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Chapter: 33

The Naam Fortress differed from Oro Fortress in both scale and influence. The Naam Fortress had more places to explore, and the city surrounding the fortress walls was much more vibrant.

"Wouldn't this be considered the halfway point of our journey?"

Of course, in terms of distance, we hadn't even covered half the way yet. But once we entered the northern region, from that point on, with a bit of exaggeration, it could be considered the territory of Wolhan Fortress. So, in terms of spheres of influence, Naam Fortress was more or less the midpoint of our journey.

Therefore, there was no problem with me spending some time here.

"So, I intend to stay here longer than we did in Oro Fortress. What do you all think?"

No one voiced any opposition to my question. In fact, few had the authority to object. It was just four or five people, including Yoo Geung and Heo Seokgyeom.

"No objections? Good. Then, enjoy your free time as you please."

Perhaps because this was a proper city, the group's faces brightened at the mention of free time. The only one who didn't seem interested in having fun was Heo Seokgyeom. He followed me out after the meeting.

"Your Highness."

"Hmm?"

I feigned ignorance and looked at him innocently.

"His Majesty's royal command was to proceed to Wolhan Fortress with haste."

It seemed like he was telling me not to waste time.

Even in Oro Fortress, we could have departed at the crack of dawn, but we delayed our schedule to await the passing of the fortress lord. It seemed like a big deal to a stickler like Heo Seokgyeom.

Was this advice or a warning?

It didn't feel like he was saying it for my benefit.

"I'm not staying here to fool around, so I don't understand why you're saying that."

What the King wanted was to show the lord of Wolhan Fortress that the royal family was paying attention to the north. He hadn't sent me to the distant north to build my own independent power base, far from the capital.

My role after reaching Wolhan Fortress was to first assess the situation there and then secure troops from the northern power brokers to support the lord of Wolhan Fortress.

My entourage and I alone couldn't provide meaningful support. The troops I brought with me numbered only about thirty. If I said I came to help in the battle with these numbers, I'd be lucky if I didn't get laughed at.

The temporary conscription authority I had been granted was more valuable than myself.

The authority to command the generals of the entire northern region to provide troops.

In short, it meant that the swords of the north could unite under my leadership.

A group following someone who isn't the king is considered rebellious. If the loyalty of those wielding swords doesn't solely lie with the king, it's no longer loyalty but a potential rebellion.

Did the King hand over this authority because he trusted me?

No way.

This was likely a test of some sort.

My maternal grandfather, the Supreme Commander, the So family, and the military officials who followed and still follow the Supreme Commander. The King seemed to think that they, who weren't under the Second Prince's control, could potentially become my allies in the future.

So what?

Why should I obediently follow his orders?

I knew about the deposed Queen, who had been sacrificed to bring down Supreme Commander So, the central figure of the capital's military officials, and about Supreme Commander So himself.

At least that much.

Even if I lived as an obedient libertine, the scraps that would fall into my bowl would be nothing more than the leftover broth from discarded food.

I stared intently at Heo Seokgyeom and asked, "Who is your superior right now?"

"General Im of the Geumo Guard is my superior..."

Heo Seokgyeom stopped mid-sentence and closed his mouth. He had belatedly realized that I wasn't asking about his superior within the Geumo Guard.

"It is Your Highness, Prince Ikwon."

Heo Seokgyeom bowed his head.

"However, the one who gives me the opportunity to serve the country is His Majesty the King."

Oh ho. So, he wanted to play this game. I narrowed my eyes and clasped my hands behind my back. Then, I took a step closer to Heo Seokgyeom. Even though the distance between us had narrowed by just one step, Heo Seokgyeom didn't flinch.

He wasn't going to back down.

At least he wasn't a coward.

"Then, what am I?"

"You are His Highness, Prince Ikwon."

"Is that all?"

"Also, with all due respect, you are the subject of my assigned escort duty."

"So, your duty is to escort me under the orders of His Majesty. I see. But that's not what I asked."

I waited for Heo Seokgyeom's excuse. But he remained silent.

"Well, never mind. It seems unlikely that I'll see you often once we return to the capital."

Still no excuse. Not that I was expecting one.

I felt deflated.

I even started to wonder if I was similar in temperament to that reckless prince.

I had managed to get along with people fairly well in Blood Cloud Fortress.

"On a separate note, I'd like to ask you something. Do you think I'll forever be known only as Prince Ikwon?"

Only then did Heo Seokgyeom show a flustered expression.

"How could you say such a thing..."

"It's pure curiosity. What's your perspective?"

"My role is to safely escort Your Highness. Please refrain from asking such difficult questions."

Hah. I sighed briefly.

"Alright, then I'll ask an easy one."

I took a step back, increasing the distance between Heo Seokgyeom and me.

It was a distance where I couldn't reach him if I stretched out my hand. But if I drew my sword, it was close enough to pierce through his body.

"Do you think I'm likely to die?"

"Heavens, no. Please retract your words."

I frowned.

"No. It's my mouth."

Heo Seokgyeom's gaze shifted again. It was a mix of disbelief, bewilderment, and perhaps even a hint of pity for the fool before him.

Damn it.

"Do you think I'm an idiot? His Majesty will understand if I say we waited for the lord's passing. We won't stay here long either, so if you want to nag, hold it in until I actually do something truly outrageous."

Heo Seokgyeom seemed to have a lot he wanted to say. But he suppressed it all and uttered just two words.

"I apologize."

I glared at the silent Heo Seokgyeom, then turned to head towards my lunch appointment with Lord Naam.

Even if it meant simplifying protocol, I should have left Heo Seokgyeom behind and brought only Yoo Geung.

* * *

"These are my daughters."

Lord Naam approached with a pleased smile, accompanied by two women.

"I am Gae Rihwa," one of them said.

One of them bore such a striking resemblance to Lord Naam that anyone could tell she was his daughter from a hundred paces away.

Lord Naam would have looked exactly like her if he had been born a woman. Despite her elaborate attire, all I could see was her face, which was the spitting image of Lord Naam's. I was honestly a bit surprised by the resemblance.

The other one was completely different. I immediately knew this was his adopted daughter.

Her clothes appeared luxurious and extravagant at first glance, but to my eyes, they were of inferior quality. Even someone without my discerning eye would quickly realize they weren't that expensive.

"I am Gae Yeohwa."

When Lord Naam's adopted daughter, Gae Yeohwa, spoke, I realized I had been staring at her intently without even realizing it. The moment I became aware of it, her eyes met mine. We locked gazes for a brief moment.

Did I look strange? But I didn't care. It wasn't bad to appear strange.

My plan was to act as if I was infatuated with Gae Yeohwa.

Even if it didn't work on Gae Yeohwa herself, it would be enough to deceive Lord Naam.

No matter how much I thought about it, the only way to obtain Gae Yeohwa was through betrothal.

I had truly racked my brain, wondering if there was another way.

But in the end, I couldn't come up with any other option.

I had absolutely no intention of entering into such a relationship, especially considering my uncertain lifespan. But for now, there was no other way.

It seemed that the fact that Gae Yeohwa possessed the ability of foresight was not yet known. It appeared that this ability would only become known after she entered the service of the Duke of Mungong, Woo Joong, as a strategist.

I didn't know how she would fall into the Duke of Mungong's clutches, but one thing was certain. If Lord Naam realized that I desired Gae Yeohwa because of her ability, he would never hand her over.

Therefore, the best justification was betrothal.

At the same time, it was currently the only means of restraint.

To this end, I had Gon deliver a note last night.

Thinking back to last night made me cringe, but I had essentially sent a false love letter. It was a note written with the feeling of wearing clothes that didn't fit.

Gon, who had left my chambers in the middle of the night with that note tied to his leg to seek out Gae Yeohwa, returned after a while and said,

- Your plan is doomed.

And then he clicked his tongue.

He looked at me with such pity; it was infuriating to hear. But listening to him, I realized he wasn't wrong at all.

It only left me feeling ashamed.

- Who would want to hear a love confession from a notorious madman?! Of course, it will fail.

That was the first time I learned that crows could click their tongues.

- And it's not just any failure, it's a failure of epic proportions! Her expression soured instantly!

Damn it.

Anyway... he said my plan would fail. He even observed Gae Yeohwa's reaction after reading my note and asserted that it was a complete disaster, calling me pathetic.

The expression on Gae Yeohwa's face standing before me now didn't look too good either.

Was it a failure, as Gon had said?

A failure...

...Really?

Was it really that disastrous of a failure?

And I was just about to try?

I couldn't believe it. Of course, I hadn't been confident that she would welcome me, but I didn't expect to be rejected outright.

And it was a love letter I had put effort into writing, even if it was a lie.

I felt bad for deceiving her, but I was confident I could treat her exceptionally well as a retainer.

But if it was a failure, what else could I do? I was the infamous crazy prince, and without my princely status, I held no value to Lord Naam.

But what could I do?

The dice had already been cast. The lunch appointment with Lord Naam was made last night, and I couldn't take back what I had said.

I thought of the Lord of Blood Cloud Fortress, suppressing the urge to vomit up last night's dinner.

"Lord."

My Lord.

"Yes, Your Highness."

I've always done whatever you asked.

"I..."

This kind of thing really doesn't suit me, even if I die trying.

"I seem to have fallen in love with your daughter."