Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: The Vice-Captain's Masquerade Madness
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"- The same thing is happening there."
"Erm..."
To sum up what the vice-captain had told me, the emperor and his faction were suddenly at odds over the appointment of the crown princess.
In the midst of it all, the first princess was subtly showing her displeasure toward His Majesty, Elizabeth remained silent, and the nobles were in the odd position of supporting the emperor.
"You're not joking, are you?"
"Who would joke about something involving the imperial family?"
"Then this is even bigger trouble..."
The scent of Sun Quan wafted strongly from the emperor.
And not just any Sun Quan, but one deep in his dotage.
Did he have another child we didn't know about?
Was he about to wipe out both heirs and pop out some surprise kid?
No, His Majesty was still young, so if he settled on a clear successor, that would be a relief at least.
But if the country split in two like this...
"Isn't this going to destroy the nation?"
"That's beyond even our knowledge. If there's any variable, it might be a word from Her Highness Gukseo or Her Highness the Grand Princess."
"Her Highness Gukseo is staying silent too?"
"Indeed."
"Hmm...?"
His Majesty's eccentricities were nothing new, and the Grand Princess had long stepped back from politics, but for Her Highness Gukseo to tolerate this madness too?
From what I'd seen of her so far, she wasn't the type.
She'd speak her mind to His Majesty even if it meant getting chewed out, so her staying quiet was suspicious just hearing about it.
The smell had changed a bit.
Assuming neither His Majesty nor Her Highness Gukseo had lost their minds, this was 100% a trap.
"Hmm..."
Were there really fools who fell for such a sloppy bait?
It was too full of holes to try just because 'it's the emperor, so it might be real.'
No matter how I thought about it, anyone falling for this would be an idiot...
Was there something I didn't know?
"Is something wrong?"
"How badly are His Majesty and your family fighting?"
"Hmm... Do you really want to hear it?"
"There's just something that doesn't make sense to me..."
"In that case."
The vice-captain, who had been lounging comfortably until now, straightened up and leaned his head slightly closer to me.
"First, when His Majesty refused the crown princess appointment, Count Hume spoke frankly to him."
"Yes."
"'Is it because you have no legitimate claim that you think you can do as you please from the throne?'"
"Wh-what?"
He dropped a nuke right from the start.
Without the emperor's faction, the nobles could at least fight on equal footing, but that didn't mean they could say something like that to his face...
"His Majesty shot back, 'You lot put me here to do as you and Gukseo please, so don't whine now, you damned fools.' The nobles replied, 'Perhaps Your Majesty feels such empathy for Her Highness the Second Princess because she is the late king's third daughter.'"
"And then what happened?"
"His Majesty issued an order to clear the guests, and the talks ended."
"Erm..."
If this was all an act and a trap, the right move was to fall for it.
When the emperor's left-hand man was going this far with the performance, you had to have some conscience and play along.
But if it wasn't an act...
"C-can I leave now?"
"Probably? Given that our knights are staying quiet despite all that, it might not be such a big deal after all."
"I suppose so..."
Regret came flooding in.
I should've stayed blissfully ignorant forever...
The price of my overflowing curiosity was spending the rest of my time here in anxiety.
At least the upside was that the remaining days wouldn't be boring.
Anxiety would spark all sorts of thoughts.
"Haa..."
I sighed and leaned back against the chair.
"Chin up. His Majesty will make a wise decision in the end."
"We can only hope."
I nodded vaguely at the vice-captain's encouragement and stared blankly at the desk.
My mood sank to rock bottom.
"...By the way, what was the outfit you wanted me to make? Under the assumption I'll be released, I'd like to sketch some ideas in advance."
I forced a change of topic to air out the gloom before it swallowed me whole.
"Ah, that's not a bad idea."
The vice-captain caught on and enthusiastically bit the bait I'd tossed, chiming in a bit obviously.
The more I looked at him, the more his human side shone through, unlike his first impression.
"Need some paper?"
"No, it's pointless unless it's large sheets anyway."
"Got it."
The vice-captain nodded lightly, glanced around a bit embarrassed to check if anyone was nearby, then continued.
"As you know, unlike others, I'm an Imperial Knight, so starting in October, attending banquets gets tricky. High chance of being on duty."
"Ah, right."
From October to New Year's: Founding Day, His Majesty and Her Highness Gukseo's birthdays, the Holy Ascension, Princess Alexandrine's birthday, and New Year's events.
The Holy Ascension was church-led and modest aside from Founding Day and New Year's due to the busy schedule, but still imperial family-sponsored.
So naturally, the Imperial Knights had to stand guard.
"But there's one among them where even we can attend carefree."
"Why's that?"
"It's hosted by the nobles, yet it has deep history and grand scale."
"Makes sense."
I nodded, vowing never to raise my kids as knights.
There was nothing as tough as a job where you couldn't play when others did.
I wanted my kids to live normally—playing when others played, working when they worked.
Not thrown in jail like me, or stuck on duty like the vice-captain.
"That's why I go all out for the masquerade ball, and this time I want something special."
"Special costume?"
"It's called a masquerade, but most just wear masks, right?"
"That's what I heard."
"But isn't a real disguise changing your outfit too?"
"True, but won't it stand out too much if only you change completely?"
"Heh heh~"
The vice-captain chuckled lightly and wagged his finger.
"It's one of the few banquets where I attend as a participant, not staff, so I have to enjoy it to the fullest and flashiest, don't I?"
"Hmm~"
"And with people like Sir William around, what do I have to fear?"
"Pardon?"
"Your entrance at the pre-banquet with two women in tow was stunning. And not just any nobles—princesses and a commoner maid, no less?"
"Th-that rumor got twisted somehow..."
No matter what, I wasn't the type to show up with two partners.
It just happened that my attendant was a woman and my partner was a princess...
Ugh, bullshit.
"So you didn't bring two women?"
"No, haa, damn it."
"Knew it was true. I thought all that hype you spread was just advertising and showing off for attention, but turns out you're half-mad."
"Think whatever."
I gave up explaining.
No point if excuses didn't land; it'd just tire my mouth.
"So... inspired by me, what crazy thing do you want to do?"
"That maid outfit? And butler suit? Can you make those?"
"Oh..."
Servant attire to a noble banquet—definitely unique, no, beyond unique into bold.
I could make them, but I didn't want to.
Perfect outfits to pick fights.
I wasn't in the mood to deal with nobles or return to jail anytime soon...
"Simple enough, sure..."
I trailed off carefully, laying bait for other options, but before I finished, the vice-captain jumped in.
"Then, can you add headbands and tails too?"
I furrowed my brow and blinked rapidly before asking.
"...What kind of headbands and tails?"
"Two sets with animal ears on the headbands and tails. Possible?"
"Ah..."
Animal-eared butler and animal-eared maid.
Never thought it'd come from the vice-captain's mouth.
"Mind if I ask why those specifically?"
"Hmm, just look fun, don't they? Showing up in servant clothes or disguised as beastkin to a noble gathering."
"I get that, but..."
It did sound fun.
Cat maids or dog butlers dancing among nobles was thrilling to imagine.
Problem was, it was too radical.
The nobles' backlash wouldn't be mild.
And if they found out an Imperial Knight was wearing it, reactions would explode.
"Isn't it risky?"
"Never expected that from you."
"Ugh..."
I voiced my concern cautiously, but it fell on deaf ears.
Fair enough—I'd done riskier things, so who was I to advise?
With such logical conviction, steering to other outfits would be tough.
I sighed and nodded.
"Haa... Not hard to make. Just clarify the details more."
"Which parts?"
"Hmm..."
I frowned, spread my hand, and folded fingers one by one as I listed elements.
"Off the top: animals and colors for the headbands, apron design for the maid outfit, skirt silhouette you want, coat design for the butler suit, etc."
"Hmm~ Right, hadn't thought that far. Can you wait a bit?"
"Of course, but don't forget—write it down on paper."
"Ah, got it. Hold on."
The flustered vice-captain bolted from the interrogation room.
Hope the requirements aren't too picky...