Indra Ararat, the Thunder Prince.[TN: In Hindu Mythology, Indra is god of heavens, lightning, thunder, storms, rains, river flows, and war. Also arrogant to the point of causing war and even leading to heaven’s downfall like a lot of times]
He is the uncle of His Majesty, and was at the center of power for a time as the Prince Regent after His Majesty was crowned.[TN: A Prince Regent is a temporary ruler who is also in line of succession, rules instead of the Monarch who may be young or sick, till the said Monarch can properly rule(super short description)]
Five years after His Majesty’s accession to the throne, he gave up his regency and returned to his enclave.
Since then, His Majesty’s rule has begun, and the golden age of the Empire has begun.
Immediately after His Majesty’s coronation, there was turmoil in the Empire because of his young age, and He{Thunder Prince} was able to suppress it with his extraordinary skills, and at the same time as His Majesty grew up (though he was only twelve years old, the same age as I am now), he retired as he realised that it was time His Majesty’s direct Imperial rule Implementation, and, His Majesty bestowed him with the title “Thunder” and he is now living quietly in a fiefdom as Thunder Prince.
I was surprised because I didn’t think it would show up in the Imperial City.
“You look like a very promising young man. Come on, don’t be so formal, come over here and sit down.”
“Yes”
I rose and sat down right next to Indra.
Since it was a stall, there were a lot of onlookers buzzing around.
The woman I had just saved and my maid, Gigi, both looked confused.
Ignoring them all, Indra took a sip of sake from his golden gourd and looked me straight in the eye.
“Since you know my name, I take it you’ve already heard of me?”
“Yes, directly from His Majesty.”
“Oh, I see. Then you understand why I’m here, don’t you?”
“…… to judge, isn’t it?”
I chose my words carefully and replied to Indra.
“Uh-huh. And you, Boy? With the similar title as I, you’re the only ‘wise’ prince among the 17 current Princes. I know the Emperor trusts and expects a lot from you. So normally I wouldn’t need to check.”
Indra’s words were those that would make the officials of the Ministry of Inspection furious if they heard and would impeach him.
It is the height of disrespect for a vassal, even if he is a Prince and an uncle, to call His Majesty simply “Emperor”.
But, well.
Somehow, I have a feeling that Indra won’t mind being impeached, and that His Majesty won’t blame him either.
It’s only been a short time since we met, but I kind of thought that he was “that kind of character.”
“It’s a matter about my lovely and precious granddaughter’s future, so I have to confirm it with my own eyes.”
“I understand
“That’s why I’m here, to measure your worth.”
“By the way, what happens if I don’t meet your expectations?”
“There’s nothing else to do.”
Indra snorted and said.
“I just won’t allow her to marry you.”
“Even if it is an imperial order.”
“I don’t care. If it’s an order from the emperor, I’ll obey it, even if it’s a crazy order like running into the middle of an enemy army. But, you know, she’s my granddaughter. Granddaughter? She’s my little, cute granddaughter.”
Indra repeated the same line three times.
Ahh, a grandfather to his granddaughter. That can’t be helped.
“It’s not politics, it’s internal affairs, and I’m dealing with a nephew who I’ve let play on my lap for as long as I can remember. I’ll make him stop even if I have to smack him on the head.”
“I see.”
I thought he was interesting.
Sometimes, among the royal family, there are people who have swung in such a direction that is hard to hate.
Even though he is a member of the royal family, he is still a vassal in front of His Majesty, and ninety-nine percent of the time, he ends up being a polite person, like a candy cane poured into a mold. That’s what they make you do.
Ordinary people usually shy away from it.
But the remaining one would be a freak who can’t help it, and this is what happens.
And in most cases, these people have no desire for power.
So, although they may be “rude” or “disrespectful”, they are not blamed much, and in fact are often favored by the Emperor.
If this Indra were to shout, “I’m not giving you my precious granddaughter!” it would be a normal thing to do.
“So, was I the worth you were looking for?”
“We’ll find out now.”
“Eh?”
The next moment, THUD!. Something struck my whole body.
The scenery around me did not change, but something did.
Something invisible covered my whole body and tried to crush me.
A few thoughts crossed my mind, and I instantly came up with an answer.
It’s the same thing I’ve always done.
Intimidation using Leviathan.
And now I am the one receiving it – from Indra in front of me.
Then.
“—–!”
I took a deep breath, gritted my teeth and replied.
Using Leviathan, I pushed back the pressure.
“Huh?”
It seems that it was Indra after all, and as soon as I started pushing back, he looked at me with a look that said, “This is fun.”
It was tough because I was the first to receive, but once I pushed back, it was okay.
I thought about pushing through, but decided against it.
He’s my great uncle, and he could be my grandfather-in-law.