Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Don't Touch
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Twelve years old.
The stormy adolescent phase... not quite yet, but at least an age where personal opinions solidify and social connections begin to form.
But there were no schools here. Or more precisely, perhaps academies.
When he asked his mother about the academy,
"Theo, you're at the age where you ask questions like this."
"Huh?"
"An academy. It's a good idea, but far too dangerous."
"..."
"If all sorts of people gather—from royalty to nobles, even folks from the Holy Kingdom—wouldn't it be the perfect spot for an ambush?"
"Uh... y-yeah."
"So we can't build one. Of course, if Theo wants it, Mom could try a little..."
"No, it's fine. I think Mom's right."
No need to stir up trouble where there isn't any.
In any case, with no academy, opportunities for social life were drastically limited.
Lost in thought, he gazed at his two sisters, who were beaming while hugging him.
Is that why?
"..."
And Isfil, who had brought up factions, just stood there awkwardly staring—not at him, it seemed, but at his sisters.
"Theo's having a hard time, so back off."
"No, Theo's not having a hard time."
"Yeah, he's not."
His sisters responded to her as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"You can't just butt in on us like that anyway."
Ravire shot her a glance, and Isfil replied flatly.
"I can."
"..."
Ravire glanced at Theo upon hearing Isfil, then furrowed her brow.
"...Don't get too cocky just because you're close to Theo."
"..."
Isfil looked away, and Ravire stared at Theo before looking away herself.
Isfil had stayed behind.
Partly because his mother approved, but mainly because Isfil possessed tremendous holy power by any measure.
In simple terms, she was a strategic asset.
Letting her go would mean the Holy Kingdom would claim her without hesitation.
After much deliberation, his mother assigned Isfil as his guard knight.
Of course, she wasn't really a guard knight.
It was just a title—Clue alone was more than enough for his protection.
If anything, it was a formality to keep her tied to the empire.
In time, she might even receive a title of nobility.
For now, though, her position could only be described as ambiguous.
"...Sis."
Ravire turned to him at his words.
"...Sorry."
Ravire muttered, and he nodded with an inward sigh.
Because of this, Isfil and his sisters didn't get along.
He always had to step in to mediate, or he worried they'd come to blows.
Punches might actually be easier to deal with.
"Isfil too."
"...Sorry."
Isfil met his gaze and muttered grudgingly to Ravire, bowing her head slightly.
A sigh escaped him naturally.
They listened to him now, but who knew when they'd ignore him. What to do?
"Where are you sisters off to?"
"To see the Tower Lord."
"Me too, for training with the Knight Commander!"
They answered his question cheerfully.
"Things going well?"
"Yeah, thanks to you, Theo."
"Exactly, all thanks to Theo!"
He watched them laugh happily, sighing inwardly again.
Lily and Ravire were geniuses.
If he was called a prodigy, they were the real deal—talents so outstanding no one could deny it.
"Lily sis hit..."
"Seventh circle."
"Congrats."
"...It's just because I've lived longer. You're fifth circle already, Theo. No one your age is better at magic."
He didn't mind the consolation; he had long since given up chasing them.
Keeping up would tear him apart, not just leave him in the dust.
"..."
Lily checked his expression, and Ravire glanced at him before looking away.
I'm fine, really.
Thinking that, he sent them off and sank back into thought.
Factions...
"Clue, know anything about factions?"
"I'm not too familiar with them either..."
Clue murmured "Hmm" and rested her chin on her hand.
"Usually, they go for poisonings a lot."
"Out of nowhere?"
"Isn't that what you meant by factions?"
"No."
Poison his sisters?
He had no such plans.
If his sisters tried poisoning him, that'd be another story...
No, he didn't think they'd do that.
Still...
"...Maybe prepare against poisoning anyway."
"If we're preparing, should we cover other things too?"
"Other things?"
"Assassinations or..."
"You can handle those, Clue."
"True, but..."
"Let's start with what you can't block."
For now, they decided to prep against poison.
"Don't I handle poison prevention?"
"Uh..."
Anyway, poison aside—prep for other stuff first.
*
The empire's struggle for the throne.
It was a massive topic for all nobles.
After all, it meant backing the future ruler.
Unlike Milla Castina, who had overwhelmingly claimed support and achievements, now each had their reasons.
With Milla not declaring anyone, nobles had to pick their horses.
"My personal choice is Princess Lily."
Marquis Gilbert's aide advised him, and the marquis listened with eyes closed.
"Word is, no one matches her magical talent. Beyond likely succeeding the Tower Lord—she's all but confirmed."
"...Hmm."
Marquis Gilbert closed his eyes.
"Princess Ravire's great too. Her martial prowess is exceptional; she could take the Knight Commander's seat soon..."
"Princesses aren't usually appointed Knight Commander."
The marquis muttered, crossing his arms.
"...What about Prince Theodor?"
"Prince Theodor... of course, he's a saint."
Prince Theodor had become a saint.
Whether he wanted it or not, he was one now.
"But as you know, saint and emperor..."
"Not easy to hold both."
The marquis nodded in understanding.
He'd never heard of a Tower Lord doubling as emperor either, but saint and emperor at once? Unheard of.
"...So low odds for Prince Theodor as emperor?"
"That's how I see it."
His aide nodded.
"And being the youngest..."
"Heavy scrutiny from blood kin, right."
The marquis hummed and nodded.
"Makes sense."
"Then..."
"We back Princess Lily."
He muttered calmly, arms crossed.
"Start the groundwork."
"Understood."
"Obviously..."
"Favor, but no open hostility yet. Got it."
The aide left, and the marquis stared out the window.
"..."
The time had come at last.
The bloody contest for emperor approached.
"Hope I chose right."
The marquis muttered with a sigh.
Right or wrong didn't matter.
Just no failure.
*
"Princess, a gift from Marquis Gilbert."
"Oh?"
Lily murmured, inspecting the gift from Gilbert.
Expensive fabric.
At first glance, pointless extravagance...
"It's the lining used in Mother's robes."
She murmured.
As she said, it was the lining permitted only for Milla Castina's attire.
"...No other way to read this."
Lily sighed, setting the fabric down.
"Throne fight already."
Still distant for her.
Of course, clashing with Ravire was fun.
Chance to crush the bratty sister.
But...
"...Throne fight means fighting Theo too, right?"
"...Probably, Princess."
Her attendant bowed, and Lily sighed.
"Hate that."
Anything but her harming Theo.
Or anyone else harming him.
If she had to say...
"Can't we just... peacefully..."
Lily murmured.
"But if Prince Theodor craves the throne..."
"Theo wouldn't."
Lily replied without hesitation, gaze drifting far.
"If Theo wanted it, I'd give it up."
She muttered, eyeing the lining, then rolled her eyes.
"Ah. Got an idea."
"Princess?"
Before her aide could ask, Lily bolted outside.
Fight Ravire to the death? Fine.
No big memories there.
But Theo, her sole confidant? Different.
Even if the world half-ended, her adorable little brother must live.
With that, Lily flung open Theo's door.
"Theo, here's some fabric!"
"...Why fabric?"
"Just take it!"
Lily and Ravire's eyes met as they both held out fabric to the bewildered Theodor.
"..."
For the first time, fury flickered in Lily's eyes.