"Haah..."
Isaac sank into his bed, letting out yet another heavy sigh. Even after a full day, he couldn't shake thoughts of Pamela. Just thinking of her made it impossible to eat.
In this world, there were plenty of cute girls, from his own age up to older ones. If it were only about beauty, the young maids might have appealed more. Had it been a teleportation without reincarnation, in his adult body, he would have spent every day stooped over, lost in admiration.
Pamela was cute, yes, but there was something more—something that drew his soul. This strange feeling was entirely new. He couldn't simply forget her.
(In the end, it comes back to the beginning.)
He wanted Pamela. Yet Morgan had explained that there was a crucial reason for her betrothal. As a Noble, he could not simply take the prince's fiancée. If he wanted her, he needed to remove the royalty from power first. Once he became king, no one could oppose him—then Pamela would be his.
At first, his desire to become king had been casual. He had only thought, "I might become powerful, so why not aim for it?" Yet, it was also the most direct, reliable way to obtain what he wanted.
――He could marry someone else and live a happy life.
That was an option. But as long as royalty existed, that plan could be easily overturned. Even now, Melinda gathered potential male friends under Nathan's watch. The power to enforce one's will despite unfairness—this was authority.
If a king issued an unfair order, even a happy life could be torn apart. As long as others held more power, one's life would always be threatened.
――How to prevent that?
Simple.
He had to take power himself.
He needed the strength to crush anyone who hindered his happiness. If anyone tried to interfere, he would eliminate them one by one until none remained.
――He would seize his own life.
This mirrored his previous life—only the scale of power differed. So, he would pursue the original goal: overthrow the state and seize it.
(The best method would be like Stalin: quietly building influence until power is in hand. But that takes too long, and Pamela would be killed before graduation. I need someone to study now—)
Isaac recalled historical figures he had read about.
*(――Nobunaga-type strategies won't work. Napoleon-style fame through war is impossible. Charismatic Hitler-type influence? Also impossible. ...Wait, is anything possible?)
All famous dictators excelled in a single skill. He could think of no example of an ordinary person achieving true power. For Isaac, an ordinary child striving carefully, this was harsh reality.
(Then I'll do it myself! Every first success in history started somewhere.)
Isaac refused to give up. He would exploit others' weaknesses and bind them with benefits. This steady groundwork was what he needed.
(Money, power, women—I want them all, but I need money and power to get them. Damn it. Nathan's so annoying. The wealth and influence are right here, yet he's blocking me.)
He began to direct his frustration at Nathan. Without him, controlling the household would have been easier. He could have advanced his plan to seize the throne unimpeded. Being stalled unnecessarily was infuriating.
(Everyone is messing with my perfect life plan...)
Isaac's expression hardened, far beyond what a child's face should show, altering even the gentle features inherited from his parents.
(I'll handle everyone with my own hands. I'll take everything for myself.)
Another decisive moment in this world. But this time, its meaning was different. Previously, he had aimed for subjugating Nathan and Melinda without killing them. Now, he planned complete removal, death included if necessary. No compromise, no mercy.
(Hire an assassin? Just kill them quickly—)
Even though he had no idea where to find one, such impulsive thoughts crossed his mind.
"No, assassination is out," Isaac thought, as a knock sounded at the door.
"Isaac—came to play!"
It was Lisa. But he didn't want visitors now.
"Sorry, I'm not in the mood. Let's play another time."
Ignoring his answer, the door opened.
"Ah, wait!"
He jumped up to protest, thinking Lisa had intruded, but it was Adela. She had come along as Lisa's Nanny.
"Good grief, what a face..."
Isaac wasn't crying now, but his eyes were red, tear streaks on his cheeks. Adela produced a handkerchief to wipe his face.
"Please, just leave me be for now."
Adela shook her head.
"You can't brood forever. You'll never forget otherwise. A change of pace is necessary."
She clearly understood Isaac's situation.
"...Did you hear from Grandpa?"
"Of course. I'm the Nanny."
Adela smiled kindly. Lisa joined in.
"I haven't even seen her yet, but she's really that cute?"
"Lisa!"
Adela scolded Lisa for hitting a raw nerve. Isaac closed his eyes, recalling Pamela.
"She's cute, yes, but Lisa-oneechan and Tiffany aren't inferior. From the first moment I saw her, I felt... something. A connection of the heart."
Adela was surprised. Isaac had always been unusually mature for five, but this statement was beyond even that.
"Isn't it just that she's cute and you liked her?"
Lisa didn't understand. She had never loved anyone. She couldn't imagine a heart connection.
"You'll understand when you love someone too, Lisa-oneechan... why did Grandpa even tell you?!"
"Because I'm your sister?"
Lisa tilted her head.
(Being a small child doesn't mean I have no privacy!)
Perhaps when older, they'd show more discretion. For now, they shared information to ensure proper care. But for Isaac, not fully a child, it was frustrating. Missteps could mean everyone knew, "He fell in love in seconds, watch over him kindly."
That was unbearable.
Isaac climbed out of bed.
"Lisa-oneechan, go play with Patrick first."
"What about you?"
"I'll talk to Grandpa first."
He mainly wanted to complain: Don't spread this around.
"Sir, he's in the courtyard."
"Thanks."
Isaac left the room and headed for the courtyard, followed by Adela and Lisa.
"I can manage alone..."
"I'm the Nanny."
"And your sister."
They laughed off his protests. They worried about him, which was comforting yet also annoying.
(Well, a luxurious problem.)
――Better than being ignored.
Isaac accepted that, trying not to mind.
The courtyard held more than just Morgan. His grandparents and parents were gathered, their faces dark as they discussed Isaac—likely deliberating over him.
"Isaac!"
Randolph was the first to notice, rushing forward and lifting Isaac into his arms.
"I'm sorry for making you worry."
"It's alright," Randolph said, nuzzling his cheek against Isaac's. He had worried, too. Holding Isaac, who had struggled through hardships on his own, he gave his grandson the fullest embrace he could.
"I came to speak with Grandpa," Isaac said.
"I see."
Randolph guided Isaac to sit between him and Lucia, while Adela and Lisa stood behind him. Every gaze in the room was on Isaac.
"I have a request for Grandpa," Isaac said.
――A request.
Morgan raised an eyebrow. Even if Isaac asked to be betrothed to Pamela, there was no way to grant it.
"I see," Morgan said.
"I understand that you'll find a suitable fiancée, but... could you not do that for me?"
"That's acceptable... but until when?"
Even with Nathan present, Isaac was the rightful heir. If he continued to love Pamela yet remained unmarried, failing to leave heirs, it would become a serious issue. Morgan sought to set a limit.
"Until graduation from the Royal Academy—would that be acceptable?"
This was non-negotiable for Isaac. He had considered, of course, arranging a symbolic fiancée to leverage the family's influence, but that would eventually betray the fiancée. He could not do that. This was Isaac's utmost sincerity to a future, unseen fiancée. Though he felt it might be naive, he could not keep silent.
"...So, you want it like Randolph did, huh?"
Morgan groaned. Randolph was an exception among Nobles. Emulating him was problematic. Randolph had been lucky—unbetrothed and free to marry Lucia before graduation—thanks to the influence of Isaac's great-grandfather, Jude, who had no qualms using family in schemes. Even Randolph had been a trump card, yet he died in battle before graduation, leaving him free to marry his beloved.
For ordinary Nobles, however, it was different. Most were betrothed before entering the Royal Academy. Waiting until graduation usually meant few suitable partners remained, leaving the child with limited choices. Morgan's hesitation stemmed from this fact.
"They often betroth peers of the same age, but it's not absolute. If no suitable match remains, one can select someone slightly older or younger. If needed, I could even take in Lisa-oneechan."
"Wait! I'm five years older! If I wait until Isaac graduates, I'll be an old maid! And why assume I'm unsought—"
Adela quickly covered Lisa's mouth. She should not interfere in the main family's important discussion. Still, Lisa's protest had merit: in this world, most married after graduation, and remaining single for five years invited gossip.
"Now, now, I was only giving an example," Isaac said with a gesture, signaling Lisa to calm down.
"Grandpa, I've thought this through. If a suitable partner is not found, or I do not form a good relationship with anyone, I will accept the fiancée Grandpa chooses after my graduation. Please, wait until then," Isaac said, bowing deeply.
Seeing this, Morgan glanced around at the others. Honestly, he wanted their opinions, but from their expressions, it seemed they all agreed: "We can let Isaac have his way." No further discussion was needed.
As high Nobles, letting Isaac have some freedom was a manageable issue. Offers from prominent Nobles had gone to Nathan; Isaac only had proposals from minor Nobles. Granting him leeway seemed reasonable.
"Very well. But there are conditions," Morgan said.
"What conditions?" Isaac asked, raising his gaze.
"You must not seek out Pamela. Of course, you may meet her during the Social Season, but only for greetings—no unnecessary contact," Morgan stated.
"!?"
This decision had been reached after Morgan consulted with Jerome. Pamela also seemed to have developed special feelings for Isaac. As the prince's fiancée, any romantic attachment to another would be disastrous. They were separated before their feelings could go too far.
Originally, this would have been a unilateral command. Instead, it was framed as a condition for not choosing a fiancée until graduation—making it easier for Isaac to accept. He lowered his head, biting his lip.
"I understand. But Grandpa, you, as head of the Wellrod family, must keep this promise," Isaac said.
"Of course," Morgan replied, with the dignified air befitting a family head.
"No skipping out on the promise now that I've retired and passed the headship to your father."
"Of course... I've never done anything so cruel to you before," Morgan added, a face filled with the sorrow of a grandfather doubted by his grandson.
"Thank you. For now, I just need a little more time."
"Hmm, that is understandable."
"Sorry for worrying you."
Isaac apologized and clung to his parents, then, with Adela and Lisa, headed to Patrick's room. Watching their retreating backs, everyone exhaled deeply.
"Isaac and Pamela... such smart children, they're precocious, aren't they?" Margaret murmured.
"Well, I started noticing girls around that age, too. Isn't it natural?" Randolph replied.
Margaret was surprised that Randolph had developed interest in the opposite sex so early.
"We married later. We despised arranged marriages. We decided to truly love each other and surprise my father," Margaret added.
Morgan and Margaret had avoided the complete political marriage arranged by Jude, instead cultivating love after marriage. A marriage of love after marriage, rare in the often pragmatic Noble society.
"Seeing our hand-in-hand walks and the looks on our faces surprised Father," Margaret laughed.
"Eh? Your father, really?"
Jude, ever the calculating strategist, had frozen emotions. Yet even he had been shocked to see their affection.
"Oh, that's right... Isaac will surely surprise us too," Randolph added.
The Wellrod family, three generations' law. Following it, Isaac was bound to act. Everyone waited, a mix of apprehension and excitement, to see what he would do.
Notes:
• Ran - She is a gentle orphan, appeared as Mobu's close friend, surviving the demon attack in their secret hideout.