I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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Gnaius was currently in a state of great confusion and quietly hurt.

Yeah, feeling hurt. It was only natural. If not, it would be strange!

Clearly, it was a mistake for his sister not to understand this!

“Why do you keep saying you’re hurt, Gnaius?”

“Is that a question you really need to ask? When on earth did you meet that friend of yours?”

“Friend? If this conversation keeps going, he’s going to be your brother-in-law.”

“Ah. My apologies. …That’s not it. Stop dodging the subject.”

The first to deliver the news wasn’t his sister, but none other than His Majesty the Emperor.

Your sister is finally going to meet her marriage match. So congratulate her.

At that point, Gnaius unconsciously asked, ‘Now, of all times?’

As far as he knew, his sister, Crown Princess Aria Heldenberg, had absolutely no interest in romance.

What mattered to her was the Empire and her duties for it.

Even though she was a Crown Princess, she found it a waste of time to even consider a partner.

Gnaius was absolutely convinced that had to be the reason.

Yet, it wasn’t long before the Crown Princess personally invited a nobleman to the palace.

Hearing the news startled Gnaius. Did she just summon someone she hadn’t even met before?

It’s true that most royal marriages are political, but isn’t this a bit excessive?

Even if they didn’t know each other at all, strange rumors could easily arise—

“I’ve met him.”

In front of Gnaius, the Crown Princess dropped a shocking statement.

“Excuse me?”

“I had briefly gone south before. During a visit to inspect the Imperial Navy, there was a young officer who escorted me. At the time, I didn’t know, but later I found out he was the second son of Marquis Rael.”

So they had met. And not long ago, while they were both adults.

It wasn’t even just a casual encounter; one was escorting while the other was receiving.
Isn’t this a juicy piece of gossip worth sharing endlessly in high society?

“Of course, it wasn’t out of romantic curiosity, but rather a duty as a Crown Princess and an officer.”

Anyway, Gnaius was left speechless for a moment upon hearing that.

To think such important news had never been shared with him. They were family, not just some random people.

At the very least, she could have given him a heads-up! But why on earth not?

“You don’t understand, do you, Gnaius? Why do you feel so hurt about this?”

“Of course I do, sister! The Emperor mentioned it was time to think of a partner, and right away, you think of someone? That’s a clear sign you’ve secretly been considering him! I should know!”

“Why on earth should you need to know?”

Just because I’m getting married doesn’t mean it affects you at all.

The Crown Princess clicked her tongue but still decided to explain a little more to her brother.

“It wasn’t anything. At that time, I was impressed by the young man, who, despite being a noble, loved the Empire enough to become an officer. That’s what loyalty is all about, and what being a noble of the Empire means.”

“Is that all?”

“Do you require anything more?”

“Well, I mean, what about your feelings for the second son of Marquis Rael? Or how you feel about his sister? You know, things like that.”

“You’re more sentimental than I thought. You usually come off as quite rational.”

“…I suppose so. It seems I caught something strange from Bel.”

Yeah. Now that I think about it, that was indeed a foolish question.

In this place, right in the heart of political affairs, what kind of emotions and rational attractions can there be?

As long as conditions are met and there are no glaring flaws, there should be no issues continuing the relationship.

What each person can offer to the other and what they can receive—that’s the most important thing.

In this regard, his sister Isabelle is rather an unusual case.

At first glance, it might look like a political marriage, but underneath, there’s genuine affection for one another.

Thus, the Emperor, the Crown Princess, and even he, all blessed their marriage.

It might be viewed as a fortunate case in the history of the Imperial Family.

“If you’re worried, I’ll be coming back to the palace soon, so you can check then, Gnaius.”

“Even if you tell me not to, I will.”

If he’s to be his brother-in-law and the future Emperor of the Empire, it’s only natural he’d have that mindset.

At those words from Gnaius, the Crown Princess clicked her tongue again.

What on earth was that guy thinking? It was incomprehensible.

*

“They said to come back to the palace tomorrow, Prince Philip Rael.”

“Yes, understood. Secretary Gnaius. Thank you so much for personally reaching out.”

He was still in a daze. With that thought, Philip, the second son of Marquis Rael, ended the communication.

Then, he sank deep into his chair, slowly retracing the events from earlier.

“Long time no see, Captain Philip. Ah, should I call you Captain now?”

After six months of life on a warship, he had returned for a short break.

He planned to enjoy about three months of rest before taking charge of his duties guarding the southern coast again.

In the midst of this, he suddenly received orders to enter the palace and hurried over, where the Crown Princess awaited him.

The Crown Princess was just as he remembered her. Still noble, still beautiful.

The only difference now was that they had aged a bit, and his position had risen.

Why did she summon him? He thought various things about that.

Perhaps she wanted to ask him about the southern coast since he had come back? That was the biggest reason.

“Captain Philip. Have you ever considered leaving the navy and joining the palace?”

However, at that moment, Philip was met with an unexpected proposal.

To be honest, he still couldn’t tell if it was a proposal or an order.

“Your Highness?”

“Fate is indeed strange. At times it seems like coincidence, and at other times, it feels like destiny. When viewed from that perspective, our relationship seems more like fate than coincidence. Otherwise, why would we have met at that exact moment?”

He knew quite well that the Crown Princess had yet to marry despite her prime age.

Some worried about the succession, but Philip wasn’t among those.

She would handle it well. She was far greater than they all were, he thought, while focusing on his own duties, and suddenly, this happened.

“I formally propose, Philip Rael. Be my partner, and in time, become this Empire’s consort.”

A proposal devoid of romance. Very straightforward and blunt.

While it was somewhat shocking, Philip found himself reflecting on his past.

The moment he first laid eyes on the Crown Princess, feeling a sudden tension.

It wasn’t just because she was a Crown Princess; it was because he was face-to-face with an incredibly beautiful woman.

Perhaps many would dream of this position—a future Emperor’s partner, the consort of the Empire.

Then he realized how it was a position that comes with no authority or rights, only obligations.

The pressure of that suffocating reality made many people uneasy.

Yet, oddly enough, as he listened to the Crown Princess’s proposal, Philip felt a slight flutter in his chest.

“I must warn you, Philip Rael. This is not a command but a proposal, and therefore you have the right to refuse it.”

“…”

“In our positions, we are destined to choose our partners through political marriages. Yet, fortunately, I have the right to inquire about my partner’s feelings. Isn’t that quite fortunate?”

His head was spinning. So, he asked for a moment to think.
The Crown Princess accepted without pressing him, even though she didn’t have to.

Ultimately, her decision and the feelings of Marquis Rael were more important than his own wishes.

“The Crown Princess.”

His future with her could be wildly unpredictable, and Philip sensed that.

He chose to enlist to show he had no interest in family succession.

Now all he needed was to bridge his family with another through blood.

For his family’s sake, and moreover, for the stability of the Empire.

Born a noble and enjoying those rights, it was time to accept his fate.

At least, that’s what Philip thought as he prepared to accept whatever might come his way.

“You’ve arrived.”

But facing the Crown Princess once more, he couldn’t help but freeze.

“Have you thought about it?”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

“Good. Then I’d like to hear your answer.”

Despite having the power to compel, the Crown Princess didn’t. She simply inquired.

In that moment, Philip stumbled upon an unexpected question.

“Your Highness, may I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“Why my family? Why me?”

It was perhaps a rather rude question.

Yet, the Crown Princess answered willingly, wearing a gentle smile.

Stating that the south had been the least rewarded recently, balancing out the territory was the reason.

Also, since he had served in the Imperial Navy, he likely had a strong loyalty to the Empire.

“…I see.”

“I will make this clear. Philip Rael, while I do have a fondness for you, my top priority will always be the Empire. Therefore, should I need to choose between you and the Empire, I will choose the Empire every single time. I hope you understand that.”

Said indirectly, but in the end, it was a warning that if he became a liability to the Empire, even as her partner, he would be cast aside.

If it were another, it might have been an offensive remark, but for Philip, it brought a sense of relief.

“That’s a relief to hear. And I can assert, with all due confidence, it won’t come to that.”

“Excuse me?”

“I, though not to your level, also love this Empire. I won’t betray it. Therefore, you would never have to make the choice to cast me aside for the Empire.”

“…Can I take that to mean you’re accepting my proposal?”

“To love the Empire. I shall become a part of it and faithfully serve you, Your Highness.”