The Empror's Trap

Ch 16 - Entrapment (Part 2)

At Prince Liam estate...

In the spacious courtyard, near the pond, Prince Liam was fishing.

Once the Crown Prince of this empire, Liam now lived a life that could only be described as lavish contentment. After all, stepping away from the fierce struggle for power meant the emperor had to compensate him. In fact, the emperor's generosity was substantial. Not only did Liam own the most luxurious palace aside from the Imperial Palace itself, but he also received a select group of beautiful women for his enjoyment. Anyone unaware of the backstory might even think he was the real victor of that succession battle.

But formerly the Crown Prince, now he was still far from satisfied.

It's hard to resist the pull of power. If someone has never tasted real authority, it's easier for them to move on, but once they've wielded it, they crave more. Liam was exactly that sort of person. He was once heir to the throne, and everyone believed he would eventually become Emperor, commanding the highest authority in the Camelot Empire. But fate took a different turn: his father passed the power to his younger sister.

Even now, Liam hadn't abandoned his ambitions. He believed he was the rightful ruler, and anyone else in power was illegitimate. He wanted to reclaim everything he felt had been ripped away, and right now, he was plotting exactly how.

"General Dueno, you do realize what you're saying?"

Liam asked with a stiff smile. His fishing rod quivered in his hand, though not because a fish had bitten. Rather, it trembled due to the shocking plan the tall general beside him had just proposed.

"I wouldn't dare be careless," General Dueno said with an easy smile. "I came to see you today because preparations are mostly complete. I need a real partner—someone who can help me fulfill my ideals. I believe that partner is you, my Prince."

Seeing the Prince still reluctant, Dueno quickly dropped to one knee in earnest appeal.

Liam eyed the kneeling general and sighed softly. Couldn't a man fish in peace for once?

"Rise, General. I'm not going to be part of this." The Prince gazed at the still waters of the pond for a moment. But noting the sudden stiffness in General Dueno's expression, he added with a faint smile, "However, I'll pretend this conversation never happened. If your concerns truly come from patriotic worry, I don't mind giving you some discreet support. But I have no soldiers to lend."

"I require nothing else from you, Your Highness. I have my own means."

Dueno's gloomy face lit up at once. Though the Prince didn't explicitly offer to join them, he'd certainly softened his stance, which was exactly what Dueno had hoped. After all, the prince had once battled the current Emperor tooth and nail for power, so how could he let go of his ambitions entirely? The moment an opportunity arose, he'd never pass up the chance to reclaim what he believed was his.

Of course, the prince was sly as a fox, giving no direct commitment. That way, he assumed minimal risk. Yet if the plan succeeded, he stood to be the ultimate beneficiary. Cunning indeed.

General Dueno didn't mind. Military authority was in his hands. Prince Liam desired the throne; he wanted real power. For now, their goals aligned. With assistance from certain friends, raising an army of two or three hundred thousand wouldn't be difficult.

They could spread chaos throughout the imperial court with ease. The murkier Camelot's affairs became, the more it worked in General Dueno's favor. If they could eventually install Liam on the throne, all problems would vanish. At its core, as long as he sensed the Prince's tiny nod of approval, he had the green light to put his grand scheme into motion.