The only ones referring to this as incitent would be the 3rd Prince and his followers. The public sentint in Eldon was becoming increasingly unstable.
The slums were suffering from the side effects of New Poppin’s tincture, and the middle class was protesting daily. Additionally, many of the most urgently needing treatnt, injured soldiers from the army, had died from addiction and the drug’s side effects.
The constant outcry in daily and weekly papers was reaching its limit. It was no longer possible to control the surge of outrage.
The biggest problem was the protests from noble investors who had lost money, and the fact that quick-witted individuals were withdrawing their investnts, causing the pharmaceutical company's business, distribution, and trade routes—once greatly expanded—to collapse.
With over a year passing since the release of the new drug, Clifton's business was on the verge of collapse.
If this continued, he would be completely ruined before the Emperor and Parliant could vote on the heir's announcent.
“Damn them...! That one who’s blocking my path!” Clifton gritted his teeth and trembled with anger.
“The throne was right before my eyes, and now, because of him...!”
He had thought Reynard would calm down after losing both his spouse's health and their child, but now Reynard, like a wounded beast with one arm already lost, was thrashing about more violently than ever, making a final stand.
“What about this thod?”
“What?”
“It’s been nearly a year since the Grand Duke Consort lost their child and beca reclusive. Why not redirect the attack in that direction? As you know, the consort has already beco infertile, making them the perfect prey.”
Indeed, the man notorious for his ruthlessness had found the most despicable thod.
“Well… Valentin is practically Reynard’s weak spot.”
“A few articles and an interview with a palace physician would be enough to ruin his honor.”
“Would that really change the current situation? The Grand Duke Consort is just the biggest supporter of Her Highness, the Princess. It might stir public opinion for a while, but it won’t have a significant impact on the business itself.”
The one raising an objection glanced scornfully at the man who had suggested the plan, his attitude indicating he should remain silent if he was going to say sothing stupid. However, the influential figure from the back alleys remained calm, raising his palm to explain.
“That’s not the goal. If we provoke the Grand Duke Consort, Reynard won’t stand for it. When he retaliates strongly, that’s when you challenge him to a duel of honor.”
“A duel of honor! That may be a gentleman's right, but it's legally banned nowadays!”
“But Your Highness can still do it. Who would stand by when the honor of a prince and a grand duke is at stake? Think about it. If a duel of honor is arranged, it’s the perfect opportunity to get rid of them legitimately. You could also completely bury them socially.”
“Hmm…”
Clifton rubbed his chin thoughtfully, nodding as if deeply considering the suggestion. But the one who had objected continued to protest.
“I’m not sure attacking the Grand Duke Consort would be that effective. People are whispering that the divorce application has already reached the Archbishop!”
“Yes, it’s true they’re on the verge of divorce.”
This was sothing Clifton knew directly from the Emperor himself. Since the end of last year, the Emperor had been working to separate the two who could no longer have children. Moreover, he was actively pushing Lady Sabina Akal, another oga capable of enduring Reynard’s pheromones, for the position of the next Grand Duchess. Word had reached Clifton that their divorce proceedings had recently passed the halfway mark.
“But it’s also true that Reynard still has feelings for Valentin. To provoke him into action, you have to strike that chord.”
As Clifton nodded, his subordinates added more comnts.
“After the duel of honor, officially punish the Colonel.”
“That’s right. There are even rumors that Reynard’s health has been deteriorating lately.”
“They say he’s gone a bit mad since losing his child…”
“So now is the perfect ti.”
At his closest aides' words, Clifton called for a servant and took a high-quality cigar from the box, a gift from the one who had been whispering the sneaky plan earlier. The prince’s noble fingers traced the thick, smooth surface of the cigar before bringing it under his nose to savor the scent.
“Hmm…”
Clifton passed cigars around to those seated with him. The familiar aroma of cigars from gentlen’s clubhouses soon filled the office.
As the smoke thickened, Clifton smiled smugly and concluded:
“Yes, it’s a very good plan. Let’s start by completely destroying him. Imdiately have articles written about Valentin’s disgrace.”
At the 3rd Prince’s command, everyone nodded and rose from their seats to prepare for the next steps.
As the year-end—a ti ant to be filled with warmth and sharing—approached, articles exposing Valentin’s private and personal sha spread like wildfire, starting with cheap weekly magazines.
“Grand Duke Consort unable to produce an heir” beca the headline, and the yellow press gleefully gossiped about it. It was truly cynical and dirty beyond words.
Within a week, an interview with a professor from Kingsford dical School, who also served as a palace physician, was published in the *Eldon Tis*. The 3rd Prince’s spokesperson subtly confird that all these stories were true.
Crumpling the newspaper spread across the table, Felix muttered:
“What does that guy think he’s doing, opening his mouth like that?”
anwhile, Reynard’s closest aides, who had number-based nicknas, were gathered in a secret room once again, planning the final stages of their sche.
“Disclosing patient information? That doctor’s qualifications are questionable.”
“But he didn’t make any definitive statents. Look at how cleverly the interview is worded, as if it’s about soone else entirely.”
“Anyone can see it mirrors the Grand Duke Consort’s situation. The citizens aren’t fools.”
“And what’s the use of the doctor’s careful wording? The 3rd Prince’s spokesperson directly claid to have seen it himself!”
Felix flipped through other newspapers and weekly magazines, grumbling irritably. While the overall plan was going as expected, it was still infuriating.
Even if they protested to the spokesperson ntioned clearly in the paper, the outco was obvious. He would simply claim he was reporting what he saw, knowing full well what result would co from combining his testimony with the doctor’s interview.
“And dragging His Highness into this wasn’t part of the agreent, was it?”
“This is inevitable since ‘Number Five’ is in charge.”
“If it’s him, he probably threw out the most tempting bait after gauging the situation.”
“That guy is awfully willful and hard to control…”
The aides each had sothing to say about ‘Number Five,’ who was acting as a spy under the 3rd Prince.
“The doctor is definitely in cahoots with the 3rd Prince. He’s trying to secure his position by aligning himself with the one who seems likely to be the next heir…”
“Either way, they’ve finally started moving despicably.”
“Fools… they don’t even realize they’ve fallen into a trap.”
“Felix, watch your words. It’s actually fortunate they’re dumb enough to play right into our hands.”
Lord Benson frowned at his half-brother and scolded him. The reprimand was a reminder to mind his words in front of their master, Reynard, who was already in a foul mood due to the articles about Valentin.
As Reynard’s aide Shane observed his master’s expression, he quickly changed the subject.
“In any case, the long groundwork is finally reaching its conclusion.”
Indeed, the plan had been long and drawn-out.
After all, orchestrating the downfall of royalty was no small task. To kill the son of the nation's highest authority and make it look legitimate wasn’t rely a matter of personal assassination.
Using force recklessly or starting a war out of revenge would only result in disaster.
Even though Reynard had suffered the agony of losing his child due to an enemy's trap, his goals had beco clearer and more expansive. They weren’t simply aiming to dethrone Clifton—they were aiming to destroy his power base and dismantle his influence. The plan had grown more complex and prolonged as they devised the perfect way to achieve this.
“At this rate, if we push back hard enough, he’ll be the one to propose the duel of honor.”
Rumors had reached them that Clifton’s business was faltering, and his patience was running thin. His overinflated ego would explode at the slightest provocation.
Though the 3rd Prince might resort to underhanded tactics during the duel, Reynard’s side was confident in their superior combat skills. Despite their lord’s current health issues, they trusted Reynard’s strength. They glanced nervously at Reynard, whose face remained stern and sharp.
Their target shifted from rely stripping Clifton of his title to his actual assassination precisely from that day onward.
It was the day before Valentin left, when an unexpected visitor arrived—Evener Leopold, the 3rd Prince's consort, and that’s when fate truly began to turn.
For Reynard, this was an entirely unexpected visitor.
Though they were distantly related by family, they had never been close—if anything, they were silent adversaries.
At first, Reynard thought Evener had co to deliver a warning from the 3rd Prince. But when Evener began to speak, what he said was astonishing. Reynard suspected a spy or a trap—Evener’s words were that unexpected.
“I want to help you.”
It didn’t make sense. Help? What nonsense was this?
“I can’t even begin to understand what you’re talking about.”
Reynard
responded curtly.
On the surface, they had never been outright enemies, nor had they ever openly clashed in politics. What had passed between them up until now was more like an unspoken war beneath the surface, a subtle battle only known to those involved. It was an invisible war to outsiders, unknown even to society.
Yet here Evener was, stating he would actively join the fray. In other words, Evener was declaring his intent to bring down his own husband, the 3rd Prince.
“I also know about your relationship with Lady Sabina Akal.”
Evener's voice trembled as he spoke.
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