Chapter 5
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Where is Your Mother?
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After the parade ended, I was getting ready to enter the banquet hall.
The golden doors slowly swung open, and the air in the hall instantly froze.
The Emperor of the Empire entered with dignified strides, and beside him walked the Empress, shining like a dazzling jewel.
And then, the moment the First Imperial Prince appeared between them, taking small steps forward, the hall stirred like a silent wave.
He was only five years old, but his gaze was remarkably straight and unwavering.
The nobles bowed their heads deeply, yet they couldn't hide their varied inner thoughts.
'That child will one day be our lord...' Eyes filled with awe and expectation.
'He's still just a kid.' Some smirked inwardly in disdain, while others gazed with conviction: 'As the son of the Empress... he'll surely grasp the Empire one day.'
No one spoke it aloud, but everyone felt it.
The Empire's past, present, and future were walking side by side.
And at the center stood the young prince, shining brighter than any ornate decoration.
At the heart of the banquet hall, upon the highest dais, the imperial authority was fully displayed.
As the Emperor sat in the central golden throne, the Empress soon took her place at his right.
The young First Imperial Prince sat between them.
Behind the Emperor, in seats one level lower, the First Imperial Consort and Second Imperial Consort took their places in turn.
Even amid the splendid decorations and graceful smiles, a subtle tension flowed.
The First Imperial Consort kept her eyes modestly lowered, while the Second Imperial Consort bowed her head carefully, her gaze subtly directed toward the Empress and the prince.
The arrangement on the dais made it clear.
The Empire's present was the Emperor and Empress; its tomorrow, the young prince.
And the consorts silently holding their positions behind them wrapped the imperial authority even more firmly, like unseen shadows of politics.
The nobles raised their glasses with smiles, but their eyes lingered on each seat.
Some pledged their loyalty, while others calculated inwardly.
Tonight's banquet was splendid, but behind the stage, the Empire's fierce power structure was already vividly clear.
The Emperor rose from his seat and declared,
"Subjects of the Empire, and nobles who grace this gathering today.
Today is a momentous day commemorating the founding of our great Empire.
Our ancestors pioneered this land with blood and sweat, and upon their sacrifices and devotion stands our glorious Empire today.
As Emperor, I inherit that will and promise peace and prosperity to the people.
Under the Empire's skies, hunger shall vanish, injustice shall be crushed, and justice shall stand firm.
This is possible not by my strength alone, but by the loyalty and devotion of all our subjects advancing together.
And behold. This child at my side, the First Imperial Prince, is the Empire's future and hope.
Though only five years old, there is no fear in his eyes, and his steps carry the Empire's tomorrow.
We must watch over him, teach him, and stand with him as he grows.
Today, I declare from this place: The Empire shall not waver, and our descendants shall usher in an even greater era.
As long as the imperial family and the people unite and advance, no enemy, no crisis, can break us."
-May radiant light shine upon the Empire!
With the Emperor's speech concluded, the banquet truly began.
The orchestra played music, and the nobles mingled, flaunting their connections over drinks.
My parents and I descended the stairs to join the banquet.
As the Emperor, Empress, and young First Imperial Prince stepped down from the dais, the tense air in the hall began to ease.
The Emperor took a glass and greeted the nobles, while the Empress welcomed them with elegant smiles.
At that moment, a middle-aged man with golden hair and blue eyes stepped forward.
His neatly trimmed mustache exuded an authority that lightly shook the weight of the banquet hall as he approached the Emperor.
He was Duke Ardell, head of the Empire's oldest prestigious house.
"Your Majesty, Your Imperial Majesty, and young Highness."
The Duke bowed with dignity.
His low, weighty voice drew the surrounding nobles to listen quietly.
Beside him stood two boys side by side.
The eldest son, thirteen-year-old heir to the Ardells, was already much taller than his peers, and his blue eyes, inherited from his father, held a composure beyond his years.
Beside him, the seven-year-old second son gazed at the First Imperial Prince with curious eyes, tugging lightly at his brother's hem as if whispering.
The Empress smiled subtly at the children, and the Emperor raised his glass to the Duke.
For a moment, the boundary of authority dividing the dais above and below vanished, creating a strange tension as if the Empire's 'present' and 'future' met in one place.
As the Emperor, Empress, and I exchanged greetings with Duke Ardell, the Empress's gaze lingered on the two sons beside him.
Then, suddenly, she asked in a soft yet clear voice,
"Come to think of it, I don't see the Duke's daughter. Is there a reason she isn't joining us on such a meaningful occasion?"
Duke Ardell's mustache twitched briefly at the question. But he soon smiled and replied,
"Ah, my daughter is still a bit frail. She's not quite ready to endure the long parade and the heat of this banquet."
The Duke clasped his hands carefully and continued,
"So until her debutante, we're letting her rest at home without overdoing it. When the time comes, we'll prepare her with utmost care so she can stand before Your Highnesses more beautifully and proudly than anyone."
The Empress nodded, and the Emperor raised his glass with a light smile.
'Ardell? That sounds familiar... Was there a companion character by that name? So one of these two boys in front of me is...?'
I eyed the two Ardell sons, missing the skip buttons I'd hammered in my past life.
Duke Ardell maintained his composed expression, but his two sons seemed slightly tense, lowering their eyes.
As if wrapping up the topic of his daughter, the Duke averted his gaze.
A brief smile passed beneath his mustache, laced with a softness he seemed to hold back.
"My apologies, Your Majesty, for dwelling on such trivial family matters."
The Duke lightly raised his glass and bowed politely.
"Instead, allow me to introduce my sons."
He placed a hand lightly on his eldest son's shoulder.
"This is my eldest, the heir to House Ardell, Raphael. Only thirteen, but quite reliable with his maturity beyond his years."
Raphael bowed with refined poise unusual for his age, greeting the young prince clearly.
The Duke then called his second son forward.
"And this is my youngest, seven-year-old Yohan. Still full of mischief and clumsy... but he'll grow splendidly alongside his brother."
Yohan looked at the prince, then smiled and bowed his head.
Soon after, the Emperor, Empress, and Duke Ardell raised their glasses and mingled among the nobles.
As the grand banquet's adult conversations stretched on, a small circle naturally formed with just us children.
I blinked, looking at the two boys opposite me.
Tall Raphael stood with mature poise, hands clasped calmly, while Yohan beside him stared piercingly at the prince with curiosity-filled eyes.
Raphael spoke first in a clear voice.
"Your Highness, it's an honor to meet you."
I nodded and replied,
"Yeah, nice to meet you too."
Yohan stepped closer and asked in a small voice,
"Your Highness, do you like swords by any chance?"
It was out of the blue, but kids this age all have similar interests, so I answered casually.
"Ah, I avoid them since they strain my joints. Soon I'll hollow out a wooden sword to lighten it. Exercise is good for growth, but overdoing it can make your bones ache later, you know?"
Yohan's face went blank at my words, and Raphael looked at me like I'd said something bizarre.
Embarrassed, I tried changing the subject by asking them,
"By the way, where's the Duchess?"
"She passed away five years ago."
It felt like stepping on a landmine right from the first conversation.
Raphael answered with a complicated expression, and Yohan looked on the verge of tears.
To quickly shift topics, I steered the conversation elsewhere.
"Ah, you said your little sister is delicate? Is she... sick or something?"
As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized my mistake.
From their late mother to their frail sister—I'd landed a double unintentional jab.
Wishing I'd just shown them mana thread tricks instead, I regretted it deeply.
Raphael's face held a hint of resentment, and Yohan was nearly in tears.
"She's... no need for Your Highness to worry."
"...I'll apologize for that."
"Not at all."
To dodge the cold dagger piercing my chest, I excused myself and went to my mother.
"Mother, I'd like to step out for a rest."
"Oh, my prince, you must be tired. Come, let's go together."
Holding my mother's hand, I left the banquet hall.
"Mother... talking to people is really hard."
"My? What happened to my little prince?"
Her gentle question made my heart ache.
"...Nothing."
"Hehe, they're kids you just met, so try to get along."
Feeling I'd botched it from the start, I just headed straight to my room.