Emberfield Academy.
According to the memories, it was the kingdom's premier academy, run by one of the dukes, where nobles and other talented individuals studied.
They learned everything from the usual academic subjects and the basics of combat to specialties such as medicine, engineering, and more, depending on the student's choices.
By law of the kingdom, to even become eligible for consideration as the heir to the throne, a child of the royal family had to attend Emberfield Academy for at least a semester, but many spent longer there.
After all, it was that time in the academy that allowed the royal family to form bonds with their noble peers and build connections with the next generation of nobles and leaders who would lead the country.
Of Caellum's 12 siblings, 6 had graduated while the other 5 were currently enrolled at Emberfield Academy.
The second youngest, Lionell, was set to enter in a couple of months, and Caellum planned to enter as well.
Not because he wanted to be educated, but because he planned on working to be recognized as heir and grant one of the original Caellum's wishes.
"Emberfield…" the king continued tapping his fingers before glancing at his son with narrowed eyes.
It was an unexpectedly greedy request that made him begin questioning Caellum's motives.
"You're asking for a lot."
Caellum just stayed silent with eyes full of expectation.
The king looked back, deep in thought.
Hmm.
Right now, it wasn't worth messing with the delicate balance for such a worthless son.
He should be satisfied enough that the king didn't immediately charge him with regicide and kill him outright.
But…if the 13th prince could deliver, then it might not hurt to throw him a bone and see what he could make of it.
Whether it became bone soup or a weapon, only time would tell.
"It's late now, so all I that I'm willing to provide is an entrance examination invitation. Passing and school fees are up to you, just like the rest of your siblings. The royal family won't support useless people with fanciful dreams." The king replied coldly.
"I'll get the money, so you just do your part."
Caellum never expected the king and queen to give him a budget to attend the expensive private academy.
He knew that his siblings' maternal side covered their academy payment and necessary bribes, but he wasn't worried.
If he couldn't figure out how to make money quickly after years as the head of the best mafia group, wouldn't he be an incompetent mafia boss?
All the king needed to do was cough up an entrance examination ticket, and Caellum would deal with the rest.
Upon hearing the dismissive words, the king grew angry again.
"Since you're so confident, then fine. You have 24 hours to uphold your side of the deal. Otherwise-"
"Chains. Execution. Stripping me of my title. I heard. If that's the case, let's move on. Secretly lend me your chamberlain for the day. Or even a couple of hours. That way, you can make sure I'm not fooling around and not fabricating evidence, right? I need a witness." Caellum interrupted with a yawn.
The king, who was being disrespected left and right, glared at him before spitting out a single word.
"…Fine."
"Then it's a deal. May I be excused?" Caellum asked calmly.
His knees were hurting from kneeling, and staring at the King's face made him sick.
The king nodded and, holding back a groan, Caellum stood up and turned to leave.
As he neared the door, he heard the king's voice.
"You. Why the sudden change?"
The king didn't say anything else, but Caellum knew what he was talking about.
The change in personality.
The change in attitude.
Even the change in address, from 'Father' to 'Your Highness.'
Caellum thought of the now departed soul who had so much misery, anger, and frustration before replying slowly.
"I decided to give up on you. Not just you, but everyone."
Seeing the King meet his eyes with a slight bit of confusion and curiosity that had never existed when his son was still alive, Caellum tried to make him understand. "I came to the realization that no matter what happens to me, you won't care as long as it's not benefiting or harming you. Whether I live passively or aggressively, die with great fanfare or in a corner, falsely or rightfully accused, you don't care. So I gave you up, decided to live for myself, to not hide myself anylonger. I will grow, excel, and snatch everything I rightfully deserve. And that's why I'm here, making a deal for my life for something I didn't do, while rats listen in."
The king seemed to chew on his words for several seconds before speaking once more.
"You made one mistake."
"How so?"
Caellum thought he had gotten the analysis of the king pretty correctly.
What was the mistake?
"There are no rats in my palace."
"Oh."
Caellum turned his head to look at the bookshelf hidden in the background, where he had felt eyes staring at him before looking the King squarely in the eye and smiling the infuriatingly mocking smile he was known for when he was Angel.
That was a classic trap door bookcase if he had ever seen one.
He should know since he had one in his past life as well.
If the King wanted to pretend nobody was behind it, so be it.
It had nothing to do with him.
When the king's brow twitched, Caellum decided that he had antagonized him enough for the day.
This much needling was enough; any more would be detrimental.
Caellum bowed his head to hide his smile.
"My apologies. It must be my mistake then. Naturally, the king's space doesn't have any rats. May I be excused? I've been given a deadline that I want to honor."
After several seconds, the king's cold voice sounded out.
"You may leave."
"Thank you, your highness. I'll see you tomorrow. Please tell your chamberlain to come bright and early."
With another polite bow, Caellum turned and cleanly left.
And as the door to his study shut, the king turned his toward the bookshelf.
"What do you think?"
The room was silent for several seconds before the bookshelf slid to the side, and an older man with gray hair, wearing a neat dark outfit.
It was the chamberlain who had been with him since childhood until now.
"Think about what, Sire?"
"Don't play games with me, Winston. I'm asking what you think about 13."
Remembering the prince's ease in speaking, the confidence, and the way he resisted the King's aura, Winston gave his honest thoughts.
"I think that today was the straw that broke the camel's back, and the young prince decided not to hide himself anymore or-"
"Or?" the King stared at the chamberlain, who had begun cleaning up the mess he had made when pressuring the 13th prince.
"Either that or he got possessed by a spirit and is no longer the prince we knew. As you know, there's been an increase in black magic incidents across the kingdom. Perhaps possession?" The chamberlain said lightly.
"How could that be? He lives alone and has no contact with anyone."
"Which means that we would never know when the change happened. Although I was joking. I highly doubt that the prince is in contact with black magicians. There's not a single hint of mana coming from him, dark or otherwise. I am a bit curious as to how he knew I was hiding, though. Perhaps I shall ask him myself."
Waving his wrinkly hand, the air around the chamberlain began to grow, and then, the ground and broken furniture fixed itself.
Although the chamberlain meant it as a joke, the King took his words seriously, considering whether a dark spirit had really invaded the body of the 13th prince and if he was in contact with black mages.
The palace was shielded by both the church and mages, and he had a high-ranking one near him at all times, but one could never be too sure with everything going on.
Looking at the chamberlain who was studying his handiwork with a satisfied smile, the king gave a single order.
"Watch him."
"And the aid he requested?"
"Do the bare minimum. After all, he's gotten a bit too cocky. Gather evidence. But if he gets in trouble, let him experience the consequences of his own actions."
"And if he dies?"
"So be it."
"As you wish, Sire."
******
The moment Caellum entered the shoddy palace he called home, he went to his dusty room, then to the attached bathroom, and began running a bath.
And as the water filled up the small tub, he pulled the pocket watch from his pocket.
"What the hell is this?"