Personal ability was superior in his brother, but it could not be compared to Empress Salvatrice’s power.

So Beltran acted somewhat paradoxically, wandering around moderately while attending lessons diligently. Empress Salvatrice closed her eyes to just that much.

‘Once I become Emperor, I can do everything as I please. Then I won’t need such boring lessons.’

So endure it until you become Emperor.

But Beltran, for someone enduring, openly read the newspaper sent by his attendant during class time.

His classroom attitude was very poor, but the teacher couldn’t say a word.

Even if a professor from a prestigious academy came, he could not dare to point out his attitude to himself, a royal.

Beltran flipped through the newspaper, chin in hand, ignoring whatever the teacher was blabbering about in front.

There was an interesting article on the second page. It was about Dorothea Angelos being defeated in a wrestling match.

Dorothea was a young lady particularly favored by the Empress, and often attended banquets together as his partner.

She was annoying for asking for so much, but she was not a bad partner to be around.

‘Her face was decent to look at, what a shame.’

Tsk, Beltran clicked his tongue. Then who should he take as a partner now?

At that moment, a face came to mind.

Elodie Ferdia.

The bastard of Duke Ferdia, and Prince Adenmir’s fiancée.

And according to what he heard from the spy planted in Ferdia[Dash].

‘She, likes me?’

The corners of his mouth rose.

He had information heard from Empress’s aide last night, too.

That Elodie Ferdia had once sent a divorce letter to Prince Adenmir.

If that’s true, a divorce will happen soon.

‘The reason for the divorce is obviously because of me…….’

Elodie, who fell in love with another man, must have demanded a divorce from his brother.

‘I’m really a sinful man.’

Beltran was willing to accept Elodie as his fiancée.

‘Stealing my brother’s woman?’

A strange thrill wrapped around Beltran.

He only knew that Elodie’s character was vicious, but when he talked to her at the last banquet, he liked her because she didn’t answer unnecessarily and was very respectful.

‘If well tamed, she will be perfect to hang around with.’

She looked like an angel anyway.

Moreover, he could also borrow the power of the Ferdia family, so there were more than one or two advantages.

While Beltran was indulging in various fantasies about Elodie, the philosophy class ended.

The philosophy teacher, who was watching the second prince’s face, carefully opened his mouth.

“Thus, today’s lesson is over, Your Highness.”

“Ah, yes.”

Beltran, who responded dryly, fumbled and left the room. His aide, who had been waiting outside the door, quickly followed.

“Where are you going, Your Highness. It’s time for horse riding lessons now.”

“You just ride the horse, right? I’m done, I’m going out of the palace.”

“But if Empress Your Highness finds out…….”

“Just keep it from Mother, okay?”

“Yes? But[Dash].”

“Just shut your mouth.”

What’s the problem?

Beltran was smiling slyly, but his eyes were grim.

Overwhelmed by his sharp eyes, the aide hurriedly attached a guard, but could not hold Beltran back anymore.

Instead of
Often, his hobby was going to the auction house, buying something someone wanted for a tremendous amount of money, and feeling pleasure.

How delightful it was that by possessing something, no one else could have it.

He was in the auction house with such a rather bored feeling.

It was when he tilted his head and played with his paddle, as no particular object he wanted had come out.

“Hmm?”

A fairly decent item had come out.

A worthless ring that he would not pick up even if it were lying on the road.

“A taste for Mother?”

Since the Empress had a hobby of collecting antiques, he thought of presenting it as a gift if she inquired about skipping today’s lesson.

Beltran raised his paddle.

“520 larite!”

“520 larite.”

Coincidentally, there was someone who bid at the same time. Beltran, who turned his head carelessly, found a familiar face.

It was Elodie Ferdia.

As Beltran was famously lascivious, he could recognize a woman’s face no matter how dark it was.

“Princess!”

He hadn’t been thinking about Elodie just before, and Beltran greeted her with delight.

She was sitting side by side with one escort. He didn’t even look at the escort, focusing solely on Elodie.

“……!”

Elodie averted her eyes, blushing. It seemed she was shyly embarrassed.

At the auction house by chance, bidding on the same item, at the same price, and at the same time.

‘Is this, destiny?’

Beltran thought so.

(This is a time delimiter.)

‘Is this, a nightmare?’

Seeing Beltran’s twinkling face, I slightly frowned. It was very difficult since I couldn’t overtly show my dislike.

“To meet the Princess here.”

“Ah, yes, yes.”

“Is there something you’re looking for? If the Princess wishes, I can win the bid for you. No matter the cost.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Haha, there’s no need to refuse. Between us.”

I didn’t want to talk, but Beltran kept talking to me.

In the midst of the chaos, the auctioneer shouted.

“525 larite. 525 larite has come! Is there anyone else?”

‘Damn, my ring!’

A treasure of the Fezl, a shipwreck sunk under the Topises sea a thousand years ago!

Regardless of being the second prince or anything, I had to secure that ring. If I didn’t win the bid for that ring because of that kid, I would die of injustice.

“Princess, don’t do this–”

“Please be quiet.”

“……What, what?”

I sharply cut off Beltran’s words and raised my paddle.

“540 larite!”

“540 larite, 540 larite has come! The highest price is 540 larite. Is there anyone else?”

“…….”

“Selling for 540 larite!”

“Yesss!”

I clenched both fists at the fact that I had won a treasure from a thousand years ago for only 540 larite.

‘Greed, your ability is the best. Black Flame Dragon, the best!’

One big step closer to independence!

While I was happily enjoying my newly acquired ability–

“Prin……cess?”

When I turned my head at the voice from the front, Beltran was looking at me as if he were somewhat baffled.

As soon as my eyes met Beltran’s, the smile vanished from my face.

‘How do I deal with this person?’

Suddenly, my mood turned sour…….