In their study... cursing me?
For a moment, the Second Prince was baffled.
Had they realized they were powerless to turn things around and could only rage helplessly? Were they really that incapable of keeping their composure?
Had they abandoned even the dignity of the Imperial House?
"Hmph! What foolish brothers I have..."
The Second Prince snorted disdainfully, his opinion of the two sinking even lower.
"I thought deliberately provoking the Eighth Prince and pushing them into an alliance might give me a little surprise. Now it seems I overestimated them after all."
"Your Highness, then our plan to eliminate the two princes ahead of schedule..."
"Put it on hold for now. If they don't strike first, we have no grounds to act. There's no need to completely enrage the man above us over those two useless fools at this point.
"They can't escape my grasp anyway." The Second Prince sneered.
He picked up his wineglass again and swirled it, his gaze deepening. "Our Ninth Prince, on the other hand, has been quite lively lately."
The Ninth Prince had been making frequent moves lately, taking over a great many connections and resources controlled by the emperor. Rumors were circulating that His Majesty intended to pass over his older sons and give the throne to the Ninth Prince.
Many nobles had flocked to him at the news, lending him considerable momentum. He had effectively become the fourth major faction after the Second Prince, Fourth Prince, and Eighth Prince, emerging as a dark horse in the struggle for the throne.
"But isn't it a little late to enter the game now? It seems Father has already lost his senses and gone senile..."
Draining his glass, the Second Prince's eyes flashed coldly.
"Pass on my orders. We'll start with the Ninth Prince and