Most of the time when Sir Aldor showed a disinclination to follow my orders, it was for my safety.
For example, if I do something dangerous or refuse to escort him.
But this time, I didn't belong to either side.
I don't think there was any reason for Sir Aldor to refuse, so I was a little taken aback when he said that.
“What’s wrong? Do you have any personal plans for tomorrow?”
Given Aldor's personality, it's unlikely he would have scheduled any personal activities on a non-holiday day, but I asked just in case.
Then, Sir Aldor's expression became clouded for a moment.
He lowered his gaze slightly as if thinking about something, then looked at me again and said.
“I made a slip of the tongue. I will do as you command, young lady.”
I could clearly see that he had a reason for not wanting to go, but he couldn't bring himself to tell me, so he reluctantly obeyed the order.
At other times, I wouldn't have sent it out considering his mood and circumstances, but this time, I couldn't.
Because there is no one else I can ask to do this job.
“I have a lot of work to do before I leave tomorrow, so I think it would be okay to go now.”
Although I felt a bit uneasy, I had no choice but to ignore it and send Sir Aldor away.
“Tsk tsk.”
As soon as Aldor left, Perdes clicked his tongue as if he felt sorry.
“Why are you like that?”
“I feel bad for that guy.”
“Sir Aldor?”
"Yes."
Perdes rested his elbows on the arm of the sofa and rested his chin crookedly.
“I already knew he wasn’t very tactful in this area, but I didn’t know it would be this bad... Seriously, he's pitiful.”
This time, it feels like it's him who's saying he feels sorry for himself, not Sir Aldor.
“But you really don’t know why that guy said that?”
“Do you know the reason, Perdes?”
“Of course I know.”
Perdes answered as if asking such an obvious question.
“If he takes that boy to Montesolo tomorrow, he won’t be able to see your succession to the duchy.”
It took about two days by carriage from the capital to Montesol, so it took four days for a round trip.
That means that if he has to investigate the boy I asked him to do separately, he will have to wait at least five days before he can return to the capital.
My Dukedom succession ceremony was to take place in three days, so no matter how much Sir Aldor hurried, he would not be able to see the ceremony.
That's true, but...
“Judging by your expression, it seems you don’t believe me.”
I shrugged my shoulders and answered his sharp remark.
“I just can’t believe that it was all just because of a single ceremony to succeed to the Duke’s throne.”
“It may be nothing to you, but it was a very important matter to that man.”
Is that so? I still don't understand, but I accepted it because each person has different things they consider important.
At the same time, Perdes also asked Sor Aldor, worried that he might be thinking the same thing.
“Do you also want to see my succession to the Duke’s throne, Perdes?”
Then Perdes looked at me with his eyes narrowed like a flounder and asked back.
“It seems like you have something to ask of me, too.”
As expected, you're quick-witted.
“It’s nothing much, I just want you to ask the Empress about what’s written here on my behalf.”
I continued, handing the note in question to Perdes.
“I would like to do it myself, but with the Emperor’s surveillance getting tighter, I am worried that if I step forward I might be met with some strange misunderstanding, so I am asking you, Perdes.”
Of course, that wasn't the only reason, but it was the biggest one.
Perhaps the early holding of the Duke's succession ceremony was to keep me in my domain and keep an eye on me.
Unlike my past life, the current Leopold Duchy was my territory.
Now that the spies he had planted in my territory have betrayed him or been assassinated, he will be even less willing to send me to Leopold's territory.
“I will be under the Emperor’s surveillance as well. Is that okay?”
“It’s okay. I’ll wait for the moment when surveillance on Lord Perdes is relaxed.”
“When will surveillance be relaxed?”
“When? It’s the time of the succession ceremony.”
Perdes tilted his head as if he didn't understand what I was saying, but soon an exclamation burst out from his mouth.
“Oh, by the way, the Empress and other Empresses cannot attend the succession ceremony.”
“Yes, but the Emperor must attend.”
The person who held the succession ceremony was the Emperor, so it made no sense for him to not attend.
Other members of the imperial family were optional, but since the Emperor was attending, they attended whenever possible unless there was a special reason.
“As the number one person to watch, if I am in front of him, all of the Emperor’s attention will be focused on me. Since many nobles will be attending the succession ceremony, he will be watching me even more closely.”
If he were to keep a close eye on me to see if I was conspiring with the nobles, etc., he would naturally neglect Perdes surveillance.
“You can contact the Empress at that time. If it’s you, Perdes, you can do it.”
“That’s true, but I think everyone would think it was strange if I didn’t attend the succession ceremony for no reason.”
“You can make a reason if you want.”
"How?"
“Before that, there’s something I’d like to ask for your understanding, Perdes.”
"Say it."
“Would it be okay for you to act like an idiot again?”
"...What?"
When Perdes blinked, seemingly taken aback by the sudden request, I added my explanation.
“I’m not asking you to continue to act like an idiot. Just for that one day, as soon as you enter the palace with me, you can start acting. Of course, except when you meet the Empress.”
"Ha?"
Perdes, who had been listening to my story in silence, burst into laughter that was almost a laugh.
“Well, it’s not like you’re asking me for this simply to avoid the Emperor’s surveillance.”
“So, will you grant my request?”
“Yes. It’s not a difficult request, and if it will help you, then of course I should help you.”
I was worried that he might not like it since he had to act like an idiot again, even if it was just for a little while, but fortunately, it turned out well.
“Still, it’s a shame that I won’t be able to see your succession to the dukedom.”
“It’s a meaningless ritual, so don’t feel sorry about it.”
And you'll see something better later.
I swallowed my words and tried to console Perdes, who was still grumbling that it was a pity.
The next day, early in the morning.
As Aldor was leaving his room after finishing his preparations to leave for Montesol as ordered by Adele, an unexpected person appeared in front of him.
“Are you going now?”
It was Perdes.
“Your Highness the Prince.”
Aldor greeted him indifferently on the outside, but inwardly he thought about why he had come.
Clearly, Perdes came to see Adele's succession ceremony and was upset that he was leaving without seeing it.
Other than that, there was no reason for Perdes to come looking for him like this, so he thought it was natural.
“I don’t know if this will be any consolation, but I won’t be able to see her succession to the duchy either.”
Aldor looked at Perdes, slightly bewildered, as the unexpected story came out differently from what he had expected.
“Hmm, hmm.”
Perdes, who met his eyes, turned his head away, coughing slightly as if he were embarrassed.
“Anyway, you’re not the only one who can’t see the succession ceremony, so don’t be too upset and go.”
“...Why are you telling me that?”
If they were close friends or had good feelings for each other, it would have been something he could have easily said, but that wasn't the case.
Although they were not enemies who would bite each other just by making eye contact, they were in a relationship where they disliked each other, so Aldor asked why Perdes was offering such comforting words.
Then Perdes looked at Aldor again.
“Because I feel bad.”
There was compassion and sympathy not only in his words but also in his gaze, but it did not seem to be limited to Aldor.
“I did it because I felt so bad.”
He feels sorry for himself too.
Aldor noticed the bitter smile spreading across Perdes' lips and smiled bitterly.
For the first time, he felt a strong kinship with Perdes.
Everything was peaceful, except for the commotion caused by the note supposedly sent by Chernosser
I left the note aside for now and focused on other matters, thinking that he would first hear the Empress's answer before deciding what to do.
Time passed without a trace and the day of the succession ceremony arrived.
As it was an important day for public relations, I woke up early in the morning and got dressed up neatly.
Instead of the fancy dress, I wore the red uniform of the Knights of Leopold, and my hair was tied up high.
My makeup was light as if I had barely any makeup on, and I wore no jewelry other than cufflinks and a brooch.
After finishing all the preparations, I was doing a final check in the mirror to make sure there was nothing strange when Perdes came to visit.
He had already made complete preparations to attend the succession ceremony.
He looked even more mature than usual, perhaps because he had his hair neatly put up and was wearing a neat suit.
The feeling of the young boy I knew was nowhere to be found.
I stared at him, feeling proud but also a little disappointed at the fact.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Is it weird?”
“No way. I just saw you because you were so cool.”
“Ahem.”
“I was just telling the truth, so why are you so embarrassed?” said Perdes, his ears slightly reddening.
“You look great too. You look like a Duke when you dress up like this.”
“You is a real Duke. You inherited the title of Duke.”
“No, that’s not what I meant...”
“I know. It was a joke, so don’t worry about it.”
I smiled and held out my hand to Perdes.
“Then shall we go, Your Highness?”
Perdes also responded with a smile and took my hand.
“Yes, Duke Leopold.”
For example, if I do something dangerous or refuse to escort him.
But this time, I didn't belong to either side.
I don't think there was any reason for Sir Aldor to refuse, so I was a little taken aback when he said that.
“What’s wrong? Do you have any personal plans for tomorrow?”
Given Aldor's personality, it's unlikely he would have scheduled any personal activities on a non-holiday day, but I asked just in case.
Then, Sir Aldor's expression became clouded for a moment.
He lowered his gaze slightly as if thinking about something, then looked at me again and said.
“I made a slip of the tongue. I will do as you command, young lady.”
I could clearly see that he had a reason for not wanting to go, but he couldn't bring himself to tell me, so he reluctantly obeyed the order.
At other times, I wouldn't have sent it out considering his mood and circumstances, but this time, I couldn't.
Because there is no one else I can ask to do this job.
“I have a lot of work to do before I leave tomorrow, so I think it would be okay to go now.”
Although I felt a bit uneasy, I had no choice but to ignore it and send Sir Aldor away.
“Tsk tsk.”
As soon as Aldor left, Perdes clicked his tongue as if he felt sorry.
“Why are you like that?”
“I feel bad for that guy.”
“Sir Aldor?”
"Yes."
Perdes rested his elbows on the arm of the sofa and rested his chin crookedly.
“I already knew he wasn’t very tactful in this area, but I didn’t know it would be this bad... Seriously, he's pitiful.”
This time, it feels like it's him who's saying he feels sorry for himself, not Sir Aldor.
“But you really don’t know why that guy said that?”
“Do you know the reason, Perdes?”
“Of course I know.”
Perdes answered as if asking such an obvious question.
“If he takes that boy to Montesolo tomorrow, he won’t be able to see your succession to the duchy.”
It took about two days by carriage from the capital to Montesol, so it took four days for a round trip.
That means that if he has to investigate the boy I asked him to do separately, he will have to wait at least five days before he can return to the capital.
My Dukedom succession ceremony was to take place in three days, so no matter how much Sir Aldor hurried, he would not be able to see the ceremony.
That's true, but...
“Judging by your expression, it seems you don’t believe me.”
I shrugged my shoulders and answered his sharp remark.
“I just can’t believe that it was all just because of a single ceremony to succeed to the Duke’s throne.”
“It may be nothing to you, but it was a very important matter to that man.”
Is that so? I still don't understand, but I accepted it because each person has different things they consider important.
At the same time, Perdes also asked Sor Aldor, worried that he might be thinking the same thing.
“Do you also want to see my succession to the Duke’s throne, Perdes?”
Then Perdes looked at me with his eyes narrowed like a flounder and asked back.
“It seems like you have something to ask of me, too.”
As expected, you're quick-witted.
“It’s nothing much, I just want you to ask the Empress about what’s written here on my behalf.”
I continued, handing the note in question to Perdes.
“I would like to do it myself, but with the Emperor’s surveillance getting tighter, I am worried that if I step forward I might be met with some strange misunderstanding, so I am asking you, Perdes.”
Of course, that wasn't the only reason, but it was the biggest one.
Perhaps the early holding of the Duke's succession ceremony was to keep me in my domain and keep an eye on me.
Unlike my past life, the current Leopold Duchy was my territory.
Now that the spies he had planted in my territory have betrayed him or been assassinated, he will be even less willing to send me to Leopold's territory.
“I will be under the Emperor’s surveillance as well. Is that okay?”
“It’s okay. I’ll wait for the moment when surveillance on Lord Perdes is relaxed.”
“When will surveillance be relaxed?”
“When? It’s the time of the succession ceremony.”
Perdes tilted his head as if he didn't understand what I was saying, but soon an exclamation burst out from his mouth.
“Oh, by the way, the Empress and other Empresses cannot attend the succession ceremony.”
“Yes, but the Emperor must attend.”
The person who held the succession ceremony was the Emperor, so it made no sense for him to not attend.
Other members of the imperial family were optional, but since the Emperor was attending, they attended whenever possible unless there was a special reason.
“As the number one person to watch, if I am in front of him, all of the Emperor’s attention will be focused on me. Since many nobles will be attending the succession ceremony, he will be watching me even more closely.”
If he were to keep a close eye on me to see if I was conspiring with the nobles, etc., he would naturally neglect Perdes surveillance.
“You can contact the Empress at that time. If it’s you, Perdes, you can do it.”
“That’s true, but I think everyone would think it was strange if I didn’t attend the succession ceremony for no reason.”
“You can make a reason if you want.”
"How?"
“Before that, there’s something I’d like to ask for your understanding, Perdes.”
"Say it."
“Would it be okay for you to act like an idiot again?”
"...What?"
When Perdes blinked, seemingly taken aback by the sudden request, I added my explanation.
“I’m not asking you to continue to act like an idiot. Just for that one day, as soon as you enter the palace with me, you can start acting. Of course, except when you meet the Empress.”
"Ha?"
Perdes, who had been listening to my story in silence, burst into laughter that was almost a laugh.
“Well, it’s not like you’re asking me for this simply to avoid the Emperor’s surveillance.”
“So, will you grant my request?”
“Yes. It’s not a difficult request, and if it will help you, then of course I should help you.”
I was worried that he might not like it since he had to act like an idiot again, even if it was just for a little while, but fortunately, it turned out well.
“Still, it’s a shame that I won’t be able to see your succession to the dukedom.”
“It’s a meaningless ritual, so don’t feel sorry about it.”
And you'll see something better later.
I swallowed my words and tried to console Perdes, who was still grumbling that it was a pity.
***
The next day, early in the morning.
As Aldor was leaving his room after finishing his preparations to leave for Montesol as ordered by Adele, an unexpected person appeared in front of him.
“Are you going now?”
It was Perdes.
“Your Highness the Prince.”
Aldor greeted him indifferently on the outside, but inwardly he thought about why he had come.
Clearly, Perdes came to see Adele's succession ceremony and was upset that he was leaving without seeing it.
Other than that, there was no reason for Perdes to come looking for him like this, so he thought it was natural.
“I don’t know if this will be any consolation, but I won’t be able to see her succession to the duchy either.”
Aldor looked at Perdes, slightly bewildered, as the unexpected story came out differently from what he had expected.
“Hmm, hmm.”
Perdes, who met his eyes, turned his head away, coughing slightly as if he were embarrassed.
“Anyway, you’re not the only one who can’t see the succession ceremony, so don’t be too upset and go.”
“...Why are you telling me that?”
If they were close friends or had good feelings for each other, it would have been something he could have easily said, but that wasn't the case.
Although they were not enemies who would bite each other just by making eye contact, they were in a relationship where they disliked each other, so Aldor asked why Perdes was offering such comforting words.
Then Perdes looked at Aldor again.
“Because I feel bad.”
There was compassion and sympathy not only in his words but also in his gaze, but it did not seem to be limited to Aldor.
“I did it because I felt so bad.”
He feels sorry for himself too.
Aldor noticed the bitter smile spreading across Perdes' lips and smiled bitterly.
For the first time, he felt a strong kinship with Perdes.
***
Everything was peaceful, except for the commotion caused by the note supposedly sent by Chernosser
I left the note aside for now and focused on other matters, thinking that he would first hear the Empress's answer before deciding what to do.
Time passed without a trace and the day of the succession ceremony arrived.
As it was an important day for public relations, I woke up early in the morning and got dressed up neatly.
Instead of the fancy dress, I wore the red uniform of the Knights of Leopold, and my hair was tied up high.
My makeup was light as if I had barely any makeup on, and I wore no jewelry other than cufflinks and a brooch.
After finishing all the preparations, I was doing a final check in the mirror to make sure there was nothing strange when Perdes came to visit.
He had already made complete preparations to attend the succession ceremony.
He looked even more mature than usual, perhaps because he had his hair neatly put up and was wearing a neat suit.
The feeling of the young boy I knew was nowhere to be found.
I stared at him, feeling proud but also a little disappointed at the fact.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Is it weird?”
“No way. I just saw you because you were so cool.”
“Ahem.”
“I was just telling the truth, so why are you so embarrassed?” said Perdes, his ears slightly reddening.
“You look great too. You look like a Duke when you dress up like this.”
“You is a real Duke. You inherited the title of Duke.”
“No, that’s not what I meant...”
“I know. It was a joke, so don’t worry about it.”
I smiled and held out my hand to Perdes.
“Then shall we go, Your Highness?”
Perdes also responded with a smile and took my hand.
“Yes, Duke Leopold.”
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment