Four Split Personalities

"The timing is just right..."

In the tavern, a young man with light golden hair and a tall figure slowly rose from a corner, offering a wry smile at those uninvited guests, "Would you like something to drink?"

Rebo shook his head gravely and walked slowly to his younger brother, whispering, "Father never liked you hanging around places like this, yet you went ahead and opened a tavern in the old district."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wasn’t wearing his usual ornate armour today but was dressed in a long robe with a purple base and golden patterns, his shoulders draped with a wine-red cape bearing the Violet Family crest, exuding an air of dignified luxury, and authoritative presence. Coupled with the imperial aura he was born with, even just by standing calmly there, his presence was enough to fill the entire tavern.

Across from him stood someone utterly at the other extreme. Despite also being a prince, Shu Bresen always seemed disheveled, with his casual white robe doing nothing to convey any semblance of a superior’s demeanour. It was as if the education from the imperial family was entirely lost on him, presenting the countenance of a street busker rather than a prince of high status.

"You know I’ve always been disobedient, dear brother."

Shu shrugged, not at all intimidated by the crowd that was closing in on him, politely gesturing to a wooden chair opposite him with his typical polite smile, "Have a seat?"

After a few seconds of silence, the other party let out a slight sigh, sat down slowly and methodically, nodding, "Then I’ll sit for a while."

"Sorry, big bro, everyone at my place took the day off today, so we’ll have to fend for ourselves for drinks."

Shu casually produced a not-so-clean cup, poured a bit of light brown liquid that smelled too cheap to be pricey into it, and pushed it carelessly towards Rebo, "Don’t mind, do you?"

Crown Prince Rebo frowned slightly but didn’t reach for that suspicious-looking tea in front of him, just looking intently at his brother, "I thought you had many questions for me."

"Such as?"

Shu blinked in confusion, then casually picked up the cup in front of the other, gulped down a big mouthful, and wiped his mouth, remarking, "You really don’t know how to enjoy life. This tea is a luxury that common people can’t afford even after half a month’s work."

"Such as why I found this place, or why your people have mysteriously taken the day off."

Rebo smiled sarcastically, his mouth curving slightly as he calmly observed the cup of tea in his brother’s hand, "By the way, the drinks we usually have in the courtyard are so expensive that common people couldn’t afford them even after half a year’s work, so I can’t agree with your ’taste’ and ’lifestyle.’"

Shu laughed heartily, spreading his hands, "My people often skip work, and my taste... well, you know, it’s always been terrible."

"Shu."

Rebo suddenly looked up and asked abruptly, "Tell me, do you want to lay claim to the throne and be the king of this empire?"

The other nodded immediately without thinking and smiled, "Yes, that’s exactly what I want."

"You..."

Rebo hadn’t expected such a frank admission, and his overworked brain froze for a few seconds.

"Why are you so surprised, dear brother?"

After downing his tea, Shu leaned back lazily against the stiff chair, his mouth’s carefree smile remained, though his eyes no longer held a hint of mirth, "Isn’t this exactly the answer you were hoping for?"

Having regained his composure, Rebo took a deep breath, his right hand trembling slightly beneath the table, "I don’t understand what you’re implying."

"Ha, come on now, there’s no need to be like that, no outsiders here."

Shu looked around at the menacing men and women, young and old, shrugged, and continued, "Your earlier question was merely an attempt to have me affirm myself as a scheming individual. That way, when you proceed with the deed you’ve long decided on, you’ll feel a bit more at ease."

"What are you talki..."

Rebo began, his expression changing, but he couldn’t finish his sentence before being interrupted.

"I think you know very well what I’m talking about."

Shu chuckled lightly, his tone breezy, "Some things, although you’ve made up your mind, still require a reason, something that can give you peace of mind, to spare you from nightmares in the days to come. All I’m doing is handing over that reason cheerfully while speaking the truth. Of course, even if I denied it, you would deny my denial in your heart. So why should we beat around the bush?"

Rebo’s gaze grew colder, "You know what I intend to do?"

"I do."

Shu nodded, asking rhetorically with certainty, "What else could it be, if not for killing me here?"

Rebo’s face turned ashen as he nodded, then grinding his teeth, he inquired, "Then, Shu, you must also know why I would do such a thing, right?"

"Sure. Put simply, your fear of the changes in me, the verdict of the judgment and our father’s permissiveness, have made you feel an intense threat. You fear that the throne, once within easy reach, will slip away. You fear the grand ambitions that might be strangled before they can begin. You fear this brother whom you’ve never seen through could take it all. You’re so frightened you can’t contain yourself, losing sleep over it... Am I right? My dear brother."