"Yes?"
“Just reorganize it into 10 knights for a nice look and then let it go. It doesn’t make sense. For it to function properly as a punitive force, it needs to be organized and trained.”
Finally, through this reorganization, the command of the Knights Templar was partially subordinated to the imperial family, whose grand master was a knight directly subordinate to them.
But with rights come responsibilities. The effort and expense of training and reorganizing to become a legion would also be shared by the imperial family.
I lowered my gaze.
“It’s a good time to secretly enlist the help of private soldiers under the pretext of training.”
Only within the palace does the Emperor exercise supreme power.
So the power split will not be visible.
But when the war of attrition begins and both I and Brigitte are forced to leave the palace to play ball, Homunculus, systematically privatized underwater, is about to become a powerful force for Brigitte.
My life could have been in danger. Cedella said with a hardened face.
But my position, who was eating this life raw thanks to Michael, was different.
'Create a system and train them. It would be very comfortable for Michael too.'
All you have to do indeed is harvest the seeds that others have sown.
It was a desirable situation. I smiled contentedly and nodded to myself.
“Your joy is my joy.”
"Your Highness?"
“Oh, let’s try to block it moderately.”
“Oh, yes.”
My answer sounded insincere, but Cedella thought it was believable in its own way.
“By the way, when I went out for the appointment ceremony earlier, it got quite hot outside.”
“It's the middle of summer, and it's only going to get hotter, and I've already got nobles whining about how they can't live without the Cold Wind Golem and Supercooling magic Stone.”
“That cry reached the ceiling might be because of the price of the magic stone.”
“In that respect, the Imperial Palace is fortunate. It receives its mana from the Philosopher’s Stone rather than the Magic Stone.”
“That’s true.”
As long as there is no problem with the Philosopher's Stone, the palace's mana supply will be more stable than anywhere else.
I, who had been lost in thought for a moment, smiled brightly and spoke to Cedella.
“It’s hot outside, so indoor games will be popular. I should do some gambling targeting the aristocracy.”
“You mean that game you were talking about? Viscountess Laonette has arranged it. Anytime.”
“Yes. I’ll leave it to Julia to make it popular in social circles.”
“Yes. I will pass it on.”
Even after Cedella left, I remained absorbed in the papers on my desk.
There were still many reports left to be confirmed in writing.
'I also need to be briefed on the Serenita County... I also need to establish an information organization in the capital...'
In particular, I have been focusing on building an information organization with Alben recently.
Building an information organization is a secret task of planting influence in the aristocratic society of the Imperial City of Hadelun.
It takes astronomical amounts of money, manpower, and sometimes even time.
Also, one had to be careful not to step on one's own tail and become a reverse sword.
Although Alben was working hard, the matter was too serious to just leave it to him.
'It's okay to give Alben power, but he must be under my control.'
Alben is competent and loyal, but he is not very good at what he does.
He was a subject prone to becoming twisted. Since he was someone who was to be used with consideration for his humanity, he had to be watched closely at all times.
In this world, it is rare to find someone who has both humanity and ability. In the future, I will have servants of various personalities by my side, depending on my needs.
Learning to trust people but keep them under control was one of the things I absolutely had to learn.
'We need to deal with this quickly.'
Amber eyes scanned the letters and numbers intently.
I was so focused that I didn't even realize how much time had passed. I even had simple finger food for dinner in my office.
“Your Highness, please take a rest.”
“Peony is here. It’s almost finished.”
When I came to my senses, the view outside the window had become dark.
I only now realized that the sun was setting, thanks to Peony lighting the magic lamp before the sun had set.
“You shouldn’t overdo it... First, eat this.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
I was just getting thirsty. As I gulped down the drink in my glass, I realized that the taste was familiar.
It was only then that I noticed the drink's clear sky color.
“This is Rahman’s fatigue recovery agent.”
“You shouldn’t overdo it... First, eat this.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
I was just getting thirsty. As I gulped down the drink in my glass, I realized that the taste was familiar.
It was only then that I noticed the drink's clear sky color.
“This is Rahman’s fatigue recovery agent.”
My tired gaze fell on Peony. She told me not to push myself too hard.
Since she had given me a restorative drug, I suspected the double-minded intentions of her words and actions. However, Peony said it with an attitude that showed no shame whatsoever.
“You need to save up energy for the night.”
“Oh, right."
Only then did I remember that today was a day of overtime work.
There were still many who tried to find fault with me in some way.
They had to be conscious of the attention from outside their residence and faithfully follow the imperial code of conduct.
I put down her papers and stood up.
“Let's go to bed.”
"Yes!"
I finished my bath with the help of the enthusiastic Peony. I wore a chemise that was so thin that my skin was visible as my nightgown.
I put on my dress and went into the bedroom alone.
“Michael.”
“Princess.”
Michael takes a step forward in the dim orange light.
It came out. It was as if someone had breathed life into the statue.
“You’re here now.”
“Yeah. It’s too late. Sorry.”
Michael's attire was as casual as mine. He wore a pair of trousers over his light dress shirt, but the front of the shirt was open more than halfway, showing his chest.
"Oh."
I looked around, slightly embarrassed by the unexpected banquet at the palace. Then Michael opened the front of his shirt with his hand, pretending to find a button that wasn't there.
But it wasn't just Michael's dizzying appearance that was troubling.
“There’s a problem, Princess.”
“What is it?”
“Lady Granice cleared the couch.”
“Peony...Did she notice something?”
As a kid who is well-versed in this field, I found it quite possible.
Maybe Michael and I will be in bed together in the morning.
She might have doubts about the fact that it never shows what's happening.
I made a decision right away.
“You have to sleep in my bed today.”
"That..."
As expected, Michael's chivalry is evident in these matters.
He was not cooperative. He had a conflicted look on his face.
He said that it couldn't be done right away, so he laid a rug on the floor.
It was fortunate that he didn't invite me to bed.
Perhaps it's rational given that Peony is on duty tonight.
I thought it was a judgment of the situation or something.
Anyway, I had to exploit this gap.
I sat down on the bed first. Then I grabbed Michael's shirt near his forearm with my fingertips.
“Come here. I won’t do anything.”
For a moment, Michael's well-shaped lips opened slightly and then closed.
It seemed as though there were serious differences of opinion, but in the end, no sound was spoken.
"Hurry."
In the meantime, I urged him once more. Finally, Michael opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind to do something.
"I get it."
Only after taking a deep breath did he sit down next to me.
I couldn't sleep, perhaps because of the restorative drugs. I thought about having a conversation.
“I made you wait too long. Were you in the bedroom the whole time?”
“Lord Balzamic gave me a uniform. I was locked in. I can’t go out in this outfit.”
“Hmm, yeah.”
I shook my head. Ah, how dare you carelessly expose a handsome man like that.
There was concern that it would be a public nuisance if left outside.
'It'll be a big problem, especially if Rosie sees it.'
I alone was enough to see such a heart-damaging sight.
“What were you doing while I was waiting?”
“Lord Balzamic brought me some books on military strategy and tactics and I was reading them.”
“Ah, you are preparing to lead the knights.”
“Yes. It seems the Princess has been in the office until now. Aren’t you tired?”
“Not really. I feel better when I see Michael’s face.”
I smiled and said, my answer is immediate and without any room for calculated intentions.
But Michael's mind was racing as he tried to gauge the kind and magnitude of the feelings she was having, and for a long moment, he just stared at her, unable to find the words to respond.
Since she had given me a restorative drug, I suspected the double-minded intentions of her words and actions. However, Peony said it with an attitude that showed no shame whatsoever.
“You need to save up energy for the night.”
“Oh, right."
Only then did I remember that today was a day of overtime work.
There were still many who tried to find fault with me in some way.
They had to be conscious of the attention from outside their residence and faithfully follow the imperial code of conduct.
I put down her papers and stood up.
“Let's go to bed.”
"Yes!"
I finished my bath with the help of the enthusiastic Peony. I wore a chemise that was so thin that my skin was visible as my nightgown.
I put on my dress and went into the bedroom alone.
“Michael.”
“Princess.”
Michael takes a step forward in the dim orange light.
It came out. It was as if someone had breathed life into the statue.
“You’re here now.”
“Yeah. It’s too late. Sorry.”
Michael's attire was as casual as mine. He wore a pair of trousers over his light dress shirt, but the front of the shirt was open more than halfway, showing his chest.
"Oh."
I looked around, slightly embarrassed by the unexpected banquet at the palace. Then Michael opened the front of his shirt with his hand, pretending to find a button that wasn't there.
But it wasn't just Michael's dizzying appearance that was troubling.
“There’s a problem, Princess.”
“What is it?”
“Lady Granice cleared the couch.”
“Peony...Did she notice something?”
As a kid who is well-versed in this field, I found it quite possible.
Maybe Michael and I will be in bed together in the morning.
She might have doubts about the fact that it never shows what's happening.
I made a decision right away.
“You have to sleep in my bed today.”
"That..."
As expected, Michael's chivalry is evident in these matters.
He was not cooperative. He had a conflicted look on his face.
He said that it couldn't be done right away, so he laid a rug on the floor.
It was fortunate that he didn't invite me to bed.
Perhaps it's rational given that Peony is on duty tonight.
I thought it was a judgment of the situation or something.
Anyway, I had to exploit this gap.
I sat down on the bed first. Then I grabbed Michael's shirt near his forearm with my fingertips.
“Come here. I won’t do anything.”
For a moment, Michael's well-shaped lips opened slightly and then closed.
It seemed as though there were serious differences of opinion, but in the end, no sound was spoken.
"Hurry."
In the meantime, I urged him once more. Finally, Michael opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind to do something.
"I get it."
Only after taking a deep breath did he sit down next to me.
I couldn't sleep, perhaps because of the restorative drugs. I thought about having a conversation.
“I made you wait too long. Were you in the bedroom the whole time?”
“Lord Balzamic gave me a uniform. I was locked in. I can’t go out in this outfit.”
“Hmm, yeah.”
I shook my head. Ah, how dare you carelessly expose a handsome man like that.
There was concern that it would be a public nuisance if left outside.
'It'll be a big problem, especially if Rosie sees it.'
I alone was enough to see such a heart-damaging sight.
“What were you doing while I was waiting?”
“Lord Balzamic brought me some books on military strategy and tactics and I was reading them.”
“Ah, you are preparing to lead the knights.”
“Yes. It seems the Princess has been in the office until now. Aren’t you tired?”
“Not really. I feel better when I see Michael’s face.”
I smiled and said, my answer is immediate and without any room for calculated intentions.
But Michael's mind was racing as he tried to gauge the kind and magnitude of the feelings she was having, and for a long moment, he just stared at her, unable to find the words to respond.
It was around that time that my playfulness kicked in.
“Michael.”
My eyes sparkled and I suddenly brought my face closer.
“Why... is it like this, Princess?”
“It’s tough.”
Until this point, Michael thought those words were a reference to his attitude.
“Michael, do you know that?”
I smiled broadly, full of mischief. Michael flinched.
Eve's smile, which was so close that it felt like our breaths could almost touch, felt different.
Michael held his breath for a moment at the sight of her alluring face.
“What are you talking about?”
“This is a bed now.”
What is the intention of pointing out facts that cannot be ignored?
Michael stopped himself from harboring unnecessary fantasies and consciously focused on his breathing.
Soon a playful, encouraging voice reached Michael's ears.
“Michael said so. You said to call you by nicknames in bed.”
At that moment, Michael's eyes widened loudly.
It shook.
Isn't this really a testament to what I've said?
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