The Kingdom’s Greatest Fool? No, I’m the Ruler From the Darkness ~The Hidden Face of the Fat Prince~

Chapter 3: Hidden Ambitions

The next day, I started moving early in the morning.

I slipped out of the castle secretly, ensuring no one saw me.

I wore a magical item for disguise and draped a robe over myself to hide my corpulent figure.

“This is perfect.”

The reflection in the mirror was no longer Prince Victor.

It was the appearance of an ordinary middle-aged merchant.

I headed toward the castle town.

My purpose was to check the location of the company given to me by the earl last night.

“Here it is…”

On the eastern side of the capital, at the edge of the commercial district, stood a small building.

The sign read “Phantom Innovation.”

A small company developing magical tools.

When I opened the door, the two slave employees I met at the party last night were waiting.

“We have been awaiting you, Master.”

The two bowed their heads simultaneously.

The slave collars gleamed around their necks.

Slaves are absolutely obedient to their master.

That is the rule of this world.

“Hey, both of you.”

I removed my disguise, returning to the form of Prince Victor.

“Let’s start with introductions. I want to know more about you two.”

“Yes, Master.”

The older woman, Iris Storm, stepped forward.

“I am Iris Storm, 28 years old. I was formerly a researcher at the Royal Magic Academy. My specialties are magical pharmacology and magical tool creation.”

“What kind of experiments nearly got you sentenced to death?”

“Biological experiments.”

Her eyes gleamed. Madness resided in those pupils.

“I was researching human body modification. Studies to transcend human abilities using magical potions. However, a few test subjects died…”

“I see. And so you became a slave.”

Iris nodded.

“Next, you.”

The other girl, Mia Gold, stepped forward.

“Mia Gold, actual age 23. My youthful appearance is due to my constitution.”

Indeed, her appearance looked no older than a teenager.

“I was raised as a merchant’s daughter and have been traveling the world for business since I was 15. I can speak the languages of various countries and have confidence in my negotiation skills.”

“What about the fraudulent business?”

Mia gave a small smile.

“I sold a ‘youth-preserving magical potion’ to the second prince of the neighboring kingdom, Skarge, at a high price. In reality, it had no effect, but the prince believed he was rejuvenated due to a placebo effect.”

“It was discovered?”

“Yes. Six months later, when the lack of effect was revealed, I was imprisoned for fraud. I narrowly escaped execution and was sold into slavery to the earl’s family.”

I looked at the two and slowly smiled.

“You two are the best talent.”

They showed surprised expressions.

“Master?”

“I have a grand plan. I need your talents.”

I sat in a chair and began to speak slowly.

“The earl thinks this company is unprofitable. And he thinks I’m incompetent. We’ll use that.”

A meticulous plan was already forming in my mind.

“While pretending to be unprofitable, we’ll actually generate enormous profits. Without anyone noticing.”

Iris and Mia’s eyes sparkled.

“Specifically?”

“First, Iris. Can you use your knowledge of magical potions and tools to create products I know from my previous life… I mean, products I’m familiar with?”

“What kind of products?”

Drawing on memories from my past life, I explained one after another the ideas for products that don’t yet exist in this world.

Products that would dramatically improve the lives of commoners without magic.

Conveniences like refrigerators or electric bicycles.

A range of products substituting modern Japanese technology with magic or magical power.

“These… these are brilliant ideas!”

Iris’s eyes gleamed.

If her mad talent were directed toward such inventions, extraordinary results would surely follow.

“Mia, I need you to establish multiple dummy companies. To conduct business while hiding my true identity.”

“Understood, Master.”

Mia answered with a smile.

With her commercial acumen and negotiation skills, she could build even the most complex business networks.

“For now, we’ll pretend to be unprofitable while actually building a system to generate significant profits. Send regular loss reports to the earl.”

The plan began to take shape steadily.

Techniques to alter appearances using magical potions.

Strategies to secretly establish multiple dummy companies.

And the development of groundbreaking products leveraging knowledge from my past life.

“Until I stand at the top of this world, reveal my true identity to no one.”

The two slaves swore their loyalty.

To them, their master’s orders were absolute.

Moreover, they would likely follow joyfully, given the chance to engage in such an exciting business.

—

Eleanor Frostheart sat by the window, gazing at the garden.

A night had passed since the prince’s birthday party, but her heart was still unsettled.

“That gaze… it’s truly unbearable.”

Just recalling Prince Victor’s desire-filled gaze sent a chill down her spine.

She could usually ignore it, but last night it was particularly blatant.

Perhaps because it was a special night—his birthday—it felt even more uncomfortable.

“Eleanor, what’s wrong?”

Suddenly, Alexander’s voice startled her, and she turned around.

Her fiancé had come to visit unannounced.

“L-Lord Alexander…”

Her heart raced.

His mere presence always did this to her.

Deep blue eyes, refined features, a tall and graceful build.

In front of this perfect man, Eleanor always found herself hiding her emotions.

“Sorry for coming by suddenly. I didn’t have knight training today.”

Alexander smiled gently and sat beside her.

He was also a member of the kingdom’s knight order, a promising talent expected to become its leader in the future.

“No… but please let me know in advance next time.”

Eleanor replied in a slightly sharp tone.

It was her bad habit.

For some reason, she couldn’t be honest in front of the person she liked and instead acted coldly.

“Ah, sorry… I’ll make sure to let you know next time.”

Alexander apologized with a slightly troubled expression.

He was always like this.

Unfazed by Eleanor’s cold attitude, he never wavered in his kindness.

“…Last night’s party was quite something, wasn’t it?”

Trying to change the topic, Eleanor brought up the previous night.

“Yeah, Prince Victor’s party.”

Alexander spoke as if pondering.

“Don’t you think he’s a bit pitiful?”

Eleanor’s eyes widened in shock.

“Pitiful? That… Prince Victor?”

“Yeah. Constantly mocked by those around him, with no one taking him seriously.”

Eleanor frowned at Alexander’s words.

“You’re too kind, Lord Alexander. That man… his gaze…”

Eleanor faltered.

Alexander took her hand.

“I know his gaze makes you uncomfortable. But I think he, too, carries his own struggles.”

“You’re… defending him?”

Eleanor’s voice rose slightly.

Alexander’s kindness was sometimes incomprehensible to her.

How could he show compassion to everyone?

“I’m not defending him. I’m just saying everyone has their own circumstances.”

His calm voice left Eleanor unable to argue.

This was Alexander’s strength.

A steadfast core within his kindness.

“…Understood.”

She replied quietly.

In truth, she didn’t understand.

But she didn’t want to argue further with Alexander.

“Anyway, shall we talk about next week’s ball?”

Alexander changed the topic.

He always sensed her feelings and showed such consideration.

“Oh, yes…”

Though she answered, her heart was still clouded.

It was always like this with Alexander.

She couldn’t express her feelings honestly.

Even the word “love” was hard to say.

“Eleanor?”

Alexander peered into her face.

He was close.

Her heart beat faster.

“W-What?”

Her tone came out sharper than intended.

Alexander looked slightly surprised but soon smiled.

“You’re really fascinating.”

“Fascinating…?”

“Yes. You use cold words, but your eyes are warm. That contradiction is what makes you so charming.”

Eleanor felt her face grow hot.

It was as if he always saw through her true feelings.

But in reality, that wasn’t quite true.

Alexander simply accepted her cold demeanor as part of “her,” without fully understanding the real reason behind it—her deep affection and shyness.

“I… about you, Lord Alexander…”

She started to speak but faltered again.

Why couldn’t she say such simple words? Just “I love you,” that’s all.

“Hm? Is something up?”

He tilted his head.

Even that gesture was perfect, stirring Eleanor’s heart.

“…No, it’s nothing.”

In the end, she couldn’t say it again.

Alexander looked slightly disappointed but quickly returned to his smile.

“Alright. You don’t have to force yourself to say it.”

He always respected her like this.

Never overbearing, always protecting her pace.

That was exactly why Eleanor loved him.

Yet her inability to express it honestly was her own barrier.

“I should get going soon. I have preparations for tonight’s court meeting.”

Alexander stood up.

Eleanor felt a pang of reluctance but maintained her composed expression.

“Yes, take care.”

Just as he was about to leave the room, Eleanor suddenly stood up.

“L-Lord Alexander!”

He turned back. Eleanor felt her heart pounding as if it might burst.

“What’s wrong?”

“Um… next time… together…”

The words wouldn’t come out. Her throat felt dry.

“Together?”

“Together… to the town… to the new… shop…”

“Oh, you want to go? Of course, I’d love to.”

Alexander answered eagerly.

He seemed genuinely delighted by Eleanor’s suggestion.

Still, Eleanor felt frustrated that she couldn’t properly convey her feelings.

“See you later, then.”

After he left, Eleanor returned to the windowseat and let out a deep sigh.

“Why can’t I be honest…”

She questioned herself.

Raised from childhood to suppress her emotions as a daughter of the earl’s family, the Frostheart family precept, “The children of House Frostheart must always remain composed,” was deeply etched into her heart.

That was why expressing warm emotions openly was the most difficult thing for her.

Especially in front of the person she loved, even more so.

“Someday… someday I’ll be able to say it.”

Eleanor looked up at the sky and made a small vow.

She believed that one day she would be able to put her true feelings for Alexander into words.

And deep in her heart, another anxiety lurked.

The presence of Prince Victor.

That gaze.

And something she felt last night… something different from the usual him.

“It’s just my imagination.”

Eleanor shook her head.

That fat, incompetent prince couldn’t possibly be plotting anything.