I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 180
“Why are you giving me this information?”
Rufus immediately understood the intent behind Crown Prince Viren’s question. The Crown Prince was suspicious of him.
It was a reasonable suspicion. The kingdom was still in disarray following the war, and here was a so-called war hero, a minor noble, approaching the Crown Prince. What could his motives be?
Since returning to the capital, Rufus hadn’t visited anywhere else. He had gone straight to Prince Tarek’s palace and stayed there. One might have expected him to visit other noble houses in the capital at least once, but instead, he remained exclusively at Prince Tarek’s residence.
It wasn’t just a matter of where he chose to reside. Staying in one place implied a deeper alliance or collaboration. To others, Rufus would seem like an ally of Prince Tarek. So why would someone like him pass on damaging information about Prince Tarek to Crown Prince Viren?
Rufus had anticipated this line of questioning and prepared his answer accordingly.
“Prince Tarek ordered me to reside in his palace. So, I had no choice but to stay there,” Rufus smoothly recited his prepared explanation.
Crown Prince Viren’s brows furrowed slightly.
“Tarek ordered you to stay in his palace?”
“Yes, Your Highness. It seems he intended to use me to rebuild his reputation and influence…”
Rufus deliberately trailed off, as if hesitant to continue. He bowed his head slightly, as if afraid to speak further. The evasive gesture caused the Crown Prince’s eyes to narrow.
“Why did you stop?”
“I’m unsure if it’s appropriate for me to continue, Your Highness.”
“What do you mean? Leave nothing unsaid, tell me everything.”
Rufus’s cryptic words piqued the Crown Prince’s curiosity, like a child chasing a fleeing cat.
“But… if I continue, it might seem like I’m insulting Prince Tarek.”
Rufus feigned concern, scattering his words like seeds on the wind.
“It’s fine. Nothing you say here will leave this room.”
“Even so, I’m worried Your Highness might take offense…”
“I said it’s fine. Speak quickly,” the Crown Prince insisted.
Rufus smiled inwardly.
It was all part of the plan.
People often think that being proactive is the best way to gain someone’s trust.
That’s true, but also false.
Being proactive only works once a minimal level of trust has been established. But there was no such foundation between Rufus and the Crown Prince. This was their first meeting. The Crown Prince had no reason to believe Rufus’s words.
Rufus was at a disadvantage. If he pushed too hard now, it would only raise more suspicion and risk being dismissed.
So, Rufus waited.
The Crown Prince waited for Rufus to open up on his own and didn’t press too hard. After all, no one will listen if you shout a story that no one cares about, even in the middle of a busy street.
But if it’s a story people are eager to hear?
“To be honest, during the recent demon subjugation, I was deeply disappointed in Prince Tarek.”
Rufus said, carefully pretending to hesitate before speaking.
“Although we were fortunate enough to win, had Prince Tarek continued to command the way he did, the campaign could have dragged on for years.”
―In my previous life, it did last for three years.
Rufus thought to himself with a hidden smirk.
“……”
The Crown Prince didn’t offer any rebuttal.
He likely had his own sources of information. He had surely heard about Prince Tarek’s disgraceful behavior on the battlefield—throwing drunken parties, treating field doctors like prostitutes, and regarding soldiers as expendable.
“Prince Tarek tried to recruit me to his side, but I refused.”
“Why?”
At that, Rufus raised his eyes to meet the Crown Prince’s gaze.
“Because the next king of Hevania is clearly going to be you, Your Highness.”
Acknowledge the position the other person covets.
“The people speak highly of your benevolent nature and wise policies, Your Highness.”
Tell them what they want to hear.
“Although the public is unsettled right now, if you continue as you are, there will be no one to stand against you.”
But don’t overdo the flattery.
There are fools like Prince Tarek who live without understanding their place, but then there are diligent people like Crown Prince Viren, who know their limits well. Overpraising such a person only serves to amplify their insecurities. Balance is key.
“Rufus, let me ask you something. If, as you say, my mother’s magic sword is in Prince Tarek’s palace, what should I do?”
“There’s no need to ask me, Your Highness.”
Rufus responded calmly.
“You need only do as you wish. If you command it, everyone will gladly follow.”
“Very well. Then I will command you.”
The Crown Prince straightened his posture.
“Bring me Queen Echinacea’s magic sword.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Rufus smirked internally.
Ah, how simple it is to win someone over.
At that moment, there was a loud, frantic knocking at the door, followed by desperate cries.
“Crown Prince! Something terrible has happened, Your Highness!”
Startled by the urgency, Crown Prince Viren stood up abruptly.
Ah, it’s time. Rufus glanced at his pocket watch without thinking.
By now, the prince must have been killed as planned.
Good. Perfect.
Rufus followed the Crown Prince out of the room.
“Crown Prince!”
Waiting outside was the Crown Prince’s secretary, trembling like a leaf, his face pale as a ghost.
“What is it?”
“Prince Tarek… has been murdered!”
