Chapter 85 - Blackmail (2/2)

Now that he knew the truth about his heritage…what if he started caring about the scattered remains of the Kanta clan? As his friend, I would be thrilled if he cared about something other than me but it could spell definite trouble for our peaceful future.

Sigmund was even worse than his father. If he knew the truth about Al, he would have him killed without a second thought. Especially if he decided to try and get the Kanta region back from the kingdom.

I was getting ahead of myself. Al hadn't said anything about wanting to take over the role he had been born into. This was nothing but overthinking on my part.

”What are you thinking?” he asked after a while.

It was a long walk back to the castle and I had been silent for most of it because I was too wrapped up in my thoughts. All had even more to think about that I did but I was the type whose mind went a million miles a minute when I was stressed.

”I was wondering what you want to do with this new information,” I admitted.

He wouldn't meet my eyes. ”Do? What is there to do? Knowing about the past doesn't change the reality of the present. I'm still the useless third prince with no power. Even if I wanted to help the Kanta clan somehow it wouldn't be possible.”

So the thought of regathering them had crossed his mind. I should have known. His apathy only extended as far as people who weren't interested in him. Ayana's deep love for him as her brother's son was obvious as they talked.

”You won't like this,” I said slowly. ”But I think Franz can be reasoned with. If he sits on the throne instead of Sigmund we might be able to convince him to give the Kanta their lands back and negotiate a trade deal about the mines.”

Al finally looked me in the face and showed the most incredulous expression I had ever seen from him. ”You think that selfish pig would do anything to help me out after what I said to him yesterday?”

I hadn't factored Franz's pride into this. But it wasn't the only thing at play. We had an ace up our sleeves.

I smiled wryly. ”Weren't you just talking about how everyone wants my brain? Use me as a bargaining chip. I'm sure he'll cooperate if I threaten to go over to Sigmund's side and tell him how to thwart his plans.”

”You would really resort to blackmail?” Al asked doubtfully. ”I thought you cared about Franz's plan since you were the one who came up with it.”

”I do care…but I care about you more. If you want to rebuild the Kanta clan, I'm with you every step of the way. I told you that I'm on your side no matter what. It's my job as both your best friend and your wife.”

He reached out to take my hand and squeezed it. The rest of the walk back to the palace was quiet but I could tell he was thinking over what I had said. I really did want the commoners here to have more rights but if Franz was willing to go along with our plan we could have that and rebuild Al's homeland.