Chapter 172 : Where Fire Breeds Strategy, and Shadows Fall
✦ Chapter 172 ✦
“Where Fire Breeds Strategy, and Shadows Fall”
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“Then the final hurdle is the king… I can predict the Crown Princess’s moves, at least to an extent—but him?” Edith frowned, her unease unhidden. “I don’t know what that man is truly thinking.”
“I do.”
Johannes’s voice was low, calm—an anchor in the storm.
If there was anyone in this kingdom who understood the King of Docilia in all his twisted depths, it was Johannes. Not Christian. Not Edward.
Only he had stood before that grotesque mind and watched it unravel.
‘Duke Schultz… how hard it must be, carrying the legacy of your family on your shoulders. If only you had returned victorious from my war…’
‘……’
‘Truly, I must thank you. The Schultz name served me well—until it didn’t.’
‘Are you saying the blame for your defeat now rests solely on my house?’
‘Heh. Such pitiful words, Duke.’
‘……’
‘Never trust anyone. Not family. Not even the one you’d die for. That’s how I survived. That’s how I sit on this throne.’
Lies. Poisoned lies.
The king’s philosophy was rot masquerading as wisdom. He had known all along how hollow his ways were, and yet he chose them—dragging his bloodline, his legacy, and his nation down with him.
Once, Johannes had believed there was no other path.
But now?
Now he knew better.
And it was Edith—her love, her fire, her belief—that had pulled him out of that darkness.
Just remembering the king’s smirking face made Johannes’ jaw tighten.
The man trusted no one. Not kin. Not blood. Not even his heir. That paranoia was his ladder to the throne, and it was now the dagger held to the neck of his own family.
“I was… blind,” Johannes murmured. “My judgment… it was poisoned.”
But before he could sink further into shame, Edith’s hand reached for his.
“I told you,” she said softly, “you matter to me—more than anything.”
“……”
“And if I’d been in your place, I would have done the same. You were young. Alone. Surrounded by wolves in silk. No one ever taught you right from wrong. So how could you choose rightly?”
Her fingers, warm and sure, gently caressed the back of his trembling hand.
And for the first time in his life… the simple touch of someone who believed in him brought him a peace that no sword or victory ever had.
“In a battle where you’re at a disadvantage,” she continued, “you gamble. That’s what strategy demands.”
She paused, her brow furrowing, then rising again—as if struck by a sudden thought.
“First, we must divide the two. The King and the Crown Princess. Their trust is thin—so thin, all we need is a spark to set it ablaze.”
“For now, yes.”
“We’ll leak the possibility that the King did not destroy the records proving Christian Windsor’s role in the former Duke’s false embezzlement.”
Edith tapped the table with sharp, deliberate rhythm—her mind racing.
“The first step is…”
“To assume the King will let Edward escape,” Johannes said, cutting in with clarity.
She lifted her eyes to him, surprised.
“If we don’t believe it ourselves,” he explained, “we won’t be able to deceive anyone else. Can you play along?”
“…Of course!” Edith smirked. “Though, knowing your noble little heart, I was a bit worried.”
“Noble, hmm?” Johannes raised an amused brow. “You must have been watching me more closely than I thought.”
He chuckled softly before turning serious again.
“For this plan to begin, Edward must truly escape the castle. We must push him. Provoke him. Is it possible?”
Edith nodded without hesitation.
“If Edward flees, Christian will panic. She’ll think the King hasn’t chosen her yet—that he still sees Edward as the true heir.”
“Exactly. That panic is our weapon. The King must believe the illusion as much as she does.”
They were gambling with fire. And yet… Johannes was calm.
He trusted her.
He clasped his hands tightly, then exhaled.
“Your role will be critical. You’ll need to move both Edward and Christian.”
“I know.”
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Just distract the King… and protect me. That’s all I ask.”
The next morning, the cold corridors of Barberin Castle rang with distant footsteps.
Thanks to Johannes’s unwavering support, I’d finally slept well. Clear-minded and resolute, I walked the path I had carved.
First, I needed to confront Edward Windsor.
Then, I would meet Christian—feed her just enough fear to let it grow.
If Edward escapes… then everything begins.
I had been terrified the night before, unsure if Johannes would believe me—if he’d dare trust my plan.
But his faith, born from pain and raw honesty, had washed that doubt away.
Now, all that remained was the execution.
“What brings the Duchess here? Making her hospital rounds, I assume?”
Edward’s voice dripped with venom, but he looked broken. His eyes were hollow. His skin pale. No sleep, no rest.
His world was crumbling—and I had come to finish what Christian started.
“Yes,” I answered simply.
He sneered, curling his lips into a mockery of amusement.
“The King told me to pay a visit to the sickroom.”
Of course. A trap, meant to humiliate him. A test of obedience. A reminder of his expendability.
But Edward Windsor was past logic now. Rage clouded his eyes.
And so, I struck.
“His Majesty knows everything,” I said. “What the beloved prince of Docilia did in Mussen… the explosion. The betrayal.”
“What…?”
“He’s not protecting you anymore. He never was. You were useful… until you weren’t.”
His pupils shrank.
He couldn’t believe it—but he did. Deep down, he knew it was true.
I pressed further.
“Perhaps you’re not the monster. Perhaps it’s just tragic—that you were born to such a cruel father.”
“You…!”
“It’s a pity. If you had moved just a little faster… you might have killed me. So I suppose I’ll go down in history as your first failure.”
His face flushed crimson, fury trembling in every muscle.
Almost there.
One more spark.
“Oh, and in case you haven’t heard—His Majesty has granted our divorce. I’ll be leaving for Mussen soon. A trial will follow.”
I leaned in, my voice a whisper of steel.
“And Edward… I don’t think I’ll be able to pray for your soul to rest in peace.”
