Chapter – 86
The unexpected visit from the Royal Family turned the Sigurd family upside down.
And for good reason, as the Royal Family had not given any prior notice.
Their visit was a surprise and an unusual occurrence.
The Royal Family rarely made moves like this…
Because of this, Grand Duke Guntram had to immediately go outside the castle gates to welcome the Royal Family as soon as he arrived in Dekaron.
No matter how much he was the head of the Sigurd family and the Kingdom’s one and only Grand Duke, he had no choice but to lower himself completely before the Royal Family.
Grand Duke Guntram personally went outside the castle gates and knelt on one knee before the Crown Prince.
“The Northern lands bow their heads to receive the blood of the Royal Family, seated upon the Throne of Foresight, whose eyes pierce beyond the veil of the future, whose gaze unveils even the truths tomorrow seeks to hide. I am Guntram van Sigurd, Lord of Dekaron, Head of the House of Sigurd, and Grand Duke of the North, here to greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Even Grand Duke Guntram, the ruler of the North and arguably the strongest in the United Kingdom, had no choice but to pay his respects to Crown Prince Gordon.
The Royal Family reigned above the twelve families that supported the United Kingdom.
Before their dominance and influence, rooted in their power of foresight, even the Sigurd family had to bow their heads.
Moreover, the current Sigurd family was thoroughly under the Royal Family’s control.
“Your Grace, why do you kneel?”
Crown Prince Gordon hurriedly helped Grand Duke Guntram up as if it were improper.
“The Grand Duke of the United Kingdom need not do this. Please, rise.”
“Your grace is boundless.”
“I am concerned that my sudden visit may have disturbed Your Grace’s peace.”
“How could that be? Sigurd is the Royal Family’s most loyal sword. Please feel free to visit anytime.”
“If you think so, then I am simply grateful.”
The Crown Prince smiled warmly and firmly held Grand Duke Guntram’s hand.
Meanwhile, Carlisle, watching the scene from his room in the distance, felt deeply uncomfortable.
The distance was too great to hear what was being said, but the mere fact that Grand Duke Guntram was kneeling on one knee and bowing in respect was enough to make Carlisle displeased.
‘Why?’
Carlisle was momentarily surprised by his own feeling of displeasure.
Why was that?
Grand Duke Guntram was essentially a stranger, not sharing a single drop of blood with him.
Of course, the blood flowing in this body was the same as Guntram’s, but Carlisle wasn’t the real Carlisle van Sigurd, was he?
‘It’s probably not because he’s my father. We’re strangers. It’s just that I didn’t like that rude Crown Prince making an elder kneel. And the Royal Family is a bunch of swindlers too. That must be why I feel so disgusted.’
Carlisle reached his own conclusion and justified his emotions.
* * *
Due to the Royal Family’s visit, the Sigurd family entered a state of high alert.
Accordingly, the security in the capital, Dekaron, became several times stricter, and the guard forces within the inner castle were further reinforced.
So much so that there wasn’t a single corner of the inner castle without a guard.
With guards stationed every few steps, one could say that Dekaron’s inner castle was now safer than the royal palace itself.
And that was only natural.
If anything were to happen to the Crown Prince’s person, the Sigurd family would be finished right then and there.
“You must have had a difficult journey.”
“Not at all.”
The Crown Prince smiled warmly.
“How could I, riding in a carriage, have had a difficult time? It is only my attendants who endured the hardship.”
“You are truly a virtuous ruler.”
Grand Duke Guntram’s attitude towards the Crown Prince was extremely polite.
The Crown Prince was currently a figure of real power within the Royal Family and could practically be considered the King of the United Kingdom.
It was still too early for a formal coronation, but it had already been over five years since the Crown Prince began his regency after the King fell ill…
“By the way, Your Grace has shouldered many hardships. Because I had no choice but to raise the tax rates…”
“Not at all.”
Grand Duke Guntram shook his head.
“If it is the Royal Family’s command, we must follow it willingly.”
“If you think that way, I can only be thankful.”
Grand Duke Guntram wanted to ask.
Why did you raise the taxes?
Why are you suddenly increasing the stockpile of magic stones?
But he didn’t ask, knowing full well that the answer would be an empty smile or a polite refusal.
It was unthinkable for the Royal Family to share the future they saw, and even if they did, it would inevitably contain some dangerous hidden meaning.
“The Northerners’ loyalty to the Royal Family is indeed beyond question. The Royal Family will never forget the North’s efforts.”
“Your grace is boundless.”
“I hear Your Grace’s second son has become quite mature.”
“He is still lacking, but he has improved significantly compared to the past.”
“That is truly something to celebrate. Your Grace must have suffered greatly because of your second son, so this is a relief.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
“Incidentally, the matter of your second son has been weighing on my mind, making me uncomfortable.”
“You say it makes you uncomfortable…?”
“Some time ago, your second son was falsely accused, was he not?”
Grand Duke Guntram’s expression hardened.
In fact, that incident could have easily led to a territorial war between the Sigurd and Loren families.
Had the Royal Family not intervened, a territorial war would most likely have broken out.
They had obtained confessions from the culprits, but no concrete physical evidence had emerged…
“However I think about it, that matter bothers me. I plan to use this Victory Anniversary as an opportunity to resolve the lingering resentment between the two families and undertake further mediation.”
“What is Your Highness’s view on the matter?”
Grand Duke Guntram’s question was essentially meaningless.
The Royal Family knew everything through their foresight…
It was merely a question to hear the Crown Prince’s official response.
“I will hold my answer for now. I will speak about it at the banquet following the Victory Anniversary event.”
“I see.”
“I can assure you, I plan to propose a mediation plan that Your Grace will find sufficiently acceptable, so please do not worry.”
“Your grace is boundless.”
Grand Duke Guntram forcibly suppressed his anger.
It was an undeniable fact that the Loren family was behind the incident.
But more disgusting than the Loren family’s denial was the Royal Family’s behavior, knowing everything yet using the situation to profit through mediation.
It was the same now.
The Crown Prince spoke of a satisfactory mediation plan, but there was no way Grand Duke Guntram would be completely satisfied.
Even if Carlisle was a troublesome son, he was still a son dear to Guntram.
What Grand Duke Guntram wanted was bloody vengeance, not some Royal Family mediation plan.
And to think they were scheming to profit from the middle of it all…
Perhaps his discomfort showed on his face, because cold sweat trickled down the backs of those standing behind the Crown Prince.
‘It feels like I’m going to stop breathing.’
The Crown Prince outwardly maintained a calm smile, but inwardly it was different.
Grand Duke Guntram was a man whose very presence overwhelmed those around him with his majesty.
So, it was inevitable for the Crown Prince to feel pressured implicitly.
If Grand Duke Guntram so wished, he could kill the Crown Prince and even the Royal Guard knights in the blink of an eye.
“So, has your second son improved significantly?”
The Crown Prince subtly changed the subject.
“After he died and came back to life, he became much quieter, and after enlisting in the military, it seems he gained some sense, as he’s been performing his duties quite well.”
“That is good news. Then, is there any room for reconsideration regarding the proposal I mentioned last time?”
“I’m afraid I cannot know that either. While he has improved greatly, the boy is inherently so stubborn…”
“That is disappointing.”
The Crown Prince clicked his tongue.
“Wouldn’t it be a good opportunity for that child? If he came to the capital to study, he could grow into an excellent Spirit Master.”
“I think so too, but it seems the boy himself is somewhat opposed to the idea of studying in the capital.”
“How can that be?”
“Your Highness is aware, as you know, we Northerners have been famous since ancient times for our strong attachment to our homeland. A Northerner’s reluctance to leave the North is etched into their bloodline.”
“If that’s the case, we cannot force him, but his talent is far too precious to waste. If it is not too impertinent, could you grant me an opportunity to speak with your second son?”
“That is…”
A look of embarrassment spread across Grand Duke Guntram’s face.
Carlisle meeting the Crown Prince?
*Shiver!*
The mere thought was horrifying.
Like any Sigurd, Grand Duke Guntram had held a sword since early childhood and lived his life on battlefields.
In the process, he encountered countless strong individuals, defeated them all, and rose to the position of the strongest.
But even Grand Duke Guntram couldn’t help but feel fear at the prospect of Carlisle meeting the Crown Prince.
Considering Carlisle’s usual words and actions, the probability of him committing lèse-majesté against the Crown Prince was extremely high.
“Your Highness, this is presumptuous of me, but I must advise against it. Regarding that matter, it would be better to discuss it with me instead.”
“It seems you are worried that your second son might make a mistake.”
The Crown Prince said with a laugh.
“Yes, Your Highness. Although the boy has improved, he is still ill-mannered and disrespectful. I fear he might dare to commit lèse-majesté against Your Highness.”
“Please do not worry about that. Surely your second son wouldn’t curse at me, would he? Haha.”
Grand Duke Guntram’s face stiffened even more.
If Carlisle were to insult the Crown Prince…
“Your Highness, I must reiterate, meeting that boy is an unwise course of action.”
“It’s fine.”
“But…”
“I promise you, I give you my word that I will not take any issue whatsoever, even if your second son shows me any form of discourtesy. Surely you do not doubt my promise?”
“That is not it. It’s just that the boy is so…”
“It’s fine, please call him.”
“Hoo.”
A sigh erupted from the depths of Grand Duke Guntram’s chest.
‘It seems our family’s fate has run its course.’
Grand Duke Guntram tightly closed his eyes.
* * *
“Young Master Carlisle has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
At Grand Duke Guntram’s words, the door creaked open and Carlisle revealed himself.
Grand Duke Guntram, who had never known fear in his life, found this moment to be an exception.
He hadn’t felt an ounce of fear even when facing the great chieftains among the barbarians beyond the border…
“You called for m…”
Carlisle began in a slightly irritated tone, but upon spotting the Crown Prince, his face instantly soured.
*Thump, thump…*
Grand Duke Guntram’s heart began to pound fiercely for the first time in a long while.
But contrary to Guntram’s expectations, Carlisle’s response was surprisingly excellent.
“The Northern lands bow their heads to receive the blood of the Royal Family, seated upon the Throne of Foresight, whose eyes pierce beyond the veil of the future, whose gaze unveils even the truths tomorrow seeks to hide. I am Carlisle van Sigurd, son of Guntram van Sigurd, Lord of Dekaron, Head of the House of Sigurd, and Grand Duke of the North, here to greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Carlisle knelt on one knee and paid his respects politely to the Crown Prince.
