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I wanted to cry out in joy, but considering the atmosphere I kept as solemn an expression as possible.

“May I ask why?”

“I would have thought the Chancellor already knows.”

“I want to hear it directly from the Prince.”

Raven, as if sweating, took the handkerchief Nicola handed at the right moment and wiped his hands.

“You’re subtly cruel. After accompanying you to the plague zone, learning duties from the Minister of Finance, and experiencing this temple affair as well, what struck me is how many imperial subjects are affected by a superior’s decision. Even lives, at that.”

“That’s right.”

“Great power brings great force. And when abused—using the Chancellor’s phrase—I saw with my own eyes it becomes a mess. Honestly, I even felt this: it almost felt like asking whether one will remain idle even after seeing such realities.”

It’s true. Even if it takes more time, showing the Crown Prince’s wrongdoings and letting him feel it was much more effective than telling him a hundred times at his side to become Emperor.

“Through this incident I realized my brother intends to ruin not just me but the Empire as well.”

“He counts faults much faster than achievements. Surprisingly so.”

“If you weren’t angry by now, the Chancellor would have no reason to have treated me.”

I raised my hand for a moment.

“If you seek the throne with a resigned mindset, give it up. Lorence, the Crown Prince, is not an easy opponent. It must be a path chosen by you, the Prince himself—not because of me or the Emperor. In the process, supporters like me who follow you may fail to help in time or be harmed. Even so, you must move forward.”

Raven shook his head. I had given a slight scare, but would he give up at this point?

“I intend to become Emperor so that won’t happen.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Though briefly, new connections formed including with you, and I met imperial subjects who smiled at me. They became precious. If my brother becomes Emperor, I’ll lose them. Once he takes power, even if I vow not to become Emperor myself, he’ll kill me the moment he ascends. And it’s not only me; harm will reach those close to me.”

I could tell Raven had reached an answer after much contemplation.

“I’ve received a lot of help, so this time I want to protect them. Not because I have to, but because I choose to.”

He tried to hide it, but he couldn’t help a satisfied smile.

I started as a worker to make a living and somehow climbed up to here. Even now, I largely do this job hoping taxes won’t be wasted and because the honor and stipend are decent.

Paradoxically, Raven didn’t want that. Given the circumstances he must act, but he hoped he wouldn’t choose this path solely out of fear of being killed by Lorence.

“That’s why I waited.”

Without that degree of heart and resolve, it would be an arduous path easy to grow weary of.

“Will the Chancellor join me on that path?”

He politely extended his hand as if asking someone to be his dance partner.

“You speak so earnestly I cannot refuse. I will also help Prince Raven by my own choice.”

I gently placed my hand on Raven’s. He squeezed slightly and kissed the back of my hand.

“Uh… isn’t the situation reversed?”

Usually it’s the subordinate swearing fealty who kisses, isn’t it? But Prince Raven himself was all smiles.

“If the Chancellor helps, there’s nothing to fear. In fact, the Mage Tower Master and the Next Archduke come along as well, so without your cooperation it would have been very difficult to pursue my resolve.”

He was quite calculating. I didn’t dislike that about him.

“Raven, you’re smart.”

Aidan, who had been watching, jumped up and approached us. Then, abruptly, he kneeled and took my hand to kiss it just like Raven. I was so astonished I snatched my held hands back in a hurry.

“Aidan, what are you doing?”

Aidan silently gave me a cute wink. Raven answered.

“Because those around me are such heavyweights, I always have to keep my wits about me.”

“You are royalty.”

“Royalty treated by the Chancellor.”

“But to become Emperor…”

“One who could only become Emperor with the Chancellor’s help.”

They bickered, and seeing Raven in good spirits I decided to let it pass. A fleeting thought crossed me: what good is it to win over a child like that?

“I look forward to your support going forward, Prince.”

“Likewise.”

After the Crown Prince’s seat became vacant, the political situation that had seemed peaceful on the surface suddenly changed. At the monthly meeting, nobles of the Crown Prince faction huddled together with worried faces, whispering among themselves.

“They’re probably complaining, ‘Why can’t we eat what was given?’”

In truth, if he hadn’t done anything hugely wrong, Lorence would have naturally been the successor. But since his wrongdoing was obvious to all, no one could openly oppose the Emperor’s decree and so they quietly murmured.

Meanwhile, another picture emerged.

“Oh, Chancellor Cornelia has arrived?”

It turned out the Marquess Aurelius and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yudora frequently sought me out. They asked me a lot about Prince Raven, and recently began subtly asking which faction I belonged to.

I smiled faintly and said confidently.

“I am a person of His Majesty the Emperor.”

The Emperor was still running the government intact, so it would be problematic to openly show signs of switching sides. To be blunt, it was the Emperor who appointed me to this position. Officially, I was on the Emperor’s side.

“I really didn’t want any part of court politics, not even a speck.”

Because of Lorence I was half-forced into involvement. The Marquess and the Minister of Foreign Affairs smiled approvingly at my answer but still wanted to confirm further.

“We are all people of His Majesty the Emperor, needless to say. What I mean is, between His Majesty’s two princes, if you were to support one, which would it be?”

“Ah, I see.”

I thought for a moment and whispered softly.

“Rather than asking me, why don’t you meet the two who will lead the Empire’s future and decide for yourselves? Such a thing is unlikely, but if I were to support Crown Prince Lorence, would you two also support him?”

“Ahem!”

“Hmm.”

I had given my answer; the judgment was up to the two of them.

“It seems you also want to know the Supreme Justice’s intentions through me, but just go ask them comfortably. I won’t eat you.”

In fact, compared to old noble houses, my power as a new noble wasn’t that great. They probably asked thinking Ren and I were aligned in interests.

The Marquess and the Minister of Foreign Affairs both scowled.

“That’s true only for the Chancellor; for us it’s not so easy.”

“No, why are you acting like such elders?”

“The Supreme Justice is a complete carbon copy of the Archduke.”

“The Archduke?”

Their interest peaked when Ren’s father became the topic.

“Where do you think the Supreme Justice’s rigid, old-fashioned personality came from? From the Archduke. He was formidable even in his youth. Thinking back to when they worked together—ugh… it’s terrifying. Even His Majesty the Emperor reportedly steps back before the Archduke.”

“Since the Chancellor arrived, he softened somewhat, but the Chief Justice used to be a terror. Among us we called him the Little Archduke and avoided him as much as possible. This is a secret, Chancellor.”

Hearing that, I grew quite curious what kind of old-timer he must be.

“Come to think of it, when I visited the Libertas territory, Ren cautioned me about his parents…”

“Your Majesty.”

“Gasp, how did you come without notice?”

“Your Majesty.”

“Please, wait a moment.”

Soon, permission to enter was granted. The man strode into the reception room.

“I come to see the Empire’s sun.”

“Wh-what brings you here? I hadn’t heard you were coming up.”

“Isn’t there an obvious reason to see His Majesty?”

“Ah, yes. What is it?”

The Emperor kept sweating and wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. I had a rough idea why he had come.

Thud.

The man placed a newspaper on the table. The front page detailed the temple and the misdeeds of the one called the Empire’s Little Sun.

“Did I not tell you to pay attention to Prince Lawrence’s upbringing? In the end, it’s only now that you strip him of the Crown Prince title.”

“Listen, you…”

“Why don’t you understand that this could topple Your Majesty’s reign in an instant? Have I spent my life being Your Majesty’s sword for this to happen?!”

The Emperor hurriedly tried to calm things.

“It’s my mistake. I won’t automatically cede the throne to Lawrence just because he’s the eldest. I will let my successor be determined by the abilities of the two princes.”

“May I trust you?”

“Yes. So stop being angry. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other—must it be like this, Damian?”

“Understood. I believe Your Majesty, as a sage ruler, will understand my meaning.”

The Emperor got through the crisis and breathed a sigh of relief.

“So that’s why you’ve come all this way. I’m sorry. Stay a while and keep me company. It’s been stifling and lonely here.”

Damian shook his head.

“My son has become engaged. Even my household and informants were hearing it for the first time. There was a fuss about him liking her and chasing her. That wooden, frustrating boy couldn’t even properly introduce her to his parents, so I’ve been waiting for when he’ll bring her to us.”

“And?”

“While I’m at the Imperial Palace, I’d like to see her once. Where is the Chancellor now?”

Damian Fortuna.

He was Vespera’s father and the Empire’s sole Archduke.