Chapter 98
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: I'm Not Yielding This Time. (5)
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This was the third time I'd come face-to-face with the Emperor. The first had been at the Academy's entrance ceremony, and the second at the tea house run by the gardening club.
Even counting every barony in the Empire combined, I had to be the first to meet him this many times in such a short span. I wasn't sure if it was a good thing, but it was certainly something extraordinary.
"Raise your heads."
With those words, the Emperor's address began.
Something about the seasons, their hard work, how thanks to them the Empire was at peace...
It wasn't anything particularly important. Just like the usual speeches from the headmaster.
But given who he was, I had no choice but to listen attentively. No subject could dare ignore the Emperor's words.
Why not? Because anyone who did would have been executed long ago.
Anyway, once that was over, the main banquet finally got underway.
Erze slowly shook her head from side to side, as if utterly fed up.
"My father always did love to talk."
"They were all such meaningful words that I felt almost unworthy to hear them."
"Luke, do you have saliva in your mouth when you say things like that?"
"Every word is sincere."
I agreed with Erze, but I couldn't exactly say it out loud. Only she and the imperial family could get away with that.
Who would want to turn into morning dew on the execution grounds...?
"Shall we enjoy ourselves now?"
Just as Erze said that and started to smile,
someone approached. More precisely, they came looking for Elena.
"Lady Frozenheart, might I have a moment of your time?"
Dressed impeccably in fine attire, he had a stern demeanor softened by an underlying warmth. The one requesting a private word in that businesslike tone was none other than the Magic Tower Lord.
Elena seemed momentarily flustered, but she quickly bowed politely in greeting.
"A pleasure, Lord Tower Master. To what do I owe the visit?"
"It's not something to discuss with so many ears around..."
The Tower Master trailed off, glancing my way. In other words, he didn't want to share it with me or any other outsiders.
He turned his gaze back to Elena and continued.
"I wouldn't dream of using magic in His Majesty's presence without permission. The 'bug'... I trust you know what I mean."
"Understood. Let's move somewhere else."
The "bug" he mentioned had to be that thing from the heretic's body. Since Elena was the first to discover it, it was only natural for the Tower Master to reach out to her.
Elena gave Erze a light bow.
"Your Highness, I'll be right back."
"Yes, take your time. Nice and leisurely, if you can."
"...I'll return as soon as the matter's settled."
"No, I insist—take it nice and leisurely."
What was with that? Both wore smiles, but their words bristled with thorns. It felt like I'd end up drawing blood if I butted in.
After that, Elena left with the Tower Master, leaving Erze and me alone.
Erze pondered for a moment, then took a glass of wine from a servant and offered it to me.
"Here, Luke."
"For me?"
"My delicate arms ache holding two glasses. I'm giving this one to you as a special favor."
"An honor."
I accepted the glass from Erze.
Swirling it gently, the wine rippled smoothly, releasing a fresh fruity aroma. It had to be some ultra-premium vintage I'd never even dreamed of.
A little time passed, and I'd taken a couple of sips,
when suddenly Erze tugged lightly at my sleeve.
"Want to step out onto the balcony?"
"If Lady Frozenheart returns and we're gone, she might worry..."
"Just a quick breath of fresh air. That should be fine, right?"
"Very well."
Erze led the way, and I followed behind her.
We arrived at a second-floor balcony. Beyond the railing, the imperial palace gardens stretched out in vibrant green, brimming with fresh vitality.
Erze stopped at the railing, gazing at the garden. The wine in her glass swayed gently.
"Luke, do you remember what I said?"
"If you remind me when, I can try to recall."
"Hmm... right. It was when we were on our date, just the two of us."
I didn't recall it being a date, but...
If there was one thing she'd said when we were alone that stood out, it had to be this.
"Something about Your Highness's eyes...?"
"Close, but not quite. Right enough to be wrong, wrong enough to be right. But this is fun—keep guessing."
Couldn't she just tell me...?
I grumbled inwardly, but of course, Erze couldn't hear it. I'd even said I'd remember with her prompting.
It took a little more time before she confirmed I'd got it right.
"...Was it about keeping me by your side?"
"Correct. Good job, Luke."
It hardly felt like a win after so many misses, but...
Whatever. The important thing was I'd nailed it.
At that moment, Erze, who'd been wearing a playful smile, took a sip of her wine and shifted to a serious expression.
She rarely looked this grave, so I wiped the smile from my face as well.
'What on earth is she about to say?'
As that question filled my mind, Erze spoke.
"I want to keep you by my side, no matter what it takes."
"But that..."
"You'll say it's impossible since you're already serving Elena, right?"
I couldn't meet her eyes and looked away. Because that was exactly right.
'If it were just lounging around, this would be way easier...'
Serving in the Frozenheart Ducal Family versus holding some nominal title at Erze's side—which was comfier? Even kids playing in the streets could tell you.
Yet for some reason, even knowing the answer, my heart wouldn't budge.
Maybe I valued my bond with Elena more than I'd ever admitted to myself.
Unfortunately, I never got to settle that inner debate.
Erze's next words drove it right out of my head.
"Who do you think I am?"
"The Empire's one and only Imperial Princess."
"Then, is there anything I can't accomplish?"
"...No."
It was the truth. As long as the imperial dynasty endured, her power in the Empire was near-absolute. If she wanted me by her side, she could make it happen.
"But I won't force you. That would defeat the purpose, and above all, I never want you to hate me."
"How could someone like me ever hate Your Highness?"
"I'm not talking surface words. I mean the truth in your heart."
I nearly said I could never hate her sincerely either, but the words stuck in my throat.
She was being deadly serious, so I had to match that gravity.
Maybe because I read so many minds usually, but she sure knew how to poke my sore spots...
"That said, I'm not backing down either. Even if you cling to Elena till you die, I'll just stand by your side myself."
"You mean..."
"You and Elena were definitely secret friends. I don't fully get what that means, and honestly, it creeps me out a bit, but..."
"But...?"
"I want in too. I want to be your secret friend."
Shouldn't you avoid stuff you don't understand and find creepy...?
I thought that desperately, hoping she'd read my mind for once.
But unfortunately, she either couldn't—or was willfully ignoring it.
'This is driving me insane...'
Becoming secret friends with Elena was purely a survival tactic. In the original story, Luke Nineheart ended up as execution-ground dew.
But with the Imperial Princess? How the hell was I supposed to handle this...?
"Oh, so secret friends was your survival strategy? Then should I make it that for you too?"
"...It's an honor to be secret friends with Your Highness."
As always, I had no real choice. Especially since she knew about Elena and me.
The one consolation was that my relationship with Elena wouldn't be exposed now. Her mind-reading was my biggest worry.
"Great. Shall we head back now, secret friend?"
"Please, just keep calling me by name."
"I'm kidding. Ki-dding."
Erze smiled and patted my shoulder lightly.
Though I couldn't bring myself to laugh at the joke.
As we turned to leave the balcony, we ran into someone right at the door.
"Here you are, Your Highness."
"Oh, Elena. I told you to take it nice and leisurely."
Elena wore a faint smile, but the emotion beneath it was anything but positive.