I'm the third son of a viscount's family, but I have a claim to the throne. - Episode 14

“Derek, are you planning to become an explorer in the future? Or are you aiming for a position in the Merchant’s Guild or something similar?”

On a rest day, after completing a simple task outside the royal capital’s walls with Jay, I was assisting the Merchant’s Guild with my usual part-time work when Kurt struck up a casual conversation.

“I’m still trying to figure out where I fit best—explorer, traveling merchant, or magical tool craftsman,” I replied. “I’m not really aiming for a permanent position in the Merchant’s Guild right now.”

After all, working in the capital meant risking interference from the Kesbart Duchy, the Queen’s family. Without access to the headquarters here, my prospects for career advancement would be severely limited.

Even in regional offices, the heads of such branches are typically expected to manage delicate negotiations with local lords. Without significant connections, rising through the ranks would likely be a stressful and uphill battle.

Unless the Queen and the Kesbart Duchy were thoroughly disempowered, working in the guild would likely bring more frustration than opportunity. That said, building discreet connections while I was still a student seemed like a wise move.

“I see,” Kurt said thoughtfully. “Well… the Merchant’s Guild in this kingdom might be tricky, but what about guilds in other countries? Someone like you, quick with calculations and skilled with paperwork, could rise through the ranks in a foreign guild without interference.”

He was subtly suggesting a path abroad.

“Foreign guilds, huh? I don’t have any connections there, and I’m not yet drawn enough to the guild to consider leaving my home country,” I admitted. “But if circumstances change, I’ll keep it in mind.”

If I were to leave the kingdom, I’d first need to acquire the skills to fend off potential assassins sent after me. Working as an explorer or traveling briefly to neighboring lands for materials would be one thing, but emigrating for a desk job in the Merchant’s Guild? That might be seen as treason—providing a rival nation with a potential foothold in our kingdom.

“In that case, you could consider studying abroad as a trial run to see if the culture suits you,” Kurt suggested brightly. “My maternal uncle works in a merchant guild in a neighboring country. He’s on track for a senior position, so I’m sure he could help you out if needed. Don’t hesitate to reach out.”

Kurt’s smile was warm and inviting, but the offer felt more like bait than genuine kindness. It was as if he were subtly saying, Feel free to bring yourself to the party, preferably with a side of gullibility.

The Libour Viscounty, whose head and heir worked as court officials, was known for its diplomatic ties. Had this uncle reached out to Kurt, seeing him as a disposable tool? Or was the entire family aligning itself to offer the kingdom’s royal bl00d to foreign powers?

This felt… troubling. The royal bloodline, marked by its immense magical power, was the kingdom’s most valuable asset and its strongest defense.

Anyone selling out such a resource posed a potential threat to national security.

I decided I’d better inform Father. Depending on his advice, I might also need to consult my brothers. Perhaps Akius could even pass a message to the Second Prince for further action.

Still, it might be best to avoid making too big a deal out of it—there was a chance Kurt was acting on naïve goodwill rather than calculated malice.

“I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks,” I said casually.

Later That Evening

“By the way,” I told Jay after returning to our dormitory, “Kurt might be a little dangerous. He seems to be trying to sell me to a neighboring kingdom.”

“Sell you?” Jay asked, raising an eyebrow.

“He suggested I’d thrive in a foreign merchant guild without interference, even mentioning that studying abroad might help. Oh, and his uncle supposedly works for a merchant guild in that country and could lend a hand.”

Jay seemed unsurprised.

“The Libour family has long been connected to diplomacy and foreign relations,” Jay explained. “They probably see no harm in leveraging those ties. Still, smuggling royal bl00d to another nation is a big deal. If it happens, it’ll likely be framed as some ‘accident’ that leaves you stranded abroad—or as part of a marriage alliance subtle enough to avoid open backlash from the kingdom.”

“You sure know a lot about court politics for someone who claimed to be a shut-in,” I remarked.

Despite the gaps in Jay’s formal education, his grasp of the royal court’s inner workings far surpassed mine.

“I was neglected at the villa, true, but I couldn’t risk being seen as diligent or self-taught—it would’ve drawn the wrong kind of attention. Since I couldn’t spend time studying openly, I’d sneak into the main palace disguised as a page and pick up whatever I could,” Jay said with a small shrug.

I nodded thoughtfully.

“So, what’s your read on Kurt?” I asked. Jay’s knack for reading people honed in the treacherous palace might offer insights I lacked.

“Kurt?” Jay considered for a moment. “He acts like a meek, unassuming third son from a weak viscounty, but he secretly believes he’s superior to those around him. He’s the type who delights in others’ failures. I’ve seen plenty of people like him in the palace—friendly on the surface but quick to sabotage others. If you ever work with him, double-check everything he touches. And trust him with something as critical as arranging foreign studies? Absolutely not.”

“Yikes,” I muttered. “I suspected he wasn’t as earnest as he seemed, but I didn’t think he’d go as far as sabotage. You could’ve warned me sooner!”

“You’d already introduced him to me. If I’d written him off based solely on my impression, wouldn’t you have just dismissed my warning?” Jay countered. “A minor hiccup here and there isn’t the end of the world, and sometimes people need a reason to believe warnings. Besides, you’re competent enough to recover from a small mistake.”

Fair enough. Jay wasn’t obligated to shield me from every misstep. He was my cousin and friend, not my guardian.

Still, I needed to sharpen my ability to judge people. Trusting the wrong person could lead to far worse than a minor inconvenience.