Chapter 50

The conversation was mostly one-sided. When Prince Orca smiled and brought up a topic, Altair would give a brief response, and the silence would continue. Normally, the person who responded would bring up a new topic, but Altair didn't care much for such rules. This was especially true when he didn't like the other person, and Prince Orca was definitely someone he didn't like. Ironically, his cold treatment only piqued Orca's interest. No matter how much he didn't receive the emperor's favor, he was still a prince. The power that came with his status was immense, and people always tried to make a good impression on him. Perhaps thinking that a good relationship might be useful someday, few people outright rejected him like Altair did.

'What impresses me is that even in this situation, he doesn't act rudely or improperly.'

Drawing a line with rudeness is the way of the amateurs.

'Being able to reject someone while maintaining propriety and elegance...'

It means he's not an ordinary person.

'Both the husband and wife are interesting.'

Why are such interesting people not known in society?

'No, no.'

He had definitely heard stories about the wife. She lost her parents suddenly and couldn't maintain her title, falling into a dire situation.

'There were no stories about this lady being so interesting.'

As Orca thought this, he was stroking his teacup. Suddenly, a large bird flew in from above their heads. Looking up, he saw the large bird circling in place, as if enjoying the attention, and announcing its presence with a long cry. Recognizing the bird immediately, Orca asked confidently,

"A Jirard hawk?"

"…Yes."

This time, Altair raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly surprised, and asked,

"You recognized it right away?"

"Because of its distinctive cry. And its entirely black body, like a crow's."

But it was much larger than a crow. Prince Orca watched the hawk slowly descend onto Altair's outstretched arm, narrowing his eyes.

"They are intelligent, but also stubborn and hard to tame."

In fact, the virtue of a messenger bird is moderate intelligence. A messenger bird must be smart enough to understand instructions to carry out commands, but those with too much intelligence often judge situations on their own and sometimes disobey orders, thinking they know better.

'So, it's better to have a bird that's just smart enough.'

The same goes for people.

'Of course, it can't be denied that overly intelligent beings are also attractive.'

While Orca was making this assessment, Altair untied the small letter attached to the hawk's leg. Despite being watched by others, Altair showed no hesitation, as if saying, "I have nothing to hide, so I can be confident."

"Ailsford has been using Jirard hawks as messenger birds for a long time."

Altair scanned the letter and spoke calmly.

"As you said, they are intelligent and hard to tame… but aren't they more attractive when controlled? Easy to get, they only do easy things, but those hard to get can handle difficult tasks."

"…Indeed."

Altair's words made the smile on Orca's lips fade, and a serious look appeared on his usually gentle face. The moment their red eyes met, Orca spoke.

"Lord Ailsford. You used me to get rid of your enemies, didn't you?"

Faced with this direct question, Altair, who had been reading the letter calmly, tilted his head in surprise.

"I thought you would be more tactful."

"Indeed, I prefer that approach. But I don't think it would work with Lord Ailsford."

Their gazes locked, and Pavel, sensing the tension, raised his hand to stop the maid who was approaching to refill the warm water. He then slowly stepped back, putting some distance between himself and the conversation. In the silence, Altair spoke first.

"Yes, I used you."

Altair admitted it straightforwardly. There was no point in pretending not to know when the situation was clear.

"But I don't think it was entirely bad for Your Highness."

"Indeed. Thanks to the assassination attempt on me, the Emperor could demonstrate his authority, and I gained favor with him. I'm not entirely useless."

Even if he had fallen out of the Emperor's favor, he was still a prince. Altair wasn't afraid of using such a person because he believed that even if the truth came out, the prince wouldn't reveal it. He guessed that the prince, like the Emperor, would prefer to let the situation play out. His prediction was accurate. He had even considered what would happen if the prince tried to reveal the truth, but he didn't think it would be a big problem.

"If I were to reveal the truth because I was used… I would be scolded by His Majesty for foolishly undermining the royal authority. So, silence is best for me."

For Prince Orca, it was like being pushed into a pit from which there was no escape.

"Perhaps Lord Ailsford calculated all these complex situations."

"Bringing the royal family into this is a bold move. If he hadn't calculated everything, how could he have dared?"

Of course, there were parts of his prediction that were off. His prediction about 'Prince Orca' was one of them. Altair had only heard rumors about the third prince. A sickly prince. A prince who had fallen out of the Emperor's favor and moved around the provinces under the pretense of convalescence. So, he thought Orca would be a weak prince longing for his father's love. But the Orca he met was completely different from his expectations.

'I seem to have messed with a troublesome person.'

If he had known what kind of person Orca was, he might have thought of a different approach. But it was too late for regrets. Altair carefully folded the letter he had read and put it in his pocket, then sent the Jirard hawk flying. The hawk flapped its wings and flew toward Ailsford Castle's tower, where a reward was waiting for it after completing its mission.

"I apologize for involving you in this situation unilaterally."

He bowed, but his expression was not apologetic. Watching this, Prince Orca smiled.

"If words alone could make things right, the world would be a beautiful place. I think appropriate compensation is necessary when someone is used."

"Compensation, huh."

Altair smiled and stood up.

"What if I can't give it to you?"

What are you going to do? Orca narrowed his eyes, sensing the confidence that Orca couldn't do anything. Altair, maintaining his silence, gestured to Pavel.

"Since His Highness likes this tea, make sure to prepare plenty for his departure."

"Ah? Yes…."

This was essentially a statement that Orca wouldn't see him again until his departure, so Pavel bowed, checking Orca's reaction. Fortunately, Orca didn't look particularly upset, but…

'He's still a prince!'

Pavel secretly poked Altair's side, but he didn't flinch. Since they had revealed everything to each other, there was no need to treat him with formalities, right? Altair ignored Pavel's intense gaze and bowed slightly to Orca.

"Rest well until your departure."

"…I will."

***

After the tea time ended, Pavel quickly followed Altair.

"My lord! Even if he is a prince, you shouldn't treat him like that…"

"It's a letter from the capital."

Altair cut off Pavel's endless nagging with a simple statement.

"A letter from the capital?"

"The letter the messenger bird just brought. It's from the capital."

"Then…."

Altair's plan had worked. Pavel, forgetting what he was going to say, immediately became serious.

"Was Valhail executed?"

Altair shook his head lightly.

"He was sentenced to life imprisonment. He'll rot in a dark prison for the rest of his life."

Perhaps that was a more cruel punishment than execution, especially for someone as confident as Valhail.

"…I didn't expect that troublemaker to end up like this."

Seeing the uneasy look on Pavel's face, Altair looked him in the eye.

"Does it bother you that Valhail was framed?"

"No way. If I didn't like the method, I would have stopped it long ago."

But Pavel didn't.

"I just think the fundamental problem hasn't been solved."

"Fundamental problem?"

"Yes. Valhail is gone, but another successor will appear, won't they?"

The family's lawyer would find the next successor and inform them of the situation. It was unknown how the new