NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18
On the way to the Imperial Palace. I leaned against the carriage window and organized my thoughts.
First of all, there’s no way the Imperial Family wouldn’t know when I returned to my family.
Their eyes and ears are everywhere. This isn’t a place that governs a mere village.
Calculating the time, they must have sent the message knowing I was about to arrive.
So, is this entire situation merely a loyalty test?
Are they just checking my reaction to this bothersome order?
“No, that’s impossible. The Imperial Family is not some local company.”
Moreover, the Imperial Decree is absolute. In its face, any noble is just a vassal.
The issue of inconvenience doesn’t even apply here.
I shouldn’t respond that way, and even thinking such things is nonsensical.
“…Then, the conclusion is simple.”
There must have been some situation that necessitated my recall.
I’ve heard about this individual. Someone has taken an interest in me.
Originally, they would have taken their time to figure out what kind of person I am.
But something must have happened, and they deemed it a good opportunity to evaluate me.
Thus, I was summoned to the Imperial Palace at what feels like an ambiguous timing.
“Prince Kael!”
And my expectations were only reinforced upon meeting the Second Princess.
“The Duke of Bertier Empire, Kael Clausewitz, greets Your Highness the Second Princess.”
“Ah… Yes, yes. It’s good to see you again, Prince Kael.”
How long has it been since we last met? So we’re on familiar terms now? What madness is this?
I am a noble and a vassal, while a princess is of royal blood and at the heart of this Empire.
That gap can’t be bridged. Even if those two classes were to marry, it would still be the same.
“Um, first of all… I want to apologize. I know it’s only been a few days since I returned to my family, and yet I was summoned urgently.”
“What are you saying, Your Highness? I am a vassal of the Empire, so when I receive a summons from the Imperial Family, I will run without the slightest doubt.”
Expressing my loyalty like this is how it’s done. Doing so at an odd time might even cost me points.
With that mindset, I even added an apology for being a bit late.
The princess waved her hands in denial, proving her kind nature.
“Is everything ready? We’re about to enter the palace.”
“Yes, Your Highness. But may I ask why I was summoned?”
I know the princess didn’t call me herself. It’s not just a prediction; it’s a certainty.
However, I feigned ignorance and posed the question. Perhaps I could gather some intel.
“Ah, well…”
After a moment of contemplation, the princess continued, as she would soon find out anyway.
“The truth is, I didn’t call you to the Imperial Palace.”
“You’re saying it wasn’t you, Your Highness? But the letter I received definitely…”
“The story is a bit long. Anyway, I didn’t call you. And to add one more thing, I don’t even know why you were summoned.”
This is a bit unexpected. I thought she would know at least the reason.
So, it seems my name has simply been borrowed. No, it’s not even just a borrowing of the name.
Someone must be waiting for me, using the princess’s name as a mere pretext.
“Wow. Thinking that way only makes me more nervous.”
Initially, I thought it might at least be the Crown Princess. Or, if luck was really bad, the Emperor.
But now I realize that was a worthless worry.
Whoever it is, whatever the reason, it’s unlikely to be something trivial!
*
The heart of the Empire. The Imperial Palace.
The most important place within that palace.
I was now entering it.
I thought I would only come here when inheriting the title of Duke, or perhaps never at all.
A mere young man not even in his mid-twenties is walking in!
“…Heh.”
“Your Highness the Princess?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Prince Kael. Your nervous expression is just too unexpected for me, I couldn’t help it.”
My nervousness surprised her? What on earth does that mean?
As I remained silent, waiting for her next words, the princess added an explanation.
“It reminded me of the time we were confronting Nobogord. When a meteor fell and the morale of the troops was in shambles. While everyone else was worried, you seemed completely unfazed.”
“Yeah… well. I just had a clever thought at that moment.”
“So, it seems I unconsciously thought that you wouldn’t be surprised or nervous very easily.”
Your Highness, that’s one thing, but entering the palace is a totally different matter.
I thought this would be a once-in-a-lifetime event for me.
While chatting amiably with the princess, I soon arrived at ‘that place.’
A tense atmosphere, defenses so tight not a single gap could be seen.
After rigorous inspections, the princess and I were finally allowed to disembark the carriage.
‘…This is the space of the Imperial Family that leads the Empire.’
I couldn’t help but be awed. No matter how hard I searched my memories from my past life, it was impossible to express it all.
The grandeur left me feeling overwhelmed, almost intimidated.
“Prince Kael.”
Regaining my composure, I followed behind the princess as we moved with the knights.
Who would be there to greet me? Could it be the Crown Princess? Or perhaps the Emperor himself?
Both options are burdensome in their own right. But if I had to choose, it would definitely be the former.
Even with the memories of my past life, talking to the Emperor, the pinnacle of the Empire, would be immensely difficult.
“There it is.”
Beyond the pillars, there was a beautifully adorned inner courtyard.
As we reached the entrance, the knights halted and surrounded the area completely.
Once the princess and I stepped through, I caught sight of someone’s profile.
‘…Hah.’
There’s a saying. Someone who inspires admiration the moment you see them.
A person born with charisma, commanding people effortlessly, as if born to lead.
What I had doubted truly existed right before my eyes.
“Have you arrived.”
That was all she said. The moment she looked at me, that was the end.
However, from her words, an elegance and nobility was strongly felt.
Even leaning casually against the chair, her extraordinary aura radiated from her.
“The firstborn son of the Duke of Bertier Empire, Kael Clausewitz.”
I snapped out of it and immediately knelt down, saluting.
“Noble one of the Empire. I greet Your Highness the Crown Princess.”
*
When the meteor fell and the soldiers’ morale plummeted, rather than simply boosting their spirits, I chose to launch the meteor back into the sky.
Whether that was a connection, or a hanging puppet from the connection, I didn’t care.
What mattered was that I accurately identified the problem and managed to move people’s hearts.
Striking a blow to the Nobogord side was, to put it bluntly, quite risky.
If the enemies had exited the camp, we could have suffered significant losses.
But conversely, it reflected the level of confidence I had.
Next up, the egg balancing act. Yes, in the social circles, it’s already being called Kael’s egg.
They said a young nobleman, who was somewhat of a brain of the pro-royalist faction, fell for it.
I admired it. The gracefulness with which they boasted of their achievements while mocking their opponent.
‘And since the pro-royal faction was trying to pump taxes onto the anti-royalist, the situation flipped by inadvertently touching the pride of those who’ve served in the military.’
Each detail was indeed a delicacy. I could understand why my sister was so excited.
It was enough to observe from afar. What remained was to confront them in person.
So I had thought about taking it slowly, but perhaps even the gods were pushing me forward.
“Bel. We need to call him immediately.”
An event had occurred. Quite splendidly, an opportunity to evaluate him.
My sister, the Second Princess Isabel, cocked her head but agreed to my words.
She could have asked why, but she didn’t. Perhaps she was just being respectful.
Quite a clever sister she is. It’s no wonder she was full of admiration and praise.
Is it really just luck on his part? Or is there something more to it?
Seated in a corner of the courtyard, ready to greet the invited guest, Crown Princess Aria Heldenberg finally prepared to meet the widely talked-about genius advisor.
*
“Sit down.”
At the Crown Princess’s command, I took my seat.
“Would you prefer a cup of coffee or black tea?”
I answered that I would be grateful for whatever was served.
To be honest, whether it’s coffee or tea, I probably wouldn’t taste anything right now.
‘Thank goodness it’s not the Emperor… Oh, rubbish. The Crown Princess and the Emperor? There’s no difference.’
Let’s not forget. The lady before me is definitely not an ordinary woman.
She’s seated far above me compared to the Second Princess sitting next to me.
She is the Crown Princess of the Empire. The future Emperor. One day, she will be the ruler of this Empire!
“From your expression, it seems you’re not nervous. That’s a relief.”
I don’t look nervous? What nonsense is this?
I’m worried that my heart, pounding away, could be heard right now!
In the meantime, the Second Princess looked at me in surprise, her eyes wide open.
That look seems to say, ‘Wait, was that all an act?’
Could it be that when I get too nervous, I appear calm instead?
“Good. Prince Kael. Now I can proceed to discuss the main topic without worries.”
No, Your Highness the Crown Princess. If you could just slow down a bit, I would truly be moved…
“Recently, a negotiation was concluded among the three Eastern nations, based on the condition of forming an alliance.”
…Huh?
“Their purpose is, of course, to join hands and counter our Empire.”