“I will surpass you and rule Natra.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Wein broke into a triumphant smile.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Marvelous. You have my full support, Falanya.”
“And that’s the story.”
As Wein finished, he nodded in satisfaction. “Ah, they grow up so fast. The little Falanya I know now exists only in my memories. How bittersweet.”
The delivery of this news had left Ninym dumbstruck.
“I—I can’t believe Princess Falanya would do such a thing…” This was the last problem they needed. As Wein’s close aide and a citizen of Natra, Ninym knew a messy inheritance dispute like the Empire’s would be the worst sort of nightmare. “We must urge Princess Falanya to change her mind immediately!”
“I doubt she’ll listen. Falanya wouldn’t make a half-hearted bid for the throne.”
✦ ✦ ✦
✦ ✦ ✦
“That…that’s true! But still!” Needless to say, this dire twist of events had shattered Ninym’s usual composure. “How can you be so calm, Wein?!”
He acted as though removed from the situation, yet it had everything to do with him. Wein seemed no more bothered than if he’d been kissed by a gentle breeze. Ninym hadn’t meant to shout at him for it, but…
“Because I’ll win.”
“…!”
Ninym gasped when he answered with plain, perfect confidence.
“Calm down for a second and think it over, Ninym. Do you honestly believe I might lose?”
“Well…”
It was inconceivable. Wein and Falanya had different policies, but Wein was clearly an effective leader. He saw to his people’s needs, treated his civil and military officials well, and even boasted a list of accomplishments domestic and abroad. He was the antithesis of ineptitude.
Of course, Wein believed anyone at all could run the show. This was just his strange way of avoiding an angry mob, but for those unaware of his hidden motivations, Wein was the ideal prince. A small percentage supported Falanya because they either disagreed with Wein’s policies or considered him dangerous. However, their numbers posed no threat to his rule.
“It’s impossible, right? I doubt she’ll even manage to whip up an army, and a clumsy attack will mean the end of her uprising. For now, I’m content to quietly stand ready as I watch Falanya’s progress.”
“…”
Upon further consideration, Ninym realized that Wein was right. She’d overreacted a bit. Despite Falanya’s bold declaration, her support base was weak. Moreover, the princess was a pacifist by nature and surely wanted to avoid a vicious power struggle. Since Wein was her opponent, he really only needed to placate his rebellious little sister.
Despite Wein’s reassurance, Ninym’s heart remained uneasy.
Wein…
Falanya couldn’t win. That much was certain. So why did Ninym remain so anxious?
The answer was her master sitting before her.
Will this really be okay?
Was it a trick of her nervous mind or intuition born from years of experience?
Ninym sensed an ulterior motive behind Wein’s claims. She hoped it was her imagination, but she knew he might be hiding something from her.
“What’s wrong, Ninym?”
“It’s nothing.”
Ninym shook her head and gazed at the man she’d known since childhood. At that moment, he radiated the same bizarre aura as when they’d first met in the forest mansion.