Chapter 4: Behind the Scenes
Bad news after bad news, those were the only things that happened to him after his second life. Thinking back, maybe reincarnating normally was the better way.
"How can that be! I may have people in my family who do not see me favorably, but to plan and kill me?! And one of those people I considered to be the closest to me…"
Brian lost all strength he has left. No matter how he thinks about it, no matter what memories he glimpsed within nanoseconds, he cannot believe in what he just heard.
"What is the reason that even they had the audacity to make your son hostage." A sympathetic Brian told the gentleman in front of him.
He knows the only way they can make Asti become helpless and force to betray, is when his son's life is involved. Brian has met his son a few times already. He knows how doting of a father Asti could be. If there was a person who he prioritized over Brian, it would only be him. Not even His Majesty would be able to move his dedication on his son.
'I wished I have been a loving parent like him.' Brian thought to himself when thinking back to his life as Bryan.
Asti felt deep gratitude when the man he has been serving for almost half his life has understood him. Recognizing that he should not hide things anymore, he regained back his spirit. The air around him has changed back to his usual cold demeanor which means he was now serious.
"A big change is going to happen soon Your Highness… The new King will soon be declared."
Another sorrowful news, yet Brian has taken it better compared to the previous ones. He knows this moment will come sooner or later, but hearing it still makes him depressed. Despite reincarnating just recently, all the relationship and sentiments Brian has during his life has become one with him.
His Majesty is a great ruler. However, he does not forget his relationship with his own family. Brian has experienced this first-hand by how much he was spoiled by him when he was young. Even up to this day, he tries to help him in his expeditions if it was possible. Feeling the nostalgia of his love as a grandson, Brian cannot help but mumble to himself, "So, grandfather is already on his deathbed…"
Two people becoming one. One whose family did their best to love him despite ignoring it to the point of leaving him while the other has a loving family who he thought was a peaceful one until today where they seem to have betrayed him. Brian was having a conflict within himself.
Suddenly putting himself in a situation where he needs to accept that he was living the fragments of two people is more difficult than what it seems. The only thing that keeps him focused on the situation currently is because of how dire it is.
"Crowning a new king does not explain the current situation. The next in line should be my father or my brothers, and I never gave any consideration on becoming one."
Asti nodded agreeing to everything what Brian just said. He also now knows His Highness has not heard the news yet so he added, "It is expected before the end of the week, the crown will have another man under it. So, before His Majesty lost his ability to speak, he announced the one who will be inheriting his role."
"It's not my father?" Brian has somewhat realized where this was coming to.
"You Highness… You have been given the blessing of the upcoming previous King to be the next in line…"
Just those words and all swords have turned to him. Now all things connect to one another resulting in the situation today. The temptation of authority and power can really change a man. Brian thought to himself.
There were familial disputes because of inheritance back in his old world so it was not new for him. Now experiencing it up close, he cannot help but think how stupid it is.
'Brian has avoided the political side of reigning an empire by focusing only on his military affairs, yet it still comes back to haunt him. He is the number one person in the heart of the military people. However, even a layman back on earth knows that there are people behind those armies. A revolution may happen if the army rejects those people behind them, but the nobles in this world are also as powerful as the army. Strength is one thing, but when they are the one who decides what life you will have in their territory, even the army needs to bow down.'
He started to regret the life he led during the past 25 years. Creating no noise on the noble and political side at all, he is left with no trustworthy allies anymore.
'I doubt the other families will help me this time when even my wife has turned against me. But why would she?' Brian was still confused on the part concerning his wife being the mastermind behind his death.
When Brian was thinking by himself, Asti seems to have to guess what was on his mind. He gave him a minute or so to take in all new information. With that being said, he cleaned the room from the mess His Highness made. Using magic to remove the stains and the shards of the broken bottle, the place looks the same as what it was the day before.
Picking up Balmun from the ground, he realized that his death might be imminent if not for the weak constitution His Highness had. 'His Highness might not have died from the poison, but he is now crippled.' Asti sighs dejectedly.
Hanging the longsword back on the wall, he turned his back to finish what he was saying.
"Your father and elder brother have already prepared an excuse for the people of the Empire for your death. When His Majesty finally dies, they will announce how you died honorably for the trying to claim Mirage City."
"Honorably… How stupid to hear it considering the context. If it was other people who are planning to invade Mirage City, they will only be disdained as idiots. Now I know why Sofia convince me to stay here for a week."
'That must mean all news that has been coming in this Manor has been falsified.'
The mystery behind the fact how nothing strange happened during the time he stayed here was answered. There was no information regarding his army being sent out towards Mirage City. Brian may be the only one here who does not know what was behind the scenes. Little did he know, the knight 'Brian Laurefort' and his army are already fighting monsters in Mirage City.
"Yet people of the empire trust you have the capabilities to achieve the impossible. Dying for the empire... That would make you a hero of the empire. Lived and died as a hero, no one will question your death."
"A well-made plan indeed."
"I don't know if I can say this to you, Your Highness but…" Asti spoke with some reluctance.
Brian thought he would end his report at this point. He wished he would end it because he is the bearer of bad news. He cannot imagine what was left that made him hesitate this much.
"Paia."
A name that has not come out of their serious conversation suddenly shows itself. Brian has not expected their circumstances would get more ridiculous than it is. So, he coldly asked, "What about my daughter?"
"Your wife is also planning to dispose Paia of the same time as they announced your death… They will explain how she died of a mysterious illness."
"That damn woman!!!" Brian smacked his seat as hard as he could, yet no clear damage was done. His knight strength is already non-existent although it did not lessen the anger that he showed.
The woman who should be the love of his life became a stranger in a blink of a second.
"Paia has nothing to do with this! What is her reason?!"
"Sorry, Your Highness, but I don't know why the reason behind her action."
'The battle behind the scenes, that I can understand. But to involve my two-year-old daughter out of nowhere, there making an enemy out of me.' Brian swore in his heart to remember all names who are opposing him.
"Where is Paia?!"
"Currently, she is with Her Highness. The only instruction she only gave me was about disposing of your dead body making sure no one will be able to find it."
"Tell me where she currently is. I'll make her realize how stupid her actions are."
Brian took himself up and prepared to leave. He knows that it was stupid for the crippled him to go out there and enter the tiger's den. Nevertheless, when his daughter is involved, he rather die alone than have her accompany him to the afterlife.
When he was just about a meter away from the exit, Asti blocked his way.
"Please calm down Your Highness. I know how a father feels, but what you will be doing will not only harm you but also your daughter."
Gaining back Brain's attention, he followed up, "I have a way to make sure she does not succumb to this cruel fate."
Hearing that there was a chance, Brian stopped in his tracks and glared at the man who proposed a solution. His expression is someone who is prepared to kill. As weak as he may be, you cannot lose your demeanor in a single night. The countless battles reflected on his eyes ready to join another one.
Anyone would be intimated by this except Asti for he knows where that killing intent is heading towards. He made sure to stop His Highness before he starts declaring a one-man war against the whole manor.
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