“I don’t know if you know, but there is a special room in the basement of the Leopold family’s house that only the head of the household is allowed to enter.”
To catch a fish, you have to throw a tasty bait.
“There I found the journals of my father and the previous Dukes Leopold.”
“Oh, really? What was written in that journal?”
“There were so many that I couldn’t check them all, but it seemed like they recorded events that happened in past empires and duchies.”
“It’s a picture of the empire’s past written from the perspective of the former Duke Leopold. That’s really interesting. I’d like to read it sometime.”
I want to see the Emperor's reaction, but it's annoying why the Crown Prince keeps interfering.
I swallowed a sigh inside but smiled kindly on the outside as I spoke.
“If Your Highness wishes, I can bring you the diary.”
“No. Those journals are probably important heirlooms of the Duke’s family, so if you bring them with you and they get damaged or lost, it would be a big problem, so you don’t have to do that.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Even while talking to the Crown Prince, I kept watching the Emperor's expression, but he didn't show any particular reaction.
He didn't tell the Crown Prince to stop or offer a different opinion.
It seemed that what the Emperor was after was not a diary or similar records.
Well, there's no reason to go looking through a journal full of strange words, whether it's a curse or not.
Then what could it be? Could it be that sword?
Or is there something else hiding that I don't know about?
Or maybe he obtained it in exchange for Chernosser's life?
Looking at his actions so far, it doesn't seem like that's the case.
“Come to think of it, I found something strange in the basement. No, maybe I should say something a little strange?”
As I took a quick swipe to check which one it was, the Emperor's hand that was picking up the cup of water stopped.
His pupils rolled toward me faster than ever before.
“A strange thing?”
Fortunately, it looks like you haven't gotten your hands on it yet.
“Yes. By the way, there is something I would like to ask of you, His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“What is it?”
“I would like you to tell me in detail what happened when my father passed away.”
“...!”
The Crown Prince looked at the Emperor in surprise at my request, and the Emperor frowned slightly and asked me.
“Why do you suddenly want to hear that story? It’s a story that will only leave scars on the hearts of the Duke and the Crown Prince.”
“Because of the strange and wonderful object I found in the basement.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I will tell you the details after I have heard the whole story. So please permit me, Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
When I bowed my head and asked, the Emperor stroked his chin as if he was embarrassed, thought for a moment, and then nodded.
“I don’t allow it.”
This time, the Crown Prince's expression collapsed.
“Speak quickly, Crown Prince.”
“That was a long time ago, so my memory is a bit hazy, but...”
But since the Emperor did not change his mind, the Crown Prince stammered as if he had no choice.
It was a story that I had heard dozens of times already, nothing new.
But I asked because there was something I wanted to make clear.
“...That’s how it happened.”
At last, when the long story was over, the Crown Prince bowed his head to me and apologized.
“I’m sorry, Duke. If I had been more careful back then, that wouldn’t have happened...”
“I didn’t ask about that time to receive an apology from His Highness the Crown Prince, so you don’t have to apologize.”
Even if I apologize, I don't think they'll accept it.
“But is it true that the sword that Father usually used was broken? Did you mistake it for a different sword that he used?”
“Absolutely not.”
“How can you be sure of that?”
“That’s because the sword that the former Duke Leopold used was engraved with a large fura that is absolutely impossible to obtain these days. You can never mistake it even if you try to make a mistake.”
Finally, the story I wanted to hear has come out.
“That’s right. The sword my father used was the only one of its kind in the world.”
The Crown Prince finally realized something was strange and closed his mouth.
I said this looking at the Emperor, not at him.
“But I really wonder why that sword is in the Duke’s basement.”
So as not to miss the fleeting moment when the Emperor's expression changes.
As expected, the Emperor's eyes trembled slightly.
It was so brief that if I hadn't been looking at his face from the beginning, I wouldn't have noticed it at all.
“Crown Prince, are you sure you’re seeing things correctly?”
“That, that...”
The Crown Prince hesitated, visibly embarrassed, and then closed his mouth.
You said it was definitely true, so I guess you can't say now that you were mistaken.
As the Crown Prince continued to remain silent, the Emperor clucked his tongue and waved his hands in frustration.
“I have something important to discuss with the Duke, so the Crown Prince may leave now.”
The Crown Prince quickly went out as if he had been waiting.
The Emperor dismissed all his servants and asked me.
“The sword the Duke saw in the basement, is it definitely the sword Liam usually uses?”
“I remember correctly, but since His Highness the Crown Prince said he definitely saw the sword break, I suspect my memory may be faulty.”
“Then I guess we can check it out.”
...Huh?
“If it’s the sword that Liam used, I have seen it often, so if you bring it to me, I can check it out for myself.”
Unlike the time of the diary, it seems like he is taking an active role, so it seems like the sword is what the Emperor is looking for.
The secret that had been kept under wraps for so long was finally revealed, and rather than being happy, I was annoyed.
The fact that I had to go through all that trouble because of that sword made me angry, scratching at my thin patience.
If it were me in my previous life, I would have immediately thrown the sword at the Emperor and shouted that I had what I wanted and that he should stop bothering me, but not now.
There was no reason to bend and give him what he wanted when I could have taken revenge on the Emperor in a satisfying way.
Yeah, there's absolutely no reason for that.
As I thought about what would happen next, the anger that had been building up in my throat gradually subsided.
“Thank you for your kind words, but...”
Thanks to that, I was able to act without feeling awkward.
“That sword is sealed, so I can’t bring it.”
"Seal?"
“Yes. I’m trying to figure out what kind of seal it is, but it’s not easy. If my father were alive, I would have asked him right away...”
I pretended to be sad, forcibly squeezing out tears and burying my face in my handkerchief.
I could hear the Emperor sighing overhead.
The acting was over, and it was time for the actor to leave.
“Who, I can’t stop crying, I’m sorry, but can you stand up first?”
Who could say no to someone who earnestly begs with a tearful face?
“Yes. Let’s stop here today and talk again next time. If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll help you with anything.”
Seeing that he never gave up on the sword until the very end, it was clear that the sword was what the Emperor was after.
After greeting the Emperor, I left the garden.
“Oh, by the way, I need permission to stay in the palace.”
I don't want to go back, what should I do?
“There’s nothing I can do.”
I have no choice but to ask the Empress.
As I was walking towards the Empress's palace, a long shadow appeared above my head.
I've seen this scene a lot somewhere.
“There is something I would like to ask the Duke.”
I thought it was the Third Empress again, but this time it was the Crown Prince.
“Go ahead.”
I guess he's going to ask if I did that on purpose to screw him over earlier.
“Where is Perdes now?”
Of course, I expected to be asked something like that, but I was flustered because the question was completely unexpected and related to Perdes. However, I pretended not to know and answered calmly.
“If it’s Lord Perdes, he has left for the Tesis territory on business.”
“Are you sure you went to the Tesis territory?”
A question that I am sure does not exist.
“As far as I know, that’s true... Why is that?”
“The investigator went to the Tesis estate to investigate the counterfeit gold coin case, but he said he didn’t see Perdes. That’s why I asked.”
“Oh, that’s really strange.”
The die had already been cast, so it was unnecessary to hide it.
“He clearly said he was going to the Tesis territory. Did he go somewhere else in the meantime?”
“Do you really not know where Perdes is? Even though you are his fiancee?”
“Then, does Your Highness the Crown Prince know where Her Highness the Crown Princess is now?”
"That..."
The Crown Prince kept his mouth shut as if he still didn't know.
Like the Emperor, the Crown Princes were not interested in each other because their marriage was a political one.
“Now that I think about it, I also want to say something to Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
I should seal that mouth before I start talking nonsense again.
“When I asked you to tell me about my father’s story earlier, you said you couldn’t remember much because it happened so long ago... How could that be?”
“That, that’s...!”
“You said you would engrave my father’s kindness in your heart for the rest of your life, so how could you forget that incident?”
“I, it’s not that I really forgot, but I was flustered when you suddenly asked me, so I accidentally said that. Of course, even if it was a mistake, I shouldn’t have said that...”
The Crown Prince made a hasty excuse, then coughed and turned around.
“Ahem. I’m busy so I’ll be going now. When Perdes gets back, tell him to stop by the palace.”
To catch a fish, you have to throw a tasty bait.
“There I found the journals of my father and the previous Dukes Leopold.”
“Oh, really? What was written in that journal?”
“There were so many that I couldn’t check them all, but it seemed like they recorded events that happened in past empires and duchies.”
“It’s a picture of the empire’s past written from the perspective of the former Duke Leopold. That’s really interesting. I’d like to read it sometime.”
I want to see the Emperor's reaction, but it's annoying why the Crown Prince keeps interfering.
I swallowed a sigh inside but smiled kindly on the outside as I spoke.
“If Your Highness wishes, I can bring you the diary.”
“No. Those journals are probably important heirlooms of the Duke’s family, so if you bring them with you and they get damaged or lost, it would be a big problem, so you don’t have to do that.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Even while talking to the Crown Prince, I kept watching the Emperor's expression, but he didn't show any particular reaction.
He didn't tell the Crown Prince to stop or offer a different opinion.
It seemed that what the Emperor was after was not a diary or similar records.
Well, there's no reason to go looking through a journal full of strange words, whether it's a curse or not.
Then what could it be? Could it be that sword?
Or is there something else hiding that I don't know about?
Or maybe he obtained it in exchange for Chernosser's life?
Looking at his actions so far, it doesn't seem like that's the case.
“Come to think of it, I found something strange in the basement. No, maybe I should say something a little strange?”
As I took a quick swipe to check which one it was, the Emperor's hand that was picking up the cup of water stopped.
His pupils rolled toward me faster than ever before.
“A strange thing?”
Fortunately, it looks like you haven't gotten your hands on it yet.
“Yes. By the way, there is something I would like to ask of you, His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“What is it?”
“I would like you to tell me in detail what happened when my father passed away.”
“...!”
The Crown Prince looked at the Emperor in surprise at my request, and the Emperor frowned slightly and asked me.
“Why do you suddenly want to hear that story? It’s a story that will only leave scars on the hearts of the Duke and the Crown Prince.”
“Because of the strange and wonderful object I found in the basement.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I will tell you the details after I have heard the whole story. So please permit me, Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
When I bowed my head and asked, the Emperor stroked his chin as if he was embarrassed, thought for a moment, and then nodded.
“I don’t allow it.”
This time, the Crown Prince's expression collapsed.
“Speak quickly, Crown Prince.”
“That was a long time ago, so my memory is a bit hazy, but...”
But since the Emperor did not change his mind, the Crown Prince stammered as if he had no choice.
It was a story that I had heard dozens of times already, nothing new.
But I asked because there was something I wanted to make clear.
“...That’s how it happened.”
At last, when the long story was over, the Crown Prince bowed his head to me and apologized.
“I’m sorry, Duke. If I had been more careful back then, that wouldn’t have happened...”
“I didn’t ask about that time to receive an apology from His Highness the Crown Prince, so you don’t have to apologize.”
Even if I apologize, I don't think they'll accept it.
“But is it true that the sword that Father usually used was broken? Did you mistake it for a different sword that he used?”
“Absolutely not.”
“How can you be sure of that?”
“That’s because the sword that the former Duke Leopold used was engraved with a large fura that is absolutely impossible to obtain these days. You can never mistake it even if you try to make a mistake.”
Finally, the story I wanted to hear has come out.
“That’s right. The sword my father used was the only one of its kind in the world.”
The Crown Prince finally realized something was strange and closed his mouth.
I said this looking at the Emperor, not at him.
“But I really wonder why that sword is in the Duke’s basement.”
So as not to miss the fleeting moment when the Emperor's expression changes.
As expected, the Emperor's eyes trembled slightly.
It was so brief that if I hadn't been looking at his face from the beginning, I wouldn't have noticed it at all.
“Crown Prince, are you sure you’re seeing things correctly?”
“That, that...”
The Crown Prince hesitated, visibly embarrassed, and then closed his mouth.
You said it was definitely true, so I guess you can't say now that you were mistaken.
As the Crown Prince continued to remain silent, the Emperor clucked his tongue and waved his hands in frustration.
“I have something important to discuss with the Duke, so the Crown Prince may leave now.”
The Crown Prince quickly went out as if he had been waiting.
The Emperor dismissed all his servants and asked me.
“The sword the Duke saw in the basement, is it definitely the sword Liam usually uses?”
“I remember correctly, but since His Highness the Crown Prince said he definitely saw the sword break, I suspect my memory may be faulty.”
“Then I guess we can check it out.”
...Huh?
“If it’s the sword that Liam used, I have seen it often, so if you bring it to me, I can check it out for myself.”
Unlike the time of the diary, it seems like he is taking an active role, so it seems like the sword is what the Emperor is looking for.
The secret that had been kept under wraps for so long was finally revealed, and rather than being happy, I was annoyed.
The fact that I had to go through all that trouble because of that sword made me angry, scratching at my thin patience.
If it were me in my previous life, I would have immediately thrown the sword at the Emperor and shouted that I had what I wanted and that he should stop bothering me, but not now.
There was no reason to bend and give him what he wanted when I could have taken revenge on the Emperor in a satisfying way.
Yeah, there's absolutely no reason for that.
As I thought about what would happen next, the anger that had been building up in my throat gradually subsided.
“Thank you for your kind words, but...”
Thanks to that, I was able to act without feeling awkward.
“That sword is sealed, so I can’t bring it.”
"Seal?"
“Yes. I’m trying to figure out what kind of seal it is, but it’s not easy. If my father were alive, I would have asked him right away...”
I pretended to be sad, forcibly squeezing out tears and burying my face in my handkerchief.
I could hear the Emperor sighing overhead.
The acting was over, and it was time for the actor to leave.
“Who, I can’t stop crying, I’m sorry, but can you stand up first?”
Who could say no to someone who earnestly begs with a tearful face?
“Yes. Let’s stop here today and talk again next time. If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll help you with anything.”
Seeing that he never gave up on the sword until the very end, it was clear that the sword was what the Emperor was after.
After greeting the Emperor, I left the garden.
“Oh, by the way, I need permission to stay in the palace.”
I don't want to go back, what should I do?
“There’s nothing I can do.”
I have no choice but to ask the Empress.
As I was walking towards the Empress's palace, a long shadow appeared above my head.
I've seen this scene a lot somewhere.
“There is something I would like to ask the Duke.”
I thought it was the Third Empress again, but this time it was the Crown Prince.
“Go ahead.”
I guess he's going to ask if I did that on purpose to screw him over earlier.
“Where is Perdes now?”
Of course, I expected to be asked something like that, but I was flustered because the question was completely unexpected and related to Perdes. However, I pretended not to know and answered calmly.
“If it’s Lord Perdes, he has left for the Tesis territory on business.”
“Are you sure you went to the Tesis territory?”
A question that I am sure does not exist.
“As far as I know, that’s true... Why is that?”
“The investigator went to the Tesis estate to investigate the counterfeit gold coin case, but he said he didn’t see Perdes. That’s why I asked.”
“Oh, that’s really strange.”
The die had already been cast, so it was unnecessary to hide it.
“He clearly said he was going to the Tesis territory. Did he go somewhere else in the meantime?”
“Do you really not know where Perdes is? Even though you are his fiancee?”
“Then, does Your Highness the Crown Prince know where Her Highness the Crown Princess is now?”
"That..."
The Crown Prince kept his mouth shut as if he still didn't know.
Like the Emperor, the Crown Princes were not interested in each other because their marriage was a political one.
“Now that I think about it, I also want to say something to Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
I should seal that mouth before I start talking nonsense again.
“When I asked you to tell me about my father’s story earlier, you said you couldn’t remember much because it happened so long ago... How could that be?”
“That, that’s...!”
“You said you would engrave my father’s kindness in your heart for the rest of your life, so how could you forget that incident?”
“I, it’s not that I really forgot, but I was flustered when you suddenly asked me, so I accidentally said that. Of course, even if it was a mistake, I shouldn’t have said that...”
The Crown Prince made a hasty excuse, then coughed and turned around.
“Ahem. I’m busy so I’ll be going now. When Perdes gets back, tell him to stop by the palace.”
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