Through the afternoon sky, a carriage enters the city of Lutes. Its vibrant colors are dampened by smoke and noise from machinery.

The carriage rocks once more, earning a groan from Ruel. "It seems that your precious Prince Louis has been neglecting his duties."

A hoarse voice spoke, earning a glare from Ruel. "Will you please stop with this Sicili." The man named Sicili crosses his arms, expressing his displeasure. His body was covered in cloth, revealing only his eyes.

"Tsk, I don't fucking know why you seem to be so concerned with that hack of a prince." Ruel rolls his eyes, tired of the same conversation.

"We already talked about this, and I owe him my life." He looks outside to see the slums and the people living in them.

"If it weren't for him, there's a chance id be dead already." Sicili massages his head in frustration. "That doesn't mean you get to do shit for him, for free."

Ruel spoke, his pretense of cordiality gone. "Then, the fuck do you want me to do?" Ruel angrily combs his hair, "He knows who I am and after all the shit I've done, the people he made me kill."

Sicili's sickly smile appears. "Then kill him and take the throne for yourself." Sicili flourishes his hand, "It's so easy. You're a natural when it comes to this."

Sicili gestures a cutthroat, "You've done it before. You can do it again." Sicili raises his feet up as he floats. "You're so good at this that six months after you got your skill, you've been making a name for yourself as the Prince's lapdog." He snickers. "Isn't that right? Mr "Man of a Hundred Faces."

I groan in my hand, cringing a bit to the name. But I point at him to emphasize my point, "That's just it, I can kill any fucker, but I can't lead them."

Sicili waves his hand dismissively, "Sure you can, no ones gonna fuck with you if they know you'll kill them."

The carriage stops in front of the palace, Ruel waves his hands away. Shooing Sicili into disappearing, but before he does, he spoke with a bit of sympathy, "Just think about it before you bet yourself on the wrong horse."

Ruel fixes his hair and clothes, doing the bare minimum in presenting himself as a Duke. He shakes his head, taking his mind off the recent conversation.

It's better if I forget it, pretty sure the man won't allow thoughts of dissent. Ruel thought to himself, guessing his skill to be that of a mind reader.

He continued to walk the opulent palace, the luxury it represents filling him with distaste. The country is getting richer, and I guess the poor ones don't get a slice of that industrial pie.

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Ruel shakes his head once, clearing up any doubts and irritation. I'll just have to do what's asked of me. That'll be the end of it. He thought to himself,

Ruel once again stops in front of the resplendent doors, a reminder of Carlois power. I knock upon the door, one which a reply answered.

"Come in" Ruel opens the door to see the Prince, a boy 10 years. Ruel will never get used to the sight, as the men around him bow their heads in deference.

The regency council, a collection of powerful men, now mere advisors to the young prince. A KING in all but name.

Louis spoke, gathering the council's attention. "Duke Caedebrad." He gestures to the seat beside him.

Louis looked around and spoke with authority, "Gentlemen, I believe that's all for today." The various lord nodding as they stood up and left.

He focuses his attention on me, "Now, It seems your job is done." He looks up and down, inspecting my body.

Ruel scratches his cheek, "Well, we did have some complications, but I was more than capable of taking full control."

Louis nods with a smile, "That's great. Now, all we need is a letter." He pushes a paper forward, "I'm sure you'll be capable of mimicking his penmanship."

Ruel swallows dryly, the terrifying smile a stark reminder of our difference. Ruel glance at Louis, I don't know what skill he has, but I am not going to try and find out, Ruel thought to himself.

Ruel coughs to his hands and pulls out a letter, "It is unnecessary, Your Highness. I already have a letter made by William himself."

Ruel then pushes the letter to him and continues. "Then it seems my job is finished?" Ruel inquisitively inspects Louis' reaction.

Louis absentmindedly nods, "Yes, It seems I currently do not need your services." Louis glances at Ruel and proceeded to read the letter "You'll be called for when such time comes,"

Louis smiles, "But for now, enjoy your vacation. I'm sure your new titles will be more than sufficient in giving you a good time."

Ruel stands stiffly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Then I shall be taking my leave." Ruel leaves hurriedly, leaving Louis all by himself.

Louis sat in his chair in silence as he continued to make the perfect present, an explosive one. As he finished, he was interrupted by a loud giggle.

"Ahhhhh, Arent you the cutest." Louis looks up with an exasperated smile at the ten-year-old girl in pink pigtails swaying about her spoke with a cutesy smile.

Louis' Pov

I bow my head, "Master, it's great to see you." She giggles in her hand, "Flattery will get you nowhere, Louis. For I the great Yui will only take a man as great as me." she spoke dramatically, gesturing towards herself.

She flew to me and sat on my lap, putting her hand on my face, whispering closer. The sudden visage of a goddess of beauty blinks in and out of existence. "That's why you'll have to win for me."

I gulp in surprise, removing her hand from my face. "Please stop with the teasing master." Knowing her antics to be mere games for her to play.

She pouts childishly, "You're no fun." She floats towards the door, "When are you gonna kill that guy?" She points at the door where Ruel left.

I shake my head, "Why should I kill a useful tool?" She floats above me, spinning. "Because he's a danger to your position and reputation?" She pokes my nose "And don't forget he's still a competitor."

I smile at her as I shake my head "Even so, killing him now would be inefficient, especially now that my position remains unstable." Yui puts the finger on her lips. "Perhaps, then you should start investing in your own assassination organization."

I laugh a bit, remembering my first foray into such endeavours, embezzlement of funds never was easily forgiven.

"I agree. Only then could he be killed and taken care of." Yui hugs my neck as she coos in delight. "Ooooh, you're so cute when you act all serious."

I sigh and shake my head. "Well, it's best to take care of someone so dangerous."