Refuge in Audacity (Original/Isekai Chapter 3)
It had been a month since the Royal Caretaker had 'tragically' died defending me from a rogue assassin. The Almond Family were compensated for the heroic actions of their elder relative. Naturally they tried to send another Caretaker to 'carry Rhedia Almond's torch' and look after me, but that was firmly shut down by me being 'too heartbroken at the loss of my Caretaker to ever want to see another member of her family, as the memories of her loss would overwhelm me'.
Politics. Bullshit at it's finest.
For the most part "Sentimentality" worked to stop their attempts to contacting me worked. The money helped, a retired's generals reward once a year was bound to make most of the Almonds stop prodding me. Their more thickheaded members however tried to keep pushing to have me hire another Caretaker stating that 'it is their duty to keep helping me, and that they would help me get over the loss'. Although this came from different groups within the Almonds. Inner family struggles?
The other Almonds who did have a brain, realize that without their connection to the Royal Family, they are bound to eventually lose their connection to other families, thus their insistence on wanting me to get another Caretaker. They understood that money alone wouldn't keep them influential.
I wonder how all of them would act once I cut off the stipends once I'm king, under the reasoning of 'Rhedia would want me to focus more money and resources on the rest of the kingdom'. The jig would be up by them that I wanted nothing to do with them, and maybe they'll question and figure out how Rhedia really died, but honestly? Fuck'em.
In a few months the contract with the Walnut Fishing Company is likely to be cut due to "reasons", or worse trade with them will continue but with the quality massive dropped. Naturally their allies are also to likely cut trade with Ereon, slow it down or send inferior products.
Three big companies. Walnut Fishing Company in Sequilia, Cashew Agriculture Conglomerate in Lancasteria, and Hazel Spices Industrial in Gorbon. Each family leading a company are distantly related, and add in the Almonds here Ereon. Hell of a union these four families have. At worse Ereon loses three major trading partners, which means a lot of smaller companies might try to make deals with Ereon. Naturally those big three will exert their influence to limit or stop those rival companies (likely by force if necessary).
I will likely need three to four attack avenues at minimum to improve economic conditions in my favor, while they are busy stopping new rivals from gaining the foothold in trade with me. Maybe it's time Ereon starts being a food producer in the market? No, we need a lot of resources to fight the demons and monsters that come from the Dark Region. There are likely a lot more stuff happening behind the scenes than four families holding a major economic and political power. Allies with those Nut Families (the nickname is too obvious not to use) I'll have to find out about.
Fuck I hate these headaches of politics. Well...maybe not. Unraveling all these information and connections was a bit exciting at times.
And about those Almond members who wanted to meet and try to convince me to hire another Caretaker?
Did you know if your rich and powerful and don't want to meet someone, you can just...not meet them?
Seriously, I just didn't give them entry into the inner castle. Didn't give them an appointment siting being busy and just plainly didn't meet them.
That was such a revelation that I actually got another level in Governance from it. That and firing Johnny and getting a better teacher. His name was Albus Gregory (Yeah, first name surprised me too), he was a man in his late 50s, and still had all his hair. No wizard beard, but a big mustache.
He was the mayor of a small village at the end of the border to Lancasteria, the country southeast of Ereon. 'Was' being the operative word. The entire village was besieged by a wave of monsters. Thankfully the villager were able to evacuate with minimal casualties, and made their way here to Stilvall, the capital city.
I wondered why they came all the way here, rather than just move to another lord's territory for refuge. Albus gave the excuse that he has a bad relation with his surrounding nobles, due to his policies, and thus isolated his village and made it self-sustaining. He also says that the reason he traveled to the capital was to ask me directly, to give him another place to settle down with his people, rather than deal with other nobles. In return he would teach me everything he knows about ruling and managing a country.
The whole thing seemed fishy. Admittedly, Albus Gregory was a pretty famous author on law and policies. Many people saying that the reason he left the wider aristocratic stage and politics, was because he was disgusted by the state of things and had very high standards, thus isolated himself to looking after a small village and making it perfect. Or at least his view of perfect. Honestly, the whole time I was talking to Albus, it felt like he was evaluating me or something. If it wasn't for the fact that I was rapidly advancing in Governance that I was close to getting a third level, I probably would have thought he was too full of himself.
For now I'm letting Albus and his people of two hundred stay in the castle while vetting them for spies. As their previous town was on the border of Lancasteria, a country mostly populated by demihumans (people with animal parts, like horns or claws etc.), so the villagers have more demihumans than average. Racism thankfully isn't much of a thing in this world. Nationalism however is a whole other thing. So for now I'm letting Albus and his people stick around to see if anything is up. It's not like they can get any royal secrets in here, as I'm the only one the wards on the library and archives respond to.
Those whom were shown to have a completely background were allowed to have jobs in the castle.
"Y-your Highness, he, here's your coffee." Said the blushing catgirl maid. Her name was Ella, one of the refuges from Albus's village. She was an orphan who worked in a restaurant before the village was destroyed. She's quite good and making refreshments, even has a Skill for brewing drinks.
"Thank you," I smiled as took the cup, my fingers touching her hand in the process. While I turned away, looking at my paperwork, from my peripheral vision I could see her blush intensify. She was so innocent it was adorable. "So, how have you been settling in?" I ask making small talk.
"I--"
"Prince Aidan, I brought you the books you requested." There was a knock on the study's door, before Natalie spook she entered. She hesitated when she saw Ella in the room for a moment then carried on.
"You can go back, Ella." I spared the catgirl maid a nod, as I focused on my personal maid who place the book on the desk, then took her place next to me.
"Ah, y-yes my lord." Ella bowed and hastily left.
With the door closing click after the catgirl left, I was alone with Natalie in the study room. This was the main study room, the one I used normally and for personal meeting and academic lessons.
"She is very pretty." Natalie commented.
"Yeah, I suppose she is." I replied.
Silence fills the room. Natalie stands close, lightly he holds the arm of my shirt, enough for me to notice that she's doing it, but not to be bothered by it as I'm working. I tried to read the reports on the ongoings of the various regions of my kingdom. The reports William usually withheld because I was 'too young to deal with the stress of the daily reports, and it would take from his time to live his youthful days'. Seriously, fuck Rhedia up the ass while she's in hell. And fuck William too for going along with it.
Yes, it's not like I can make actual reforms, or policies without passing it by William, as he needs to give his approval as Regent. But still, I could advise or at the very least know what the fuck is going on around me. Thankfully, there didn't seem to be any big fires thus far, just small stuff the lords in those places can deal with. Taxes seem to come in steadily thus far. I'm kinda worried that I haven't found anything really bad yet.
However, despite trying to, I can't focus on the reports anymore. I place my hand on Natalie, feeling that she was trembling slightly just now. She calmed down and when I looked at her, she looked like she was almost in tears before she got herself back together. Her eyes going back to their normal state, blank and intense. This normal was new, it wasn't like that a month ago.
"I'm right here, Nat."
"I know, my lord."
"I'm not replacing you, and you're not going anywhere."
"I-I know, my Prince."
God damn you, Rhedia.
A month ago when I found Natalie in the dungeon, I got there too late. And by that I mean, the so called 'investigation' was about as one could imagine.
I killed the soldiers that were involved with that mess, and those who "partook" in the action?
Vengeance Torment: Cold-blooded torture. Pain repaid a hundred fold. The ability to inflict pain and suffering on others without being bother or affected by their screams and tears, or seeing blood and gore.
This Trait showed up afterwards. I wasn't proud of myself when I saw it. Traits are special qualities that add certain characteristics to you, or sometimes certain bonuses. They were usually difficult to gain, and mush more difficult to get rid of. It is possible though, I just have to make sure I never use this Trait and it will eventually disappear. At least I hope so.
In the time since then, Natalie stuck to me at all times. I took her on as a personal maid to justify her being around me so much. Anyone who raised an issue about it, well, I got good at glaring. I wasn't outright making a loud statement that I was sleeping with Natalie, but stopped hiding all together. I was the Crown Prince, if I wanted to do something I would do it, and damn other people's opinion.
I tried to help her, but I wasn't a therapist. I could rave about the trope of 'there are no therapist in fantasy lands', but the temple priest or priestess supposed can act as one. Natalie refused to see them though. So I was stuck trying to patch her mental wounds with duct tape.
I tell her and show her that I won't abandon her. I let her sleep in my bed next to me when she has nightmare. The, at times, morning sex afterward is something I'm starting to feel less guilty about, but Natalie would ask that I would be rougher more and more with her. I may not be an expert on mental health, but I can tell this isn't going in a good direction. I want to stop it (shocking I know, a teenager not wanting sex), but I don't know how to do so without her being hurt, and thinking I'm throwing her away.
I only have a vague idea about, people need to gain inner strength to face their fears and conquer them. As I move to open the books Natalie got me, my brain made a connection.
Books. Library. Royal Library.
It might be possible to find some books to help Natalie get stronger, and thus feel more safe. I thought about Albus's villagers being vetted for possible spies. Maybe I could find something that would teach Natalie to be an assassin.
I'm not sure if that's a solution, but it's an idea to keep in mind for later.
I was in the throne room, after William had returned with some documents that was extremely urgent.
He looked really ecstatic about it, so it might be something important as I can't remember the last time he had that impression.
"So what is this about, William?"
"Um, your Highness, It might be best for us to speak of this alone first." He said as he eyed the room, looking at the guards and Natalie.
"I trust the people in this room, William." Yes, even the guards. It took a while to find good ones, but I trust the current batch. Justin and Gosh that were involved in the incident from the month ago were present. Turns out, they were decent people, and put the pressure on them and they do great work. Given the fact that they know I can kill them at anytime, they always do great work.
Admittedly the embellishment of the assassination rumor, that I killed the assassin after they killed the Caretaker and knight leader who died defending me, made me appear bloodthristy to some people. Reputation like that is helpful in certain situations like needing dig into someone, to find how honorable and honest they are. Also to fuck around and troll people, that's definitely a benefit.
"This is something very personal pertaining to you, my lord. It's a, well, it's a prophecy that I finally managed to retrieve." Said William.
I felt a shock spread in my body. Well shit, this was serious.
Prophecies are a thing in this world. They are real, and they are a big deal. There are no fake prophecies, anyone who tries to create one is smite by the goddess with extreme prejudice. While prophecies are bound to happen, they usually can be worked around.
Person A being told they will be stabbed by Person B, might just fulfill the prophecy by getting Person B to stab their finger or something.
However sometimes prophecies can be hit or miss. They can be about a big change coming to the current age, or about how a peaceful king's reign will be peaceful. They can also being about a coming disaster, or about possibly a bad event in your future.
Given that William wanted to tell me alone, I guess this is likely a prophecy about misfortune that would happen to me.
Wait.
"What do you mean 'retrieve'?" I blinked in surprise.
"Ah, well," I narrowed my eyes at him and he flinched. "This prophecy...was delivered by a temple oracle when you were ten."
"...What?" I didn't know how to react. "No seriously, what? I had a prophecy about me three years ago, and I'm only learning about it now!?"
"There were," he gulped. "Complicated events, Madam Rhedia insisted that you aren't bothered with it yet till your mentally ready."
"Of course that bitch was involved." I groaned and shook my head.
"I refused!" He quickly shouted. "I ordered the prophecy to be delivered right away, but it was lost, then stolen. I, um, it took a lot of work, but I manged to get it back, your Highness!" William declared with strength entering his voice.
I sighed. I wanted to get mad, but what's done is done. Besides, it looked like he worked hard to fix this before it became a problem, so I guess it's fine. Good job, William. Doesn't deserve me saying it out loud though.
"Alright everyone, out!" I clapped my hand, and the guards began to move. "Sorry, Nat. You too." I told her softly. She flinched for a moment, before nodding and turning to leave.
Alright, time to see what this prophecy is about. As long as it was nothing too drastic or ominous, I think I'll manage to live through it.
The roof was obliterated and vaporized as a being of malevolent power and dreadful aura slowly descended from the sky.
"Greetings, Crown Prince of Ereon. I am Lachynia Valefor, the one who has risen as King of Demons." Said the being as it hovered a few inches off the floor.
A Demon. A being that defies the physical world and the spiritual world, by being a creature made of both. A king of such beings wasn't one chosen by them, or the strongest of them. It was a phenomena where maelstrom of energy, akin to a natural disaster, happened to take the form of a being that can talk.
And such a being is now here. In my castle. In front of me.
WHY!?
"I came to see the one of Chavagner blood who would one day, aid the Maiden of the Holy Sword with my end. I have to say...I'm disappointed."
...No. Oh fuck no.
"William," I groaned, getting my Regent's white terrified face to focus on me. "Out of curiosity, does that prophecy say anything about me and the Demon King?"
"I that's..." William's eyes kept switching from me to the hovering Demon King. "I h-h-haven't read the whole thing, but, um...yes."
God dammit it, William!
"Wow, I..." My mind was going blank for the sheer stupidity of the situation. "I have no words for this. William, if I survive through today...I'm honestly so pissed off, I can't even think of what I will do to you."
A damp spot began spreading on William's pants from his crotch.
I guess I'll take that as a victory.
Personal Info:
Name: Aidan Vealfas Rowan Atlas Chavagner
Titles: Crown Prince of Ereon, Bloody Smile Prince
Age: 13
Condition: Anger and panic circled back to calm
Stats:
Strength: 19
Durability: 12
Dexterity: 15
Speed: 18
Mental Calculation: 43
Memory Capacity: 102
Aether Control: 25
Mana Capacity: 14
Skills:
Royal Etiquette:
Swordsmanship:
Kingdom Governance:
Status Magic:
Traits:
Firm Stride: A leap of faith. The confidence of madmen. The ability to not hesitate once a decision is made, and to walk forward with open eyes.
Vengeance Torment: Cold-blooded torture. Pain repaid a hundred fold. The ability to inflict pain and suffering on others without being bother or affected by their screams and tears, or seeing blood and gore.