The Kingdom’s Greatest Fool? No, I’m the Ruler From the Darkness ~The Hidden Face of the Fat Prince~ - Chapter 14: Two Stages

Chapter 14: Two Stages

The palace glowed with light.

Hundreds of magical lanterns illuminated the gardens and buildings, sparkling as if competing with the stars in the night sky.

Marble columns, gold leaf decorations, crystal chandeliers.

Everything was the height of luxury, captivating the eyes of every guest.

“Perfect.”

I smiled with satisfaction.

From the carriage window leaving the castle, the sight of the palace was truly breathtaking.

Carriages of attendees arrived one after another at the main gate, and nobles in refined attire stepped out.

“Everyone’s astonished.”

Mia, seated beside me, remarked.

“No one expected Baron Silver’s renovated palace to be this grand.”

“That was the plan.”

As Prince Victor, I maintained my outward persona, but inwardly I was basking in satisfaction.

Tonight was special.

First, I would appear as Prince Victor, then reappear as Baron Silver.

“Are the other slaves on standby?”

“Yes, Master. As planned, ten handpicked slaves will accompany you.”

This was part of the show.

The fat prince arriving with slaves would be enough to provoke scorn from the nobles.

The carriage reached the main gate, and I took a deep breath.

“Now, the show begins.”

—

“Prince Victor has arrived!”

The herald’s voice echoed through the hall. After a moment’s silence, whispers began to spread.

I was clad in gaudy, ill-fitting attire, followed by ten beautiful slaves.

All were dressed in provocative, near-nude outfits, with collars bearing the prince’s crest around their necks.

“Good evening, everyone!”

I greeted loudly, waving with deliberate vulgarity.

I could feel the nobles’ faces stiffen.

Exactly as planned.

“Your Highness, those… attendants?”

A reception noble asked, visibly flustered.

“My slaves! I brought my proudest ones to show off!”

“But, Your Highness, in such a formal setting…”

“What’s the problem? Isn’t it fun?”

I raised my voice intentionally.

I felt the crowd’s attention gather.

Wonderful.

As I moved through the hall, the atmosphere grew icy.

The nobles didn’t even try to hide their disgust and contempt toward me.

The men eyed the slaves with keen interest, while the women glared with indignation.

“Father!”

In the center of the hall stood my father, King Arthur.

His expression was clearly laced with anger.

“Victor, what are you doing?”

“I came to the party! Look, I brought my lovely collection! It’s also a product test! They’re called Secret Triggers. This remote controls the lewd devices on all ten of them!”

I pointed at the slaves.

I put an arm around one female slave’s shoulder, pulling her close.

“Check this out!”

Click.

I flipped the switch.

They flinched, their hips trembling as they collapsed to the floor.

“Get them out immediately!”

My father’s voice thundered through the hall.

“Bringing lascivious slaves to such an event is a disgrace to the royal family!”

“But everyone wants to see! Especially the men… and the women seem curious about the new product too! Look, everyone! No sound, unnoticed by others, a secret game! They’re so overwhelmed they can’t stand!”

“Silence!”

My father’s roar froze the venue.

“Leave now. Don’t show your face again!”

“Aw, that’s boring…”

I whined like a child.

Inwardly, I was certain of a perfect success.

“Alright, I’m going… but you’re all missing out!”

I shrugged and led the slaves out.

Behind me, laughter and mockery began to rise. Precisely as intended.

“Foolish prince.”

“Royal disgrace.”

“How can such a vulgar man call himself a prince?”

Hearing those voices, I smiled with satisfaction.

My role as Prince Victor was done.

Now for the main act.

—

In a secret room prepared at the palace’s rear, I drank a transformation potion, changing into Leon Silver.

A rugged middle-aged face, muscular build, and confident eyes.

“Perfect, Master.”

Iris held up a mirror.

“You’re ready to return as Baron Silver.”

“Good. Where are Lydia and Celeste?”

“They’re already in the hall, drawing much attention from the nobles.”

I nodded with satisfaction.

Lydia was introduced as my “adoptive daughter,” and Celeste as my “household manager” in high society.

Their beauty and elegance bolstered Baron Silver’s reputation.

“Let’s go, then.”

With a straight back and confident stride, I headed back to the hall.

—

“Baron Silver has arrived!”

As the herald’s voice rang out, respectful and expectant gazes turned toward me.

As Leon Silver, I greeted the nobles with impeccable poise.

“Baron Silver, what a magnificent palace.”

“This is the most splendid party I’ve ever attended.”

“Your daughter, Lydia, is absolutely stunning.”

To the flood of compliments, I responded humbly yet confidently.

I was a completely different man from the Prince Victor of moments ago.

“Lydia, come here.”

In the center of the hall, I called my adoptive daughter.

Lydia approached gracefully.

Her beauty drew many eyes in the venue.

“Father.”

She curtsied deeply.

The perfect demeanor of a lady.

“Greet the nobles. Especially your potential suitors.”

“Yes, Father.”

Lydia smiled and nodded.

Her eyes no longer held the fear of the past; she seemed to have fully embraced her role.

I, accompanied by Lydia, made rounds through the venue, greeting key figures.

Among them was Alexander Granblue.

“Lord Granblue, it’s an honor to meet you.”

I bowed courteously to Alexander.

“Baron Silver, a splendid party.”

Alexander responded politely, but his eyes held a trace of wariness.

He seemed more cautious since his dealings with Hugo Black.

“This is my adoptive daughter, Lydia.”

“It’s been a while, Lord Granblue.”

Lydia greeted him with impeccable manners.

Alexander responded gallantly, but I keenly sensed the air between them.

Lydia’s beauty seemed to affect Alexander as well.

“Lydia has many suitors, you know.”

I said deliberately.

“Her beauty, refinement, and… inheritance must be quite appealing.”

Alexander showed a complex expression.

Though engaged to Eleanor, he couldn’t entirely ignore Lydia’s allure.

Given the Granblue family’s current state, her vast wealth and beauty must seem highly attractive.

“She is indeed a remarkable lady.”

Exactly as planned.

I laughed inwardly.

I hoped this seed would sow discord between Eleanor and Alexander.

“Now, we must greet the others.”

I led Lydia to the next noble.

I felt Alexander’s lingering gaze as we moved on.

As the party progressed, many nobles approached Baron Silver.

Their intentions were clear.

They sought connections with a rapidly rising new noble.

And through marriage to the beautiful Lydia, they aimed to access her vast wealth.

“Such greedy nobles after wealth.”

I sneered inwardly.

Their calculating attitudes reminded me of the business world from my past life.

Human nature seemed unchanged across worlds.

Then came the highlight of the party.

“His Majesty’s entrance!”

King Arthur, who had been resting, reappeared in the hall.

His earlier anger had subsided, replaced by a calm smile.

“Baron Silver.”

The king approached.

I immediately bowed deeply.

“Your Majesty, I am deeply honored by your gracious visit.”

“A splendid palace. I’d heard rumors, but seeing it in person is even more impressive.”

“Your kind words humble me.”

I responded humbly.

Now was the time to play my final move.

“Your Majesty, it is but a trifling gift, but I hope you’ll accept it as a contribution to the palace’s construction.”

I opened a prepared box.

Inside, a fist-sized blue diamond gleamed brilliantly.

Gasps of astonishment rose from the crowd.

“This is…”

The king’s eyes widened.

Such a gem was exceedingly rare, even in the kingdom.

“A humble offering for Your Majesty’s prosperity.”

“Magnificent… Baron Silver, I deeply thank you for your service to the kingdom.”

The king accepted the gem, visibly moved.

Then, as expected, his next words followed.

“For such loyalty and contribution, I hereby pledge to grant Baron Silver the rank of earl.”

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

“Furthermore, I will cede the northern royal territory of Icecrest to the Silver family as their domain.”

An even greater wave of astonishment spread.

Icecrest was a fertile land, renowned for its ice magic stone production.

Ironically, it bordered the Frostheart family’s territory.

“Your Majesty, I am at a loss for words at such an honor.”

I bowed deeply.

Inwardly, I was filled with a immense sense of victory.

In just a few years, I had risen from an unknown merchant to an earl. And now, I held a domain.

“Earl Silver, my congratulations once more.”

The king said with satisfaction.

He, too, had taken the bait of the gem.

Even a king was, after all, human.

Swayed by desire.

The party reached its climax.

The hall buzzed with voices celebrating the host’s elevation from Baron Silver to Earl Silver.

I surveyed the hall.

Tonight’s palace was the very symbol of my ambition.

Mocked and banished as Prince Victor, yet showered with the highest honors as Earl Silver.

This stark contrast brought deep satisfaction to my heart.

Then, in a corner of the hall, I spotted Eleanor.

Her face showed clear agitation and jealousy.

She seemed to suffer from the contrast between Lydia’s dazzling success and her own family’s decline.

“Perfect.”

I smiled quietly.

Tonight’s triumph was merely a milestone in my grand plan.

The true goal lay ahead.

The complete plan and domination of this world.

“Now the real show begins.”

I murmured softly and approached my next prey.