Chapter 84

We swiftly concluded our discussion.

Creating a plausible pretext to summon as many Academy affiliates as possible, and then making an example out of Leon in front of them—that was all there was to it.

Though not actually intending to kill him through an overdose, it was honestly a cruel plan. However, Victoria didn’t seem to mind.

Rather, she was even more proactive than I was.

“This needs to be shown to as many people as possible to take effect, Your Highness.”

“Yes, Your Highness. For that reason… I’ll take care of it. I will visit the Academy tomorrow under the pretense of congratulating the professors who raised Leon. If we spread rumors that I’m going to discuss the efficacy of the training drugs during the visit, the students will naturally gather.”

“Then it should be carried out during that event. Very well.”

“Still, I’m concerned about how Leon will be treated after being made an example of. Leon Rothe Dale hasn’t committed any crimes, so it isn’t practical to detain him anywhere. We could formally recruit him into the military and send him somewhere suitable, but whether he will consent submissively is uncertain.”

“Given some drugs, he might even welcome it.”

“In that case, there should be no problem.”

Victoria nodded in agreement while retouching her hair. Her bright-toned golden locks swayed in front of my eyes.

It didn’t seem as though she’d been swayed by any sentiment momentarily.

She likely believed we shouldn’t let emotions ruin what we’ve resolved to do. Her handling of affairs this way showed she was indeed a soldier in her own right.

‘From my perspective, it’s rather something to be grateful for.’

Immediately after concluding our discussion,

Victoria suddenly remembered something and let out an exclamation.

“By the way, Alan. After we wrap up this matter, I have a proposal for you.”

A proposal?

“Would you allow me to inquire about its nature?”

“Well, it might be better to focus on the Academy issue for now.”

“…”

“It will certainly not be a bad proposal for you. On the contrary, it’s intended to alleviate the difficulties you’re currently facing.”

After saying this, Victoria faintly nodded.

Though I couldn’t understand what she was thinking, I decided not to pry. Prioritizing the Academy was indeed the best course of action, as Victoria suggested.

I formally bid her farewell and left her audience chamber.

That was because there was one more person I needed to be mindful of.

The second princess, Siena.

‘Siena wouldn’t just pass up such a good spectacle.’

By now, she must be eagerly anticipating the Academy’s grand public showcase.

She might also be displeased upon discovering that I agreed with Victoria to proceed without involving her.

It ultimately meant we needed to cater to her jealousy while ensuring her sadistic tendencies were satisfied within reasonable limits.

Simply allowing her to watch wouldn’t be enough.

‘Should I assign her something to do?’

To avoid any misunderstandings, it would be safest to create the impression that “Victoria was inevitably dragged into the matter.” Unlike Victoria, acting out doesn’t work well with Siena, so it was complicated to avoid conflicts among the princesses.

As I resolved this, I returned to Temseugung Palace.

Expecting that Siena, the mistress of this place, would be waiting for me.

However, reality proved otherwise.

“…Her Highness Siena just left the palace. She told me to relay this in case Sir Alan asked about her destination: there’s nothing to worry about regarding the things you’re concerned about, so focus on diligently preparing the drugs.”

Siena acted quicker than I anticipated.

She likely went to meet Victoria, who summoned me arbitrarily.

I could guess the reason for her visit, but I didn’t consider chasing after her. It wasn’t because I trusted she’d behave but because interfering would only risk creating more problems. It was best to leave her be.

I headed toward the production room.

To prepare for what would take place at the Academy tomorrow.

***

Meanwhile, in the dining room of the palace where Victoria resides,

The two imperial princesses sat facing each other.

This wasn’t a pre-arranged meeting. While Victoria was returning to the palace to have dinner, Siena suddenly barged in.

The palace attendants were in an uproar over this unexpected visit from a senior member of the royal family, but Siena remained unfazed.

“This is enough. I don’t eat as much as you do, sister.”

“I’m not eating that much either… Ah, never mind, eat.”

Victoria watched her younger sister quietly spooning away at some dates pudding.

The amount of food was almost insufficient even as a snack, yet Siena was eating it with an expressionless face.

Victoria let out a wry smile but didn’t rebuke her younger sister. Siena had always subsisted on food barely better than what the average middle-class enjoyed, showing no interest in gourmet dining, art, music, theater, or novels.

“Surely you didn’t come here just for pudding?”

Victoria set her tableware down and looked at Siena.

“Sister, what’s the reason for your visit?”

“You summoned Alan without bothering to ask me, right?”

It was indeed about that.

Victoria sighed softly. She had indeed been rude.

“That was my mistake. The situation was rather urgent.”

“Because of the Academy?”

“…Yes. I discussed solutions with Sir Alan. Of course, I anticipated that you wouldn’t approve. However, Siena, the Academy isn’t your form of entertainment. From my perspective, it’s a situation I couldn’t ignore.”

Victoria spoke, hoping for understanding.

To her surprise, Siena merely smirked.

“Did you think I came because of that?”

“What…?”

“Sure, it would be a lie to say I’m not looking forward to the Academy situation. I’m curious how many students would want to take the drug after seeing what Leon turned into. I also wonder how they’ll try to obtain the drugs.”

“Siena.”

“If quite a few end up as cripples just because they tampered with the drugs, it wouldn’t be surprising. It might even be amusing if the Academy becomes a drug den.”

Surely she didn’t mean to say such things. Victoria was shocked by the monstrous things her adorable-faced younger sister was saying.

Siena had always been a troublesome character but Victoria didn’t expect her to be this vulgar.

“You really are insane.”

“I know. But sister?”

“Yes?”

“If you’re feeling any aversion toward me now, you’ll eventually be disappointed by Alan too. You may not realize it, but Alan and I are quite alike. I’m not slandering him—it’s the truth.”

“What are you talking about?”

For a moment, Victoria furrowed her brow. Unknowingly, she crossed her arms to create some distance from her younger sister.

Siena smiled as if expecting this reaction.

“I knew you’d respond like this.”

“Enough.”

“Of course, Alan isn’t the type who takes pleasure like me. He just gets rid of things that bother him. He doesn’t even feel distressed about it. In some ways, he may be more twisted than me.”

“…”

“Now, he isn’t collaborating with you out of a great sense of duty. He’s just preemptively stepping in because he’d find it annoying to sit back and let things escalate.”

Alan wouldn’t agree with that. Victoria shook her head. She thought Alan was simply catering to her whims, knowing Siena’s character.

But before evaluating Alan’s true nature, there was a question that came to mind first.

‘Why is she telling me this?’

Soon to change, Alan was under Siena’s command.

Where in the world would a royal argue that one of their subordinates resembles them? What’s the point?

Of course, keeping someone valuable like Alan away from others is understandable to a degree, but claiming they’re alike was bizarre.

At this moment, a suspicion crossed Victoria’s mind.

“Could it be…”

“Could it be what?”

Siena tilted her head confidently, which only heightened Victoria’s suspicions.

This was absolutely not the attitude of someone dealing with a business partner. It wasn’t merely about keeping a capable subordinate under control through checks. Even now, Siena was anxiously tapping her fingers on the table while uneasily shifting her gaze.

Despite all this, Victoria found it difficult to admit the suspicion that arose in her mind.

‘Siena actually cares about someone?’

She seemed to harbor a subtle affection.

Is it even plausible to think that Siena likes someone?

Even considering that Siena might cherish someone felt unreal, given how disinterested she was in her own family.

The flustered Victoria struggled to respond for a while.

Siena narrowed her eyes, likely having read the emotions on Victoria’s face.

“It’s not your business anyway.”

“It is my business. If Alan, a valuable resource, gets into trouble because of your whims…”

“In any case, when did you start omitting titles, sister?”

“…”

“But don’t worry. Alan won’t get hurt because of me. To begin with, I won’t attack him. Even if something goes wrong, Alan will handle it himself. Maybe not just handle but completely bury me.”

That couldn’t be denied. Alan wasn’t the type to easily fall victim.

Immediately after Victoria ambiguously nodded,

Siena straightened up and declared.

“Sister. This time, I’ll let it slide.”

“Let what slide?”

“In exchange, be more careful moving forward. Avoid actions that could cause misunderstandings. As you know, my patience isn’t very strong. While I tolerated your mother scheming, I can’t promise the same if you do so too.”

“…”

“Anyway, from your perspective, it doesn’t matter much, does it? To you, Alan is just a capable talent. In the future, come through me if you need Alan’s skills. That way, we can preserve the harmony of the imperial court that you cherish.”

After saying this, Siena stood up.

Her behavior was unusually considerate.

After finishing only a bowl of pudding, she kindly informed Victoria that she’d let this pass this time.

However, Victoria’s gaze turned cold once alone.

“This is going to get more complicated than I thought.”

We weren’t at a point to argue yet—she just decided to let it slide this one time for now, prioritizing the matters of the Academy.

Though she’d make every effort to avoid conflicts in all aspects…

She wasn’t planning to heed her younger sister’s warning at all.

Or rather, not in the slightest.

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