Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: The First Prince's Invitation
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"Welcome, Young Master Kael. Thank you so much for accepting the invitation."
"Hahaha! Not at all. It's the Count's birthday; of course I had to come."
It started with a banquet for a count's birthday held in the capital.
We had no particular connection. But he was the cousin of one of Father's acquaintances, so I went right over.
Fortunately, there were mid-level commanders from the military here too, placing them in the Hawk Faction. Perfect.
"So you're the eldest son of the Bertier Imperial Count. Heh heh. That friend of mine raised a fine son."
"Tell me about it. Last time he was retiring, he was telling me he was worried about his boy!"
"I'm embarrassed. I'm still nowhere near Father's level."
"Now, now, don't say that. You're already doing plenty well enough."
Next came a party hosted by a military veteran. Turns out he was Father's direct superior.
Of course, in terms of rank, we were equals or Father outranked him, but the military was a different story.
Above all, the military naturally valued field experience more.
"Others may talk a lot about me, but I believe the Legion Commander's role was absolutely crucial. After all, he was the one who trusted and backed all my strategies, wasn't he?"
"Hahaha! I just had a special feeling about you that I couldn't put into words!"
The Legion Commander from my recent campaign had invited me to his estate.
I rushed over. After all, he'd been the one actively supporting me; it was only natural.
Besides, the Legion Commander could never turn against me. My achievements were his achievements.
No soldier could deny that, so he was unconditionally on my side.
Building up the face of an ally like him wasn't optional—it was essential.
"What? Isn't this a place where Dove Faction nobles frequent?"
"Yes, Young Master."
"They must really want to crush me. Calling me to their home turf like this."
Meanwhile, I coolly ignored the invitation from the Dove Faction side.
Are they insane? Did they think I'd go, 'Haha! A banquet? Sure!' and waltz right into enemy territory?
They say soldiers hide their swords in their sheaths, and politicians hide theirs behind smiles.
Why would I crawl into a den swarming with those smiling snakes?
They were probably seething with venom by now, hissing like vipers.
To stick my hand in there, I'd need a lightning-shaped scar on my forehead.
"What should we do, Young Master?"
"Make up some excuse to decline. For now, reject every single one from them."
I told Alexei that and focused on my remaining activities.
It wouldn't drag on much longer anyway. By my estimate, another week at most.
Of course, even that felt agonizingly long to Kaya.
"Young Master... the young lady keeps asking when you'll come."
"Tell her I'm sorry. Say your brother's swamped even with a fever."
"She has a reply to that too. She wants to come up to the capital herself."
"Stop her. Absolutely."
Some siblings can't stand each other, but not us.
We got along great. Our bond was tight. The problem was, Kaya took it a bit too far.
She's definitely going to act like my bodyguard rather than my little sister.
No issue from the family's perspective, but it'd look odd to outsiders.
Keeping Kaya by my side right now, with all the attention on me? Not a good move.
"Y-Y-Young Master."
Then one day, as Alexei was checking invitations like usual, he freaked out.
"Seeing you stutter... looks like the big one finally arrived."
"You knew?!"
"Roughly."
"What... what do we do with this?"
Alexei handed me the invitation politely with both trembling hands.
His professionalism reminded me once again that being a butler was no easy job.
"On the surface, it's from someone in the Neutral Faction, not aligned with anyone."
"But look at the attendees. See here..."
"Quite the VIP. The 1st Prince himself."
Gnaeus Heldenberg, 1st Prince. A key figure in the Dove Faction.
The noble who'd tried—and failed—to take a shot at me before was one of his people.
Our relationship had gotten awkward, but this seemed like an attempt to smooth it over.
A bit unexpected.
If the 1st Prince had sent it in a Dove Faction noble's name?
That would've marked me as their political rival.
Leaning on a Neutral Faction figure like this was an olive branch.
Looks like that eggshell windmill trick had landed effectively.
I figured they'd dismiss our family as Hawks and me as a lucky kid.
Probably because I'd been diligently showing my face around the capital's parties these past few days.
This one's a headache.
I thought after landing that blow with the eggshell, they'd see me as a nuisance.
The Doves were dying to drag me out and bite.
Yet here was the 1st Prince, the Dove Faction's core, bowing first.
Borrowing a Neutral noble's name to make it look like a 'coincidental' meeting publicly.
"What do you think, Alexei?"
"How should I know, Young Master? I'm just a butler who does his job well."
"You're the butler of the 'young strategist' they're all talking about."
"...Didn't you hate that title, Young Master?"
I nodded at Alexei's words, as if to say, naturally.
To repeat: I wasn't a strategist. Just spouting what I knew.
If I denied it too hard and my bottom line showed, who knows how far I'd fall.
But hating the title and outright refusing were two different things.
"I do hate it. But if it helps the family, I won't say no."
"My goodness. You've truly become an imperial noble now, Young Master."
"What? You saying I wasn't before?"
"If you take it that way, this Alexei will be deeply hurt!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, at that very moment.
"Say that again."
Isabel was making her foul mood abundantly clear with her whole body.
And her displeasure wasn't without cause.
"Where did my brother go?"
"...The 1st Prince is attending a party at the Robegon Marquis's estate. And Young Master Kael has also been invited."
"You're sure?"
"It's official from the palace records."
Isabel let out a disbelieving sigh at Sir Lyle's words.
Shed gotten properly stung. Her good mood these past few days had made her drop her guard.
Kael, who had shown no favor toward Dove Faction nobles.
An incredibly talented young man on her side—it had felt reassuring.
Even better that he'd been appearing at parties around the capital.
But the 1st Prince seemed to think he could pull Kael in.
No, he'd put him on the must-recruit list.
Otherwise, why would that man bother attending a Neutral Faction marquis's party as a guest? Or send an invitation to Kael at the same time?
Isabel knew better than anyone how eloquent the 1st Prince was.
As one of his sisters, she'd experienced that silver tongue up close.
Of course, she didn't think Kael would fall for his whispers hook, line, and sinker.
The Doves had provoked first—it was undeniable.
And the current Bertier Imperial Count hadn't declared himself Hawk, but was seen as half that.
Kael hadn't questioned his father's positioning.
That meant he'd follow in the family head's footsteps as the next Imperial Count.
So it was natural Isabel wasn't worried about Kael.
Her anger burned far hotter toward the 1st Prince—her own brother.
This guy, seriously. I let it slide when he came and soured the party vibes. Now he's trying to steal the top talent I found first?
She could tolerate a lot, but not this. Stealing people? That cursed tongue had already snagged plenty—now this?
"Sir Lyle."
"I've already sent a letter to the Robegon Marquis's side. With the 1st Prince attending, Your Highness the 2nd Princess joining would only make the event shine brighter."
"Heh."
"The carriage and escorts are fully prepared as well."
This was why she'd kept him on from the moment independent action was allowed.
Isabel praised Sir Lyle for a job well done and awaited a reply.
She worried the marquis might refuse her attendance, but it was unlikely.
He wasn't a Dove noble; he was Neutral, unaligned.
Just the 1st Prince alone might send the wrong message everywhere, so they'd welcome her interest.
And exactly one hour later.
"Let's go, Sir Lyle."
Isabel boarded the carriage with poise.
To grab her brother, who was eyeing Kael like a tasty morsel.