episode_0045

In response to the Crown Prince’s question, Luna eventually nodded.

From the very fact that he asked such a question, it could be assumed that the Crown Prince already anticipated and knew his true identity. In such a situation, it was clear that any lies would not hold up.

“Is Gonja okay…?”

Luna glanced at Albert with a sidelong glance.

He seemed to blink his eyes as if in confusion.

Well, perhaps it was better that he didn’t know anything. After all, there might be instances where he could be punished under the pretext of keeping the Crown Prince’s secret.

That was the reason she had kept the truth from Gonja until now. She wanted to at least prevent him from being harmed.

Of course, it would only be possible if the Crown Prince acknowledged his ignorance…

She had to find a way to make that happen.

No, it must happen.

“Why is this happening?”

It was truly amazing.

It was just an engagement following the family’s wishes, but now, wasn’t she thinking about how she hoped he was safe?

It was natural to want to avoid causing trouble for others, but the emotions she felt now seemed a bit more special and precious than that.

“As expected. So, have you told anyone else about this fact…?”

As the Crown Prince spoke, looking at Albert, Luna vigorously shook her head from side to side.

“I heard he’s engaged… well, anyway, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

The Crown Prince’s gaze turned back to Luna.

Internally, Luna breathed a sigh of relief. At least, it seemed like she could prevent harm from coming to Gonja with this.

However, things didn’t proceed so easily.

“I’m sorry, but Albert Gonja, could you leave for a moment?”

“It’s inappropriate, but it seems difficult. If my fiancée should bear a burden, then it’s only right that I bear it too.”

Albert’s words were spoken in a composed tone.

His statement, seemingly not allowing any other opinions, was akin to wielding a sword.

Luna quickly turned her head to look at him.

‘Why on earth.’

The prince did not directly give an order but rather asked a question, yet it was essentially a notification.

Albert would also be well aware of that.

Naturally, going against the prince’s command was incomprehensible.

And most of all,

“Why are you pretending not to know?”

Although she concealed the truth with the hope of avoiding harm, it was truly awkward why she pretended not to know.

Thus, Luna took out a pen from her pocket and gripped it in her hand.

She was aware that it was impolite in front of the prince, but it wasn’t the time to dwell on such matters.

“I’m fine. Please excuse me for a moment.”

“Don’t you dislike it?”

“Please, Master Albert.”

“…I do dislike it.”

“Albert, you’re not a child. It’s okay to be stubborn…”

Albert.

It was just the word “Master” that was missing, but Albert felt a different sensation.

His heart raced with excitement, and his eyes grew warm with bittersweet memories.

Because of this, he couldn’t give up. He couldn’t repeat the mistakes of the past. He wouldn’t leave her alone now.

If there was a burden she had to bear, then at least they would share it together.

“Luna, I…”

It was when Albert was about to say something like that.

The prince lightly tapped the cutlery with his fork, drawing attention.

“Yes, very well. If Master Albert wishes it, then so be it. However, I must tell you one thing. It will definitely not be a light matter.”

Asili said this and gazed fixedly at Albert.

‘He’s single-minded.’

It could be said that it was truly enviable to devote oneself wholeheartedly to a loved one. His gaze inadvertently shifted to Aaron, who was beside him.

He might have been cautious in case Albert caused trouble. Although he seemed calm, he had once been called a troublemaker, so it was natural for him to be vigilant.

If he thought it was for his sake, it made her extremely happy, but seeing Albert’s fiery appearance, she felt somewhat inadequate.

Of course, she couldn’t ask for more than this.

Anyway, the important thing now is not that, so let’s move on.

Accepting Albert Gongja’s opinion was simply because I didn’t want to antagonize him. Antagonizing him would be no different from antagonizing Duke David, and if we turn the next Crown Prince and the current Crown Prince into enemies, we cannot guarantee the empire’s peace.

Also, there was a desire to find out what awakened him from his foolishness and to understand the hidden meaning within him.

If things go well, we gain an ally and a friend to confide in, but if they don’t, we may end up with the worst enemy.

It was a very risky gamble, and it was a gamble with one’s own information at stake.

“Still, the advantage is on this side.”

Luna Iris.

She, who is receiving plenty of Albert Gongja’s love, might know the secret. At the very least, she doesn’t seem to show any hostile behavior.

Asili finally asked him.

“If you have no regrets, you can stay here.”

“I have no regrets. Absolutely not.”

Albert’s answer was full of conviction.

Having heard that, Asili inwardly admired him as a truly consistent man and looked at Princess Luna.

It was a gaze filled with envy.

To be able to receive sincere love from someone, to be able to form a bond with such a person, was so enviable.

However, holding such feelings only brings suffering.

Forcing a smile, she neatly gave up.

“Aaron, go outside and don’t let anyone in.”

Upon Asili’s command, Aaron left, and the room’s atmosphere began to settle. It felt as though the air around had become heavier.

“Well then, I’d like to hear first what Princess Luna knows.”

Luna hesitated for a moment as she looked at Albert, then slowly began to move the pen.

[His Highness is a woman.]

Beautifully written in blue on the blank paper.

Albert, upon seeing Luna’s writing, was dumbfounded.

It was as if his mind had been struck hard by something, and the canvas of his thoughts was dyed white.

He simply couldn’t comprehend it.

“His Highness is a woman?”

There is no law that the princess must give up the emperor’s position, but it has always been the prince who has taken the place of the emperor.

So, when four princesses were born in a row, the atmosphere of the empire was uneasy.

That’s why the entire empire rejoiced when he was born.

It is said that the palace held a festival itself, so what more can be said?

However, the truth is that the prince was actually a princess.

Of course, since the prince had not definitively answered yet…

“Yes, that’s right. I am indeed not a prince but a princess. Duke Albert, you seem to find it hard to believe, but I cannot bring myself to prove it in front of my fiancé.”

“W-well…”

There was no need to prove it. The fact that such words came from the prince’s mouth was as good as the truth.

The problem is…

“If this becomes known, the empire will be overturned.”

The prince is the youngest.

And the emperor has only one wife.

In other words, the emperor does not consider any further successors.

To think that in a courtyard without a son, the deficit was actually a princess. It is certain that there will be many who are dissatisfied with breaking the tradition of the empire and having a princess take the emperor’s place.

It might also be an issue that the nobles may harbor resentment against the royal family, knowingly or unknowingly.

“It’s not a light matter, as they said.”

I didn’t know it would be so heavy that my shoulders would slump.

But, on the contrary, it was a good thing. At least now Luna and I could share this heavy burden together.

“I think you must be very surprised…”

“Yes, of course. The prince, no, the princess…?”

“For now, let’s stick with the prince.”

“I never expected the prince to be a woman.”

I thought she was beautiful, but her behavior was more masculine than anyone else’s, so there was no room for doubt.

But, strangely enough, every time I saw the prince, the uncomfortable feeling I had seemed to disappear completely.

The jealousy I felt towards her seemed to vanish.

Aisly seemed taken aback by his bewildered reaction and burst into hearty laughter before saying,

“That’s probably because of the education and life I’ve had.”

“Is that so…”

“Shall I start talking a little now? Please just consider it as a complaint and listen, will you?”

It was a request that was really hard to refuse.

Albert nodded, thinking so.

“Yes, I will listen as much as you want.”

That day marked the beginning of a close friendship between Emperor Asilii Alexander from a distant future and the David couple.