At night, deep within the imperial city, lay a hidden room.
Candlelight flickered inside, where thick velvet curtains completely sealed the room from the outside, preventing even the moonlight from filtering in.
Soundproofing runes were embedded in the walls, ensuring that no sound would carry past the door.
The room's furnishings were not luxurious, yet they exuded a gradually swelling desire at every turn—a dark oak desk, several high-backed chairs, and a massive map of the empire's territory hanging on the wall, its various fortresses and territories marked in tiny cinnabar dots.
Finn von Leinfeld, the Crown Prince of the Empire, stood before the window. He parted a tiny gap in the curtains with his fingertips, gazing out at the sparsely lit night view of the imperial capital.
He had short, honey-colored hair, well-defined features, and an innate sense of superiority and sharpness between his brows.
A few paces behind him stood Marcus Wiesenberger, the Prime Minister of the Empire, waiting quietly.
Though over fifty with graying temples, his posture remained upright, and his gray eyes were steady and deep, as if they could see right through a person's soul.
Dressed in a dark gray formal suit, he stood with his hands clasped in front of him, his posture respectful but not subservient.
“Ever since we forced out my troublesome sister, this seems to be the first time we've met in private over these past few months, hasn't it?”
Finn let go of the curtain and turned around, a faint, lingering smile playing at the corners of his lips.
There was a hint of smugness in that smile, as well as a touch of mockery.
Marcus shook his head slightly, his tone steady and cautious:
“Please watch your words, Your Highness. We did not force the Princess out. Her Highness suddenly went missing, and this matter has nothing to do with us.”
“Heh.”
Finn chuckled softly and walked over to the desk, lightly tapping his fingertips on the surface twice.
“You people are just too hypocritical. The deed is already done, yet you still beat around the bush when speaking to me. I really don't know what you're so worried about. Don't forget, I can foresee the future.”
He raised his gaze, looking directly into Marcus's eyes.
“Didn't I already prove this to you before? It's precisely because you believed me that you allied with me to force out my troublesome sister, because you also know very well—the future of the empire cannot be led by an empress.”
That an empress could not rule the empire was an ironclad rule deeply rooted in the empire's political traditions for hundreds of years.
It was not because women lacked the ability to govern; quite the contrary, several princesses in history had displayed talent and resolve that far surpassed their male peers.
But every single time a princess drew near the core of power, the empire would plunge into turmoil: border rebellions, aristocratic division, financial crises... It was as if an invisible force was constantly obstructing the birth of an empress.
Over time, a consensus formed throughout the empire that the throne could only be inherited by a male, serving as the cornerstone for maintaining imperial stability.
Marcus fell silent for a moment, not denying it.
He shifted the topic, lowering his voice slightly:
“Your Highness, do we need to delay the execution of our plan? We are currently in the middle of the Hundred Academy Exchange, and the imperial capital is filled with instructors and students from magic academies all over the continent. There is no shortage of experts stronger than myself among them. If our plan triggers large-scale chaos during its execution, it might draw their attention and even invite unnecessary intervention.”
Finn waved his hand dismissively:
“There's no need. Even the headmaster of the Ironpledge Crucible Magic Academy wouldn't dare interfere in the affairs of the royal family. As for the others, even if they notice what is happening within the royal family, they certainly wouldn't dare step in. This is the internal business of the Leinfeld family; outsiders have no standing to interfere.”
He paused, a self-conceited light flashing in his eyes.
“Besides, I have already seen the future where I sit upon that throne before long!”
Hearing this, Marcus fell into hesitation.
Half a year ago, he had indeed witnessed Finn's ability to foresee the future, but he felt that this power had appeared far too suddenly.
He had consulted a vast number of secret archives, only to find that no similar record had ever appeared among the royal family members of past generations.
The ability to foresee the future was completely unheard of in the entire history of the empire.
He could only speculate that perhaps even the deities did not wish for an empress to be born in the empire, and thus bestowed this ability upon Prince Finn to allow him to correct the course of history.
And the foresight Prince Finn displayed was perhaps the very proof of heaven's will.
He was the Chosen One, the one destined to sit on the throne.
Marcus ultimately let out a sigh and lowered his head:
“I understand. I will continue to push the plan forward. However, Your Highness—even if you have seen the future where you are crowned emperor, it is still better to be cautious for now. After all, as we know from the Princess's sudden disappearance, the future can be changed.”
Finn laughed dismissively, walking back to the window to gaze outside once more. “It is fine. Do you really think I haven't prepared a backup plan?”
His voice turned low and carried a hint of chilliness:
“I have hidden a large number of private soldiers in forests throughout the empire, including many quite capable individuals. Although I've kept them cut off from the outside world for secrecy, a single order from me will allow them to breach the capital's defenses from all directions and capture my imperial father. Therefore, in this struggle, it is impossible for me to lose.”
He paused, his lips curving into an arrogant arc.
“Right now, I only hope my foolish imperial father has enough self-awareness to voluntarily abdicate the throne to me. That way, it saves everyone the trouble.”
Standing behind him, Marcus looked at the spirited back of the young Crown Prince, yet another figure involuntarily surfaced in his mind—Princess Wendy von Leinfeld.
The princess who had been forced out was far more outstanding than Finn in terms of administrative affairs, diplomatic finesse, and strategic vision.
Had she not been born the wrong gender, the empire might have welcomed a truly magnificent monarch.
But unfortunately, there were no 'ifs' in this world.
This thought flashed through Marcus's mind, but he did not let it show on his face, simply offering a respectful bow. “This minister understands.”
He then turned, pushed open the door, and vanished into the darkness of the corridor.
Silence returned to the room once more.
Finn stood alone by the window. After a brief silence, he reached out and pushed open the window.
The night wind rushed in, flickering the candlelight and casting swaying shadows upon the wall.
The very moment he pushed the window open, a dark shadow silently appeared behind him.
Finn did not turn back.
He seemed to have long anticipated the other's arrival, merely speaking slowly with a devout and confident tone:
“Rest assured, Lord Messenger. I will prove my worth to the great Goddess and will absolutely not waste this power you have bestowed upon me.”
The dark shadow behind him made no sound, quickly vanishing just as silently as it had arrived.
Finn continued to gaze out at the night sky, the smile on his lips growing even deeper.
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