After returning to the Castle of the Imperial Sword, the blade-like castle in the center of the capital, I immediately set off toward Leonard's room. Unfortunately, I ran into some ministers and nobles on the way.
"Well well, if it isn't Prince Arnold. You're looking hale today, Your Highness."
"Thanks, I guess."
"Indeed. I'm quite jealous, in fact, seeing you in such high spirits every day. Quite a contrast to Prince Leonard, spending all his time on various studies and pursuits."
"Yep. He's got a good head on his shoulders, unlike me."
"Precisely! I hear that he's planning on joining the battle for the throne. You mustn't let him go uncontested, Prince Arnold."
"Now now, don't go comparing Prince Arnold to Prince Leonard! They may be twins, but they're quite different in terms of ability!"
"Yes, you're absolutely right. My apologies, Your Highness."
"Don't worry about it. It's the truth."
With that final response, I passed by the group. Though they all respectfully bowed, they were also having a laugh at me. They knew I would never report their subtly offensive comments and behavior to the emperor, and that he wouldn't care even if I did. Of all the imperial family, I was the only one who wasn't treated as such. The nobles and ministers in the capital, never mind nobility in other regions, all treated me with disdain and disrespect.
That said, it was all because of the way I acted. And I didn't change the way I acted because I was fine with the situation. It was precisely because no one paid me any mind that I was able to freely live my other life as Silver and do what I pleased. Putting myself in this position was the only way to do what I wanted even from my status as prince.
I was still pondering that thought when I reached Leo's room.
"Hey, it's me!"
"Arnold?"
I walked into the room without knocking to find Leo sitting in a chair, hanging his head. Leo was eighteen years old. We were exactly the same age, of course, but Leo's composure made him seem much older sometimes.
We looked identical, but while Leo's hair was neatly combed, mine was messy. Leo's clothes were worn prim and properly, while mine were donned casually. Leo stood straight and tall; I hunched over. Thanks to all those differences, we were never mistaken for one another once we got older.
When I looked at my twin brother now, I saw his face was haggard. Having my own face stare back at me looking so glum and worn out was depressing.
"I heard the news. So the old guy is dead, huh?"
"Yeah..."
"I guess he was probably assassinated?"
"Yeah...probably."
Like me, he wasn't going to say something naïve, like, that surely he hadn't been assassinated by one of our brothers or sisters. Assassination was the greatest possibility, given the current circumstances.
"What are we going to do?"
"...I don't want to get into conflict with my family."
"I thought you might say that."
Leo himself had no desire to fight for the throne. It was all his many admirers who wanted that to happen, one of those admirers being Dominik. True to his comment, Leo was opposed to fighting within the family for the throne. It just so happened that given his brains, talent, and likable personality, he was naturally becoming the fourth top runner, after the Second and Third Imperial Princes and the Second Imperial Princess.
That's why Dominik, the one promoting his candidacy, would have been assassinated. However, this didn't mean Leo was safe. No matter which one of the other front-runners became emperor, a dark future awaited him.
But being averse to that future didn't mean Leo and I could run and hide. We couldn't leave behind our mother, a member of the emperor's harem. Although we would undoubtedly be chased down for shirking our duties as part of the imperial family, taking a woman of the harem, one of the emperor's wives, along with us would result in even more serious retaliation. Even with my best efforts, we'd be in for a long haul of running from the law. That left us only one option.
"You're already seen as an enemy. If you don't participate in the run for the throne, it's a death sentence. That goes for me and Mother, too."
"Yeah... I know. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. Just take a stance."
"...I have no choice but to join the battle for the throne."
Leo spoke the words with a look of reluctant determination. If Leo had only had to worry about himself, he would likely have withdrawn from the fight, even at the expense of his own life. It was the possibility of harm coming to those around him that pressured him into pursuit of the throne.
In the end, that was also the reason those same people would want to help him out and see him as the next emperor. From my point of view, Leo was too nice to be emperor...but there was no point in dwelling on that. In light of recent events, he had to become emperor at all costs.
"I'll provide what little help I can. You concentrate on gaining supporters and creating influence. The bigger your presence, the more likely the others will leave you alone."
The conflict for the throne was a battle of influence. Whoever had the greatest influence would win. The top "Three" had powerful influence as well as plentiful human resources behind them. Even if I were pushed to assassination, I'd have little chance of success. I could maybe take down one, possibly two, but not all three. There wasn't much I could accomplish while trying to keep it a secret. It was completely different than, say, killing someone with magic. And, of course, I had no will or desire to assassinate anyone, anyway.
We were only in this situation in the first place due to the death of our eldest brother. Assassination wouldn't solve anything, and Father probably wouldn't allow Leo to take the throne. Anyone discovered to have participated in an assassination, or even under strong suspicion of such, would be considered unsuitable for the position of emperor from a perspective of dignity and competency. If there were an assassination, it would have to be done in total secrecy and without any suspicion. But that would be too difficult. At present, me choosing assassination would leave Leo as the most suspicious. All of that meant that method was off the table.
"Thanks. And what about you?"
"I'll look for more supporters myself. But don't get your hopes up. Practically all the influential ministers and nobles already belong to factions of one of the top three front-runners."
"I know. I still appreciate it... But you know, Arnold, I really think you're more suited to being emperor than I am."
"Don't be ridiculous. I'd lose my life of leisure if I ever became emperor. My life plan involves marrying a beautiful woman and having fun. And I need you to become emperor to make that happen!"
I patted Leo on the shoulder as I made my declaration and noticed his body faintly trembling. Not that I could blame him. Even to the amazing Leo, the top three front-runners were formidable foes. In terms of capability, no matter who became emperor, the empire, as well as its influence and power, would be in safe hands.
But no matter how dominant they might be, no one was omnipotent. With three contenders vying against each other for the throne, that meant an opportunity for Leo could present itself.
"Well, let's start by gaining supporters and getting Father's approval, Leo."
"Right. It's Father who'll make the final decision on his successor, after all."
"Now, how can we get His Royal Majesty's approval..."
And that's how our grab for the throne began.