The Villainous Male Supporting Character Courts Death Every Day : Chapter 39

In the reception room of the ducal estate, two ambassadors to Osei who had arrived unexpectedly were being received. Both were from neighboring countries that bordered the North.

On the table sat several plates of exquisite pastries, untouched. The tea was half gone, but the room was silent, carrying a faint air of seriousness and unease.

“His Highness the Prince is, after all, young and full of fire. He always has some ideals. That is the privilege of youth.” The duke raised his cup with a smile, his tone gentle: “The entire plan is merely a spontaneous charitable movement by the people. The royal family is simply responding to public sentiment and lending a little support. The content is entirely humanitarian aid in livelihood and economic matters. You two need not worry overly.”

“The charity you speak of includes a great road leading straight to the snow plains.” The ambassador from the Carlos Empire sat ramrod straight, tall in stature, his expression serious, his tone heavy with challenge: “If the road is completed, your nation’s armies reaching the snow plains would be merely a matter of months. Your Grace the Duke, how do you explain this?”

“Only to the North, still far from the snow plains.” The duke set down his teacup, his tone unhurried: “The great road sounds grand, but in reality it is just a trade path. Those who travel it are workers and merchant caravans, carrying only livelihood necessities. Talk of armies is truly excessive.”

“Your Grace the Duke, you are mistaken there.” The Carlos ambassador frowned, leaning slightly forward: “To put it bluntly, if merchant caravans run on it, it is a trade path. If war horses run on it, it is a war path.”

The duke smiled faintly, his fingertips lightly tapping the teacup as he analyzed with reason: “By your logic, then thousands of troops galloping from the snow plains to the royal capital would also be merely a matter of months. Would the royal capital then be driving a thorn into its own heart?”

Hearing the duke’s reasonable analysis, the Carlos ambassador’s expression eased considerably.

The refined ambassador from Solon spoke: “If that is the case, then our Kingdom of Solon shall also open a trade path to the snow plains. In the future, we too can have frequent exchanges with your nation there.”

These words sounded friendly, yet carried a hint of probing. The duke spread his hands generously: “That would be even better. More exchanges between us, and there will be no misunderstandings.”

After saying this, the duke himself laughed out loud, and the two ambassadors laughed as well. Because everyone knew that the barren snow plains could not even grow wool. Opening a trade path there was utterly meaningless. This laughter carried a tone of behind-the-scenes mockery. Though it could not be stated openly, the atmosphere eased considerably.

At this moment, the old butler quietly entered, walked to the duke’s side, and whispered in his ear. The duke paused, his expression slightly surprised, then frowned and said: “I am entertaining guests here. Tell that brat to wait elsewhere.”

The two ambassadors were extremely perceptive and both rose to take their leave. The duke showed reluctance, warmly inviting the two to dine together, but both politely declined.

“We still need to go back and write our reports, so we shall not keep you.” The Carlos ambassador put on his coat, and just as he was about to bid farewell, he suddenly asked: “Does Your Grace the Duke know how many men and horses are being transported to the North from the royal capital each day?”

The duke’s movement froze for an instant, and in the next moment his gaze turned sharp. The Carlos ambassador, however, remained unhurried, speaking frankly: “Currently your nation is moving about frequently at the border. As a neighboring friend, hoping to obtain this data should not be too much to ask. I respect you, which is why I am speaking frankly with you. If you cannot provide effective guarantees, the trust between us will become very fragile.”

The duke gazed at him for a moment, his tone calm: “Such figures are not something I can casually answer alone. But I can give you my word right now: none of Osei’s national troops have been mobilized.”

The Carlos ambassador studied his expression, nodded, his heart slightly eased, his expression finally relaxing. He proactively extended his hand, gripping the duke’s firmly, concise and forceful, carrying the uprightness unique to a soldier, and also his trust in the duke.

The duke was from Osei’s military system. The Carlos ambassador, being a soldier himself, felt a natural closeness to him. They had a relationship on ordinary days; otherwise he would not have come to visit at the first sign of concern. This sense of reassurance was belief in the duke, and also belief in the duke’s power and information within Osei.

After the Carlos ambassador left, the Solon ambassador straightened his tie, his posture elegant, his tone warm and comforting: “Your Grace the Duke, I have known you for over ten years. I believe in you more than any other Osei person.” His tone shifted, and he said leisurely: “I simply want you to know that if there are any suspicious aspects to your nation’s projects in the North, our Kingdom of Solon will also begin defensive preparations at our borders.”

The duke nodded, indicating understanding, and said: “If it comes to that, that is your nation’s choice. But please remember, we have never viewed you as enemies. Working together for shared prosperity is what befits the great path.”

Knowing full well that your boss does not want to see you, yet still having to thicken your face and approach with a smile plastered all over it. That was exactly how Milo felt right now.

He had been sleeping soundly during his afternoon nap when Kyle stroked his face and softly woke him. In his sleep, hearing the man say he was requesting leave to go out, he woke with a start, nearly jumping out of bed.

Upon asking, he learned that Kyle had received a summons from the duke to enter the city immediately. The young master had issued a strict order not to let Kyle go out alone. After thinking it over, he decided to come along.

He had figured it out. If the system sent another timed mission at the last minute, he would have to enter the city anyway. It was better to bind their actions together from the start, suffering less and causing less fuss. At worst, he would get another slap on the face. Compared to the overtime alarm, that was something he could grit his teeth and get through.

Besides, when the duke summoned Kyle, the so-called official business was nothing more than the family properties assigned to the young master. Kyle was at most an executive manager; he was the project lead. Though he was only a figurehead in name, having the lead present at discussions was perfectly reasonable!

The moment Milo stepped into the duke’s office, his heart was pounding, but he forced out a smile and spoke before the duke could: “Father, if Kyle has done something poorly, it is my failure in supervision. Let me punish him on your behalf.” These words carried a bit of a spoiled tone, but they were essentially laying the groundwork for the duke to let him out to “supervise” Kyle.

The duke snorted coldly, set down his teacup, and ultimately said nothing, only remarking: “It is good that you came. It is time you learned and broadened your horizons.”

Saying this, he pulled out an evening newspaper and slapped it open on the desk with a snap.

Oh no, a current affairs test? Milo’s heart trembled. He pouted, stepped forward, and picked up the newspaper. Several large headlines leaped into view:

“Platinum Light Illuminates the North.”

“Mother and Son Joined in Heart, Creating a Path of Peace Together.”

“The Lucian Plan Launches, Imperial Responsibility Cannot Be Shirked.”

Milo blinked, his eyes dazzled by the reading. Before he could process it all, the duke had already spoken, and it was to Kyle.

“You had dealings with the Music Association before, did you not? Have they not always been supported by the queen? The Northern matter was still led by the queen’s donations.” The duke’s brow arched, his voice cold: “I donated as well. And now, suddenly they turn around and elevate the prince to the heavens? What is going on?”

“Internal association affairs are not known to outsiders.” Kyle lowered his head slightly, his posture respectful, his expression humble: “Only from observation, Her Majesty the Queen’s benevolence came first. Elevating the prince at this time is ‘carrying on the mother’s will to do good,’ and also a fine tale of mother and son sharing the same virtue.”

The duke said nothing. Kyle continued: “There have long been rumors of discord between the queen and prince. Perhaps this is to break those rumors.” Kyle’s voice dropped slightly: “After all, they excel at this sort of business.”

The duke fell silent, his fingertips tapping the desktop, his gaze falling deeply upon Kyle, his expression neither cold nor warm, half doubtful, half believing.

What he doubted was that at the signing ceremony, various political signals had been abnormal. What he believed was that not long ago, the association had taken his money to settle the scandal matter, which did make sense.

Mother and son sharing the same virtue was the most reasonable and best outcome. But why had the performance turned out that way? He had given 700 gold to shift attention. The queen had given 1000 gold. What was her aim?

Thinking of the scandal and the donations, dark flames of anger surged in the duke’s heart. He glanced coldly at Milo, his voice sinking: “What do you think?”

Suddenly called upon, Milo jumped in fright, nearly dropping the newspaper. He paused for a moment, then grinned with a frivolous tone: “That fellow Lucian, how could he possibly carry on someone else’s will?”

The lengthy articles in the newspaper made his head spin. He could not remember any “Lucian Plan” from the original story either. But fortunately, he knew Lucian, and quite well at that. Milo recalled with amusement: “When we were children, I took a piece of cake before him, and he got so angry he flipped the table, crying and throwing a tantrum. He is the most petty-minded of all.”

“How bold, speaking of His Highness that way? Have you no sense of propriety?” Though the duke was scolding him, his tone was mild, with not a trace of anger in his eyes.

Seeing this, Milo grew bolder, simply spreading his hands with a smile, his tone even more playful: “Anyway, I don’t believe he would like having his name listed alongside someone else’s, and especially not the queen’s.” As if remembering the image of the prince rolling on the floor as a child, Milo laughed even more heartily: “He always liked shouting about ‘reclaiming the respect he deserves’ and such. I think he might just be stepping on others to get his revenge.”

The duke’s fingers stopped. His eyes sank slightly, catching a thread of a clue that happened to match his own thoughts. An unspeakable speculation spread in his heart, and he fell into quiet contemplation.

Royal infighting was something he need not involve himself in. It would be best not to get dragged into it. But he should take out some insurance. Milo said the prince was petty-minded. The words were crude but the logic was sound. Had he not himself been hated by the prince over some trivial matter like a speech not mentioning him?

Their years of cold relationship ought to be properly mended, but his interests with the queen’s faction ran deeper, making it inconvenient to move about personally. The duke stroked his chin, then suddenly said to Milo: “It has been a long time since you visited the prince, has it not?”

“Huh?” Milo did not react. Why would he visit the prince? The two of them were known throughout the city to avoid each other when they met at social events, a relationship of mutual loathing.

“Go arrange it, have a meeting with the prince.” This was directed straight at Kyle. Seeing Kyle bow to accept the order, the duke felt this matter was practically guaranteed and set his mind at ease. Then he said to Milo: “You should not stay at the villa either. Move back into the city. Spend more time with the prince when you have the chance. You played together as children. Do not grow distant.”