Cale was dead wrong. He expected the damn prince to be irritated with him for acting as a lost cause with a useless tongue. The wonderful light! The damn lightbulb - which shines brighter than the sun - is having tea casually, sitting prettily as if he owns the damn place.

"ugh. Why am I stuck with you?" he snorts, stunned.

"I can hear you, little Cale," Alver replied smugly, looking at him and the egg he was caring for.

"What exactly is that?"

"an egg."

"Yes... I know, that's an egg, but what kind of egg?"

"a dragon egg."

*splurt! Cough! Cough!* "A WHAT?!"

Cale continued to pat the egg on his lap while ignoring the prince. "What? You want it?"

"No, why would I? It's yours," Alver says, coughing. He had no idea why, but it appears that he can easily swallow any bomb dropped by this little punk. He was expecting something strange from this boy, and he spoke for himself.

"Well, with a dragon, you can conquer the kingdom without doing anything."

"Are you seriously talking about rebellion or treason?" Alver challenged, but Cale smiled slyly.

"Then what are you trying to do? Nobles and mostly Royals would want power more than anything in this world, and everyone would kneel on their knees before a superpower," Cale said casually, dismissing Alver as if he were any other person.

Cale, on the other hand, was putting Alver to the test. hah! "Why would I want a superpower if I already have the entire kingdom?" he replied.

Cale gives him a look. His solemn expression is gradually giving way to a bright smile. He lived up to his reputation in the novel. A royal who wants the power of his people and seeks it.

"What I want to acquire is the power of men. Why would I want one superpower if I can build a kingdom created by the hands of man?" Alver says. "I am not like that. I want power, but not absolute power. I want strength, but that strength will not be mine alone. Isn't a peaceful and equal kingdom beautiful?"

Cale, who had read the novel, gave the prince a friendly smile. As expected, this prince did not disappoint him.

"If I become the monarch, I want to be one that no one will question my right to be there. The people will determine that I deserve that place. They will be the ones to judge who to lead them. Not the puny nobles. Not the factions. The people, with the power and strength, who by their hands created a free kingdom, will choose their leader."

"Of course, your highness, the people will be the most profitable investment," Cale had previously stated.

Alver exhaled a sigh of relief. Cale, he thought, was no ordinary punk. He was right.

"Well..." Alver takes a seat. "I intended to establish the hierarchy in the palace first, as the empress and the third prince gain power over the factions."

Cale was well aware that Alver lacked the kind of faction, relation, or connections that would allow him to maintain and grow his power.

"So, Big Brother Prince, what's your first move?"

"Seducing the people."

That is not what a young adolescent would say. Cale snorted and threw the black egg at the prince. He can have relations with the prince while also preventing something from happening. There will be a war, but Cale Henituse's forte is creating something worthwhile. There are no such things as useless items.

"Ron."

"Young Master-nim, yes."

"the document."

Cale is handed a file by Ron. Alver carefully placed the black egg on his lap and hugged it as if his life depended on it. "What is that?"

Cale replied, "Information about Venion Stan and the Stan Marquessate," and waited for Ron to clear the table. He placed three pictures: one with Taylor Stan, one with Venion Stan, and Viscount Tolz. Alver took the documents and began reading them. "My informant, as well as my servant's report... Venion is planning to kill his brother..." In the end, Taylor survived, but he was crippled.

Alver had been considering keeping the Stan Marquessate and Duke Gyerre in check. He replied with a devilish smile. "I have an ancient power that can cure anything once."

"you are wise, your majesty! The star of our Rowoon Kingdom is a blessing to the people! You will shine brightly and be the hope of the lost! The bright light that will create the pa - "

"Enough," Alver says to Cale. "I suppose... I should speak with the future Marquis Stan."

Alver couldn't help but snort and ask, "Aren't we the same?"

We're exactly the same. Though Alver sounds pretty begrudging,

Alver said, "Since you entrusted me with one of your secrets," while eying the black egg, "I will also let you in on my secret. But I guess that would be at our next meeting."

Because at the same time, Deruth entered the parlor.

[---]

Deruth looks at his son, a sour expression on his face. I guess my son's hobby will be turning the capital over. The thought made him shudder. Of course, they would! His self-proclaimed trashy firstborn was able to defraud the royal palace by receiving a golden plaque and special access to the palace.

Knowing his son, he made some clever connections with the first prince.

"Will you not be sorry for siding with the First Prince?" Deruth asks cautiously. Vicross is guarding the first prince as he sits casually on the couch with the egg in his arms.

"Father, what do you think is the most profitable investment?" Cale asked.

Deruth responded immediately, "People."

Cale was wearing a small smile on his face. Birds of the same feather flock together.

"His Highness desired to establish a kingdom for the people, of the people, and by the people," which would benefit him as well because war is on the horizon.

A kingdom whose people move on sounds appealing, doesn't it? The best kingdom is one that does not wait for the nobles to stand but will stand on their own without being ordered.

"I wanted to see that," Cale replied, "for the people starving, without anything, ostracized, a figure that puts them before the nobles will support that figure... not the absolute power of general welfare... but his Highness wants the absolute power of the common."

Live for the sake of peace and happiness. Live for freedom and fairness.

Deruth is pleased with the eyes he sees in his son. He frowned as he stared at his son for a long time.

"What?" Cale inquires.

"I wonder if I was your father," Deruth admitted honestly. All Deruth cared about was defending his territory and his family. He has never been involved in politics because he sees no reason to. He was just trying so hard to keep his territory safe from greedy people. They were powerful and wealthy, and the Henituse had everything at their disposal. That is why staying in their comfort zone became the humble household's solace.

It was the wrong mindset. He had it all wrong.

He can't protect his territory and family without his people. Even if he has amassed wealth, the people are working with him. Because of his people, he was able to become a benevolent leader capable of protecting his territory from the horrors of the underworld.

He was completely wrong. Curling, indifferently attempting to remain neutral to protect himself.

His ancestors chose to stay in the kingdom's boulder region to protect everything beneath them from death. They built wealth over years of isolation to keep up with the power even if they did not participate in politics.

Deruth knew they'd have to prove something to the nobles who had been attempting to invade their territory sooner or later.

He worked hard for prosperity. He worked so hard to achieve that peace and happiness.

His son... who foresees him becoming the center of attention for his brilliance and wit, will force him to move despite his hesitation.

"Let's try it, son," Deruth exclaims.

Cale looked at him, perplexed.

"You want to build something that will benefit our people," Deruth says, "who am I if I can't even support my son's endeavor?"

This will be bloody and difficult. Deruth has chosen a path where no one can stand in their way of peace. They stayed low for years, and they can stay low and gain the strength to bestow the crown on someone who will protect the peace and happiness they sought.

Happiness and peace

Simple words that have a significant impact on their lives.

They may be working too hard for the time being, but Deruth can already envision a place where his territory does not have to fear the wonders of the underworld.

"Yes... let's try it, father," Cale said with a big smile on his face.

Maintaining neutrality while preparing the person to take the throne. Deruth, who had the same personality as his son, smiled.

Creating a faction that represents the people sounds appealing, doesn't it?

"So, where are we going?" Alver asked, groggily yawning. The blasted punk Cale Henituse with the Chef barged into Alver's room late at night, leaving him with no time to change out of his pajamas.

"observing how Venion messes up his brother."

"You know, Cale, your information network is quite frightening."

"Oh, Big Brother Prince, you flatter me; I've always thought that information can be used as a weapon."

Alver groans and nods. Controlling information is the greatest strength of this punk's personality. He had to admit that, despite his efforts, he didn't know enough about his own Rowoon. He'd heard that Cale was the pitiful young master of the northeast, but that rumor seemed like a distant fantasy of a lunatic. A pitiful person would never behave in this manner.

So, still wearing his pajamas, he leaps over the tall wall. The city was quite empty.

But not the bloodied figure of Taylor Stan in the middle of the streets beneath the wreckage of the broken carriage.

"What the fuck?" he curses, running as fast as he can to assist.

"A fuck situation for a family, right?" Cale says casually as he pulls out a bottle of potion. He forced Taylor to drink it and had Vicross lift the carriage while they dragged Taylor out.

"I guess we were too late..." Cale admitted. His expression was one he hadn't expected to see this early in the morning. His calculating mind was fearsome.

Alver can't help but be taken aback and surprised. The young boy is calmly assessing the matter.

Cale was a talent that hides on his own, which he had never considered.

"I'm intrigued," Alver says, "even if it's not related to the Henituse, why are you doing all of this?"

He is simply the Count's son. Their worries must be solely about their territory.

"simple..." Cale replied, "I don't want the nobles to swallow my homeland, and Father agreed with me."

Cale is attempting to protect his land from power-hungry nobles.

"Well, Your Highness, I won't do work for free... I look forward to my rewards."

Hah. "That's it... you're a crazy bastard... at least cut some discount, you tinselly bastard," Alver snorts.

"I'll take that as a compliment, Your Highness."

Then they took Taylor Stan to the First Prince's Palace.

The Annual Conference's final day. The House of Commons was also present on the final day. There are still issues that need to be worked out with both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. It's a simple conference that has been passed down from generation to generation. The Lord will meet to discuss national issues, approving and creating laws that will apply to all territories. The House of Commons made up of nobility and the general public meets to approve laws.

However, due to the factions that have existed since then, the House of Commons has lost its approval powers. This causes poverty, famine, violations of rights that force people to pay higher taxes or involuntary servitude, and, most importantly, increases the power of the nobles.

Deruth had always remained silent in such situations, no matter how offensive they were. He cannot, however, agree with the new law that shifts the center of commerce to the center. Deruth had always suspected Duke Orsena of being a thief. The western and southern parts both had greedy ambitions and attempted to control commerce.

He is unable to agree. Not if it would harm his territory.

"I disagree with the centralization of commerce laws..."

"Why would you disagree?" said Marquis Ailan, who will benefit from the alliance with Duke Orsena.

"Concentrating commerce would be detrimental to merchants and low-producing labors and their products," said Deruth, "and importing and exporting under the unilateral act would cause prices to inflate... the kingdom's problem had always been poverty and famine."

Deruth admires Zed and the princes. He was relieved that the gritting first prince was attempting to control his tongue. He knew Alver was a compassionate prince who did everything in his power to help the common people.

"I agree with Lord Henituse. Small scale farmers will have difficulty exporting products to the central, and transportation would cost a fortune!" said the labor representative.

The House of Commons leaders concurred.

"Why would we bother with small-scale products?" Marquis Stan asks. "We're after the bulks, the merchants."

"Aren't they merchants, too, Deruth?"

"Those pheasants?" Marquis Stan slipped.

The temperature in the room dropped dramatically as a result of Marquis Stan's suggestion. "I move the law be passed under voting," he said, smugly.

The house of commons did not move after hearing the Marquis's arrogant order.

Deruth laughs loudly, which is unusual for him.

"Let's do it, Father... we're capable of it."

Live for peace and happiness.

"Our land will be consumed by greed sooner or later."

"Are you really in a hurry to take control of my territory?" Deruth asks boldly. After hearing his question, no one could speak. The merchants they wish to relocate are settling peacefully in Henituse Territory.

"I am not controlling commerce," he says to the crown, "but I am a great leader, and they feel confident with me leading them; I can see why people wanted to become residents in my territory."

Members of the House of Commons from the Northeast seconded with a nod.

"Hah! You're becoming more daring now that your son has made a connection with the First Prince!" exclaimed Duke Orsena.

"Well, are you afraid?" said Deruth, raising his brow.

Nobody said anything. The conference has become overly personal.

"What my son does is completely separate from the County... I, the Lord, hold political power... my son, one of my heir's connections is different from me... I am even proud to say that my self-proclaimed trash son was able to rock my house on fire with the First Prince, but that was an entirely different arson incident in my kitchen."

No one could do anything. Too distracted by what Deruth is attempting to say.

"Noblesse oblige."

"What are you trying to say now, Deruth?!" the agitated nobles from other factions shouted in disdain.

"Look who's not listening," Deruth grumbled, "your people are appealing to live. They are here asking and voicing for help. If you leave things as they are, people will leave to find a place where they have a chance to survive. In one way or another, this kingdom is finished."

Zed Crossman examines the ostensibly neutral Henituse Count.

"You don't even know what noblesse oblige means," Deruth said, "between the commons who are risking their lives to appeal and those of you who are doing nothing but building your factions, which of us are the true nobility?"

Deruth's words had silenced the entire grand hall. The nobles had sworn allegiance to the Rowoon kingdom, not the people who wore the crown.

"How can you say that, Deruth?" No one addresses Deruth as Lord any longer. "We, who are of noble birth, are the nobility; all others are -."

"Marquis," Deruth said pityingly to the Stan and Ailan Marquessates. "Are your ancestors born nobility?"

Several gasps echoed. Nobility is conferred and awarded based on merit.

"No... they weren't... even the royalty," Deruth said, looking at the crowns."

Deruth could be considered a treasonous bastard, but he has chosen to participate in the power struggle. A war is brewing in the north, and the best thing to do is for a wise and rational leader who cannot be influenced by the factions to emerge.

This is what he and Cale want.

"They become noble because they gave everything for this country. Giving everything for one's country varies depending on one's position and what it has to offer, as well as how they think, act, and accept responsibility."

Deruth approached the faction's seat slowly, his hand on the table, his gaze fixed on the nobles, "weren't noblemen originally counted not by birth, not by class, but by a willingness to sacrifice for their country?"

The hidden meaning of the Henituse Household's motto, which he was forced to adopt as Count.

"There is no need to be recorded in history." The fallen noble house remained as the guardian for generation, upholding its main reason for becoming nobles, "Live for peace and happiness instead."

No one spoke a single word. His remark, as well as the motto adopted in Henituse County, demonstrate why they are regarded as the noblest household in the Rowoon kingdom.

"The nobles had the obligation to move when there is a threat to the kingdom's existence... but why are the nobles the threat to the kingdom's existence? Are you trying to kill your people with the laws you are trying to create for self-benefit?"

Indeed, their mindset was able to place the Henituse in power.

A force that will act appropriately and protect the land on its own.

"You accuse me of being daring in my son's relationship with the prince?" Deruth laughs, "if the first prince wishes for a prosperous and peaceful kingdom, the Henituse will naturally follow his lead; if the second and third princes achieve what is beneficial to the people, the Henituse will naturally follow them."

Nobody is making a fuss. Everyone is listening to Deruth's declaration of participating in politics.

The royal family was given their position because their forefathers naturally led the people in peace through their wisdom and leadership.

"The Henituses had an obligation to the Kingdom..." Deruth sounded serious as he looked at the crown and its heirs, about to declare, "The Henituse is watching."

Deruth is confident that the power in the Northeast will shift to him. The neutral families will naturally follow him. They had been dormant for centuries, but that will no longer be the case.

"I move for the repeal of the law," Deruth declares.

If these nobles were still interested. He and his son had a plan or two to pressure these unruly bastards.

Cold War then!

Back at the Henituse Villa.

"So? what did the two of you do again?" the elegant voice asks sternly from the communication device.

Cale and Deruth exchanged glances.

"I've heard rumors... I can't believe you two... so what did you do?"

"Flipping the palace over?" said the father and son.

Violan from the communication device sighs. "Leave it to me... pressure you say... let's cut everything in hopes those trashes wail kneeling on the ground," her elegant voice said again.

Cale, "as one would expect from a mother."

"When you two return... expect punishments," Violan says, raising his brow.

Dude.