The Extra Wants To Live

"Your Majesty Carl."

As soon as Carl left the party venue, a servant called for him. Carl did not answer, but followed him straight away.

"Lady Catherine, you may go and rest now."

Carl spoke firmly to Catherine as they left the party together. It wasn't that he was keeping his distance; it was because if he didn't say anything, Catherine would come and stay by Carl's side.

Catherine needed to rest too.

She must be tired from the unfamiliar party.

"Yes, Lord Carl."

Catherine also knew that and quickly got out of the way. Carl walked leisurely into the depths of the palace, knowing full well that even this quiet movement would be noticed by everyone tomorrow, so he did not try to act secretly.

In the first place, it's something that you want everyone to see. The place Carl was guided to was the reception room that Aric used to welcome guests.

"Carl, sit down."

Aric, who was already sitting, pointed to the chair across from him and spoke quietly.

The order is… no. He was just making a suggestion.

However, Aric's proud attitude, which he has grown up with, considering himself to be the ruler, refuses to be rejected.

Carl sat down opposite Aric, not wanting to waste time on pointless arguments.

"Do you like tea?"

"I don't mind tea or alcohol, but I don't have a preference either."

"Then what do you enjoy?"

"I enjoy strategy, tactics, and martial arts."

"I can't treat you with a knife, so I'll give you what I prefer."

In response to Carl's answer, Aric poured himself some tea with a calm expression.

"This is tea imported from Tumari. The pleasant aroma clears your mind and allows you to see clearly."

Aric's only hobby is drinking tea.

Even that was due to perfectionism that could not tolerate even a single mistake rather than personal taste.

The tea that Aric mainly drinks is a tea that suppresses excitement and tension and clears the head.

Carl took the tea Aric had offered, sniffed it, and drank it without any suspicion.

Of course, Aric also drank his own tea.

"You're better than I expected, Carl."

Aric spoke calmly and with an unwavering voice.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Carl says with a blank expression, but a mysterious smile.

"Didn't you come to me with an armful of what I needed but couldn't easily obtain, and give it to me in a flawless, perfect way?"

Aric puts down his teacup, folds his arms on his lap, and speaks.

His sun-like eyes look deeply into Carl's eyes.

Aric enjoys the enthusiastic support of the political aristocracy, but in return he has become estranged from the military.

This is a natural phenomenon that occurred while following Azgoth' internally oriented policy.

But Aric is not stupid and knows that he cannot defend this vast empire without keeping the military at arm's length. reading-here-on-NovelFire

The problem was that it was not easy for Nero, who had such exceptional talent, to gain support from the military.

Aric and the military know very well that Nero does not want the throne.

It's just that he's a nobleman, but because Nero is so outstanding, no one around him will leave him alone.

In the meantime, Carl got his hands on Milione, the most powerful man in the military during peacetime, and gave him to Aric.

Carl scratched the itch that had been bothering Aric for the past ten years.

And if Carl turns around, the military's support will go away forever.

Milione clearly showed this to Aric with his strange behavior.

That means Aric must hold on to Carl at all costs.

"Indeed, it is unbelievably wonderful. If you had just gotten over your illness a little earlier, you would have seriously considered giving up the crown prince's position."

Balos nods and praises Carl.

This is what a 16-year-old boy who got over an illness two months ago did. For Aric, who is truly concerned about the future of the empire, Carl is the perfect candidate for a monarch.

"Is it east?"

"Well, isn't that something you, my brother, who carries the future of the empire, should decide?"

"Good. I originally planned to leave it to Nero, but I think I can trust you and leave it to him."

That was the end of it. This brief promise laid the foundation for Carl to later acquire enormous military power along with the heavy responsibility of guarding the eastern part of the empire while keeping Tumaria in check.

"I heard about what happened at Dabron. I'm sure you've already made a lot of friends, so I won't worry."

Aric understood well the number that Carl had prepared. So instead of fighting pointlessly, he gave Carl what he wanted.

Carl was the first to grab what Aric desperately needed.

If you don't do even this much, you may end up exposing not just your arms and legs, but your internal organs as the aftermath. … If you're unlucky, your neck might fall off.

This little brother is already ready for that.

If Aric try to use him as he please, he will end up paying the price himself.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Aric shook his head seriously at Carl's slightly playful remark.

"Since Your Majesty has delayed the appointment of a crown prince, I am still just one of many princes equal to you."

The fact that he said that with all sincerity is what makes Aric so scary.

Unlike Adrian, there are some aspects that make him seem inhuman.

… Really, if it weren't for Adrian, it would have been best if Aric had become emperor.

"Then I will take my leave now. I think you too must be tired from the long journey. I think it would be better for you to rest now."

"I won't see you off. Just take a look."

Carl smiled, greeted Aric, and left the room.

Even though it was late at night and darkness had fallen, the palace was bright as if the sun had risen.

However, the shadow chasing Carl, avoiding everyone's gaze, slowly revealed itself and followed him without being noticed by anyone.

Even after Carl entered the room, the shadow did not head towards the promised location deep within the palace, but instead lingered in the crack of the door for a long time before disappearing.

In the room, the voices of a mother waiting for her son who did not return home until late and the excited voices of a son who had prepared a surprise gift for his mother could be heard.

The young monster who had decided the future of a great empire with just a few words was nowhere to be found.

There is just a boy who is either immature or mature, trying to impress his mother and make her cry.

In the end, Carl's plan was a brilliant success.

When Lilly, sobbing and crying, accepted the clothes without refusing, hugged them tightly to her chest, and said thank you, Carl smiled proudly like a 16-year-old child.