The Small Sun of the Empire

Outside the Crown Prince's door, we exchanged notes just in case someone was listening.

As expected of the Duke's daughter, she was incredibly thorough.

"..."

Linet nodded silently and turned back.

"Whew..."

Facing a confrontation with the Crown Prince, I let out a deep sigh. I had to watch my words very, very carefully. Steeling my trembling nerves, I maintained a calm facade and stepped into the room.

As soon as I entered, the Crown Prince sprang to his feet, unable to hide his utter bewilderment.

"You... You're the one from back then...!"

"I greet the Small Sun of the Empire, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince."

"I was scheduled to speak with the Lady Linet. Why are you the one entering my chambers?"

"I requested it, Your Highness."

"I have no interest in your wishes, nor do I have anything to say to you. Leave before I call the guards."

"Even if I told you I know the secret behind the incident—and the identity of the real culprit?"

The Crown Prince's indifferent eyes suddenly darkened like a setting sun.

"The culprit has already been apprehended. I have no idea what you are talking about."

It's written all over your face.

"You can only play dumb for so long, Your Highness. I already know everything."

The Crown Prince clasped his hands behind his back and stared out the window.

"Does that mean you are accusing me of being the culprit?"

"Yes, I am."

"Are you aware that insulting the imperial family is a crime?"

"I didn't come here to insult or threaten you. I'm not insane enough to play games with the Crown Prince."

"Then why go to such lengths to seek me out? Even dismissing everyone ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠around us?"

"I came to strike a deal."

The Crown Prince's brow twitched.

"And why should I agree to any deal? I could have you eliminated right here, right now."

"Lady Linet already knows everything. Even if you get rid of me, the truth will still come to light."

"So... you've made preparations?"

"Precisely."

"...Very well. I shall hear you out first."

I took a seat and cut straight to the chase.

"You, Your Highness, must be the first to send the annulment request."

The Crown Prince's face contorted.

"Are you telling me to shoulder all the blame?"

"One cannot catch two rabbits at once, Your Highness. Isn't the reason you desire this annulment because of Lady Seri Verdia?"

"How do you...!"

Because I read the original novel...

"Because I witnessed it with my own two eyes."

"..."

The Crown Prince closed his eyes tightly and pinched the bridge of his nose. He seemed to realize that things had gone horribly, terribly wrong.

I offered a proposal that would benefit him as well.

"As I mentioned, Lady Linet is in the same position. She cannot have it both ways either."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Your Highness, your greatest concern is ruining your relationship with the Ducal House. After all, this isn't just a personal matter. However, the same goes for Lady Linet."

"Does Linet wish for an annulment as well?"

"Yes. She wishes to pursue her alchemy. Therefore, you are not the only one who desires to break this engagement."

The Crown Prince swept his bangs back and sighed.

"And? If what you say is true, it still doesn't change the fact that I have to bear the brunt of the political fallout."

"The Ducal House will also send an annulment request."

"Do you think that is as easy as it sounds? If it were, I wouldn't have..."

"The world is full of things you'll never know unless you try. Don't you desperately desire Lady Seri Verdia?"

"..."

The Crown Prince fell into deep thought. Even to him, it was a highly tempting offer. Well, regardless of Linet's standing, the imperial family would respect the Crown Prince's decision. If both sides submitted annulment requests simultaneously, it would shift from a political conflict between the Imperial Family and the Ducal House to a mutual, personal decision.

A brief silence filled the room. Once his internal debate concluded, the Crown Prince finally spoke.

"Very well, I accept the deal. However, I cannot fully trust you. How do I know you won't make this public later?"

"You need not worry about that, Your Highness. I am in a position where I must stay in your good graces."

"Are you hoping to secure a noble title?"

"Indeed. I want a title of nobility."

The Crown Prince stroked his chin.

"...That is not something I can grant on a whim. You are aware that the laws have changed, yes?"

"I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠am not asking for a title without merit. I only ask that you lend me your support when the official request ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠is made."

"It seems you have a plausible plan in mind."

"It won't take very long."

The Crown Prince stood up.

"Fine. The baseline conditions are met. More than anything, I like your attitude. Perhaps I have been too greedy lately."

That's not greed. That's the sin of avarice.

I had felt this while reading the original novel, and even more so after transmigrating: most of the characters in this world seemed to have a screw loose. Luther's image might have changed, but a person's true nature never does. The same went for Winston. Or perhaps I was the one struggling to adapt to high society.

And then there was that one guy from the Four Great Ducal Houses who hadn't appeared yet. He was the only normal one...

"What are you thinking about so deeply?"

Ah. I had lost myself in thought for too long right in front of the Crown Prince.

"It is nothing, Your Highness. I am simply glad we have established a cooperative relationship."

"A cooperative relationship? I wouldn't go that far. You may leave now. I have much to ponder."

"I am glad our discussion went well. I shall take my leave."

"How did it go?"

Linet's eyes wavered. I could feel her anxiety radiating toward me.

"It went well. However..."

"However?"

"You must also submit an annulment request, Lady Linet."

Linet let out a heavy sigh.

"Sigh... I told you, that isn't something I can just do on my own."

"It was the bare minimum condition. Besides, if annulment requests are sent from both sides, the narrative changes completely."

"...You mean it will be treated as a personal matter rather than a political clash between the Ducal House and the Imperial Family?"

"Exactly. Though other nobles might try to tear you apart with gossip..."

Linet snorted.

"Who would dare gossip about the Duke's daughter and the Crown Prince? Are you looking down on me?"

"Haha, I suppose you're right."

Linet tugged at my sleeve.

"Do you have some time? I'd like to talk."

"Do you have something else to discuss regarding this matter?"

"No. I just want to vent."

To vent. Well, she must have bottled up a lot of emotions by now. I gladly accepted her invitation.

"Of course. I will listen to whatever you have to say."

"I knew I could count on you. Let's go somewhere else."

Visiting Mikaris's and Linet's dormitories made me realize something... they had separate parlors just for receiving guests. I had assumed they only had private bedrooms, but I suppose that was the standard for high-ranking nobility.

Linet's servant filled my teacup.

"Ah, thank you."

The maid gave me a warm smile. Taking in the aroma of the tea, my mind felt instantly cleared. The taste was neither astringent nor bitter—it was absolutely perfect.

So this is the kind of tea nobles drink.

For some reason, a wave of sorrow washed over me.

She's nothing like Larry.

Then, Linet asked me, "What do you think of alchemy?"

"It's incredible. Turning lead into gold, and gold into diamonds... Isn't it almost like the power of a creator?"

"I've never heard anyone put it that way before."

"Really? I'm the first?"

That was unexpected. I thought most people would be amazed, shouting, "What! Turning lead into gold?!"

"To be honest, those rumors are ancient history. It's strictly forbidden by law now. More than anything, the alchemy formulas for those transmutations have been completely lost."

Well, that made sense. If anyone could just manufacture gold and diamonds, their value would plummet to zero.

Linet looked out the window and continued.

"My dream is to create a panacea."

"Is that why you wanted the Mandragora?"

"Yes. It's a long story, but... the current Duchess isn't actually my biological mother."

Not her biological mother? Even as someone who read the original novel, this was news to me.

"Haha, don't look so shocked. It's not something I'm ashamed of."

A bittersweet expression crossed her face as she went on.

"When I was young, my mother passed away from an incurable illness. I was too small to remember exactly how I felt back then, but there is one thing I can never forget."

"What is it?"

"The tears of grief and the despair of loss from everyone around me. An incurable disease in the House of Estupina, the greatest masters of alchemy... it was absurd."

"Since alchemy is deeply intertwined with medicine."

"Exactly. The moment the Duchess passed away was the exact moment their utter incompetence was laid bare to the world."

"..."

Linet tried to hide her emotions, but a deep, inescapable sorrow lingered in her melancholic eyes.

I asked her gently, "Perhaps, Lady Linet, you were the one who grieved the most."

"What do you mean?"

"Going as far as seeking a Mandragora just to create a panacea... I believe that sorrow and despair didn't just come from the atmosphere of that room, but from deep within your own heart. That is how much you loved your mother."

"..."

Linet stared at me in silence.

"You are going to achieve great things, Lady Linet. Even if things don't look so bright right now."

"I hope so..."

I gently took Linet's hand and continued.

"There is a saying in this world: the darkest hour is just before the dawn."

"The darkest hour is just before the dawn?"

"That is exactly where you are right now. Your sun is only just beginning to rise, Lady Linet."

"What if... what if my sun isn't about to rise, but is actually setting?"

"Then I will become your sun. No matter the pressure from your family, no matter the harsh judgment of high society, and even when those things make you want to give up on your dreams... I will always be here to support you. You will have me, if no one else."

Linet burst into a sudden laugh.

"Haha! You really have a way with words, don't you?"

Of course. Back in my world, they used to call me a silver-tongued swindler.

"I hear that often. But truly, I sincerely hope you achieve your dream, Lady Linet."

"I've never received such overwhelming support before. Truly, never..."

At that moment, something warm spilled down her cheek. It was her melted sorrow. Though nothing was set in stone yet, the sudden spark of hope that she could continue her alchemy brought a relentless stream of tears to her eyes. Flustered and unsure of what to do, she simply let them flow. Yet, despite the tears tracing paths down her cheeks, her lips curved into a bright, genuine smile.

Smile. Rejoice.

I know the fate you were originally destined to walk. The catalyst that would have corrupted your kind heart. The future where you would have turned into a villainess, committing horrific crimes.

But you don't have to worry ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠anymore.

Because it is enough that I am the only one who remembers that dark future.