episode_0106

“- The same thing is happening.”

“Ahem…”

To summarize what Chief Baek said, the Emperor and the Emperor faction are suddenly fighting over the issue of crowning the Imperial Princess.

In the midst of this, the First Imperial Princess is subtly expressing her displeasure to His Majesty the Emperor, Elizabeth is silent, and the aristocratic faction is in a bizarre situation of supporting the Emperor.

“You’re not kidding, are you?”

“Who would joke about something related to the Imperial Family?”

“Then it’s a bigger problem…”

I can smell Sun Quan wafting from the Emperor.

That too, Sun Quan in his old age, completely senile.

Could it be that there’s another child we don’t know about?

Are you going to screw over the two heirs and then have a random child pop out of nowhere?

No, His Majesty is still young, so it would be fortunate if the heir is clearly decided.

If the country splits in half like this…

“Hey, isn’t the country going to collapse like this?”

“We don’t know about that, but if there are any variables, it would be a word from His Highness the Royal Consort and Her Highness the Grand Princess.”

“His Highness the Royal Consort is also silent?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…?”

His Majesty the Emperor’s eccentric behavior is nothing new, and Her Highness the Grand Princess has long since stepped away from politics, but even His Highness the Royal Consort is condoning this bizarre behavior?

His Highness the Royal Consort I have seen so far is not that kind of person.

He is the type to speak his mind even if he gets into trouble for telling His Majesty the Emperor bitter truths, but the fact that he is staying still is strange just to hear.

The smell has changed slightly.

Assuming that neither His Majesty the Emperor nor His Highness the Royal Consort are senile, this is 100% a trap.

“Hmm…”

Are there fools who would fall for such a clumsy trap?

Attempting it solely on the basis of ‘because he’s the Emperor, it could be genuine’ had too many flaws.

No matter how I think about it, it’s a trap that only fools would fall for…

Is there something more I don’t know?

“Is there a problem?”

“How severely are His Majesty and our family fighting?”

“Hmm… Do you really want to hear it?”

“There’s a part I don’t understand…”

“If that’s the case.”

Chief Baek, who had been sitting comfortably until now, straightened his posture and leaned his head slightly closer to me.

“First, I’ll start with Count Hume directly addressing His Majesty when His Majesty did not accept the crowning of the Imperial Princess.”

“Yes.”

“‘Is it because you took the position without roots, that you think you can do whatever you want on the throne?’”

“W-What?”

He dropped a nuclear bomb from the start.

If the Emperor faction is absent, the nobles can fight on a somewhat equal footing with His Majesty the Emperor, but they can’t say something like that to his face…?

“Then His Majesty retorted, ‘Did you and the Royal Consort put me in this position to do whatever you want, and now you’re changing your tune, you bastards?’ and the nobles replied, ‘Perhaps it’s because Your Majesty is the third daughter of the late king that you deeply sympathize with Her Highness the Second Imperial Princess.’”

“What happened then?”

“His Majesty’s expulsion order was issued, and the conversation ended.”

“Ahem…”

If this is acting and a trap, then I should play along.

The Emperor’s left-hand man is risking his neck to act, so I should play along if I have any conscience.

But if this isn’t acting…

“Um, can I get out of here?”

“Maybe? Seeing as our Knights are quiet even after such an incident, things might not be a big deal after all?”

“That’s true…”

Regret washes over me.

I should have stayed ignorant forever…

The price for not suppressing my overflowing curiosity was having to spend the rest of my time in anxiety.

But if there’s a good thing, it’s that the remaining time won’t be boring.

Because anxiety will bring all sorts of thoughts to mind.

“Haa…”

I sighed and leaned back in my chair.

“Cheer up, in any case, His Majesty will make a wise decision.”

“I have to hope so.”

I nodded vaguely at Chief Baek’s consolation and stared blankly at the desk.

My mood sinks to the bottom.

“… More importantly, what kind of clothes do you want me to make, Chief Baek? I’d like to start brainstorming in advance, assuming I’m released.”

I thought I would become endlessly depressed if I kept my mouth shut, so I forced myself to change the subject to lighten the mood.

“Ah, that’s not bad.”

Chief Baek also noticed this and desperately latched onto the bait I threw, giving very obvious responses.

That person, unlike his first impression, the more I see him, the more human he seems.

“Do you need paper?”

“It’s okay, it’s meaningless unless it’s a large piece of paper anyway.”

“I understand.”

Chief Baek nodded lightly and, perhaps feeling a little embarrassed, looked around to see if anyone was there before continuing.

“As you know, unlike others, I am an Imperial Knight, so it will be difficult to attend banquets from October onwards, as there is a high probability that I will be on duty.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

From October to the New Year, there is the Founding Day, the birthdays of His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Royal Consort, the Saint’s Day, the birthday of Her Highness Princess Alexandrine, and the New Year’s event.

The Saint’s Day is organized by the church, and there are many events during the period, so it is held on a smaller scale, except for the Founding Day and New Year’s events, but in any case, it is organized by the Imperial Family.

Then, of course, it is natural for the Imperial Knights to stand guard.

“But among them, we can attend the masquerade ball with peace of mind.”

“Why?”

“Because it is an event hosted by the nobles, but it also has a long history, so it is quite large.”

“So there was a reason.”

I nodded and vowed not to raise my child as a knight.

Because there is nothing more difficult and challenging than a job where you can’t play when others play.

I wanted our child to live an ordinary life, playing when others play and working when it’s time to work.

Not like me, stuck in prison, or like Chief Baek, unable to play when he wants to.

“For that reason, we put a lot of effort into dressing up for the masquerade ball, and this time I want to do a special masquerade.”

“A special masquerade?”

“It’s called a masquerade ball, but most people just wear masks, right?”

“That’s what I know.”

“But isn’t a real masquerade about changing your clothes too?”

“That’s true, but wouldn’t it be too noticeable if you were the only one with unique attire?”

“Hehe~”

Chief Baek chuckled lightly and said, wiggling his fingers.

“It’s one of the few banquets where I participate as a participant, not a worker, so shouldn’t I have as much fun and be as extravagant as possible?”

“Hmm~”

“And there are people like Sir William, so what is there to fear?”

“Yes?”

“It was truly amazing that you appeared with two women during the Eve festival, even a princess and a commoner maid, not just ordinary nobles?”

“That… the rumors are a bit strange…”

No matter how I am, I’m not crazy enough to bring two partners.

It’s just that the servant is a woman, and the partner was a princess…

Um, bullshit.

“So, you’re saying you didn’t bring two women?”

“No, haa, damn it.”

“I knew it, I thought it was real, I thought you were just showing off because you wanted attention with the ads you’ve been spreading, but it turns out you’re just half crazy.”

“Just think what you want.”

I just gave up on explaining.

I would say something if an excuse would work, but this is something that would only hurt my mouth if I said anything.

“So… what do you want to do with the courage you got from me?”

“Can you make me a maid outfit? and a butler outfit?”

“Oh…”

A servant’s outfit at a noble’s banquet, it was certainly unique, no, it was more than unique, it was bold.

I could make it, but I didn’t want to.

That’s an outfit that’s just asking for trouble.

I don’t want to be bothered by nobles for a while, and I don’t want to come back to prison…

“It’s a simple outfit, so it’s definitely possible, but…”

So I cautiously tried to lay the groundwork for asking if another outfit would be okay, but Chief Baek quickly cut me off before I could finish speaking.

“Then, can you also make a headband and a tail?”

I frowned, blinked rapidly, and asked.

“… What kind of headband and what kind of tail are you talking about?”

“Can you make two sets of headbands and tails with animal ears?”

“Ah…”

Animal ear butler and animal ear maid.

I never thought that would come out of Chief Baek’s mouth.

“Would it be okay to ask why you want those in particular?”

“Um, doesn’t it just look fun? The fact that you’re appearing in a servant’s outfit at a gathering of nobles, or even dressing up as a demihuman.”

“I sympathize, but…”

It certainly looks fun.

A cat maid or a dog butler dancing among the nobles is exciting just to imagine.

The problem is that it’s too radical.

The nobles’ protests will be considerable.

And if it’s discovered that the person wearing it is an Imperial Knight, the reaction will be even more intense.

“Isn’t it dangerous?”

“I didn’t expect to hear those words from you.”

“Ugh…”

I cautiously expressed my concern, but it was useless because I was the one saying it.

Well, I’ve done more dangerous things than that, so what am I doing giving advice…

If there is such a logical and solid reason, it would be difficult to switch to another outfit.

I sighed and nodded.

“Haa… It’s not difficult to make, but I would like you to be more specific about your requirements.”

“In what areas?”

“Um…”

I frowned, spread my hand, and then started folding my fingers one by one, talking about the elements that came to mind.

“To name a few… the animal and color scheme to refer to when making the headband, how to design the apron in the maid outfit, what kind of silhouette you want for the skirt, and the design of the coat for the butler outfit.”

“Hmm~ I see, I haven’t thought about that yet, can you wait a little?”

“Of course, but you shouldn’t forget about that part, so I would like you to write it down on something.”

“Ah, I understand, wait a moment.”

Chief Baek hurriedly got up from his seat and left the interrogation room.

I hope the requirements aren’t too difficult…