Ch.230230. This is why I can’t live selfishly.

“····I didn’t expect you to move this quickly.”

When I sent a letter to the Etherian Princess informing her of my arrival in Lumestia, she promptly entered the Imperial Palace.

This is the reception room of the Imperial Palace.

I fidgeted with the visibly luxurious teacup and spoke.

“Haha, I’m actually late since I had to send all the guests from my coming-of-age ceremony back to their respective territories.”

“It must have been difficult dealing with all those nobles. They must have been desperate to build connections with you.”

“Oh, it wasn’t that bad.”

The Etherian Princess held her teacup and smiled faintly.

“That’s an insult to me. I personally attended your coming-of-age ceremony, so isn’t it only natural that nobles would try to build connections with you?”

The Etherian Princess who attended my coming-of-age ceremony for my sake.

She’s right.

Her attendance alone carried significant meaning.

It was essentially a public declaration of House Alphonse’s stability and the friendship between Selden Alphonse and the Imperial Family.

“My thinking was shortsighted. I apologize.”

As I bowed respectfully, the Etherian Princess smiled broadly.

“You usually only contradict my opinions, but I see you know how to apologize too.”

“It’s true that the Etherian Princess’s attendance at my ceremony was helpful in many ways.”

“Anyway, what’s your urgent reason for meeting me?”

Since the upcoming conversation was quite important, I straightened my back and looked directly into the Etherian Princess’s eyes.

“Etherian Princess, if you were to take the successor position, could you guarantee that you wouldn’t harm Princess Sirin?”

The Etherian Princess flinched at my blunt statement.

This was a confrontation that had to happen eventually.

It was better to be direct than to beat around the bush.

If I seemed uncertain, how could I convince anyone?

I needed certainty.

The Etherian Princess slowly raised her eyebrows.

“Your question crosses the line.”

“I’m on my way back from meeting Serion Lykus. From what I heard, Princess Sirin has no desire for the successor position.”

“No desire for the successor position?”

“Rather, she fears that those who follow her might lose their lives.”

“So that’s why you’ve gotten involved in the succession dispute?”

The Etherian Princess’s expression twisted.

Ignoring it, I nodded.

“That’s right.”

“If she’s worried about her followers, it sounds like she doesn’t care about her own life.”

“····Etherian Princess.”

“I can guarantee their lives. However, as long as Sirin remains alive, she will always be a threat to my position.”

“····”

“Of course, the reverse is also true. Even if I don’t take the successor position, would Sirin not feel anxious with me still alive?!”

The Etherian Princess’s eyes were bloodshot.

It wasn’t anger.

But I could understand what it was.

While she was trying to secure the successor position to protect her own life, her sister Princess Sirin claimed to be doing it for the lives of her followers.

Sorrow, self-loathing, and wretchedness.

All these emotions coexisted like a whirlwind in her eyes.

Taking a short, deep breath, I carefully spoke.

“What if I could create a situation where you could feel at ease?”

“····You? So that everyone can live happily without worry?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“How do you propose to do that? Looking back at imperial history, it’s never been possible before.”

“Didn’t you entrust this matter to me because you believed in me?”

When I raised my voice solemnly, the Etherian Princess subtly avoided my gaze.

“That’s true. I believed you could persuade Serion Lykus since you said you knew him.”

“I have persuaded Serion Lykus. He said he won’t interfere in the imperial succession dispute.”

“In other words, Serion Lykus won’t side with Sirin?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

At that, the Etherian Princess trembled slightly and set her teacup down on the table.

“I’ve heard that Serion Lykus and his allies are quite powerful. Now that the most concerning obstacle has been resolved, the successor position is practically decided.”

“Are you saying you’ll harm Princess Sirin?”

“····As I said earlier, if Sirin remains alive, I cannot fully secure the successor position, can I?”

That can’t happen.

After all, Serion Lykus agreed not to side with Princess Sirin because he believed I would resolve everything.

The Etherian Princess would find out eventually anyway.

There was no need to hide this fact either.

“It’s true that I persuaded Serion Lykus, but there was a condition.”

“····You dare set conditions for me?”

“Not for you, Etherian Princess, but an agreement with me. I promised that Princess Sirin wouldn’t be harmed.”

“Then the answer is clear. You should step back now.”

So, regardless of whether Serion Lykus gets involved or not, she’s determined to wage war.

Her suggestion that I step back now implies she’s concerned about potential harm coming to me and wants me to stop meddling in imperial affairs.

Sigh····

She trembles in fear yet claims to worry about me?

This is why I can’t live selfishly.

I really don’t understand.

I decided to live for myself alone, but the people around me won’t let me be.

From childhood, she vowed not to become a sacrificial lamb in succession disputes like her uncle, struggling all her life. Now who is she claiming to worry about?

Someone like me who’s just trying to live an easy life?

“I apologize, but I must remain involved in imperial affairs. As you know, I made a promise to Serion Lykus.”

“····Are you saying you’ll oppose me?”

“Didn’t I tell you? I’ll make it so everyone can live happily.”

When I showed my unwavering determination, the Etherian Princess seemed to notice and slowly spoke after composing herself.

“You seem to think the succession dispute is solely between me and Sirin.”

There was sadness in the Etherian Princess’s eyes.

How difficult must it have been for her since childhood?

To avoid ending up like her uncle, she must have diligently learned everything from proper conduct as a princess to imperial etiquette.

Moreover.

Although power currently leans toward the Etherian Princess, how many tears and how much blood must she have shed to reach this position?

After all that desperate struggle, death awaited her.

And she was merely a character meant to provide catharsis for readers.

That’s why I know.

If I step in half-heartedly, I too will become just a disposable character in this world.

“I’ll handle the close associates of both princesses.”

“W-what?”

“Princess Sirin’s circle isn’t fully established yet, so they should be easier for me to manage. The issue is with your close associates, Etherian Princess····”

I paused briefly, then looked directly into the Etherian Princess’s eyes and continued.

“····If anyone becomes dissatisfied, I’ll personally step in to resolve it.”

The Etherian Princess widened her eyes like a startled rabbit, clearly dumbfounded.

“Personally resolve it?! Is that something you should say to me?”

“Anyone who doesn’t respect the Etherian Princess’s decisions was never truly your supporter to begin with. They’re just leeches hungry for power.”

If the Etherian Princess called in the knights outside the reception room right now to confront me, I couldn’t blame her.

I finally understood why loyal subjects who speak the truth often have short lives.

The Etherian Princess pressed her palm against her forehead as if she had a headache and continued.

“Do you have multiple lives or something? Even with all my power, I’m still just a princess. I can’t protect you—”

“You don’t need to protect me, Princess. I will protect you.”

Arrogance and pride?

No, confidence.

Until now, I claimed to be living for an easy life, but as a result, many things have changed.

The knights and mercenaries of Lake Territory.

And my own strength enhanced by the system window.

After dedicating myself so diligently to training, what is there to fear?

However.

Perhaps due to her long experience in the imperial court,

The Etherian Princess’s expression was quite different from mine.

“I know you’re impressive, but facing them alone is foolish.”

“Etherian Princess, when did I say I would face them alone?”

“····Huh?”

Just then, with impeccable timing, there was a knock on the reception room door.

Knock knock-!

And a man entered without waiting for permission.

His urgent expression was an added bonus.

“Didn’t I say no one should enter until I give permission?”

As the Etherian Princess narrowed her brows, Butler Wells, who had entered the reception room, wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and spoke.

“His Imperial Majesty has agreed to speak with Selden Alphonse.”

I gave a gentle smile and nodded slightly toward the Etherian Princess, who was gaping in surprise.

“See? I told you I wouldn’t fight alone.”