The Third Prince Of Darkness

I closed the document I had and placed it on top of the papers on the desk. The media company's first news magazine will be available in most small and large shops in two days. For now, I have enough resources to reach the public in the capital and the four largest cities of the Asina Kingdom. Within a few months, the newspapers will slowly start spreading across the continent by expanding to neighboring kingdoms.

Additionally, I've decided to integrate a game of chance into the magazine that will be published in the last month of this year. Just like the New Year lottery in my old world, I should try to increase the number of readers. However, I am still working on solving a major problem. I don't have statistics on the literacy rate of people in this world, but compared to my modern world, this world would probably fail miserably.

Perhaps an alphabet or other content to learn to read and writing could be included on a page of the magazines. But still, the first audience I want the newspapers to reach is generally the powerful and noble people. As noble and powerful people usually know how to read and write, I don't need to worry too much about this issue.

Another important issue for now is to establish a security network for my banking company and ensure the safety of the interbank money flow. Unfortunately, teleportation spells are not used by people in this world. Now that I think about it, maybe if I could invent something like a zeppelin, I wouldn't have to worry about transportation security.

For now, I have no choice but to gather information from the servant guild and hire the best and most suitable mercenaries. Later, a certain commission can be given to the local lords to ensure the security of the banks. Fortunately, I don't need to worry about the tobacco company. After all, since we package the cigarettes and distribute them to the continent, security loss is not an issue.

I distracted my thoughts for a while and looked at Avanne, who was in my arms. I realized that she had already fallen asleep with a sweet smile, resting her head on my shoulder. When I looked out the window, I understood that it was already midnight and used my hand to wake Avanne. When she didn't wake up despite me applying a bit more force, I internally wondered how she had gotten so tired. Seeing her still sleeping sweetly on my shoulder, I couldn't help but sigh.

"Knock knock"

When I heard the sound of the door, I said "come in" without raising my voice too much, but even if I had shouted, I doubt Avanne would have woken up. I wasn't surprised because I already knew who the person entering was. A girl with short red hair and emerald green eyes, excessively beautiful, walked in. When she saw Avanne sleeping soundly in my arms, her eyes widened in astonishment and then she looked at me... with angry eyes?

"Welcome, Althea," I said, smiling. I signaled with my hand for her to close the door.

Althea frowned as she closed the door and then approached the desk without saying a word. She picked up the papers on the desk angrily but looked at me with anger in her eyes during this time. It's true that I haven't explained the relationship between Avanne and me to anyone so far, but this shouldn't be a tremendous surprise. Besides, I didn't understand why this girl was so angry. Had I done something else?

"Why are you so angry, Althea?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Why would I be angry at you?" she suddenly snapped.

"Well, I asked why you're so angry, not why you're angry at me" I wanted to say, but an inner voice told me to say these words. Still, I didn't know what to say.

"Did I do something wrong?" I couldn't help but ask.

Althea looked at me as if what I said was very foolish and angrily gathered all the papers. Before she left, I took out a letter I had written for her mother from the drawer and handed it to her.

"Deliver this to your mother," I said.

She took it from my hand angrily and stormed towards the door with all the documents. After she closed the door behind her hard, I looked at the door with a deep sigh. I used to think I understood women very well, but now... I realize I know nothing about women.Why did she get angry after seeing Avanne in my arms?

...Could it be... Did she fall in love with me? Or maybe she liked me, but if that's the case, after what just happened, I doubt she'll continue to like me. This is the only possibility that can explain why she got so angry, but... Why did Althea fall in love with me... Wait a minute, why do I always question why the women who fall in love with me do so? Can I logically explain why I fell in love with Emilia?

Yes, love is quite a complex emotion, and it's better to just accept this feeling. Even so, throughout the years I've spent with Althea, I never noticed that she developed such feelings towards me. Althea was often a headstrong woman who did what she knew was right, and although these were terribly bad traits for a maid... Now that I think about it, she always made sure not to cause any problems for me. But it wouldn't be right to say that she's in love with me or likes me, at least not right now. Maybe there's another reason.

After making a mental note to talk to her later, I gently lifted Avanne from my lap and placed her on my chair. Then I looked around and noticed the two large couches in the room. After pushing the table in the middle aside, I lifted one couch and placed it against the other. This way, the couches were side by side, serving as a makeshift bed. I then turned to Avanne and lifted her into my arms.

Before placing her gently on the couch, I positioned a few pillows under her head and then laid her down. I took the tablecloth from the table and covered her with it. Unfortunately, I didn't want to take her to my own bedroom. There were several reasons for this. Firstly, I couldn't show my enemies that I took one of my weak points, Avanne, to my bedroom. I didn't want her to get hurt. Also, there was already a rumor chain among the nobles about a relationship between my false identity, Arthur, and Avanne, and I didn't want to damage both Avanne and the image of my false identity.

Moreover, Avanne, as Prince Ethan's assistant and because of viscount affairs, was already very much in the spotlight, and putting her more in the spotlight was unnecessary. I jotted a note and placed it on the desk, along with the key to the room. Before leaving, I left a kiss on her forehead and exited. After instructing the guards outside to ensure no one enters my room, I started heading to my own room...

---

(Third-Person POV)

In a grand room, white smoke was rising, filling the air. Even while seated, it was clear that the man was tall as he consumed the cigar in his hand. On one side of the room stood another man, respectfully standing, indicating that the cigar-smoking man held a high position.

"Heh, it seems my son is a genius when it comes to finance. This thing called a cigar is going to make him a lot of money" he said.

"That's right, Your Majesty. Indeed, the companies he has established have entered the market with extremely smart ideas" the standing man said.

"Do you think Ethan will make a righteous king?" he asked suddenly, taking another puff from his cigar.

"Eh, it's hard to say for now, but I believe he will at least make a righteous king, Your Majesty," the standing man replied.

"Could there be a better king than me, or rather King Richard?"Richard looked at the man, asking another question.

"I'm not sure. But looking at what he's done in the rebellion region, I think he could be a better king than you," he said.

The tension in the room quickly rose, and the standing man's hairs stood on end, but the tension quickly dissipated with the sudden laughter filling the room.

"Ha hahaha! You really speak your mind. And to think you are heaping this praise on the who killed your son" he said, laughing while holding his stomach. After a while, he stopped laughing and looked at the standing man with a frown. "By the way, I never asked if you were angry with Ethan for killing your son."

The man clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. "That Jester is not my son...!"The anger and pain on the man's face were signs of deep rage.