I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist

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Fortunately, it seems my Emperor leans more towards anticipation than vigilance.

Isabelle took another sigh of relief and moved forward.

Just thinking about what had happened earlier still made her dizzy.

‘Was Prince Kael concerned about such things and declined all the accolades for them?’

Given how exceptional he was, it was entirely possible.

If one stands out too much, it’s natural for anyone to harbor suspicions.

Kael, aware of this fact, had shown utmost humility.

She still hadn’t completely relaxed her heart. There could still be a chance of trouble.

But the Crown Princess was by the Emperor’s side. Her sister could persuade him.

The Crown Princess seemed to have a strong fondness for Kael as well.

After all, it was her sister who had given him the stage of the entire Eastern region.

“Haah…”

That made her even more worried. He had already achieved great deeds and received significant rewards.

From now on, Kael would draw the attention of the crème de la crème of the Empire’s political scene.

It might work positively, but it could also have detrimental effects.

“What’s with that sigh of yours?”

Turning towards the voice, she found Gnaius staring intently at her.

“If you’ve come, at least make your presence known.”

“What are you talking about, Bel? I made my presence known ages ago. But seeing your lack of reaction, I thought I might have been ignored. Your expression looked so serious that I didn’t dare approach.”

Serious-looking, huh? Well, yes, there had been a moment that could have turned really grim.

And even now. To be honest, she wasn’t sure if everything was unfolding well or not.

“Have you finally come out of hiding?”

“I initially planned to stay hidden for another month. It was to ensure that the factions associated with the ‘Juhwa’ wouldn’t move too easily later. But my sister insisted I come out now.”

“Your sister did?”

Surprised, she waited for his next words, but Gnaius merely smiled sheepishly.

“A few days ago, she personally visited my residence. And then she mentioned that a rather clever friend had wrapped things up splendidly. From now on, the ‘Juhwa’ faction is expected to be busy. Though, that’s only for the three kingdoms in the East.”

“…I have an idea of who that clever friend might be.”

In response to Isabelle’s words, Gnaius grinned.

He then glanced at his sister’s facial expression and tilted his head slightly.

“Now that I look closely, it seems that serious expression from earlier had something to do with that person.”

“Huh?”

“It’s about Kael Clausewitz. Did something happen with him?”

“W-What do you mean? …Why do you suddenly ask that?”

“I told you. Your expression changed when Kael’s name was mentioned. Oh, look at you now. You just flinched again. Bel.”

As a smile bloomed on Gnaius’s lips, Isabelle instinctively denied it.

But her brother, having caught the scent of his prey, couldn’t let her off easily.

“Looks like you’ve gotten quite close to Prince Kael, huh?”

“Well, he was definitely not an ordinary young man. It’s only natural that you’d like him, Bel.”

“So, when are you planning to meet him again? Now that there’s a reason, shouldn’t you be seeing him more often?”

The relentless barrage of teasing. No matter how Isabelle tried to deny it, it was futile.

Only when Gnaius burst out laughing did that onslaught finally cease.

“Let’s take a walk, Bel.”

“Just try to tease me again.”

Leaving the attendants and maids behind, the two siblings strolled leisurely through the garden.

There was no tension or wariness in the air. It was something unimaginable in the past.

Especially since both had become focal points of the ‘Juhwa’ and the ‘Jujeong’ factions.

“It’s quite fascinating.”

“What is?”

“That you and I can be here together so nonchalantly.”

It seemed Isabelle had also been feeling that way.

To that remark, Gnaius nodded as if in agreement.

“It’s true that our relationship had strained due to the factions. If it weren’t for Prince Kael, I think we would’ve grown even further apart.”

“Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t tease me?”

“I’m not teasing; I’m speaking my mind, Bel.”

“…”

“You feel it too, don’t you? Kael has somehow broadened your horizons.”

There was no denying it. She indeed felt that way.

Her first shock was in conversing with the Crown Princess.

And when she thought of what had transpired throughout the East… she could only think of it as magnificent.

“I feel the same way. Hearing what Kael has accomplished made me realize my own limitations.”

“…You too, brother?”

“I used to think I could charm and soothe people with my words as much as I wanted. I believed there was no need for force or bloodshed.”

“But I had been completely mistaken.” Gnaius smiled bitterly.

“Neither power nor words were enough. It was about the situation. It was about the hearts of people. Inescapable situations no matter how strong you were, and hearts that couldn’t help but follow with just a few words. Prince Kael was already at a level where he could skillfully manipulate that.”

“…I agree. The situation in the Eastern region was indeed a fresh shock.”

They shared the same thoughts and experiences.

Just that alone was enough to mend a broken relationship to some extent.

The old saying, “Blood is thicker than water,” echoed in her mind at that moment.

“So why were you showing that expression earlier?”

“…I had just met His Majesty the Emperor.”

“And then?”

“He asked what I think of Prince Kael.”

“…So?”

When Gnaius showed his apparent disregard for the matter, Isabelle’s expression hardened.

It was beyond absurd to not recognize the seriousness of the current situation.

The issue was that to Gnaius, that question had taken on a different significance.

‘He couldn’t possibly be asking Bel if that man caught her fancy, right?’

Upon hearing more details, it certainly seemed like that was the case.

Especially considering the Emperor’s next words and that the Crown Princess had smiled.

It was undeniably the first step towards connecting the two.

“So, is it not a concern for you? You said you got some benefits from Prince Kael too.”

“No….”

But why? Why was it that his sister was still oblivious to it all?

Is it true that humans are sensitive to others’ affairs but dull to their own?

Surely, she should’ve picked up on something given the circumstances?

“Bel, it looks to me like he’s merely testing the waters.”

“Testing the waters? You mean His Majesty?”

“Think about it. As a reward for his military merits, he granted him the Neomes region. And even made sure it was inherited from the start. That’s a clear indication of His Majesty’s trust in Prince Kael.”

“But there are scenarios like that too. First, bestowing a grand reward to catch off guard before targeting an even greater flaw for punishment.”

Of course, there can be those cases. But at the moment, it wasn’t applicable here.

Was the Neomes region an average territory? It had been directly managed as a royal domain until now.

It hadn’t been recently annexed but had been cultivated directly by the Imperial family since the Great Emperor’s era.

Moreover, there was even a glorious city within it named personally by the Great Emperor.

To merely lend it out for pretense was far too excessive.

It would undermine the prestige and dignity of the royal direct domain.

The Emperor wasn’t a fool; he wouldn’t undertake actions that bring more losses than gains.

“Surely, His Majesty wouldn’t use the royal direct domain like that.”

“That’s true, but…”

“His Majesty is genuinely pleased with Prince Kael.”

“Then why the question? You startled me.”

No, wait. You should know his true intention, Bel.

Seeing that he even made an effort to dissuade the Emperor, it’s clear he’s not entirely indifferent.

Gnaius lightly patted his chest multiple times in growing frustration.

“Alright, Bel. Right now, you’re worried about Prince Kael, aren’t you?”

“What’s it to you? We shared a battlefield, so it’s only natural to care a little.”

“…Let’s not go there.”

Though they were the Crown Prince and Princess, they were still siblings like everyone else.

If she couldn’t grasp it even after all these hints, he would just give up.

“Just do what you want. I’ve done enough already. I’m out.”

“Anyway, put concerns about Prince Kael aside and think of other matters.”

“Other matters?”

“Haven’t you heard the news? A delegation from Nobogord is arriving soon.”

She probably hadn’t since she had just been with Kael not long ago.

They had been predicting reasons for the bestowal of the Neomes region together.

Then they had awaited the Imperial Decree, which led to her meeting with the Emperor.

“What’s their purpose?”

“It seems they’ve come to congratulate our Empire’s great victory in the Eastern region.”

“Right. I heard the surface reason. So, what’s next?”

Isabelle, being a princess, quickly grasped such matters.

However, oddly enough, it seemed her cognitive abilities regarding Kael had suddenly diminished.

“I suspect my brother thinks it’s an attempt to gauge the situation in the Empire.”

The war between the Empire and the three kingdoms in the East had ended.

The Empire was the victor. The allied forces were the losers. But being the winner didn’t mean they were free from consequences.

It appeared Nobogord intended to assess the mood within the Empire through this delegation.

Gnaius’s breakdown made Isabelle nod in agreement.

“Bel.”

“Yeah?”

“How about you go back to Prince Kael?”

“What? Why are you suddenly suggesting that?”

Because surely both the Emperor and my sister are subtly hoping for that.

That answer couldn’t be shared, so he hurriedly thought of another reason.

“Remember the confrontation with Nobogord from a while back?”

“Of course. I was there too.”

“His Majesty must be well aware of what their intentions are. But since they’re here under the pretext of a delegation, he can’t pressure them directly. So, he must be searching for other methods.”

“…So you’re saying he might call upon Prince Kael?”

“Exactly.”

So if you just stay close for a bit and then, when the Imperial Decree comes down, bring him with you.

After all, weren’t they comrades who had shared the journey from Nobogord to the Eastern region?

To that, Isabelle muttered, “That makes sense. Hmm. Should I say fellow comrades?”

What a ridiculous thought. Bel, my sister? Why did you just suddenly lose all your composure?

He contemplated saying it outright but worried it might just cause unwanted resistance instead.

Embarrassment could entangle the heart of a person, rendering efforts in vain.

Thus, Gnaius chose to hold off for now. Just for now.