“I’ll come again to play in the Duchy if I get the chance. Of course, that is only if the two of you are okay with that.” I shared my honest feelings.

Behind me, Benjamin and Ganael said, ‘Congratulations once again,’ and ‘please give Coco our regards.’ As well.

Fabrice and Ann Bellang looked similar as they warmly smiled. “It would be our greatest honor to host you whenever, your highness. If it is you and your friends, we would be happy even if we had to wait for you while getting wet from the early morning dew.”

“The children will be very happy, your highness.”

Both of them kissed the back of my hand and bowed deeply. This was still a bit embarrassing of a greeting for me, but I did my best to not let it show as I respected their wishes. My teacher also told me that accepting respect like this was also a duty of a member of the Imperial family.

Empress Frédérique’s greeting to them had been extremely shocking, but apparently she respected the couple’s wishes as best as possible in the end. First of all, she listened to their request to not get more territory. They had a lot of affection for the ‘Barony’ that the now Duke’s great grandmother had built and wanted to spend the rest of their lives in the area where they had scattered a portion of their two sons’ ashes. They did not want to increase the size of their territory until everybody in the territory was living with some breathing room. Receiving money and relief supplies instead of treasures from the Imperial Treasury or the highest-grade satin were also special situations. The couple did not care for anything that would not actually help the residents of their territory.

In the end, the Imperial Crown Prince stepped up to call the Imperial Family’s tailor. His intentions were to send the three members of the Duke’s family back with a bunch of new clothes.

‘What a good boy. I’ll thank him with my ether.’

“Well then, your highness. We will make our way with your permission.”

“Of course. I’m sorry for stopping you despite knowing you are very busy right now.”

“Not at all, not at all, your highness.”

“Hahaha. Please head on in.”

We endlessly bowed toward each other as we moved away. ‘Kiiiiiii!’ Demy wagged his tail as he said goodbye to the couple. The attendants of the Empress Palace were looking at us with heartwarming gazes for some reason.

“It’s nice to see their faces looking so happy, right?”

“Yes, your highness!” Ganael answered energetically. Everybody was slowly starting to heal. Slowly, but definitely.

I was dressed in numerous layers once again as I walked down the hallway. I was holding the sleeping Tithé in my arms. The first time I had walked into the Empress Palace, everything had looked so big and vast that I could not even walk around alone. I was terrible with directions to start, so it had been even worse. But now, I could head right to my destination even without Laura, the Chief of Staff, coming to greet me or the Cardinal’s attendant, Natalie, coming to escort me. There was no more need for Ganael or Benjamin to whisper directions to me. I was also confident after coming here so frequently.

– Step.

“We’re here.”

I could see the tall and shiny doors to the dining hall. This place definitely felt personal compared to the banquet hall. The Empress Palace had numerous places to eat, but this was the only place we had our ‘Saturday Feast.’

“Welcome, Prince Jesse.” The attendants of the dining hall warmly welcomed me. Based on how quiet it was, it seemed as if the adults had yet to arrive.

I suddenly felt a presence and turned my head to see a total babe waving at me from the other side of the hallway. I couldn’t help but smile. It was fun greeting each other with only our bodies as we could not be loud in here.

“Hello, Christelle.”

‘I guess Miss Ga-In is eating with us today too.’

*

I was right about that, but I was completely wrong about the thing before that! Christelle was invited too but we were both late!

“Oh my.” Christelle covered her mouth as soon as the door opened.

I looked into the upset-looking cherry-colored eyes and gasped. ‘Why are you here so ear……’

“Come inside and sit.”

“Yes, your Majesty.”

“I truly apologize for making you wait, your Majesty.”

The reason the area around the dining hall was quiet was not because the adults were not here, but because they were already inside. I moved quickly after that apology. (‘Take your time, my little prince.’)

I took my clothes off with the attendants’ help, placed Tithé in the already prepared crib, and had the little troublemakers greet the adults. (‘Okay, how do you say hello?’ ‘Squaeeeeee!’).

The crown prince punk looked at Christelle and I as if we were stupid.

‘Hey, we were fifteen minutes early!’

“It’s been a while, your highness.

“Hello, Margrave.” I heard a cheerful voice. I brightly greeted the familiar middle-aged woman.

The person seated next to the Empress today instead of the crown prince was Vice Captain Élisabeth’s mother, sword master Caroline Moutet, who presided over the northern border. It was easy to recognize her because we greeted each other every so often around the palace. I was already well-aware of how she liked drinking and old-fashioned jokes. However, it was unexpected for her to leave her territory and come down here during the winter.

The Saturday Feast had a few fixed members (Empress, Cardinal, crown prince punk, and me) and all sorts of guests were invited as well, but today’s number seemed more than usual. There was the Moutet mother and daughter duo, Sir Johann, and I also saw Marquis François and Captain Hervé. The siblings greeted me with one cool and one cheesy gaze as soon as we made eye contact.

‘You’re lucky you are handsome……’

“May I proceed with bringing the food, your Eminence?”

“Please.” My teacher warmly answered Laura.

Like always, all of the food came out at once as the Empress did not like the conversation being interrupted. Only the dessert would come out separately later. All sorts of dishes with food I recognized, fragrances I had never smelled before, and even foods with special shapes caught my eyes. There was even a golden plate of water for Demy. I forgot about all the tension and excitedly picked up my utensils.

Sir Johann quietly chuckled.

“Let’s eat.”

“Thank you very much for the meal.”

– Squeeeee.

The Empress gave us permission while Demy and I quietly answered. We were usually the only ones to answer her like this.

The next thirty minutes or so flowed as usual. I quickly finished a bowl of stew made with fresh beef tripe and hooves. It didn’t smell gamey at all and it oddly smelled like rich chicken broth despite being a beef dish. The well-boiled pieces of meat were soft and fluffy, making it fun to chew.

I finished the carrots and onions as well before serving myself a spoonful of piperade with ham. The strong scent of the red tomatoes and savory smell of the yellow egg tickled my nose. I finished it off in a few bites and got two more spoonfuls of it because it was so delicious.

The clementine ade, which was served specially to me as I could not handle alcohol, also tasted like heaven. This was much sweeter than normal oranges and the fruit juice that was slightly frozen before being mixed in just melted at the tip of my tongue. I loved the drink, but this was something my brother would really enjoy.

Drinking a cold sweet drink in the warm room made it feel like heaven. My mouth quickly became empty again. ‘What else should I eat……’

“How is it up north?”

“It’s a mess. It’s full of youngsters who want to go to war.”

Flinch. I stopped putting some rillettes on a warm slice of campagne and looked up. The Empress and the crown prince put their forks down at the same time.

Caroline gulped down a cup of calvados that her daughter poured for her as if it was water before letting out a happy groan and rubbing the buzz cut side of her head. Curly dark green hair just like Vice Captain Élisabeth’s flowed down over the other shoulder. The Margrave, who had once been the Empress’s rival, was now her close friend who sparred with her every so often.

The woman calmly continued. “It was nine back in March. Last week, forty nine died.”

“……”

“My territory is a den for rough punks so it isn’t that surprising. But the mood is not the same as it has been in the past.” She then started chewing on some dried plums that came out as snacks for the drinks.

Christelle and the young Countess clenched their hands around their cups at the same time. My mood worsened as well because of the heavy mood in the air. I expected the mood to be bad because the crown princess had rejected my letter, but heavier words than what I had expected were coming out.

I cautiously asked, “When you say forty nine have died……”

“There was a clash between the Margrave’s soldiers and the soldiers of the Holy Kingdom at the border, your highness,” Vice Captain Élisabeth calmly answered me.

I immediately got chills on my arm and all sorts of negative thoughts flowed through my mind. The little troublemakers must have known this was a scary story as they stopped playing nicely and ran over to dangle on my chair legs. I pulled each of them up to my lap and looked at Caroline.

“When you said you lost nine in March, was that because of me?”

“It wasn’t because of you, your highness. The culprits would be those motherfucking twins.” Caroline’s khaki-colored eyes sparkled as she waved the hand holding the cup.

‘So based on what she just said……’ What I was thinking all seemed to be true. There had been friction last March between the soldiers on both sides after hearing that the twin assassins had attacked me. As a result, nine Riesterian lives had been lost.

The issue with Sir Johann in July was classified as confidential and quietly glossed by, but the most recent incident was not like that. Duke Simon de Sarnez’s betrayal was discussed throughout the entire Empire.

Close to fifty people lost their lives at the border again. I mumbled in a daze, “……You are purposely not letting the commoners know.”

“There’s no need for the Imperial family to take the lead in making the citizens feel anxious.”

My teacher answered in a sad voice. I felt my heart clench and felt a sense of crisis. The Empress’s red eyes were swirling.

“Hervé. What is the situation in the Imperial Capital?”

“Most are talking about the new Duke, Fabrice Bellang, your Majesty. The positive story about the couple is spreading all around. The part about how they rejected the title of Marquis and ended up with the title of Duke is especially getting a good reaction. This is similar for both the Pair de Riester in the salons and the commoners on the streets. Talks about Sarnez’s death do come up every so often, but……”

The Captain of the Imperial Guard reported until there before looking at Christelle. She smiled to tell him that it was okay. The man bowed slightly before finishing his sentence.

“It seems to not be as big of an issue compared to this story of someone going immediately from Baron to Duke, as something like this has never happened before.”

“The purple tulips that grew in Claire Plaza are also being hailed as a miracle. There are definitely talks about a war but most are optimistic about our victory, your Majesty. Of course, the older generation, regardless of their status, are skeptical about any fighting.”

The Vice Captain of the Imperial Guard also gave a clear response. Silence filled the dining hall for a moment. I patted the gently breathing red pandas and kept my mouth closed.

‘I see. There was another reason the Empress gave Fabrice the highest title.’ She had raised a hero in order to stop the Empire from falling into uncontrollable chaos. The empty spot that Duke Sarnez left behind was quite huge and the ruler had to do something to distract the masses.

The Riester Empire needed a new face to praise. They needed someone everyone could easily feel empathy and resonate with. A ‘poor yet pure’ noble who ‘suddenly received Imperial benevolence and had his name spread throughout the Empire.’ She gave the House of Bellang what they deserved, but the Empress was a politician. There were many layers behind all of her actions.

“François.”

“It is pretty similar down south, your Majesty! The level of passion is especially hot in the territories adjacent to the Bellang Duchy. However, the east…… It is as you expect, your Majesty. The extremists talking about striking the Holy Kingdom are gaining power. It is similar to Madam Moutet’s territory.”

“I guess I should send Duchess Blanquer back.”

“Yes, your Majesty. It would be bad for her to stay out of the Magic Tower for a long time.” His light pink eyes gently curled up.

My fingers were fidgeting underneath the table. The situation was much more serious than I had vaguely guessed. There had already been people who had died in battle in the past eleven months, and it was silently forgotten just to keep order in the Empire. The youths of the border territories who had heard about the spy’s tyranny wanted a full-scale retaliation. This could not simply be called a grudge or resentment. The people here were quite patriotic, and an issue like this was an attack on the Riester Empire’s honor and dignity.

My mouth instantly started to dry out.

‘……To think that I thought a single letter would be enough to calm such a situation. I must have really looked down at this world.’

“What about the refusal of the letter?”

I jerked my head up.

Sir Johann, who had been drinking a cup of strong alcohol, answered without any emotions showing on his face. “I checked again, but his highness’s message was properly delivered to someone on the crown princess’s side, your Majesty. It is also clear that the Holy Kingdom used the same path to return the letter. There are no traces of it getting lost.”

“……This is impossible for me to understand.”

‘Shit.’ The Empress brushed her hair back as she swore.

My teacher called out to her as if to console her. I looked at Christelle to my right and then the crown prince punk to my left. I didn’t want to die, but a war breaking out would put all of my friends in danger. Not only would they get sent out to war, they would have to see the dreadful sights of the battlefield every day. I wanted to stop such a development no matter what it took. I wanted the people here to be happy and at peace. Not in the distant future, but right now. Tomorrow, the day after, even a week after that.

But how?

“The prisons are overflowing with new criminals and the crown princess isn’t cooperating, so the Empire must maintain its dignity.”

“Yeah. It really is a difficult situation.” The Cardinal truly looked as if this was a pity as she rubbed her soulmate’s arm.

Percy looked up at me with his round eyes. I made eye contact with him and racked my brain with everything I had. ‘Think, Jung Yeseo. Think. How do I handle a situation even the adults are finding to be difficult? If a messenger is blocked and we can’t call them, how do we talk to them?’

“……Just meet up with them.”

I raised my head and mumbled. I could feel gazes on both sides of my face. Sir Johann, who was seated across from me, lowered his mint-colored eyes as he elegantly smiled.

‘I don’t think he heard me all the way over there, but…… Wait, hold on. Was that an awkward smile because of what I just said?’

“What about sending an envoy to a neutral territory, your Majesty?”

He slowly asked. Everybody instantly looked toward the Holy Knight.

“Priest Sand has been talking about going to see his family.”

‘Huh? Really……?’

—
Translator’s Comments

Is our bro Sand trying to help Jesse out?

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