Ch.5959. My name is not just Selden, but Selden ‘Alphonse,’ after all.

“····So, you’re saying you really got invited because you had a connection with Princess Sairine from childhood?”

Honestly, I didn’t have the confidence to explain.

How could I tell them about accidentally meeting Princess Sairine in Evis, pretending to be Jawil Wilson, and then getting invited to the Imperial Palace?

One wrong move and I could have brought our family to ruin because of me.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“But what’s this about meeting assassins in the carriage?”

“H-how did you know about that?”

“You think your father doesn’t have any connections in the Imperial Palace?”

It seems he doesn’t know about me saving the Etherian Princess from the assassins.

Well, it wouldn’t do any good for rumors to spread about the Princess being attacked at the palace.

“As you said, Father, there was an unfortunate incident, but it was resolved well.”

“Is that so? I heard your contribution was significant?”

“Not at all. There’s an imperial knight named Edric who deserves the credit for resolving the situation.”

At this, Leonard Alphonse, who had been listening to our conversation, snickered from the side.

“Father, since the incident occurred in a carriage headed to the Imperial Palace, I suspect the imperial guards simply passed the credit to Selden.”

Sigh····

This bastard has been irritating me since our joint monster hunt. If I hadn’t fallen off that cliff back then, I could have connected him with the Seri Familia.

Why is he so obsessed with belittling me?

I don’t understand what he gains from fighting with someone who’s already been pushed out of the succession line like himself.

Rather than wasting time tarnishing my image, he should try cozying up to the first or second child.

While I was mentally unleashing a torrent of curses, Miria Alphonse approached Leonard with furrowed brows.

“Leonard, did you see it with your own eyes?”

“····Pardon?”

“Did you personally witness whether the imperial knight passed the credit, or if Selden truly deserved it, huh!?”

“S-sister…. that’s not it. I just assumed that since the attack happened in a carriage, the Imperial Palace would bear some responsibility and might have passed the credit to Selden to cover it up.”

“Didn’t you hear what our father said? He heard that Selden’s contribution was significant. Are you suggesting Father’s imperial connections provided incorrect information?”

Wow····

They say true relationships shine brightest when someone is on your side, don’t they?

I was so grateful I almost felt like taking another bath with her soon.

By the way.

Why does Miria Alphonse treat me so specially even though Leonard is also her brother?

It was a kind of puzzle that couldn’t be solved even with all the information about the Alphonse family that Riden Solis had gathered.

“····I apologize. Sister, my thinking was shallow.”

“It’s not me you should apologize to, but our Selden.”

Baron Byron seemed quite familiar with the current situation, as he didn’t even flinch and simply raised his hand to gesture for silence.

Then our conversation resumed.

“But I heard you weren’t seen at all during the imperial event. What happened?”

From what I heard, it seemed my father really did have connections in the Imperial Palace.

Of course, they wouldn’t be among the Emperor’s or Princess’s closest confidants.

If they were, there would be no reason for him to ask this question.

How should I explain this?

I can’t exactly tell him that I was bedridden for three days after being attacked by assassins, can I?

After pondering carefully, I slowly opened my mouth.

“I had tea time with the Princess.”

“T-tea time alone with the Princess?”

“Yes, since there were too many people at the imperial event, the Princess summoned me separately.”

Miria and Leonard, who were listening to the conversation, looked at me with wide eyes, clearly shocked.

But the most surprised was, of course, Baron Byron.

“Can you tell your father what you discussed with Princess Sairine?”

“Well, nothing special. She just asked about how I’ve been doing and inquired about my recent life.”

Baron Byron sighed repeatedly with a concerned expression I had never seen before.

“So you’re certain this was your first meeting with Princess Sairine since that imperial event when you were children?”

“Yes, have I ever even set foot in the Imperial Palace since then?”

“Then don’t get too close to her. I think you understand what your father is saying.”

I understand very well what Baron Byron is concerned about.

If I were to be mistakenly perceived as one of Princess Sairine’s confidants, it wouldn’t end with just ‘Selden.’

My name isn’t just Selden, but Selden ‘Alphonse.’

Meaning the opposition wouldn’t target just me but would extend to the entire family.

Additionally, the fact that my acquaintance is Princess Sairine would be concerning.

After all, currently within the Imperial Palace, the Etherian Princess has an unrivaled position in the succession line.

“I understand.”

As our conversation was drawing to a close, Leonard, still dissatisfied about something, pushed out his lips.

“Father, do you really believe that Selden had tea time alone with the Princess?”

“What are you saying now?”

“Hasn’t Selden lied countless times before? His connection to Princess Sairine is probably just superficial.”

Why the hell did that bastard even come?

Just as Miria Alphonse was about to say something, I spoke up first.

“Brother, you’re quite inadequate to sit in the family head’s position, aren’t you?”

“W-what did you say?”

“It seems you didn’t understand Father’s words. What reason would I have to lie about being acquainted with Princess Sairine when it doesn’t benefit our family at all?”

“Well, you’re obviously lying to elevate your own status.”

“I’m sorry, but being acquainted with Princess Sairine doesn’t help my status at all. Though I suppose you wouldn’t understand what I mean even if you died and came back to life.”

Leonard glanced nervously at Baron Byron and raised his voice.

“A-are you looking down on me?”

“I’m saying this out of concern as your brother. You’ve come all this way, yet you can’t grasp the context of the conversation and keep spouting irrelevant things. It’s quite pitiful.”

“Hah…. So you’re claiming you had a private conversation with Princess Sairine?”

“I also had a private conversation with Emperor Malius, by the way.”

Leonard threw his head back in disbelief and let out a bitter laugh.

“Father, did you hear what Selden just said? Even if there’s no one to testify, how could he possibly have spoken with Emperor Mal—”

Baron Byron cut Leonard off abruptly and leaned toward me.

“You spoke with His Majesty the Emperor as well?”

“Yes, His Majesty said he recognized me as Selden Alphonse at a glance because I resemble my father.”

“Hmm….”

After I relayed exactly what the Emperor had told me, Leonard once again interjected.

“Haha! The Emperor recognized you at a glance by your appearance? That’s absur—”

“Shut up.”

“….Pardon?”

“I said close that mouth.”

Normally, Leonard would have cowered and backed down, but this time he seemed a bit indignant as he gestured actively with both arms.

“Father, this is Selden Alphonse we’re talking about! The troublemaker of the Alphonse family who frequents pleasure quarters and causes nothing but mischief!”

“What’s wrong with a man visiting pleasure quarters?”

“….Isn’t that why you sent Selden to exile!?”

“No, my youngest was wandering too much, so I merely gave him space to spend time alone.”

Is this why they say image is everything?

Watching Baron Byron lie without batting an eye was so impressive even I couldn’t help but admire it.

Conversely, Leonard’s expression was completely distorted.

“F-Father, what are you say—”

Baron Byron now openly ignored Leonard’s words and turned his gaze back to me.

“So what else did His Majesty the Emperor say?”

“He praised you, saying that even during your time as an imperial knight, you diligently fulfilled your duties.”

Baron Byron struggled to suppress his rising smile and cleared his throat.

“Ahem! That’s the absolute truth, isn’t it?”

“Haha, what would I gain by lying to you, Father?”

Just then, Pedericks entered the reception room with a knock.

After bowing once to Baron Byron with an urgent expression, he immediately spoke.

“Someone from the Imperial Palace has arrived.”

As soon as Pedericks finished speaking, Leonard jumped to his feet and pointed a finger at me.

“S-see! What did I tell you? This good-for-nothing must have caused another incident at the Imperial Palace!”

Baron Byron looked at Pedericks with an expression that seemed to ask, ‘Is that really true?’

In response, Pedericks tilted his head and continued.

“Emperor Malius has personally sent a gift. It comes with a message saying he enjoyed your conversation that day.”

Leonard collapsed to the floor in disbelief.

“….This can’t be happening…”

I don’t think he’d make such an expression even if our family were to be destroyed.

As I was inwardly snickering, Miria Alphonse, who had somehow appeared behind me, whispered in my ear with a strange breath.

“Selden, I almost came just now….”

Sigh….

The people in this family….

They really make my head spin.