How To Become A King

Alfred

Alf POV

My lord was incomprehensible. He asked me to become a merchant. Me! A merchant!

I was not taught how to compete for the most customers while aiming for the best price, nor was I taught how to get producers or investors. But when I asked him, he told me this: "The is what you are most suited for. You will struggle at first, but you will find yourself suited to this task."

Where does he get his confidence? Why can he have so much faith in me? He makes no sense! He doesn't act noble at all. He doesn't deserve to be a prince! I remember my elder half-brother, the king. Why doesn't he love me? I always admired him and did what he asked, but because I wasn't born to the same mother, my standing was low.

He listened to the thoughts of the world around him, and locked me away, to take care of our unloved half brother, born to the commoner concubine. I hated the job, but Brother had told me to obey him, spoil him, do whatever I had to do so his attitude would be revolting, so no one would support his claim on the throne.

Because Father, before he fully died, named the commoners child as succesor. The. Commoners. Child. Thomas was unworthy to be given the throne, his blood was only half noble. Me and Brother are pure blood nobles, though I come from an earls daughter and he from a dukes daughter.

However, our younger sibling was on the higher end of brilliant. He knew magic, and his familiar was an S-rank. He excelled in his court manners despite never learning any, and he left an impression on Merlin! He was getting cockier than he was growing up! He treated me like a servant, despite me telling him I'm the son of an Earl! I am above him!

One day, he forced a noble to obey the laws. He had his familiar curse a noble! The nerve he has, going against the traditions that bound our land! He was not worthy to use that ring, to make his brother pay for a filthy slave. When she got cleaned up, he was nice to her! Can you believe it! Treating a beast man kindly, he does not deserve to see Brother ever again.

I took the tattoo, despite my loyalty belonging to another. I refuse to be loyal to him when I should be with Brother. But Brother told me to be his spy, so spy I shall. Another time, he was crying in the hallway, comforted by a candle. He was unfit to be so loved. I reported back to Brother that very night, and then I was assigned by the ingrate to be a merchant.

I had to work with commoners, and like a common servant, I would earn money for 'My Lord.' How he irked me! I cry when he pets my head, yet I must endure the shame... For Brother, and for the kingdom. I would keep this commoner in his rightful place.

To Thomas, who foolishly has faith in me and trusts me not to cheat him or the commoners... When I leave him, he will be helpless. He will never trust again, the poor thing. He will never get Brothers throne.

I ignored the twinge of pain in my chest. The kindness of the boy would not overturn my opinion of him. His faith in me was just a tool. Brother would see to that... I glanced at the tattoo, and knew this bond wouldn't last.