To me, the splendor of the capital was enough to get me annoyed, but not to Agoth.
“There are so many carriages coming and going and not a single broken paving stone!”
This is because the size of the maintenance manpower and budget are different.
“Look at that castle! So cool! Who would live in a place like that?”
The imperial family lives there. For your information, I also lived there 500 years ago.
“Did you see the dragon statue? It looks so big and solemn.”
Oh, that. It was erected to commemorate the defeat of the evil dragon Krusech.
Three days before the competition, after Leonard and Agoth’s application for participation was completed. Agoth walked with exclamations once every five steps.
Leonard and I just smiled happily and sometimes responded.
It’s kind of like taking a dog for a walk.
“I’m afraid that she’d be nervous as this will be your first competition. Who would’ve thought she’d be so excited instead.”
“Considering that, you’ve been buying Agoth a lot of things, haven’t you Helena?”
“What… Haven’t you done the same, Brother?”
“Well, it’s so fun to see Agoth’s eyes pop out of surprise every time she receives something…”
“Actually, I also…”
A strange consensus is formed in an unexpected scene.
‘Now, should I get out of my seat?’
I think I showed Agoth enough sightseeing, and now I think I can go do my business.
“Brother, I need to go the other way for a moment.”
“What? Alone?”
“Yes, I have an appointment with Viscount Noct. It’s alright, there will be a carriage to pick me up.”
“An appointment? You?”
“Why are you so surprised?”
“No, it’s just… You’re too lazy to meet people.”
“Huh? Oh… That is… correct?”
Right. I was a person who was lazy to do everything. I realized the fact again.
‘But. What am I supposed to do when I want to know what’s the relation between Brande and Caesar?”
I wondered belatedly, but I couldn’t take a step back because the appointment time was already approaching.
***
The place I met Hamilton was at a restaurant downtown.
We took a seat by the window away from people. Through the window, I could see a view of the city where the night had begun to set.
“I was surprised to hear that you wanted to see me first.”
Hamilton, whose eyes were wrinkled from smiling, said to me.
“There was something I wanted to ask you.”
“I see. Have you finally decided to use me as your informant?”
“No. I am not interested in politics.”
“Oh, that’s unfortunate.”
What do you mean? Did this guy really want to bring me into the political world?
“So, what do you want to know?”
“I wanted to know if you know anything about the Brande?”
“What? Did the Brande do anything to Princess?”
Hamilton’s eyebrows, which were relaxed, went up as if they were nervous.
“You’re asking if they did something, not whether I know or don’t know about them.”
“Oh no… I made a mistake.”
“You can’t be a spy.”
“Haha, I know.”
After a slight embarrassment, Hamilton tilted his glass of water and moistened his lips. As if clearing his mind before saying anything difficult.
“Where should I start? …Do you know that the current empress is trying to raise Prince Fran, who is her biological son, as crown prince?”
I nodded my head lightly in affirmation.
It’s a matter of guessing rather than knowing.
Since Caesar has become the crown prince, it is impossible for the empress’ biological son to become the crown prince unless Caesar is killed.
Then after Caesar becomes emperor, she will try to urge her son to be appointed as the crown prince.
‘But even if he becomes a crown prince right now, if Caesar has children, he will be at a disadvantage.’
“The number of people within the Imperial Palace leaned toward the crown prince. At this rate, it will be difficult for the empress to raise Prince Fran as crown prince.”
“I think so as well.”
“Yes, that’s why she wants to put her own person in the key position.”
After saying that, Hamilton paused for a moment. It seems to give me time to think for myself.
“…She wants to put Yulika Brande in the crown princess position.”
“It’s been quite some time already.”
Now I understand.
The behavior of Yulika, who had been arguing with me since the first meeting.
Jealousy towards Caesar’s close friend, a check against the duke’s daughter, who could be her rival, and a brazen declaration of war out of conviction that she would become the crown princess.
‘Was it a political battle after all?’
For such a silly reason, not to mention.
I tilted my glass of water to wet my dry mouth.
“It’s time to talk about Caesar’s engagement.”
“You are calm.”
“Well, there’s no surprise. The marriage in the imperial family is fast.”
I was single until the day I died.
“If Princess wants, we have enough intention to push you into the crown princess position.”
Hamilton spoke to me in a hushed voice as if talking about a secret.
“I don’t want to.”
“What? B-but later on you could become the empress.”
“Why would I want to do something as bothersome as becoming an empress…”
Do you think I, who was an emperor, was revived to try to be an emperor’s wife in this life?
Mm, by the way, that bastard, then what the hell was he thinking when he kissed me?’
I frowned as I remembered the time I kissed Caesar on a snowy day.
Of course, first kiss tends to be carried out out of curiosity and mood. There’s nothing to feel embarrassed about kissing young kids.
‘But it’s a bit disappointing.’
When the story of the crown princess begins to emerge in earnest, it will be difficult to get along with him no matter who becomes his wife.
I will lose my relationship with my good student.
Thinking about it that way made my mouth bitter.
***
The day of the gladiatorial competition.
Perhaps because it was hosted by the imperial family, the number of spectators was higher than ever. By changing the rules, not only the aristocrats but also ordinary people were allowed to attend, so the seats were full.
“Young children of noble families, please sit here.”
Even though there were terrace seats, the attendant guided the noble girls to the first floor seats. It’s good as long as I can see the stadium well.
‘Only 16 people who passed the preliminary round yesterday will appear in today’s match.’
All three of my students easily passed the preliminary rounds. Well, that’s a natural result, because I am the master. Ahem.
At that moment, a young lady came to the seat next to me and sat down. I turned my head to the young lady indifferently.
She wore a dress with a hollow in her chest, blonde hair with gorgeous accessories, and exposed white shoulders.
Her appearance screamed “this dress doesn’t fit the situation” all over.
“Mm?”
“Hoh!”
Wow.
They said enemies meet on a single wooden bridge.
“Oh, isn’t it Young Lady Yulika Brande?”
A mischievous smile spread unknowingly. On the other hand, the blood disappeared from Yulika’s face.
“Hey, here! Find me another seat…!”
“Just sit down, my lady. Why are you trying to move seats and giving others problems?”
“Gasp!”
Yulika jumped up and called the attendant, but I pulled her strongly and put her back in her seat. Yulika took in her breath as if she was going to pass out.