Heir (2)
Crackle.
Asella toyed with the mana sparking at her fingertips like a marble. But she quickly grew bored and flicked it away, evaporating it into the air.
"Boring."
It was getting harder to find textbooks or papers worthy of her level. She had mastered every field of study in just a few years, so to learn anything new, she'd probably have to enroll in the doctoral program at the Hero Academy. But with the Moonlight Palace to manage, she couldn't leave the imperial court for that long—and right now was a critical time with succession on the line.
I want to use magic.
Her thoughts circled back to that. She threw a little tantrum in her mind, but Ras had emphasized it so many times that Asella held back her urge to draw a magic circle today as well.
Ras.
Instead, she spent the time thinking about him. Teasing him last night after he'd taken his sleeping pills had been especially fun.
Going out together... still a ways off, huh.
Asella had resolved back then to make her feelings crystal clear and hear his answer. Inside the palace, they had to be chief physician and patient, liege and vassal. But outside, with no guards or attendants... maybe then she could hear his true feelings, his hidden secrets. It was a vague hunch, but she was set on it. Even if circumstances delayed the timing a bit, she had no intention of changing her plans.
Romance was an unknown field for Asella, her first experience, so she had no guide.
Once my body's better, too.
Asella placed a hand on her stomach. It was slim now, her ribs faintly palpable. Camilla's final desperate attack had hurt—a lot, really a lot. Even now, that lingering poison seemed to stab at her like a phantom pain.
But Ras is here.
She was fine now.
...Except for the strange voices that came every time she slept. They hadn't appeared when she slept with Ras, but lately, that protection was fading.
Then her head maid brought news.
"Your Highness, an urgent report. There's been sudden movement at the Heavenly Palace."
The imperial family had eyes planted everywhere to monitor their dynamics. This was a report on that.
"Speak."
"Crown Prince Kwunter has been dethroned. He's to be exiled."
"Reliability?"
"Confirmed. They're adjusting the official announcement date."
"Perfect opportunity. Prepare to meet His Majesty."
Asella rose immediately. The emperor was someone you couldn't just meet without prior arrangements. But with the crown prince's dethronement—a massive event—making her intentions clear in person would leave a strong impression. The emperor knew his days were numbered. He'd barely survived his last brush with death. He'd want to settle the next successor as soon as possible.
And I've shown my achievements from the Moonlight Palace.
He knew her resolve, so he'd grant a brief audience.
Upon arriving at the Heavenly Palace, Asella underwent strict inspection. She entered the audience hall corridor with just two escort knights.
"His Majesty is speaking privately with a prior guest. Please wait a moment."
Guided by the secretary, she waited. Faintly, voices drifted from within—familiar ones.
Come to think of it, Ras had been summoned too. What a coincidence.
Drawn by instinct like a moth to flame, Asella clicked her heels down the corridor.
"Your Highness!"
The head butler tried to stop her in a hushed voice, stamping his feet in panic.
Why call Ras instead of me at a time like this?
A strange premonition gripped her. At the audience hall entrance, she paused in the corner's shadow to eavesdrop.
—Who is most suitable as the next emperor?
The emperor's bold question. Asella's heart raced with anticipation. If he named her, she could seamlessly request the successor's seat. It would show her dignity as a legitimate successor and imperial princess.
Ras was her vassal.
...And her fiancé.
If she became emperor, they could gaze over the empire from the highest perch together. No human on the continent—not one—could match the emperor's wealth, honor, respect, glory. The husband of a female emperor, the national consort. No one would refuse that position.
So Ras naming her was the natural course.
'As Chief Physician Ras Gotberg declares, the only one fitting as the empire's next emperor is none other than Asella von Württemberg, Your Majesty.'
Imagining the grand declaration and her dramatic entrance, Asella stepped forward.
"For the empire's peace and prosperity, and the continent's future, I humbly offer my conviction."
Ras spoke at the same moment.
"I believe First Princess Heike is the most suitable as the next emperor."
Frozen.
Asella's steps halted right there. Her mind went blank in a scenario she'd never imagined. Her lips trembled, a chill turning her fingertips blue and soaking her body.
"Hm, Heike, then."
"Yes. Heike possesses cool judgment unbound by emotion, excellent command, economic sense, leadership. Above all, she loves the empire."
"You're not saying Asella?"
"Third Princess Asella..."
Ras bowed his head, hesitating before answering slowly.
"Of course, she's equally outstanding in ability, not inferior to Heike."
"What holds you back?"
"I cannot speak in a way that dishonors my liege. Please understand my position."
"I see."
Unable to endure more, Asella stepped forward.
"Ras...?"
He spotted her and looked troubled.
"Why didn't my name come up?"
"Your Highness."
It was before the emperor. Raising her voice would backfire. She'd only recently improved her image through the Moonlight Palace and her changed demeanor. She couldn't ruin it here.
She knew that. But she couldn't contain the surging emotions. Biting her lip until it bled to stifle her scream, Asella whirled away.
Ras had etiquette to observe first and maintained propriety toward the emperor.
"I understand your intent. You may go."
"I am grateful for your consideration."
Ras rose immediately to chase after Asella.
"Your Highness."
He caught up in the Heavenly Palace corridor. Asella, fleeing, spun to face him.
"What were you thinking?"
"That is..."
"You're my vassal. When asked who's fit as next emperor, you name your liege—of course!"
This time, even Ras couldn't slither away. It was virtual betrayal.
No. 077: Incarnation of Jealousy 22%
But the bad ending probability from Ras's betrayal hadn't changed. Ras found it odd.
He answered calmly.
"As your vassal, naming you is the obvious path anyone would expect. His Majesty didn't summon me to the palace for such a predictable answer. You understand, right?"
"So you just spat out any successor's name?"
"Of course, Your Highness is perfect material for emperor. I believe that without doubt."
"Then why Heike?!"
Asella finally shrieked.
"...Answering Heike gains His Majesty's trust, which will help the Moonlight Palace later..."
"No. Young master, you answered honestly."
Asella pierced that moment's reaction perfectly. Ras hadn't lied for the Moonlight Palace. He'd purely judged she shouldn't be emperor.
Spot-on insight left Ras unable to retort immediately.
Asella was capable as emperor. Top-tier at governing. The problem was the endings—all destruction.
A ship sailing fine, she turns the helm into icebergs herself. Even with surgery scheduled, unknowns abounded: Would it fix her, break her, leave aftereffects? How much curse influence? How many endings erased?
His gut feeling she wasn't the evil emperor he knew. Maybe just a bit mean, but human-like. Not otherworldly.
If that assumption was wrong, it'd be an irreversible mistake. Ras layered safety nets.
But above all.
Even if Asella isn't evil.
He vaguely wished she wouldn't become emperor.
The imperial family he'd seen was tangled interests, cutthroat competition, daily intrigue killing humanity. The initial Medical Office proved it—patients secondary to promotion races. Even now, outside his faction, not much changed.
Managing countless nobles meant no personal life. Emperor bore the crown's weight.
Did Asella need to enter that hell and waste her life? Rauga enjoyed hers freely, after all.
Unaware of his thoughts, Asella glared resentfully.
"You meant it, Ras. You think Heike suits successor better than me."
"Your Highness."
"Can't dishonor me, so won't name flaws? That's insult enough. What will His Majesty think! How could you do this to me?!"
"Calm down. You're too agitated."
"It's you! You have to believe in me! You!!"
Asella wailed, pounding his chest. Not jealousy of Heike. Disappointment in Ras stabbed her heart.
"I... you...!"
I like you this much. Why don't you see?
Hate.
Hate you, so maybe destroy you.
"Ugh...!"
The voice from somewhere made Asella grit her teeth. Abdominal pain surged. Organs squeezed from inside, unpleasant. Saliva pooling endlessly tasted like antiseptic.
"Your Highness!"
Ras recognized her state instantly and began emergency treatment.
"Ras..."
Calling his name last, Asella fainted.
"Her Highness is sleeping soundly now."
Night. After treating Asella's seizure, I spoke with the head maid as we left the Moonlight Palace.
"Take care."
I'd already briefed her on precautions for Asella. Leaving Chloe too ensured handling emergencies.
"Her Highness will want to see you..."
"Time's critical."
No. 101: Mana Rampage 20% → 24%
The day's events worsened her condition. The limit approached by the minute.
"Let's go, Teacher."
At the Moonlight Palace entrance, armed Tanya and Boris waited.
We exited the main gate. A company borrowed from Heike awaited me.
"Heading north. Target: barbarian Thunder Tribe stronghold."