Chapter 527: Forced By Circumstance

While talking with Albert, Muen was also carefully observing the First Prince.

Just like the first impression he’d gotten from seeing him from afar, even at such close range, the First Prince still exuded that unmistakable, impossible-to-fake gentle and elegant air.

He had the same silver-white hair as Celicia, and their features were somewhat similar. Yet in his brows and eyes there was neither Second Prince Andrew’s sharpness nor Celicia’s coldness. Instead, the corners of his lips often held a faint smile.

Clearly he’d just experienced a sneak attack not long ago, yet there was no trace of humiliation or anger to be seen. And the calm emotion reflected in his eyes didn’t look forced at all.

From this first, simple contact alone, Muen could already conclude that, just as the rumors said, this First Prince was far superior to that Prince Andrew.

At the very least, this level of self-control and breadth of mind was something Andrew couldn’t compare to.

Who would have thought that such a First Prince, not long ago, had still been a “brain-damaged” prince everyone avoided?

You could only say the word “fate” really was fickle.

“Now, can you believe my identity?”

Muen went on:

“If Your Highness still doesn’t believe me, I can provide other evidence. It would just take a bit of time to prove, and I don’t have the time to stay here for too long.”

“No need. I already believe you.”

Albert smiled as he handed the crest back to Muen:

“If I still didn’t believe you after all that, I’d be far too distrustful of my younger sister. Even though we seldom communicate, the blood flowing through us is the same in the end.”

“Thank you for your trust.”

Muen took back the crest and answered with a smile as well.

Once he finished speaking, he performed a little trick, and two teacups appeared on the table, fragrant steam rising.

“Would you like some?”

Muen extended a hand in invitation.

Albert’s gaze flickered for a moment, but he didn’t hesitate for long. He chuckled and took the initiative to sit down at the table:

“Of course. I happened to be thirsty.”

“You don’t mind me using your tea, do you?”

“I don’t mind. Hehe, isn’t tea meant to be drunk?”

Albert accepted the cup of black tea, then his gaze fell on the cup in front of Muen—and he suddenly froze.

Because what sat before Muen wasn’t tea, but coffee.

“This is...”

“Ah, sorry, I don’t drink black tea. This is coffee I brought myself.”

Muen shook the cup in front of Albert, then took a small sip, looking completely at ease.

Albert stared a bit longer at Muen’s face, which seemed even more breathtaking at this moment, then suddenly chuckled and also began sipping his tea in small, elegant mouthfuls.

Just like that, even though this was their first meeting, and there had even been a small “incident,” the two of them seemed to shed all wariness, sitting together like old friends, chatting with one another.

“I believe Your Highness the First Prince should know the meaning of my visit this time,” Muen said.

“The meaning... Forgive my dullness, but I truly don’t know what meaning there is in your coming to see me.”

Albert shook his head:

“As you can see, I’m just a prince with hardly any private guards of his own, without power or influence. What reason do you have to go through so much trouble just to see me?”

“Without power or influence? That line could probably only fool little children. Your identity is your greatest power, isn’t it?”

Muen smirked: “Playing dumb doesn’t suit you, Your Highness.”

“Identity is sometimes also a burden. You, who stay by Celicia’s side, don’t you know that?”

“Hehe, that’s true.”

Muen set down the coffee, glanced sideways at the still-unconscious maid, then leaned forward slightly and locked eyes with Albert:

“Then... since there’s no one else here anyway, I’ll ask outright...” Muen lowered his voice: “Your Highness Albert, do you have any thoughts about that position?”

“Position?”

“When I say ‘position,’ what other position could there be in this country that’s worth the First Prince contending for?”

The coffee cup was pushed in front of Albert.

The cup went from one to two.

But both of them knew perfectly well that what was being divided wasn’t the table, nor the tea tray. On that highest seat of the empire—the throne—there was room to bear only... that one.

The throne was large—so large it could overlook the entire empire.

But the throne was also small—so small it could only fit one person’s backside.

“......”

Wordless silence.

In this room, where a lone man and a “lonely woman” were staring at each other, the situation should have been extremely awkward. Yet Muen still stared fixedly into Albert’s eyes, not allowing the slightest evasiveness... or lie.

This question, for the present empire, for the present Belrand, was perhaps the most important question countless people wanted to know the answer to.

So whether this was just a first probing or not, Muen wanted to hear the prince’s genuine answer directly.

“Sigh, asking me such a troublesome question right from the start... I really am distressed.”

Albert sighed helplessly.

“An aggressive young beauty is not very likable, you know.”

“I’m very sorry, but I have to ask,” Muen apologized.

Besides, I’m not a young beauty.

“......”

Albert fell silent again, as if thinking about something.

Muen didn’t interrupt him. Even though time was tight, he was exceptionally patient in this moment.

No one knew how much time passed before the melodious chime of a distant bell rang out, announcing the arrival of midnight.

Albert sighed once more and said:

“Actually, it’s not like what you people think. Whether I want it or not... doesn’t matter.”

“Doesn’t matter?”

Muen frowned, baffled.

“That’s right. The storm in Belrand right now truly was stirred up by my younger brother and me... but is it really just because of us?”

Albert looked at Muen, speaking with deeper meaning:

“With a behemoth like the Campbell family at your back, you should know this very well.”

“......”

Muen lowered his gaze, watching the ripples in his cup.

Albert was right. The two princes were indeed the source of the storm, but the reason this storm had become so violent was that no one knew how many people, how many interest groups, were fanning the flames, pouring oil on the fire—trying to preserve their interests, or seize power, or annihilate their enemies.

The balance and rules the empire had maintained for decades were finally loosening in this moment. How could all those forces possibly restrain the restless desires in their hearts now?

The royal faction, the noble faction, the Inner Council... even the Campbell family—none of them were exempt.

“Your Highness is indeed correct. The current situation is deeply entangled. But no matter what, your attitude and your choice can still decide the direction of this storm, can’t they?”

“No. You’re wrong.”

Albert, rarely, rebutted in a firm tone:

“I can’t decide anything.”

“What do you mean...”

“Very simple.”

Albert drained his cup of tea in one go, then set it back down beside Muen’s coffee. The two ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) cups touched lightly.

He tapped the empty cup and said:

“Do you think that even if I took the initiative to give up, my younger brother would just let me go?”

“......”

Muen’s breath caught for a moment.

Would he?

Would he?

The image of Prince Andrew flashed through his mind, and Muen began to consider what course that prince’s character would take.

Then, no matter how he imagined it, every path led to the same end...

“The answer is no. You didn’t refute me, so I think you’re also clear on what kind of person my younger brother is. Andrew will never let me go. After all... he is not the First Prince. He never will be. That is his greatest weakness.”

“......”

Albert turned his head to look at the maid named Lavini’s delicate face and gave a self-mocking laugh:

“See? It’s just as I said—I don’t have a choice. From the moment my mind cleared, I was already completely drawn into this vortex. I can only move forward, never backward. There is no possibility of getting out anymore.”