Chapter 383: The Crown Prince and Arch Duke

Horace rode down the long path that Cassius told him Albus would come from. With Halfdan at his side, the two had annoyed expressions. "It will be nearly impossible to stage an accident, even if it is snowing."

"We have orders. Stop complaining." Despite his command, it was a hard task for Horace. They had been riding for a few hours and had only come across plains or small forests. For another half hour, they rode. The cold was horrid, yet Halfdan didn’t care, having come from a land colder. Hoprace pulled his clothing tighter but didn’t let it show he was being affected.

In silence, the two looked around, trying to find someplace that could be used as a staging ground. After half an hour, it felt like their prayers were answered by a tall bridge cutting across a wide river. Halfdan and Horace got off their horses and looked around.

Going down to the water, Halfdan leaned his ear to it before tapping. "The ice is thin. Looking up at the bridge, he smiled. "If something fell from that height, they would easily fall through. I dunno if you know, but a man falls in this, even if he gets out, there is a chance he still won’t survive."

Horace nodded and analysed the bridge. "Stay away from the ice." Calling out to Halfdan, he kicked part of the wall. Nothing happened, and Horace moved on to another part. Over and over, he kicked different sections of the wall with nothing happening and clicked his tongue. If the wall had been loose, his life would have been easier.

"We won’t be able to get him off on the bridge; it would have to be just before it." Halfdan came next to Horace and watched as he played the scenarios in his head to try to stage the accident.

"Okay. Instead of making it seem like an accident, the only way we could do this is to stage a botched robbery or chase. We will need Magnus to provide some men, horses and a single carriage. If we plant one at the end of the bridge, then when we chase him later, we can force a shift in direction over the river where the water will break, unable to handle its weight."

Halfdan looked at the river again and nodded, "If the ice doesn’t get too thick, that should be fine. Even if it does, no carriage will be able to ride on it without toppling over." Hoace nodded and saddled his horse with Halfdan, returning to the Maximus manor.

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Guests flooded into the large ballroom, rubbing their hands to warm themselves. Magnus watched from above, looking down at the dance floor. He saw all the guests slowly back away, quieting down as Ash and Valeria gently danced. Looking at the guests all around, his eyes focused on those who he could tell had a negative opinion of the ceremony. Making a mental note of this, he shouldn’t trust that he heard footsteps slowly approach from behind.

Only one man would dare walk around atop the balcony without his permission. Turning, Magnus placed his hand on his chest and lowered his head toward Julius. "It is an Honour, Your Highness. Thank you for coming to my daughter’s marriage."

"There is no need. It’s a shame my father couldn’t come, but you must understand. Running the Empire keeps him occupied." Magnus smiled and looked down at the two dancing. Julius leapt over the balcony and, seeing his bastard brother, felt angry.

Peeking at the Prince, Magnus smiled, seeing the flames in his eyes, "I wonder, how has the Emperor been recently. I know succession has been a major problem for him." Julius curled his fists, but before he could say anything, Magnus quickly spoke again, "Of course, there is no other heir to the throne other than yourself, Your Highness. But as your loyal servant, it is only right that I come to you with the news I have learnt."

Julius ground his teeth but managed a smile, "Thank you, Your Grace." It pissed him off. He was the eldest son, and the throne rightfully belonged to him; yet, his father never officially named him his successor. He would be the one to inherit if Theodosius died, but he would have to live knowing he wasn’t his father’s choice. If it were only that he could live with it, but being sent to deal with Magnus was getting to him.

He should have only had to show respect to his Father, but Magnus existed. As Grand Duke, his title placed him above a Prince. Magnus didn’t need to show him real respect. He didn’t have to lower his head to anyone other than the Emperor. Julius could tell that the man before him had no respect for him, instead wishing to get a reaction out of him.

Magnus could see he was close and smiled, but quickly hid it by sipping his drink. After calming himself down, he looked at Ash and Valeria as they stepped apart and bowed to one another. The gentle music that had been playing live, and the nobility with partners came forward and started dancing. "It is beautiful. Know that I think about it, Your Highness, my daughter is now your step sister."

The veins popped on Julius’ temples, but with a deep breath, he turned to face Magnus and stared deeply into his eyes. "He is still a bastard, Your Grace. He doesn’t have a name."

"Oh, you don’t know," Magnus said in surprise, smiling. "You see, it is cruel to leave a man without a name. So I petitioned the Cardinal of Sveria to grant him one. Of course, he couldn’t take his father’s name without his permission, but his mother is dead. Down there is now Livius Tatius. He isn’t a bastard in the eyes of God anymore, only men. It is amazing what money can buy."

Julius frowned but smiled, "Well, I guess that is fitting. After all, a bastard is hardly deserving of the most noble name on Gaia."

"Oh." Magnus quickly agreed. "Besides, he hates your family name. He wouldn’t take it even if you begged him. He must think your family is too noble, the way your father killed his sons and daughters."

"Watch your tongue, Duke," Juluis spoke with venom, getting a pair of piercing, cold eyes directed his way.

"Arch Duke." Magnus said coldly, "It is very rude not to call a man by his title, Your Highness, especially when one must pay respects to them."

Julius took a few deep breaths and lowered his head. "Forgive me."

"All is forgiven. When you take the throne, this won’t matter, of course. I will be the one lowering my head to you." Magnus said with a thin smile and turned to look at Ash. Julius followed his eyes, his frown deepening. Only now did he realise that Magnus was betting everything on winning the throne.

Even when he had been of a higher rank than Julius, he had never been so openly disrespectful to him.’He is dangerous. I need to warn Father.’Magnus looked at Juluis and could see the boy was worried.

With a smirk, he looked at the musicians and raised his hand to have them stop playing. Lifting his glass, he knocked on it with a ring to get everyone’s attention. The entire ballroom was silenced and looked towards Magnus. He watched carefully and happily, taking in the overwhelming number of positive gazes he received from Julius and smirked.

"It is my great honour to host you all today. To see my beautiful daughter, Valeria, finally get married. I know many of you wished to marry my daughter so that your sons could marry her, but I think no one can complain about her husband. And so I would like to raise a toast," Magnus looked at Julius and smiled, "To His Highness and my son-in-law, Livius. May their marriage be eternal and blessed with many children."

The entire ballroom raised their glasses toward Magnus and drank. As if just releasing, Magnus tapped his temple and shook his head, "Forgive me. Of course, we must raise a toast to His Highness Juluis aswell." Some of Magnus’s most loyal followers chuckled at the blatant disrespect.

The guests looked up and saw Juluis go red with anger and embarrassment, and couldn’t help but watch him with pity. He was in the middle of his enemy’s territory, yet his enemy didn’t want to kill him but instead to embarrass and destroy his reputation. For some of them, it was arguably worse than being physically harmed.

Julius saw the eyes looking at him and frowned, but turned to Magnus. "Thank you, Your Grace." The guests were about to lift their glasses, but a subtle move of Magnus’s hand stopped them.

He silently stared at Juluis with warm eyes. Julius looked back and quickly realised what Magnus wanted. "Don’t push it, Duke."

"Arch. Duke." Magnus said slowly, "Lower your head." Whispering so only he could hear, Julis ground his teeth again.

Taking a few deep breaths, he turned to the people below once he claimed down, "Your cheers are unnecessary for me. I am not so vain that I must have them. Please enjoy your night, and excuse me. My duties as Crown Prince require me to leave."

Julius quickly left, trying to keep some of his dignity, but to many of the guests it looked as if he was running with his tail between his legs. Magnus watched with delight. Had Theodosius come in person, things would have been very different, but Juluis was still a child to him. He may be middle-aged, but he didn’t live and thrive within high society like he did.