Chapter 28
Chapter 28
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Crown Princess's Proposal
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After leaving the imperial palace, I returned to the capital mansion with Alexei.
During the ride, Alexei didn't say much to me.
He must have noticed that my expression had changed since meeting the Crown Princess.
True to the servant I'd acknowledged, he was meticulously upholding his boundaries as a butler.
He was even driving the carriage with extreme care. I could feel it clearly.
'When we get back, I should give him a raise soon.'
Internally expressing my gratitude to Alexei once more,
I leaned against the carriage window and replayed our recent conversation.
"I will become a perfect emperor, so you become the genius strategist they all say you are. Ah, this isn't an order—it's a proposal. No need to feel burdened."
Like bantering with an old friend, the Crown Princess never lost her smile.
The scene felt comfortable, yet it carried an aura that was impossible to approach.
"The process of forging an empire where no one dares treat us lightly because of our ambitions—won't you join me in that endeavor, Lord Kael?"
I quietly gazed at the hand the Crown Princess had extended herself.
Snow-white and slender. Yet the hand of someone who would never waver.
'You say it's not a leash. Nor bait to lure me in. But that's exactly how it looks to me, Your Highness. Truly, you're a frightening person.'
My deliberation wasn't brief. Quite a few thoughts and conflicts weighed on me.
But the answer I'd ultimately give had been set from the start.
After all, I'd already accomplished so much. Backing out now was too late.
More than that, her talk of ambition subtly tickled at the heart.
It didn't set my blood boiling like some movie or drama from my past life's memories.
I wasn't kneeling in tearful loyalty, pledging eternal devotion, or moved to tears by persistent suitors.
It merely tilted my internal conflict a bit more toward what she'd proposed.
"The empire. The Clauvitz family. And my name."
Right. Unless someone was truly detached from worldly desires, how could they lack such cravings?
Even without being the type to lose their mind over public attention,
anyone lingering in this world wanted to leave a trace that others would remember.
Even something as simple as building a family was imprinting one's mark on the world.
'What a truly remarkable—and dangerous—person.'
The 2nd Princess Isabel and 1st Prince Gnaeus Heldenberg. Both were exceptional.
Elites who'd received special imperial education since childhood.
They proved why they were called the empire's finest bloodline.
But compared to the Crown Princess... sorry, but they didn't measure up.
Of course. She'd been chosen as the next emperor at a very young age.
Word was she'd mastered everything from imperial studies to politics, management, linguistics, and the humanities.
From debating statecraft to winning hearts, she was a master among masters.
No wonder capable people fall for leaders like her.
Experiencing it firsthand, I could understand their mindset.
'Be careful. People like the Crown Princess are the scariest kind in the world.'
What she'd said to me was sincere. Her expectations for me were genuine too.
That's precisely why—all because it was real—I had to stay on high alert.
Her words while discussing ambition made it clear enough.
Mentioning my family and name meant drawing the line as a 'retainer' and 'noble.'
If I harbored other intentions, she'd view me not as a vassal, but an enemy.
I knew it well. Those at the pinnacle naturally distrust anyone drawing near.
The ambition she wanted from me was one that posed no threat to the empire.
Words laced with both expectation and caution. Frightening, but not insulting.
On the contrary, her openly revealing that mindset was a considerable show of goodwill toward me.
How often does someone of her stature bare their inner thoughts?
"I've heard there's a second wave of troops heading to the eastern front."
"Indeed. Thinking of going again?"
"Yes. I want to see just how far I can go, Your Highness Crown Princess."
I was curious about the news from the Pavilion Pass theater and our Eastern 3 Kingdoms alliance.
I could hear reports, but nothing beat seeing it with my own eyes and ears.
"The second wave won't end at combat zones like the 12th Legion at Pavilion Pass, Lord Kael. Though limited, it could involve decisions on handling the Eastern 3 Kingdoms alliance and other matters."
"...To me, that sounds like I've been granted authority to act on diplomatic shifts without delay."
In response, the Crown Princess offered only a silent smile.
She was anticipating it. No—convinced of it.
That some change would ripple through that Eastern 3 Kingdoms alliance.
Something capable of upending not just the front lines, but the entire political landscape.
If that happened, events would unfold with extreme urgency.
Hence, partially granting absurd authority like 'act first, report later.'
"Does it sound that way? Well, since you're the one who stirred that wind of change, it's only natural you'd sense it."
Even so, I hadn't aimed for that.
With that, my profoundly memorable second meeting with the Crown Princess came to an end.
Along with her words that if I rested briefly in the capital, I'd soon receive a new assignment.
"Young master! We've arrived!"
"Yeah. Good work, Alexei. It was comfortable thanks to you."
"Heh heh heh. When it comes to driving carriages, I'm the best in the Imperial County."
"I'll raise your salary, so look forward to it."
"Ah. But if it's just for carriage driving, I might feel a little..."
We traded playful banter with Alexei for a while.
Then I realized his expression differed from the usual.
"Spit it out."
"Young master?"
"You have something to say. It's written all over your face."
At my words, Alexei waved his hands in denial.
But please. After all our years together,
he knew me as well as I knew him.
"Tell me. Did something happen?"
"It's... well."
After a brief hesitation, Alexei finally spoke up.
"Unlike last time, your expression looks a bit off, young master."
"Last time?"
"Yes. When you first met Her Highness the Crown Princess. It wasn't this look back then."
That time had been sudden, with other matters pressing, so...
Even saying that, Alexei would see right through the excuse.
I considered brushing it off vaguely, but honesty felt better now.
"Facing her head-on made me nervous. Scary, I suppose."
"Her Highness the Crown Princess... you mean?"
"Not that her words or manner are crude. She possesses everything a ruler should—and knows exactly how to handle people."
She'd make a fine emperor, but a good boss? ...Hard to say.
Inevitable. The throne consumes not just vassals, but the ruler themselves.
For the empire's sake, she could issue empty promises or break oaths without hesitation.
Even sifting through past life memories, such examples abounded.
Some parted ways over clashing ideals. Others got discarded like used tools.
Still others sparked endless online memes debating their fates.
"She spoke of ambitions to me. But you know me, Alexei—family is everything. If it came to it for them, I could even abandon the successor's seat."
"Hey! You mustn't say such things. That position of yours isn't one to toss aside lightly!"
"I'm just saying, hypothetically."
Suddenly, I missed our 2nd Princess.
She had her flaws compared to the Crown Princess, but her heart was transparent at least.
And those sparkling eyes brimming with anticipation? Adorably cute.
"So... you're planning to keep your distance from Her Highness the Crown Princess...?"
"What nonsense. She is the Crown Princess, and I am this empire's noble. We can't forget the fundamentals. I have a duty to offer my loyalty."
Gazing at the Crown Princess, the epitome of statesmanship, brought our Mengde 'Ju' to mind.
Yet key differences remained. The Crown Princess could never be Cao Cao.
Merely similar. No tyrant label, no puppeteering the throne.
She simply fulfilled her duties as this empire's Crown Princess.
And I, as a noble—the Clauvitz family's eldest son and next Imperial Count—would do mine.
'Even if I'm no true strategist, I can handle at least this much.'
Once more, I bowed deeply to my past life's memories.
What would I have become without you? Aigoo.
"Phew. It's tough, so tough."
"Even I, hearing just scraps, feel my head splitting."
His exaggeration came right as I teased Alexei and he hammed it up.
A servant who'd been waiting inside the mansion rushed over urgently.
"Y-you're back, young master."
"Yeah. What's going on?"
"Well... Moments ago, direct contact came from His Excellency the Imperial Count in the territory."
"To this capital mansion? From Father???"
"Yes, young master."
What? Did something happen back home?
Ah, maybe a greeting since I'd returned to the capital?
Mulling various possibilities, I entered the mansion and checked Father's message.
[Kael. If you receive this, hurry to the War Ministry.] [Go. Go there and send your sibling home! Please!]