THE TRASH PRINCE'S SYSTEM

CHAPTER 6: PRINCE THERON'S PLOTS

In Caelora Province, Second Prince Theron Valeheart Thaloria, Duke of Caelora Province, could barely contain his laughter inside his private chambers as reports reached him of Holy Mages found dead in hidden city alleys, village paths, town streets, City streets and the Kingsroad all over Thaloria in broad daylight, when the people were just waking up, with the words bastard prince and hypocrite holy mages scrawled on the corpses.

Perfect. I bet House Blackmoor, The Pope, the Holy Church, the believers of the Holy Church, Lady Blackmoor, and Crown Prince Alaric are quaking with anger in their boots right now, just as I wanted. It's time to add fuel to the fire, and fan the flames even further, to force the hand of my foes. I’m sure they won’t take this sitting down meekly.

Prince Theron thought with glee as he irreverently drank another tankard of the Sanctified Draught, a blessed amber colored ale which is meant only for the Holy Church to prepare and share with their guests, which is also irreverently paired with a plateful of Veritas Morsels, which are holy communion wafers served by the Holy Mages before the Mass ends. Prince Theron grabbed another Morsel, dipped it in butter, and popped it into his mouth. There are also deep fried spicy squid with a side sauce of aged spicy vinegar spiced with chillies, finely ground black pepper, onions, and ginger on Prince Theron's table, while Prince Theron took a break from looking at the reports regarding security, education, trade, infrastructure status, and magical knowledge in the province he ruled. The figures indicated rich trade, increased education rates among the mages and the commoners, well maintained roads, and secure province borders.

“ If your foes from the Holy Church and House Blackmoor saw you irreverently drinking that holy ale, eating that holy bread, and pairing it with butter and seafood like it is an ordinary snack, they’d have a heart attack, Your Highness. “

Sir Blain Renaud, of House Renaud which fully supported the Second Prince, happened to go inside the Second Prince’s private chambers, laughed lightly with a dry remark when he glanced at the array of food and drink on the Second Prince’s study table.

“ Why, you flatter me, my lord. Have a seat. Eat and drink. There's more than enough for the two of us, sir. “

“ As you wish, Your Highness. You haven't finished reading all those reports regarding Education, Security, Trade, and Hygiene rates in Caelora Province, I see. I must say, I approve of what you’ve been doing, since the border has been more secure than ever. And the residents are starting to get wealthy too, thanks to your efforts. “

Sir Blain Renaud sat down on an empty chair, poured himself a tankard of Sanctified Draught, took some Veritas Morsel wafers that looked as though it had been placed in a frying pan, deep fried until became crispy, and dipped the Veritas Morsels in butter.

“Damn. I didn't know this holy bread served by Holy Mages, and this holy ale drank by Holy Mages could taste so good, Your Highness. If the Holy Church were here they would cry sacrilege at how you mixed them with mundane foods and made them look as though they were snacks. “

“ Holy bread and holy ale my, lord? Veritas Morsels are just unleavened wafers enhanced with magic and given a fancy name. The same applies to the ale, my lord. Did you know it was Lady Philippa Hamilton who kindly agreed to sell batches of Holy Food and Holy Drinks to me, sir? “

Second Prince Theron laughed.

“ Lady Philippa Hamilton? Of House Hamilton? But I thought House Hamilton is a steadfast supporter of the Crown Prince, and in extension, House Blackmoor and the Holy Church. “

Second Prince Theron’s remark surprised Sir Blain.

“ On the surface, they are steadfast supporters and allies of House Blackmoor. But the winds of time are fickle, and so are alliances. Even more so are the men and women who make up the House themselves. All it takes is to find out their true ambitions, and use their ambitions so you can make them support one side or another. If the coin won't sway them, then perhaps… better benefits will sway them to switch to your side. Lady Philippa, for example, is a businesswoman after all. All it takes to sway her into your favor are promises of more profits. Her first cousin is a knight of my father’s Royal Kingsguard. “

“ Don’t tell me it’s that easy to manipulate House Hamilton to switch to your side, Your Highness. They are a large and fertile House, with plenty of family members, after all. “

“Easy? Nothing in this world is ever easy, my lord. But it’s easy to connect the dots. Win Lady Philippa’s support, and the others will follow. Why? Since her first cousin, Sir Hamilton who is the rightful heir of House Hamilton took the white cloak, the mantle has passed to Lady Philippa according to Thalorian law, since Lady Philippa has no siblings, despite being a child of Lord Hamilton’s second brother, who died in the civil war. The same goes for sir Liam Hamilton, who has no siblings, and whose father is the current duke of Hamilton Province. And her cousin listens to Lady Philippa, sir Blain. Those cousins of hers that you mentioned are further down in the line of succession, since they were the children of the third and fourth siblings of the current Duke Hamilton. Lady Philippa is very influential in her own House, and is well loved by everyone in her House, starting from her relatives down to minor and major Houses sworn to House Hamilton. “

If Second Prince Theron gains the loyalty of House Hamilton, it will be a major blow to the Holy Church, the Crown Prince, and House Blackmoor. House Hamilton is after all, wealthy numerous, and powerful, even if their influence is not as great as that of major and minor Houses sworn to House Blackmoor, their numbers, their vast wealth, and their skill for business and trade aren't to be underestimated. Gain the loyalty of House Hamilton, and the Second Prince will cripple the forces and power of House Blackmoor and the Holy Church.

Sir Blain Renaud took second Prince Theron’s explanation in silence, just realizing the gravity of Prince Theron’s words.

“ Enough of that talk, Sir Blain. I’m sure you didn't come inside just to chitchat and partake of my food and drinks. What brings you here? “

“ Your Highness, as you can see, the Holy Church, the Crown Prince, Lady Blackmoor, House Blackmoor and their sworn swords and allies must be in an uproar right now because of the events at the theater. My oldest brother, the Lord Protector of Renaud Town, has a suggestion on how you can capitalize on the recent events and further fan the flames. Since it’s a long story, he penned everything in this sealed letter here. Break the seal, and read for yourself. I still have things to do. I’ll take my leave of you now. “

Sir Blain Renaud placed the sealed letter on the Second Prince’s study table, and walked out the door of the Second Prince’s private chambers.

The Second Prince broke open the seal, and just finished reading the contents of the letter just as his wife, the Duchess Caelora and the Second Princess-Consort entered the Second Prince’s private chambers.

“ Your Highness, do you realize what you have done? You’ve caused a lot of trouble this time, my lord. And what's with that wicked grin on your face? “

“ Here, my love. Read this letter. I mean to take advantage of the problem I caused, and delay our foes. By the time they respond, the damage will give them a painful sting they will never forget. “

The Second Prince gave the unsealed letter to the Duchess to read.

“Just be cautious, my lord. Their forces aren't to be underestimated. One wrong move, and it may mean our heads. “

“ In everything we do, we risk our lives, dear wife. But better to take the risk, than do nothing at all. Look at the King. He’s so cautious he won't even make a move against those who killed my birth mother, when he has the power to do so. You’re afraid of the Crown Prince? He’s nothing to fear. He’s just a bastard child of Father after all, with a royal title. A nice sharp sword will go through his neck all the same. All we need to do is outsmart him and find a way to kill him. “

Prince Theron laughed his merry, smooth as silk laugh that hid deadly plots before walking out of his private chamber.