Top Tier Perversion: Dual Cultivate Secretly

The court session began with the King’s aide’s opening speech.

When it was over, the chief complaint came up.

"Your Majesty, throughout the kingdom, the commoners are suffering due to a sharp hike in food prices."

"Wages have remained the same but food prices have gone so high that a common man has to decide between filling his belly or spending his hard earned money for gas to not die from cold."

"The Capital’s going through a severe immigration crisis as people from around the kingdom are coming in to have better wages just so they can afford grains."

The nobles nodded their heads at the aide’s statements and glanced in the direction of House D’Arc.

Along with the complaints, the disrespect to the King was also fresh in their minds.

What disturbed them further was the lack of response from the King.

What was he planning by being so quiet?

And was House D’Arc trying to rebel?

Many questions in their heads but they stayed silent until the aide spoke.

With so many eyes on them, Vivienne slightly opened her eyes and glanced at her side.

Vincent had a surprisingly calm but focused expression. It was as if he was reading the faces of the people in the court.

He did not seem scared or agitated.

’Are both my kids fearless because of my support or is it their innate nature?’ Vivienne wondered.

Although she gave them security and comfort since young due to her duty as a mother, she never revealed her strength and was sure both didn’t know how powerful she was.

To the two, she was just mom.

’Maybe it’s their innate nature.’

Vivienne was discovering newer things about her children as they were becoming proper adults.

Seated beside her, Vincent hadn’t blinked in a minute as he analyzed the King’s and the first row’s faces.

The King’s mood was off like he just found himself in a situation where he couldn’t do anything.

The ones in the first row were exuding hostility. It was not easily readable and Vincent understood it by their body language instead of face.

They were seated casually before. Their shoulders were relaxed, they made a lot of hand gestures, and they barely looked in Vincent’s direction.

After the King’s arrival and Vincent not standing up, they sat upright and leaned forward. They had stopped talking completely and rarely averted their gaze from Vincent.

They weren’t frowning or looking down, just staring.

Beside the King, the Crown Princess Agnes and the Queen Mirielle were looking at the aide.

Neither their faces nor their bodies showed anything noteworthy to gauge their mood.

However, Vincent could feel anticipation with hints of anxiety.

To fix these emotions, he could juggle for a few minutes and ensure that he caught the clubs or their mood would sour further.

’Juggle?’ Vincent’s focus broke as he became conscious of the Court Jester’s inheritance.

’The inheritance is good but I don’t plan to become a jester, thank you.’

Vincent returned his attention to the complaints.

"Your Majesty, the food prices hiked overnight due to House D’Arc purchasing grains from all over the kingdom. Their reserves are enough to feed a county for five years."

The aide then bowed.

"That’s all, Your Majesty."

He walked to the side and joined the other ministers of the King.

The King turned in Vincent’s direction.

"House D’Arc, make your presence."

Vivienne slowly opened her eyes and glanced at the King.

He slightly shifted on his throne.

It did not go unnoticed by Vincent.

Vivienne pulled her hand away and lightly patted his back.

Vincent stood up and buttoned his suit.

He picked the cane that Anastasia accessorized with his suit and walked toward the center.

There was not the slightest pressure despite the many people present.

The Royal Court suddenly felt far less imposing than he’d imagined.

As per the formalities, Vincent had to bow to the King and then defend himself.

But he skipped the bow and put the cane behind him, lazily leaning back.

"What exactly does Your Majesty wish House D’Arc to answer?"

The expression of the King dropped.

An actual drop, and it wasn’t controlled like before.

The Crown Princess and the Queen lifted their hands but put it back down, stopping themselves from covering their mouths.

The Crown Princess looked at Vincent with a visible curiosity while the Queen’s gaze drifted toward the Countess, wondering how she was allowing this.

The nobles stiffened and their silence was loud.

Vincent not only did not bow, he also made a remark that was a blatant contempt of court.

Did House D’Arc lose their minds? Did they not wish to keep their Count status? Did they forget about the heavy taxes and sanctions that could be levied upon them for this?

Heads turned in the direction of the King.

How would he react to such disrespect?

One second.

Two seconds.

Five seconds.

The King placed his elbow on the armrest and his face on his clenched fist.

"Very well."

He acknowledged the disrespect but did not speak further.

A Marquis with a curled mustache wearing a monocle stood up from his seat.

He bowed to the king first and asked for permission to speak.

The King gave him permission.

The Marquis turned to Vincent.

"Since His Majesty is being merciful, allow me to ask on his behalf."

"Did House D’Arc purchase enough grain to feed a county for five years?"

"Yes."

"So you admit to manipulating grain prices?"

"No."

"House D’Arc... there’s evidence of purchases that were made." The Marquis adjusted his monocle.

He turned to the King and continued, "Your Majesty, House D’Arc thinks they can get away from this accusation because their house officials did not make a purchase."

"House D’Arc sent their civilians to neighboring territories and began emptying the merchant inventories. When confronted, they even incited the commoners to rise against the ruling house."

At this moment, seated a few seats away from Vivienne, a slender man wearing a fur coat stood up with his cane’s support.

"Your Majesty," he bowed to the king, "I sent my eldest son to stop the purchase as it would bring a food shortage in my county, but the workers at the station attacked him due to the D’Arc’s civilians paying them."

"I would’ve lost my son that day had he not retreated on time. Not only is D’Arc—

"Count Mirrec."

Vincent’s tone echoed in the court and interrupted the man.

He looked at Vincent with a visible frown.

Vincent put his cane before him and leaned forward, smiling at the slender man.

"Thank you for confirming your son was there that day."

Vincent turned to the King.

"Your Majesty, Count Mirrec’s eldest son seems to have lied to him about what transpired at the station. Let me give you a brief overview of what actually happened."

Vincent stated the eldest son coming to buy the grain at a higher price, the guards threatening the workers, the eldest son’s arrogance and so on.

"...Your Majesty, imagine a scenario where you are a merchant selling apples. Every time a customer tries to buy your apples, Count Mirrec’s son threatens the customer until he leaves, then buys the apples himself."

"If this is repeated multiple times, what do you think will happen?"

Vincent’s smile didn’t fade as he asked.

"House D’Arc."

The King’s minister stepped forward and glared at Vincent.

"Watch your analogy."

"House D’Arc, you’re falsely accusing my son. He did not threaten others. The workers were paid and—"

"Count Mirrec."

Vincent interrupted the man again.

"Instead of words, show me the evidence of your son’s innocence."

Just as he said so, something suddenly clicked Vincent.

He turned to the King.

"Actually, Your Majesty, you know what, I don’t even wish to defend my house anymore."

All eyes turned to Vincent.

The ones at the back rows whispered:

"Has he gone insane?"

"Are they admitting defeat?"

"Did they finally realize they can’t win against everybody and are seeking a lighter sentence?"

"Someone’s sure about to get taxed heavily..."

The ones in the front looked at Vincent with amused faces, thinking House D’Arc was giving up so easily.

Where did their initial arrogance go?

From rebelling against the King to labeling him a merchant and now giving up...

Thinking of the consequences made them clutch their armrests.

A Count house was about to suffer, and would probably go down in the history books as a lesson for others.

Vivienne, who was watching her son until now with a smile, wasn’t smiling anymore.

Even she could not understand the thought process of her boy to suddenly say such a thing.

’Hm... it’ll be slightly troublesome if the house is demoted, but let’s see. It looks like he still has a few things to say. If the situation can’t be salvaged anymore, I’ll intervene.’

Beside the King, Agnes who had her curiosity raised suddenly had her expression turn dull.

She had high hopes for House D’Arc and for Vincent.

In the ball, he did not seem like what the rumors suggested but right now, he was becoming exactly that.

Protecting the house’s honor was a virtuous duty but he was about to sully it.

She did not like such people.

Still, she tried not to form an opinion yet and see what more he had to say.

The fate of House D’Arc was still unclear as the Countess hadn’t spoken yet.

...

A/N: Much love to Daniel_Mangueira, Michael_Spitzer_Jr, 90cvulliet for being my first three privilege readers and also the top 3 fans!

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