I flinched at the sharp remark. I rolled my eyes and then cleared my throat and started to collect my thoughts.
“Ah, ahem, hm, oh, isn’t that a good thing? So what?”
“Yes, yes, that’s good.”
It was inevitable that the answer would be ambiguous. It was common knowledge in the empire that homunculus were infertile.
'No, above all, why did you bring the symbol of fertility to Sir Agnito?'
If I didn't know he was my direct knight, I'd think it was a gift meant to mock Michael.
It was then that Alben felt a little confused and looked over at Michael, the recipient of the gift. Michael spoke in a calm voice.
“Yes. Think of it as a child and take good care of it.”
“I won't leave it to Michael alone. I'll stop by as often as I can. I can't make it this week, but I'll be there next week.”
I and Michael exchanged sweet promises, momentarily forgetting that we were in front of Alben.
“By the way, Sister Nia is more serious.”
“Her Highness the 6th Princess?”
“I think she's trying to implicate me in Derek's death at Brigitte's urging. She might do something stupid sooner or later.”
By then, the mood had turned serious again. I had something to discuss with Alben.
“Her Highness the 6th Princess?”
“I think she's trying to implicate me in Derek's death at Brigitte's urging. She might do something stupid sooner or later.”
“No, no such... The Sixth Prince's death was due to the machinations of the Third Princess, and it's a frustrating situation when it's the one who's the instigator.”
Alben thought for a moment and then asked.
“Have you tried inclusion?”
“Of course.”
“Is it a failure?”
“She refused to even have a brief conversation, let alone visit.”
Our relationship had been on the rocks since the incident with the bird poop in Derek's eye, and now, with Derek's death, we were completely enemies.
“She's too emotional right now, so I'm going to have to do it myself and it's going to be low-hanging fruit. It's a shame there's no one to play the middle man in times like this.”
Alben didn't take it too seriously.
“In that case, I think you can leave it alone, for any attempt to harm Your Highness will come back to bite you.”
“If it's best to prevent damage to my side, then the next best thing is to do more damage to my opponent to make it worth the damage to my side.”
“Hmm, I’m not used to being hit. I don’t know if I’ll be okay.”
“Let's put our faith in His Majesty's total affection. After all, isn't His Majesty the one who cares enough about you to give you an unexpected birthday banquet?”
I pointed out the part that Alben was misunderstanding.
“My birthday banquet is being held thanks to Rosie's insistence. And Rosie is the one who is stuck with Sister Nia after this morning's meeting.”
Stefania wasn't the only one who refused to have contact with me.
Even Rosenite was clearly avoiding me, and whenever she was seen, she was with Stefania.
'If the imprint failed and the person returned...'
I can no longer afford to ignore the threat that is Rosenite.
Alben raised his mouth to make a cool-headed assessment of the situation.
“Then we'd better assume that the political will of the Eighth Princess has shifted in favor of the Third Princess, but that won't change our situation. Whatever the ruse is, it will be carried out through the Sixth Princess, and then you'll see the results and sort out the Sixth and Eighth Princess at once.”
I lowered my eyes deeply as I repeated the word. The air in the living room became heavy.
Knock knock.
Just then a knock broke the silence. The young servant, Hugh, came in and announced smartly.
“Your Highness, Lord Calix Limitiello would like to meet with you.”
“Lord Limitiello?”
It was an unscheduled visit. I was a little puzzled, but let him in any way.
“Your Highness, I greet you. I have come to pay my respects as I have business to attend the palace.”
“Please sit down first.”
The tea was ready right away.
I waited until Calix took a sip of tea and then asked calmly.
“I know the Academy is having an exam period in a week, is it okay if you're in the capital?”
“You must have gone to the palace with Marquis Limitiello. What is your business?”
“I have been permitted to attend the Privy Council meeting. I will be attending with my brother.”
"Ah."
A small gasp escaped my lips.
For a family whose patriarch has been a member of the Chamber of Deputies for generations, attending meetings is like training a successor. It was as if the conservative Marquis Limitiello had finally let go of his insistence on first-born succession and was beginning to see his eldest son, Felios, and younger son, Calix, side by side..
“I wish to congratulate you in advance, but I will refrain from doing so until the end.”
As I grew, so did my surroundings. It was a great feeling to have an ally who was getting stronger and stronger.
I had something to ask Calix, a student at the Academy.
“How are you, Euclid?”
Euclid, the Eighth Prince, had enrolled in Gnosis Academy to train to be the Chief of the Capital Guard. Now that he was an alumnus, there was no better person than Callix to inquire about my brother's well-being.
“Yes. Surprisingly, or rather, as expected, he is adapting well and focusing on his studies.”
“Hmm, from the perspective of someone who saw the last report card, it sounds questionable.”
“Effort and achievement are not necessarily proportional.”
It was a way of painting the buds of loyalty. At this point, my expression became more serious.
“Please ask.”
“How are Euclid’s relationships with his friends?”
“Ah, that’s..."
My eyes trembled as Calix showed a slightly embarrassed expression.
“There was a group of people who started a fight, but they disappeared.”
“Huh? Could it be Euclid...”
“No, His Highness is very careful not to become a liability to Your Highness the Princess. I understand he is quite well-connected with the noble sons of his own age.”
“Then what happened?”
“A group of brawlers was caught going in and out of a 'masked gambling house'. The disciplinary committee was activated, and it didn't get too crazy.”
I was finally relieved after understanding. At that time, Alben showed interest in the conversation and joined in.
“Isn't Gnosis Academy the home of the sons of prominent families, and a student there is a gambling house? This is a scandal of epic proportions.”
“Yes. It's being kept under wraps, but sooner or later word will get out, and I don't think it's going to be contained easily. There are quite a few children of high nobility involved.”
“Did you find out who it was?”
“The Academy cannot draw on the power of the family, so please take this information with a grain of salt. It is rumored that Young master Demir Tinus is also under investigation.”
By then, the corners of my mouth, hidden by my teacup, were curved, the smile of someone who already knows a lot.
“Lord Limitiello, please keep telling us news about the Academy.”
“Yes. I will visit you often.”
“Oh, by the way, good luck on your test.”
“...Yes, thank you.”
He paused before answering, clearly worried about his upcoming exam.
That was the end of my conversation with Calix. He couldn't stay much longer as he had other important things to attend to.
“Then I’ll see you again at the birthday party.”
“Take a look, my lord.”
As soon as Calix left the reception room, Alben smirked sinisterly as if he had been waiting for it.
“One of the fuses has been lit.”
“I see.”
I put down my teacup and said.
“Investigate the source of the collateral nobles’ gambling funds.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
The groundwork was still being done to cut down Brigitte's two remaining factions, Belteor and Lamekal.
Calix made his way to the main palace alone. He had traveled in and out of the palace often enough as a child that he didn't need a guide.
“Lord Calix Limitiello.”
“You...?”
A woman with long black hair stopped Calix and pulled him over. Each of the captors' wine-colored uniforms was enough to give away their identity. The face was even familiar.
The opponent's name came out along with white breath.
What business does the homunculus, who was the direct subordinate of the deceased 6th Prince Derek, have with him?
Snoret spoke politely while Calix questioned her.
“What business do you have with me?”
“I’m sorry, I can’t tell you right now.”
Without the slightest hint, it only makes him more wary. When Calix gave her a look of reluctance, Snoret said what one might say to someone proposing a private meeting.
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