NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9
The Crown Prince Seeks Retirement
3. A Changed Crown Prince (2)
As Kariel approached, the Imperial Palace Knights quickly stepped aside.
Since he was going directly to the Emperor, they had no grounds to say anything, and above all, his status as the young Crown Prince weighed heavily.
They prudently cleared the way, knowing that making a wrong move could backfire on them.
Kariel was no criminal, so they had no choice but to comply.
Eventually, as they made way for Kariel, he boarded the wagon with Talion’s help, heading toward the Emperor’s Palace.
“I will accompany you.”
“No, you all follow behind.”
Kariel firmly shook his head at the Imperial Palace Knight who suddenly attached himself to them.
At that, the expressions of the Imperial Palace Knights turned grim.
By refusing even this level of accompaniment, Kariel was effectively signaling that he did not trust them.
He would trust the attendants of the Crown Prince’s Palace but not the knights.
He had made that clear.
“It’s ruined.”
One of the Imperial Palace Knights thought to himself with tightly shut eyes.
This wasn’t what they had in mind.
They intended to drag Kariel away like a criminal by order of the Emperor.
To clearly showcase the power disparity between the current Emperor and Kariel, making him compliant.
That was the Emperor’s desire as well as that of the Emperor Faction.
“Things have really changed.”
The Imperial Palace Knight thought, wearing a troubled expression.
Those backed by the Emperor Faction weren’t just the attendants and servants.
In a situation where the position of the current Emperor Faction was already unstable, if the Crown Prince rampaged unnecessarily, it would create a troublesome situation.
The Aristocratic Faction would leap at any minor fault to poke at the Emperor Faction within the Palace.
-Hmm, those guys are oddly arrogant? Was it always like this?
“Impossible.”
These attendants, who originally needed permission just to raise their heads, flaunted their arrogance across generations, taking the backing of the Emperor for granted.
-But why are they acting like this?
“The royal family is a mess, so they think they can act like kings.”
-It’s a disaster?
At Kariel’s words, Surth shook his head as if he had no answer.
The fiery blob with just a head and arms looked cute like that, but he didn’t voice it.
‘The moment I call him cute, he’ll sulk, right?’
From their previous conversations, Kariel sensed that Surth had an unexpectedly strong sense of pride.
“Your Highness, we have arrived.”
Upon hearing this, Kariel, who had been briefly observing Surth, told him to disappear once more and, with Talion’s support, stepped down from the wagon.
That was when the immense palace came into view.
Seeing the columns gilded in gold and the building adorned with all kinds of jewels, Kariel clicked his tongue.
Even the attendants were decked out in extravagant accessories, which made his expression turn cold.
“Ugh! How luxurious.”
Kariel clicked his tongue and shook his head.
At that, the attendants following behind flinched.
Was it really necessary for the attendants to be so extravagant, even with the Emperor and the Palace?
If the attire had been unified, it might have been forgivable, but the sight of each flaunting different accessories was just the petty indulgence of sycophants.
“Your Highness, we must hurry as the Emperor is waiting for you.”
The head attendant of the Emperor’s Palace urged Kariel to move faster.
After seeing Kariel, the attendant casually greeted him without bending properly, so Kariel stopped and stared at him.
“Now, having seen the Crown Prince, can’t you at least bow properly?”
Kariel’s statement made the head attendant frown slightly.
“Your Highness, we do not have time for this…”
“Start with a proper greeting.”
Kariel said, fixing his gaze on the head attendant.
At that, the attendant, flustered, turned his gaze toward the attendants following Kariel.
Sensing something amiss from their expressions, the attendant bent at the waist and greeted him.
“You must hurry.”
“My pace is mine to manage. Don’t be presumptuous.”
Kariel replied, leaving the head attendant behind as he walked slowly.
The attendants quickly reported to the Emperor and opened the enormous doors.
As the grand door symbolizing the Emperor’s Palace swung open, Kariel walked along the carpeted path.
“I greet Your Majesty!”
“You went to report to the Imperial Palace, didn’t you?”
The Emperor spoke in an indifferent tone as Kariel bowed in greeting.
Kariel responded in an equally uninterested tone.
“That’s right.”
“You didn’t even seek my permission?”
“I understand that observing the Imperial Palace does not contravene palace law.”
Seeing Kariel respond in such a dry voice made the Emperor’s face wrinkle slightly.
“Why did you attract attention to unauthorized attendants in the Imperial Palace report?”
“It was an act of insolence directed at me, the Crown Prince.”
Kariel stated boldly.
Nearby nobles aligned with the Emperor displayed expressions of shock.
The attendants close to the Emperor’s side reacted similarly.
“To disregard the Crown Prince, appointed by His Majesty, is a grave insult to the Emperor and a minor expression of suspicion toward His authority.”
As the Crown Prince said this, he surveyed the room.
He checked the faces of the nobles who had rushed over to report after capturing a servant of the Emperor Faction nearby.
“Their intent was to shift the blame onto me while pretending to act innocently, and they tried to act rudely while deceiving me.”
Seeing Kariel invoke the Emperor’s authority made the Emperor’s brow furrow.
“That was indeed excessive. You should have proceeded slowly through the proper channels… You’re so inexperienced.”
At the Emperor’s words, the expressions of the nobles twisted in displeasure.
The Emperor stepping back was disrupting their plan to suppress the Crown Prince’s spirit.
“You understood, didn’t you, Crown Prince?”
“That’s right. How about we wrap this up and take a moment to reconnect with the Crown Prince after a long time?”
Those people trying to frame Kariel in such a cunning manner, Kariel coldly scanned them and then chuckled slightly.
“Your Majesty, to prevent this from happening again, you must take this opportunity to set an example.”
“What?”
At Kariel’s words, the Emperor’s eyes widened.
The surrounding nobles, including those aligned with the Emperor, also showed expressions of confusion.
They had expected it to end as soon as the Emperor stepped back, but they hadn’t anticipated the Crown Prince would push forward.
“I’ve heard that there are people abusing their position of favor with Your Majesty’s kindness. I, for one, have confirmed that such people exist through this incident, and I can’t simply overlook it.”
“Crown Prince, are you speaking ill of loyal subjects of the royal family based on hearsay?”
The Emperor roared, striking the throne with a thud! and stood up.
At that, the Emperor Faction’s nobles pretended to bow and smiled.
Thanks to the Crown Prince digging his own grave, they thought they might achieve their original goals.
Seeing them, Kariel lifted his head and stared intently at the Emperor.
“I witnessed it firsthand.”
“Are you attempting to judge everyone based on a trivial issue?”
“As I made my way here, even Your Majesty’s attendants behaved just like the unauthorized attendants in the Imperial Palace report. Even the head attendant failed to bow in front of me.”
As the Crown Prince said this, he glared at the head attendant.
At that, the Emperor displayed a slightly perplexed expression.
No matter how misbehaved the head attendant was, he wouldn’t dare act on his own accord.
He must have been sent by the Emperor to suppress the Crown Prince’s spirit.
“With just that level of evidence…”
“If this is how they treat me, how would they behave toward the other royals? Your Majesty, this is not something that can be overlooked.”
Kariel spoke, glaring at the head attendant as if to signal he wouldn’t let it go, causing those around him to break into a cold sweat.
The Crown Prince was ready to bring someone down.
“Ugh! We cannot make a decision based solely on the Crown Prince’s words. I will investigate for myself. So, Crown Prince, step back.”
“Your Majesty, I will take full responsibility for what I have begun.”
“What? I commanded you to step back! Are you defying my orders?”
The Emperor’s sharp voice made the head attendant let out a small sigh.
A sigh of relief.
Underneath it all, Kariel looked directly at the Emperor and said,
“Your Majesty, do you doubt me?”
At Kariel’s question, the Emperor turned to him in confusion at the unexpected remark.
“Are you implying you are so untrustworthy that I cannot even entrust such trivial matters to you?”
Kariel said this and knelt down.
“If you find me that untrustworthy, I shall relinquish the position of Crown Prince for the sake of the Empire.”
At Kariel’s bombshell statement, the Emperor’s eyes widened.
“Crown Prince, do you even understand the meaning of what you are saying right now?”
“That’s right.”
Kariel responded, bowing his head.
“I have been uncomfortable sitting in the throne of Crown Prince merely because of my frail health and deficiencies.”
“That’s…”
“For the Empire, it would be more reliable to have one of my younger brothers than an unworthy son like me. With the heart to benefit the Empire, I shall step down from the heavy position of Crown Prince.”
With those words, the Emperor’s face began to freeze in incredulity.
The Second and Third Princes.
Everyone was aware of their genius.
The second prince was revered as a genius mage.
The third prince was praised as the next Sword Master.
It was clear to the citizens of the Empire that these two were suited for the next Emperor’s seat.
Yet, the reason Kariel, so frail, was placed as the Crown Prince was known to all.
It was a means to make him a puppet of the Emperor Faction and to ensure the Emperor wouldn’t relinquish his power until his dying breath.
The justification was that both princes’ mothers came from aristocratic houses, meaning neither side could yield power to the other.
That was the sole reason for how it had come to this.
“I believe it to be my right to step back.”
“Hold on!”
The moment the Crown Prince stood up to speak, the Emperor hurriedly interjected.
“Hah, it’s not that I distrust you.”
The Emperor suddenly stepped close to Kariel in a friendly tone.
“I simply want you to focus solely on your recovery. I hope you won’t misunderstand.”
Seeing the Emperor like this made Kariel want to scoff inwardly but instead lowered his eyes and said,
“How could I not know Your Majesty’s intentions? However, since I have made my decision, I must step down for the sake of my brothers.”
“No, that won’t do.”
The Emperor replied firmly, causing an expression of confusion to spread across Kariel’s face.
“Why…”
“As you know, the two princes are geniuses. In a situation where we cannot show favoritism toward either side, if you were to suddenly step down, the Empire would fall into chaos.”
As if scolding him for being unaware, the Emperor made his point, and Kariel bowed his head in response.
“However, it’s not possible for an ineffective person like me to remain in this position indefinitely. Complaints will arise from the nobles and citizens if I continue to hold this place above my outstanding younger brothers. One of my brothers will eventually occupy this seat anyways. It would be better to do so while Your Majesty is still strong.”
“If you show that you can do it, wouldn’t that be enough?”
The Emperor patted Kariel’s shoulder as he spoke.
“Now’s the time to demonstrate the Emperor’s authority. Prove that you are not inept, solidifying your position as Crown Prince.”
“However, Your Majesty…”
“It’s not the time to pass it to your younger brothers. They are still too young.”
At the Emperor’s words, Kariel lowered his head in resigned acceptance.
“…I understand. I’ll do my utmost to ensure I do not become a blemish upon Your Majesty.”
To this, the Emperor cleared his throat and added,
“Don’t overdo it. Always prioritize your health.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Kariel, with a submissive expression, spoke earnestly, feeling emotional as he exited the Emperor’s Palace.
Then, he promptly hopped into the wagon.
– He acted well, didn’t he?
“I nearly threw up. Ugh, what an utter farce.”
Kariel grimaced at the Emperor’s revolting appearance, making a face as if he might retch.
“I wish he’d just thrown the Crown Prince role away… How disappointing.”