Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Audience with the Crown Princess
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On the way to the capital. Leaning against the carriage window, I sorted through my thoughts.
The first thing. There's no way the Imperial Family doesn't know when I returned to the family estate.
Their eyes and ears are everywhere. That's how they rule this vast empire.
Even calculating the travel time, they knew roughly when I'd arrive, yet they still sent the order.
So, is all this just a loyalty test?
Are they checking how I react to this bothersome command?
'No. That can't be. The Imperial Family isn't some neighborhood company.'
Above all, an imperial edict is absolute. Before it, every noble is merely a subject.
Complaining about it being annoying doesn't even compute.
You shouldn't show that reaction, and having such thoughts in the first place is absurd.
"...So, that leaves just one conclusion."
Something happened that required summoning me back.
Someone heard about me and grew curious.
Normally, they would have taken their time to figure out what kind of person I am.
But then something came up, and they saw it as a perfect chance to judge me.
That's why I was called to the palace at this awkward timing.
"Young Lord Kael!"
And meeting the 2nd Princess confirmed my suspicions even more.
"Kael Clauvitz of Bertier Imperial County pays respects to Your Highness, the 2nd Princess."
"Ah... Yes, yes. Nice to see you again, Young Lord Kael."
It's only been a short while since we last met, yet here we are again. Is that why she's so casual? That's insane.
I'm a noble and a subject; she's imperial blood, the center of this empire.
That gap can't be bridged. Not even if those two stations marry.
"F-First off, I want to apologize. For summoning you so urgently when you hadn't even been back at your estate for a few days."
"Why say such things, Your Highness? As a subject of the empire, I rush to the Imperial Family's call at any time without the slightest hesitation."
This is when you profess your loyalty. Doing it at a weird time would just dock points.
With that in mind, I even added an apology for arriving a bit later than expected.
The princess waved it off, saying it wasn't her doing. As expected, her heart is truly kind.
"Everything ready? We're heading straight into the palace."
"Yes, Your Highness. But may I ask why you've summoned me?"
I knew it wasn't her. Not just a hunch—near certainty.
Still, I played dumb and asked, hoping to glean some info.
"Ah, well..."
She hesitated a moment, then started with, "You'll find out soon anyway."
"Truth is, I didn't summon you to the palace."
"Not you, Your Highness? But the letter I received clearly..."
"It's a long story. Anyway, it wasn't me. And one more thing— I don't even know why you were called."
That's unexpected. I figured she'd at least know the reason.
So she really just lent her name? No, not even that. Someone waiting for me simply used her name outright.
'Whoa. Realizing that makes me even more nervous.'
At first, I thought minimum the Crown Princess. Worst case, the Emperor.
But now I see those worries were pointless.
No matter who or why, it's not going to be ordinary!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The heart of the empire. The capital.
And in that capital, the most important place. The imperial palace.
I was entering it right now.
I thought I'd only go there when I inherited the Imperial Count title later.
Or maybe never in my lifetime.
Yet here I was, a greenhorn not even mid-twenties, stepping inside!
"...Pfft."
"Your Highness?"
"Ah, sorry, Young Lord Kael. Your tense look was just so unexpected."
My tense look is unexpected? What does that even mean?
I waited silently for her to explain, and she did.
"It reminded me of the standoff with Norobogord. When the meteor fell and tanked the troops' morale. Everyone else was worried, but you alone seemed unfazed."
"Well... Yeah. I just had a flash of inspiration."
"So I guess I subconsciously thought you wouldn't get surprised or tense easily."
Your Highness. That's one thing, but entering the palace is a whole other matter.
I saw this as a once-in-a-lifetime event in my life.
Chatting amiably with the princess, we soon arrived at "that place."
Impenetrable security. Flawless defenses without a single gap.
After thorough checks, the princess and I finally stepped out of the carriage.
'...This is the space ruled by the Imperial Family that leads the empire.'
I couldn't help but gasp in admiration. Even scouring my past life's memories, words failed to capture it.
Its grandeur overwhelmed me. I felt a bit intimidated, you could say.
"Young Lord Kael."
Snapping out of it, I followed the princess, flanked by knights.
Who would be waiting for me? The Crown Princess? Or His Imperial Majesty the Emperor?
Both daunting equally. But if I had to pick, the former.
Even as I am now. Even with my past life's memories making me unique.
Conversing face-to-face with the Emperor himself, the pinnacle of the empire, would be incredibly tough.
"Here."
Beyond the pillars lay a beautifully adorned rear garden.
At the entrance, the knights halted, surrounding the area completely.
Stepping inside with the princess, I caught sight of someone's profile.
'...Ha.'
There's a saying for people who make you sigh in awe the moment you see them.
Born leaders who captivate with innate charisma.
I'd wondered if such things existed, and there she was—the perfect example.
"You've arrived."
That was all. Her words upon seeing me ended there.
Yet elegance and nobility radiated intensely from them.
Even lounging casually in her chair, an extraordinary aura emanated.
"Eldest son of Bertier Imperial Count. Kael Clauvitz."
Snapping to, I dropped to my knees and bowed deeply.
"Your Imperial Highness, the Crown Princess. I pay my respects."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ When the meteor fell and morale plummeted, instead of rallying the troops, he chose to send the damn thing back to the sky.
Whether with kites or scarecrows on strings didn't matter.
What counted was pinpointing the issue and swaying hearts.
Landing a blow on Norobogord was, objectively, pretty risky.
If the enemy had sortied from camp, we could've taken heavy losses.
But conversely, it showed that level of conviction.
Next, the egg-standing incident. Yeah, society was already calling it "Kael's egg."
Apparently, a supposed Dove Faction brain got owned by a fresh-faced young noble.
Impressive. Bragging about his feats while elegantly mocking the opponent.
'And when the Doves tried squeezing the Hawks with taxes, he flipped it by pricking the pride of battle-hardened veterans.'
Each story was pure gold. No wonder my sister was so excited.
Enough observing from afar. Time to meet him directly.
I'd planned to take it slow, but perhaps the gods are pushing him forward.
"Belle. I need to summon him immediately."
Something came up. Perfectly timed to judge him.
My sister, 2nd Princess Isabel, tilted her head at my words but complied.
She could've asked why, but didn't. Probably respecting boundaries.
Quite the clever sister. And she raved about him.
Is he really just lucky, as he claims? Or is there more?
Crown Princess Aria Heldenberg, waiting in a corner of the rear garden for her guest,
"Eldest son of Bertier Imperial Count. Kael Clauvitz. Your Imperial Highness, the Crown Princess. I pay my respects."
finally met the rumored genius strategist.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Sit."
I took a seat at the Crown Princess's command.
"Coffee? Or tea?"
I said I'd gratefully accept whatever she offered.
Honestly, whether coffee or tea, I wouldn't taste a thing right now.
'Thank goodness it's not the Emperor... my ass. Crown Princess or Emperor—same difference.'
Don't forget. The woman before me is no ordinary lady.
She's leagues beyond even the 2nd Princess beside me.
Crown Princess of the Empire. Heir to the throne. Future ruler of this land!
"Your expression doesn't look tense. Good."
Not tense? What is this now?
My heart's pounding so loud, I'm worried she'll hear it.
Meanwhile, the 2nd Princess glances at me, eyes wide in surprise.
Her look screams, "That tension earlier was all an act?"
Is that it? Am I so tense I'm coming off as calm?
"Perfect. Then I can get straight to the point without worry, Young Lord Kael."
No, Your Imperial Highness. If you could just go a bit slower, I'd be eternally grateful...
"Word is, negotiations concluded recently between the Eastern 3 Kingdoms, conditional on forming their alliance."
...Huh?
"Their goal is obviously uniting against our empire."