Ch.97With a Twelve-Year Age Gap, Isn’t He a Criminal?

Even after dusting it off repeatedly, a pale trace remained like a stain, so I eventually received a knight’s uniform from the dressing room and changed into it.

Although I wasn’t officially part of the Imperial Knights, they said providing one uniform wasn’t a problem since I had been granted the title of knight.

Despite the sudden request, the dark blue uniform the maids helped me into fit reasonably well.

Except for one area.

“The chest feels a bit tight…”

“Must be nice?”

Frider van Faelrun sarcastically remarked.

What’s nice about it? I said it’s uncomfortable.

“Knight uniforms aren’t tailored, that’s why. Still, since you’ve received it, you could have it properly adjusted later.”

“I’m not sure if I’ll ever wear this again after today.”

“Well, you might when you go north. You’d freeze to death if you dressed in your usual clothes there.”

True, only a madman would go to the north wearing thin clothing.

The palace maids said they would thoroughly clean the academy uniform I’d taken off and send it back to the academy.

I had two sets anyway, and it wasn’t something I wore often, so it didn’t matter.

Though lately I’d been wearing it more frequently for some reason.

I returned to the banquet hall and looked for Prince Leopold.

The prince was sitting on a sofa on the second floor, conversing with the daughter of Lord Wien.

A man in his late twenties hitting on a sixteen-year-old girl.

Honestly, it looks a bit inappropriate…

“I’ll go meet with Prince Leopold for a moment, so Nigel, please be Frider’s friend for the day.”

“What do you mean, friend for the day?!”

“As you wish.”

I left the indignant Frider with Nigel and headed to the second floor.

—-

“How have you been, Your Highness Prince Leopold?”

“Oh? If it isn’t the Aishan-Gioro Princess. It’s been a while. First time since the award ceremony, isn’t it?”

“Prince Leopold? Who is this knight?”

The daughter of Lord Wien tilted her head curiously as she looked at me.

Her dark brown curls swayed gently.

With puppy-like gentle eyes that made her look younger than she actually was.

She wore a simple silver necklace around her neck, and her cream-colored dress was rather modest for a duke’s daughter.

Claire was one thing, but this woman must have quite some nerve too.

Though my veil hides my eyes, a chilling aura should still be faintly emanating from me.

“Ah, I suppose Adelheid hasn’t met you before. This is the Ka’har Princess and Baron of Median, Princess Haschal Aishan-Gioro.”

“Oh! The Were Ea…! I mean, the princess who received a medal of honor for stopping the Werebeast attack!”

The girl called Adelheid clasped her hands together in admiration.

Wasn’t she just about to say “Were Eater” before smoothly changing her words?

“Haschal Aishan-Gioro. You may call me Haschal if you wish.”

“I am Adelheid de Wien. Pleased to meet you, Princess Haschal.”

I placed my hand on my chest and gave her a slight bow. Adelheid smiled brightly.

Hmm… my suspicions about Leopold being a pedophile are growing stronger. Surely not, right?

“So, may I ask what brings you here?”

“…This isn’t a conversation suitable for this setting. May I request a private audience?”

I carefully spoke while glancing at Adelheid.

This wasn’t a topic appropriate for a young girl’s ears.

“Hmm… a lengthy conversation would be difficult. I can’t leave Adelheid waiting alone.”

“I don’t mind. Since the princess came alone, she must have important business, and I wouldn’t want to interfere with Your Highness’s affairs.”

Her voice was gentle. You’re quite skilled, Leopold.

This child seems completely taken with you already. You’re a genius at seducing young girls.

“It won’t be a long conversation.”

“In my experience, people who say that rarely end up having brief talks… but very well. Adelheid, I’m truly sorry. I’ll return as quickly as possible. And Sir Hektor, please look after Adelheid for a moment.”

Leopold sighed lightly and gave Adelheid a slight bow.

Adelheid smiled and shook her head, indicating it was fine.

“As you command.”

The Royal Guard responded briefly and took position beside Adelheid.

“Then, please follow me. The balcony in the back should be suitable.”

I followed Leopold to the balcony on the second floor.

—-

Upon reaching the balcony, unlike the silence from earlier, various sounds could be heard.

The secretive conversations of nobles.

Lovers whispering sweet nothings… no, listening closely, that sounds like an affair…?

Anyway, those sickly sweet love confessions.

And even moaning sounds from beyond the garden.

These sounds were so faint that ordinary people wouldn’t notice them, but… my keen hearing picked them up clearly.

Those in heat. If they’re doing such things in a place like this, they’re probably not married. How lewd.

“So, what exactly is the matter you wish to discuss?”

“There are about three things, but since someone is waiting for you, I’ll keep it brief.”

First was the news that I had declined Isabella’s invitation, and as a result, had officially become an enemy of Ernst’s faction.

“That’s welcome news to me. The nobles supporting me were suspicious of your activities. However, now that things have turned out this way, we don’t know how Isabella will react, so you should be more cautious going forward.”

“She’s already sent the Sigmillus lady to try to seduce me.”

“Hmm? If a man doesn’t work, send a woman—that certainly sounds like something she would think of, but… seducing a princess, is that even possible for a human?”

Leopold looked incredulous.

Well, of course it failed, but…

“Is that even possible for a human?” Should I take that as a compliment?

The second topic was about Isabella’s evil deeds.

The disturbing, obscene story of how she brainwashes women and uses them to strengthen Ernst’s faction.

This was why I couldn’t bring it up with Adelheid present.

“Unforgivable conduct. So that’s why…!”

Leopold’s expression darkened severely.

He openly displayed a deep anger I never thought I’d see on his face.

“…But who told you this?”

“Princess Leonore told me directly. There’s no evidence yet… but it seems to be true.”

Leopold stroked his chin. Despite having no beard.

“Hmm… it’s infuriating, but without evidence, it will be difficult to confront her. Still, this is extremely valuable information. I should advise Adelheid to avoid contact with those people as much as possible.”

Indeed, Adelheid would be an ideal target for Isabella.

If she could corrupt and draw her in, Leopold’s position would immediately become disadvantageous.

“You seem to care a great deal for Adelheid?”

“She’s the daughter of the Grand Elector, Lord Wien. She’s also a lady too good for someone like me.”

I’m not sure if this is a political calculation or genuine affection.

From my perspective, the former would be better, but that girl probably hopes for the latter?

In this world, sixteen is more than old enough for marriage anyway.

It’s not really my place to judge.

“Well… I suppose so. Anyway, I have a favor to ask regarding that matter.”

“A favor? Tell me.”

“I’d like to extract Princess Leonore from their side. If that’s impossible, I at least want her to remain safe and uninvolved after everything is over.”

She suits wielding a sword proudly much better than becoming dew on the execution ground.

My request seemed more difficult than I expected, as Leopold’s expression grew serious.

“That’s a challenging request… If we bring down Ernst and expose Isabella’s evil deeds for purging, Leonore, being of the same bloodline, would find it difficult to escape guilt by association. Everyone will want to cut off the entire branch, so to speak.”

“That’s why I’m asking Your Highness. Would it be too difficult?”

If things go well, you’ll become Emperor, right?

Even though imperial authority and standing have diminished, surely this much is possible?

“I understand your desire to save Leonore, but has she agreed to this? Did she personally say she would betray her mother and Ernst to side with me?”

“No… she hasn’t.”

In a situation where victory isn’t yet certain, she wouldn’t readily betray her own blood to come over to our side.

“Then it’s impossible. So, if you can, tell Leonore this: if she wants to survive when I win, she should defect to my side now, while the situation is still undecided. If she does that, I’ll consider it.”

Despite his gentle and mild appearance, his answer was colder than I expected.

“…Yes.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a better answer, but it can’t be helped.”

Well, it was an unreasonable request.

It’s probably difficult to get a better result than this for now.

“So, what’s the last thing you wanted to discuss?”

I lowered my voice significantly. Trying to appear as serious as possible.

This was something he needed to take to heart.

“Be careful of Isabella. Much more than you are now. Not just of her power, but of her herself.”

“I’m not sure what you mean…?”

I couldn’t tell him the details about the witch.

I only knew part of it myself.

I know what powers she can wield, but not how she obtained them.

Besides, if he asked how I knew such information, I wouldn’t have an answer.

Even Leonore probably doesn’t know about this.

…I wonder if Ernst knows?

Even if he does, there’s no way for me to confirm it.

So in the end, I could only speak vaguely.

“She’s probably hiding some unknown power. It’s just my intuition… but when I saw her, I felt a strange threat.”

“If it’s the princess’s intuition, it’s worth believing. I’ll keep it in mind.”

Fortunately, Leopold seemed to trust my words.