45 The plan didn’t go as well as Leo expected. (1/2)

(O3O)/ – Here is Ch-45.1!!!

(-.-) – I changed some things on the ending of the last chapter to fit with the beginning of this one.

(O-O) – Well, I didn’t change much though….

(O3O)/ – Just a couple of words!!!

(OwO) – Anyway, enjoy the chapter∼♥

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Leo became so frightened when he saw all of those cracks on the golden bracelet, that he let go of the prince’s right hand as fast as he could–

(Aaaaaaaaah!!! The bracelet is breaking!!!)

–However, right after he did that, a bright light suddenly erupted from the bracelet, momentarily blinding everyone in the room. (Tl/n: Just like a flashbang.)

*Flash*

When everyone opened their eyes again, the bracelet, or rather, what remained of it, wasn’t on Albert’s arm anymore… it’s pieces were on the ground.

“No way….”

“The sealing bracelet is… broken…?”

“Even the founder of the Empire had trouble dealing with that thing, right…?”

“But… Albert overpowered it so easily….”

While the four adults stood there, impressed by what just happened, Leo couldn’t help but stare at that scene with a horrified look in his eyes, after all, the prince was smiling at him.

“Thank you for telling me what was on your heart, Leonora….”

(Hiiiiiiii!!!)

Contrary to everyone here, Leo knew what lied beneath that smile. Albert only smiled like that when he was plotting something, or when he was about to threaten someone. That’s why Leo was so scared of him. However, before he could take a step back to get away from Albert, he found himself sitting on the ground. Apparently, Leo was so scared of the prince, that his legs stopped working.

(Why!? Why did you guys decide to stop working now, of all times!?) – Thought Leo, as he started sweating cold just from imagining what would happen to him.

But, contrary to what he was expecting, Albert just crouched down in front of him with a concerned look on his face, then he placed a hand on his cheek, and asked–

“–Are you okay, Leonora…?”

The answer to that question was a big “No.” Leo wasn’t okay at all. Not only his legs had turned into jelly, but his arch enemy was also caressing his cheek. Things couldn’t get worse than they already were… or, at least, that’s what he thought.

As Leo lowered his face and waited for the worst to happen, Albert’s concerned expression suddenly turned into a happy one, before giving his beloved a tight hug.

(Gyaaaaah!!! Someone, help!!! The evil prince is going to strangle me!!!)

Albert didn’t know that Leo was scared of him. To the prince, Leonora was acting like that because she was embarrassed of the sudden physical contact, which was actually the reason why he decided to hug her. She was so cute, that Albert couldn’t contain himself. However, that only served to make Leo panic even more, after all, he didn’t know what the prince wanted to do with him.

(Aaaaaaaaah!!! What should I do!? At this rate, Albert will regain all of his strength back!!! And then, he’ll execute me!!!) – Thought Leo, as he tightly gripped the prince’s white tunic.

While Leo panicked because of the tough situation that he found himself into, Balthazar let out a loud *Cough!* to get Albert’s attention, before saying–

“–Oi, oi, I don’t think I told you to remove that bracelet yet, right son?”

“If I remember correctly, you only told me to ‘continue wearing it until I’ve decided what to do with you,’ isn’t that right, father? Besides, that bracelet was a bit too weak. It couldn’t even seal my magic power without breaking.” – Said Albert, as he stared at his father’s grayish blue eyes with a grin.

When Leo heard that, he started trembling like a newborn deer, after all, Albert had just declared that not even the sealing bracelet could stop him. That manageable situation had finally turned into a dreadful nightmare.

“Hee∼, is that so? Because I don’t remember saying that I had decided what I was going to do with you?” – Said Balthazar, as he returned his son’s grin with a grin of his own.

Compared to his son, Balthazar was way scarier. His sharp gaze could even make a royal knight tremble in fear. However, Albert was different. He didn’t falter. He just continued staring at his father’s grayish blue eyes without even flinching.

“You never had to decide anything, father, because I will become the next Emperor of the Weiz Empire.”

That was a bold declaration. So bold, in fact, that everyone even forgot to breathe… well, everyone except for Balthazar, whose grin only grew wider.

“Hoo∼, and who decided that?”

“I was the one who decided that… and I won’t let anyone contest that decision.”

“Ha! Stop joking around, son. After changing the power structure of the whole country, now you plan on ruling it? You can’t take all that responsibility….”

This time, Balthazar tried to use phycological pressure to intimidate Albert… but that didn’t work on the prince, seeing that he still had that confident grin plastered on his face.

“Yes, I can… and I’ll carry this country on my back alone if I have to….”

The four adults were more than impressed with the prince after hearing that statement, however, Balthazar wasn’t over yet.

“Hahaha! You dream big, you know? Can you really back up that statement?”

“Did you forget, father? My dragon mark is a gold coin… which means that my rule will be blessed by prosperity if I play my cards right–”

At that moment, the prince’s confident grin suddenly turned into a ferocious one. His confident expression was akin to a knife pointed directly at his Balthazar’s throat. By doing that, Albert was implying that he already had won the argument.

“–The era of court ranks and magic power will soon be over, father. Now is the era of hard work and money. There won’t be anymore unreasonable things. Everyone is equal before money, so everyone will have the same opportunities, be it men or women. It’s their hard work that’ll tell if they really deserve their ranks, not which noble family they were born into. I’ll rebuild this country’s foundation from the ground up and make it a place where everyone can shine–”

What Albert really meant by all that, was that it was now his time to lead the people of the Weiz Empire to a brighter future… but Leo interpreted that as something completely different.

(N-no way… this crazy prince is now trying to usurp the throne!?)

Leo always knew that Albert was evil, and a bit crazy, but he never expected the prince to be “that” much crazy. This wasn’t just a healthy argument between father and son anymore… this was now a bloody war for the succession of the throne. And to make things worse, Leo was right in the middle of the two, so he couldn’t stop trembling.

On the other hand though, since Albert was sticking really close to his beloved, he quickly noticed when she started trembling, so he patted her on the back to calm her down… without even knowing that that just made Leo even more frightened.

To the young scrooge, what the prince meant by those pats on the back, was that he would be the next one, after he finished dealing with his stubborn father. However, without even noticing the pale look on Leo’s face, Albert continued from were he had left off.

“–I won’t let this country perish because of some old-fashioned nobles. Instead of suppressing the development of an even more powerful magic crest, I’ll fund it’s development. I will show you that I can create a better future for everyone living in this country… and I won’t rest until I achieve that.”

When Albert finished his speech, everyone in the Audience Chamber fell into silence. There was only the sound of the parade coming from outside of the windows. Apparently, not even the soundproof spell cast on the curtains could suppress the cheers of the citizens who had finally arrived at the premises of the Ivory Palace.

But, amidst of all that “silence,” there was Leo, silently staring at the prince’s face with small tears gathered in the corners of his eyes.

In other circumstances, the young scrooge would’ve probably started cheering Albert by now, after all, his interests lined perfectly with the prince’s. However, because of what happened earlier, Leo didn’t hear any of that. He just kept wondering why his perfect plan had failed, or why the golden bracelet suddenly broke.

Well, the answer to those questions was actually quite simple. Leo himself was the reason why his plans had failed. His words awakened something inside the prince, which, in turn, brought forth a torrent of magic power originating from deep within him.

But Leo didn’t know that–no, he couldn’t care less about that right now. His rose-colored, commoner-life was slipping away from his grasps with each passing second, so he became desperate. Leo had to stop Albert’s coup before it was too late. So, he gathered up all of his courage, and said–

“–Is it really, okay for you, to say all, of that to, you father, Albert-sama…?”

“Huh…? And why it wouldn’t be…?”

As soon as he looked down at his beloved, the prince saw the small tears gathered at the corners of her beautiful eyes, so he lifted his hand to wipe them away for her. But before he could even begin, she answered his question in a way that shook him to his very core.

“Because… won’t you get, into a lot, of trouble if, you do that…? I don’t want, to see you, going through something, so awful….” (Tl/n: This part can also mean, I don’t want something so scary to happen, but since the other meaning was better, I decided to go with it.)

“!!!!!!!!!”

Leonora was worried about him. She was so worried, in fact, that she even started crying, which is why Albert couldn’t let his father exile him. The prince wanted to protect her and be her strength, but to do that, he needed the throne first. That’s why Leonora was so worried. She knew that the path ahead of him was filled with nothing but hardship.

However, Albert didn’t think like that at all. With Leonora by his side, the prince felt like he could do literally anything.

But, that didn’t mean his beloved fiancee would stop worrying about him, so Albert tightened his left arm around her back, and then, with the sweetest smile that he could muster, he caressed her cheek with his other hand to show that everything was alright… however, Leo completely misunderstood the prince again.

(Aaaaaaaaah!!! Help, he’s smiling!!! This crazy prince was already planning on usurping the throne from the beginning!!! There’s no way to stop him!!!)

Leo couldn’t stop Albert–no, no one could stop him anymore. The fact that he had a huge smile plastered on his face just proved that he was beyond redemption. Moreover, he even made sure to tell everyone his evil plans, just like a villain in a fantasy novel, so Leo started panicking inside his head, since he didn’t know what to do to escape this place. However, to his demise, Albert wasn’t over yet. The prince still had some things to say to his beloved fiancee.

“Your words of concern touched me, Leonora. I’m the luckiest man in the world to have you as my fiancee. Also, thank you for the nickname. Fufu, I really liked it–”

“!!!!!!!!!”

(Aaaaaaaaah!!! Why did I do that!? I’m so stupid!!!)

Because of everything that happened earlier, Leo almost forgot that he agreed to marry Albert. And to make things even worse, he gave the prince a lovely nickname, which meant that he couldn’t take back what he said anymore, else he’d risk shaming the name of his “grandparent’s” household.

Everything that happened until now was probably just a part of Albert’s masterplan to entrap Leo, and he succeeded in doing that. Now, the young scrooge was officially stuck with the prince for the rest of his life, with no way of escaping from him.

“–To tell you the truth, I don’t really care about my position as Crown Prince, which is why I almost agreed to live the rest of my life with you as a farmer… but I can’t do that. I want to be able to protect you, Leonora. That’s why I need the crown. If I become the next Emperor, I won’t ever have to worry about losing you… we’ll be together forever.” (Tl/n: That last part can also mean you’ll be forever mine and I’ll never let you go.)

Leo was aware that he would never be able to escape from the evil prince, but hearing that piece of information from his own mouth just made it even more frightening. So, in a desperate attempt of making things right again, Leo clung onto his last hope… the current Emperor–

“Y-Your Majesty…!” – Said Leo, as he turned towards Balthazar with a pleading look in his eyes.

(Please, do something!!! Your son is crazy!!! He wants to usurp the throne and lock me up in a room!!! You can even arrest him, just, please, help me!!!)

“It’s okay, Leonora, I understand. You don’t have to look at me like that. *Ahem* I hereby declare my son, Albert von Weizsäcker, as the only legitimate heir to the throne, who will eventually succeed me! There… was that good enough, Ojou-chan?” – Said Balthazar, as he stared back at Leo with a playful grin.

–However, instead of helping him, the Emperor said something that completely shattered–no, destroyed, his last hope.

“……….”

Leo couldn’t say anything after hearing those shocking words. He just stood there, wondering why Balthazar decided to forsake him. However, things weren’t over yet. The Emperor wasn’t the only one who had something to proclaim.

“The way you scolded Albert really impressed me, Leonora. You care about him as much as he cares about you, so I’ll recognize you as his fiancee.” – Said Alexia, as she stared at Leo with a kind smile.

“……….”

This time, instead of being shocked, Leo heard something shattering deep inside him. Well, that was probably the sound of his soul breaking, seeing that his emotions were the complete opposite of the prince, who was more than happy, and a bit surprised, to hear all that.

“Father… Mother… why are you two…?”

“Heh, why are you so surprised, son? This is just the beginning, you know…?” – Said Balthazar, as he glanced at Albert with that same playful grin, before walking off towards one of the “windows.”

Once he reached the “window,” the Emperor grabbed the two curtains in front of him, then he glanced over his shoulder, and said–

“–For as long as I can remember, the royal family has relied solely on our magic powers and the nobles to run this country… but you changed that, Albert. Your rule won’t be chained by those two things alone. Now you have this–”

As Balthazar pulled the two curtains open, he revealed a small balcony… and a sea of people who were eagerly waiting for the royal greeting.

Some people were cheering.

Others were screaming at the top of their lungs.

But they all had something in common… they were all praising Albert.

—Long live the Gold Coin Emperor!!!

—Long live Albert-sama!!!

“–These people may not have magic power running in their veins, but they support you, son. They are weak, some aren’t even literate, however, as the next Emperor, it’ll be your job to protect them from now on–” – Said Balthazar, with a smile, as he stared deeply into Albert’s azure eyes.

Albert was completely stunned. Even though he didn’t know any of them, seeing all of those people screaming his name made the prince really happy. For the first time in his life, Albert felt a sense of accomplishment like he had never felt before.

“–In some places, the water shortage had already begun… but one day, everything returned to how it was before. You can’t even imagine how many thank-you letters you received, Albert. There are even letters from other nobles, thanking you for helping their territories. And that’s why these people are all here today… they want to show you how grateful they truly are, son….”

After hearing everything that his father had to say, small tears started pouring out of the prince’s azure eyes. But they didn’t last long though. Albert quickly recomposed himself, then he looked at Balthazar with a smile, and said–

“–Thank you for the kind words father…*Sniff*…I really appreciated it….”

“You don’t have to thank me, son. It was the least I could do for you. Besides, all that hard work needed a fitting reward, don’t you think?”

“Fufu, yes… you’re right….”

As two stared at each-other for a while, the prince suddenly remembered that he wasn’t wearing that bracelet anymore, so he decided to ask something.

“Hmm, father…? Can I go wave at them for a bit…?” – Asked Albert, as he pointed at balcony.

As long as they had royal blood running in their veins, it didn’t really matter who conducted the royal greeting, so Balthazar stared at Albert with a smirk, and said–

“–Do you really need my permission to go greet your citizens…?”

The prince started walking towards the balcony as soon as heard that.

However, on his way there, Albert remembered something really important, so he turned around with a smile on his face, before extending his left hand towards his beloved fiancee.

“Would you mind coming with me, Leonora…?”

“Eh…?”

It took a while for Leo to finally understand what Albert had asked him, since he wasn’t paying attention. But, once that clicked in, he started panicking. Leo wasn’t a member of the royal family yet. There was no reason for him to go greet the citizens with Albert, so he took a step back and asked the prince why he had to go with him.

“Why…? Well, half of my achievements are yours, so I wanted them to see you as well….”

(I knew it! In order to prevent me from escaping, he wants to show my face to the citizens! But I won’t fall for your traps this time, you hear me!?)

“Y-you don’t, have to concern, yourself with me, Albert-sama…! I didn’t, do much, so you, can go, greet them, if you want…!”

Leo had already resigned himself to the fact that he would never be able to escape from Albert. But, if he ever had that chance again, he didn’t want his plans to be ruined because someone recognized his face. That’s why he rejected the prince with all his might.

However, Albert wouldn’t give up that easily.

“What are you talking about? None of this would’ve been possible if it weren’t for you, Leonora, so I’m sure the citizens will welcome you with open arms.”

“T-that’s, not true, at all! Ne–Bianca-sama, did everything, so she’s, the one who, should be praised, not me!”

Despite the constant rejections, Albert knew that Leonora was probably just shy, so he continued pressing on the matter with a smile on his face to show her that there was nothing to be afraid.

“Why don’t you want to go greet them with me…?”

“Then let me, ask you the, same question, why do you, want me to, go greet them, with you!? I don’t want, to go because, I know what, you’re planning!”

Albert was a bit surprised to hear that, so he let out a troubled smile, before saying–

“\\\–Was my plan really that obvious…? Well, since you already know the truth, there’s no point in hiding it… I want to hold you in my arms and show you to the people…\\\”

“!!!!!!!!!”

Leo became really pale when he heard that, after all, Albert wasn’t afraid of letting everyone know his plans anymore. The prince had truly become a bonafide villain, so his only option now was to turn to his “grandparents” for help–

“Klaus-sama…! Emilia-sama…!”

“Hmmm, I think you should go with him, Leonora. Being too humble isn’t good, you know? The people need to know your achievements.” – Said Klaus, as he stroked his beard.

“Ufufu, you don’t need to be shy, dearie. Go have a bit of fun with your fiance.” – Said Emilia, as she tried to hide her smile with her fan.

–But, much like Balthazar, they only destroyed his remaining hope.

(See!? That’s why I didn’t ask them for help! They don’t even care about what the prince is plotting behind the scenes! They only care about their granddaughter’s achievements!)

Albert managed to completely deceive Klaus and Emilia. His last line of defense was now on the enemy side. And to make things even worse, Leo didn’t have any ideas on how to get out of this situation.

“What are you doing, son? You can’t leave such a beautiful flower waiting!” – Said Balthazar, as he stared at Albert with a reproachful look on his face.

“Your father is right, Albert. Go on, escort her already.” – Said Alexia, as she stared at her son with that same reproachful look on her face.

With their words as the cue, the prince quickly approached Leo and grabbed his hand.

“Let’s go, Leonora…!”

“No…! I don’t, want them, to see me!”

“Huh…? Why don’t you want them to see you…?”

“Eh…? I-I… I just don’t, want to…! So, please, release me…!” – Said Leo, as he unconsciously grabbed his gold coin, along with a small section of his dress that was soaked in wine.

Leo found it a bit weird that Albert, of all people, was asking him why he didn’t want to be seen, but since those thoughts didn’t have anything to do with what was going on, he quickly dropped them to focus on what was more important.

On the other hand though, when Albert saw Leonora holding that dirty section of her dress, he finally realized what was going on.

“Oh… I see… so you didn’t want to go out there because of your dress, huh? Hmm… sorry for not noticing it sooner.”

“Huh…?”

Leo had also forgotten about the state of his own dress, so it took him a few seconds to understand what was going on… which was actually enough time for the prince to finish casting his spell.

“Clean…!”

*Shine*

“Kyaaah…!”

Because a spell was suddenly cast on him, Leo quickly shielded his face with both of his arms by reflex. However, after waiting for a while, he noticed that nothing really happened to him, so he lowered them… only to see something really shocking.

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(-.-) – I hope the wait was worth it.

(O3O)/ – This chapter was really long!!!

(OwO) – Anyway, don’t forget to join our Discord.

(-.-) – Link’s HERE.

(O3O)/ – See you all next week!!!

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