Chapter 106
Chapter 106
The people showed a fervent interest in the new program released by the Imperial Family. There was hardly any need for separate promotional efforts. The writing textbooks, which had been printed in what was thought to be a generous quantity, ran out in no time. People lined up to receive the textbooks. There were even some who would intentionally get in line two or three times. The lectures held every evening in each town square were always filled to capacity with people who possessed a passion for learning. The lectures, which started as a once-a-day event, increased to twice a day, and eventually to three times a day.
“The Crown Prince is truly something different. To think he’s a man who looks after all of us.”
“That’s what I’m saying. Who would have thought I’d start studying letters at my age?”
“I always thought studying was only for the noble lords.”
Ismel’s popularity among the citizens of the empire soared. Naturally, the reputations of Eleanor and the Broden Merchant Guild rose as well.
“If we’re going to buy something anyway, wouldn’t it be better to buy goods handled by the Broden Merchant Guild?”
“Of course. Places like that deserve to do well.”
This drew a positive response not only from the commoners but from the nobility as well.
“I must further solidify my relationship with the Everett family. I heard the son is an aide to His Highness the Crown Prince, and now the daughter is working with him as well… When His Highness inherits the throne later, their position will be incomparable to what it is now.”
“To be involved in an imperial project, they must be trustworthy. Plus, their reputation is excellent all around. Using their services would surely help my own reputation.”
As the Broden Merchant Guild’s sales showed steep growth, other nobles and merchants were shocked. They had witnessed with their own two eyes the profound impact a brand’s image could have on sales.
‘The promotional effect is that good!’ ‘Is there any way for us to get in on that?’
‘Should we also invest in some kind of social project?’
‘Until now, we’ve only cared about our noble clientele… It might be good to change our strategy.’
At some point, the Imperial Palace was flooded with inquiries from those who wished to sponsor the literacy education project. In other words, they wanted to place advertisements. Below the Broden Merchant Guild’s logo, the names of other stores began to be listed. The competition grew fiercer by the day, and the amount of sponsorship money rose accordingly. In the end, enough money came in to not only recover the initial project costs but to leave a surplus. This was a result that not even Eleanor had anticipated.
“A medal? For me?”
The Imperial Family decided to award Eleanor a medal for her contribution to lowering the empire’s illiteracy rate. Eleanor felt somewhat sheepish and scratched the back of her neck.
“But… I did it for money, didn’t I?”
And it wasn’t a small amount of money, either. The imperial chamberlain who came to deliver the news of the medal conferment answered with a gentle smile.
“It is the will of His Majesty, the Emperor.”
Eleanor narrowed her eyes and asked.
“Not the will of His Highness, the Crown Prince?”
“The two of them are generally of the same mind.”
…Since he put it that way, there was nothing more to add.
‘He’s… he’s terrifying!’
That was the first thought that entered Eleanor’s mind as she stood below the platform, facing the Emperor for the first time in her life. The Emperor possessed an incredibly sharp and cold impression. His facial features resembled Ismel’s, but his atmosphere was entirely different.
“Are you Eleanor Everett?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Eleanor answered politely, bowing her head.
“Hmm.”
The Emperor gazed at Eleanor’s face for a long while. Tense and stiff, Eleanor bowed her head a little deeper.
“I heard this project came to fruition through your proposal. You were the Prince’s teacher, I believe.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
The Emperor spoke in a meaningful voice.
“The Crown Prince sings your praises quite often. I have never seen that boy commend someone so highly before.”
“I am overwhelmed that His Highness thinks so highly of me.”
“On top of that, the Empress seems to be quite fond of you, and the Prince follows you well, does he not?”
Eleanor blushed and lowered her head. With eyes as sharp as a hawk’s, the Emperor observed her as if testing her.
“I wonder if you will be able to find favor in my eyes as well.”
The Emperor’s lips curled slightly. His expression was subtle, seeming both favorable and hostile at the same time.
“Come up.”
Eleanor followed the Emperor up onto the platform. Seeing the people gathered below, Eleanor swallowed dryly. Following the chamberlain’s instructions from the side, Eleanor moved stiffly, half-frozen with nervousness. The Emperor’s words hardly registered in her ears.
“…has become a model for others. Therefore, I hereby award Eleanor Everett a royal medal.”
The Emperor handed Eleanor a box containing the medal and a golden olive branch symbolizing the Imperial Family. At that moment, a thunderous applause erupted.
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor gave Eleanor a faint smile.
“I will be watching you from now on.”
「…In recognition of her meritorious service, she was awarded a royal medal.」
Sitting in the commander’s office, Kaidel held a newspaper from several days ago. Although he had already memorized the contents, Kaidel would read and re-read the short article whenever he had a spare moment. Putting down the newspaper, Kaidel then picked up a few sheets of thin, yellowed paper. It was an imperial language textbook he had painstakingly acquired from the nearest village.
「Eleanor Everett.」
Kaidel’s gaze lingered on the name printed boldly in the corner for a long, long time. His fingertips, as hard as stone, gently caressed the printed letters, as if they were the back of someone’s hand. The thin paper, devoid of warmth or scent, merely rustled. But Kaidel cherished even that, unable to easily put it down.
‘You seem to be doing well.’
Healthy, sharp, and brilliantly sparkling, as always. A radiant image of Eleanor was drawn vividly before his eyes. A faint smile brushed past Kaidel’s lips. Just thinking of Eleanor was enough to make his heart melt.
‘That’s a relief.’
Just as Kaidel was about to sink into sentimentality, a knock came from the door.
“Enter.”
“It is time, sir.”
His adjutant entered and informed him that it was time for training. Kaidel carefully placed the bundle of papers on his desk and rose from his seat.
“Let’s go.”
His gently relaxed face instantly regained its usual coolness. Having lost some weight, he looked even sharper than before. The long eyelashes cast dark shadows on his pale skin, giving him an almost decadent feel.
“Your Excellency.”
“What is it.”
The adjutant, who had been watching Kaidel with worried eyes, carefully spoke up.
“I believe you are overworking yourself. Of course, I am well aware of your strength, Your Excellency, but… doesn’t a person need days to rest? Everyone is concerned for your health.”
“…”
“You may not trust me, but you can leave this kind of training to me. Are you not busy enough just attending meetings?”
“We are all suffering together. I cannot rest alone. This is my duty.”
“Everyone else is taking turns resting. Please, take a moment to relax and perhaps take a nap.”
Kaidel stopped walking and looked at his adjutant. The man’s face showed genuine concern for him. Normally, he would have just passed by indifferently. He was not used to being the subject of someone’s worry. But after meeting Eleanor, Kaidel had awakened to the emotions between people. He had learned how to receive goodwill, how to be comforted when his heart was weary.
Kaidel called the adjutant by his name.
“Leonhardt.”
“Yes…?”
The adjutant’s eyes widened. It was the first time Kaidel had called him by his name, not his surname or rank. Could it be that his presumptuous worry had offended his superior? He tensed up immediately. Meeting the adjutant’s gaze, Kaidel parted his lips.
“It is not because I don’t trust you. I trust you. I know you will do just as well as I. I believe that even without me, you all will perform better than anyone.”
Kaidel continued in a calm voice. Once he overcame the initial slight awkwardness, the rest was easy.
“However, for now, I can still handle this myself. In fact, it’s better this way, as it allows me not to think of other things. But if at any point it becomes overwhelming, I will be sure to ask for your help then.”
The adjutant was moved by Kaidel’s words. It was enough to make his eyes well up with tears.
‘Finally… has he opened his heart to us!’
His men deeply respected and liked Kaidel, but they were often hurt by the polite distance he maintained, never allowing them to get close. They may have had the appearance of brown bears, but their sensibilities were those of sixteen-year-old girls. The adjutant, secretly wiping his nose, answered in a vigorous voice.
“Yes, Your Excellency. You can count on me anytime!”
“Tell everyone. Thank you for your concern.”
With a slight smile, Kaidel clapped the adjutant’s shoulder and strode out of the room. In that moment, the adjutant made a vow.
‘I’m writing in my diary as soon as I get back. I must transcribe this without a single word out of place.’
After finishing the high-intensity training that felt like his heart would explode, Kaidel returned to his quarters. There wasn't a spot on him that wasn't drenched in sweat, from head to toe. Kaidel roughly wiped his flushed cheeks and entered the room. His body felt heavy today.
‘Did I overdo it a bit?’
Tossing off his boots and sweat-soaked training clothes, Kaidel headed for the bathroom. Because he returned late, the bathwater had grown cold. But that was actually better. His whole body was radiating heat. Kaidel got into the bathtub and laid himself down. As he submerged his body in the lukewarm water, his tension eased, and a distant sensation washed over him. He let out a low groan.
‘When I first came down here, I thought it was a relief.’
When the Emperor had ordered him to go down to the provincial fortress, he had, embarrassingly, felt a bit relieved. It meant he could postpone the awkward conversation he needed to have with Eleanor. He had thought that if he moved with frantic tension, if he spent his days so arduously that his mind went blank, his feelings for Eleanor might settle down a little. That was why he constantly pushed himself.
‘There was no greater miscalculation.’
Kaidel gave a cool smile and swept back his wet hair. But no matter how busy his days were, no matter how he ran with a body so exhausted it could collapse at any moment, he could not forget Eleanor. On the contrary, his longing only grew deeper by the day. In this space, almost completely cut off from the outside world for security reasons, the occasional updates about Eleanor he came across in the newspaper were the only things that made him smile.
‘Eleanor Everett.’
To Kaidel, Eleanor was like a glass of water after grueling training. She was a sweet slumber at the end of a tiring day, a sudden shower after a heatwave.
Yes, it was love. A love that he had already given his all to, one that he could do nothing about even if it wasn't returned.
Kaidel rested his head on the edge of the tub and let out a soft sigh.
‘Eleanor, I miss you unbearably.’