Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Childhood (3)
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"Isabella sis~ Marie~ What brings you here? Don't you have magic lessons today, sis?"
"Hehehe, my sister and I came to have lunch with you, big bro."
"We made these sandwiches ourselves. We worked really hard on them, so give them a try~"
"Whoa, thanks! I was starving anyway. I'll dig in~"
Yuno eagerly opened the lid of the basket the princesses had brought. But the sandwiches, supposedly made by the princesses' own precious hands, were completely smashed from their excited run over, turning Isabella and Marie's faces to instant pouts.
"Waaah! The sandwich I made for you got all crushed, bro!"
"Th-this is all Marie's fault... I said we should go slowly... Sob... Waaah!"
Yuno was baffled by his sister and little sister crying over mere sandwiches, but he hugged them close and patted their backs soothingly.
"Sis, Marie, thank you. They're a bit crushed, but to me, they'll taste better than any food out there. How could a sandwich made by you and Marie not be delicious?"
"Sob... Really? Even though it's all smashed up like this?"
"Don't force yourself to eat it, Yuno... Tell the maids to make new ones..."
Before Isabella could finish, Yuno was already chomping down on the sandwiches. He wasn't picky about food anyway, and after the intense training he'd just endured, his body was starving for nutrients. Not leaving a single crumb behind, he devoured every bit of the crushed sandwiches.
"Mmm!! Delicious. They were amazing. They taste extra special because you and Marie made them."
At Yuno's praise, blushes bloomed on Isabella and Marie's cheeks. Seeing their beloved little brother—big brother—eat so heartily made all the morning's hard work skipping classes worth it.
"Hehehe, good thing you liked it. Seeing you eat so well makes it feel like no effort at all."
"Ah! But I ate everything, so there's nothing left for you two. Sorry. I was so hungry I just scarfed it all down without thinking."
"It's fine, bro. Just seeing you enjoy it fills me up. Hehehe."
Isabella and Marie were deeply grateful and adored Yuno even more for happily eating the sandwiches they'd ruined. Especially Isabella, the big sister, felt an even stronger urge to do something more for her sweet little brother.
"Yuno, how about I make you lunch every day? If you eat it happily, I'd be glad to..."
At that moment, the head maid interrupted Isabella. Cutting off a princess was a grave offense, but as the most senior maid who'd served by the empress's side for years, she had no qualms.
"Princess! You mustn't say such things. Didn't we let today's slip go only because you promised it was just once?"
"Aw, come on... Madeleine. Turn a blind eye, please. You know my evaluations in all my classes are perfect, right?"
"If you insist, then get permission from Her Majesty the Empress first. Then we'll overlook it."
Knowing that was impossible, Isabella pouted her lips. Her mother, Empress Yuria, was extremely strict about her children's education, even occasionally observing their lessons.
"Peeh~ Social dance and etiquette in the morning lessons are so unnecessary... I'm going to live forever with Mom, Yuno, and Marie, so I won't get married anyway."
"Your Highness... What dangerous words! If His Majesty hears, he'll have you punished."
It was common for princesses to marry foreign royalty or noble heirs upon reaching age. But Isabella and Marie hated that fate and had begged Empress Yuria to let them study magic and spirit arts instead.
Yuria, wanting her daughters to live differently from her, fully supported them and found excellent teachers.
Their talents were exceptional, so they'd already passed the basics and were learning intermediate levels. They even planned to leave the palace after mastering advanced magic and spirit arts as adults.
"Of course Father would. He's already pondering which country to sell us to for the best gain."
"You mustn't say such things!!"
The head maid glanced around worriedly, but fortunately no one had overheard. She let out a sigh of relief.
"Now, now~ Madeleine, don't get so mad. Sis, Marie, it's just for today, right? I'm grateful for the sandwiches, but Mom will worry, so you can't skip classes."
Sensing the conversation veering off, Yuno smoothly mediated and changed the subject.
"...Tch. You said it was delicious... Fine. But from today, you have to eat dinner with us every night?"
"Yeah, bro. You have to come, okay?"
Lately, Yuno had been skipping family dinners, grabbing quick meals at the knights' hall under training excuses. They saw this as a chance to pin him down, and under the pressure from his fearless sister and little sister, Yuno laughed and agreed.
"Oh yeah, the third princess from Leon Kingdom is coming today, right?"
"Yeah. Viscount Spier is escorting her. There's a welcome ceremony later, so you two should come too."
"But she's a hostage. Do they really need a full welcome?"
"Officially, she's an invited exchange student. Can't just say 'welcome' and be done with a foreign princess for the empire's face."
"True... Guess dinner's at the ceremony tonight. Excited, Yuno? They say Leon's third princess is super pretty. Same age as you?"
"Sis! What if that princess bewitches bro? I'll hold his hand tight!!"
"Right, Marie... Yuno's still young and might fall for a pretty face, so guard him well!! I'll take his right hand, you take the left."
Yuno sighed at his unusually clingy sister and little sister today. Lunch ended, and Isabella and Marie tearfully returned to the empress's palace for lessons. Yuno resumed training.
As sunset approached, feeling his muscles firmer after training, Yuno received a summons to the main palace. He quickly bathed at his residence, changed into fresh clothes with attendants' help, boarded a carriage, and headed to the emperor's quarters.
Entering the Emperor's Hall where the emperor held audiences, many ministers and royals were already there. Yuno joined his lined-up brothers, bowing in greeting.
Crown Prince Franz, seeing Yuno bow, spoke first.
"You're a bit late, Yuno."
"Sorry, brother. Training ran long, so washing up took time."
"Physical training is good, but for official imperial events, moderate it and arrive early. Make it a habit."
"Yes, understood."
After sternly lecturing Yuno briefly, the crown prince softened, smiling and ruffling his hair.
"Heh, how's the training going? I envy your stamina sometimes—I'm so frail."
"You'll be healthy in no time, brother. The physicians make excellent tonics daily for you."
"They don't boost stamina, though. Haha. But with fine brothers like you, I have no worries."
Franz slung arms around Yuno and Heinrich, laughing. But Second Prince Heinrich scowled. When Yuno briefly stepped away at Yuria's call, Heinrich vented openly at his brother.
"Brother, what's so great about that kid? He's just a lowborn from a concubine's womb."
"Heinrich!! She's not our birth mother, but she's the Valkan Empire's empress! Mind your words! And Yuno is our brother, born of the empress!"
"Tch, I can't accept some younger 'mother'."
Heinrich's voice carried to Yuno. The hall buzzed with nobles as the emperor hadn't arrived, but Yuno's superhuman hearing caught it clearly, making him frown inwardly.
'Tch, Second Prince brother's got a rotten personality... Dreaming of prime minister under brother? No way. Might even rebel later. Wish he'd ease up on me.'
Heinrich was 31, five years older than Empress Yuria, and Crown Prince Franz 33. He treated Yuno, Isabella, and Marie as non-royals, annoying Yuno, but he shrugged it off. Heinrich's rough nature soured relations even with brother Franz and sister Diane.
"His Imperial Majesty the Emperor enters."
The bustle hushed as the emperor appeared. Prime Minister Marquis Mark stepped to the podium below the throne, signaling the council's start.
"Mm~ It's been ages since I attended a council. Right, I had to be here today? Oh! The third prince is here too? Already that age? Time flies, haha."
Hearing himself mentioned, Yuno placed a fist over his heart and bowed lightly.
"Good, good. I hear you're studying hard. Training matches the Imperial Guard Knights already?"
"You overpraise me, Your Majesty. I barely keep up with the trainees."
Yuno downplayed to avoid showboating. But the emperor, briefed fully by Count Richtenaur, smiled.
"Heh, the Guard Knights' captain reported everything. With our third prince so diligent, I must reward you. You'll start mana cultivation soon, so I'll grant a fragment of the Dragon Heart from the treasury."
"Your Majesty! That's too lavish a reward!!"
Second Prince Heinrich stood in objection, nobles murmuring dividedly.
"Mm... Even if the third prince is physically gifted... A Dragon Heart is premature, no?"
"You and the second prince are civil officials ignorant of cultivation! Mana stones or herbs at the start help immensely!!"
"But the third prince has no achievements warranting it."
"What? Our empire scraping by on mercenaries like poor Alto beggars? Or primitive Mehikan hunters? Investing that in a promising prince—what's the issue?"
"Who said no investment? Dragon Hearts are rare in the empire—save for emergencies!"
"That's why desk-jockeys are impossible... It's not a fresh heart—just a fragment rotting in storage for decades!! Not that valuable! Mana fades over time! Better give it to the prince!"
BAM BAM BAM!!!
"Quiet!! This is the throne room!! Hold your tongues!!"
The commotion over Yuno's reward settled only after the prime minister slammed the podium and yelled. As the hall quieted, the smiling emperor spoke.
"I get your views. Opinions split evenly, so the crown prince decides. Franz, your thoughts?"
Eyes turned to Franz, who rose with a gentle smile.
"Naturally, I say grant it. My brother trains diligently to become a knight guarding our imperial house. As his elder, I can support that much."
"Well said. You brothers each excel in fields. United, you'll elevate the empire—perhaps crush Theseito in your era, Franz."
"Indeed, Your Majesty. Crown Prince Franz excels in prestige, politics, administration; Second Prince Heinrich grips the economy. If Third Prince Yuno handles military, the empire is secure."
Emperor's aide Marquis Garcia flattered, nobles agreeing, hall abuzz again. The emperor's smile deepened, envisioning the trio leading.
"I disagree, Marquis Garcia."
Yuno's words shattered the harmony. Garcia stammered toward him.
"Th-third prince... What do you mean? You..."
"Correct. I have no intent to handle military affairs. Commanding the empire's forces means wielding its greatest power! That's for our brother ascending the throne—not a mere subject like me."
"But with the Dragon Heart, you could become the empire's top sword like Count Richtenaur..."
"Personal prowess doesn't mean leading armies. Our current top swordsman, Count Richtenaur, only commands the Guard Knights, right? Likewise, I train solely to protect our family, as my name implies. So please refrain from suggesting I grasp military authority."
Yuno's 'family' was narrowly defined, unknown to the emperor and Franz, who seemed moved. The emperor burst into laughter.
"Kahahaha! Indeed, the third prince is right. The empire's military supreme is the emperor alone—then the crown prince. Kahahaha!"
"Your boundless grace, Your Majesty."
"But you misunderstand something, third prince. An emperor's duties aren't light, micromanaging armies. Ruling this vast empire demands endless tasks daily. Reliable kin and retainers are invaluable—you'll learn. Hone your martial skills to aid the crown prince. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Then add military studies to the third prince's curriculum from tomorrow. Agreed, Empress?"
"It shall be done, Your Majesty."
"And Second Prince, learn family loyalty from your young brother! Petty quibbling over a small reward? Pathetic for an adult."
"My regrets, Your Majesty!"
Under the emperor's command, Yuno agreed but inwardly grumbled at the extra classes.
Seeing his pout despite agreement, Crown Prince Franz smiled fondly; Heinrich hid deeper resentment behind a relaxed grin.
'Phew~ Studies increased, but this should stop brothers from eyeing me warily. Franz was always kind... Heinrich's expression softened—misunderstanding eased.'
Heinrich's hatred deepened, but Yuno, with scant social experience even in his past life, remained oblivious.