"I told you already—I'm just going back to the Royal Capital to open a branch shop," Ron tried once again to explain.
"The battle for the throne… at the moment, the First Prince and Second Prince are the most likely contenders," Yuna said bluntly, clearly not buying Ron's excuse. "Even the Fourth Prince in the south has a decent shot."
"Don't think that just because you became the Chosen One and the Acting Voice of the Goddess, you've suddenly ascended to greatness."
"The Church of the Harvest Goddess just wants to use you as a spearhead, to grab hold of noble resources."
"Whether you succeed or fail in the end, the Church will remain standing. As the most widely believed-in faith across the land, it's unshakable. The only thing that changes is which of their upper echelons gains more power."
"Their peasant-level followers won't waver."
"But as for you, once you get involved in this mess—if you lose—being able to keep your corpse in one piece would already be a blessing."
Ron wore an expression of sheer helplessness, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. He had no idea what to say.
Yuna assumed he was finally getting it, so she doubled down.
"The First Prince has joined the army and moved north—he's got a massive influence in the military."
"The Second Prince has been stationed in the western territories for years. He's done an excellent job developing the region and even successfully dealt with several famines. Everything under his governance is clean and in order."
"The Fourth Prince's mother comes from one of the Empire's Four Great Ducal Houses. His maternal grandfather commands the entire southern region and oversees major trade with the Dwarven Kingdom."
"All three of them are ruthless and resourceful. They're already fighting in secret. Be careful you don't get crushed by the shockwaves."
As the Seventh Prince, Ron did know a thing or two about these matters.
But the original Ron André had spent most of his life holed up in the palace. Ironically, that left him the most out of touch with current affairs.
He knew where his brothers had been sent, but not nearly as much as Yuna did.
Though he truly had no intention of fighting for the throne, since he was heading to the capital, learning more wouldn't hurt.
So, he simply let Yuna continue.
"Look," she said, "The military's strongest influence is in the North, where the First Prince has power. The Duke of the North has always had a suspiciously close relationship with him."
"The West? Forget it. The Second Prince has been running that region for years. You wouldn't be able to wedge your way in even if you tried. I wouldn't be surprised if he's already tied up with the Duke of the West."
"And the South? That's basically the Fourth Prince's backyard. His maternal grandfather is the Duke of the South. No chance there either."
"Their roots run deep. The manpower and resources they can summon are far beyond your imagination. Sure, the Church of the Harvest Goddess is behind you, and that's not weak, but it's still just one faction. Too narrow a foundation."
"No matter how you look at it, you don't stand a chance."
Ron hadn't cared much about the topic at first, just listening half-heartedly—but by the time Yuna got to that line, he couldn't help protesting.
"What do you mean, I don't stand a chance? Isn't there still the Duke of the East?"
Yuna gave him a sidelong glance. "Duke Christine is a famously staunch royalist. He only supports whoever's already on the throne. He'll never pick sides before that."
"Of course… unless you manage to marry every eligible woman in his family. That might work."
Ron's mouth twitched.
Then he paused.
Now that he thought about it… Wasn't Eileen—Mia's bestie—from the Christine family?
If all the girls in that family were as pretty as Eileen…
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad…?
"What're you scheming now!" Yuna kicked him, irritated by the subtle upward curl of his lips.
Ron quickly grabbed her bare foot before she could kick again.
"My mind's made up about going to the capital. And as for the whole 'fight for the throne' thing, I'm really not interested."
Seeing Yuna pout doubtfully, Ron pressed his thumb into her sole. "Come on, it's just the two of us here—why would I lie to you?"
"Mmm~ That feels nice~ Press harder."
Yuna swayed her head happily.
"Tsk." Ron rolled his eyes, using one hand to knead her ankle and the other to tickle the bottom of her foot with his fingernail. "Feels good?"
"Ah! Hahaha—" Yuna curled up like a shrimp, gripping the bedsheets and trembling. "Let go! Stop~ It tickles!"
Ron refused to release her foot. "Still wanna be cheeky?"
Yuna pleaded for mercy, her fluffy fox ears twitching adorably as her long, silky black hair spilled across the bed. Her cheeks were flushed.
"Your Highness Ron~ I was wrong~"
Of course, with her being a sixth-rank assassin, she could easily pull her foot away if she wanted.
But since they were just fooling around, she had no intention of ruining the mood.
Ron eventually let go. Yuna sat up cross-legged again, fixing her hair and resuming a serious expression.
"If you've already decided, then I have to go with you to the capital."
"Nope. You're staying behind to watch the shop."
"Seriously? That crappy little bar isn't that important!" Yuna growled. "If I don't go with you, who knows if you'll even make it there alive!"
"Relax, relax—Sylvie's already making arrangements," Ron said, trying to calm her down. "Besides, having you stay here helps me, too. If someone tries to sneak into the shop while I'm gone, leaving just Nora here would be too dangerous."
Yuna frowned. "I don't trust the Church of the Harvest Goddess on their own. You shouldn't rely on them too much."
"I have other methods. I won't be putting all my eggs in one basket," Ron said with a shake of his head.
Yuna looked like she wanted to ask what methods—but in the end, she held her tongue.
When it came to matters of personal safety, sometimes the fewer people who knew, the better.
Besides, Ron had already demonstrated more than enough protective abilities.
The most basic example: the Scalevine Armor.
Then there was the Life Belt he received from the ritual.
And of course, the time he turned an assassin into a Puppet Tree.
As a god's chosen, even if he had more hidden life-saving powers, it wouldn't be surprising.
"Then… you—" Yuna started to speak again, but—
Knock knock knock.
The sound of knocking interrupted her.
Both Ron and Yuna instantly fell silent.
The room went completely still.
Then came Nora's timid, trembling voice from outside the door:
"B-Boss… are you asleep?"
Ron and Yuna stared at each other in stunned silence.
"…Since when is little Nora this bold?" Yuna leaned forward, whispering in Ron's ear.
Warm breath brushed against his ear, making him twitch all over. He immediately turned away, silently mouthing:
"How—would—I—know?"
"…Boss?" Nora called again, hesitantly.
"You gonna answer her?" Yuna leaned in again, lips close to his ear.
Ron didn't dare speak aloud and silently mouthed back:
"Then—get—out—quickly."
"No need to make it so complicated." Yuna chuckled softly.
Her body instantly melted into shadow, blending perfectly with Ron's own shadow on the bedsheet.
"I'm hidden."
"…"
Ron's eye twitched. He hurriedly pulled the blanket over himself, then feigned being woken up.
Sitting up against the headboard, he called out sleepily, "Nora? What's the matter?"
There was a moment of silence outside.
Just when Ron thought she had left, Nora spoke again—her voice still timid, but filled with nervous determination:
"B-Boss… is it okay if I come in?"
Ron's heartbeat spiked instantly.
Even his shadow trembled with excitement.