Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Bait for the Rats
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Having safely navigated the eve of the festival, the night passed, and Founding Day itself arrived.
Unlike the eve, where I'd attended as "Her Highness the Princess's partner," today's events required me to participate as "William of the House of Count Hume." As a result, I had no choice but to carry out my schedule separately from Elizabeth.
It wasn't particularly strange. After all, I wasn't officially her fiancé, so I couldn't sit in the seats reserved for royalty.
We had a subtle connection, but it was an ambiguous relationship that hadn't yet been made public.
While Elizabeth was busy exchanging greetings with the titled nobles before the ceremony, I had very little to do this time around.
Of course, come evening, I'd revert to being Her Highness the Princess's partner and be swamped again, but a brief respite was still a respite.
And so, grateful for this small, precious moment of rest under my parents' shadow, I quietly nestled between my father, mother, and older brother.
Or so I thought.
"I look forward to Princess Alexandrine's boundless growth, and next, Princess Victoria's..."
"...?"
Until His Majesty's tedious speech openly snubbed the First Princess.
The mention of Princess Alexandrine was a single line.
But the praise that followed immediately for Elizabeth went on for several minutes, lavished in exhaustive detail.
"What in the world..."
"Surely it must be some mistake...?"
"Who would make a blunder like this?"
Everyone had expected the speech to dwell at length on Elizabeth, the princess who had appeared out of nowhere. But no one had anticipated that the Emperor would outright ignore the First Princess, whose position as crown princess had seemed all but solidified.
Confusion rippled through the nobles.
"That fool..."
"Dear, hold your tongue for now. It might turn out differently at the end."
"I doubt it..."
The most telling sign was that my father and mother openly showed their discomfort.
The fact that even the core family of the Emperor's faction had been kept in the dark meant this was almost entirely His Majesty's unilateral decision.
Still, the two of them waited, clinging to the hope that something would change at the very last moment.
"- And that concludes my remarks."
"Ha... This is bad."
"Indeed..."
The name "Alexandrine" never came up again.
- ... clap clap clap!
The applause, three beats later than usual, was proof of the nobles' shock. And my parents' worried faces as they clapped while staring at His Majesty were evidence that things were far from normal.
"Dear."
"I know."
As the applause died down and they confirmed His Majesty descending from the podium, my parents exchanged a glance and nodded.
Then Mother turned to us, gesturing for us to lean in.
"What are your schedules after this?"
"I planned to just show my face at the banquet and head straight home."
"Same here..."
"And you, William?"
"I'm scheduled to attend the evening banquet with Elizabeth."
"Cancel all your plans."
"......"
I didn't have the courage to ask why.
""Yes, Mother."""
Our parents seemed just as bewildered, so my brother and I simply nodded without protest.
"Stay quietly at home."
With that quiet warning, Mother turned and walked toward the Imperial Palace alongside Father.
My brother and I watched them go until they were out of sight, then led the rest of the family out of the palace square a little early, where the event had been held.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ""Your Majesty!""
Having finished his speech and descended from the podium on his way back to the palace...
As expected, the first to seek an audience were Count Hume and his wife.
The expressions on their faces, visible at the edge of my vision, were the angriest I'd seen in ages—fury they could barely contain in my presence.
"Count Hume, Countess Hume, what brings you here?"
I knew better than anyone why they were angry and why they'd come, but I feigned ignorance and regarded my old friends with a brazen face.
"Your Majesty, no matter how we mull over your judgment, we cannot fathom your intentions."
"Indeed. We're concerned you're acting too hastily."
"I fully understand your concerns, but hear me out, and you'll see my actions make sense."
"Please explain."
"Everyone, stand back."
Calming the couple who looked ready to burst with frustration, I waved the attendants and maids away, then approached the two slowly.
"I can answer any questions you have, but since we're out in the open, let's speak quietly."
"Yes..."
As I whispered softly, their fierce demeanor softened somewhat.
"Well, go ahead and ask."
"What is your intent in leaving the crown princess position vacant and elevating both princesses to equal standing?"
"Exactly. We've hidden her all this time not to torment Princess Victoria, have we?"
"True. To you, my actions must seem to undermine everything we've done so far."
"Then why..."
"Watching recent events, one thing occurred to me."
Narrowing my eyes and lowering my voice further, I leaned in close and whispered cautiously to the two.
"There are more rats hiding in the Empire than I thought."
"Rats...? There are surely some, but not enough to run rampant."
"Ha... Do you really think so?"
The couple wasn't wrong.
They were still suppressed by the strong imperial authority, holding their breath.
But that was too shortsighted.
"When I showed William a bit of favor, the chaos in your house. The noble factions openly obstructing William's actions, which I've tacitly permitted. Even squabbling for power right here in the palace. Is that truly not running rampant?"
"That's..."
Their eyes wavered.
They must have realized the rats' actions weren't as optimistic as they'd claimed.
"We've both already heard the squeaks of those rats. Are they really unable to run rampant? These creatures skulking about, ready to plunge a dagger into our hearts at any moment?"
Those rats were always prepared to bare their fangs.
The moment their territory shrank, or we let our guard down—they'd bite.
"That's why, this time, I plan to dry up the noble faction's roots and solidify Alexandrine's position."
"Don't tell me the reason you revealed Elizabeth early is..."
"Yes. I intend to use that child as bait to draw out the nobles dissatisfied with the current power structure."
"Are you in your right mind?"
"Of course."
I nodded seriously, staring into the countess's eyes.
She looked like she had a great deal to say, but seeing my expression, she clamped her mouth shut despite her displeasure.
Cautiously, I took both their hands.
"Helen, Frederick."
Speaking not as the Emperor, but as their old friend.
"Please, help me with this one too. Not for me—for our children."
"......"
Helen, her hand gripped in mine, bit her lip lightly, gazing at me with trembling eyes.
"...Frederick, honestly, I don't like this method. It feels like we're shoving our responsibilities onto the children. It even disgusts me."
"I understand that feeling."
"But we can't let Elizabeth's sacrifices at such a young age go to waste."
"Yes."
"So just this once. Help me out."
"...Thank you."
I bowed my head deeply, my face full of worry and gratitude, to the two standing there with clear dissatisfaction.
Then Frederick, who had been silent, carefully interjected.
"Please ensure this ends before any harm comes to the two children. That's our condition for cooperating with Your Majesty."
"I promise."
I had intended as much even without their saying so. I—and I as the Emperor—readily nodded, accepting the couple's terms.
Their faces eased somewhat, and they gently withdrew their hands, stepping back a pace.
"So, what role do you wish us to play, Your Majesty?"
"Just make it look like you're supporting Alexandrine and opposing me."
"That should be simple enough."
"And... I'm sorry to say this right after you agreed to help, but..."
"Yes?"
"In this plan, I may need to use not only you two, but your son as well..."
"......"
Countess Hume's eyes widened like full moons.
Then, as if struck on the back of the head, her eyelids fluttered, the spark in her eyes faded, and she lifted the corners of her mouth ever so slightly, turning to her husband with feigned calm.
"Dear, maybe we should just switch masters. It wouldn't be so bad."
"My lady, that's treason. Calm down... And we have to think of Princess Victoria too."
"Hah..."
Held back by Count Hume to prevent any rash actions, the countess's eyes burned with the look of the most irreverent traitors.
For the first time in ages, I felt a chill run down my spine.
The last time had probably been when my brother, moments from the guillotine, had cursed me as his head was about to roll.
The countess now had a similar fierce spirit to my brother in that moment.
"No matter how you glare, the plan won't change..."
"Ugh...!"
As I mustered the courage to affirm the plan was set, the countess stomped her feet in a tantrum.
Had that gesture been mere petulance to suppress her rage and avoid treason, it might have seemed endearing. But knowing its true meaning, it felt like the blade of a guillotine.
"If anything happens to our son, I won't stay silent."
"Understood."
Thank goodness, the countess suppressed her rebellious thoughts and, conditionally, permitted using William in the plan.
"Phew..."
I let out a sigh of relief, discreetly wiping my sweat-soaked palms on my dress.
Truly fortunate to have safely passed the most dangerous and difficult part of this plan.