Ian, who had successfully treated Baron Dalent’s mother, was now preparing for a showdown with Duke Blake in his room. The noble faction wouldn’t let someone like Baron Dalent, who held crucial information about the embezzlement, live.
“Your Highness! Th-The…”
“What is it, Tom? I’ve never seen your face so pale before.”
“Th-The Duke Blake is here.”
“The Duke Blake?”
Upon hearing that Duke Blake had come to see him personally, Ian clenched his fist involuntarily.
“Yes, I confirmed it myself. There’s no doubt it’s Duke Blake.”
Feeling as if he were about to enter a one-on-one meeting with the company’s CEO, Ian took a deep breath to steady himself.
“Show him to the drawing room.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Ian straightened his attire and headed to the drawing room.
When Ian sat down in the drawing room, Tom entered, leading Duke Blake into the room.
“Greetings to Your Highness, the Third Prince.”
“Welcome.”
As their eyes met, it felt as though sparks were flying between Duke Blake and Ian. Seeing that Ian didn’t ask the purpose of his visit, Duke Blake frowned slightly.
‘Let’s concede this round,’ he thought.
After a brief silence, Duke Blake spoke in a calm voice.
“Your Highness, may I take a seat?”
“Of course.”
With Ian’s permission, Duke Blake slowly sat down.
After another moment of silence, Duke Blake began to speak.
“The reason for my visit today is to discuss the matter concerning the embezzlement of taxes.”
“I see. I’m curious about what you wish to discuss.”
“I heard that you had a conversation with Count Liam regarding the embezzlement issue.”
“That’s correct. Since His Majesty is closely monitoring this matter, I felt it was necessary to ensure that everything was being handled properly.”
“His Majesty has entrusted the First Prince and me with full authority over this matter. Perhaps it would be best if you left it to us?”
Seeing Duke Blake smile as he spoke, Ian decided to throw out the first bait.
“I’m concerned that if I do that, the real culprit might not be caught, and only the innocent will end up suffering in prison.”
“How could that happen? The main culprit, Baron Steel, is already waiting for his death in prison.”
“It would be unfortunate if you believe that, as I see that there’s another ‘main culprit’.”
Ian emphasized the term “main culprit” and fixed a sharp gaze on Duke Blake, but the Duke met his stare with a soft expression.
“Your Highness, from the way your eyes are burning, it feels like you’re suspecting me.”
“How could that be? No family pays more taxes than the Blake family, correct?”
“There’s no one more devoted to the country than I.”
Duke Blake’s expression remained unchanged, even when Ian tried to provoke him.
“So, Your Highness, should I take it that you’re stepping back from this matter?”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. When I spoke with Count Liam, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was overlooking something. It seems you are as well, Duke.”
“Overlooking something?”
“Not only should we catch those responsible for tax embezzlement, but we should also root out those who have been systematically supplying incense to the nobles. I know better than anyone about the power of that incense.”
As if expecting this, Duke Blake responded without hesitation.
“You needn’t worry about the incense. From what I understand, the First Prince has already dismantled the organization that was supplying it.”
“But shouldn’t we find out who assigned the production of the incense to that organization? The person pulling all the strings from behind.”
At Ian’s direct statement, a chill flashed in Duke Blake’s eyes.
“Haha, I knew you liked your wine and women, but I didn’t know you had a fondness for conspiracy theories as well. Who could possibly plan something like that?”
“Are you saying that those back-alley thugs were able to independently supply such a highly addictive incense to nobles and even princes within the Imperial Palace?”
“Perhaps not on their own, but it’s something a greedy little baron could accomplish if he set his mind to it.”
Duke Blake had already figured out how he would resolve this issue and report it to the Emperor.
“Your Highness, let’s not tire ourselves out with this back and forth.”
“You’re the one who tired me out first, Duke. What with all those expensive mana stones you used.”
At the mention of “mana stones,” Duke Blake’s expression momentarily stiffened. Seeing Ian’s relaxed demeanor, he knew that the Tower Lord must have pocketed the mana stones and failed to complete the task properly.
“You don’t look tired at all.”
“It took some time to clean up the mess. Since I did that, isn’t it only fair that you, Duke, should also tire yourself out a bit? After all, I’m a scoundrel who won’t be satisfied unless I return more than what I receive.”
“I see. If that’s how you want to play, then I have no choice but to erase someone’s name.”
Even when Duke Blake openly threatened to kill someone in front of him, Ian maintained his composure.
Blake would never have guessed that Ian was simply irritating him to gain a better negotiation position.
‘How could they understand the true value of Baron Dalent’s abilities?’
“Are you thinking of erasing me from the world?”
“I’m not so bold as to conspire against the throne. How could I plot to kill a member of the royal family?”
“Then whose name are you planning to erase, that you would tell me this directly?”
Ian asked, and Duke Blake smiled.
“During the investigation into Baron Steel’s embezzlement, one person came up who seems to be involved.”
“Baron Dalent, you mean?”
When Ian mentioned the name first, Duke Blake slowly nodded.
“It seems you’ve already conducted a thorough investigation after meeting him. I must say, Your Highness, that the Empire is fortunate to have someone like you ensuring fairness.”
“Hahaha, I never imagined I’d receive praise from Duke Blake.”
Ian laughed but suddenly turned serious.
“Unfortunately, my investigation shows that Baron Dalent is innocent. In fact, he repeatedly tried to stop Baron Steel’s embezzlement after discovering it.”
“I see. But unfortunately, the results of our investigation contradict yours. So, I believe it would be best to place him in prison for now.”
“Is that so? In that case, I suppose I’ll have to dig into each of the other nobles one by one as well. I don’t know if you’re aware, but the data I can access with the scanners and pads I showed you last time is more detailed than you might think.”
At Ian’s subtle threat, Duke Blake dropped his smile and let an air of intimidation fill the room.
“Your Highness, if you had stayed quiet as you did before, you could have lived a life of luxury, indulging in all the pleasures you desire. As your loyal servant, I can only feel sorrow at seeing you take such a reckless path.”
“How can one enjoy a drink when there’s a blade pressed right under their throat?”
Even at Duke Blake’s veiled threat, Ian’s expression didn’t falter. The Duke tapped his fingers on the table a few times before making a proposal.
“What is it that you want?”
“What are you willing to give me?”
The best negotiation tactic when you hold the upper hand is to make the other party present their offer first. There’s nothing more exhilarating.
“Your Highness, I hope you understand that what I’m about to offer is my final proposal.”
“I see. Duke, did you know? I’m also giving you my final proposal. Haven’t you considered that I might know things you don’t?”
Ian’s words made the Duke’s mind race. The fear he felt during the last internal affairs meeting when he glimpsed the data collected through the scanner and pads wasn’t because they had already found evidence but because those devices could uncover countless new pieces of evidence as they became more sophisticated.
Duke Blake decided to test Ian by using Baron Dalent as bait.
“Hmm, I’ll leave Baron Dalent alone from now on.”
When the Duke mentioned Baron Dalent again, Ian deliberately maintained a nonchalant expression. There was no need to hint at the Baron’s true value to the Duke.
“Well, that’s only natural, depending on the results of the investigation.”
Suspicious of Ian’s indifference toward Baron Dalent, Duke Blake scrutinized him closely, prompting Ian to add another comment.
“If you’re not satisfied, then feel free to conduct a fair investigation. Whether Baron Dalent lives or dies makes little difference to me.”
“Didn’t you help treat his mother?”
“You’re behind on your information, Duke. I wasn’t trying to help Baron Dalent; I simply needed to conduct an experiment with the Medison family.”
“An experiment? How intriguing.”
“You’ll find out in due time, Duke. Perhaps a little later than others?”
Ian’s taunt made Duke Blake momentarily forget about Baron Dalent. His mind was now filled with thoughts of reprimanding Oyoung. If Oyoung failed to gather information on the Medison family again, the Duke would have to consider restructuring the shadow unit.
“What I want is something else.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Do not touch or investigate me for the next six months.”
At Ian’s request not to touch him, the Duke’s expression darkened.
“We’ve never touched you before.”
“Is that so? If you believe that, then let’s end this discussion here.”
At Ian’s words, Duke Blake hesitated. Allowing the Third Prince, who had become a significant variable in his grand plan, to remain unchecked would be tantamount to carrying a great risk.
“Hmm. Let’s revise the terms a bit. The phrase ‘do not touch’ is rather vague.”
As Duke Blake spoke, Ian grinned and pulled out a magical contract prepared by Deus.
Recognizing the magical contract that would inflict severe pain on anyone who broke it, Duke Blake frowned.
“You knew I was coming.”
“Weren’t you expecting to have this conversation with me?”
“Well, I can’t deny that. May I take a look at the contract?”
Ian handed over the contract, and the Duke began reading it slowly.
Duke Blake agrees not to physically harm the Third Prince Ian or any of his subordinates.
This agreement shall be valid for three months from the date of signing.
Should either party fail to uphold the terms, they agree to suffer a powerful curse.
“Hmm… All I need to do is refrain from physical harm?”
“Isn’t that the only thing you planned to stop doing while continuing everything else out of sight? Contracts need to be clear, so I removed anything ambiguous.”
‘Three months… Not too bad.’
If all he had to do was refrain from physical threats, it wasn’t a bad deal.
“But it seems there’s no clause protecting me from physical threats by Your Highness.”
‘As expected, he’s a shrewd fox.’
“What physical threat could I possibly pose to you, Duke?”
Ian tried to brush it off, but Duke Blake was persistent when it came to matters like these.
“That only makes me more convinced we need to add that clause. If I can’t physically threaten you or your people, but you can threaten me, won’t I be in danger of losing my head to some back-alley thugs?”
Mentioning “back-alley thugs,” Duke Blake indicated that he was aware of Ian’s alliance with Katarina’s faction.
“How would you like to revise it?”
“How about this?”
Duke Blake skillfully began revising the contract.
Duke Blake and the Third Prince agree not to directly physically harm each other’s forces.
This contract is valid for three months from the date of signing.
Should either party fail to uphold the terms, they agree to suffer a powerful curse.
Duke Blake finished revising the contract and signed it with his blood.
“Will Your Highness sign?”
The Duke asked with a smile.
Cliche Novel 