episode_0078

A conference room where both the crown princess and the prince have disappeared.

I was slightly surprised by the Emperor’s sudden order to remain.

I was a little worried about what he was trying to say… .

“Allow me to ask. How is the relationship between you and the second princess?”

For a moment, I thought I had misheard. I almost asked back, “Huh?” without realizing it.

How dare you question me, of all people, in front of the Emperor.

I am truly grateful for my mental strength to not do that. I am grateful for my aristocratic lifestyle.

“Your Majesty the Emperor. I lack the conviction to properly understand Your Majesty’s will―”

“Don’t you find it strange that you say that you are lacking?”

No. I’m not saying this out of modesty, I’m just saying this because I really don’t know what you mean.

Even if the opponent had been a princess, I could have guessed the answer by glancing at her expression.

But the person in front of me right now is the emperor. I can’t dare do that.

In the end, what this means is that we have to anticipate and derive the correct answer from this side.

If you’re wrong, you won’t die, but you might disappoint the Emperor.

Well, from the perspective of the nobility, it is a kind of death, so it is a headache nonetheless.

“You’ve been thinking about it for a long time. Was it really that difficult of a question?”

“… No. I was just organizing the answer to His Majesty the Emperor’s question. ”

He took a deep breath and continued speaking cautiously.

“In my opinion, the 2nd princess would never have second thoughts.”

“… Hmm?”

The emperor’s expression as he looks down here is a bit strange.

I have a feeling you didn’t expect me to come up with an answer like this.

Did he perhaps think I was leaning towards the Crown Princess?

That’s not too far-fetched either. I had some contact with the Crown Princess.

It may have been interpreted by the emperor that they had already established a relationship as future lord and subject.

But there are far more things going on with the Second Princess than with the Crown Princess.

“The status of the Second Princess has been rising significantly recently. Starting with friction with Novogord in the north, she has set an example for the royal family throughout the east. And now she has even persuaded the southern kingdoms. I think there will be some talk about it.”

“… .”

“However, after observing the princess closely from the side, the princess has absolutely no desire or intention to surpass the crown princess.”

To be honest, this part has been bothering me for a long time.

As the princess’s external activities increase, there is a possibility that unnecessary talk may arise.

It’s just that she’s done so many things here and there.

Originally, he would eliminate others who could be a threat to his successor.

Whether it is done by the present absolute being or by the one who will become the absolute being in the future.

After all, it’s not a good thing to stand out in any way.

But I felt it was too bad that the meaning she held was not used.

Throughout the East, the royal family was expected to set an example and show unwavering support for the legions.

In the talks with the southern kingdoms, it was possible to pressure them to join hands, as this was the Empire’s true intention.

“Rather, the second princess is someone who will be of help to Her Highness the Crown Princess. A blood relative who can do whatever is entrusted to her. A capable relative who shows results that match the trust she receives.”

“… .”

“Although such a part may turn into a minor threat, the Crown Princess’s status will not be shaken. Isn’t there already a gap between the two?”

I definitely have a part to play in the sudden surge in the princess’s stock price.

I can’t make her the crown princess, but she wouldn’t want that either.

If it might put you in an awkward position, it’s right to help.

A sense of responsibility, or maybe a sense of regret. Or maybe it’s something else.

Anyway, I showed my courage in front of the Emperor and protected the princess.

I hope this is the answer the Emperor wants from me.

“… Huh.”

Shit. I guess that wasn’t the case. Damn it! I’m screwed!

Why are you sighing all of a sudden! My heart is pounding like crazy!

Could it be that I was wrong? Did I give an answer that was completely opposite to the Emperor’s intentions!?

Has the Emperor already decided that the Princess’s status has risen too high?

Would you like to step in and direct traffic before it’s too late?

If that happens, it will definitely not be a good thing for the princess.

To the Crown Princess. It means that they judged that she could be a threat to my successor.

From now on, we will gradually take away real power and push it into the back room so that it cannot move.

If she had just remained quiet, she would have lived as the emperor’s daughter and the crown princess’s younger sister.

A slight sense of vigilance may have been maintained, but it would not have been at the same level as it is now.

You moved with me for no reason and listened to my requests, but you ended up getting on my guard.

“… .”

What should I say? What on earth should I say to the Emperor here?

It is not something a noble who is loyal to the Emperor should do to refute the Emperor’s will.

If I remain silent, I have a problem with my conscience, and I cannot stand to feel sorry for the princess.

Although she may not be as much of a member of the royal family as the Crown Princess, she is also fulfilling her role.

“Your Majesty the Emperor. I have a word to say… .”

“I guess that’s why they say that people who are similar to each other become close.”

“… Your Majesty?”

What did you just say? What did you mean?

“The princess was like that too. She didn’t mean it like that at all. She gave Jim a completely different answer right away. But at the time, I thought it was good and let it go. Now that I’m seeing something similar, I can’t just sit by and watch anymore.”

So what on earth are you talking about now?

As I anxiously awaited the Emperor’s next words, a question came flying in.

“Jim is now asking about the relationship between the two of them.”

…to?

*

Imperial Count Berthier, who was working, turned his gaze away from the window for a moment.

There was his daughter, Kaya, who had been loitering in front of the gate a while ago.

The sight was like that of a six-year-old girl waiting for a gift.

‘… It is a gift. It is the greatest gift to Kaya.’

After a while, the gift returned to the Imperial Palace with a commotion.

“Kael oppaaa!!”

Because of that, the hand of the Imperial Guard holding the teacup trembled.

I was surprised. Oh my. How can he be so loud when he’s only sixteen.

If this were a battlefield, the enemy soldiers would have been driven away by the lion’s hooves alone.

‘I wish I had been born a man instead of a woman.’

When I asked the Knight Commander, he said that Kaya’s martial arts skills were already at a level that surpassed common sense.

He is so strong that he can now easily subdue three or four knights who rush at him.

Upon hearing the news, Imperial Count couldn’t help but feel both proud and sad at the same time.

The tone of the empire is not extremely sexist.

The answer is obvious just by looking at the fact that the immediate successor to the Emperor and the future Emperor is a woman.

But on the battlefield, men are still given more power than women.

There is no special reason. Men just fight better in those rough places.

There are special cases like Kaya, but that’s exactly what worries me.

Kaya has to prove time and time again what men can easily do.

She is still young, and is even a woman. Can she really become a warrior representing the empire?

Although there is activity throughout the East, some may feel it is inadequate.

‘Kaya would be very disappointed if I told her something like that.’

I swear to you that I have never once discriminated against anyone because they are my son or daughter.

Rather, I was very concerned about such discrimination and took great care of it.

I am worried that Kaya will face the real world and become frustrated.

“Father.”

After a knock, the door opens and the world’s most talented son enters.

Kael. The successor to the Imperial Crown. As a nobleman, he is someone who is treated exclusively by the Emperor.

When he thought of that being his son, Imperial Baek felt his worries disappear for a moment.

“Are you here?”

“Yes. Oh, and Dad, you get a gift too.”

“Gift?”

“I haven’t been to the South. Well, the reason wasn’t good, but… Anyway, I heard that the history there is as old as the country itself, so there are a lot of famous things there. So I brought a few as souvenirs.”

It was absolutely not looted. It was purchased with legitimate money.

Imperial Baek smiled at the sight of him being extremely careful not to cause any trouble to his family.

No wonder the higher-ups are so fond of my son.

“Yeah. I’m a little curious about what you brought as a gift.”

“This is it. It’s said to be the baton that the commander of the Benito Kingdom carries. Didn’t you defeat those guys a while ago? It’s something I obtained in the process, but somehow it ended up in my possession.”

“… Just hearing it makes me feel like it’s a pretty precious item.”

“Probably so. Benito said that only one person, excluding the king, can receive this. It’s a gift for my father!”

It looks like my son brought me a really great gift.

At first glance, it is not an ordinary baton. It is splendid, grand, and authoritative.

With a little exaggeration, it’s an object that could be displayed in the Imperial Museum.

“Oh, and the mother’s item is a ring given by the Southern Kingdom, and it is said to have been made with quite elaborate craftsmanship. This item was also approved by the higher-ups, so don’t worry.”

By the way, I see a sword in Kaya’s hand that I’ve never seen before.

Imperial Baek asked a question to Kaya, who was laughing.

“Did Kaya get a gift too?”

“Yes! My brother gave it to me! It was my birthday present! Hehehe! Kael brother didn’t forget! ”

“I’m sorry I’m late. That’s why I brought the most precious thing, Kaya.”

A calm voice, as if you just bought a souvenir somewhere.

But what came next was anything but ordinary.

“A sword given to me in gratitude for saving the Holy Land from the Holy Land. The Princess received the pendant and I received the sword, but I think Kaya will find more use for it than me.”

“… .”

“I’m sorry, Kaya. It would have been better if it was a window.”

“No! I, I like swords too! I like anything Kael Oppa gives me!!”

Hmm. Hmm. Our son has grown into a truly amazing person.

“Good is good,” Imperial Baek shrugged, looking at his son and daughter.