Chapter 625: The Prince
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 625: The Prince
"Seviel."
"Ah, Your... Your Highness."
Inside the carriage, Seviel hurriedly tucked away a small newspaper and looked toward the young man who had just stepped inside.
The young man wore a set of opulent formal clothes. He was handsome, possessed a refined temperament, and exuded absolute confidence in every gesture. The moment he lifted the curtain and stepped in, he seemed to radiate light, possessing an indescribable nobility.
"Just call me Milne, or 'Brother' is fine. Between cousins, there’s no need for such formalities."
Milne waved a hand with a smile and sat down casually across from Seviel. The tulip emblem on his chest, the symbol of the Saint Perod Royal Family, shone with a dazzling luster.
"Brother Milne."
Seviel gave a playful, thin-lipped smile. She then curiously pulled back the window curtain and asked, "You actually have time to come over now? Are we almost there?"
"Yes, we’ve arrived. The vanguard is about to make contact with the Empire’s welcoming envoys. We should make our own preparations to meet them as well."
"I see."
Seviel looked up. The long procession stretched all the way to the massive city in the distance. The diplomatic delegation sent by the Kingdom this time was truly enormous; over a hundred carriages were filled with rare treasures, silks, and satins. The Empire, not daring to be negligent, had sent a large number of envoys to receive them. As the two massive groups prepared to meet, it was like two gargantuan beasts cautiously extending their feelers toward one another. The gates of Belland, the most prosperous city on the continent, had slowed to a rare standstill.
Yet Seviel wasn't focused on this moment that could influence the future of two great nations. She was only thinking... That person should be in this city right now, shouldn't he?
"It looks like it’ll still take a bit of time," Seviel whispered, glancing at the paper in her hand out of the corner of her eye.
"All the more reason to prepare early!"
The wind rushed into the carriage as the curtain was lifted again. A white-haired but vigorous old man climbed inside.
"Teacher!"
"Teacher Hertz."
The two of them stood up simultaneously to offer their greetings.
"Mm, sit."
The old man named Hertz nodded slightly. His sharp gaze swept across the carriage. He frowned slightly upon seeing Seviel’s relaxed posture but said nothing. However, when his gaze landed on Milne, it instantly softened.
"How does Your Highness feel?"
"In what regard, Teacher?"
"Your state of mind, naturally. What comes next is of the utmost importance; there is no room for even a single mistake."
"There is no need to worry, of course."
Milne gave a confident smile. "In your eyes, Teacher, have I ever made a mistake?"
"Haha, that is exactly why you are my most prized student."
Hertz laughed heartily. "It seems I truly have nothing to worry about. With you taking action, things will naturally go smoothly."
"Um..."
While the two were conversing happily, a cautious voice interrupted them at an inopportune moment.
Seviel raised her hand, shrinking her neck slightly as she spoke. "Is that matter really so easy to achieve?"
"What?"
Hertz looked at his cold-water-dashing student with considerable displeasure.
"I mean... the matter of proposing to Celicia... no, to the current Empress of the Empire. Will it really go that smoothly? That Empress... I remember she has a fiancé, doesn't she?"
"What of a fiancé? In the face of the interests of great nations, a mere piece of paper like an engagement contract is not even worth mentioning."
Hertz snorted, speaking as if it were a matter of course. "Though that Empress has some skill, she is ultimately just a little girl. It’s said that as soon as she took the throne, she began a bloodbath within the Empire, executing many influential nobles. Therefore, the situation in the Empire must be unstable. She will inevitably seek external help. Having His Highness become her husband to gain the Kingdom's support is undoubtedly her best option."
"But..."
"I think I know what Seviel means."
Milne interjected, seemingly coming to her defense. "You believe that Muen Campbell’s status is special, and that the Empress won't break the engagement because she needs the full support of Duke Campbell, right?"
"That... I suppose so." Seviel unconsciously crumpled the newspaper in her hand.
"Celicia’s fame is known throughout the continent, as is her engagement to Muen Campbell. When it was first announced, who knows how many of her admirers wanted to eat Muen Campbell alive... Now that she’s become the Emperor, she still hasn't shown any intention of canceling the engagement. I imagine it won't be that easy to break."
"Heh, you're right. That is indeed a logical explanation. But in the end, everything is for the sake of profit."
Milne held out both hands and slowly clenched his fingers into fists, as if comparing their size. A trace of arrogance curled at the corner of his mouth.
"Muen Campbell has value to her, so she chose Muen Campbell. Therefore, as long as I can demonstrate greater value than that Muen Campbell, Empress Celicia will naturally choose me. Otherwise, why hasn't she canceled the engagement for so long? Could it really be because of so-called 'feelings'? That Muen Campbell doesn't exactly have the best reputation."
"Brother Milne, don't be deceived by those rumors!"
Seviel sat up straight, her expression solemn. "I participated in the Holy City Trial with Muen Campbell. He isn't the playboy the rumors suggest. On the contrary, he is extremely capable. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gained the Church's favor."
"So what?"
Milne chuckled. "There are far too many outstanding people on this continent, but how many can truly catch my eye? In fact, if I hadn't been at a critical juncture last time, I would have represented the Kingdom in that trial. If I had, we wouldn't have ended up with nothing, being deceived by the Church at every turn. To this day, we still don't know what that 'Lost Homeland' thing actually was."
"...I'm sorry."
"There's no need to apologize, Seviel. You did your best."
Milne patted Seviel’s head, his tone gentle. "You shouldn't be too hard on yourself. There are many geniuses in this world; it’s normal that you can't keep up. After all... only your cousin is special."
"Indeed, His Highness is special."
Hertz stroked his beard and nodded. "That talent of his is unmatched. To be honest, I didn't agree with this plan at first. I felt that sending Your Highness to the Empire would be a massive loss for the Kingdom. It’s just those short-sighted fools... sigh!"
"Teacher, there is no need to worry. I will always be a man of the Kingdom, so how could there be any loss? On the contrary, by being in the Empire, I can seize even more benefits for the Kingdom. Perhaps even..."
A flicker of heat flashed in Milne’s eyes. To him, compared to being a prince in the Kingdom with over a dozen older brothers ahead of him and no end in sight, the other side seemed to offer much more room for maneuvering.
After all, it was common knowledge that the Imperial Royal Bloodline was currently withered.
The Empress had even lost both of her brothers. In the future, those qualified to inherit the throne probably wouldn't even fill one hand.
Ambition and desire were like a wildfire; once a single spark caught, it was hard to extinguish.
Milne didn't bother to control the spreading fire in his heart... because he was supremely confident in himself.
Muen Campbell? He was nothing more than a pebble on the road ahead. He would simply kick him aside.
"Speaking of which, that Empress is a famous genius and beauty on the continent. I can hardly call this a loss; in fact, I’m coming out ahead."
"Haha, true. However, Your Highness should not be overly arrogant. Don't forget that we have another mission this time."
"Rest assured. If even winning over the Empress is a simple matter, the other task will be child's play."
"Indeed. But we still cannot slacken."
Hertz sighed. "The Kingdom has been suppressed by the Empire for too long. It’s time to reclaim some dignity. Otherwise, they’ll truly think our Kingdom has no one of talent."
"Understood."
Milne looked out the window. "That will also be the perfect opportunity for me to demonstrate my value."
...
Soon, the idle chatter ended, and Hertz was the first to leave.
"Brother Milne."
Seviel suddenly called out to Milne as he was also preparing to depart. After a moment of hesitation, she suddenly pumped her fist.
"Good luck! I believe you can definitely kick Muen Campbell out of that spot!"
"Hmm?"
Milne turned back, looking confused for a moment before smiling.
"So that's why you were saying all those things. Were you worried about me?"
"That... I suppose so."
A hint of bashfulness appeared on Seviel’s face.
"Thanks."
Milne patted Seviel’s shoulder. "But don't worry. As I said, this time, success is guaranteed!"
This wasn't arrogance; it was a judgment Milne had made based on his own strength.
From the moment he awakened that talent, any setback or hardship was merely a stepping stone for his ascent. Nothing could stop him.
"Now then, where should I start?"
Milne adjusted his cravat and stepped out of the carriage, murmuring to himself.
"Perhaps I should start with a private meeting. A first impression always gives a good boost to one's favorability, making it easier for me to further..."
...
...
"She will not see you."
"Eh? What?"
"Her Majesty is currently overwhelmed with affairs of state and truly cannot agree to Prince Milne’s request for a private meeting. Please understand."
After the delegation made contact, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marquis Angus, rejected Milne’s request with a businesslike attitude. His refusal was so smooth and resolute that it seemed as if he had been instructed in advance.
"However, Prince Milne need not worry. At tonight’s state banquet, Her Majesty will certainly meet with the Kingdom’s representatives with the highest standards of etiquette."
"A state banquet? But..."
A state banquet was formal and noisy, a place where various factions calculated and clashed. Even if he presented his best image, it would likely be diluted by the surrounding environment.
Milne quickly signaled to his teacher, asking him to help speak up.
But...
"Until then, I ask that Your Highness wait patiently. If Your Highness is at leisure and feels there is nothing to do, I will send someone to act as a guide and show you the famous sights of Belland."
With a wave of his hand, Marquis Angus gave Milne no further opportunity to request. Grand ceremonial music began to play, and the delegation started to move slowly into the city.
Amidst the curious gazes of the Imperial citizens lining the streets, Milne frowned.
"She won't see me... Heh..."
He didn't lose his fighting spirit. Instead, a confident curve once again formed at the corner of his mouth, and the fire in his eyes burned even brighter.
"Interesting... It seems I’ll have to get serious."
...
...
"Ah, how relaxing."
Muen lay on a lounge chair in the shade, staring with the dead eyes of a slacker at the blue sky peeking through the gaps in the plane tree leaves.
No evil gods.
No villains.
No crisis of world destruction.
And no shitshows.
Ah, this breeze, these trees, this sky... how wonderful.
The Academy is the best after all.
Here, even Celicia, Anna, and Liya can't just expand their domains and start another shitshow, right?
All is right with the world. All is right with the world.
As for that diplomatic mission the Pink Bear mentioned that wants to propose... who cares?
If that Prince Milne guy can actually get Celicia to see him privately outside of official business, then that guy must be so handsome it's a crime against humanity.
But...
"Can he really be more handsome than me?"
Muen narcissistically struck a pose toward the sky, feeling that after surviving such an unforgettable ordeal, his temperament had reached a new level.
If even such a disastrous shitshow couldn't break him, who else could...
"Brat."
Suddenly, a voice rang in Muen’s ear, causing his relaxed expression to freeze instantly.
"Get your ass over to the Flower Sea."
"Eh? Right now? I just survived a life-and-death crisis, I haven't even—"
"Right. Now."
A certain old loli said coldly.
"If you don't come, you'll be flying through the sky in three separate pieces today!"
"..."
Three pieces...
That damned old loli.
She was definitely hiding somewhere and peeping again, wasn't she!
Muen gnashed his teeth, but he was powerless against her. He could only record this grudge in his little notebook for now and scurry off toward the Flower Sea.