Ch.286Side Story) To Become Emperor (2)

When Michelle caused a commotion, some attention did shift to me as her half-brother, but that level of scrutiny was certainly bearable.

After all, most of that attention wasn’t hostile or overly vigilant—it was mainly requests to rein Michelle in—so it wasn’t enough to derail my plans.

“Good, excellent.”

I’ve successfully planted agents in the territories that require monitoring.

In Lotharing, infiltration was extremely difficult because every citizen carried identity verification tags, but the Holy Empire had no such system, making it a very favorable environment for inserting agents.

Of course, rural areas were quite challenging to infiltrate due to their inherently exclusive customs, but in cities where such exclusivity was less prevalent, there were no difficulties whatsoever.

“Continue your good work. I’m proud to be your lord.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

The agents had perfectly executed their missions in all the Prince-Electors’ territories, as well as in regions we needed to monitor and territories we would eventually need to absorb. There’s a saying that plans become useless in actual combat, but our execution made that adage seem meaningless.

Of course, infiltrating territories and having those agents bring back information are entirely separate matters, but I can’t help feeling good about having successfully taken this first step so smoothly.

……….

“His Grace, the Duke of Steyr, requests an audience.”

“Welcome, Your Majesty, King of Przemysl.”

I sought an audience with the King of Przemysl to secure the most important connection needed to become Emperor.

The Kingdom of Przemysl is the only vassal kingdom within the Holy Empire, which gives it the strongest voice among the Empire’s vassals. Of course, its influence is partly due to being a Prince-Elector with the right to vote for the Holy Empire’s Emperor, but even without that voting right, Przemysl’s influence would hardly be diminished.

Even without the electoral vote, Przemysl’s potential strength ranks highest among the Holy Empire’s vassals.

Among the Holy Empire’s vassals, it has the largest territory and the highest population, and with those two factors fulfilled, wealth naturally follows—no need to even mention it.

“It’s quite an honor that you’ve come in person. Do you wish to discuss what you alluded to previously?”

“Isn’t direct communication like this clearly better than letters? Letters don’t allow for immediate exchange of ideas, and their slow response time can lead to misunderstandings.”

“Haha, indeed.”

‘…Hmph, it seems he’s not particularly interested.’

Recently, I mentioned to the King of Przemysl that I was seeking a marriage partner… but judging by his current reaction, the king doesn’t seem to consider this matter important.

If the king had been pleased with the idea, he wouldn’t have shown such an indifferent response.

“Though I became the Duke of Steyr, my territory remains quite unstable as I still have no heir even after a year. Please, Your Majesty, grant me your grace to overcome this difficulty.”

I’m bowing too deeply, but the King of Przemysl is certainly worthy of such treatment, so it can’t be helped.

I do have a large territory befitting my title of Duke, but that’s all. Compared to Przemysl, I’m merely an insignificant child.

Above all, I’m a duke in name only and haven’t properly established myself in that position. Even after a year, all the surrounding lords still treat me as an outsider.

That’s why I need to humble myself and accommodate the King of Przemysl’s mood. Marriage into the Przemysl royal family is the first step toward becoming Emperor of the Holy Empire.

“Hmm… that’s unfortunate. Why haven’t you married until now?”

“Because I wished to welcome a daughter of the great Przemysl royal family as my spouse.”

“Haha… well now.”

Bastard.

The king swallowed his next words, but I can guess what they would have been.

‘How could we possibly give a precious daughter of Przemysl to a nobody bastard like you?’

Since he didn’t say it aloud, I can’t take issue with it. The king himself knows it would be problematic to say such things, which is why he held back. I can hardly object to something he merely thought.

Still, I can’t help feeling offended.

But this kind of reaction shows there’s definitely a possibility. It means he might permit the marriage if this bastard has something to offer—if this bastard could provide him with some benefit.

“I assure you, giving me your princess would benefit us both.”

“Benefits… yes, of course you would say that.”

The King of Przemysl gestures for me to continue, as if saying “let’s hear it.”

…In Dijon, and in Steyr, I’ve never been treated this way, and it’s quite irritating.

But I have no choice. If I can’t overcome this adversity, the Imperial throne will slip away from me.

……….

[This is quite thick. What is it?]

[It contains information about nobles hostile to Przemysl. Everything is here—from their scandalous private lives to their financial situations. I’m giving this to you.]

[Let me see… hmm, very diverse and… detailed.]

Sitting in the palace garden, recalling my audience with the king, I still find myself frowning.

…It pains me.

After all my various performances and even offering intelligence documents on hostile nobles, it seems I still failed to prove my worth sufficiently. He showed slight interest, but apparently not enough to merit giving away a royal daughter.

So in the end, I had to bring out what I didn’t want to.

I wanted to accomplish this without my father’s help… damn it.

[Also, here is a letter from my father to Your Majesty, the King of Przemysl. I haven’t read it myself, but knowing my father is aware of my desire for marriage into the Przemysl royal family, I believe it concerns this marriage proposal.]

[Hmm… I understand. Since you’ve come all this way, please enjoy our foreign palace to your heart’s content. I’ll give you an answer as soon as possible during your stay here.]

[Thank you, Your Majesty.]

Damn bastard.

Despite all my performances, he was merely intrigued but not fully convinced—yet the moment I presented my father’s letter, his expression completely changed.

Perhaps he had been doubting whether I was truly acknowledged by my father, and the letter dispelled those doubts. Or maybe he simply values my father’s letter more than all the talents I’ve demonstrated. There could be many reasons.

Of course, I understand. When comparing a bastard duke to the Emperor who wields supreme power in the Empire, the latter naturally wins by a landslide.

But still… was it necessary to change his attitude so drastically, like flipping a hand?

It feels like all my efforts have been in vain.

‘I must succeed, without fail.’

Now I finally understand why Mother so desperately wanted me to become Emperor.

…It’s rather late to realize, but Father truly is a great man.

Well, as Father’s son, even if I can’t perfectly emulate him, I should be able to come somewhat close.

Judging by the king’s reaction, it seems he’ll accept the marriage… hmm, so now I’ll be taking a wife I don’t even love?

‘Well, that can’t be helped.’

My mother and father were an unusual case, and in truth, considering love in noble marriages is an extravagant luxury. Didn’t my foolish sister cause a major incident by pursuing love?

I mustn’t be like that.

To become Emperor, I need to prioritize political advantage over love—

“Excuse me…”

“Ah! Who… are you?”

As I sat on a bench in the palace garden lost in thought, a curious young woman’s voice suddenly came from behind me.

At first, I turned around irritably, assuming it was just a lady-in-waiting or maid… but I was wrong.

When I turned, there stood a breathtakingly beautiful young woman, like something out of a painting. She seemed slightly frightened by my sharp reaction.

“Ah, um… hello. Pleased to meet you. I’m Adela of Przemysl.”

“Przemysl… You’re the princess. I apologize for my rudeness. I am Jean-Claude of Steyr. Are you alright?”

“Oh, no, I was the rude one for suddenly appearing behind you without warning.”

Adela said this and then smiled somewhat awkwardly.

Some might consider it a flirtatious smile, but strangely, I didn’t feel that way at all.

Hmm… what is this feeling…?

“…Ahem, so what brings you here…?”

“Ah, hahaha… I saw someone unfamiliar in the garden and couldn’t help myself… But Steyr, you said?”

“Yes, that’s right. I am the bastard son of the Emperor of Lotharing. You seem to be hearing about my presence here for the first time.”

“Ah, well… Grandfather greatly dislikes Lotharing personally. He also doesn’t favor children other than legitimate heirs, so… that is… um…”

“…I understand. Given my background, I possess everything that others would naturally dislike.”

I suspected as much from the king’s lukewarm reaction, but it seems he considered my visit here unimportant enough not to mention to others.

Hearing this directly from the princess makes my heart feel particularly heavy.

…How sad.

“Don’t worry. I’m not like that.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, yes… really. Please don’t be so downcast.”

“…Heh, thank you, Princess.”

I must have looked too dejected, as the princess before me is now flustered and trying her best to cheer me up.

Her appearance is so adorable that I can’t help but smile.

“…?”

Clearly… according to the information my agents brought, Adela doesn’t have a fiancé yet.

Damn… what’s this? Just recalling that fact makes my body react wildly of its own accord.

I was just criticizing my sister for foolishly deciding on marriage based solely on love, yet here I am doing the same. Blood will tell, I suppose.

No, this is also a political marriage, so should I consider myself lucky?

“Princess, might I ask you to guide me through the garden? This foreign garden gives me such novel impressions.”

“A guide…? Well, I don’t mind… but my Lotharing language isn’t very good.”

“That’s fine. I can teach you.”

“Oh… alright…”

If I were my usual self, I would have considered such tactics useless and wouldn’t have employed them.

But this is different. I genuinely want to make a good impression on Adela.