Ch.175When I Open My Eyes in the Morning, I Wonder About Last Night

The next morning.

The Imperial Palace was unusually bustling with activity.

Not that it was particularly quiet on normal days, but today was especially chaotic.

Numerous nobles gathered in small groups whispering among themselves, while servants hurried about without rest.

Soldiers searched throughout the palace, and knights with stern faces conducted thorough inspections.

In this atmosphere of a major incident, I felt somewhat dazed.

Before breakfast, I found Leopold in his office, expressionlessly staring out the window at the chaos below.

Percival stood beside the prince wearing new armor, looking like he had been up all night with exhaustion evident around his eyes.

“Something must have happened last night, I presume?”

Leopold nodded.

Strange. I had slept soundly without sensing anything suspicious, so I thought the night had passed without incident.

“Nothing happened on our side… but there were problems in the main palace. Seven people died.”

“What? How did that…?”

Not just one or two, but seven?

That certainly explained the commotion in the palace.

Leopold’s expression was peculiar.

With contempt in his eyes and a sneer on his lips, he continued.

“Apparently, assassins disguised as slaves infiltrated the main palace, into Isabella Empress’s chambers. They were two warriors with pitch-black skin and imposing physiques. They killed four Royal Guards and slaughtered a young maid… but lost their lives at Ernst’s hands, who happened to be conversing with his mother.”

When the prince mentioned the Royal Guards’ deaths, the corner of Percival’s mouth twitched slightly.

Whether he was trying to suppress a smile or a grimace was unclear, so I pretended not to notice.

“Currently, I hear Isabella refuses all audiences and won’t step a foot outside her chambers. They say she’s fallen into despair due to the shocking events—from her husband’s death to last night’s tragedy. Only Ernst remains with her, under the pretext of comforting his mother.”

“That’s a lie.”

Isabella wouldn’t be shocked by a few deaths.

Therefore, Ernst’s claim about comforting his mother must also be false.

But then… what actually happened?

My mind became complicated.

Leopold let out a hollow laugh, as if he didn’t believe it either.

“Indeed. The Empress falling into despair? I’d sooner believe an ogre grazing on grass.”

…But there are Dragonborn who eat grass.

Maybe there’s a vegetarian ogre somewhere out there too?

“True. So, do you have any guesses about what really happened?”

I still don’t know, but perhaps Leopold might know something.

“Hmm… before I answer, I need to ask the Princess something first….”

Leopold turned his eyes toward Percival.

“…Sir Percival looks too exhausted for a long conversation. Though it’s early, perhaps I could ask the Princess to take over escort duties?”

Is he asking for a private conversation?

Indeed, Percival doesn’t need to know about Isabella’s true identity.

“Percival? He does look like he could fall asleep any moment. Let’s do that.”

I glanced at Percival as I spoke.

He seemed slightly taken aback by the sudden mention of himself, hesitating subtly.

He bowed to Leopold and opened his mouth.

“I’m honored, Your Highness. But as a Royal Guard, this level of fatigue is…”

…This guy really has no sense.

Maybe the story about 40 rye breads wasn’t bullying after all, but something he actually deserved?

Do you really think we’re concerned about your fatigue right now?

We’re trying to dismiss you because this conversation isn’t for your ears.

“No. You’ve been awake since yesterday morning without a moment’s rest. Go and rest. I want you to always be in peak condition to protect me.”

“That’s right. You should sleep when you can—if you push yourself too hard, you won’t have strength when it really matters.”

“…Yes. I will do so. Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness.”

Percival bowed deeply in respect.

He didn’t seem to have realized our intentions even now.

Probably… he just accepted it because both Leopold and I strongly urged him to rest.

“Then, from this moment, I transfer the duty of guarding His Highness Prince Leopold to Baron Median. I leave him in your care, Baron Median.”

“Sure, see you this evening.”

Percival left the office.

Leopold and I remained silent for a while, waiting for his footsteps to fade away.

—-

A moment later. Apparently judging that Percival was now far enough away, Leopold turned his gaze back to me.

After clearing his throat once, he spoke in a low voice.

“About those two strange intruders who attacked the Empress’s chambers. Were they perhaps the ‘acquaintances’ the Princess mentioned?”

“Acquaintances…? Oh, the infiltrators I mentioned? No, that’s impossible. Timing-wise, they haven’t yet—”

The Holy State’s investigation team wouldn’t have even arrived on the island yet….

“Timing-wise? That means they’re not from the island.”

Huh?

I was at a loss for words as Leopold cut in, interrupting my statement.

“The Princess doesn’t have particular connections with other lords, so it can’t be them. That means they’re from the border region… If it were Landenburg, you’d have no reason to hide it from me, and Faelrun wouldn’t want to get involved in such matters… It’s the Holy State, isn’t it?”

Wait, he figured all that out from just one word?

It was my mistake. I knew Leopold was perceptive, yet I carelessly let a clue slip.

What should I do? I think Lacy said this was confidential. How should I explain…!

“Well…”

“It’s fine. Your reaction alone confirms it’s true. So, the Holy State has also discovered the Princess’s identity. I suppose it’s natural, given how prominently you wielded the Oath Sword at Einfeld….”

“……”

He’s figured it all out.

I remained silent, having nothing to say in response.

“I understand why you didn’t tell me. You couldn’t reveal to the Imperial House that the Holy State operates such a secret intelligence unit, even if the Empire half-suspected it already.”

“…You knew?”

“Of course. Even Dane operates an intelligence bureau—how could a nation like the Holy State not have such an organization?”

That’s true.

Though the fact that I had connections to that organization was an entirely different matter.

“I should apologize for keeping it secret. They emphasized it was confidential, so…”

“It’s fine as long as you haven’t sold Imperial information. If by chance I were to lose, your position would become precarious too, so I understand you exploring other options.”

So he’s also figured out that if he fails to succeed to the throne, I could escape to the Holy State.

It left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Both Leopold and I were moving together because we shared the same enemy, not because we completely trusted each other.

We were just tacitly overlooking the fact that our true intentions didn’t align.

In such a relationship, being caught having prepared an escape route… wasn’t exactly ideal.

A relationship where both would fall together in defeat, versus one where one person has a way to survive.

From the prince’s perspective, which would inspire more trust? Obviously the former.

And… our relationship has now shifted to the latter.

Another crack has formed in our already unstable trust.

He’ll think that even if Leopold dies and Landenburg falls, I could simply flee to the Holy State.

In reality, I just hope such things don’t happen in the first place.

“Thank you for understanding. Shall we get to the main point now? We don’t have much time before breakfast.”

I changed the subject for now.

It might seem a bit shameless, but continuing this conversation wouldn’t benefit me anyway.

“…Very well. If the intruders weren’t the Princess’s ‘acquaintances’… then it must be a staged act by either Isabella or Ernst. No one in my faction would undertake such a reckless action without reporting to me.”

‘My faction.’ That expression feels somewhat distant.

I think he used to say ‘our’ more often before.

So despite saying he understands, he no longer sees us as sharing the same fate.

“Isabella or Ernst? Are there two types of staged acts? Aren’t they on the same side?”

Let’s focus on the main topic for now.

The cooling of my relationship with Leopold can’t be helped at this point.

Once he ascends to the throne, it won’t matter anyway.

Even if Leopold doesn’t trust me, he can’t exactly cast me aside, can he?

He needs all the strength he can get now, and after becoming Emperor, it would be difficult for him to touch me while I’m under Landenburg’s protection, unless there’s a charge of treason.

“They’re subtly different. Though they appear to walk the same path, Ernst tends to distance himself from the people Isabella has gathered, and the military figures Ernst has recruited aren’t on good terms with the existing nobility. So depending on who’s behind the plan, even if it’s a staged act, the truth could be entirely different.”

Leopold took a sip of tea before continuing.