After the conversation ended, Rowan left his brother's room and headed back to his own. Left alone, Seo-jun found himself thinking about the princess's upcoming birthday banquet.
According to the book he had read, that event was supposed to erupt into chaos. The king would be poisoned by someone whose identity was never revealed, shaking the entire kingdom. From that moment on, the crown prince would take over the reins of power.
"Whatever happens… I just hope it won't drag this family down with it," Seo-jun murmured as he closed the curtains.
The next morning, Seo-jun woke before dawn. The sky was still dark, and the cold air bit straight through to the bone. He joined his personal guards and Rowan for morning training—Rowan, a former adventurer, was already used to rising early.
The moment sparring began, the difference between them was obvious. Rowan was quick and agile, shaped by years of fighting in harsh conditions. Adrian's body, on the other hand—ruined by years of cigars and alcohol—left Seo-jun struggling to keep up. His chest tightened, his head spun, and more than once he felt like he was about to throw up.
After just a few sword swings, Adrian's body gave out. Seo-jun pushed himself too hard and eventually collapsed right in the middle of the sparring field.
His guards rushed over at once, offering encouragement and praise. At the very least, their master was genuinely trying to change.
While Seo-jun was still lying there, a clear voice rang out.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Good morning!"
Everyone turned at once.
Before Seo-jun could even react, the man pointed straight at him.
"Huh? Me?" Seo-jun muttered in confusion.
"Come with me, Adrian Hanwick. There's something I want to discuss," the crown prince said.
With no room to refuse, Seo-jun followed him to a guest room.
The moment they entered, the door was locked. The windows were shut. The curtains were drawn tight. The room fell into darkness.
Seo-jun swallowed hard. This felt bad. His heart started pounding as Ernest stepped closer.
"Don't tell me… don't tell me he swings that way," Seo-jun panicked internally, clutching his chest.
"I'm normal! I like women! Please!"
Ernest kept approaching. Seo-jun backed up until he was trapped between the wall and a wardrobe.
Remembering what his guards had taught him, Seo-jun braced himself. Just as Ernest's face leaned close to his left ear and warm breath brushed his skin—
"Please, protect Victoria Aureli—"
Smack!
A solid blow landed on the back of his neck.
Ernest collapsed instantly, unconscious before he could finish the sentence.
Seo-jun stared at his own hand in shock.
"Holy crap… it worked?"
"Hahaha! The suspicious-man neutralization technique!"
He even stepped on the crown prince's back in satisfaction.
Then—knock, knock.
Seo-jun's face went pale.
Panicking, he dragged Ernest's body onto the bed. He was ridiculously heavy, and Seo-jun's back screamed in protest, but there was no time to complain.
One thing was certain—
if that man woke up, explaining all of this would be a thousand times worse.
"Annoying bastard…"
Seo-jun muttered under his breath.
He quickly pulled open the curtains and windows to let the light in, then went to the door with a near-perfect polite smile plastered on his face.
Standing outside was the Chancellor of Finance, Sir Benedict Crowell.
Seo-jun flinched for a split second—but recovered just as quickly. Sir Benedict's gaze drifted past him toward Ernest Aurelion, who lay sprawled on the bed, appearing to be in a deep, peaceful sleep.
"His Highness is still asleep?" Sir Benedict asked calmly. "And why are you here, Lord Adrian Hanwick?"
His tone was flat.
His eyes were not.
Seo-jun's heart started pounding.
"Ah… well, Uncle. His Highness woke earlier, but he suddenly asked me to keep him company. He said… he doesn't feel comfortable sleeping alone."
Sir Benedict's brows drew together. He clearly didn't buy it.
Seo-jun swallowed, fighting to keep his expression steady.
Without another word, Sir Benedict stepped into the room. He stood beside the bed and studied Ernest's face closely.
Too closely.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Seo-jun could hear his own heartbeat roaring in his ears.
Sir Benedict turned and walked back toward him. His expression was grave. Then he placed both hands firmly on Seo-jun's shoulders.
For a brief, horrifying second, Seo-jun felt his entire world collapse.
But then—
A faint smile appeared on the older man's face.
"Thank goodness," Sir Benedict said quietly.
"His Highness rarely sleeps well in the palace. He often talks in his sleep and suffers from anxiety. We've even been giving him chamomile tea every night."
Seo-jun nodded stiffly.
"The royal physician says His Highness Ernest has a mental condition that hasn't yet been fully understood," Sir Benedict continued, lowering his voice.
"This is highly confidential information. You understand what that means, don't you? Guard your tongue… if you wish to keep your head where it belongs."
Seo-jun forced an awkward smile.
"Of course, Uncle. I understand."
Not long after, the head butler arrived to summon Sir Benedict at Edmund Hanwick's request. Without another word, the chancellor left—without even glancing back.
The door shut.
Seo-jun let out a long breath.
"Hah… that was close. I almost got execu—"
"Who was that?"
The voice froze him in place.
Seo-jun turned slowly.
Ernest Aurelion was already sitting at the edge of the bed, watching him with a calm expression—
Far too calm for someone who had just been knocked unconscious.
Without thinking, Seo-jun rushed forward and dropped dramatically to his knees at the crown prince's feet.
"Forgive me, Your Highness—!"
Ernest's reaction, however, was nothing like he expected.
"…What are you doing?"
With a casual shove of his foot, Ernest pushed Seo-jun backward.
Seo-jun toppled onto the floor in a deeply undignified heap.