Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: No Chance
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Religion.
From studying history books, I knew this world had religion.
And the nation built on that religion was the Holy Kingdom.
Something about a goddess, but honestly, I couldn't care less.
What mattered was that the Saintess had arrived.
I sank into thought as the maids tended to me.
No matter how much I claimed ignorance about everything else, I knew about the Saintess.
She was like the icon of the Holy Kingdom.
That was all I needed to know.
Whether the Saintess was competent or not didn't matter—what counted was her status as that icon.
It was akin to sending a princess from another nation.
In other words, I had to be cautious not to give them any diplomatic leverage.
Especially since Mother had rushed out last night on urgent business.
If I acted strangely or caused a scene, I wouldn't have the face to meet her eyes.
Actually, it was less about face and more about fear.
What if I screwed up and she suddenly appeared to beat me senseless?
With those thoughts, I stepped outside with the maids' help—and waiting for me was an elderly man with a dignified beard.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
The old man bowed deeply before speaking.
"I am Gordolf, the Foreign Minister, temporarily acting on behalf of Her Majesty's orders regarding diplomatic matters."
A high-ranking official.
"...Please take care of things, Gordolf."
"No need for such formality."
The man who called himself Gordolf bowed his head.
As if.
"It's fine. Someone who's served the court longer than I have has much to teach me."
I'm not an idiot.
Talking down to him here with a casual "you're right" would make me a social failure.
It just felt wrong.
Like a new lieutenant calling a senior sergeant "you there, sergeant." Position-wise, it's not off, but it still rubs people the wrong way.
Even if denied, that's how it was.
Having lived too long in a country where age equaled rank, speaking casually to elders never sat right with me.
I'd always have to tread carefully.
To begin with, my dream was a relaxed life.
I had zero intention of becoming emperor.
Just live easy and go out the same way.
I hated responsibility and power.
That was why I hated the Star's Blessing too.
With that in mind, I bowed my head.
"Your words leave me at a loss, Your Highness."
Gordolf chuckled heartily, stroking his beard before continuing.
"Contrary to Her Majesty's expectations, the Holy Kingdom sent their delegation remarkably swiftly."
"I see."
"And their target is you, Your Highness."
"...Me?"
What was this now?
I stared blankly at Gordolf, who cleared his throat and met my gaze.
"The truth is..."
I listened and understood everything Gordolf said.
The Holy Kingdom seeks out those with the Star's Blessing.
And I was the youngest person in this world's history to awaken it.
In their eyes, I was draft material.
Mother wanted to hide me.
And I wanted no part of it.
Re-enlistment? Hell no.
"Can they even detect me?"
"Sending the Saintess alone is declaration enough that they're hunting for someone with the Star's Blessing."
Like a biological radar, basically.
"Then shouldn't I just avoid going?"
"That would only arouse suspicion."
No, wait...
"Don't they already know?"
Hadn't I revealed it to everyone at my fifth birthday?
No matter how I denied it, getting caught was just a matter of time.
Ask anyone at the party—they'd know.
"Heh heh, no need to worry, Your Highness."
Gordolf grinned the moment he heard me.
"Her Majesty has already prepared everything."
"Pardon...?"
"That's all I can say."
Mother, what exactly did you prepare?
Not killing the Saintess or anything, right?
I pictured Mother saying, "I'll kill the Saintess for Theo."
Even she wouldn't go that far.
"In any case, you must attend."
"Then..."
"For now, we'll inform them that the Prince and Princesses will not undergo inspection."
"..."
I got the gist.
Push through with diplomatic protocol.
The "how dare you inspect imperial blood" vibe.
"So I just sit tight?"
"Precisely."
Gordolf nodded.
"As Her Majesty said, Your Highness is remarkably perceptive. I say one thing, and you grasp ten."
"Only because you explained it well, Gordolf."
Don't overhype me. What if my sisters get jealous?
As I thought that, Gordolf mistook my expression for anxiety about the upcoming event. He thumped his chest confidently.
"No need to tense up, Your Highness. Leave it all to me."
"Yes, I trust you, Gordolf."
Gordolf beamed contentedly at my reply.
"Princess Lily mentioned you've already mastered etiquette perfectly."
"Ah, right."
Couldn't embarrass myself at my fifth birthday without knowing manners.
"As expected of Prince Theodor."
Gordolf nodded and led the way.
I followed, and soon the audience chamber came into view.
A quick glance up showed Lily sis and Ravire sis already there.
Our eyes met, but neither waved or greeted brightly.
Good thing I didn't worry about what to do if Ravire sis waved and called "Theo!"
The people beside them were...
"Ah, you've arrived."
First, a man with an unpleasant aura.
How to describe it? Just looking at him soured my mood.
And next to him...
"..."
...a timid-looking girl.
Long silver hair and droopy, teary eyes.
Around nine years old, maybe.
Anyone could tell she was the Saintess.
"Make your greetings. This is Prince Theodor."
Gordolf's resonant voice echoed, and as their gazes turned to me, they slowly bowed in courtesy.
"...First Prince, Theodor Castina."
"Cardinal of the Holy Kingdom, Luis."
"...Saintess, Isfil..."
The Cardinal and Saintess greeted in unison.
"..."
The Cardinal's eyes wouldn't leave me.
"I heard yesterday was your fifth birthday, Prince Theodor."
"Ah, thank you...!"
"Many must have celebrated..."
"All thanks to Her Majesty's grace...!"
I played along moderately.
Skip the small talk first.
The Cardinal still stared piercingly.
He must've heard rumors somewhere.
I didn't know Mother's plan, but slipping out quickly seemed best.
Wait for an opening.
Right then—
"It seems we have some important matters to discuss."
"..."
The Cardinal smiled softly.
Like luring and coaxing a child.
"A tale of heroes."
The Cardinal finished with a smile, eyes still fixed on me.
"Heroes...?"
Ravire sis murmured, eyes sparkling.
Yes, that was the normal reaction for kids her age.
Heroes—sounds cool just hearing it.
Not for me, though.
Fools who court hardship.
He probably thought invoking heroes would pique our curiosity, assuming we were clueless kids.
Before Gordolf could speak, I jumped in.
"Ah, then we should step out!"
"No, that's not—"
"It's fine! Mother always says: join when invited, leave when not!"
Too late, right?
I chimed in brightly and fast, then turned to my sisters.
"If the two Princesses are okay, shall we show the Saintess around the palace? I'm nervous going alone..."
They'd both agree to this.
Cunning? Kids are cunning.
"Sounds good."
"Uh, um, yeah..."
See?
Lily sis smiled softly and nodded; Ravire sis glanced around wistfully, squeezed her eyes shut, and nodded.
"S-Sounds good..."
"Then let's go!"
"Wait, just a—!"
Disbelief crossed the Cardinal's face.
Of course—he'd tried hooking a boy with hero tales, only for me to slip away like a ghost.
The Cardinal rose,
but
"Your Highness's consideration leaves me humbled."
Gordolf wasn't dull enough to drop the ball I'd tossed.
"No, wait—"
"Shall we talk then, Cardinal Luis?"
Gordolf smiled gently, cutting him off. As if on cue, I turned to the Saintess.
"Let's go!"
"Uh, um, that..."
"So much to show! Especially our stables—fierce stallions even heroes can't tame!"
"Wait—"
I whisked the Saintess out of the chamber.
Handle the rest, Gordolf.
Gordolf watched silently as Prince Theodor swiftly led the Saintess away.
'Impressive.'
He inwardly marveled, recalling the Empress's orders.
Her original solutions had been different.
Plan 1: Pressure with imperial might or leak scandals via hidden rumors.
Plan 2: Ignore them.
Plan 3: Kill the Cardinal and imprison the Saintess if they wouldn't comply.
All the ministers had begged against Plan 3, so even the Empress relented.
But
'Prince Theodor proposed a far better way.'
Theodor had removed himself from the equation entirely.
Slipping away like a sly fox before the Cardinal could even speak.
'...I never imagined he'd grasp the situation fully and even set the stage.'
Gordolf's eyes gleamed.
'Her Majesty might be right after all...'
The Empress's words echoed in his mind.
'Our Theo can make magic bombs from tree fruits.'
'Our Theo is so smart, no genius in the world could beat him.'
'Theo's charm is so great, he'd need 300 brides and still want more.'
And so on.
Each time she praised him, the ministers figured it was maternal exaggeration.
But
'No exaggeration...?'
Gordolf stroked his goatee.
Without any social experience, he'd read the room instantly, responded aptly, steered the situation, and exited gracefully.
Unlike the feuding princesses, he was loved by both.
Whatever the case,
'The empire's future is bright.'
With that reassurance for his deathbed, Gordolf spoke.
"Just us now, Cardinal."
"..."
"Her Majesty left a message too..."
Gordolf smiled softly at the anxious Cardinal.
The Prince had created this opening.
No intention of wasting it.
Meanwhile, Theodor was
"Th-The G-Goddess said so!"
"Yes...?"
"Y-You're the one to save the world...!"
"Wrong person..."
"It's true!"
"Totally wrong!"
breaking into a cold sweat as the flushed Saintess clung to his hand, refusing to let go.