The Imperial Friendly Match (5)
Lucas, the Second Prince, faced this friendly match as a desperate cliffside battle where defeat would strip him of everything. For Princess Lyla, it was another golden opportunity whose return was uncertain. Meanwhile, if one asked what this match meant to the other royals...
"Tsk tsk. That Lucas fellow has been strutting around so arrogantly, sticking his nose everywhere, and now he's gone and caused real trouble."
It was nothing more than a spectacle. While shaking his head, Crown Prince Leon Fleet Barhart wore an unmistakably delighted expression. Wasn't his foolish younger brother—who had constantly picked fights and issued challenges bordering on provocation—now tripping over himself of his own accord?
In front of others, he might voice concern over imperial family members quarreling, but in private he could hardly suppress his overflowing laughter.
"A fellow with no talent beyond brute force trying to scheme clumsily ends up like this. Don't you think so, Julius?"
At the Crown Prince's words, the sickly-looking young man put on a bitter expression.
"Even Brother Lucas couldn't have expected the situation to reach this point. I only hope that not too much blood will be shed."
The Crown Prince shrugged.
"Come now. If you answer like that, what does that make me? You're making this brother out to be quite the villain."
"Ah, no. That's not what I meant at all..."
The Crown Prince chuckled heartily at the flustered young man's appearance. Though he was unlike any other imperial brother, that was precisely why they could converse so comfortably.
To ease his timid brother's worries, the Crown Prince offered words of comfort.
"Don't worry too much. The Central Army and Southern Army are on different levels, and that uncouth fellow has some skill with the sword, so he won't lose easily, will he?"
Of course, even if Lucas won, his future wouldn't be smooth. Winning a match where victory was expected wouldn't bring much gain, and the nobles who had barely survived with a blade at their throats would distance themselves from Lucas or hesitate to follow his orders. Additionally, those close to Lucas in the Central Army would be pushed out for endangering the entire force, so at least eight or so would fly away from his position.
But even with the Crown Prince's reassurance, Julius didn't feel relieved. Instead, he gave him a subtle glare of reproach.
"You're quite mischievous, Brother. Even if this younger brother lacks ability, my ears aren't blocked. I clearly saw you extend a helping hand to Lyla, so why tease me like this?"
"Ahem."
Even the naive Julius was still royalty. The Crown Prince inwardly reflected that his handling had been too sloppy. Well, deceiving him wasn't difficult anyway.
"That's only knowing one thing and not the other. Even if the friendly match proceeds as is, all that would come out is talk of Lucas bullying his younger sister. If I lend Lyla a hand, Lucas can at least maintain the appearance of a fair match, and Lyla can show a bit more activity in front of the retired Emperor. It's a clever move that helps both sides."
Julius looked somewhat convinced, then asked skeptically.
"But what if Lyla actually wins?"
"Traditionally, when the victor shows mercy, the loser still has much to gain. Since I helped with the victory, asking for some consideration wouldn't be difficult."
Of course, whether Lucas would accept that 'mercy' straightforwardly was another matter, but what did it matter? In such a situation, Lucas would have nothing left to do but bury his head in the ground. Moreover, it was possible to subtly shackle a potential new competitor, so it was all gain.
"I was foolish and failed to understand Brother's grand intentions. I apologize."
"Haha, you worry about everything. It's fine, it's fine."
The Crown Prince felt a twinge of guilt watching his brother admire him without knowing his dark intentions, but it was precisely because of that nature that he kept him close.
Julius smiled and said.
"Besides, I was concerned about Lyla being an outsider among the royals, so if this opportunity brings her closer, that would be wonderful."
"...Yes, it should be."
There was a brief pause in the Crown Prince's reply, not just because of the teacup he held.
A brother who wasn't so dull as to make conversation stifling, yet could be easily deceived with a few words, was truly a comfortable companion for the Crown Prince.
In contrast, what about the two main figures in this incident?
As for Lucas, it went without saying. The Crown Prince, lacking magical talent, had to drink bitter cups multiple times against Lucas, who tried to inherit the image of the 'Great Emperor,' a war hero, by showcasing his military power.
Lyla was the same. At first, when he saw her perform in the mock battle, the Crown Prince was merely impressed and pleased, but as time passed, an uncomfortable feeling like a fishbone grew in his heart.
The good-natured brother was probably just relaying some news as praise for his talented younger sister, but as a Crown Prince seasoned in politics, there were things he couldn't simply laugh off.
Overwhelming military power, innate beauty and charisma, versatile talents that could be called all-rounder. In the days of the Barhart Kingdom, her young age and being female would have buried all those advantages, but the newly born Empire was a merit-based society in both good and bad senses, and age and gender could be minor deductions but not serious disqualifiers.
Until now, due to Lyla's special birth and the Empire's policy to stabilize the complicated political situation by using her as a pawn in a political marriage, her movements had been bound by various chains, so there was no problem. But now, wasn't the situation where those chains might be broken?
The Crown Prince needed new chains to bind Lyla, and in that sense, Lucas's declaration of 'I'll kill anyone who interferes' was truly welcome.
Whether he charged in without thinking due to anger or someone whispered a scheme in his ear, the result was that Lyla's chances of winning on her own became slim, and the Crown Prince could gain various benefits while pretending to help her in distress.
Even if Lyla refused help and was defeated, that was fine too. Either way, Lucas's weakening was a foregone conclusion, and Lyla's chains would remain.
The troublesome situation for the Crown Prince was if Lyla took the Fourth Prince's hand instead of his, or if she played both sides, but he was prepared for that as well.
However.
"...What did you just say?"
"To support Princess Lyla, a large number of people have come up to the capital! About half of them are Academy students, but the other half appear to be knights from the Spero Kingdom!"
"The Spero Kingdom has moved? Those people are the embodiment of self-preservation. They wouldn't bet on such a gamble, would they?"
To the Crown Prince's question, the confidant who brought the news answered with a troubled expression.
"Well, that is... among those in the Spero Kingdom who usually kept their distance from the Empire."
The Crown Prince was not one to not understand what 'keeping distance' meant. Countless words filled his mouth, but only one came out.
"...Is he in his right mind?"
By the law of 'he who touches pitch shall be defiled,' the moment the title 'Suspected of insanity by the Crown Prince' was added to Lyla's dazzling profile.
The story spread like wildfire, and most who heard it doubted their ears, but even Lyla's camp wasn't at peace.
"You bastard! Have you said all you wanted to say?!"
Southern Army Commander Kalyos Schmidt shouted at the person in front of him with a flushed face.
But the old man who heard those words snorted instead of being frightened.
"Did I say anything wrong? After reaching out to us because you can't win on your own, how can you act so high and mighty telling us what to do?"
"At most twelve! And half of them are students, what kind of great force is that supposed to be?!"
"Don't worry. Even if it's twelve, they'll be stronger than your twenty."
"What!? Are you spouting nonsense now, old man?!"
"Then where did you learn to talk like that, you young punk!? Have you even participated in the Hegemony War!?"
"It's a duel! I'll show you with my spear!"
"Fine! You damned Empire dog! I'll smash that nose of yours!"
Princess Lyla, who had been gazing at the distant mountains, asked.
"...Chrome, is this really okay?"
Chrome answered firmly.
"Yes."
And about ten seconds later, added.
".........Probably."