“Let’s go right now.”
I hurriedly opened the door leading to the reception room. As soon as Alben saw me, he jumped up and bowed.
“Your Highness!”
It was a face that looked like it had been wronged or suffered injustice.
I became serious.
“Alben? But why?”
“I’m dying from the heat! I can’t work in the palace!”
“Whoa, what did you say? Don’t scare people.”
I wondered if Brigitte, who was upset about Euclid being stolen, was harassing Alben.
For a moment, my heart sank as if my child had been hit, but it was a needless worry.
When I confessed my feelings, Alben laughed brightly and meanly.
“Oh, of course, there were attempts like what Your Highness was worried about. But because they were such trivial things, I paid them back in kind... No, that’s not the point. It’s hot. It’s too hot! Please save me, Your Highness!”
“Hmm, it’s a tough heat to endure with just a power golem and no magic stone. Even in the protocol department, it looks like things aren’t going well.”
“I can confidently say that the current situation of the Protocol Department is the worst. Is it our protocol department that is responsible for providing heat wave relief supplies? I was criticized by each department for biased payments and embezzlement of materials. Oh my! It's hard enough in this heat, and I'm getting cursed at too. How can I continue working when I'm so sad?"
Alben couldn't stand his hellish workplace any longer, so he asked to leave early before lunchtime and ran away.
I teased Alben, keeping the rhythm.
“It would be a great loss to the imperial family if we lost a talented person like you. What should we do? The magic stone and the golem, shall I save it and put it in your seat?”
“Really?”
“That’s right! That’s right! As expected, Your Highness. How can you have such a brilliant idea!”
It was Alben who had been aiming for it from the beginning and was praising it so well.
I decided to do it right while I was at it.
“I’ll give you a gift that will make anyone who sees it think it’s a marriage proposal.”
“Wow! I really like being the center of attention. Please do it. Do you promise?”
“Trust me. But since you are the symbol of integrity, don’t forget to pretend to send half of it back.”
“Oh my! I almost forgot. Your Highness, how thoughtful! Thank you so much.”
“Of course, you can take care of it from behind. It’s okay if I give it to you.”
“Your Highness...!”
This concludes the issue of protecting Alben's working force.
Alben's complaint about poor working conditions was only a side issue.
In reality, there was another important purpose.
“Countess Gigolo and Countess Naval’s behavior is unusual. They originally close with the Marchioness of Chansley, but they’ve been meeting more frequently lately.”
“It’s a couples counseling salon, so it’s midnight. Aren’t they the ones who lead decadent banquets outside the palace under the guise of masquerade balls?”
“Yes. They are collectively called the ‘Night Church.’ They are groups that originated from the social group sponsored by the Marchioness of Chansley.”
Using my financial power, those planted in each family began to function as information organizations.
These people, who ranged from semi-nobles to stable keepers, gathered information and sold it without knowing each other's identities.
Information that may seem insignificant on its own becomes meaningful when compiled together.
Alben reported such information to me.
I lowered my eyes and sat lost in thought.
“I think that naturalness is a blind spot, Your Highness.”
“Well, people tend to reach for the closest and easiest means first.”
I, having finished thinking, gave the order.
“Investigate the possibility that the Night Church is distributing illegal aphrodisiacs laced with drugs.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
At that moment, there was a knock on the door and Cedella brought in the tea.
I confidently recommended the tea, which had a refreshing mint color.
Alben took a sip and exclaimed in admiration.
“Oh, Your Highness. My mind is clear and I feel energized. What is this?”
“It’s called potion tea. It’s tea steeped in potion instead of water or milk. It’s expensive, so drink plenty.”
“Wow. This is a luxury that would make nobles go crazy. It will soon become popular.”
“That’s why I told Rahman to increase the production of potions to boost stamina.”
While the topic of Rahman's potion was being discussed, a question occurred to Alben.
“What happened to the stamina potion he was researching with the Stone Worm’s intestines before?”
“Why? Is it necessary?”
When I asked mischievously, Alben was frightened.
“What! I will remain pure until I get married!”
“Oh, yeah. Since Rahman sent me a bunch of finished products, I’ll share them with you. I was going to give it to you, but I’m sorry.”
I tried playfully one more time, but Alben was stubborn.
“I just wanted to ask if your business was going well. I have no ulterior motives. Seriously.”
“Since it was made by Rahman, its effectiveness is certain. Word of mouth is spreading as the summer rainy season is approaching.”
“I see. It definitely works.”
It was not worth talking to him. He only talked about performance, leaving out the business part.
It was Alben who was listening intently and had a gentle look in his eyes. In any case, the subjects were very interested in their lord's stamina.
I cleared my throat to draw attention to myself and continued speaking.
“If Chansley’s illicit funds come from the sale of narcotics, his business will not be easy. We will keep strong competitors in check.”
“You unintentionally pressured Chansley."
Just then, Eve had a good idea.
The atmosphere of a social group that hides its name and face is clearly different from that of other social groups.
A position that requires no responsibility or respect was bound to make people bold and unstoppable.
Many nobles would feel free to be vulgar and share information.
It was then that Alben, who had already emptied four glasses of potion tea, gave his advice.
“Oh, Your Highness. I have something to tell you about the midsummer daydream.”
“Huh? What?”
“The palace masquerade ball is the pinnacle of the marriage market. It is the best banquet for men and women to make eye contact."
"Yes."
The palace's masquerade balls were renowned for being romantic and provocative events.
At this point, Alben pretended to whisper sinisterly.
“So Your Highness... You must be careful of the spirits.”
I understood why Alben was acting so strangely.
“Ah, so that means some nobleman will use the masquerade ball as an opportunity to intentionally approach me.”
“Yes. As I said before, you are the best bride-to-be. Even now, in the salon, the courtiers are desperate to find out what Your Highness will wear to the masquerade ball.”
“We will take care to prevent information from leaking, but we cannot completely block it. It will be difficult.”
“I'll keep that in mind.”
I nodded seriously, but Alben couldn't easily let go of his worries.
“I'm going to be bombarding you with not only the usual suspects but also the ones I've never told you about because the name of the masquerade ball and the fact that it's a daydream is perfect for daydreaming.”
I hurriedly opened the door leading to the reception room. As soon as Alben saw me, he jumped up and bowed.
“Your Highness!”
It was a face that looked like it had been wronged or suffered injustice.
I became serious.
“Alben? But why?”
“I’m dying from the heat! I can’t work in the palace!”
“Whoa, what did you say? Don’t scare people.”
I wondered if Brigitte, who was upset about Euclid being stolen, was harassing Alben.
For a moment, my heart sank as if my child had been hit, but it was a needless worry.
When I confessed my feelings, Alben laughed brightly and meanly.
“Oh, of course, there were attempts like what Your Highness was worried about. But because they were such trivial things, I paid them back in kind... No, that’s not the point. It’s hot. It’s too hot! Please save me, Your Highness!”
“Hmm, it’s a tough heat to endure with just a power golem and no magic stone. Even in the protocol department, it looks like things aren’t going well.”
“I can confidently say that the current situation of the Protocol Department is the worst. Is it our protocol department that is responsible for providing heat wave relief supplies? I was criticized by each department for biased payments and embezzlement of materials. Oh my! It's hard enough in this heat, and I'm getting cursed at too. How can I continue working when I'm so sad?"
Alben couldn't stand his hellish workplace any longer, so he asked to leave early before lunchtime and ran away.
I teased Alben, keeping the rhythm.
“It would be a great loss to the imperial family if we lost a talented person like you. What should we do? The magic stone and the golem, shall I save it and put it in your seat?”
“Really?”
“I'm sure you'll notice that I'm using the magic stones privately, as supplies are limited, but I'm sure you won't mind if I give them to you publicly out of favor?”
It was Alben who had been aiming for it from the beginning and was praising it so well.
I decided to do it right while I was at it.
“I’ll give you a gift that will make anyone who sees it think it’s a marriage proposal.”
“Wow! I really like being the center of attention. Please do it. Do you promise?”
“Trust me. But since you are the symbol of integrity, don’t forget to pretend to send half of it back.”
“Oh my! I almost forgot. Your Highness, how thoughtful! Thank you so much.”
“Of course, you can take care of it from behind. It’s okay if I give it to you.”
“Your Highness...!”
This concludes the issue of protecting Alben's working force.
Alben's complaint about poor working conditions was only a side issue.
In reality, there was another important purpose.
“Countess Gigolo and Countess Naval’s behavior is unusual. They originally close with the Marchioness of Chansley, but they’ve been meeting more frequently lately.”
“It’s a couples counseling salon, so it’s midnight. Aren’t they the ones who lead decadent banquets outside the palace under the guise of masquerade balls?”
“Yes. They are collectively called the ‘Night Church.’ They are groups that originated from the social group sponsored by the Marchioness of Chansley.”
Using my financial power, those planted in each family began to function as information organizations.
These people, who ranged from semi-nobles to stable keepers, gathered information and sold it without knowing each other's identities.
Information that may seem insignificant on its own becomes meaningful when compiled together.
Alben reported such information to me.
I lowered my eyes and sat lost in thought.
“The summer rainy season is called the week of pleasure, and it's only natural that the Church is busy leading up to it.”
“I think that naturalness is a blind spot, Your Highness.”
“Well, people tend to reach for the closest and easiest means first.”
I, having finished thinking, gave the order.
“Investigate the possibility that the Night Church is distributing illegal aphrodisiacs laced with drugs.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
At that moment, there was a knock on the door and Cedella brought in the tea.
I confidently recommended the tea, which had a refreshing mint color.
Alben took a sip and exclaimed in admiration.
“Oh, Your Highness. My mind is clear and I feel energized. What is this?”
“It’s called potion tea. It’s tea steeped in potion instead of water or milk. It’s expensive, so drink plenty.”
“Wow. This is a luxury that would make nobles go crazy. It will soon become popular.”
“That’s why I told Rahman to increase the production of potions to boost stamina.”
While the topic of Rahman's potion was being discussed, a question occurred to Alben.
“What happened to the stamina potion he was researching with the Stone Worm’s intestines before?”
“Why? Is it necessary?”
When I asked mischievously, Alben was frightened.
“What! I will remain pure until I get married!”
“Oh, yeah. Since Rahman sent me a bunch of finished products, I’ll share them with you. I was going to give it to you, but I’m sorry.”
I tried playfully one more time, but Alben was stubborn.
“I just wanted to ask if your business was going well. I have no ulterior motives. Seriously.”
“Since it was made by Rahman, its effectiveness is certain. Word of mouth is spreading as the summer rainy season is approaching.”
“I see. It definitely works.”
It was not worth talking to him. He only talked about performance, leaving out the business part.
It was Alben who was listening intently and had a gentle look in his eyes. In any case, the subjects were very interested in their lord's stamina.
I cleared my throat to draw attention to myself and continued speaking.
“If Chansley’s illicit funds come from the sale of narcotics, his business will not be easy. We will keep strong competitors in check.”
“You unintentionally pressured Chansley."
Just then, Eve had a good idea.
“Soon the masquerade ball...... 'Midsummer's Daydream' will be held. It's the time when most information about potions and energetics is gathered. I'll attend the ball and try to gather some information.”
A position that requires no responsibility or respect was bound to make people bold and unstoppable.
Many nobles would feel free to be vulgar and share information.
It was then that Alben, who had already emptied four glasses of potion tea, gave his advice.
“Oh, Your Highness. I have something to tell you about the midsummer daydream.”
“Huh? What?”
“The palace masquerade ball is the pinnacle of the marriage market. It is the best banquet for men and women to make eye contact."
"Yes."
The palace's masquerade balls were renowned for being romantic and provocative events.
Ever since the end of the summer rainy season, scandals have been popping up in gossip magazines and engagements have been heard around the house.
“So Your Highness... You must be careful of the spirits.”
I understood why Alben was acting so strangely.
“Ah, so that means some nobleman will use the masquerade ball as an opportunity to intentionally approach me.”
“Yes. As I said before, you are the best bride-to-be. Even now, in the salon, the courtiers are desperate to find out what Your Highness will wear to the masquerade ball.”
“We will take care to prevent information from leaking, but we cannot completely block it. It will be difficult.”
“Yes. So don't fall for it when some wimpy young man at the ball whispers theories and charms you.”
I nodded seriously, but Alben couldn't easily let go of his worries.
“I'm going to be bombarding you with not only the usual suspects but also the ones I've never told you about because the name of the masquerade ball and the fact that it's a daydream is perfect for daydreaming.”
“I see.”
“They pretend to be confessing a shy secret they've been hiding from you, but in reality, they're just trying to sway you into thinking they're the real deal. So never, never be fooled, Your Majesty!”
“Okay, I get it.”
After that, Alben kept repeating his words to me for a long time.
Only after undergoing such a mental education that was almost brainwashing was I able to be released.
“You must have a stone face, Your Highness!”
“I understand. Why are you worrying so much?”
“Sir Agneto won’t be accompanying you to this masquerade ball. I can’t help but be worried.”
“Oh, right.”
The masquerade was anonymous, so the identity of the participants had to be clear.
Unlike other banquets where anyone can attend if they are the partner of someone who has an invitation, admission to the masquerade ball was open only to those who had received an invitation.
And homunculus are not even considered for invitations to the palace's social circle.
Because their knighthood is only nominal.
'Michael is not here.'
Come to think of it, I felt my desire to get married disappearing rapidly.
At that time, Alben asked.
“By the way, I don’t see Sir Agneto?”
"Ugh."
I took my chin off my hand and answered with a smile.
“He got promoted. Looks like you have a lot to worry about.”
After the appointment ceremony of the Knight Commander, many changes occurred in the Royal Guard.
Until now, the knights of the royal guard were only stationed in the palace and mobilized for security and ceremonies.
It was not properly managed as an electric power.
Of course, there was no organizational foundation such as a chain of command, internal discipline, or training activity schedule.
'Because it was just a surplus force for show to heighten the emperor's authority.'
Michael opened his mouth slightly and closed it, making a cool assessment. It was a silent sigh.
But now things have improved a lot. The Praetorian Guard has become a knightly order.
Professional personnel were brought in to create it.
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