---

The Emperor’s Palace Emperatos.

A towering white palace standing in the vast lands of the Capital City of Sangria.

Built centuries ago with the craftsmanship of dragons, the Emperatos Palace boasts an grandeur unmatched by human ability, evoking awe towards the Empire’s greatness and respect for the royal family.

Throughout its hundreds of years since the founding of the Empire, it has faced countless crises, yet this palace has never allowed an enemy incursion, serving as an unyielding fortress and one of the symbols of the Empire’s might.

People gaze up at the grand palace, as if they could touch the goddess, imagining the royalty residing there living in a noble manner as if existing in the heavens.

However, to Elizabeth, this palace felt no different than a rat’s den in the back alleys of the Capital City.

Early in the morning, Elizabeth stepped into the Emperatos Palace for a meeting.

The exotic flowers blooming beautifully in the palace garden would generally uplift anyone’s spirits, but to Elizabeth, it only felt like a smokescreen trying to conceal the stench emanating from the palace.

As she arrived in the meeting room, a servant announced her entrance loudly.

“The illustrious little sun of the Empire, Her Highness Third Princess Elizabeth von Galatea enters!”

Most of the officials were already gathered in the meeting room.

There were the Imperial Administration Office’s Prime Minister Valiere, the regional noble leader Marquis Eisenfeld, Capital City Gendarmerie Chief General Elias, Royal Guard Commander Sir Ludwig, the Imperial Palace Grand Mage Runehart and his daughter, Chief Sorceress Greta…

High-ranking nobles and officials, boasting enviable statuses and power from all over the Empire, had assembled in this palace, bowing respectfully as the princess entered.

To their greeting, Elizabeth merely nodded while straightening her back. A royal must never bow to anyone.

Once she entered the meeting room, Elizabeth gazed at the head seat.

It was unsurprising that the Emperor’s throne was empty. The Emperor, having grown old and in poor health, recently could hardly make it to meetings.

Although this fact was not officially disclosed, everyone present already knew.

The issue was that even the First Prince’s seat beneath the Emperor’s throne was empty.

Elizabeth looked at the vacant chair and spoke up.

“Where is my brother?”

“…I apologize, Your Highness.”

“I see. Since we don’t know when he will arrive, shall we start the meeting without him?”

What she said wasn’t particularly unusual; it was just like her typical manner of speaking.

As soon as Elizabeth took her seat, the meeting commenced, as if waiting for her to say something. The main topic of the meeting was, of course, the ongoing victory festival.

Discussions started among the officials regarding how much the number of tourists had increased this year due to the festival, and about what was lacking and needed… As each official began to speak, Elizabeth—acting as the royal representative—expressed her opinions in detail on each agenda item.

“Restrict the traffic of horses and carriages, and allow the movement of logistics only at specific times. Keep the central road clear for tourists as much as possible, and let the remaining logistics use the waterways of the Tethys River.”

“Mobilize all available personnel in the Gendarmerie and Knight Order to increase the patrols to over 50%. Crimes targeting tourists are unending, which reflects on the Empire’s reputation. Even foreigners should face the severe judgment of Imperial law.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

With Elizabeth’s smooth and uninterrupted leadership, the meeting proceeded without a hitch.

Just then, the door to the meeting room suddenly swung open, and a servant announced loudly.

“The magnificent little sun of the Empire, His Highness First Prince Wilhelm von Galatea enters!!”

As the door opened wide, a man stepped into the meeting room.

With the same silvery-white hair and red eyes as Elizabeth, the man arrogantly surveyed the room, confidently strolling around it.

Then he calmly sat in his empty chair, leaning back arrogantly and said, “Ignore me and continue with the meeting.”

He showed no awareness of being late to the meeting at all.

While some might interpret such an imposing demeanor as confidence befitting the next Emperor, what Elizabeth saw was a little different.

Though his clothes and hair seemed carelessly arranged, a disheveled air lingered about him, and his eyes appeared slightly dazed and unfocused.

Crucially, when Wilhelm sat down beside her, a strong scent of perfume and alcohol wafted over.

If a prince so engrossed in his own pleasures were to become Emperor, at least there would be no worries about succession.

Elizabeth’s gaze narrowed slightly as she looked at her own blood. It was a minuscule change in emotion, subtle enough that no one would notice.

“Ugh….”

Wilhelm, who had only just arrived, already had a bored expression on his face.

The one who should have been paying attention to the people’s voices was supposed to listen intently, yet while Elizabeth and the Prime Minister led the meeting, Wilhelm merely sat with an irritated expression.

While the meeting continued, Royal Guard Commander Sir Ludwig, who had been waiting for a chance to speak, cautiously addressed the prince.

“Your Highness, it appears that Deputy Frida has sustained serious injuries. She may not be able to attend the parade.”

“What?”

At that, emotions flashed across Wilhelm’s previously expressionless face. It was clear anger.

“Frida got hurt? What on earth happened?”

“…Well, she fell off her horse and rolled.”

“Fell off her horse? A Master Class? Are you asking me to believe that?”

Sir Ludwig fell silent, seemingly apologetic.

Wilhelm’s expression twisted into an even more intense fury.

“This… stupid girl! Even if she is useless, there are limits! Especially at such a critical time!”

He couldn’t contain his anger, berating his comrade harshly in this public setting.

All the nobles and officials present pretended not to hear the prince’s words, bowing their heads.

“……”

Elizabeth momentarily fell into thought. She had already heard through the Imperial Intelligence Bureau that the Iron-Blooded Knight had been defeated in the Coliseum by an unknown man.

To the extent that she was informed, the Bureau had certainly reported it to Wilhelm as well. Yet his attitude seemed like he was hearing this for the first time.

Of course, it was evident. He had received the report but hadn’t paid attention at all. Perhaps he had been so absorbed in his pleasures that he had ignored any reports, and he probably hadn’t even read the remaining documents.

After the war, she had heard that Frida often alleviated her stress in the Coliseum. But she had never anticipated that she would return so utterly defeated.

She could understand the excuse of getting hurt from falling off a horse. Those who should know would have heard the news, and, out of shame, they probably wouldn’t want to show their faces. They wouldn’t wish to attend the parade either.

However, Wilhelm was not one to understand such things. After expressing his anger for a while, he shouted in a voice that still held a trace of rage.

“Charlotte!!”

At that call, the saint, Charlotte, who had been sitting quietly in a corner of the meeting room, slowly lifted her head.

“Fix Frida no matter what, and bring her here in one piece before the parade.”

“……”

Charlotte gazed at the prince in silence. The one who responded to his command was the chief nun, Adele, who attended to the saint.

“Your Highness, I apologize, but the saint has already treated Lady Frida.”

Though she held a position as chief nun, it was unprecedented for a mere nun—not a bishop or cardinal—to attend a meeting in the palace.

However, since Saint Charlotte suffered from aphasia, she needed someone to relay her communications.

The person fulfilling that role was none other than Adele.

“She treated her already? Then what’s the problem?”

“Lady Frida has sustained severe facial injuries, resulting in brain damage. The brain is an exceptionally sensitive area, and treating it with magic must be approached with caution. Overstepping in treatment may lead to permanent disabilities that cannot be healed by divine powers…”

“Get to the point. How long will this careful treatment take?”

“At the very least, a week—”

“A week!? Ha! There’s only two days left until the parade, and you say a week? That won’t do. She must be in perfect condition by tomorrow.”

“Forgive me, Your Highness, but that is impossible. Lady Frida risks losing her memory or becoming a fool.”

“Shut up. Whatever aftereffects might occur, bring her here by the parade! She just needs to look presentable!”

The prospect of his own niece being made a fool rendered Sir Ludwig’s complexion pale, while Adele, bearing the brunt of Wilhelm’s fury, turned ghostly white.

Even the Empire’s prince must not act so tyrannically towards the saint. Normally, Frida and Greta would have been present at this meeting, but Saint Charlotte was only a temporary participant due to the parade.

No matter how close they may be as comrades, the saint is not a subordinate like others in the meeting room. Therefore, Adele felt the need to summon her courage to protect the saint. But before she could do so, a gentle hand touched her shoulder.

Looking to her side, she saw Charlotte shaking her head quietly in her direction. Thus, Adele found herself unable to say anything.

“……”

Charlotte locked eyes with Wilhelm and nodded slightly with reluctance. Understanding that this implied she would treat Frida, Wilhelm’s anger finally began to subside.

Once the prince’s fury cooled, the meeting could resume, albeit with difficulty. Various agenda items continued to be brought forth by the officials, and under Wilhelm’s indifference, the meeting proceeded normally.

Shortly, there came a discussion about needing personnel to supervise the airships on the day of the parade.

Although Doctor Brown would attend, there was unanimous agreement that another responsible person was needed to prepare for any unforeseen incidents.

At that moment, Wilhelm, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke nonchalantly.

“That can be done by my dear little sister.”

“…What do you mean, brother?”

“Oh, Elizabeth. It’s the demonstration operation of the airship that the citizens of the Empire, no, that the entire continent has been anticipating. Naturally, someone of your rank should oversee it. It would be a good experience for you to ride an airship, wouldn’t it?”

“……”

In that instant, Elizabeth doubted Wilhelm’s intentions.

Wilhelm, the First Prince, revered as the Hero of Light yet scrutinized by many among the populace. And the Second Princess, who hardly ever made an appearance.

In place of the ailing Emperor, the one effectively fulfilling the duties had been the young Third Princess Elizabeth all along.

Thus, Elizabeth had garnered considerable public support as well.

It would not be strange if a man, who could have easily obstructed her participation in the parade, sought to place her onto the most scrutinized airship of the Capital City with such intent.

Yet, Elizabeth refrained from showing that she suspected Wilhelm’s intentions. Instead, she merely lifted her red lips into a perfectly painted smile.

“I’ll do as you say, brother.”

“Good.”

Pleased with her soft and agreeable demeanor, Wilhelm nodded satisfactorily.

*

After the meeting, Elizabeth calmly exited the conference room.

Soon, her loyal knight, Katarina, followed her closely like a shadow.

And then, she conveyed a secret message to the princess.

“Your Highness, Sir Ludwig wishes to meet with you.”

“Without anyone knowing, avoiding others’ gazes?”

“Yes.”

“Understood. By the way, about the airship demonstration operation. Could you find out more details about that for me?”

“If it’s your command, Your Highness, I shall do so.”

“Thanks. Anyway, I appreciate the good news, Katarina.”

Despite having gauged the situation and received indifferent reactions, it seemed even Wilhelm, who had previously been on the First Prince’s side, couldn’t remain unaffected by her words about making his only niece a fool.

Of course, that didn’t mean his change in stance was definitive. However, given that he was now initiating conversation, it surely indicated a more positive response than before.

Thus, Elizabeth smiled prettily as if unaware of any machinations when in Wilhelm’s presence, all the while systematically expanding her own faction behind the scenes.

Someday, to fulfill her ambitions.

Yet her power was still as fragile as a sandcastle. Most were not genuinely supporting her, but rather those who felt Wilhelm should not be Emperor or had no choice after incurring his displeasure.

A force so weak that it would surely crumble should a fierce wave ever crash upon it.

Therefore, to solidify this fragile sandcastle, mere covert actions like these would not suffice. The Emperor’s health continued to deteriorate day by day.

If she could gain support while the Emperor still lived, it would be a common struggle for the throne; but if she were to gain support after Wilhelm ascended, it would be treason. Thus, she needed to compete while the Emperor still breathed.

Suddenly, a certain person’s name floated into Elizabeth’s mind.

“Ion Graham…”

Perhaps he was the only man who could solve all her problems now.

“…Instructor.”

 

---