I Have No Intention Of Training The Male Leads - Chapter 17 Part 5

17. Catfight (5)

Translated by: ???

Meanwhile, Cedric pressed the power button on the communication device and looked at William, who was putting the device into the inner pocket of his black overcoat, with a tired expression.

“I’ve seen enough of you lying without even a hint of shame.”

“Haha. Why do you praise me so much?”

“Do you not ever think that you might get caught?”

“She’s made it a habit to have someone else do her intelligence work. She doesn’t have the time to find out personally. Even if I get caught, it won’t be anytime soon. So, what’s the problem?”

While observing his master, who effortlessly feigned a naturally friendly smile, Cedric shook his head in disbelief.

Two years ago, the man who had suffered from a serious illness woke up as a completely different person.

Always wearing a melancholic expression and cursing his fate, the man who had chosen to live in the shadows disappeared into the fever. The unfamiliar person who woke up from his slumber smashed the furniture in the bedroom and threw away those who tried to restrain him, growling. Cedric could never forget the bluish eyes that seemed to be ready to stab someone and see blood after that.

It had been precisely ten years since Cedric received a secret letter from the emperor and headed to the Proika Territory in the north. The young Grand Duke, who was not yet of age, was a person with few words and a gloomy demeanor since his childhood.

The man, who had taken up the hobby of touching rifles, locked himself in the mansion without any interaction with people. He was a perfect target for surveillance, but he wasn’t someone Cedric had any particular affection for. Yet, he was far from being the person who could subdue and dominate the people in the mansion in just two short years.

As the man, who used to behave like an untamed beast, regained stability and started to act like a person wearing awkward clothes, about ten doctors and magicians came to see the Grand Duke. Half of them diagnosed him with amnesia, and the other half diagnosed him with schizophrenia.

There were a few charlatans who occasionally pointed to supernatural beings like demons or ghosts as the cause, but those people paid a heavy price for mocking him afterwards.

Surprisingly, Cedric agreed with the opinions of the very few charlatans. Cedric never forgot the language that the man shouted dozens or hundreds of times while having seizures, saying, ?I am not William?.

As the man himself said, he was not William, nor was he like anyone else in this world. He was a being that came from a completely different world. If anyone had heard the language that the man spoke, whose identity was unknown, even once, they would have agreed with Cedric’s judgment.

However, Cedric believed that it didn’t matter if the ?thing? inside William was a demon that devoured the host’s essence and took away its shell, or the soul of a murderer executed in the great forest of Proika hundreds of years ago.

The man, who used to behave like a beast, soon began to act like a disheveled and innocent young man, and eventually, the knowledge poured onto him by Cedric and the observers to make William appear as the ?Grand Duke? became a weapon that the man easily wielded to control and manipulate people.

The soul of a slaughterer, always ready to aim for the opponent’s weakness, finally turned the ruler of Proika, ?William Hugh Lancaster?, into a finished product. Everyone in the territory was captivated by the fierce and cold-blooded man, who was as sharp as a blade.

They believed that someone who considered shedding blood and speaking lies and hypocrisy as insignificant in order to achieve their goals was the true master of the North. How fitting was this man for the name ?Lancaster?.

It had been over six months since Cedric began delivering Frederick III’s secret letter to his master. It had been a long time since he had fallen for the stench of this bloodthirsty man.

“You said he was important, didn’t you?”

“He is important. That’s why I went to such lengths.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

Cedric swallowed the words he was about to say. It didn’t take long for the door of the reception room to open, and the servant announced the arrival of the owner to the sound of footsteps.

“His Highness has arrived.”

William stood up from his seat. Edward, who entered the reception room, stood in his place and moved his beautiful face to show a gentle smile to William, who nodded his head.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting.”

“It’s alright. I heard you were busy.”

The two men, who exchanged pleasantries while smiling, sat down and received their respective cups of tea. After sipping the tea and dismissing the attendants and aides who were hovering around, they finally spoke again.

“You have remarkable skills. I helped a little, but I didn’t expect it to be this fast.”

“It’s nothing. It’s all thanks to my father’s assistance.”

“How is he doing?”

“He’s still holding on, but probably not for much longer.”

Upon hearing Edward’s words, William raised his teacup, enjoying the warm aroma that wafted with satisfaction. With a pleased smile, the man placed the stack of documents he had kept by his side on the reception room table.

Edward reached out his arm and brought the documents towards himself, flipping through them one by one. After examining every page, Edward raised his head, smiled lightly, and asked a question.

“It’s good that our intentions align and things have progressed quickly. May I ask why you wanted Frederick III’s life?”

“That is not a matter for His Highness to concern himself with.”

“I see…”

Edward lifted his cup. With a light touch of his lips to the tea, he began to sharpen his sword in earnest.

“Coming all the way to such a place, I must admit, it was quite surprising. I suppose she knows Uncle and I are on the same page?”

“Well, if you’re curious, you can ask her directly. Ah, Lady Evelyn despises His Highness so much that I’m not sure if you’ll get a proper answer.”

“Haha. It was quite amusing to see you act like a dog that met its master, but I hope you don’t lose your composure as a member of the imperial family.”

William, who calmly received Edward’s words with a gentle smile on his face, sipped his warm tea and responded.

“I wonder who is clinging to her pants like a dirty crab and whining like a dog.”

“Anyway, you’re just a toy for her to play with.”

“Yes, and you can’t even be that toy.”

“…..”

“Although it’s amusing to see you desperately trying to gain even a moment of attention.”

William’s expression, with a gaze as sharp as impending icicles, momentarily turned cold as he looked at Edward with his deep blue eyes. However, the sardonic smile lingering on his lips remained.

“If you think you can’t do it, then leave. Don’t bother lingering around here. Where did you learn such a messy upbringing, begging and clinging to a woman who clearly doesn’t want you?”

“Ahaha, I didn’t expect the Grand Duke’s way of speaking to be so harsh. It seems that despite frequently walking along the east side of the river, you’ve left your manners behind on the other side.”

“It’s not just my way of speaking that is harsh. I hope I won’t have to be harsher in the future.”

Their gazes met. The two men easily noticed that they found each other extremely distasteful.

“I hope this is the end of us seeing each other’s faces. The day I met my nephew, my appetite was ruined.”

“Haha, what a coincidence. I’ve also had trouble finishing my meals recently.”

“I will take my leave now. Let’s communicate through letters or messengers for future contact, for each other’s sake.”

William put down his teacup and stood up, opening the door of the reception room and stepping outside. Cedric, who had been waiting, followed behind him.

The two men, with Cedric acting as his guide, walked through the palace corridors, brushing off anyone who tried to approach them. After just a few steps, William’s grumbling could be heard.

“That little fox, I really want to give him a good smack.”

“Shh…! We’re still in the Crown Prince’s palace.”

“It’s something I want him to hear. I hope it gets through.”

Cedric glanced around discreetly, warning him. William, seemingly unconcerned, descended the stairs with slow, deliberate steps.

“Is everything ready?”

“Preparations are complete.”

“Good, then. Since we’re done here, let’s start getting ready to go back.”

“Oh, and about what you mentioned earlier…”

As they exited the lobby, William turned to Cedric, not fully understanding his whispered words.

“Um, about the words of the swindler.”

“Ah, I see.”

“It seems like the name mentioned is probably an alias. It’s difficult to investigate as there is too little information.”

“Hmm. Then, what about the midwife at the time? Have you found her?”

“We are following the traces, but it seems that someone has already tampered with the evidence. We found traces of contamination by someone.”

“This complicates things.”

Despite saying that, William’s voice sounded quite light. William commanded in a very low voice.

“Find evidence implicating the eldest son. It must be his doing. There is a high possibility that the swindler is also under his control.”

“…Investigating the successor to the throne carries a considerable risk.”

“It was strange from the beginning that we couldn’t find anything on our side. Just proceed.”

“I mean, is it really necessary to put in this much effort?”

“Hmm. When it comes to someone you like, you can’t help it, can you?”

“…Did I hear that correctly?”

“It’s just someone. Let’s go.”

Cedric’s eyes widened even more. He briefly stopped and then quickly caught up, stepping closer to William.

“Wait, Your Highness. Are you serious? Shall we prepare for the engagement? No, shall we send a marriage proposal first?”

“You’re talking nonsense. Have you suddenly gone mad?”

“No, Your Highness? Your Highness?”

William casually brushed off Cedric’s urgent call with an indifferent expression and showed a kind smile to the knights guarding the main gate of the palace.