Volume 4, Chapter 52 – The Eve of the Upheaval

“Quick, quick, all of you, line up!”

The moment he returned to his residence, Prince Schain became a different person. He didn’t bother to wipe the raindrops from his woolen overcoat. He first hurriedly ordered his confidant to lock the main gate, then gathered all the servants on the first floor. After everyone had arrived, he generously threw out a handful of gold coins, letting them clatter and roll on the floor.

Prince Schain surveyed the servants, who stood with their heads bowed, not daring to speak.

“From today on, you are not to take a single step out of this house. Anyone who disobeys will be killed on the spot. But as a reward, all of these gold coins are yours. After this is over, you can choose to take the gold and leave. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Too quiet.”

“Yes!”

“If you understand, then get to it!”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Receiving their orders, the servants quickly dropped to the ground like dogs, scrambling to pick up the gold coins. Prince Schain, in turn, gave his confidant a look, and the two of them went up to his bedroom on the third floor. Then, he took out a beautifully packaged square box from a hidden compartment in his wardrobe. As if holding an unparalleled treasure, he carefully opened the lid and stared in contemplation at the pale yellow and blue potions nestled inside.

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“My lord, you…”

His confidant, Herian, took a step forward, his eyes full of concern.

Without answering immediately, Prince Schain just took a deep breath. He picked up the blue potion from the box with his thumb and forefinger and then solemnly handed it to Herian.

“Herian, I see you as my own brother. Now, I need you to help me.”

“I would not dare, my lord. But if there is any way I can be of service, please believe in me. I will do my utmost!”

“Good, good!” Seeing Herian’s loyal display as he knelt to answer, Prince Schain was so pleased that he said “good” twice. He thrust the blue potion into Herian’s hand, gripping his right hand tightly. “After this is over, you will be the Prime Minister of Silvar. We will share the world. I will grant you whatever you desire!”

Without waiting for a reply, he continued.

“My answer in the audience chamber was just a stalling tactic. I cannot leave Blossom with the army. Otherwise, no one will be able to get the blessing. And without the blessing, the day Dofilia returns will be the day of our doom. For this, I need to feign illness and stay behind closed doors.”

“These two magic potions are treasures I obtained from a Darkborn in my early years. The yellow potion will put me in a state of feigned death. Only this matching blue potion can awaken me. Now, I am giving you this potion to awaken me. I will then swallow the feigned death potion. In the evening, when Dofilia comes to find me with a healer, you will use the excuse that I have fainted from excessive grief and let her see me.”

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“I guarantee that even the best healer in the capital will not be able to wake me. Dofilia does not have much time; she will not insist on waiting for me to wake up before leaving. And after she has left the capital, you will feed me the awakening potion.”

With that, Prince Schain quietly observed Herian’s reaction. Although he was a confidant who had followed him for many years and was fiercely loyal, at this unprecedented critical moment, he had to examine him carefully.

Until Herian put away the blue potion and looked up with his unremarkable face—his eyes were filled with determination and loyalty.

“But what if Her Highness decides to move you to the Royal Castle to recuperate? What should I do then?”

“Stop her if you can. If you can’t, you must enter the Royal Castle with me. Someone has to look after me, and you are the best choice. At that time, you can ask Reinhardt for anything you need, but remember to be careful. Our enemy is not just Dofilia. Once she leaves, the Prime Minister and Yulisha will surely be watching me closely. If you are controlled, everything will be over.”

Although he said this, he had actually left himself a way out. Herian was not the only one with the blue potion; Count Reinhardt also had a bottle. If Herian were to be controlled, Count Reinhardt would take his place and feed him the awakening potion.

“I will remember it always.”

Prince Schain nodded in satisfaction, then held the yellow potion in his palm. The glass bottle reflected his face. He could see excitement and fear flickering alternately across it, and his hand was trembling uncontrollably, as if it no longer belonged to him. He took deep breaths, trying to calm himself, but this not only did not make him feel better, but instead intensified his nervousness to the point of a stomachache.

Then, as if he had remembered something, he clutched his pounding heart, hurried to his desk, and began to write furiously. Although his handwriting was messy, he didn’t have time to care. With a rip, he tore the paper off, folded it hastily, and, with red eyes, handed it to his confidant.

“After I’m asleep, give this to Godley. He will send people to insert themselves into the Eldest Princess’s entourage. Then, her every move will be under our surveillance. If there is a trick, we will be the first to get the news.”

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“Entrusting the surveillance mission to Godley… is he reliable?”

“He has been blinded by hatred and has become a useless man. As long as he can deal with Dofilia, he will do his utmost. She has disrespected the military time and time again; there are already some impulsive people in the military who are on our side. And I have another guarantee. My people have also been arranged into the entourage at the meeting. Even if Godley is unreliable, my people will send the news back. It’s double insurance.”

“My lord is wise.”

Seeing Herian begin to flatter him, Prince Schain frowned.

“This is not the time for flattery. Be vigilant. Until I wake up, everything depends on you. I believe in you, and you must not disappoint my expectations.”

As he spoke, he took a heavy purse full of gem coins from his storage item. He pried open Herian’s hand and placed it in his.

“This is yours.”

“No, my lord, I do not need this,” Herian frowned, pushing the purse back. He remained kneeling and bowed his head deeply. “The grace you have shown me no longer needs to be supplemented by external things. I promise not to betray your trust!”

Looking at Herian, a hint of emotion appeared in Prince Schain’s eyes. He even began to feel that his own son was not as loyal to him as Herian. To think that he had just been scrutinizing him; he was truly unworthy of Herian’s loyalty.

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After this is over, I will surely make him a Prince to compensate.

With a heart full of gratitude, Prince Schain squatted down and helped Herian to his feet with both hands.

“As expected of the man I chose. In that case, let’s begin now. The princess will set out before the sun sets. You will feed me the potion the next day. I don’t know how long she will be back, maybe a month, or maybe she will return immediately after hearing the wind. But even by flying, it will take at least two days from the south to the capital. We have plenty of time and can focus more on preparations.”

“Tonight, you will secretly gather the forces hidden in the capital and bring them together. Also, tell those minor nobles to be patient and not to be afraid of that stupid woman Erin Slate. When I ascend the throne, she will be a dog I keep in the palace. I guarantee that everyone will see her pitiful state, begging for mercy!”

“Yes!”

“Hah…”

After all the instructions were given, Prince Schain let out a long breath, as if to exhale all the fear in his heart. He first threw his white cloak aside, then took off the clasp that tied his golden ponytail, letting his hair fall loose. Finally, he walked to the bed and sat down. He uncorked the potion with his thumb and stared at the swaying liquid in contemplation.

A moment later, the desire in his heart finally overcame his fear. He brought the bottle to his lips and, tilting his head back, drank it all in one gulp.

In just a few seconds, with a thud, Prince Schain collapsed limply onto the bed.