First, I need to locate the competitors. Only after that can I observe them and decide who to support. I’m pretty sure the they are in the castle. So, I think I will infiltrate that giant castle first.

After activating my camouflage, I sneak into the castle. Guild master said that oldest Tion is warrior. So, if what he said is true, I think Tion would be in a gym, if there is any.

While walking around searching for the gym I hear someone speak.

“Young master, please wait?”

“Don’t want to.”

As I look over to the corridor brown-haired boy of about ten years old is running and authentic maid is chasing after him. I never understood people’s fascination with maids, but now that I saw one in flesh there is something that is unexpectedly alluring.

Anyway, this brat seems to be the youngest. Turin, was it? Typical brat born with silver spoon in his mouth. I think he can be excluded from competitors list. As boy and maid passes by me as take good look at the boy.

There is something inside him. Something slumbering. I don’t think anyone will like it when whatever’s inside him awakens. As for the maid brunette. It seems I got preference toward brunettes.

Now that I met the youngest, let’s find the oldest. After searching around the castle, I still couldn’t find the prince. But I figured out something else. There is something foreboding being brewed in this castle. Whatever I felt inside the boy is connected to it too.

More I get to know about this place more interesting it gets. I come before the last room I didn’t pass by. Main lobby. I think this is where the archduke is in.

Only question is whether do I enter or not?

Last time guild master saw through my camouflage. So, there is no guarantee that the archduke won’t. While I was pondering that middle-aged butler passes by me and enters the main lobby. While he opened the door, I slip into the room.

“Your highness, princess would like an audience with you.”

“Granted.”

Isn’t that way too formal. Anyway, archduke is, as I suspected person of strength. Just looking at him makes me feel danger. Sitting on a throne and next to him is a middle aged-woman. I think that is his wife. Both aged well. Even though they both have silver hair, that only make them looks distinguished. And their piercing blue eyes that give you a feeling of being seen through.

And I think archduchess is not ordinary too. Anyway, they both exude danger. And this lobby is full of prying eyes. Door opens and woman of about twenty walks in behind her walk another two women.

Blonde hair, blue eyes, shit I wish I could describe people better. Hair color and eye color isn’t proper description of a person. I will simply say she is a beautiful person. Anyway, I think this is Talia. One guild master works for.

“Hello, mother. Hello, father.”

“Hello, child.”

Look in mother’s eyes change. I guess wherever I’m, mothers are all same. As for the father I can’t say.

“I need to talk about brother. It’s been almost three days since he went missing. Nobody knows where he is.”

“Don’t worry about your brother. I know where he is.”

“Then where is he father?”

“That is something that will stay between us, child.”

“I understand, father.”

After that she turns around and leaves. While she was leaving, I leave my mana signature on one of her guards. I think besides the youngest other don’t live in the castle. This will help me find her later.

“Leave us alone.”

As archduke said I feel all the presence in the room disappear. Of course, except me.

“When do you think he will be back, dear?”

“I don’t know. All I know is that he is alive.”

“Why did you send him?”

“You know how he is. As soon as he heard about the mission he volunteered. He has no interest in governing, only in battling. I need to choose either Tirin or Talia and retire.”

“So, who are you going to choose?”

“I don’t know. Both are exceptional. But as I watch them more, I’m inclining towards Talia. Nobles in our dukedom is corrupting more and more. And Tirin is going along with them. I’m afraid if I leave everything in Tirin’s hand, everything we built might rot. But he is still my son. What should I do?”

Hmm, I suppose fathers are same too. Even though they won’t express it, they still worry for their children and love them like mothers.

People always says mother’s love is best and usually ignore the father’s love just because they suck at expressing it.

“If only Tion was interested in governing. I would appoint him as my heir and be done with it. But that battle maniac is useless in governing. And as an archduke I need to consider my people too. What do you think, dear?”

“I’m compounded too, honey. If Talia becomes archduchess she will be met with opposition and she doesn’t have as many nobles under her as Tirin. As for Tirin, I’m afraid what you envisioned will happen too. And once things start to rot empire will have no choice but to cut it off. I don’t want that.”

No matter where it may be, every parents problem would be their children.

More I hear them talk more I like them. Just as guild master said I think I would be better for me to support the princess. But after seeing her I felt something too. There is something beneath.

Not something slumbering like inside the youngest but something of her own. If pushed I think she might become a mad duchess. But with right guidance she will become a wise duchess.

Still there is no way of knowing what power might do to her. As they say power corrupts and absolute one corrupts absolutely. So, if I’m to support the princess I need to make sure she will have a proper guidance.

On the other hand, pushing her and letting her snap might be interesting turn of events too. But first, let’s observe the other competitor before making any assumption.

Who knows letting everything corrupt might be interesting too, right?