The longsword was drawn out silently, bit by bit, one centimeter, two centimeters... ten centimeters.
Suddenly, the drawn longsword was retracted.
Richard finished tidying the bookshelf, turned around, and looked at Edward.
Edward showed a puzzled expression.
Richard said nothing, only watched with interest.
Edward, struggling to hold back, slowly spoke, "Prince, you... what are you doing?"
"Do you know, Edward?" Richard asked.
"In my eyes, you're a typical medieval noble."
"Ah?" Edward was stunned, and after a moment, lowered his head, "No, I... I'm just your loyal guard captain."
"Say what you will, but no matter your identity, you will always put your family's interests first."
"I..." Edward hesitated.
Richard waved his hand, saying, "There's nothing wrong with that. It's because of nobles like you, constantly striving, working hard, even sacrificing for a family, that a family can successfully rise. Hmm... it's a sentiment worthy of greatness, but... the problem is, you're not smart enough."
"This..." Edward's lips moved slightly, his expression a bit flustered.
"Over a month ago, you took leave saying you needed to return to your family, and I granted it. But I know you didn't leave the palace; you went to William's palace."
"I..." Edward's eyelids twitched suddenly; panic set in.
"At William's banquet, you agreed to William's request—to find an opportunity to kill me, and William promised to ensure your family's interests wouldn't suffer any loss," Richard asked. "However you look at it, it's a win-win deal, but the question is, do you think William would keep his promise, especially after you've killed me?"
"Why do you think the Crown Prince's battle has caused nobles large and small to pick sides so eagerly? It's because they all know that the victor can feast on the loser's spoils, thus strengthening themselves. Your family is betting on both sides, thinking itself smart and safe, but in reality, neither side sees you as confidants.
When you kill me, you'll also be branded a traitor. Do you think William will choose to help your family against attacks, or slightly push you, tossing your family onto the dining table of those greedy nobles who've been backing him all along?
Even if William truly kept his promise and vowed to protect your family, do you think a new king can do whatever he wants? Really do as he pleases? He only truly commands a few hundred soldiers, while the private armies of Blue Lion City's nobles are dozens of times that number. When those greedy nobles prepare to enjoy the fruits of their victory, can he stop them?"
Edward was completely flustered, his hands trembling, "Prince... I... I was wrong, I... shouldn't have listened to William, shouldn't have considered hurting you, I..."
"You indeed were wrong," Richard shook his head, "but not in wanting to kill me. It's because your family has liked to play smart from the beginning. In Crown Prince politics, it's better to choose a side randomly or remain absolutely neutral than to try and leave spots in both camps.
Crown Prince politics is gambling; have you ever seen a guaranteed win in gambling? So, no matter how hard you try, your family's outcome won't change. A strategic mistake can't be remedied with tactical effort. From when your family chose to support me as the Crown Prince, sending you to me as the personal guard captain, and at the same time sending your sister to William, the current situation was decided.
All I can say is my condolences, for foresight and wisdom are truly hard to come by.
Alright, I must leave, and of course not to my territory, for I never intended to from the beginning. I will leave Blue Lion City, leave the Blue Lion Kingdom, and then see what this world is all about, study and understand its principles. As for you and your family, strive... struggle, maybe there's a glimmer of hope."
After speaking, Richard picked up the heavy box and walked out directly, seeming not strained at all.
Edward stood dazed in the bedroom, his body lowering, eventually collapsing to the floor, covering his face with his hands and shaking all over.
Suddenly, Edward lifted his head, showing an expression of some despair mixed with madness, murmuring, "What if William was telling the truth, what if..."
With a "shing," the longsword was drawn, Edward stood up ready to walk out.
But suddenly, he stepped back.
With a "creak," the bedroom door opened; Richard, who had left, returned.
With a "thud," the heavy wooden box was placed on the ground, and Richard looked at Edward, speaking slowly, "Hm, initially, I thought I would leave calmly. But as I walked downstairs, I realized there's still one thing I can't let go of, and that is... betrayal."
Edward's eyes narrowed suddenly, the next moment reacting as if provoked, he roared, "I didn't want this either! But my whole family has half its fate resting on you, what can I do? Now, I must try to salvage it!
How many times did I advise you, if you really listened to me and did things properly, with your ability, you could definitely surpass William. Then I wouldn't have to betray you!
But... when have you ever listened to me?! You're always researching strange things, studying wizardry, and what has that gotten you besides the torture three years ago?! Even if I don't kill you, what then, can you really get away?! Huh?!
Damn it, before, when the family made me and that hybrid Mia choose, I should've chosen to go to William's side... not come to you! Then everything would be different; the one betraying you would be my hybrid sister—Mia—I don't care if she's alive or dead! Don't care!"
Richard smiled, a dangerous smile.
"I'm truly sorry, my dear personal guard captain—Lord Edward! Sometimes reality is just so cruel, making one wrong step means nothing can be undone. I hope if your family ever gets another chance, they can act more wisely.
Of course, if you were truly dead set on my side, there could have been some compensation. I actually have some plans to remedy your family's losses and arranged a decent position for you. However, your loyalty didn't reach that level. So, only the worst result remains."
As he spoke, Richard quickly approached, his lips moving swiftly as if chanting. Edward looked at the unarmed Richard, breathing heavily; the next moment, he gritted his teeth, preparing to swing his sword down, "It's all your fault, your fault, it has nothing to do with me!"
But then, Edward saw Richard wave his hand toward him, a powerful current appeared, like a sudden gale in the room, crashing into him. Even clad in iron armor, under the force's power, he staggered backward, barely able to keep from falling.
Edward was shocked, while Richard approached again, his lips still moving rapidly.
Edward gripped the longsword tightly, about to stab Richard's abdomen, but then his eyes widened. He felt the longsword slicing through the air as if entering a mass of viscous liquid, seeing Richard right in front of him, yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stab through. Even pulling out the longsword became extremely difficult—the weapon was stuck by some mysterious force.
Edward's worldview began to collapse, but Richard was already beside him, his hands gently pressing on his shoulders, then pinching his head.
"Do you know, Edward, why I didn't want to engage in the Crown Prince battle? It's because I have really important things to do. And this thing is quite interesting, just like what you see now. That's why I apologized, instead of regretting—since the path I chose, I would never regret. I hope you can as well."
"Farewell, my personal guard captain—Lord Edward."
"Crack!" Edward felt an irresistible force on his neck, twisting his entire head 180° suddenly around to his back.
"Is this what my back looks like?" thought Edward as his vision quickly darkened, "thump," falling to the ground, breathless.
Richard looked at Edward's corpse, his eyes flickered, then slowly exhaled before turning around and walking toward the bedroom door.