episode_0047

Fortunately, my Emperor seems more inclined toward anticipation than caution.

Isabel sighed in relief once again at that fact and started walking.

Even now, when I think about the situation just a little while ago, I feel dizzy.

‘Could it be that Prince Kael was worried about this very thing and so he strongly declined all the credits?’

Since he is such an outstanding man, it is entirely possible.

It’s natural for anyone to be wary if something stands out too much.

Kael, who realized that fact early on, showed extreme humility.

I’m not completely at ease yet. There may be some what ifs.

But the Emperor had a crown princess by his side. My older sister could persuade him.

Because the Crown Princess also had a strong feeling of liking Kael.

Wasn’t it my older sister who gave him the stage of the entire Eastern region right away?

“Haaa… .”

That’s why I’m even more worried. He’s already made great achievements and received great awards.

From now on, Kael will be the center of attention for those who are considered the most influential figures in the Imperial political world.

It can have a positive effect, but sometimes it can also have a negative effect.

“What’s going on that makes you sigh like that?”

When I turned my head, I saw Gnaeus staring at Isabel for some time.

“If you’re here, at least make a sound.”

“What are you talking about, Bell? I called you a long time ago. But since you didn’t respond, I thought you were ignoring me. But your expression was so serious that I couldn’t speak to you carelessly.”

It looked serious. Yeah. There was something that almost became serious.

And even now, to be honest, I don’t know if it worked out well or not.

“Are you done with the chipping now?”

“Originally, I was planning to stay home for another month or so. That way, it would be a little easier for the peace faction nobles to move later. But, my older sister told me to stop coming out.”

“Sister?”

As if surprised, I waited for Gnaeus to speak next, and he smiled awkwardly.

“A few days ago, he came to my residence in person. And he said that a very clever friend of his had done a great job. From now on, the peace party will be busy. Of course, it will be limited to the three eastern kingdoms.”

“… I think I know who that clever guy is talking about.”

At Isabel’s words, Gnaeus smiled and said, ‘That’s the person you’re thinking of.’

Then he looked at my sister’s facial expression and tilted his head.

“Now that I look at it, it seems like the cause of that serious expression a little while ago was something to do with that person.”

“Huh?”

“Kael Klauwitz. Did something happen with that prince?”

“What, what’s going on! No. More importantly, why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

“I told you. Your expression became strange when Prince Kael’s name was mentioned. Oh, oh. Look at me now. You flinched and shook again just now. Bell.”

As a smile appeared on Gnaeus’ lips, Isabel answered no without realizing it.

But the older brother, who had already caught his prey, couldn’t leave his younger sister alone.

“It seems like you’ve gotten a lot closer to Prince Kael?”

“That’s right. Even in my eyes, he wasn’t an ordinary young man. I think Belle would like him.”

“So. When are you going to meet again? Now that you have a reason, I guess we can meet sometimes?”

The blows poured down mercilessly. Even if it wasn’t Isabel, it was useless.

Only then did Gnaeus burst out laughing and say, “Ahaha!” and it finally ended.

“Let’s walk a bit. Bell.”

“Just keep teasing me again.”

The two siblings walked slowly through the backyard, leaving the servants and maids behind.

There was no ticking or alertness, something that would have been unimaginable in the past.

Especially after they each became the center of the war and peace factions.

“That’s amazing.”

“What is it?”

“My brother and I are so casually stuck together.”

Isabel also seemed to have felt that part deep down.

Gnaeus nodded his head in agreement to those words.

“We had become estranged because of the faction. Perhaps, if it weren’t for Prince Kael, we would have become even more estranged.”

“Did you forget I said I wouldn’t tease you just now?”

“I’m not trying to tease you, I’m just being honest. Bell.”

“… .”

“You feel it too. Thanks to Prince Kael, your knowledge has broadened a little.”

I couldn’t say no, because I was actually feeling it.

The first shock I felt was from talking to the Crown Princess.

And when I think about the work across the East Coast… all I can think of is amazing.

“Me too. I realized my limitations after hearing what Prince Kael had done.”

“… Oppa?”

“I used to think that I could persuade and persuade people with words. I didn’t necessarily have to use force or shed blood.”

But I was completely wrong. Gnaeus smiled bitterly.

“It wasn’t strength. It wasn’t blood. It wasn’t words. It wasn’t persuasion. It was the situation. It was the mind. It was a situation where you couldn’t help but win even if you used strength. It was a mind that couldn’t help but follow even if you said a few words. Prince Kael already knew that and was able to handle it freely.”

“… I agree. The Eastern Front incident was a real new shock.”

We think alike and share the same experiences.

That alone will restore some of the lost relationships.

It was a moment when the saying, “blood is thicker than water,” came to mind again.

“So. Why was your expression like that?”

“… I just came back from an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”

“But.”

“His Majesty asked what he thought of Prince Kael.”

“… So?”

When Gnaeus asks back as if it’s nothing, Isabel’s expression hardens.

It was a bonus to say something like, “Don’t you know how serious this situation is?”

The problem is that the question sounded different to Gnaeus.

‘No matter how I look at it, it looks like you asked Belle if she liked that guy?’

The more I listen to the story, the more I think this is true.

The Emperor’s next words, and even the fact that the Crown Princess next to him laughed.

No matter how you look at it, isn’t this just the first step to connecting a man and a woman?

“So that’s why? Aren’t you worried? You said you benefited from Prince Kael too.”

“No… .”

But why on earth? Why on earth? My little brother still doesn’t seem to know.

They say that humans are sensitive to other people’s business, but dull when it comes to their own business. Is that true?

Even so, wouldn’t it be possible to get a rough idea of this?

“Bell. It looks to me like you’re just trying it out.”

“Looking around. Your Majesty?”

“Think about it. He gave you the Neomes region as a reward for your military service. He also made it hereditary from the beginning. This is proof that he trusts Prince Kael that much.”

“But there are cases like that. They give a big reward to make people let their guard down, and then punish them for a bigger flaw.”

Of course, there are cases like that. But right now, that example is not applicable.

Where is the Neomes region? It was previously administered as a direct territory of the Imperial Family.

It is a region with a long history that has been directly nurtured by the imperial family since the reign of the Great Emperor, and was not annexed midway.

There is even a glorious city within it, named by the Great Emperor himself.

It is too much to say that it is given out only for a short time for camouflage use.

It is an act by the imperial family themselves to lower the authority and dignity of the imperial territory.

Neither the emperor nor a fool would want to do something that would bring more harm than good.

“Isn’t His Majesty going to use the imperial territory for something like that?”

“That’s true, but… .”

“Your Majesty is truly pleased with Prince Kael.”

“Then why did you ask that question? I’m really surprised.”

No, that’s right. You must not know the intention. Bell.

Even seeing that he stopped His Majesty the Emperor with all his might, it seems he is not completely heartless.

Gnaeus lightly tapped his chest a few times in the rising frustration.

“Okay. Bell. Are you worried about Prince Kael right now?”

“Why is that? Since we share the same battlefield, that much is possible.”

“… Let’s stop talking.”

They are a prince and a princess, but if you look closely, they are just siblings like other people.

If you don’t understand even after giving this much hint, you’ll just give up.

Do what you want. I’ve done what I can. Now I don’t know.

“Anyway, stop worrying about Prince Kael and focus on other things.”

“Other things?”

“Haven’t you heard the news yet? They say an envoy will be arriving from Novogord soon.”

I guess you haven’t heard of it. Weren’t you with Kael just a little while ago?

They were putting their heads together and trying to guess the reason why they had been given the Neomes region.

After that, he received the imperial order, waited for a while, and then went to see the emperor.

“Why are you here?”

“They said it was to celebrate the great victory of our empire in the eastern campaign.”

“Okay. I heard the superficial reason. So, what’s next?”

Isabelle is also a princess. She can immediately sense things like this in the political world.

However, strangely, it seems like my cognitive abilities have suddenly declined when it comes to things related to Kael.

“This guy is expected to investigate the internal situation of the empire.”

The war between the Empire and the three eastern kingdoms ended.

The winner is the Empire. The loser is the Alliance. But being the winner doesn’t mean there’s no impact.

Perhaps Novogord is trying to gauge the mood within the empire through this delegation.

Isabelle nodded in agreement with Gnaeus’ theorem, saying that it certainly seemed plausible.

“Bell.”

“Yeah.”

“How about going and being with Prince Kael?”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

Of course, Your Majesty. And your older sister. I’m sure they secretly wish that.

Since I can’t give a direct answer, I quickly think of another reason.

“Do you remember the confrontation with Novogord a while ago?”

“Of course. I was there too.”

“Your Majesty must know what they are aiming for. However, since they came as a delegation, you cannot directly pressure them. In that case, you will seek another method.”

“… You can call Prince Kael?”

“That’s it.”

So, I think you should stay with me for a while and then bring me when the imperial edict comes.

It just so happens that we have been together since Novogorsk and all the way to the eastern region.

To that, Isabel mutters, ‘That’s true. Hmm. Should I say comrade?’

‘What’s wrong, comrade? Bell, my little brother? Why did all that fine manners suddenly disappear?’

I thought about just saying it, but I was worried that it would just create unnecessary resistance.

Shame can even confuse the human mind, so it can sometimes be worse than not doing something.

So Gnaeus decided to leave it alone for now. For now, that is.