Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: What Must Be Endured
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The Luminir Empire was the sole empire on the continent, wielding immense imperial authority. The key to maintaining its formidable power lay in the existence of magic, but the governing prowess of successive emperors was a factor as well. And under the current emperor, the empire had reached its zenith.
While Rainer was away recuperating to return to the imperial palace in full health, chaos had erupted within the court. Dissatisfaction with Rainer was bubbling up among the nobles.
Criticism arose that the crown prince, the designated heir, had a weakened mental state. The noble faction seized the opportunity to argue that the crown prince should be replaced. Even the crown prince's supporters, aside from the four great meritorious families who knew the secret of magical succession, were beginning to waver.
Rainer was well aware of this. While he had been lost in his grief, the noble faction's influence had grown, and his own faction had shrunk in response. Until now, the four great meritorious families had held things together somehow, but it was anyone's guess when it might all crumble like a sandcastle.
‘I need to turn the tide in our favor as quickly as possible.’
Rainer bristled at the noble faction's presumptuous rampage. And he was just as irritated by Raibus, whose intentions he couldn't fathom.
‘I have no idea what he's thinking, leaving his own faction to fend for itself...’
He didn't know what Raibus was plotting. But lately, it felt like his younger brother harbored different thoughts altogether.
‘For now, stabilizing the situation takes priority.’
Since the emperor had firmly declared his support for Rainer's position as crown prince, he was destined to become emperor. Moreover, he disliked how the current circumstances were pouring cold water on his renewed resolve to do better.
“Father Emperor, are you in?”
“Enter.”
He sought out the emperor immediately upon his return, both to pay his respects and to discuss future plans. No matter how poor a father the emperor had been to him, he remained the best person to consult on matters of state.
“What is it?”
“I trust you are well aware of how the factions are currently divided.”
The power struggle pitted Rainer's crown prince faction against the noble faction supporting Second Prince Raibus. As long as Rainer had performed adequately, the nobles hadn't gained much traction.
But after Carnivella's death, when he stopped appearing at official events, problems arose, and the nobles relentlessly exploited it as a weakness.
“I am.”
“Then why not ask Raibus to mediate?”
Once a successor was named, other imperial royals were expected to support them. There were precedents, and it was such a natural convention that infighting among nobles was rare.
Yet this time, Second Prince Raibus had taken no special stance. He neither hid his own achievements nor reined in the nobles threatening Rainer's position.
At first, Rainer had merely been annoyed by this, but lately, suspicion crept in. He wanted to know why his brother was doing nothing.
“...I don't know either.”
The emperor couldn't answer. Rainer sensed from the emperor's hesitation that he was hiding something, but he couldn't be bothered to press the issue. Right now, reuniting his fracturing faction was more urgent.
“What should I do?”
“There are two options.”
“What are they?”
“The first is an engagement.”
Rainer's face darkened at the words. Enough time had passed since Carnivella's death, and he knew he had to move forward, but the thought of having someone other than her by his side still repulsed him.
“You don't like it?”
“...”
The emperor read his expression instantly and sighed.
“I know you haven't gotten over that woman.”
“...”
“If your faction were as solid as before, we could let it slide without issue. But the situation has changed.”
The emperor couldn't predict when Raibus might intervene. He knew Raibus's true intentions but lacked the time right now. Rainer's position needed stabilizing immediately.
“Yes, I understand...”
He had no choice. Besides, it wasn't a demand for immediate marriage. It was just a promise for now, one he could break whenever he wanted.
“What's the second?”
“The Crown Prince Pilgrimage.”
“The Crown Prince Pilgrimage?”
The Crown Prince Pilgrimage was a unique imperial tradition dating back to the founding emperor, intended as a final look at the lives of the common folk before ascending the throne. Upon starting it, the crown prince would leave the palace for one to two years, traveling the empire to connect with the people.
“Isn't that too sudden?”
He had only just returned, and leaving right away would fuel gossip among the nobles. They'd say it was no pilgrimage—just an excuse to slack off and wander.
“That's why I'm telling you to at least get engaged.”
“I see...”
“My health is already failing. I need to pass on the succession to you quickly.”
“...Father Emperor.”
Time was running out for the emperor. Reading Rainer's concern, he hardened his expression and continued.
“And you know it yourself—it's not odd to have gone already at this point. Besides, I think it's best to leave before the heat intensifies.”
“...”
With the emperor putting it that way, Rainer had no real grounds to refuse. And as the emperor said, magical succession was at stake. If he dragged his feet and the emperor died without him receiving it, the situation would be truly dire.
“Then I'll go.”
“I hope you don't forget what you see and feel out there.”
“Yes, thank you for the advice.”
“Then go.”
“Yes, I'll take my leave.”
He closed the door behind him and headed straight to his office. Kashan rose to greet him.
“Investigate the unmarried noble ladies in our faction and report back to me. Today.”
“Pardon?”
“It's urgent—do it now.”
Kashan didn't respond but immediately set to work. While Kashan handled that, Rainer silently began approving the documents piled on his desk.
‘To shut them up, I could pick someone from their faction...’
But that would complicate things later if he broke it off. What he needed was a figurehead to play the role until his faction solidified again—not a future empress.
He had no intention of marrying, and to avoid tipping off the nobles to his scheme, picking from within his own faction was safer. Explaining it later would be a hassle, but they'd be more amenable as allies.
And marrying within the Luminir Empire to produce an heir ultimately tied back to magical succession. If he found a solution to that...
“I found them.”
Kashan brought the list of unmarried ladies from the crown prince faction. Rainer meticulously reviewed their names, families, appearances, and personalities. Then, pointing to one woman with his finger, he told Kashan.
“Set up a meeting with this lady tomorrow.”
* * *
Kayla Raimunta tilted her head at the sudden summons from Rainer. Aside from Marquis Raimunta belonging to the crown prince's faction, she had no connection to him.
“You're here.”
She had been waiting in the drawing room and shot to her feet in surprise at his arrival. He gestured indifferently for her to sit. She was so tense that sweat threatened to stain the expensive dress her maids had dressed her in to impress.
“I didn't call you here to frighten you.”
He tried to put her at ease, but she only grew more nervous. His expression was utterly impassive as he spoke, and his tone was cold.
“Why did you summon me?”
But she quickly composed herself. No matter that Rainer was the crown prince with an intimidating presence, she hadn't committed any crime to be here. She could afford to be more confident.
‘Perfect...’
Rainer sensed his choice was spot-on as Kayla straightened her slumped shoulders, aligned her posture, and composed herself with poise. In comfortable attire, he spoke to her casually.
“You're perfect.”
“What do you mean?”
“The talent I'm looking for.”
“What...”
He briefly explained the role he wanted her to play. Her eyes widened at being designated as his fake fiancée.
“Your Highness, do you know what that entails?”
“Isn't withering away in this palace the last thing you want anyway?”
“...”
“I know you want to succeed the Raimunta family. But your father won't allow it.”
“That's...”
Unlike typical noble ladies, Kayla's interests lay elsewhere. She yearned for politics and to realize her ideals. That's why she wanted to inherit the Raimunta name, but her father's opposition had left her furious.
“Help me, and you'll be the next Marquis Raimunta.”
Her eyes bulged at his words. The position she had so desperately wanted—and seemed on the verge of losing—was within reach again. She wasn't fool enough to let this chance slip. She dropped to her knees before him at once.
“Kayla Raimunta pledges to obey Your Highness's command.”
“Simple. Just play the role of my fiancée until right before I become emperor. I'll handle the rest.”
“I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and dare not even look upon Your Highness.”
He smirked at her words. He was using her just the same, so he had no right to such flattery, but he feigned benevolence.
“Come to the palace often from now on. We need to drive the nail in for the skeptics.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Looking forward to working with you.”
She sat back down, and they exchanged formal pleasantries while discussing how to proceed. The plan took shape steadily, and he approved of her approach to tasks.
“Then I'll see you that day.”
Soon after, Rainer announced his engagement to Kayla. His faction breathed a sigh of relief at the news of him betrothing a lady from within their ranks and rallied around him once more.
The noble faction decried it as proof the would-be emperor lacked resolve. But with Raibus's restraint and the engagement standing firm, they had no pretext to push further.
Meanwhile, the date of Rainer's Crown Prince Pilgrimage approached. Outside the city gates, people bustled packing supplies. For appearances, he brought Kayla along.
“Mind the place while I'm gone.”
“No need to worry. I'll keep the social circles in hand.”
“If you can, gauge the noble faction's movements too.”
“Yes, I won't disappoint you, Your Highness.”
Up close, anyone could tell it was lord and vassal speaking, but from afar, the pair looked like the picture of a devoted couple. The worried lover seeing her beau off on a long journey—that was exactly the image they aimed for.
“Take care.”
“Yes, safe travels.”
As he mounted his horse, Kashan glared at him with a grumpy expression.
“Ugh, do I have to follow Your Highness again?”
“You're my chief attendant—it's only natural.”
“Ah, seriously... Can't Your Highness do anything without me?”
“Wasn't it you who made me that way?”
“What did you say?”
The two rode side by side, bickering endlessly. Before long, their horses carried them out of the capital.
It was the beginning of the pilgrimage that would change Rainer's life.