[Chapter 206] Rolling Stone, Fixed Stone

"Lady, His Highness the Prince has sent a gift."

A small and luxurious room in the Prince's Palace corner.

Gifts arrived every morning and evening, making every space Megara owned shine. Abelus was about to turn even the basin she used for washing into gold.

"Understood. Leave it there."

The only problem was the 'people.'

The maid who brought the gift at Megara's command briefly showed a pitiful expression and left without a word.

It was a presumptuous attitude, but Megara didn't bother responding to such individuals. There was no need because she knew well how to effectively silence such people.

'Let's wait and see.'

Megara knew her strengths well. Apart from her pleasing appearance, if that was all, she was no different from Natasha Grunehalts or Valentin Elendria.

She was clever. And she knew how to say what people wanted to hear. Even if her status was stripped away, as long as that talent remained in the social circle, she could still do something.

Smart. A light knock was heard.

Megara imagined a bright smile on her perfectly beautiful face. And just as Abelus casually opened the door and entered, she jumped into his arms.

"Your Highness!"

"Oh, oh, Megi. You're not a child, and you're still jumping around? How cute."

Abelus affectionately stroked Megara's cheek with a face of adoration.

Megara smiled with a face full of joy. Although it hadn't been long since she became his official consort, their relationship was as natural as if they had been engaged for years.

The empty space of long-time lovers. A kind woman who appeared before him and understood him unconditionally.

'There's a clear presence of a villain.'

It was the perfect condition for Megara. She delved into this trio of harmony without missing a beat. And she quickly established her position.

Megara actively kissed Abelus's hand, wearing a gentle expression.

"How lonely it is to be apart from Your Highness even for a moment. Now, there's only Your Highness for me."

"Why only me? You have the Viscount and the Sub-Viscount. Shall I ask you to visit the Prince's Palace?"

"Oh, what would people say?"

"Why does it matter? It's just meeting family."

"Abelus, who was speaking absentmindedly, paused. He realized something and suddenly his gaze turned fierce.

"Are the lower servants being disrespectful in front of you?"

"...There's nothing I can do. Their status is higher than mine..."

Abelus was enraged.

"What status do those lower servants have in front of you! If they are the Prince's women, that's their status! Good Megi, if something like this happens, tell the palace officials the names of those arrogant individuals. I will ensure they never set foot in the palace again!"

Megara tried to persuade him in a weak voice.

"Your Highness, please don't. The servants are just... just doing it for the person they respect."

"Respect? If they respected me, they wouldn't let the woman I chose have such a face... Wait. Are you talking about the Lady?"

Indeed, was there any doubt?

The servants coming to Megara with errands now would never have dared to speak first when she was the Viscountess. However, behind them were members of the royal family. Especially Princess Kamil.

Megara's eyes turned cold as she thought of the stern and displeased face of the Princess. Abelus, who was holding her face in his hands, didn't see that and became angry.

"Damn it, why are you so upset about not being able to control my relationships! Should my government also please you?"

'Also the government.'

The expression already included a judgment that Megara was not worth paying much attention to, but Megara didn't show any signs of being upset. Abelus was accustomed to all his actions being accepted and always expected such treatment.

She just whispered weakly.

"Talking about noble matters, how dare someone like me discuss... I apologize for speaking out of turn."

As she finished speaking and slightly raised her head, Abelus's serious expression came into view.

Up to now, he might have followed Kamil's words, considering them beneficial to the Empire, but how long would that last? Megara was adept at utilizing the growing resentment that Natasha Grunehalts couldn't help but feel.

Once again, Abelus, whose suppressed emotions were stirred, forced a smile.

"Yes, Megi. Thank you for saying that. You're perfect as always. It even makes me think that you're the only one who believes in me so much."

Indeed, it might be true.

Megara had no intention of ending the provocation of anger in Abelus's heart. She needed more, a greater power, to become the victor in the palace.

Perhaps Nellucian Elendria had arrived. She smiled, thinking there might be a conversation with him.

***

At the Emperor's question, his eyebrows raised.

"My sister can't attend the state council? Why all of a sudden?"

Kamil showed himself very selectively when it came to formal events where he had to appear officially in front of the nobles, like the state council. It was to avoid contradicting the Emperor and Empress who had appointed Abelus as the Prince.

Nevertheless, she still wielded considerable influence in state affairs. The meetings she chose to attend were all about significant national matters.

The Emperor thought his daughter occasionally tried to control everything, but she was mostly staying within bounds. Abelus, unable to keep up with her intellect, almost always followed her words without much objection.

However, he couldn't understand why she was suddenly insisting so firmly on preventing her sister from participating in state affairs.

Abelus confidently said to the Emperor,

"It's not sudden, Abamama. Shouldn't it have been like that a long time ago? I know your sister is capable, but whenever I try to do something, she's already decided how things should go in that position. It's not me, it's your sister who acts like the Prince."

That was the case.

The Emperor pondered for a moment and then made a decision. After all, Abelus was the one he had chosen as the Prince, and his daughter had to respect that decision.

Considering the 'incident' that happened a long time ago,

"Understood. Your sister won't meddle in state affairs."

A pleased smile appeared on Abelus's face.

"Thank you, Abamama."

"By the way, shouldn't you focus more on your personal affairs? Your most urgent matter should be finding a marriage partner."

As Abelus had already achieved his important goal, his attitude became somewhat indifferent. He replied, trying to maintain his composure.

"After all, there isn't a suitable partner right now, is there?"

"Why not? There's Valentin."

"Isn't the Elendria Ducal House a bit complicated for an immediate engagement?"

Valentin was quite handsome and had a good lineage, so he wouldn't be a bad match for a marriage. However, the current political situation of the Elendria family was not straightforward.

Understanding the complexity, when Abelus responded with some reservation, the Emperor nodded in agreement.

"I'm not saying you should immediately engage with that girl. It doesn't have to be her specifically. But you already introduced her to the government first. I'm against not only your sister but also the first child of the Prince being born from a lowly body."

Considering that descendants are more important than anything for the royal family, Abelus showed no signs of embarrassment at his father's blunt words.

"Understood."

"Good. I believe you're a clever child and will handle it well, Abel... *cough*."

The Emperor, having said that, suddenly covered his mouth and coughed for a while. Abelus narrowed his eyes, waiting for the coughing to stop.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"I sometimes have these symptoms as I age."

For the robust Vistah nobles, 'feeling unwell' was in itself a rare occurrence, but not unheard of. The Emperor mentioned it casually and didn't seem particularly distressed, so Abelus decided not to worry about the minor cough.

"Understood. Please take care, Abamama. I will take my leave now."

As Abelus bowed and left the audience chamber, his mind quickly filled with other thoughts.

While causing political trouble, the Elendria family remained one of the most important vassals of the royal family. Nellucian's return would have a significant impact on the cunning nobles who always rolled their eyes. 

Although he hadn't spoken with Kamil, Abelus, knowing his sister well, could roughly guess the situation as he left. Nellucian, busy repaying debts here and there, wouldn't have any reason to suddenly appear.

'Whether this one or that one, as if the position of the Princess can be decided by their own hands.'

"Nellucian is expected to become the Duke, just as people predict. No matter how much the Emperor tries to prevent Kamil's sister from participating in state affairs, he can't immediately strip her of power, and she always pushes forward once a decision is made.

'And that scoundrel Nellucian, he'll probably try to become the Duke even if it means pushing his father aside. He was quite fixated on the Grand Duchess, but it was said that he intended to hand her over to his sister.'

Nellucian and Abelus had been friends almost since birth. Abelus was convinced of this based on their long-standing friendship.

Despite being treated as a Prince, Abelus had not yet ascended to the throne and had limitations on his actions. He was fortunate that the opportunity to live as he pleased seemed to come first with Nellucian.

***

When Kamil was prevented by the Emperor's knights from attending the regular council meeting, he turned away quietly. However, as soon as he reached a place where no one could see, his eyes flashed with anger.

"That damned fool is trying to manipulate my sister."

A young man from the Silver Moon who accompanied her disguised as an aide asked cautiously.

"Why do you call her a fool?"

"Who else? The failure of the Ricciandros family."

Kamil would be the only one to refer to Megara as a failure by any standard. The loyal aide didn't point out this fact.

With a grim expression, Kamil walked towards his palace. However, as he turned the corner, his demeanor changed from the usual solemnity to a more revealing emotion when he came face to face with a certain individual.

"Viscount Elendria."

As the heir to the Viscount and a talent admired by all, Nellucian had always lived a perfect life. He naturally exuded a sense of ease that came from such a trajectory.

However, due to the significant event that had taken place, the previous relaxed atmosphere had vanished. If it weren't for the faint smile that covered his entire face, one might have thought his expression was contorted in distress.

"Your Highness, isn't it?"

"I heard you've arrived, but it seems there's no chance for a greeting."

The implication was that it was impudent for the guest who had come seeking his help not to come to him first. Nellucian gently softened his sky-blue eyes and pretended not to understand, smiling.

"I apologize. As Your Highness knows, there are many matters to attend to in the household."

"I understand the situation well. Isn't it difficult? If you plan to do your job properly, you should be able to prioritize what's important."

Although the message sounded like concern at first, the underlying message was clear. 'If you don't prioritize the royal family, it will be difficult for your father to secure his position.'

Thinking of the awkward situation, Nellucian apologized.

"Yes, Your Highness. I made a wrong judgment."

Kamil decided that the conversation could be concluded with Nellucian's submissive attitude. She arrogantly nodded, returned the courtesy, and went back to her palace.

As Nellucian watched her leave, he was lost in thought.

Kamil's conditions for calling him were clear. Prostrate yourself before the royal family like a loyal dog. Then, cover up all the problems your family has caused so far under your father's name, and you will be granted the same glory as before.

She undoubtedly viewed Nellucian with great disdain. To impose such conditions was indeed a sign of her contempt.

'If she finds me amusing, it will be easier for me to act.'

He knew that Kamil had proposed to his father to marry Neris. He had persistently pursued her before and behind, targeting her.

Nellucian couldn't hand Neris over to anyone. Therefore, any flimsy alliance with Kamil would inevitably fall apart in the end.

'But a delay until then is necessary.'

Whether it was the Dukedom or anything else, it didn't matter. If he could take Neris away from that repulsive Grand Duke, Nellucian's eyes gleamed with determination.