“How is that…….”

“Explain.”

The Imperial Crown Prince punk took over. He glared down at Ganael and gave that short statement, making the young boy flinch a bit.

“I, cough. Don’t know the details either, your Royal Highness. However, it seems like the message her Majesty sent was delivered properly. Sir Geens supposedly used a special route……”

“Yeah. I heard that.” I patted Ganael’s back as I answered.

The boy must have rushed over as his cheeks were flushed and his breathing was heavy. Vice Captain Élisabeth, who spotted her fiance from a distance, was coming toward us.

The Vatican route was completely sealed. Empress Frédérique did not want the religious figures of the Empire to go through the Vatican until the internal matters were handled. She also stopped people from the Vatican entering the Empire. All of the priests who had brought in a carriage from the Vatican during her reign were candidates to be investigated. The Empress was the type to do exactly as she said, and there were no exceptions. She was someone who would even go up to her mother, the late Empress Céline’s generation, if the investigation required it.

My teacher was super busy supporting such a soulmate. She did make short periods of time for me, but it was hard to see her other than that. I also heard that the Cardinal would also be leading a security education process for the Deacons under her.

Anyway, because of that…… The message about how I was freed from the false charges was sent to the Holy Kingdom not through official channels but with Sir Johann’s help. The Empress did not want unnecessary misunderstandings between the two nations. But we had not heard a response. Apparently it was properly sent, but it was weird that there was no response.

‘How odd.’

‘Yes. The crown princess doesn’t seem like the type to act so rude.’

That was what the adults had said at the feast last Saturday. The two of them had dinner with us every Saturday since our return, and the concern was brought up at the time. Apparently there were set rules of etiquette for letters between Royal or Imperial families. For example, the one to end the ping pong of messages had to be the younger or lower person, and the greeting exchanged was different based on the seasons. There were strict sword-like processes for the conclusion as well and postscripts were never allowed.

But Elise had ended the conversation instead of responding to the ‘Empress’ who was both older than her and superior in title. This was a significant diplomatic issue. That was why I was extremely tense as well. I was worried that it would lead to a dispute. After all, the Empress has been openly showing her discontent with the Holy Kingdom these days. The reason was obvious. ‘They messed with her country using a spy and then are acting like they weren’t involved!’

‘Should I try writing a letter to the crown princess myself?’

‘What did you say, little prince?’

I gulped a spoonful of the warm and thick Matelote stew before cautiously asking. My teacher blinked in confusion.

‘I could write that I really am fine and doing well. Maybe it would be good to help her feel relieved.’

Of course, they were the ones to break the trust and the Empress would be justified if she gathered the troops to attack right now, but…… I had to do whatever I could to prevent a war, didn’t I? That was the only thought on my mind as I offered that suggestion.

The monarch’s cherry-colored eyes stared at me. I could feel crown prince Cédric’s piercing gaze on my left cheek as well. I pursed my lips feeling like I had done something wrong. I couldn’t even think about eating the plump white pieces of eel in the stew.

‘I can’t do anything if you guys want to fight. However……’

‘Imperial Instructor.’

‘Yes, your Majesty.’

‘We will proceed as the prince suggested.’

‘As you command, your Majesty.’

‘Jackpot!’ I barely managed to keep the corners of my lips from curling up. I did my best to not smile as I thanked her.

The current Empress truly was a good ruler who did not want unnecessary bloodshed. At that time, I believed that it would be possible to avoid a head on clash. But now, the letter I had sent was supposedly sent back.

“Something like that is possible? How was it returned?”

“The Holy Kingdom must not want to talk.”

“No, let’s not think like that, your Royal Highness.” I urgently pulled at the crown prince’s fluffy cape.

He glared down at me. He definitely looked like the male lead of a romfan earlier but now, he just looked like an overpowered munchkin webnovel MC. I was scared that he would say that he would go out to battle and sweep all of the enemies away.

His opponent was not a country that would easily be swept away.

“But your highness……”

“Her Majesty must have been enraged.” Vice Captain Élisabeth came over and commented.

Ganael grabbed the young Countess’s hands with his now slightly larger hands. The weather outside was getting cloudy and sleet was raining down from the sky. Everybody’s beloved Juliette Palace garden was turning as white as a blanket.

The swordwoman’s grey eyes heavily sank down. “To send back a letter…… What a resolute way of showing their repulsion.”

“Maybe the address was wrong, no… Sir Johann is not someone who would make such a mistake. Maybe there was some sort of misunderstanding in the middle?” Christelle tilted her head as she commented. I had a similar thought. It would be one thing if she read it and ignored it, but it was weird that she sent back a letter she had received.

Joanne, who was looking at all of us trying to assess the situation, instantly scowled. “Pink princess, that’s not possible. I don’t know the etiquette of the nobles, but even I know what it means to return a letter. That means I don’t want to talk to someone like you.”

Christelle and my jaws dropped. ‘Then what the crown prince punk said earlier was true?!’

“The Baroness is correct, Dame Christelle. Furthermore, the meaning is extremely blatant when a member of the Royal family rejects a letter from another member of the Royal family. There is no reason for the two adults of the Imperial family to look at this in any favorable terms.”

“……”

Vice Captain Élisabeth cleanly assessed the situation. She then exchanged a profound gaze with the crown prince. Christelle and Joanne’s faces turned dark after hearing the explanation.

As for me, I carefully held up Demy and Perry, who had run up to my ankle. I wanted to believe that my fingertips that were shaking were just from a tremor.

*

Today happened to be Saturday, so there was another feast in the Empress Palace. The little troublemakers were permitted to attend as well, so we spent all evening getting ready to go. Thanks to my hard work teaching them table manners, the kids had no issues with their basic demeanor. For example, they did not put their paws on the plates or lick their fur while people were eating. However, they still made noises at the Empress (“Pipo!”) and ran around the dining area when they were happy (“Kiiiii!”) so they still needed to be warned.

“The two adults will be talking about serious things when we get there. This is a very serious situation.”

– Aaarf!

“I’m not worried about you, Tithé. Our youngest is such a good boy. It is your older brothers that are the troublemakers.”

I wrapped the harp seal on my lap in a thick blanket. Rhea, who was happy to go for a walk for the first time in a week, was slowly climbing up Benjamin’s leg. Ganael was busy washing Perry and Demy’s paws.

Clack clack. The carriage gently shook as it went down the path. Percy, who was seated on the window sill, looked at me and bobbed his chest up and down.

“Percy. Can you find out?”

– Pii?

I asked, almost in a whisper, and the chimney bird tilted his head as if he didn’t know what I was saying.

“You were the one who gathered us in Zeboim. I had no choice, but I know you led Christelle and his Royal Highness there.” I lowered my voice even more. Tithé was already fast asleep. “Do you see the future too? Have you detected the will of the Almighty God? Or is it just……”

Was it just his abilities as a great and mighty divine item that helped him determine that gathering in Zeboim was the most logical? So many different ideas came to mind that it was hard to form a coherent question. Percy quietly looked at me for a while before flying over and digging into my clothes.

I scoffed, wondering if he was trying to act cute to brush past this issue. Of course, he couldn’t communicate with me properly in his bird form anyway. But ‘Nikky’ also had restrictions on what he could tell me. I petted his little head with the tip of my finger.

– Squeeeee?

“That’s difficult, Lord Perry. This is my gift. Ah!”

“……”

I had all sorts of thoughts while watching the divine beasts messing with Ganael. According to the Holy Text of the Church of the Almighty God, divine beasts were basically officials of the Almighty God. In that case, was the help I was getting from the little troublemakers all a part of the Almighty God’s will? Was the Almighty God hiding some of her abilities to me while directing something huge and making sure nobody can cut me down?

However, the Almighty God was also the one who was bringing the dangers to me. At least that was what the Ark’s guide, Nikky had told me. His eyes were as blue as the deep sea and full of warm concern.

‘There seems to be something that the Almighty God has planned for you.’

If that was true, the Almighty God was truly too capricious. Was it really okay for the only god of a world to act as she pleased like this? To repeatedly protect someone from danger and then put them back in danger…

Of course, the questions did get resolved if I fathomed her as a god and someone else at the same time……

No. Was that really the case?

– Kiiiiiii!

Flinch. I snapped out of my thoughts after hearing a healthy cry. Demy, who had been messing with Ganael, was sticking his tongue out at me. I felt like strength was leaving my body and both chuckled and sighed.

“……Yeah. It’s fine as long as you grow up well.”

The little guy ran over and stuck to my arm like a cicada. He even pointed up his fluffy tail for balance. Under his white eyebrows that looked like snow, his black eyes that looked like they were dipped in squid ink were sparkling more than usual. It resembled a person smiling. It was as if he was telling me there was nothing to worry about.

“Who could I win against?”

– Cree! Cree!

I smiled back and hugged Demy. I had no idea what was going through the minds of these stubborn little troublemakers, but the affection we shared was real. So it was fine.

“That’s so nice to see. We’re here, your highness.”

– Neeeeeeigh!

– Pruuuu, pruuuu.

That was around the time the carriage stopped. I placed a cranberry in Demy’s mouth and slowly got ready to get off. Benjamin was looking at us with a happy look on his face.

*

We just happened to run into Duke Fabrice Bellang and his wife on the way to the feast!

“Prince Jesse.”

“I greet the Moon of the Holy Kingdom.”

They must have had an audience with the Empress. It had been almost a month since he was elevated to a Duke, but the couple were still dressed simply. The way they were showing me extreme respect was the same as the end of last year.

The little troublemakers recognized the two of them and smiled. I happily greeted them. “Hello to you both as well. I didn’t know you were still in the Imperial Capital.”

“Elody has gone down first to look after the territory. As for us……”

“A lot has happened for us to deal with here. We are truly grateful for it.” Lady Ann Bellang bowed her head and gently answered.

I had been surprised as well about them receiving a higher title than expected, but I’m sure it was nothing compared to the chaos that the new Duke and his family was facing. I knew I shouldn’t, but I still couldn’t help but chuckle. I had expected Baron Bellang’s title to become higher after the end of the case. Marquis François was the first to bring it up, and the crown prince had not said anything against it. That basically confirmed it for me. I was one of the people who felt that the Baron’s great grandmother receiving only the title of Baroness was a sad incident. According to what I read in the history books, the confidants who supported the Emperor on the battlefield received at least the title of Count. They also ended up as the partner for the Imperial Prince or Imperial Princess.

‘You should all learn from the Baron’s House of Bellang’s utmost dedication. The loyalty they showed toward Riester and the affection they showed their residents is greater than that of any territory lord this Empress has ever seen.’ This was something she said during her birthday celebration. Her eyes had been full of certainty while holding up the glass and firm conviction was visible in her voice. I had blanked out while watching the middle-aged woman’s face from the side.

‘The thing that moved this Empress more than anything else is their goodness to rescue the refugees from the Holy Kingdom and help them without expecting anything in return. It was a sacrifice they made despite their lacking situation.’

‘…….’

The Baron’s family, who had been at the same table as us, had lowered their heads. They looked as if they didn’t know what to do. I understood that they felt embarrassed, because they had not done all those things to be praised.

Christelle had looked at them and smiled. She even held the young Baroness’s hand to calm her down.

‘Compassion is short and sympathy is common. On the other hand, putting yourself in danger to save the weak, an act like that is as rare as finding water in the desert. Furthermore, for such an action to have continued for generations, it is not lacking to call these people true nobles.’

The Empress stopped for a moment. Clap, clap, clap. Applause immediately filled the banquet hall.

‘As a result, this Empress wishes to show her gratitude to the Baron and his ancestors.’ That sentence broke the silence.

François suddenly looked at me and winked. ‘What is this all of a sudden…… Ah. Is he going to become a Marquis?’

‘Fabrice Bellang will become one of this Empress’s Marquis.’

‘Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!’

Cheer and applause filled the room. I looked at François with shock. The Marquis said something like, ‘I have my ways of knowing!’ And he smiled elegantly. The man’s fever suddenly disappeared, and he became fine as the Empress’s birthday arrived, and apparently this is how it happened every year.

I looked at his face and happily closed my mouth. I was happy that he was no longer hurting and that the Barony’s situation could get better. And while that was going on…

‘Your Majesty, may you be praised forever. We are extremely grateful for your Imperial benevolence, but……’

Fabris respectfully rejected the title of Marquis.

It was an unbelievable thing that he could only do because he didn’t know that much about his liege’s temperament as a distant noble. The banquet hall instantly got silent. Everybody’s jaws dropped as they covered their mouths and looked at him. The man’s face showed a belated ‘oops.’

Well, things happened after that as expected. The Empress doubled down.

—
Translator’s Comments

I guess that Duke wasn’t a mislabeling then hahaha.

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