Chapter 57

"More importantly, Brother, didn't you have something to ask me?"

"Oh, that's right."

Brother straightened up, looking more serious, and fixed his gaze on me.

"I came here because I have a favor to ask of Noah."

"A favor from me?"

I couldn't help but tense up.

Brother Henry, the Fourth Prince.

His status is the same as mine, but our age difference is that of a parent and child. When such a brother asks something in a serious manner, it's natural to feel on edge.

"Yes, it's not a serious matter. You know that I support many artists, right?"

"Yes."

I nodded.

Brother also fulfills the duties of a noble, supporting painters, musicians, and other artists.

As a noble, the more one can do this, the more they are respected and praised.

I supported Alice for the same reason.

"A while ago, I found a boy with extraordinary talent in painting. His talent is breathtaking."

"To make you say that... it must be quite something."

Brother nodded at my words.

"Since he was struggling financially, I provided some initial support, but I felt that wasn't enough. So, I want Noah to raise him."

"Why me?"

"Alice."

Brother smiled.

"The songstress you raised is famous throughout the empire. Even His Majesty goes to listen to her in secret."

"Really?!"

Thud! I stood up so abruptly that I knocked into the sofa.

"His Majesty?"

"Yes. And not just once or twice. Whenever Alice is in the capital, he goes quite frequently. Even more surprising is that—"

Brother had a look of admiration and a wry smile.

"His Majesty, who has fathered over thirty children, doesn't even try to seduce her. He just goes to listen to her sing."

"..."

That's incredible, I was surprised too.

The other day, the Seventeenth Prince was born. That means His Majesty has seventeen sons alone. Including the princesses, it easily exceeds thirty.

His Majesty is known for his strong sexual drive, but he doesn't act on it with Alice. Alice isn't unattractive.

He just goes to listen to her sing. Those of us who know His Majesty well understand how significant this is.

"I want to ask the person who raised Alice for help."

"Me?"

"You're the only one I can rely on, Noah."

Brother looked straight at me.

"You're the only one I can rely on."

When he said that, I couldn't refuse. I decided to take the young painter from Brother.

☆

After Brother left, I thought about what to do with the young painter. I sipped tea served by the maids, relaxing while thinking.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and a serving maid entered. It wasn't Cecily, but another maid who stayed at the city mansion.

"Master, Lord Byron Alan is here."

"Byron? Show him in."

"As you wish."

The serving maid left, and Byron entered almost immediately.

He seemed to be in a hurry; his usually neatly styled hair was disheveled, and he was sweating and out of breath.

"What's the matter, so flustered?"

"S-Sorry... to all of you."

Byron turned and urged his subordinates, who were just about to enter, to hurry. They carried several boxes into the room and lined them up.

"What's this?"

"Ah, first, I have a report. Lady Ada is pregnant."

"Really?"

Ada. The woman I helped enter the palace, who caught His Majesty's eye and became a concubine. She was originally under Byron's care, but her status has reversed, and now she is called "Lady Ada."

"That's great."

"Thank you! It's all thanks to Your Highness."

"Hmm."

"Regarding this—"

Byron turned and signaled his subordinates.

They opened the boxes, which were filled with gold coins.

"Wow... I've never seen so much."

A young maid who was serving and now standing by muttered.

The boxes were brimming with gold coins. The amount—roughly ten million liens.

"This is a small token of our gratitude for Your Highness's efforts."

"Understood, I'll take it."

"Thank you!"

I called a maid and instructed her to show Byron's subordinates where to store the gold. I also dismissed the young maid who was serving, as the conversation was about to become confidential.

In the room, it was just me and Byron. We sat on the sofa, facing each other.

"Actually, another concubine, Lady Rebecca, is also pregnant."

"I see."

Indeed, His Majesty is impressive. Adding two more children at this point.

In fact, this is the result of the trip to the summer retreat with the concubines.

"Regarding this, I would like Your Highness's advice on what to do."

"Is there a guardian on the other side?"

"Yes. In fact, they have already started to move."

"What about you? Have you done anything yet?"

"No, I thought it would be best to hear from Your Highness first. That's why I came here."

"I see. Then do nothing."

"Eh?"

"Rather, you might have saved your life."

"Saved... my life?"

Byron was surprised, his eyes wide at the words "saved your life."

"What do you mean?"

I lowered my voice and answered Byron.

"His Majesty is tired of the two rebellions."

"!"

The gravity of the situation made Byron's face tense again.

"He lets the princes handle various political affairs, but he firmly holds the military and decision-making powers. His Majesty doesn't look favorably on those who try to seize power. Attempting to gain rights under the guise of the palace is the ultimate taboo."

"I see..."

"That's why it's better to do nothing."

Repeating the advice I just gave, Byron was taken aback.

"But that's too much, isn't it?"

"Sometimes, losing is winning."

"Losing... is winning?"

"I think it's better to do nothing and actively step back. If someone in the same position as you, who is also pregnant, acts aggressively, it will create a good contrast."

"Oh..."

He finally understood.

"So do nothing, and actively step back."

"I see, as expected of Your Highness! What a brilliant idea!"

Byron was delighted and sighed in relief.

Just as he rushed here with ten million liens in gold coins, if he hadn't heard from me, he would have been busy acting on behalf of Ada, who was about to become the Empress.

"By the way,"

"By the way?"

"The current His Majesty is a truly great ruler. A once-in-a-century level."

"Ah."

Byron understood but looked puzzled.

"Trying to seize power, no matter how skillfully, is transparent to His Majesty. In that sense, it's better to do nothing."

"Absolutely, Your Highness is right!"

Byron stood up, opened the door, and beckoned to his subordinates outside.

"Go back to the shop immediately and bring another ten million liens."

"Yes."

The additional gratitude was a direct reflection of how much he felt he had "saved his life."