Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Childhood (4)
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"Alright! Somehow the discussion dragged on. Let's begin the imperial council now. Prime Minister? What's on the agenda today?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. First, requests for additional troop reinforcements have come from the territories of Baron Nikana and Baron Tesida, who are responsible for defending the left and right flanks of the central Monster Mountains."
"Hmm... That sounds rough... Things must be really bad over there these days. But we can't pull any more troops from the capital defenses, can we? That would leave our reserves for the Theseito front too thin."
In response to the emperor's question, Justice Minister Count Redburg replied.
"Exactly, Your Majesty. That's why we're pushing a policy to send prisoners from each region in place of their sentences, converting them into terms of service. If we promise to reduce their sentences by half, they'll comply."
"Won't that hurt morale in the ranks? The soldiers might misunderstand and think they're being treated the same as convicts."
Military Minister Marquis Zaitlitz answered that concern.
"To prevent that, we'll form separate units consisting only of prisoners. We'll call them penal battalions and appoint officers who have committed crimes themselves to command them."
"Hmm... Any worries about them staging a mutiny or deserting?"
"A valid concern, Your Majesty. But we'll equip them with magically crafted shackles. They explode if the commanding officer doesn't input a specific code once a week. We'll set the commander's interval longer and have them receive the code from the lord of the dispatched territory."
"Good! Handle it that way. Next item?"
The emperor and his high ministers processed agenda items at an astonishing pace. To Yuno, it was an impressive sight—the administrative prowess of the current emperor, Charles III, who had preserved the territories expanded by his predecessor and made the empire even more prosperous.
But Yuno had nothing to say or interject, so he pinched his thighs to fend off the waves of drowsiness.
"Your Majesty, the final item. The third princess of Leon Kingdom, sent here for studies at our imperial court, arrived via the capital magic circle at 3 p.m. today."
"Hm. No issues? No assassins slipping in through the magic circle?"
Imperial Guard Knights Captain Count Richtenaur personally reassured the emperor.
"Your Majesty! Vice-Captain Viscount Spier went to greet her himself, but the third princess of Leon arrived alone, without a single attendant."
Murmurs spread through the hall.
No way... Even if Leon lost to our empire in the war, sending their princess alone?
Study abroad is just an excuse—she's a hostage, sure, but shouldn't they at least send one or two escorts or servants?
Bang! Bang! Bang!!
"Quiet down! Can we stop turning every council into a noisy marketplace whenever someone speaks?"
"Come on, Prime Minister, don't be so harsh. Good policies come from this free atmosphere, don't they? Someone might think you handle everything alone. Kahahahaha!"
"Puhahaha!"
The emperor's joke drew explosive laughter from the nobles.
Prime Minister Marquis Mark's face flushed red, but he didn't forget to glare at the senior ministers, vowing to discipline the juniors after the emperor retired.
"Ahem, anyway, we've prepared a welcome banquet in the hall on the second floor of the main palace after the council. Please enjoy yourselves. Oh, and Your Majesty, you can retire right after receiving the Leon princess's greetings."
"Uhaha! You always know my heart, Prime Minister. My newest concubine is so beautiful, even at my age, I can't control myself. Kya kya kya."
A bitter smile crossed the faces of the empress, imperial family, and nobles at the emperor's demeanor.
Charles III was the only son of the previous emperor and had played a pivotal role as crown prince in the Xenon Plains Battle that forged the current Valkan Empire, granting him near-absolute imperial authority.
Yet he didn't tyrannize his subjects, lived modestly without extravagance, frequently inspected the populace firsthand to inform his policies, and embodied the ideal monarch.
However, he had one glaring flaw: he was a hopeless lecher.
If he were just an ordinary womanizer, it might be overlooked as 'even emperors like women,' but the problem was his extreme pedophilia—he didn't see women over sixteen as women.
Even Empress Yuria hadn't shared his bed since giving birth to Marie at sixteen, nor had any subsequent concubines after reaching that age.
Once the last concubine's birthday passed sixteen, the emperor went on a civil affairs inspection and brought back a ten-year-old slum girl as his newest one.
Yuno shook his head at the emperor's antics.
At least all his concubines are commoners, so no meddling in-laws... Small mercy for big brother, I guess. No kids from them either... Not really my business...
As Yuno pondered, trumpets blared, announcing the entry of the Leon Kingdom princess.
Clack, clack, clack, clack.
The sound of military boots—ill-suited to a princess—echoed down the corridor, and soon she appeared. Radiant golden hair, a chest surprisingly developed for her age, and crucially, a military uniform that clashed with her title draped her frame.
"I come to pay respects to His Majesty Charles III, the sole absolute ruler of the Valkan Empire. I am the third princess of Leon Kingdom, Eliza Sinclair de Leonhardt."
Leon Kingdom's third princess Eliza saluted crisply with her small frame.
"Welcome to the empire for your studies, Princess Eliza. You must have had a hard journey."
"Not at all, Your Majesty. I came via spatial magic circle, and Vice-Captain Spier, who escorted me, took excellent care of me. No inconveniences whatsoever."
After her greeting, Princess Eliza handed over Leon Kingdom's official letter to the emperor. Secretary Marquis Garcia received it and passed it on. The emperor skimmed it before handing it back to the prime minister.
"Hm~ Leon wants more trade goods: increased rubber, steel, and glue. And wheat aid since the war destroyed their farmlands. What do you think, Prime Minister?"
"Rubber is feasible, but glue—a strategic material—is tricky. Our army's equipment will consume this year's entire production. Instead, we'll negotiate more wheat shipments with Leon's ambassador, Your Majesty."
"Handle that as you see fit."
The emperor instructed the Finance Minister to consult with the prime minister, then turned back to Princess Eliza.
"Ah, I kept you waiting while discussing Leon's proposals. My apologies."
"It's fine, Your Majesty."
"How old are you, Princess? I heard you were young, but you don't look that childish."
"I just turned eleven, Your Majesty."
Eliza maintained her rigid demeanor matching her attire. The emperor's initial curiosity—and lust—faded completely at her attitude and ample bosom.
"Same age as our Yuno. Hm~ I heard you brought no escorts or attendants. Any reason?"
"Even if I brought guards, the empire could kill me effortlessly if it wished. What use would they be? And I assumed the empire wouldn't be so stingy as to deny a hostage princess one or two servants. Besides, since it's nominally for studies, I expect the same education as the imperial princes and princesses."
"Wh-what? What do you take our empire for?!"
"Hostage?! Is Leon saying Valkan Empire takes hostages?!"
The nobles erupted at Princess Eliza's blunt words, but the emperor silenced them with a gesture and burst into laughter.
The laugh came from an octogenarian, but its power hushed the nobles as they watched.
"Kahahahaha! What a bold princess! Kahahaha! Charles raised his daughter well—no trace of a spoiled brat. She takes after that guy. Right you are! You're a hostage, and we're not that petty."
"I am honored, Your Majesty."
"But words have consequences! Yuno!!"
Yuno startled at the sudden call but composed himself and stood.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Command me."
"From now on, share all your lessons with Princess Eliza—including physical training and military studies!"
The Military Minister rose in objection.
"Your Majesty! Military studies include imperial secrets on operations... That might be difficult."
"Tch! Leon already knows basic operational theory at the crown prince level! We're not the only ones with an intelligence bureau."
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
"Judging by her attitude, attire, and requests, she'll thrive with Yuno's education. She seems to want it too. Overlook basic secrets with the magnanimity of a great power."
Normally, a hostage princess would tea-party with the princesses or get tucked away in some corner of the palace... Dad's got a petty streak. Making her keep up with my training... She's doomed starting tomorrow, that princess.
To Yuno, the emperor seemed disappointed—expecting a dainty princess for tea and hand-holding strolls, only to get a stiff, insolent tomboy.
Even as a hostage, she's Leon royalty, so he won't touch her... But yeah, he's pissed. Hehe.
Yuno took a liking to Leon's straightforward third princess. He was already looking forward to tomorrow's lessons.
As soon as Princess Eliza's greetings ended, the emperor retired to his concubine, and a grand welcome banquet for Leon's princess commenced in the palace.
But perhaps due to her flashy entrance at court, no nobles approached her. Only Intelligence Chief Baron Legasota and Foreign Minister Marquis Brollo remained, probing for information.
"Ahem..."
Yuno approached from behind, clearing his throat to signal the ministers to step aside.
"Ah! Your Highness Yuno! Please, sit here! We didn't notice you..."
"We'll step away. You two talk."
Yuno sat beside the now-vacant spot next to Princess Eliza and greeted her.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Yuno Alexander Windrage von Valkan, third imperial prince of Valkan. As His Majesty said, same age—feel free to call me Yuno."
"Nice to meet you. Eliza Sinclair de Leonhardt. Call me Eliza, Your Highness."
The conversation stalled. Yuno racked his brain for what to say next in the awkward silence.
Then, like saviors, big sister Isabella and little sister Marie burst into the banquet hall and rushed to Yuno.
"Oppa~~ We're here!"
"Yuno~ Didn't you miss your big sis?"
"It's only been five hours... Gahk!!"
Isabella and Marie tackled him simultaneously. Even Yuno's sturdy frame reeled from the impact.
"Oppa! Who's this girl?"
At Marie's question, Isabella finally noticed the Leon princess and straightened her attire.
"Marie!! You heard earlier!! Pardon me. Isabella Erica Windrage von Valkan."
Isabella bowed, then poked Marie's side.
"Eek... Sis always picks on me... I'm Marie Erica Windrage von Valkan. Just call me Marie. Sorry, I got confused 'cause you're not what I pictured. Nice to meet you, sis. Hehe."
"Marie!!"
"It's fine, Princess Isabella. I'm Eliza Sinclair de Leonhardt. Call me Eliza. Pleased to meet you, Princess Marie."
A smile finally touched Eliza's lips at Marie's innocent charm.
Isabella and Marie clung to Yuno's hands as before, refusing to let go. Yuno pried them off gently.
"Hahaha, Princess Eliza, my sisters are immature... Sorry for the blunder..."
"Hey! Yuno! Wanna die? Why lump me with Marie?!"
"You... You jumped and clung to me first, same as her... No fair now."
"Right! Oppa! I'm still better than sis!"
The siblings bickered as usual, even before a foreign princess, until Empress Yuria arrived and scolded them.
"You three!!! Princes and princesses behaving like this at a formal event? Sorry, Princess Eliza."
"N-no, Your Imperial Majesty. Please, no need for such courtesy."
Unable to greet the empress seated, Eliza shot to her feet and bowed deeply.
"Hohoho, shall I? You'll be staying at my empress palace from now on, so relax. Must've been tough coming to the empire—come rest with me. No point staying here; it'll just tire you out."
Yuria pulled Eliza to her feet.
"Your Majesty! If the banquet's guest of honor leaves so soon..."
"Bah! From up here, no one's with her—just Intelligence and Foreign Affairs yapping nonsense. I sent the kids myself! What are you all doing to an eleven-year-old who came alone?!"
The nobles bowed in shock at the empress's rare anger.
"You'd handle things fine without the kids anyway. I'll take Princess Eliza to rest. Foreign Minister, wrap up the banquet appropriately."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Eliza followed the stunned Empress Yuria in a daze, with Isabella, Yuno, and Marie trailing to the empress palace.