So, lemme get this straight...

You're the secondary protagonist of this book, but you're only the second prince? And you say everybody loves your older brother, so there's no way that the evil plot that probably would depose him could be orchestrated from within the country, it has to be done by outsiders?

Yeah, no, he's obviously the villain. Don't be too shocked when you find out.

Main protagonist: Okay, I don't believe that, but on an unrelated note, the evil factory owner is also evil, and I have to balance steampunk superheroism with supporting the union in my civvie life.

Secondary protagonist: I'm sure when I tell my brother how bad things are, he'll fix them!

Me: No, guys, they're obviously working together.

Later on...

Protagonist: Gasp! How could I not have seen that the villain is the evil factory owner, and he's working with the crown prince?

Me: It's a total mystery, believe me.