Chapter 27: 28

Ebroin V’s mother, Empress Mother Éloïse, was a prospective scholar studying to become an abbess before being chosen by the imperial family.

Éloïse was a rare educated woman at the time. Born as the only daughter of the Margrave of Renault, she showed a keen interest in learning from an early age, and the Margrave of Renault, who loved his only daughter, provided her with the highest level of education in the east. 

Thanks to this, Éloïse grew up to be a bright woman who knew how to perfectly read and write not only the imperial language, Eneca, but also the Yerib characters of Kayediv and the archaic language of the Prince-Electors’ Era. She was proficient in astronomy and geometry, and also had good knowledge of botany.

The Margrave of Renault felt deeply sorry that such a special daughter was buried in ordinary life. He finally settled on a convent while seeking various ways to save Éloïse’s gift. The empire had few opportunities for talented women to express their minds, but at least an abbess was guaranteed an independent exercise of property rights and influence.

Fortunately, in the County of Renault, there was a venerable convent that had a strong relationship with the Count, and they warmly welcomed the Count’s daughter after he had supported the convent for many years. Éloïse had prepared to pledge herself to the convent for three years and headed to the capital to become an abbess at the Convent of Olverran.

According to the plan, she should have completed her pledge there and become an abbess. However, the life that fate had arranged for her was completely unexpected and different from what she had been preparing for. 

You do not have to blame yourself for not accurately predicting the future. Since that is what life is all about. The important thing is to face the reality in front of you and find the right answer. Remember that the roads always start anew at crossroads.

Empress Éloïse was also his political teacher and mentor and was the wisest man he had ever known. Numerous advice and pointers received from her during her lifetime greatly helped Ebroin V’s reign afterward, and the Emperor still often missed her.

But the Emperor did not understand exactly why he was recalling his mother’s old advice at this moment. It was true that he could not accurately predict someone’s true identity, but in the context of what had happened just now, his mother’s advice was not particularly suitable.

It was certainly unexpected. The fact that Baron Amieux, not anyone else, had that kind of peculiarity. Baron Amieux, who always maintained a neat attitude like a soldier, was a man with a somewhat austere corner.

Unlike most nobles, he was not greedy for materialistic items or fame, nor was he interested in amusement such as lust or gambling. There were no mistresses that everyone had at least one or two of, let alone a secret lover, so the Emperor sometimes genuinely wondered exactly what kind of enjoyment that man lived with.

I feel like I have been stabbed in the back of the head after finding out that this oddly fastidious private life was actually for such a reason. He slept with a man? Furthermore, the other person is the Prince of Livonia?’

The Emperor easily found Eugène in a corner of the huge banquet hall. The man who had been the subject of relentless scrutiny last night was mixed among the crowd and was wearing a moderately fancy outfit, rather than the conspicuously plain attire he had the day before.

He held a wine glass in one hand, and a lady’s hand was somehow placed on his other arm. The Emperor recognized at a glance that the lovely smiling woman who was holding onto Eugène’s arm was Countess Débonnaire, whom he had recommended himself. It seemed like the Emperor was paying him a lot of attention today to see if the heavy scolding during the day had worked. 

If We think about it, it’s just that peculiarity, nothing special. It is none of Our business what he does in bed as long as he does his job properly. … But the other person is a problem. Of all people, how did it somehow end up being a foreign key figure?

The Emperor was not in a good mood since a problem that he had not taken note of had suddenly appeared despite years of probing. He wouldn’t have cared if he was an average man but Baron Amieux was a man of talent the Emperor had been saving for his own precious use.

Not only did he think of entrusting the Navy to him, but he was also designated as a successor to a bigger position in the future, so it was not unreasonable for the Emperor to agonize over such a ridiculous matter.

“Who are you watching so intently, Your Majesty? Could it be a beauty who has caught your attention?” 

As the Emperor had been lost in thought for a long time, staring at only one place, Marquise Merlin walked to him lightly as if to call for attention. She had been escorted by the Emperor for the first time in a while to attend the banquet.

“Is there any reason for Us to look for a beauty elsewhere? The most beautiful flower in the banquet hall is right next to Us.”

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

“Your Majesty always says words pleasant to the ear. But I am no longer a young maiden who knows nothing. I am past the age where I can be taken over by those sweet whispers straight away.”

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“We are not watching anyone, We are merely monitoring. There is one disgraceful vassal who is not faithfully carrying out the mission assigned by Us.”

“Is it because I have limited knowledge of state affairs? I cannot imagine a mission one would have to carry out in a place like this.” 

The Marquise did not understand the Emperor’s answer and tilted her head.

“It is not a mission that must be carried out in such a place, but it should be said that it is a mission that could be attempted because of a place like this. As  far as We know, he is blunt at the root, so even if there is a noblewoman he likes, he is not a great man who would risk a romantic relationship. But in order to get married, you have to do something, do you not?

“Now I understand who this is all about. Your Majesty said you were not looking for a beauty, but was that all a lie?”

“What do you mean?” 

“Please don’t pretend as if it’s something unknown. Is it not me, instead of Countess Patrí, who has captured Your Majesty’s attention the most these days? When I see how Your Majesty treats that person, I often think of how you treated the concubine you had taken fancy to at first sight.”

The bright Marquise Merlin laughed as she told a joke with a hidden meaning The Emperor only then understood what the Marquise was referring to and laughed out loud. Apparently, the analogy was fairly appropriate. It started with a sudden selection and noticeable favoritism, and he used the same method he had used to choose his concubines, so it may seem so to those who did not know the exact reason behind what was going on.

“Which beauty has captivated His Majesty’s heart so much? Forgive me for my rudeness, but could you introduce them to me as well?”

Though a mystery as to how much they had listened to the conversation, an unfamiliar voice suddenly intervened between the two. The Emperor raised his head and looked back to where the voice was heard from. Prince Cyrill, seated closest to the Emperor as the guest of honor at the banquet, was looking at them with sparkling eyes. 

“Your ears must have opened up at the mention of a beauty. Is the Prince also looking for a pretty flower?”

Marquise Merlin asked in a playful manner, finding the Prince’s whimsical misconception to be amusing. Prince Cyrill nodded with a bright smile at her naughty question.

“It is an unavoidable instinct of a man to wander around in search of beautiful flowers. However, all three of the most beautiful flowers in the empire have an owner. The fact that His Majesty’s discernment is exceptionally high can be seen just by looking at the graceful appearance of the Marquise here. If this means I have another chance to see a beauty like you, what kind of man would turn that down?”

“Nevertheless, Prince. That flower already has an owner. What will the Prince do with the beauty His Majesty is interested in?” 

“Not everyone looks at flowers with the intention of plucking them, right? I am an aesthete, so I will be greatly satisfied simply by its appearance.”

Prince Cyrill’s red lips drew an upward arc as he lightly took on the jokes thrown at him. The enigmatic silver eyes that glistened as if he was intrigued, and the nape of the neck, which was white and thin like that of a swan, strangely drew in people’s attention. Prince Cyrill was so beautiful that if he just wanted to see a beauty, he could look in the mirror instead of looking for one elsewhere.

But the Emperor could sniff the body odor of a carnivore hidden under his beautiful appearance. Though he was mimicking a mindless playboy who only chased after beauties, the curiosity that appeared in his silver eyes was darker than intended.

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Perhaps the Prince had heard their conversation from the beginning. The person he wanted to check was not the new beauty who had captivated the Emperor’s heart, but the Emperor’s favorite subject. 

The Great Code of the empire imposed some compulsory conditions on the nobles who were engaged in public service. Among them, the most troublesome condition was the law on marriage. The Prince of Kayediv could not be unaware of the prerequisite that one must be married in some way to ascend to a public post in the empire.

Even if young, a wolf was still a wolf. The Emperor clicked his tongue, keeping in mind that the Prince had some fairly useful qualities. It would have been easier if he had just been like a doll with a pretty face, but Prince Cyrill was unnecessarily competent, adding to the Emperor’s distress.

“What shall I do, Your Majesty? Shall I introduce them to the Prince?”

Marquise Merlin, who had no way of knowing what was going on under the surface, looked back at the Emperor, unable to hide her fascination. The Emperor originally had no intention of allowing the meeting of the two people who had muddled his head. But as soon as he saw anticipation on Prince Cyrill’s face, unexpected irritability surged up from the bottom of his heart. 

“It is the request of a guest from far away, there is nothing that cannot be done.”

He passively granted the request, called an attendant, and whispered in his ear to bring Baron Amieux. Shortly thereafter, Baron Amieux followed the attendant. He looked rather haggard up close. Even if it was light, he wouldn’t look well since it was still a wound inflicted by a sword.

“Did you call for me, Your Majesty?”

“Good to see you. There is someone to introduce you to.” 

When the polite Baron raised his head, the Emperor introduced Prince Cyrill in a casual manner. Eugène, turning his attention to the Emperor’s introduction, was surprised to see Prince Cyrill standing there. Since he was a person with a brain, he did not show any more signs of agitation, but his face changed slightly as if he was the only one who noticed the Emperor’s grumpiness.

“This gentleman is…”

“Is this the beauty Your Majesty was speaking of? I admit that this friend is a rare and capable soldier, but I disagree with the expression ‘beauty.’”

Prince Cyrill was the first to respond before Eugène could even speak. Marquise Merlin was astonished. She looked at the two of them alternately, not hiding her soaring curiosity. 

“The way you speak, it sounds like the two of you are quite familiar with one another. Do you two already know each other?”

“Yes. It was none other than this friend who saved me when I was accidentally taken hostage by Hertha’s pirates years ago. If it were not for him, I would still be sculling on the pirate ship.”

“Oh my goodness. Pirates?! How did you come across such dangerous people?”

“The fault lies with my inherent wanderlust. It felt suffocating to stare at the frozen soil all the time, which I was unable to put up with any longer. Thanks to this, my story is often used as a lesson to scare the immature youth back home. If you leave the house without listening to your elders, you will end up like that too.” 

Prince Cyrill passively explained the background of their meeting with the attitude that he had nothing in particular to hide. The Marquise wondered how the two, who had no apparent contact at all, could meet and build friendship, and then understood the situation after hearing the story of the Prince.

“Just because you speak with ease does not mean that the atrocities of what you have been through are hidden. That must have been hard. Glad that you persevered, Prince. You were truly lucky.”

“Thank you for your thoughtful words. I, too, think I was lucky.”

“Did your friendship with Baron Amieux start from then on?” 

“That’s right. After that incident, we became close and would visit one another from time to time. If we had not met like this again, I would have made time to stop by on the way back. It’s quite pleasant to see this friend again.”

Prince Cyrill, leading the conversation humorously the whole time, was full of sincerity when speaking the last words. He looked at Eugène with gentle eyes, then boldly approached and kissed him on the cheek.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t paid my greetings yet. Nice to meet you, Vice Admiral. Who knew we would meet again in a place like this?”

“… It is an honor to meet you, Prince. How have you been?” 

Eugène, who did not open his mouth at all during the conversation between the Marquise and Prince, quietly greeted him. It looked like nothing had changed except for his slightly subdued eyes, but the Emperor was somehow concerned about his heart.

“I have been well, but how have you been? Somehow your complexion looks unpleasant?”

“There is not much that has been going on with me.”

Eugène’s attitude, unlike the Prince who was friendly without reserve, was simply calm. There was no expression of welcome, and it was hard to find any sort of kind but empty flattery. Even though the other person’s reaction was like that, the Prince did not seem bothered. He looked back at the Emperor with a smile as clear as the sky after rain. 

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace, I met a friend I had missed for the first time in a while. While it is sad that I did not see the beauty I was expecting, it’s a meeting pleasant enough to offset that disappointment. If it is not a problem, then could I share the joy of the unexpected reunion with my friend?”

It was done with a momentary perversity, but it felt like the matter had strangely gotten complicated. He didn’t know exactly what he was hoping for, but at the very least he wasn’t expecting such a result. The Emperor was reluctant, and at the same time, he was chagrined that he was confronted with such a direct request, making it difficult for him to refuse.

He had no choice but to blurt out words of permission. The extremely excited Prince showed courtesy with a delighted expression and hurriedly retreated with Eugène.

“There is no way to really know the connections between people. Who would have known that Baron Amieux was acquainted with the Prince of Livonia?” 

Marquise Merlin opened her mouth in amazement as she looked at the backs of the two men while they were leaving.

“It seems that the Prince is very fond of the Baron, no? Because of the age difference, they seem quite familiar with each other, just like a younger brother following his older brother.”

It was only after the Prince had bravely led Eugène out that the Emperor realized he had suffered a humiliating defeat. It was clear that Prince Cyrill knew from the beginning that the ‘beauty’ was the Emperor’s trusted liege, as well as guessed who he really was.

That is not all. He even knows everything that happened in the practice area this afternoon. That is why he staged such a scene in front of Us. 

Disregarding the other places, if it was an event that took place in the practice room, it was not something that could easily be spread outside since the surrounding parties had their mouths tightly shut. The fact that such an incident had reached the Prince’s ears so quickly meant that someone in the court was in contact with him.

The Emperor let out a low laugh at the Prince’s audaciousness. He answered quietly, clenching his molars.

“Sure. That is what it looks like.”

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