I Transmigrated as a Prince Extra

Juhtmed clenched his fists, attempting to draw strength from the cold resolve he had forged.

The soft creak of the door pulled him from his thoughts. Lian entered the room, carrying a tray with a bowl of steaming porridge and a small vial of what he assumed was medicine. Her eyes flickering with worry as she approached him.

"Your Highness," she said, bowing deeply before setting the tray down bedside the table. "I brought your meal. The physician insisted you take the tonic with it."

Juhtmed nodded, his voice still hoarse. "Thank you, Lian." He struggled to sit up, his body protesting every movement. Lian rushed to his side, her hands steadying him as she fluffed the pillows behind him.

"I'll help you eat," she offered, her voice gentle but firm.

He hesitated, a part of pride whispering against accepting her help. But his frailty left him no choice. "Fine...," he said, his tone carefully neutral.

As she spooned the warm porridge into his mouth, he observed her closely. Her expressions were genuine concern, relief, and a flick of hope that he might recover. Trusting her would be a huge risk, but one he had to take. He needed someone in this palace, and she seemed loyal.

"Lian," he said after swallowing a bite, "tell me more about the poison. What do the rumors say? And… why would someone want me dead?"

Her hand froze mid-motion, the spoon hovering above the bowl. She lowered her gaze, her voice barely a whisper. "The poison… they say it was something rare, and only found in the northern mountains. We assume that they make you drink it slowly with the food prepared to, weakening you over months before…" She trailed off, unable to finish.

Juhtmed's heart clenched. Whoever had done this hadn't just wanted him gone; they wanted him to suffer.

"And the culprit?" he pressed.

"No one knows for certain, like i said no one want to accuse without any proof, your highness," Lian replied, her voice trembling. "But the most suspicious is… Lady Meridia."

His brow furrowed. "Who is she?"

Lian, hesitating. "You must have forget her but she is your stepmother. The second wife of Emperor Kunin and mother to Prince Patrick Valgus II. She… she has never hide her hatred toward your majesty, despite your—" She stopped abruptly, her cheeks flushing as if she'd said too much.

Juhtmed smirked faintly, a bitter amusement tugging at his lips. "Despite my frailty? Or that im the son of a concubine?" he finished for her.

Lian's eyes widened, and she shook her head vehemently. "No, Your Highness! I didn't mean it like that!"

"It's fine," he said, his tone softening. "I understand. She sees me as an obstacle, even though I'm hardly in a position to threaten anyone." He leaned back against the pillows, his mind working to piece together the fragmented puzzle of his new life.

Lady Meridia. The name alone was enough to ignite a spark of hatred. He didn't know her, but he already despised the kind of person who would orchestrate such a cruel, drawn-out death.

Lian's voice broke through his thoughts. "You should rest, Your Highness. The physician said you need to regain your strength before… before anything else."

Juhtmed nodded. Rest would help him recover a bit physically, but it wouldn't prepare him for the battles ahead. He needed information. "Lian," he said, "I'll rest. But for tomorrow, I want to know everything. About this palace, the people in it, and anything i should know."

Her eyes widened, but she nodded resolutely. "Yes, Your Highness. I'll prepare everything you need."

As she left the room, Juhtmed allowed himself a moment to breathe. The weight of his circumstances pressed down on him, but he refused to crumble. He had faced despair and pain before—he had survived his mother's wrath, and he would survive this treacherous palace.

He clenched his fists, crimson eyes gleaming with resolve. "I may be weak now," he whispered to the empty room, "But i'll grow stronger. And I will find out who did this to me."

The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the room, mirroring the uncertainty of his future. But Juhtmed was no stranger to shadows. He would navigate them, shape them, and ultimately rise above them.

For the first time in years, he felt a faint ember of purpose burning within him. And he would protect that ember, nurturing it until it became a flame no one could extinguish.

The next morning arrived with the first rays of sunlight. But today was different. Today, he had a purpose.

Lian arrived promptly, balancing a tray with another simple breakfast and a stack of parchment tucked under her arm. Her expression was brighter.

"Good morning, Your Highness," she greeted him, setting the tray on the table beside him. "I brought everything you asked for. I've prepared a list of the key figures in the palace, along with brief notes on their roles and allegiances… as far as i can know it."

Juhtmed pushed himself upright, grateful for her support as she adjusted the pillows behind him. "Good. Let's start with the basics. Who are the people I need to watch most closely or be careful?"

Lian unrolled one of the parchments, revealing a neatly written list of names. Her handwriting was elegant, though the occasional shaky line betrayed her nerves.

"At the top," she began, pointing to the first name, "is Emperor Kunin Valgus, your father. He rules the Celestia Empire and is known for his shrewdness and—" she hesitated, searching for the right words, "—detachment. He has many children, but his focus has always been on consolidating power."

Juhtmed nodded, absorbing the information. "And where do I stand with him?"

Lian's gaze flickered, uncertainty clouding her face. "It's… difficult to say, Your Highness. The Emperor values strength above all. As the son of a concubine, and given your… condition, you've never been a priority in his eyes. But he hasn't outright dismissed you either."

Juhtmed's lips tightened. It wasn't surprising, but hearing it spoken aloud still stung. "Who else?"

"Next is Lady Meridia, the Emperor's second wife." Lian's voice lowered, her unease palpable. "She is ambitious, ruthless, and fiercely protective of her son, Prince Patrick Valgus II. Many suspect she sees you as a threat to his future, though you've never openly opposed her."

Juhtmed's mind churned. Lady Meridia seemed the most likely culprit behind his poisoning. Her ambition painted her as a prime suspect, but he couldn't act on assumptions alone.

"Tell me about Patrick," he said.

"Prince Patrick," Lian continued, "is the Emperor's second son. He's strong, charismatic, and widely regarded as a contender for succession. He has a powerful following in court and has been trained in military diplomacy."

Juhtmed leaned back against the pillows, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "So, the perfect child then."

Lian hesitated before nodding. "Yes, Your Highness. But he's also calculated and… cunning. He rarely acts without reason."

Juhtmed's crimson eyes narrowed. "Who else i should be wary of?"

Lian went on, listing other names "Lady Ahjanta, the Emperor's first wife, known for her wisdom but largely withdrawn from court life, Prince Elden, the Emperor's first son, i don't know much about him since he left for political diplomacy, and a host of nobles and advisors, each with their own allegiances and ambitions."

Finally, she reached the last name. "And then there's Lord Varcen," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "He's the head of the Emperor's council and oversees much of the day-to-day governance. He's powerful and feared, and he only answers directly to the Emperor."

Juhtmed frowned. "Does he have any reason to want me gone?"

Lian shook her head. "I don't believe so, Your Highness. Lord Varcen rarely involves himself in palace politics beyond what serves the Emperor's interests."

Juhtmed leaned forward, studying the names. The web of alliances and rivalries was complex, but he would need to untangle it if he wanted to survive.

"Thank you, Lian," he said. "You've done well. But there's still so much I don't know. I need to learn everything—about the court, the politics, and this world itself."

Lian's expression softened, and she gave him a tentative smile. "I'll do everything I can to help you, Your Highness."

He nodded, his resolve hardening. "Good."

As Lian gathered the parchments and excused herself to fetch more information, Juhtmed stared at the list of names, his mind churning with plans. Each name represented a potential ally or a dangerous foe.

Juhtmed his crimson eyes frown as he thinking. He whispered to himself. For now i don't have any allies and i can't trust anyone here..The culprit is most likely Lady Meridia but im not certain she has never hide her hatred for juhtmed so why poisoning him its what i must look into.

 Its been a week since i came to this world my body is slowly recovering but im still fetched on this bed. Juhtmed stirred, his body aching but his mind sharper. He sat up slowly, his muscles protesting against the movement, but he forced himself. He needed to adapt quickly to his new circumstances.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. "Enter," he called, his voice steadier than he'd expected.

Lian stepped in, carrying a tray laden with fresh fruit, bread, and a steaming pot of tea. Her movements were hurried but careful, as though she feared disturbing him too much. "Good morning, Your Highness," she said with a bow. "I've brought your breakfast, and as you requested, and some notes."

Juhtmed's crimson eyes sharpened as he gestured for her to approach. "Set it them down here," he said, pointing to the bedside table. "And sit. I'll eat while you tell me what you've learned."

Lian hesitated, her eyes darting to the chair in the corner of the room. She had never been invited to sit in his presence before, but she obeyed, perching nervously at the edge of the seat. "I gathered as much as I could, Your Highness," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… I hope it's helpful."

Juhtmed nodded, tearing off a piece of bread as he gestured for her to continue. "Start with my father and the rest of our family."

"Yes, Your Highness," Lian said, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. "Emperor Kunin Valgus rules with an iron hand, but his focus has always been on the expansion of the Celestia Empire. He has three sons and three daughters—yourself included among the princes." She hesitated before adding, "But you are… considered the weakest, politically and physically. Your mother's status as a concubine places you lower in the hierarchy."

Juhtmed's jaw tightened, but he remained silent, allowing her to continue.

"There are the princesses that i didn't include last time, Princess Velia, known for her cunning, and Princess Aria, who is married to the King of the Northren Territories."

Juhtmed absorbed the information, each name and detail painting a clearer picture of the political landscape. "And what of the factions in the court?" he asked.

Lian's face grew grim. "My statut don't allow me to gain much information about the court but i can give you an general opinion on the surface..."

"Go ahead then." he respond as he eat one of the fruit.

Lian puts on a hesitant face. "Then the court is divided, your highness. Many align themselves with Lady Meridia, hoping to curry favor with Prince Patrick. Others remain loyal to the memory of first born privilege and support Prince Elden. But… for what concrns you allies, your highness, they are none who show any interest of backing you."

Juhtmed replies nonchalantly. "So i don't have any allies on and off the court...your the only one i can trust in then Lian."

Lian's eyes widened slightly, but she nodded. "Y-Yes...thanks from trusting me your highness."

He leaned back against the pillows, his mind turning. I don't really know much about political and iv'e never really shown any interest in past life its why i need to find allies i can trust. I need to find them carefully and learning who to trust.

"Lian," he said, his voice cutting through her reverie, "you've done well. But I need more. Bring me a map and the names of the current allies of celestia."

Lian bowed deeply. "I'll have them brought to you immediately."

When the door closed behind her, Juhtmed allowed himself a of vulnerability and peace. Then suddenly a woman enter in his room she was wearing a golden robe her hair black and she had gray eyes.

"Who are you?" he said.

"So its was true they said you lost your memory and was a side effect of the poison."

Juhtmed's thoughts. Who is she and how she know for my memory loose...No more importantly for me its too know who is sh--. Cut in his thought by the woman.

"You really must have lost your memory to not remember who i am... Im your step-mother Ana Meridia."

Juhtmed his shoked at her revelation. Lady Meridia what are she doing here..