The Third Prince Of Darkness

"I forgive you... but first, tell me what happened" Richard said.

"Of course, Your Majesty. I came here to visit you and convey two important matters. However... not only did Queen Fiona's guard or knight tell us that we couldn't come in, but he also behaved disrespectfully towards me.

Someone who acts so immorally towards a prince has also wronged the Kingdom of Asina, and as a prince of Asina, I was about to use my authority to kill the guard when my knight and companion, Emilia, drew her sword and dealt with that scoundrel. After that, as if the previous disrespect wasn't enough, Queen Fiona's other guards drew their swords on us.

In the midst of all these events, it was quite difficult to control my anger. And on top of everything, I thought of the assassination attempt against me when I was six years old by Queen Fiona and felt my life was threatened again, which made me overreact a bit."

When I finished my long speech, I glanced at Fiona and licked my lips with satisfaction when I saw her shocked expression.

"Is what he says true?" Richard asked someone nearby, who turned out to be my father's knight, not Fiona's. He had white hair, brown eyes, and a formidable physique.

I had seen this man before. He was none other than Ugah Linaswan, the famous sword master of the Kingdom of Asina, known for his honesty. He was like an idol to all the knights in Asina, without exception. Additionally, he had been a knight since Richard's grandfather's time, making him a true legend.

"Completely true, Your Majesty" he said in a deep, raspy voice.

Just as I had heard, this man was honest and virtuous. Unfortunately, he had never taken sides in any throne struggles, and it seemed he would remain neutral in any future conflicts as well.

"I understand... You may rise, Ethan. Later, I will ask you for a detailed report, and rest assured that no one who disrespected you today will continue to live," he said, then added, "Now, follow me."

I stood up and continued on my way, feeling Fiona's dagger-like gaze on my back. Richard led me to a study, and after sitting at his desk, looked at me silently. I closed the door behind me and sat in a chair.

"You mentioned you came here for an important reason, I believe?" he said.

"Yes, Your Majesty. First, let me present you with the letter sent by our men in the north" I said.

Richard signaled with his hand for me to hand over the letter, and after giving it to him, I sat back down quietly. I was certain there was a woman eavesdropping on us from outside the door, and I hadn't anticipated that today's unpleasant events would work in my favor.

"I understand... For now, it would be best to monitor the situation. What was the other matter?" he asked.

Straightening my back in my chair, I said, "Your Majesty, if you permit, I would like to take action to stop the rebellion that started in the eastern Blackswamp village."

"I was about to send a large force there... But are you sure? Leading an army of hundreds and successfully quelling a rebellion is a hard task. Have you also discussed this with your mother?"

"No, Your Majesty, but I am sure my mother will understand. As for leading an army... well, we will see if I succeed, but I must say I have confidence in myself."

Richard rubbed his chin for a while and quietly looked at the ceiling.

"Very well, then. I grant you permission, but first, convince your mother. I don't want her nagging me later. Also, I will order the army assembled to quell the rebellion to be increased... Now, if you wish, stay here tonight, and we will return to the palace together tomorrow" he said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but if this is not an order, I would prefer to return to the palace now. Staying in the house of a woman who arranged an assassination attempt on a six-year-old child is not very reassuring" I said.

Surprised by my words, Richard merely grimaced, but did not object. After all, nothing I said was a lie.

"Very well... You may go."

"With your permission, Your Majesty," I said and walked toward the door without turning my back. Turning your back on someone of a higher rank, especially a king, is a great disrespect and can even cost you your life.

After leaving the room, I hurried through the corridors leading to the main door and saw Fiona waiting by the door with her arms crossed. She seemed to want to say something to me, and in her eyes... regret? I didn't know what it was or what manipulation plan she had, but it was best to ignore her.

Without looking at her, I walked past, and for a moment, she raised her hand to stop me, but then changed her mind. Turning my back on a noble higher in rank than me on paper, I exited and went to Emilia, who was waiting for me there. We quickly got into the carriage and set off for the palace with the cavalry units.

----

When I arrived at the palace, I quickly ordered the servants to prepare a meal for me and went to my study. While reviewing the information I had previously prepared and read about the rebellion, Emilia and the servants came in and placed my meal on the table. As usual, Emilia checked for poison in the food with an expensive natural white stone and then allowed the servants to leave.

"I told them to prepare for you as well, so sit down and eat" I said to Emilia.

Emilia nodded and sat in a chair. While reading the documents about the rebellion, I ate my meal. Starting a rebellion is a significant crime, but those who participated in this rebellion had committed far greater crimes than any other rebels. After all, the reason for the rebellion was that the rebels wanted to join another state, the Tamerid Empire.

The village where the rebellion began is frighteningly close to the border with the Tamerid Empire, and the villagers started the rebellion because they wanted to come under the protection of the Tamerid Empire. So the people on a piece of land within the Kingdom of Asina want to join another state and thus want the lands remaining in the Kingdom of Asina to pass to the Tamerid Empire...

This is truly madness.

In this world, where wars have killed thousands for even a small piece of land, they want to join another state! Undoubtedly, this is a challenge to the Kingdom of Asina, and the rebels must be quickly eradicated.

Previously, a 450-strong army was sent to the region from the capital and placed under the command of the local lord, but not only was the rebellion not suppressed, the number of those joining the rebellion increased. Now the rebellion is not limited to the village of Blackswamp but has spread to many villages and even a town on the border.

Anyway, for now, I have learned everything I can about the rebellion. I need to wait for the army to be put under my command to be prepared, and since they are already in the preparation process, it doesn't seem like it will take long to set off.

After finishing my meal, I looked at Emilia and realized how sweet she was. Truly, Emilia is perhaps the one I trust as much as Luciana and Isabella in my life. She has been by my side since I was probably six months old, and to be honest, I have been feeling certain things towards her for a long time. Also, now that I think about it, I need a woman I can trust on this thorny path to the throne...

What about...? What if I say that?

"Emilia..."

"What is it, Your Excellency?" she asked sweetly, swallowing the food in her mouth.

"Will you marry me?"

"!!!!!"

_____

Emilia's Illustrations is in the comments!