’

So after this situation unfolds, he’ll be laying traps, waiting for the problems that follow.
And his objective is probably…….

‘The position of Hero.’

Let me think further.
If Lion were the Archbishop, harboring decades of bitter resentment, and viewing this as something he does for family——

‘It’s obvious.’

He would awaken the Hero.
By any means necessary.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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