The Crown Prince's Scheme

“…I want to shoot that man’s head right now.”

Titancia wore an expression full of anger that could rival Marguerite.

For someone who was poor at speaking and showing emotion, this was as exposed as she’d ever been since the time of the Zarichu of Hunger that tormented her childhood friend.

“Jonah…she’s here. I’m here too. Everyone…everyone loves you.”

Titancia embraced both Jonah and Marguerite as if to envelop them.

The two small ones were wet with tears from many emotions.

“Sniff… e-heehee. I’m okay. As Titancia said, I have everyone. My precious…my precious everyone.”

Jonah wiped his tears with his arm and smiled bashfully, looking pleased.

As he had decided on that hill in the Hagenberg territory with Marguerite, he had completely severed ties with the Langheim family.

Of course there was sadness about that, but he was surrounded and protected by so many important people. He no longer needed to suffer.

And besides, there were important people outside this place too…Carlo and Aurora, Priscilla, Quylindra, Colette, Zeria, Fafnir, Henrik, and Kuu.

Above all.

“Jonah…it’s okay…it’s okay…”

Even now, Marguerite was here, closer to him than anyone, leaning against his chest.

So Jonah was okay now.

“Phew…there are many things I’d like to ask Jonah, but I’ll stop here. Besides, if Jonah smiles like that, those things have no meaning.”

“Ah, ahaha, that’s very Miss Patricia of you.”

“Hm, what do you mean by that?”

“Wah!?”

Jonah and Patricia bantered in their usual manner, enjoying their back-and-forth.

At the same time, Patricia felt relieved inwardly that Jonah had regained enough cheerfulness to trade such words.

“…If Princess Patricia is joining the fray, this cannot be underestimated, can it?”

“Mmm… a formidable enemy.”

Marguerite and Titancia watched the pair and felt a growing sense of alarm.

Marquess Hagenberg, who was watching over them, lifted the corner of his mouth.

Then.

“Uh, um…”

A long-eared woman spoke timidly, sounding apologetic.

She was Titancia’s mother, the former hero ‘Silent Archer’, Quylindra.

“Ah, Lady Quylindra.”

In contrast to her, Jonah returned a bright smile.

“Th-that…I am sorry this time. For telling the Empire about Jonah…”

“Ah, ahaha…it did cause some trouble, certainly, but on the other hand it allowed me to meet Marie and Titancia and the others like this, so thank you rather.”

Saying that, Jonah bowed politely.

Quylindra felt increasingly tormented by guilt at the sight of the considerate little boy.

“…Really, Jonah…”

“Ehehe…”

“Leave it to me. If there are any who would do anything to you, or even consider using you, then I, Quylindra Alverich, swear by my name that I will absolutely protect you. Even if it is the Empire.”

Quylindra emitted a powerful aura of lethal intent across the hall and spoke calmly.

The nobles still watching her felt a cold sweat along their backs from the hero’s genuine pressure, their faces twitching in dread.

Meanwhile.

“Ho…leaving aside my sister Patricia, a boy like Jonah who makes even the hero Quylindra and Marquess Hagenberg say such things…this cannot be ignored,” said the Crown Prince.

Crown Prince Leonardo lifted the corner of his mouth, indifferent to Quylindra’s murderous aura.

He had originally planned to find Jonah before anyone else and ingratiate himself with Quylindra to secure her support, thus solidifying his position as the next emperor.

That plan had been nullified by Patricia, but still, if he could pull Jonah into his fold, he could gain Quylindra’s support and also win over the now-powerful Marquess Hagenberg.

If possible, even Patricia herself.

“Then, let’s move at once.”

Leonardo smirked and approached not where Jonah and the others were, but the man who had been watching them from a distance.

“…Even though this is an official event, what wind blew you to come all the way to me, Elder Brother?”

The one who said it, frowning and unable to hide his displeasure, was the second prince, Wulfe, in a tone of sarcasm.

A political rival who normally would not cross paths with him had shown up. It was natural for him to be on guard.

“Don’t be so defensive…rather, what do you think of that?”

Leonardo cast his gaze toward where Jonah and the others were.

“I have no particular interest. It’s somewhat unpleasant that Lady Quylindra, who is nothing more than a mere guest(…), was made to behave like that.”

“That’s true. She may be a former hero, but this is the Estraia Empire. We cannot overlook it.”

Saying that, Leonardo knit his brows slightly.

It was rare for Leonardo to show his true feelings so readily. Wulfe put his hand to his chin and felt as much.

“Lady Quylindra said that that boy defeated one of the Demon Lord’s army commanders. If that turns out to be dubious, perhaps she’ll think twice?”

Moreover, during the previous audience, Patricia had defended Jonah.

Then, taking advantage of this opportunity, they might also be able to remove the annoying Patricia, who was both his sister and subordinate. Wulfe’s amber eyes gleamed malignantly.

“My brother is right. After this celebration, a meeting between Patricia and Lady Quylindra is scheduled. At that meeting, I will also raise this point.”

“Is that so. Then I too cannot remain silent.”

The two princes nodded to each other.

But inside Leonardo’s heart, he was mocking his simple, foolish brother who had been so easily led on.