The Kingdom’s Greatest Fool? No, I’m the Ruler From the Darkness ~The Hidden Face of the Fat Prince~ - Chapter 62: Days of Love and Astonishment

Chapter 62: Days of Love and Astonishment

(Eleanor POV)

After breakfast, Lord Victor took out a small vial in front of us.

The liquid inside shimmered with a bluish-silver glow.

“I have duties as Earl Silver today.”

He said this and drank the contents in one gulp.

In that moment, his appearance began to change before my eyes.

His skin tone shifted, his hair turned silver, his physique refined, and even his face transformed.

In mere seconds, Prince Victor was gone, replaced by the dignified Earl Silver, Leon.

No matter how many times I witness it, this transformation astonishes me.

The man once scorned as the “foolish prince” was, in truth, Earl Silver, wielder of the kingdom’s greatest economic power.

And the Baron Gray, posing as the prince’s friend, and the slave trader Hugo Black—they were all the same person.

“I won’t be back until lunch. Eleanor, I need you to attend the afternoon noble council. Leia, oversee the training of the new soldiers at the grounds.”

He gave us instructions while adjusting his formal attire.

He carried the full bearing of Earl Silver.

“Understood.”

Leia and I answered in unison.

“Then, I’m off.”

Lord Victor—no, in this form, Earl Silver—strode out of the room.

Watching his back, I felt a renewed sense of awe at his magnitude.

His workload alone is staggering to imagine.

The duties of a prince, managing the vast commercial empire as Earl Silver, gathering intelligence as Baron Gray, and dealing with the underworld as Hugo Black.

To handle the tasks of four men single-handedly feels beyond human capability.

Exceptional memory, swift adaptability, remarkable stamina, and mental fortitude.

Above all, the patience and meticulous planning to keep such secrets perfectly hidden for years.

“It’s staggering, isn’t it?”

Left alone in the room, Leia and I exchanged glances.

“Truly.”

Leia nodded slightly.

Her red hair gleamed in the morning light.

Once called the Flame Sword Princess, she, like me, is now Lord Victor’s wife.

“Shall we talk a bit after breakfast?”

At my suggestion, Leia nodded happily.

*

In the small courtyard of the detached palace, we sipped tea and talked.

Around us, beautiful flowers bloomed, and the chirping of birds was soothing.

“What do you think of Lord Victor?”

I asked, and Leia’s expression turned thoughtful.

“I still can’t believe it. To love someone this much…”

Her words carried the same mix of bewilderment and joy I felt.

“I feel the same. To love a man I once despised so deeply—it’s strange, isn’t it?”

Once, the mere mention of Prince Victor made my skin crawl.

His slovenly figure, cloying perfume, arrogant demeanor—all of it repulsed me.

He ensnared me in his schemes, trapped me with every move.

He drove my family into hardship, subjected me to torment.

My pride and dignity were shattered.

And then, he loved me.

It might all be part of his plan.

But even so, I’m fine with it.

I’ve accepted his love, and now he protects my family and me.

With each night, my love for him grows.

“At first, I felt only fear, anger, and hatred.”

Leia’s eyes gazed into the distance.

She, too, carries a painful past.

Her strong, proud spirit was crushed to pieces by Lord Victor.

He used her feelings for me to manipulate her.

Her chastity was violated, her family driven into economic ruin.

“But now it’s different.”

Her voice softened.

“There’s a part of me that wants to be loved by him. I look forward to every night.”

I couldn’t help but smile at her confession.

It mirrored my own feelings exactly.

Days of humiliation.

Days of screaming and crying.

Days we walked together.

Days we comforted each other.

Days we were loved together.

And we chose to become wives to the same man.

“I’m the same. By evening, my heart races, waiting for his return.”

We looked at each other and giggled.

Noble daughters, now giddy like girls in first love.

“At first, it was pure humiliation.”

Leia’s voice grew quiet.

“Every time he demanded my body, I wanted to cry from the degrading acts. But at some point…”

“His way of loving us changed, didn’t it?”

I continued her thought.

“In the beginning, he was cruel, treating us like tools for his desires. But gradually, he became kinder…”

“Now he considers our reactions, prioritizing our joy.”

I nodded at Leia’s words.

His change captured our hearts completely.

Perhaps even that is part of his masterful manipulation.

But I’ve fallen for his talent and ability.

No woman could resist a man so strong, capable, and extraordinary.

I want a man who can protect my family, my future children.

It’s only natural to think so.

At noble tea gatherings, we discuss—subtly or directly—which men are strong, capable, wealthy.

These gatherings are, in truth, evaluations of men, and the higher a woman’s status, the higher her standards for strength and ideals.

Lord Victor’s ruthlessness, cunning, intellect, economic prowess, magical talent, and endurance should captivate any noblewoman.

His feigned stupidity, incompetence, and vulgarity once seemed to squander his princely status and lineage, but we alone know his true brilliance.

This sense of superiority.

The exhilaration of knowing and claiming him first is unmatched.

Sharing this happiness with my dearest friend warms my heart.

“And last night…”

Those words alone made our cheeks flush.

The memory is still vivid, our bodies tingling with the sensation.

“So… many times…”

Leia hesitated.

Last night deepened our bond further.

“256 times, wasn’t it?”

When I mentioned her count, Leia turned bright red.

“Well… you had 172!”

“What? You were still conscious? Are we counting differently?”

We laughed, and Leia’s face lit up.

A man who knows our bodies completely, with boundless stamina and vigor.

A true male.

Under his overwhelming love, our hearts were fully captured.

And we deeply understand each other’s feelings.

“Either way, we’ve completely become his.”

“Yes.”

Leia nodded quietly.

“But that’s our happiness.”

I deeply agreed with her words.

The old me would have fiercely resisted the idea of belonging to someone.

But now, being owned and loved by Lord Victor feels like the greatest joy.

“What’s the progress of his plans?”

Leia said with a hint of worry.

His grand dream of world domination is both daunting and thrilling.

“They must be going smoothly. He always follows his plans perfectly.”

“You’re right. All we can do is support him fully.”

“Yes. I’ll provide the Frostheart family’s ice magic stone technology, and you’ll offer the Braveheart family’s earth magic stone technology.”

“With our technologies combined, his ventures will grow even further.”

We discussed with serious expressions.

No longer mere lovers, we’re aware of our roles as key partners in his ambitions.

“His abilities are truly remarkable.”

I sighed.

“Managing four personas, each steering the kingdom in different ways. How does he do it?”

“He must have planned it since childhood. Even his physique was part of the deception.”

“When you think about it, it’s no wonder we couldn’t see through him.”

A maid approached us during our conversation.

“Lady Eleanor, Lady Leia. A message from Lord Victor.”

She bowed politely, presenting a sealed letter.

I took it, and she withdrew quietly.

I opened the letter, and we read it together.

“My duties as Earl Silver finished early, so let’s have lunch together. After the afternoon’s tasks…”

The letter ended with clearly suggestive words.

“Let us meet again tonight.”

Reading those words, our cheeks flushed, and a small spark ran through our bodies.

“A-again, like last night…”

Leia’s voice trembled.

“Yes, surely.”

My voice shook as I answered.

A mix of fear and anticipation.

Yet that, too, was a sweet sensation.

“We’d better prepare.”

Leia stood, and I followed.

Our hearts already yearned for him.

Recalling last night’s pleasure, our chests pounded with anticipation for his embrace.

Once the haughty, cold “Ice Flower,” I now drown in love, finding joy in living for one man.

Life is truly unpredictable.

But now, I rejoice in this change.

Wishing for these love-filled days with him to continue.

*

That night, Lord Victor summoned Leia and me to his study.

His serious expression hinted at an important discussion.

“I may have fewer days to return to the detached palace.”

He spoke in a lower voice than usual.

A small pang struck my chest.

“Is something wrong?”

Leia asked with concern.

“No, it’s part of the plan. I need to explain it to you in detail.”

Lord Victor stood by the window, gazing at the night scenery, and continued.

“As Baron Gray, I’ve infiltrated Brother Lucius’s faction to sow division from within. I’ve already planted several seeds.”

He turned, looking at us.

His eyes held determination, tinged with slight concern.

“I’ve already formed a relationship with Flora Nightshine. I plan to tame the other women one by one.”

His words pierced my chest.

I struggled to keep my expression neutral.

Leia’s face tensed briefly but quickly returned to normal.

“It’s necessary for political reasons, isn’t it?”

I said, feigning calm, desperate to keep my voice steady.

“Yes. Seducing the women in Brother Lucius’s faction, gathering information, and sowing seeds of jealousy and conflict—that’s the most effective strategy.”

He continued his explanation.

The invitations he received as Baron Gray, the budding flames of jealousy among the women.

Listening to him, complex emotions swirled within me.

“I want your cooperation.”

Lord Victor turned his gaze to us.

“Tell me anything you know about them. Their preferences, weaknesses, secrets… anything will do.”

Leia and I exchanged glances.

His words were clear.

The information we provide would be used to seduce those women.

We would become tools to lead them to his bed.

Conflicting emotions clashed within me.

I want to keep him to myself.

I don’t want him involved with other women.

I want him to look only at me, to hold only me.

Those feelings surged powerfully.

Yet, at the same time, I don’t want to hinder his ambitions.

As his first wife, the future queen, I feel it’s my duty to support him fully.

“Flora is weak to poets’ words.”

I said quietly.

My voice might have trembled slightly.

“She’s loved poetry since childhood, especially Edgar Ravenwood’s love poems. Her room likely has his complete collection.”

“I see.”

Lord Victor nodded.

“That’s useful information.”

“Isabella is knowledgeable about wine.”

Leia joined in.

Her voice showed her effort to remain calm.

“She particularly favors red wines from the south. And she likes having her neck touched.”

We continued, sharing everything we knew.

Maria Rosegarden’s pride in her rose garden, Alice and Emma’s secret love letters, Lily’s habit of secret nighttime walks…

Each word pained my heart.

The thought that this would lead them to his bed.

But if it’s necessary for his ambitions, I have no choice but to cooperate.

“There are things only women would know.”

I steeled myself and spoke.

“Elizabeth is very self-conscious about her small chest. She uses padding in her undergarments. Complimenting her on it would please her.”

Leia followed.

“Flora once had a secret meeting with a young squire. If you gently reproach her about it, she’ll feel her weakness is exposed and become compliant.”

We revealed secret after secret.

The secrets of women, gathered over years as the flower of society and the Flame Sword Princess.

Things we would never normally disclose.

“Maria’s perfume business has been struggling lately. Her husband, Thomas, rarely comes home, and she seems very lonely.”

Lord Victor listened with a serious expression, occasionally nodding and taking notes.

Each of our words became fuel for his plans.

When we finished, silence filled the room.

“Thank you, both of you.”

He said quietly.

“This information will definitely be useful.”

He rose from the study’s desk and approached us.

“You remain my true wives. This is a political necessity. I need you to understand that.”

His words brought tears to my eyes.

He gently touched my cheek.

“Eleanor, I know this is painful.”

Those words nearly unleashed my suppressed emotions.

But I fought to hold them back.

“No, I understand. For the sake of your ambitions…”

My voice trembled slightly.

He gently embraced me.

“Someday, it will be only you two. I promise.”

Those words lightened my heart a little.

Then he embraced Leia in the same way.

“Please be careful.”

Leia said in a small voice.

“Of course.”

He lightly kissed our foreheads and returned to his papers.

The conversation was over.

Back in our room, Leia and I didn’t speak for a while.

Each of us was grappling with our own emotions.

“What do you think?”

Leia finally broke the silence.

She stood by the window, bathed in moonlight.

“It’s painful.”

I answered honestly.

“Imagining him with other women tightens my chest.”

“I feel the same.”

Leia said quietly.

“I want to keep him to myself. I don’t want him holding other women. I want him to hold me more.”

Her words mirrored the turmoil in my heart.

“But we can’t say that.”

“Yes, we can’t do anything to hinder his ambitions.”

We looked at each other, finding understanding amidst the pain.

Sharing the same circumstances, the same suffering, we understood each other’s feelings.

“I want to support him fully.”

I said with resolve.

“Until the day he becomes king, no matter the difficulties.”

“Me too.”

Leia nodded firmly.

“His closeness with other women is all part of the plan. We have to accept it.”

“But…”

My words trailed off.

“But I want him to remember us.”

“Yes.”

Leia seemed to share the same thought.

“While he spends time with those women, we’re the only ones who know the real him.”

That was indeed a comfort.

They know only Baron Gray, his false persona.

We alone know the true Lord Victor—his ambitions, his plans, his kindness.

“On the days he returns to the palace, we’ll be the ones to soothe him.”

Leia said.

I smiled at her words.

“Yes, his truest place of rest is in our arms.”

That night, Leia and I slept in the same bed.

Feeling each other’s warmth to fill his absence.

Comforting each other.

Connecting.

Yearning for each other.

For the next week, he would be gone.

It would be hard not to think about what he’s doing, who he’s with.

But I tell myself this is part of our love.

Until the day he becomes king, we will continue to support him.

That resolve will never waver.

My last thought before falling asleep was a prayer for his safety and swift return.