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The First Princess had a puzzled expression upon recognizing the person who raised their hand. No, not just her, but everyone here.
It was no wonder.
“Anne? Are you out of your mind?”
Because the person who raised their hand was none other than the Second Princess.
With her gorgeous appearance, sociability, and political power, she deserved to be called the queen of high society. She was more cultured and elegant than any young lady.
The nobles around her were surprised and tried to make her change her mind.
“No, why, Second Princess?”
“Are you really going to follow Prince Ian?”
Everyone failed to understand.
The same was true for Ian.
“You want to go with me, sister?”
Ian raised the corners of his mouth.
“You’re not coming to get in my way, are you?”
“If you’re worried, I’ll leave the soldiers behind and go alone.”
“The Northern Expedition is a competition mission. You know you will be at a disadvantage if you join me, right? The moment you come under me, all the credit will be mine.”
“Of course.”
“But…”
“If I or any of my men harm you, I will take responsibility and resign from the competition.”
“!”
Resignation of the competition. Those words stirred up the aristocrats who followed the Second Princess.
It was also a warning to others not to touch Ian.
However, the Second Princess did not seem to care.
Instead, she said this with a nonchalant expression as if it was natural.
“I just felt that the path you chose could minimize the damage to Kaistein. At least if I help.”
“!”
Ian looked at the Second Princess with interest.
‘In my previous life, she chose the river. And she didn’t fight properly.’
It could be that she wasn’t interested in the Northern Expedition.
And she might have noticed something.
The cooperation of the First Princess and the crown prince, and what would happen if the Northern Expedition was dragged out and Kaistein’s forces were weakened.
Of course, even if that wasn’t the case, having the Second Princess on his side would be the same as having a good hand. It wasn’t for nothing that the First Princess had the Second Princess under her command.
That’s why Ian smiled.
“If you think so, I welcome you.”
“!?”
Other people’s eyes opened wide at his response.
The Second Princess, the very person raising her hand, was especially surprised, never expecting that Ian would accept it so easily.
“Are you serious?”
“It seems like it’s only my sister and me who think about this country when everyone else is preoccupied with the competition.”
The Second Princess flinched.
Her reaction was understandable.
The relationship between successors to the throne was of competition, not cooperation.
It was because even if they were all blood-related siblings, they could not trust each other sincerely. Ian couldn’t have accepted it.
That was why she couldn’t help but be surprised.
‘It was just something I threw out once.’
However, Ian was smiling at her.
He couldn’t believe the little move he threw to find a single person caught this much.
‘My sister, the Second Princess, is a household manager who has assisted the Department of Internal Affairs of the royal castle since she was a child.’
Lately, she had been doing a lot of work on behalf of the queen, who had a weak body.
Since childhood, she had been involved with other departments while working as a regent to make up for her lack of power compared to the other siblings.
They were the key personnel of Kaistein.
Of course not all, but it was evident that her influence was strong.
‘If my sister joins hands with me, I don’t have to worry about supplies.’
Her excellent practical skills, coupled with organic communication through cooperation with other departments, allowed her to be in charge of the royal household.
To be honest, he would have gone so far as to ask her to come if she didn’t have an ulterior motive.
In fact, the First Princess, the Third Prince, and the Fourth Prince seemed to be taken aback by the fact that the Second Princess was going with Ian. Marquis Adelas, in particular, had a slightly distorted expression.
And actually, it didn’t matter if she did have one.
‘Before that, I’ll use my sister’s connections to find Zabeth Huntill.’
That’s the real goal Ian was aiming for.
Zabeth Huntill.
It was the name of a master of logistics transportation and distribution. He heard that his ability on the battlefield was beyond imagination. He was a genius combat engineer who was said to have built a castle in just one day using soldiers.
Ian tried to find him in the royal court, but no one had that name.
He seemed to be hiding his name like Line did.
‘Would Sir Nathan have found him by now?’
The sociable man was now searching among key personnel. Even if Nathan couldn’t find him, Ian would surely be able to get Zabeth Huntill with the help of the Second Princess.
And it was then.
“Then I want to go with you.”
“I’ll go, too.”
They must have been surprised to see Ian accepting the Second Princess. Even those among the key personnel who wanted to follow Ian began to show up one after another. Everyone agreed with Ian and the Second Princess.
Unfortunately, of course, there was no Zabeth Huntill.
‘It’s a little disappointing… but I got a great harvest.’
Ian broke into a smile.
Of course, there were not only those seeing him in favor like them.
“This… is a problem.”
“I can’t just sit back and watch any longer.”
Some people were glaring at Ian with sharp gazes.
***
Despite the shocking development, the First Princess quickly concluded the meeting. Each successor set their own path.
The First Princess: Hill
The Third Prince: Plain
The Fourth Prince: Valley
Ian + the Second Princess: Mountain
As for the last path, the river, Lavaltor and his soldiers decided to move separately.
The nobles deliberately placed Lavaltor there. They must have been afraid of his cooperation with Ian.
But it didn’t matter to Ian.
Ian had little authority to exercise in this Northern Expedition anyway, and he did not need Duke Lavaltor’s cooperation in the first place.
Rather, it was better not to have Lavaltor in his plan now.
It was a time when other nobles and forces who did not know that moved on with a smile.
“You are here, Your Highness?”
The crown prince had arrived at some place without anyone knowing.
The person he came to visit was…
“Isn’t this different from the promise?”
It was the First Princess with a terrifying glare. Next to her was Marquis Adelas, with a stern face as well.
“Didn’t you definitely decide to support us in this Northern Expedition?”
That was the promise made in advance.
However, the crown prince stressed his stance as if it was unfair.
“I didn’t know it would turn like this as well. I only went there because I had something to check at the border.”
But he never expected such a bastard would come out.
It was a costly blunder to have not only his weakness caught by Ian but also part of his troops robbed of. Furthermore, the smear on his name would remain in history as the cost of losing the bet.
It’s a relief that the First Princess or Kaistein didn’t know about Cantum’s betrayal yet.
A misstep, and it could have led to an adverse effect.
So, the crown prince racked his brain.
“He has something I really need. I also couldn’t help it because he caught my weakness.”
The First Princess jolted at the mention of weakness, but Marquis Adelas asked in a hushed voice.
“Could you tell us what your weakness is?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
“But if you do, we might be able to solve it for you.”
The crown prince stroked his chin.
It certainly wasn’t a bad suggestion.
He was going to deal with Ian anyway. Moreover, using Marquis Adelas would not get his hands dirty.
But still, he didn’t tell Marquis Adelas.
‘People with eyes like these are very ambitious. He is not one to be on the same side for long.’
This man was different from Ian.
He was a person who looked beyond personal desire. That’s why the crown prince was late to notice it.
The crown prince smiled at the First Princess instead.
“Please rest assured, as I don’t have any more weaknesses. Instead, as promised, I will give you as much credit as I can in the future.”
“Alright, you’d better keep your word.”
Then the crown prince asked in a subdued voice.
“That’s why, why don’t you take this opportunity to deal with him?”
“I heard he’s your older brother?”
“That was a joke.”
The crown prince cast a meaningful gaze.
The glint in his eyes was as if begging her to take care of Ian. Unlike Marquis Adelas, he could put his trust in the First Princess.
However, the First Princess returned his gaze with a cold look.
“Are you saying you want me to assassinate him?”
“Well, I’ve heard that so many people died during the competition…”
The First Princess sneered.
“How laughable. If you’re going to say that, our talk ends here.”
“Look, First Princess.”
The First Princess turned around as if he wasn’t worth listening to. As a matter of fact, she was already seething with anger at the Second Princess, who followed Ian.
But there were also those who did not feel the same way.
Marquis Adelas smiled as if he didn’t mind such ideas.
“Many things happen during the war. Some die from being hit by falling rocks… but some die because food rations are cut off. Since the Seventh Prince has chosen the mountain path, his life will be in danger if the supply is cut off even once.”
“Oho?”
“If you so wish, I’ll do it in your stead…”
Marquis Adelas’ eyes gleamed with a murderous glint. He undoubtedly was going to deal with Ian for the sake of the First Princess and the crown prince.
The crown prince took the marquis’ reached-out hand with a helpless expression.
It’s the same as placing a bet he couldn’t pay back.
‘This is how I live.’
But of course, he had a hidden agenda.
‘Now, one person.’
He was going to meet all of the remaining successors without Ian’s knowledge.
However, he didn’t know.
“Huh?”
That someone outside the barrack was listening in on their talk now.
After listening to it, he headed to Ian’s barrack with hurried steps.
***
The meeting ended in a flash.
Other successors and nobles were in a hurry to depart for their assigned places.
But Ian was not in a hurry.
Nathan looked at him with incredulity.
“No, Your Highness. We have to hurry, but what are you doing?”
At this rate, other successors would conquer Bahara first.
Yet Ian only chuckled lightly.
“I’m looking for someone.”
“Do you mean the man named Zabeth Huntill you mentioned back then?”
“Have you found any leads?”
Nathan stared at Ian as if he was crazy.
He couldn’t believe Ian was still looking for a mere officer even during such an important event.
“What are you going to do if other people conquer Bahara first? I’ll find him again when I go to the castle later. First, let’s move…”
“Can they?”
“What?”
Ian curled up his lips.
“Bahara is not just any land. How do they seize it right away?”
Nathan was baffled by Ian’s words.
Ian’s decision to take the shortest path, the mountain route, didn’t make any sense. They were practically falling behind already.
So, he asked again.
“But didn’t you choose the dangerous mountain route so we could reach it first?”
“That’s right.”
“So, we…”
But Ian said adamantly.
“You must never move until Cantum moves first.”
“What?”
“They will never attack first.”
At his words, everyone around was surprised.
“Didn’t Cantum decide to attack first?”
“They probably will be just watching. To drain our forces.”
“…!”
Everyone exchanged glances. No matter how much they believed it, it was something decided at the military conference. It was simply incomprehensible how Cantum would ignore the promise between countries.
But Ian was sure.
‘It was like that in my previous life. Cantum cunningly delayed the schedule and waited for us to attack first.’
Due to this, Kaistein had to face Bahara’s elite soldiers and lose numerous soldiers. Bahara launched an all-out attack, knowing that Cantum was not moving.
That was why he was still turning a blind eye to the crown prince’s movements.
‘If he wants to kill me, he’ll have to move first.’
Only then would other successors trust him and move.
No matter how much the crown prince used his head, he was dancing in Ian’s palm.
‘Instead, I’ll make the emperor of Cantum move with this incident.’
This time, it wouldn’t end with calling him older brother. Ian smiled wickedly.
But he didn’t have to tell the knights everything.
“So, please do what I tell you to do now. Just spill this document to my brother and sister who secretly spy on me.”
The knights who received the letter looked disgusted. This prince was really something.
Having said so, Ian started looking for people again.
And actually, it wasn’t just because of one man that Ian didn’t move right away.
Wo-ong!
‘It’s getting stronger.’
Faith’s beating got increasingly more powerful. It felt like something big would happen soon. Of course, if there was one thing weighing on his mind, it was the whereabouts of Zabeth Huntill.
‘I’m sure he is participating in the Northern Expedition.’
It was at that very moment.
“Are you ready to leave?”
The Second Princess, with a similarly relaxed look, approached and talked to him. A man was walking alongside her.
Ian smiled.
“Are you really okay with this, sister? It must be hard for you to be on a mountain, right?”
“Don’t worry. I may not look like it, but I am used to it.”
Ian tilted his head.
It was because there was no connection between the Second Princess and the mountain, who should have only been in the royal castle all her life.
But there was something else that mattered more.
“Let me introduce you to someone who will follow you with me.”
The Second Princess pointed to the man she brought with her and began the introduction.
However, Ian couldn’t help but widen his eyes in shock.
It was inevitable.
“What did you just say?”
“He is Sir Huntill, who will be in charge of the logistics with me.”
Because he was the man Ian was looking for.
His figure was somewhat similar to that of a soldier, unlike someone who just did office jobs. However, the sharp eyes, along with the resolute look on his face, clearly reflected a sense of reliability.
“Although he works for Marquis Adelas, I called him because I needed his help urgently. His ability is excellent.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Princess.”
Ian’s eyes twinkled.
He wasn’t sure of his face because he had no contact with him in his previous life, but seeing that the Second Princess acknowledged him, he was probably not an ordinary person.
And it was certainly a familiar face.
‘I’ve seen him a few times at the palace meeting.’
And this was Zabeth Huntill.
It was when Ian thought he had found the person he wanted so surprisingly easily.
“Huh? Sister, what are you doing?”
“I’m changing into my work clothes.”
The Second Princess suddenly took off her dress in the middle of the camp. Fortunately, she had on other clothes inside. Unlike the dress, it was an outfit that was easy to move around in.
“Isn’t it cool?”
“I guess? I don’t recall ever seeing you look like that.”
“Try working overtime and staying up all night, too. You are bound to find this kind of clothes comfortable.”
“!”
Somehow Ian sensed a hint of the sorrow of working a desk job.
It was then.
“Zabeth-nim, I’m ready.”
Ian was taken by surprise hearing the name addressed to the Second Princess.
How could he not?
Zabeth was also the name of the person he was looking for.
Ian, who was a little surprised, asked the Second Princess.
“Why are you called that?”
“It’s the name my aides call me. That said, can’t I use my childhood name my big sister used to call me when we were young? Also, because my first name, Elizabeth, is too long.”
“!”
Ian beamed, his eyes sparkling at this unexpected name from the memory of his previous life.
Was it a coincidence?