The celebration ran late into the night. Lorian greeted those who were still conscious and made his way toward his room. Before retiring, he didn't forget to check on his mother in her room. Lady Seraphina was still having her late night chat with her friend, Serena Stormhold. As he entered the room, the ladies gave him suggestive glances and smirks, as if they had caught him red-handed. Lorian felt as though the mothers had already sniffed out the 'moment' between their children. He quickly wished them goodnight and literally ran to his room blushing.
As he closed the door, the vibe of the silent closed room shifted instantly. The candles started glowing in lights of vibrant colors. The room seemed eerily similar to a nightclub. Before Lorian could say anything, a familiar voice started rapping in a crude rhythmic beat-
"Yo….
Check the King, all serious and grand,
(But) I saw ya holdin' that gal's hand!
'Idiot Prince' just found a new spark,
Spittin' smooth lines in the dark.
"Yo muh psycho"? Man, whatta line!
I didn't know yo game was that fine.
Gal was 'bout knives, blood on floor,
Ya gave her a hug, and she wants some more!
Look at ya, man, always actin' all tough,
But we both know ya can't get enough.
Ya call her a genius, ya call her a pro,
Meltin' like butta', boy, just so ya know!
Don't mind me, King, I'm just here for the show,
Waitin' to see where this romance will go!"
Lorian's ears turned bright red. With great effort, he suppressed a blush and shouted in fake anger, "Azal, man, if you don't shut up, I'm going to find a way to exorcise you out my damn brain!
The response was a devilish giggle.
"Don't be like that, Romeo.
I'm just proud of you.
Now go on, open the letter,
Before your face turns any redder."
"Ewww, so lame, I'm gonna puke!" Lorian taunted, showing a thumbs-down. The demon let out a great burst of laughter, clearly enjoying the teasing.
To change the subject, Lorian pulled the letter from his safe. It was a heavy, cream-colored vellum scroll that was sealed with a minimalist, blood-red wax stamp of a falcon. It was from Second Prince Eilan Aghaz, for 'Star gripped by a Falcon's Talon' was Eilan's official symbol. Lorian broke the seal and opened the letter.
Lorian,
I'll skip the hollow formal condolences. We both know the court is already moving on from Lord Elmsworth, and a man of your mind likely has little use for sentiment right now. Congratulations on the crown. It is about time someone of your caliber took the seat.
I am writing because the board is moving faster than you may have realized. For your information, my brother, First Prince Ahiran Aghaz, hasn't sent Azgar Zorat to your city to express condolences or drink your wine. He is there to buy your neighbors. Azgar has orders to lock Aethelgard, Glimmerfall, and Azur Port into a secret pact before your coronation feast is even over.
If those three align with the First Prince, not only the politics but the geography of this continent as well will change overnight. With the Empire's backing, they won't be going to just compete with you; they will also box you in, mark my word. Eventually, they will find a reason to 'stabilize' Veridia by force, turning your home into their war-chest. You are too rich to be left alone, and currently, too isolated to stop them.
You have two ways to fix this. Intercept Azgar and break those meetings before the deal is sealed. Or, if the wheel has already started moving, pivot to me. A partnership with me- the Second Prince, will turn a potential siege into a stalemate that they cannot win.
Think like a merchant, Lorian. Ahiran will offer you a leash at best; while I am right now offering a hedge against a hostile takeover. It is better for the bottom line if our interests stay aligned.
Respectfully,
Eilan Aghaz
Lorian read the letter again, his expression turning grim. The evening's events resurfaced in his mind: Azgar Zorat deep in discussion with General Marcus Ironclad of Aethelgard, First Trader Zaira Zohanar of Azur Port, and Jarl Borin Stoneheart of Glimmerfall. It was all clear now.
"So, are you gonna confront them?" the demon asked. The voice was serious now, the playful rapping was replaced with cold suppressed unrest, "Ask them to stop the deal?"
Lorian didn't reply. He walked to the balcony, letting the chilly night breeze wash over him and then flood the room. A sudden gust blew out the candles. In the darkness, only two hellish eyes glowed like a nightmare. Lorian turned toward them, with his back to the night sky.
"If I ask them to stop, will they listen? No. They will use it as an excuse to undermine my authority. Their open blatant defiance would make the world question my eligibility for the throne."
"So, you'll just let the deal happen?" Azal seemed intrigued.
"I have no intention of maintaining the status quo anyway. Those three will cease to exist in my vision, sooner or later. But I won't give them an excuse to challenge me right now with the First Prince's backing. Rather, I would prefer they exhaust their resources in this upcoming succession war- Aethelgard's manpower, Azur Port's gold, Glimmerfall's munitions. Let them drain themselves in the succession war."
"Huh!" Azal'Gul scoffed, "When the war ends, their coffers will replenish tenfold, and they will turn on you with a New Emperor's blessing!"
"Only if I remain inactive." Lorian stretched out his hand. A bottle of wine floated across the room, jumping into his palm.
"So you're accepting the Second Prince's proposal?"
"Yes, but not right now, as I will appear desperate in that case." Lorian grinned, "Let everyone get committed. Let the Second Prince get pushed into a corner. And then I will appear- the Knight in Shining Armor."
"You aren't some SSS-ranked protagonist who can defeat an army alone and rule the world! You were Isekai'd into the wrong world, boy!" the demon mocked.
Lorian smirked, "In any world, money is the real superpower- S-Rank to the power of infinity."