episode_0097

No matter how many times I brushed it off, a faint trace remained like a stain, so I ended up getting a knight’s uniform from the dressing room and changed into it.

They say that although they are not officially part of the Imperial Knights, there is no problem with giving them a uniform since they have received the rank of knight.

It may have been a sudden request, but the dark blue uniform the city women gave me managed to fit my body well.

Except for one place.

“My chest feels a little tight…”

“I guess you like it?”

Friede was slightly sarcastic.

What is good? I said it was frustrating.

“That’s because the Knights’ uniform is not custom-made. Still, since I already received the uniform, I think I can just get it adjusted to fit later.”

“I don’t know if I’ll ever wear this again other than today.”

“Well, wouldn’t you be able to wear it when you come to the North? If I dress like usual there too, will I freeze to death?

Well, wearing short clothes to the North is something only a madman would do.

It is said that the imperial maids clean the academy uniforms that are taken off and then send them to the academy.

I guess it doesn’t matter since I only wore it anyway and it wasn’t something I wore often.

These days, I wear strange clothes more often.

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

The prince was sitting on the sofa upstairs, chatting with the daughter of the Duke of Vienne.

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

To be honest, it looks a bit like that, but…

“Then I will meet His Highness Leopold for a while, so Nigel, please be Friede’s daily friend.”

“No, what is a daily friend?!”

“I will do that.”

I left the upset Friede in the care of Nigel and headed upstairs.

—-

“Have you been at a high level so far? His Royal Highness Prince Leopold.”

“Hmm? This is not Princess Aishangior. It’s been a while. Is this the first time since the award ceremony?”

“Your Highness Leopold? Who is this driver?”

The Duke of Vienne’s daughter tilted her head and looked at me.

Dark brown curly hair sways gently.

She was a girl who looked younger than she actually was due to her puppy-like eyes.

She wore a simple silver necklace around her neck, and the cream-colored dress had a simple design for a duke’s daughter.

Even so, Claire, this woman is not of average courage.

Even though you can’t see her eyes thanks to the veil, the creepy vibes must still be flowing out, albeit weakly.

“Ah, now that I think about it, I guess I’ve never met Miss Adelaide. Princess of Ka`har and Baron Median, Princess Hashar Aishangior.”

“Ah! That beast, Po…! No, she is a princess who received a military medal for preventing a beastman attack!”

The girl named Adelaide clasped her hands together as if in admiration.

Didn’t he just say he was a beast-man predator, but then subtly changed his words?

“This is Hashar Aishangior. If you wish, call me Hashal.”

“My name is Adelaide de Vienne. Nice to meet you, Princess Hashal.”

He placed his hand on his heart and bowed to her. Adelaide smiled brightly.

Hmm… I feel like the suspicion that Leopold is a pedophile is growing deeper within me. Probably not.

“So, may I ask what brought you here?”

“…I don’t think it’s a story worth talking about here. Is it okay if I request to be alone for a while?”

I glanced at Adelaide and cautiously opened my mouth.

Because it wasn’t something worth bringing up in front of a young girl.

“Hmm…it’s a bit difficult if it’s a long conversation. I can’t leave Miss Adelaide waiting alone.”

“I’m fine. Since the princess came alone, it seems like she has important business to attend to, and I don’t want to disturb Her Majesty’s work.”

It was a kind voice. You’re very talented, Leopold.

This kid seems to have completely fallen for you already. You’re a genius at seducing young girls.

“It won’t be a very long story.”

“Ichigo says that, but I’ve never seen a case where the conversation ends in a really short conversation…I can’t help it. Miss Adelaide, I am so sorry. I’ll be back as soon as possible. And Sir Hector, I would like to ask you for Miss Adelaide for a moment.”

Leopold let out a light sigh and slightly bowed his head to Adelaide.

Adelaide smiled and shook her head as if it was okay.

“I will do as you command.”

The Royal Guard responded briefly and stood next to Adelaide.

“Then, please follow me. There would be no problem if it was a rear balcony.”

I followed Leopold and headed to the balcony on the second floor.

—-

When I came out to the balcony, I noticed various noises, unlike before when it was quiet.

The sound of secret conversations between nobles.

Lovers whispering to each other…no, I heard that’s an affair…?

Anyway, such sweet and sweet love confessions.

In addition, there was even a moaning sound coming from beyond the garden.

It was a sound so small that ordinary people wouldn’t have noticed it, but it was clearly audible due to my good hearing.

Things that are in heat. They wouldn’t be a married couple if they were to hold a wedding in a place like this. To be lewd.

“So, what is the purpose you want to convey?”

“There are about three things, but since there are people waiting, I will briefly mention the main points.”

The first was the news that I had declined Isabella’s invitation, and because of that, my relationship with the Ernst faction had become serious.

“It’s a pleasant story for me. The nobles who supported me were suspicious of the princess’s whereabouts. However, since we don’t know how Isabella will turn out, it would be better to be more careful in the future.”

“They already sent Lady Sigmillus to try to seduce me.”

“Hmm? If a man doesn’t work, send a woman. It’s certainly an idea that a woman would do, but…seducing a princess, is that even possible for a person?”

Leopold was dumbfounded.

Well, of course it failed…

Should we consider this as admiration that something is possible for humans?

The second topic was about the evil deeds committed by Isabella.

A lewd and disturbing story about brainwashing women and using them to unite the Ernstists.

Because of this, it was difficult to say anything in Adelaide’s presence.

“This is an unforgivable act. Somehow…!”

Leopold’s expression darkened significantly.

A deep anger that I never thought I could see on his face.

“…But who did you hear that from?”

“Directly to Princess Leonor. There’s no proof, but it seems to be true.”

Leopold stroked his lower jaw. Even without a beard.

“Hmm… It’s a shame, but it will be difficult to investigate if there is no evidence. Still, this is very valuable information. I should also advise Ms. Adelaide to avoid contact with those people as much as possible.”

Well, Adelaide was the perfect target for Isabella.

If we only corrupt her and bring her in, Leopold will be at a disadvantage at once.

“You care a lot about Miss Adelaide, right?”

“The Elector, isn’t she the daughter of the Duke of Vienne? She is too much of a lady for me.”

I don’t know if it’s a political judgment or if I genuinely care about it.

For me, the former is better…but I guess that girl would prefer the latter, right?

To begin with, in this world, sixteen is old enough to get married.

I guess it’s not something I can argue about.

“Hmm…I guess so. That being said, I have something to ask you regarding that matter.”

“Please? Tell me.”

“I want to take Princess Leonor away from there. If that’s not possible, I hope that at least I won’t get caught up and be safe after everything is over.”

That woman looks much better swinging her sword proudly rather than disappearing into the dew at the execution site.

Leopold’s expression became somber, perhaps because the request was more difficult than expected.

“It’s a difficult request… If we take down Ernst and purge Isabella by exposing her evil deeds, it will be difficult for Leonor, who is his bloodline, to avoid being implicated. Everyone will want to nip it in the bud.”

“So, I am asking you to do so. Would it be difficult?”

If things go well, you will become emperor.

It is said that the emperor’s authority and status have been greatly lowered, but isn’t that possible?

“I understand your desire to save Leonor, but did the child also agree to this? Did you directly say that you would betray my mother and Ernst and take my side?”

“Not really.”

It’s not yet clear who will win, but there’s no way I’d willingly go to the extent of betraying my own flesh and blood.

“Then it is impossible. So, if you can, please tell it to Leonor. If you want to survive when I win, jump to my side now that the situation has not yet been decided. If he does that, I will consider it.”

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

“…Yes.”

“I’m sorry I can’t give you a good answer, but I have no choice.”

Well, it was an unreasonable request.

It will be difficult to achieve results beyond this yet.

“Then, what is the last thing you want to say?”

I lowered my voice significantly. To make it look as serious as possible.

It was a story he had to keep in mind.

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

“I don’t know what it means…?”

I couldn’t tell you the story about the witch in detail.

Because what I knew was only part of it.

We know what power she can wield, but we don’t know how she got that power.

And when I asked him how he knew that information, he had no answer.

This is probably something that even Leonor doesn’t know.

…Does Ernst know?

Even if I knew, there was no way for me to confirm it.

So in the end, I have no choice but to talk vaguely.

“Perhaps he is hiding an unknown power. It’s just my intuition, but…when I saw her, I felt a strange sense of threat.”

“If it’s the princess’ intuition, it’s probably worth trusting. I will engrave it.”

Fortunately, Leopold seemed to trust me.