Chapter Eleven: The Hero Who Flew Too Close to the Sun
Side View: Ismail
DAMMIT, dammit, God dammit. Nothing is going right. I need to connect with influential nobles in this country so I’ll be accepted as royalty and show everyone how incompetent Shaghad is, but…
“Dammit.”
At this rate, I won’t even be able to get back at all those in Rienbul who’ve made a fool of me, let alone have them accept me as royalty.
“I will be royalty.”
And I will make those people pay for making a fool of me.
“I’m the one best suited for the throne.”
Far more so than Shaghad.
“I have the more legitimate claim to the throne.”
Because Father loves me.
“Ismail, your sole pride in life is that Father loves you.”
“Be quiet!”
Be quiet, be quiet, be quiet!
“I will be king! The crown belongs to me! Not him. Me! Me, Shaghad, do you hear me?!”
I swept everything off the table in rage. Objects thudded to the floor and broke, but I didn’t care. I didn’t have any space in my mind to care, which was also why I didn’t notice.
“It’s your fault for existing, Shaghad. This isn’t my fault; it’s yours. Everything is your fault, and I must execute you for your crimes. Yes, Shaghad.”
It was why I didn’t notice the eyes watching from the attic as I laughed.
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Side View: Rick
SIA came back from watching Ismail, and I set her on my lap and stroked her hair. It was her reward for bringing me information.
“Looks like Ismail will make a serious move this time,” I said.
Most of the assassins Ismail’s parents hired had died at Selena’s or Shaghad’s hands. They surely were close to running low on their stock of assassins.
“I’ll have to make things ready to give him the opportunity to kill Shaghad.”
Evan would likely arrange the stage. It’d be more natural for him to invite Shaghad to something rather than Selena since he was royalty as well. It’d be easy for him to draw Shaghad to somewhere with few people.
“The stage will be set, and the actors readied, I suppose.”
You could sympathize with Ismail when you consider the environment he grew up in. I did feel bad for him, but this was a fight for a throne. Ismail never had a claim to that throne, but there was no hiding that he had royal blood in his veins. That was probably how he was forced to take on a fate he could never escape.
Sometimes, I think royals are a cursed breed.
But maybe I’m letting myself get too emotional. All I do is do my best for the kingdom of Astra. Even if that best turns out to be the worst for someone else or some other country, I won’t hold back.
I’m the nephew of the king of Astra and head of the kingdom’s dark side, and I won’t apologize for that, nor will I justify what I do. I just carry out the role given to me.
“Ismail, it’s not assassins who will kill Shaghad. It’s you. Kill him of your own will. And, Shaghad, it’s not Selena or Tiegel who will kill Ismail. It’s you. You kill him with your own will as well. Everything will be as you two will it to be.”
And so, you two will bear the responsibility and sin of your actions.
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“A picnic?”
“Yes.”
At the Academy, Evan invited Shaghad, Ismail, and Aisha to a picnic.
“I’d like to show you Astra’s natural beauty while you’re here. It would also be an opportunity to strengthen our bonds. What do you think?” he asked.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea!” cried Aisha, showing her approval before Shaghad could, despite him being of a higher station. She, of course, didn’t forget to cling to Evan’s arm, pressing her chest against him.
I was also going to this picnic.
“We’ve come all this way to Astra, after all,” said Aisha. “I want to be closer to you, Your Highness.”
Evan pulled his arm away from Aisha and casually took a step back. Aisha followed. She was getting more persistent. It showed how desperate she and Ismail were becoming, which meant they’d fall easily into Evan’s trap.
Once Ismail was finished, I’d turn my attention to Aisha.
“It’s a perfect idea, Your Highness,” said Ismail. “I am entirely on board.”
Ismail agreed to the picnic after Aisha, again. Did they still think they were above Shaghad?
On top of that, there was a gleam in Ismail’s eyes. There was none of the easy confidence from before. He instead had an undefined air of panic about him.
Rick’s information confirmed Ismail hired new assassins, and Rick already had evidence to prove it.
I felt eyes on me as I was thinking. When I looked up, my eyes met Shaghad’s. He didn’t say anything but seemed to have guessed what was going on. I gave him a smile, but his expression stiffened for some reason.
He cleared his throat to try and hide that, then agreed to Evan’s proposal.