Despite the Chancellor’s attempt to quiet them, the nobles continued to murmur about the astonishing results shown by the ‘Detector.’ Even Kyle and Duke Blake, usually composed, couldn’t hide their shock. Adrian, the First Prince, was particularly stunned that Ian, who supposedly had no talents, had created and presented such a device.
“So… what does this machine have to do with the policy Your Highness proposed?”
Duke Blake, having understood the Detector’s potential, gave a subtle signal to the noble who asked the question, but it seemed the noble was already too bewildered to comprehend.
The Chancellor, seizing the opportunity, addressed Ian.
“It would be beneficial if the Third Prince explained in detail.”
Recognizing the Chancellor’s cue, Ian began his presentation with the poise of someone accustomed to giving pitches, emphasizing key points and gauging the nobles’ reactions.
“As Earl Liam mentioned, if we charge different tolls for luxury items and essential goods, we would need additional personnel for the sorting.”
“Who would handle that sorting?”
Ian realized from this exchange that the noble wasn’t worth adding to his recruitment list.
“No need to worry about the sorting. This device will handle it.”
Pointing to the Detector, Ian’s explanation finally sank in, silencing the room.
“The items entering the capital will be transparently displayed. This will not only allow us to implement differentiated tolls but also prevent unauthorized items from entering the capital.”
Pausing to catch his breath, Ian continued, looking around the room.
“Like smuggled goods, for example.”
Hic.
At the mention of smuggling, one noble involuntarily hiccupped, and Ian made a mental note of his face. It’s often said that the guilty act defensive.
After Ian finished his presentation and looked at the Emperor, the Emperor surveyed the still-buzzing nobles before speaking.
“I leave the detailed discussions necessary to implement this policy to the Chancellor and the Third Prince.”
Having witnessed the Detector’s effectiveness, the nobles couldn’t oppose the Emperor’s decision. They had no grounds to argue.
“And…”
As everyone focused on the Emperor, he made an unexpected announcement.
“I appoint the Third Prince as the Tax Inspector.”
Ian was internally shocked by this sudden appointment but maintained a composed exterior, stepping forward to acknowledge it. When a subordinate accepts a sudden command as if it had been pre-agreed, it alters perceptions of the relationship between the two.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do my best as the Tax Inspector.”
At Ian’s expression of gratitude, the nobles’ faces darkened, unsure of where the notorious Third Prince might start digging into tax matters.
Especially Earl Liam, who had been tasked with monitoring Ian, felt his insides burn. He was supposed to bring a surprise gift last night, but Viscount Helington, who should have been at the internal affairs meeting, was nowhere to be seen.
Turning his head, Liam quickly looked down again, feeling the intense gaze of Duke Blake, who was second only to the Emperor in power, burning into him.
‘Helington…’
As anger towards Helington started to simmer within him, Ian spoke up again.
“Oh, Your Majesty.”
A single word directed at the Emperor caused Liam to shiver.
“Last night, someone dared to intrude into my room. What do you think should be done about this?”
The Chancellor, well-versed in the empire’s laws, spoke up.
“Unauthorized entry into a royal’s room can result in torture to uncover the instigator and, without the royal’s pardon, a charge of attempted murder leading to execution.”
“I see…”
After hearing the Chancellor’s explanation, Ian looked at both Earl Liam and Duke Blake, smiling.
Seeing Ian’s smile, Earl Liam broke into a cold sweat.
‘Could it be?’
A noble absent from the meeting, a noble intruding into a royal’s room, and Helington, who was both Ian’s drinking companion and spy.
As Earl Liam pieced together the puzzle, Ian coldly addressed the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, may I bring the perpetrator here? Since this involves the dignity of the royal family, it should be discussed in front of everyone.”
The Emperor nodded at Ian’s suggestion. The situation naturally elevated the royal family’s authority, so there was no reason for the Emperor to refuse.
“Bring him in.”
At Ian’s command, a man bound in ropes was brought into the conference room by soldiers.
Seeing his fears become reality, Earl Liam began trembling like a leaf, pinching his thigh in a futile attempt to calm down.
When Helington was brought to the center of the room, Ian addressed the nobles.
“This man is Viscount Helington. Some of you may already know him.”
At Ian’s words, the nobles avoided Helington’s gaze, looking elsewhere in fear of becoming implicated.
“Your Highness, please spare me!”
“He is also my drinking buddy. He has drunk a lot with me.”
The mention of being drinking buddies silenced the room again.
Ignoring Helington’s pleas for mercy, Ian continued.
“But having my drinking buddy sneak into my room at night is quite a contradiction, isn’t it? It almost seems like there’s no distinction between high and low.”
With Ian’s icy smile, the atmosphere in the conference room grew even colder. Only Duke Blake continued to stare at Helington amidst the sea of averted gazes.
“Are you suggesting that someone plotted your assassination?”
Seizing the moment, the Chancellor asked a timely question, and Ian responded with a smile, which made the nobles feel he wasn’t just the notorious Third Prince but also a son of the Emperor.
“That’s what I’m wondering. I thought he was my drinking buddy, but what am I to make of him sneaking into my bedroom at night?”
“Your Highness, I am wrongfully accused. I am your drinking buddy. I would never attempt to harm you. Such a thing is absolutely unfounded.”
Nodding as if agreeing, Ian’s acknowledgment filled Helington’s eyes with a glimmer of hope.
“Yes, Your Highness, I merely wanted to see the item you mentioned.”
“Didn’t I say I would show it to you first after the internal affairs meeting?”
Caught off guard by Ian remembering their conversation, Helington was momentarily speechless.
“Are we so close that you would break my word? But it’s strange. Why would you try to steal it the night before the meeting?”
“Th-that’s…”
“If you tell the truth, you might find a way to live.”
At Ian’s words, Helington involuntarily hiccupped.
Hic.
In the tense atmosphere, Helington’s hiccup echoed, causing the nobles to close their eyes in fear of their names being mentioned.
“Th-the… Li… Li…”
As Helington tried to name someone, Duke Blake’s lips moved slightly. It was so subtle that no one would have noticed if they weren’t paying attention to him.
Only Ian, who was watching Duke Blake intently, noticed the slight movement.
‘Is this where it ends?’
Blake, wanting his nephew to become Emperor, must have ensured safety measures were in place.
Just as Ian suspected, Helington, about to name someone, lowered his head.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness… Please, think of our friendship and show mercy just this once.”
“You’ve squandered your chance. Your Majesty, how about imprisoning him for now? We can have a more detailed conversation later.”
“Do it.”
With the Emperor’s command, the soldiers took Helington away. Unlike when he entered, his face showed no sign of hope, only resignation.
After the commotion settled, the Chancellor announced the end of the internal affairs meeting. Earl Liam, visibly relieved, trudged out of the room, while Duke Blake, after a long look at Ian, also left.
Ian clenched his fists unconsciously, realizing that Duke Blake’s gaze showed no emotion in response to his warning.
‘Did I provoke the wily old fox too early?’
Despite wondering if he had moved against the noble faction too soon, Ian knew that operating under constraints for five years would be more problematic.
‘What about the First Prince?’
Kyle approached Ian with a smile.
“I didn’t expect to see this side of you. Quite surprising, my ‘brother’.”
Emphasizing the word ‘brother,’ Kyle’s tone made Ian inwardly raise an eyebrow.
“Sometimes, I need to show a side befitting a royal.”
“A wise choice. Upholding the royal authority is essential for a royal. Your ‘Detector’ will be incredibly beneficial to the empire.”
“Have I done something noteworthy? It seems it’s the first time you’ve praised me, elder brother.”
“Haha, well, I like people who benefit the empire.”
Ordinarily, people would have been flattered by Kyle’s praise, but Ian knew better. He kept his guard up, aware that the man in front of him could smile while planning to slit his throat.
After Kyle left, the Second Prince, Adrian, approached with a worried expression.
“Ian, are you alright?”
“Yes, brother, it’s nothing serious.”
Despite Ian’s reassurance, Adrian spoke gravely.
“You’ve crossed an irreversible line, you know that?”
“Brother, wouldn’t they just think it’s typical of a notorious prince? Haven’t I acted this way before?”
“Yes, but… this time feels completely different.”
Concerned, Adrian quickly left the conference room. Despite his attendant’s desperate calls, he didn’t stop.
The next morning.
After a successful first PT, Ian received shocking news from Tom.
“Your Highness… We have a problem.”
Cliche Novel 