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117th Chapter

“Damn it, Cal Crisis!”

“Yeah, stupid Aria Crisis.”

Bang! Bang!

Aria’s sharp insults and Cal’s sarcasm echoed loudly around the training ground. In front of me, fireballs were pouring down as if an army was descending.

“You’re too rough with your master. Does your filthy temper act up if you don’t show it for even a day?”

“Hah! That pompous master of mine gets rolled over by his disciple all the time! He can’t help but spout nonsense the moment he opens his mouth!”

Boom! Crack!

‘Maybe I should have just taught her the sword instead…’

When Aria started learning magic from Cal, I thought they would spend more time together and become closer, but strangely, they became even more antagonistic.

Watching as Aria’s magical skills grew at a breakneck pace, she now reached a level where she could at least sync up with Cal. I was resigned as I watched the water she summoned hover over Cal’s head.

Knock, knock.

“Excuse me, young lady and young master. I apologize for the interruption, but may I come in for a moment?”

At the familiar voice, the hostile movements of Cal and Aria came to a halt. I shot a glance at the two before opening the door.

As expected, the person outside was Taylor.

“What is it?”

Cal, whose appearance was a mess from fighting like a maniac just moments ago, approached, and I found it funny how he suddenly put on a serious expression in front of Taylor. Aria followed behind with a stiff face as well.

“It’s about Miss Kashmir. A letter has arrived from the Imperial Palace.”

“……From the Imperial Palace?”

Cal and Aria’s expressions hardened even further. It seemed like they were reminded of the Emperor’s insane antics from last time.

“Hand it over.”

I became more serious as I recalled that incident.

‘Today just happens to be the day I visit the Imperial Palace. What’s going on?’

Today was the day I would visit the Imperial Palace once a week, acting as Serenon’s swordsmanship teacher and the Emperor’s companion.

I took the letter Taylor handed to me, opened it cleanly, and checked the contents.

[How have you been, Kashmir? I sent this letter to remind you of some important details for our meeting today. It’s nothing serious; Diego will be attending as well. See you shortly!]

“……Hah.”

I laughed helplessly. The informal tone of someone who seemed to be sending a message to a ten-year-old friend was oddly cheerful for an emperor.

‘Yeah… He’s always been like this. I can somewhat predict his reasons for gathering me and Diego in one place.’

After meeting Helios several times, I had become somewhat accustomed to his demeanor.

As I folded the letter, I brushed aside Cal and Aria, who were peering curiously at the contents.

“Oh, there’s another letter from the Imperial Palace, Miss.”

At Taylor’s words, I perked up.

If someone from the Imperial Palace was sending me a letter, it could only be Diego, but since I had just sent a response to Diego’s letter this morning, it seemed odd that one would arrive so soon.

“It’s a letter from Her Majesty the Empress.”

Understanding my puzzled expression, Taylor quickly added that it had been delivered quite discreetly. I squinted my eyes.

“……From Her Majesty the Empress?”

“Yes. Also… it was delivered quite secretly. She insisted it be sent directly to you.”

‘Tina Cypros? To me?’

I had insisted on not getting involved with the crown princess during our first meeting. I had expected that to be the end of my connection with Tina.

‘Now that I think about it… Zigmund was the guard knight of the Cypros family.’

Looking at Tina brought Zigmund’s face to mind, and I couldn’t help but scowl.

While many thoughts swirled in my mind, I figured it would be best to check the content first.

I tore open the letter.

[The Empire is in danger. I can’t say much in writing. Find me after your class with Serenon.]

The contents of the letter were quite serious.

‘Something’s about to happen.’

I tightened my grip on the letter.

My instincts were ringing alarm bells.

“Hey, Kashmir. Have you arrived?”

As I entered the glass greenhouse, the casual greeting from Helios came as usual.

Now accustomed to his demeanor, I smiled gently and nodded.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

The sunlight streaming through the glass walls highlighted Helios’s golden hair.

For a moment, our gazes met with a mix of curiosity and keen insight in his blue eyes before I turned my attention to the young man beside him, who looked strikingly similar to Helios.

“I greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The Crown Prince of the Empire, Diego Solaritene.

“Haha! I know you two are close, so why are you being so formal? If it’s because I’m here, you can drop it.”

Just as I exchanged glances with Diego, Helios, unable to contain his excitement, broke the moment with a laugh.

I sighed inwardly, awkwardly smiling, while Diego covered his face as if he were more embarrassed.

“Now, take a seat. Let’s have a cup of tea.”

As Helios gestured, I sipped on the ruby-red tea when he began to speak.

“Well, you both must be wondering why I brought you here.”

It seemed Diego didn’t properly catch why this gathering was taking place as he focused on Helios’s voice.

“The truth is, I want to hear your thoughts as the next generation leading this realm. You two are the heirs of the imperial family and the duke’s house.”

At Helios’s words, I caressed my chin. With a complex mix of feelings, I looked back at Helios.

“I apologize, but if you wanted to hear from the next head of the dukedom, you should have called Count Cal Crisis instead.”

Despite there having been no official announcement regarding the next duke, most people were certain it would be Cal. Even though Aria and I had been officially acknowledged, that perception remained unshaken.

‘The count becomes the duke, the countess marries into a lower family to take on another surname, or if lucky, marries royalty or the Pope.’

It was a kind of pattern ingrained in people’s minds.

No one thought that Aria and I could become dukes. There was no precedent for it.

“Interesting, Lady Kashmir. Do you believe it was a mistake for me to invite the two of you to discuss the next generation?”

Helios, leaning with his chin resting on his hand, looked at me intently and smiled smoothly.

Though his beautiful smile concealed his true feelings, I could see the cold light in his blue eyes. I faced him with a serious demeanor.

“Many would think so. Not many see potential in me.”

Long-held perceptions are indeed frightening.

No matter how smart Aria is, no one views her as competent enough for national affairs. Even if Lewellin is a business genius, people naturally expect the incompetent Merhen to become the next heir.

There are many things that are taken for granted but actually aren’t.

“I want to ask you not what others think, but what you think.”

It seemed Helios instantly understood the implications behind my vague yet double-edged reply, as his eyes sparkled.

“What do you think of your own potential? Do you believe that you cannot lead the next generation? Is that role only reserved for your brother?”

Helios’s question felt like a test at first glance. However, it sounded like he was giving me an opportunity.

‘A normal person wouldn’t even ask this.’

They wouldn’t have thought I could have potential.

Helios had already seen that I could become a central figure in the next generation. He was asking for my views on his judgment.

‘What a truly unpredictable and cunning man… but I can’t quite hate him.’

With a subtle smile, I set down my teacup filled with tea.

The golden flames delicately etched into the cup mirrored my determination.

“Your Majesty. I will not just lead the next generation.”

It’s time to rise up, as the war was already looming ahead. I couldn’t afford to wait around for my turn.

“We’re at a point where I can’t just consider leading the next generation alone.”

I boldly declared before the ruler of this empire and the future ruler.

“If there are those who trust me and will give me a chance, I will surely lead both the current and next generations down the best path.”

I spoke steadily, locking eyes with the current head of the empire.

Helios, for a moment, wore a blank expression before a satisfied, intrigued smile spread across his face.

“I may not trust you now, but I will make it happen. I will certainly prove my worth to the world.”

To get involved in the war, I had to secure my position as a leader.

This was my declaration of intent to seize the title that had been denied me.

“Hahaha!”

Helios burst into a hearty laugh. From my observations so far, he only laughed that way when he was genuinely satisfied.

“How audacious…

As he looked at me hard, Helios’s eyes softened into a warm expression.

“I really like such a princess.”

“It’s an honor.”

I replied casually. Helios, now leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, spread his hands wide.

“Well then, let’s see if your audacity is backed by a good reason.”

‘Looks like the real game is about to begin.’

I had suspected since the beginning that Helios was gathering Diego and me for a reason.

‘I heard that Helios often tests Diego’s qualities as a crown prince.’

The words I had heard from Diego’s guard knight, Pepper Ellervine, had been the crucial hint.

“I want to hear your thoughts on important matters.”

It was clear that Helios had arranged this meeting to evaluate our characters.

“I will ask the both of you.”

Helios, resting his chin on his interlocked fingers, slowly shifted his gaze between Diego and me. His usual mischievous glint had faded, revealing a serious light in his blue eyes.

“How should the defeated nation in war be treated?”

This was the first question Helios posed to me.

 

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