The palace was all talks about the new saintess candidate from the rural region, but because I already knew about her beforehand, I could only hear their bickering as noises. Instead, I used the national treasure, Elf’s Jewel that allows me to talk to all living things to gather all rumors circulating about House Moonlight instead. I’m also curious about the matter regarding the saintess, but I cannot really just live without short notice, and I hardly have any person I can trust too.
From what Canaria said in her letters, there was huge progress regarding the Corrundum Kingdom’s circumstances. They’ve put import controls to Coloflare Kingdom’s Himemomobana plant, and after investigating the magic drug, ‘princess’, they found out that the drug was being distributed of the aforementioned religion in the empire to their adherents. Thus, they were able to catch them all in one swoop. Just the thought that the new religion formed by the empire is spreading such illegal drugs is terrifying, but that makes one for ruin’s preventions.
By the way, the only thing forbidden from being used is the magic drugs made from the unripe fruit of the plant. The flowers are harmless when used, particularly the ones pickled in alcohol makes a pretty useful use for married couples… or so it said. House Glinda also purchased the herbal wine from the Coloflare Kingdom saying that if it still doesn’t bless them with a child, they’ll give up and adopt one instead.
I wonder if it’s alright for me to know these private matters of our neighbor? But then again, with the countess losing her son and the house not having any successors, the one they’ll adopt would most likely be Count Glinda from the game. Canaria didn’t know his identity in the game and I could tell how excited she was writing about him from the letter which made me a little upset.
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆
Several months later, as I bring the jeweler that Count Walter introduced to me a while ago, into the castle, I lead him towards one of the castle’s receptions room. On the way, we stumbled upon Lady Chloe, and Shin who was accompanying her on the side.
‘It’s been a while, Sister Chloe.’
‘Goodness, Prince Yello. Good day to you.’
Lady Chloe looked pleased with being called sister. Even I thought that it might a little early to call her that, and if brother was with her, he’d likely be terribly sullen.
‘What about that gentleman next to you, highness? Is he alone? That doesn’t look like a large business transaction. What kind of commodities does he handle?’
‘He is running a jewelry business in the capital, sis. I was looking to shop for Canaria’s birthday present, he brought this year’s trendy jewels with him.’
‘Oh my, a jeweler!? How wonderful! I would very much like to join you in this endeavor!’
Lady Chloe’s eyes glimmered and selfishly tagged along without even hearing my reply first. This impudence on her part is one of the things that displeases my brother… but apparently, he’s attracted by the heroine’s daringness and lack of sense of distance so maybe it’s a case-by-case basis.
‘Prince Keith also used this shop’s service last year, didn’t he? What did you send to Lady Canaria at that time, sir?’
‘Last year it was an amethyst hairpin. This time I was thinking of sending Citrine earrings.’
The lady asked while I was looking at the samples and catalogs so I picked a sample up and answered her back. Although yellow-colored hair accessories will fade out from her blonde hair, a piercing would make her features shine.
Lady Chloe raised her face from the catalog and had a look of disbelief on her face.
‘Goodness, sir. An earing? Canaria is just thirteen, sir. In our kingdom, a lady not of age having a piercing in her body is not very well looked upon, are they?’
Lady Chloe’s words needed to be taken into account. The young ladies of the nobilities attend the royal academy through the sacred church and are all treated as acolytes until they graduate. She’s saying that sending a gift to such ladies that would require them to pierce their bodies is senseless.
‘But doesn’t that only commonly applies to the lady attendees of the royal academy? Canaria is a ducal lady of Corundum Kingdom, you know? Besides, I’m merely sending it as a present.’
‘Even so, it is still a little early to send such a jewel to a twelve-to-thirteen-year-old. That is to say, even if the said kingdom is also called the land of jewels. Even I, only received teddy bears for the last two years.’
She wouldn’t say who it is from but it’s likely from brother and the one who picked the gift is probably Sei too.
‘Huh? Two consecutive teddy bears? You received the same kind of commodities for two consecutive years?’
‘Y-you’re mistaken! Last year, I received one with a red ribbon. This time it was black. That’s right, it symbolizes the color of our hair. I’m very certain that Sir Benny must have given me a teddy bear so as to not make me lonely. However, he was likely feeling jealous of the stuffed today because I was taking care of it so earnestly so he bought it a partner instead. That has to be his reason!’
Uh yeah, that’s quite a very positive way of looking at it. That’s when my eyes met Shin’s who was standing right next to the door. This is a very good opportunity so I decided to ask him what I have been curious about.
‘By the way, I heard that Shin was hired by numerous aristocrats before being picked up by Lady Chloe in the slums. Did they ever put you up through medicine with severe side effects or after-effects at that time?’
‘Hohoho, there is no need to worry, highness. Ensuring a pet’s well-being is part of the responsibilities of a pet owner. I make sure to personally perform sacred magic on him every single night so as to keep his beautiful body perfect without so much a scratch!’
Her words of expression were rather disgusting… I shouldn’t have asked, good grief. Taking my eyes off Lady Chloe, Shin’s expressionless face had a shadow cast on it. A need to cast sacred magic every night? If brother were to hear about this…
‘What are you all doing?’
With perfect timing, the person I was just thinking of appeared himself and my body froze even though I have nothing to be guilty about. Lady Chloe on the other hand had not even a single fragment of unrest, and merely excitedly ran towards brother with such a bright look on her face, bringing the catalog with her.
‘Prince Yellow is looking for a present to send Lady Canaria, I was just lending him my hand as his sister-in-law. Sir Benny, I would like to have this one for myself.’
‘You’re birthday is already done. If you want it, buy it yourself. You, too Keith, don’t get too intimate with him so much.’
Brother’s face clearly grimaced just from having her call him by his nickname. This way of speaking was not born out of jealousy either, but Lady Chloe who managed to spin his words her way, blushed, looking very pleased.
‘Do not be so cold. We are future siblings-in-law.’
‘I wonder about that… Things might end up different before you even noticed. You should have heard the rumors too, right?’
Being reminded of the rumors regarding the newly found saintess candidate made Lady Chloe’s smile cramped. He knew how full of jealousy the lady was and he purposely provoked her. He had unwillingly bore with her so far but he likely went for the attack this time because his display of displeasure is not going anywhere.
As if feeling refreshed after having expressed his sarcasm, my brother left the room, with his fiancee watching him leave with trembling shoulders. The lady was fuming, and soon enough, I heard the sound of her fan hitting the floor. I guess she cannot gloss that over in front of me.
‘How displeasing!! Good day to you, Prince Yello.’
‘Ah, a moment, please! Sis, I have something to show you.’
Lady Chloe was about to leave with heavy footsteps but I stopped her halfway. I instructed Sando to take the birdcage to me. Inside was a bird with unusual colors, yellow feathers but a mix of red and blue in its wings.
‘Oh my, a present for me? I already have Shin as a pet though?’
‘That’s what I thought, but if that’s the case, could you please just send this to your relatives in House Moonlight instead?’
Being told that it was not for her just after having refused had changed her mood instantly. She’s quite interesting if you looked at her objectively. Although my brother can’t stand her.
‘So you’re asking me, your future sister-in-law, to do you errands?’
‘Now now, I was meaning to send a message. That if sister and brother were to get married, I would be connected to the ducal house, so I was trying to get along with them while I’m at it. I’m sure my ever gentle and kind sister-in-law, will grant the wish of his most adorable younger brother, right?’
I picked up her folding fan on the ground and told her pleasing words with upturned eyes. At that moment, Lady Chloe’s mood was instantly overturned.
‘O-Oh my…, since when did you become so skillful with your words, goodness. I guess it can’t be helped. It’s the request of my one and only brother-in-law, I shall lend you my assistance.’
She’s acting like she’s doing a huge favor for sending a single birdcage. However, I only replied with a smile not letting those thoughts on the surface.
‘As expected of my sister-in-law, how very generous! Then as for the message, please write;
“I deeply wish that the house’s oldest and greatest wish will be fulfilled, from the bottom of my heart.”‘
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆
Several days later, I was invited to the manor of House Moonlight. I was told to do so incognito, so I only took Sand with me and rode a crestless carriage.
The one who led us to the reception room of the manor was the young ducal lord, Vlad. Looks like he was sent to entertain my company to stall for the lord of the house, so he sat ahead and began talking to us.
‘It was his highness who sent the birdcage in this room, right? My father was full of praise for them being well-trained, sir.’
‘It’s good to hear that he liked them.’
‘Although, Lady Chloe looked so patronizing in bringing it here though. That young girl used to be so adorable before House Sereknight adopted that child of mistress. Madame Yona’s personal maid was the one to take guardianship of him so I sparingly accepted him, but I just cannot bear the thought of a mere commoner tainting the name of House Moonlight.’
I see, so Lady Chloe got the ‘Mistress’ Child’ remarks like this. The Ducal House also sent several house employees to them so she likely took a bad influence from them. Also, you’re not the one who picked him up, you cur.
‘Not to mention, that illegitimate mongrel took up a pig for a fiancée, himself. Talk about a well-matched!’
‘Ohh, by the way, the pig fiancée you were referring to. Could that be my cousin, Shiela Whitey from the margrave house?’
‘….Huh?’
‘Am I correct? The illegitimate mongrel that you were speaking about is Darck Sereknight, so his fiancee would be the niece of my mother, Neju, in other words, Shiela, the niece of the queen, herself.’
Having my relative spoken ill of, I couldn’t help but put pressure on the young ducal lord who became flustered. He said that they were just figure-of-speech. Well, how about that?
Meanwhile, the Duke arrived in the reception room and looked bewildered at the complex ambiance of the room.
‘Greetings, highness, I would like to apologize for the troubles that… Vlad, what are you doing!?’
‘Uhm, well… I was thinking of entertaining him until you arrived so.’
‘Well, it was quite entertaining indeed, Duke. Your son praised the bird I sent for being disciplined, unlike him.’
‘!! Vlad, just leave.’
Now that he had been forcefully expelled by the Duke who turned pale, and with Sand and other servants on stand by outside, the room suddenly went silent.
‘My apologies, highness!! Please forgive my son’s impudence…’
‘I do not mind. Let’s just go straight to the topic… but before that.’
‘!?’
At the snap of my fingers, the two of us were enveloped by a pillar of light. The duke who was looking around restless turned her gaze upwards, amazed. Before he even realized it, a black magic circle appeared.
‘H-Highness… what is this!?’
‘Sorry about that, I’ll take it off after we’re done talking.’
As I said that, an ant queen sits at the top of my pointed finger. That’s right, the black magic circle was composed of her ants. While Vlad was running his mouth with worthless things, I took out a bag with ants in it, and using the ‘Elf’s Precious Jewel,’ I asked the ant queen for a favor to have her ants form a formation of Silent’s magic circle. They could be stepped on and when on the ground so I had to do this instead.
‘Dear me, very well done. As expected of the lineage of House Whitey.’
‘Nobody can hear us right now so the duke can spare me with his flattery. The duke himself also summoned me here to talk about confidential things, didn’t he?’
I took an informal vocal tone in order to beckon him to talk without reservations. The duke withdrew his forced smile, beckoned me to sit, and sat down himself.
The lord of Moonlight Ducal House, the house with the largest contribution to the sacred church when it comes to both missionary work and donations. Their family motto is to ‘To devote; to give; and to love, just like the saintess.’ His son’s noncompliance of the motto aside, with such a saintly lord of the house and the slow accumulation of his achievements, the house has been elevated to ducal status a single generation ago.
(Comparatively, House Moonlight has not produced a queen nor a saintess. I’ve always thought of that as a mystery but…’
After drinking the tea to clear the bad taste of earlier, I gave the ant queen a single spoonful of sugar on a platter as her labor, that was when the Duke interjected.
‘I called upon his highness here in order to confirm something. I will jump straight to the topic, sir; how much does his highness know?’
‘Hmm, well. I wouldn’t say that I know everything, but I’d say fairly decent.’
‘…The secret of House Moonlight is not written in records, and within the royal family, should only be told to the crown prince. I heard that his majesty prioritizes the first prince but, don’t tell me his majesty is now leaning towards Prince Keith?’
The duke was being suspicious but it’s not like I could just flatly say that, I cheated the info out of Canaria’s game cheat sheet~ or something, so I kept it, mum. Bluff is crucial here.
‘Duke, the reason why I had to go through this roundabout way is because of the information I got that the House Moonlight is in contact with the empire’s men. I am under the impression that the empire is planning to invade its circumference soon. The stronghold of our country, the Coloflare Kingdom is the sacred church, and I know that in order to break it, one must go through the House Moonlight who holds the highest influence.’
‘Hahaha…, his highness seems to be quite fond of strategic stories in his young age. It is true that merchants from the empire have been coming-and-going, and there are times where they jest about making deals with the empire, all of which I refused, of course. Our ducal house is a devoted follower of the sacred church, after all.’
The duke replied in jest and laughed it off. However, there’s something I’ve been curious about ever since guessing that Yolda Moon came from House Moonlight.
‘Your ancestor…, was made the villain. Do you not resent the church at all?’
‘This might seem complicated to his highness, but the kingdom needs authority. It is important to take political measures that ensure that the people won’t starve and that they’ll live comfortable lives, but there will always be inevitable, but those alone would lead to inevitable national crises. In those moments, the country needs an absolute existence that would keep the populace at ease.’
‘At ease… and you’re saying that’s the Saintess.’
‘As his highness said, House Moon went on the receiving end of persecution after Yolda dyed her hands with evil. To the point that the house was forced to change its name and to demote into a barony. However, the one who protected the House Moonlight and shielded it from the implications was the same person who faced Yolda, the Saintess, herself. Of course, we have had complex feelings about it, but if we did take the matter into our hands, we’ll just prove to them that we’re a house of villains.’
The House Moonlight who received grace from the Saintess swallowed their grudges and exhausted their efforts for the kingdom. But was it because of the witch ancestry that they never produced a saintess and queen candidates?
‘I heard about it from Lady Masumi. That Lady Chloe and my brother’s betrothal would be the Ducal Houses’ greatest wish fulfilled.’
‘I guess that’s true… Chloe has always been a hard worker ever since she was little. Blackia may be strict but she never broke down and answered expectations. If she were to become the queen and the saintess… our loss honor will be restored which would surely make out ancestors happy.’
Lady Chloe’s reputation, even with the exception of my relatives, was quite the opposite among our generations. While she may be just putting up a facade to deceive the adults, it is also true that she won’t be able to do her Saintess ascetic practices without putting any effort into them.
While it is just an amusing story here, knowing her eventual fate in the game does not make me emit a smile at all.
‘What if… What if that were to be overturned?’
‘…Highness?’
‘The duke knows about her too, right? The rumors about the new saintess candidates as well as my brother’s discord with Lady Chloe. It would be alright if they made it to marriage as they were, there’s still a chance otherwise.’
The duke swallowed his breath. Looks like he was able to guess my concern. He likely couldn’t brush it off as a childish concern, considering the light that descended from the sky at that time.
‘That can’t be… Even if that’s the case, Lady Chloe still have all the rights to become the queen even if she isn’t the saintess. When it comes down to it, both of them can become a queen too.’
‘If that happens, who will be the consort? As the duke mentioned earlier, the existence of the Saintess is authority itself. Even if she is a commoner, she cannot be treated lightly once the church designates her as the true saintess. This situation… would just repeat the saintess myth for a second time.’
Chloe will become a witch, just as Yolda did. I didn’t put those into words, but the suggestion of that possibility has made the duke grimace.
‘…What does his highness wish of me?’
‘I will pray that nothing of such happens but, I wish to implore to the Duke that he does not sell his loyalty over to the empire.’
Breaking off the engagement, stripped of her Saintess recognition, and banished off the capital; all leading to despair and witchery. The fall of Chloe whose veins flow with Moonlight’s, will make the ducal house disappointed and distrustful of both the royal family and the sacred church. They condemn them for how having rewarded their hundreds of years of servitude with such mistreatment. However, they will not let their sentiments on the surface, and join hands with the empire under the surface, allowing it to send its personnel within.
That’s right, weapons do not need to be involved in destroying a country. It only needs those who hold enough influence to lead its fate to destruction. Without anyone realizing its slow and eventual decay.
‘I will protect the ducal house so as to not lead to that. You are essential to this kingdom’s continuance sir.’
Vlad may be problematic, but this house lord holds the kingdom’s fate within the game’s timeframe. You could say that he is the most centerpiece out of all those who do not appear in the game.
‘Haha… his highness is thinking too much of me. My sentiments alone do not have a large effect on the circumstances. The same goes for you. I’m aware that this may sound impertinent, but the second prince’s faction is at a disadvantage as of now. Not to mention, you’re too young. Both of your convincing power and unifying strength false short to that of the first prince.’
‘….’
‘We’re both powerless, you and me.’
That’s right… the duke and I, alone, cannot evade the worst that is to come.
‘For now, that is? Right?’
‘….?’
‘I still have a chance at obtaining power myself. If it’s to make you not despair at the royal family, and for your continued support of the sacred church, I… will aim for the crown… earnestly.’
For a moment, my brother’s face come to mind which I brushed off. In the game, I hated being selfishly put on the palanquin of the crown prince, or rather even now. I do not wish to be the tool of the second prince faction. However, I am still a prince of the Coloflare Kingdom. In order to prevent the eventual ruin of the kingdom after a hundred years, I need to make a choice.
‘….The degree of your concern is painted on your face, highness. When it comes down to it, we will cut off our ties with Chloe in order to protect the house. Do you… have the resolve to fight your brother head on?’
‘I do. If the first prince were… to make light of the House Moon’s lineage, and Lady Chloe turns into a witch, then I, Prince Yello Keith Coloflare, shall kick my brother off his pedestal and claim the throne for myself.’
For now, I can only pray that such a time would not come to pass.
The palace was all talks about the new saintess candidate from the rural region, but because I already knew about her beforehand, I could only hear their bickering as noises. Instead, I used the national treasure, Elf’s Jewel that allows me to talk to all living things to gather all rumors circulating about House Moonlight instead. I’m also curious about the matter regarding the saintess, but I cannot really just live without short notice, and I hardly have any person I can trust too.
From what Canaria said in her letters, there was huge progress regarding the Corrundum Kingdom’s circumstances. They’ve put import controls to Coloflare Kingdom’s Himemomobana plant, and after investigating the magic drug, ‘princess’, they found out that the drug was being distributed of the aforementioned religion in the empire to their adherents. Thus, they were able to catch them all in one swoop. Just the thought that the new religion formed by the empire is spreading such illegal drugs is terrifying, but that makes one for ruin’s preventions.
By the way, the only thing forbidden from being used is the magic drugs made from the unripe fruit of the plant. The flowers are harmless when used, particularly the ones pickled in alcohol makes a pretty useful use for married couples… or so it said. House Glinda also purchased the herbal wine from the Coloflare Kingdom saying that if it still doesn’t bless them with a child, they’ll give up and adopt one instead.
I wonder if it’s alright for me to know these private matters of our neighbor? But then again, with the countess losing her son and the house not having any successors, the one they’ll adopt would most likely be Count Glinda from the game. Canaria didn’t know his identity in the game and I could tell how excited she was writing about him from the letter which made me a little upset.
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆
Several months later, as I bring the jeweler that Count Walter introduced to me a while ago, into the castle, I lead him towards one of the castle’s receptions room. On the way, we stumbled upon Lady Chloe, and Shin who was accompanying her on the side.
‘It’s been a while, Sister Chloe.’
‘Goodness, Prince Yello. Good day to you.’
Lady Chloe looked pleased with being called sister. Even I thought that it might a little early to call her that, and if brother was with her, he’d likely be terribly sullen.
‘What about that gentleman next to you, highness? Is he alone? That doesn’t look like a large business transaction. What kind of commodities does he handle?’
‘He is running a jewelry business in the capital, sis. I was looking to shop for Canaria’s birthday present, he brought this year’s trendy jewels with him.’
‘Oh my, a jeweler!? How wonderful! I would very much like to join you in this endeavor!’
Lady Chloe’s eyes glimmered and selfishly tagged along without even hearing my reply first. This impudence on her part is one of the things that displeases my brother… but apparently, he’s attracted by the heroine’s daringness and lack of sense of distance so maybe it’s a case-by-case basis.
‘Prince Keith also used this shop’s service last year, didn’t he? What did you send to Lady Canaria at that time, sir?’
‘Last year it was an amethyst hairpin. This time I was thinking of sending Citrine earrings.’
The lady asked while I was looking at the samples and catalogs so I picked a sample up and answered her back. Although yellow-colored hair accessories will fade out from her blonde hair, a piercing would make her features shine.
Lady Chloe raised her face from the catalog and had a look of disbelief on her face.
‘Goodness, sir. An earing? Canaria is just thirteen, sir. In our kingdom, a lady not of age having a piercing in her body is not very well looked upon, are they?’
Lady Chloe’s words needed to be taken into account. The young ladies of the nobilities attend the royal academy through the sacred church and are all treated as acolytes until they graduate. She’s saying that sending a gift to such ladies that would require them to pierce their bodies is senseless.
‘But doesn’t that only commonly applies to the lady attendees of the royal academy? Canaria is a ducal lady of Corundum Kingdom, you know? Besides, I’m merely sending it as a present.’
‘Even so, it is still a little early to send such a jewel to a twelve-to-thirteen-year-old. That is to say, even if the said kingdom is also called the land of jewels. Even I, only received teddy bears for the last two years.’
She wouldn’t say who it is from but it’s likely from brother and the one who picked the gift is probably Sei too.
‘Huh? Two consecutive teddy bears? You received the same kind of commodities for two consecutive years?’
‘Y-you’re mistaken! Last year, I received one with a red ribbon. This time it was black. That’s right, it symbolizes the color of our hair. I’m very certain that Sir Benny must have given me a teddy bear so as to not make me lonely. However, he was likely feeling jealous of the stuffed today because I was taking care of it so earnestly so he bought it a partner instead. That has to be his reason!’
Uh yeah, that’s quite a very positive way of looking at it. That’s when my eyes met Shin’s who was standing right next to the door. This is a very good opportunity so I decided to ask him what I have been curious about.
‘By the way, I heard that Shin was hired by numerous aristocrats before being picked up by Lady Chloe in the slums. Did they ever put you up through medicine with severe side effects or after-effects at that time?’
‘Hohoho, there is no need to worry, highness. Ensuring a pet’s well-being is part of the responsibilities of a pet owner. I make sure to personally perform sacred magic on him every single night so as to keep his beautiful body perfect without so much a scratch!’
Her words of expression were rather disgusting… I shouldn’t have asked, good grief. Taking my eyes off Lady Chloe, Shin’s expressionless face had a shadow cast on it. A need to cast sacred magic every night? If brother were to hear about this…
‘What are you all doing?’
With perfect timing, the person I was just thinking of appeared himself and my body froze even though I have nothing to be guilty about. Lady Chloe on the other hand had not even a single fragment of unrest, and merely excitedly ran towards brother with such a bright look on her face, bringing the catalog with her.
‘Prince Yellow is looking for a present to send Lady Canaria, I was just lending him my hand as his sister-in-law. Sir Benny, I would like to have this one for myself.’
‘You’re birthday is already done. If you want it, buy it yourself. You, too Keith, don’t get too intimate with him so much.’
Brother’s face clearly grimaced just from having her call him by his nickname. This way of speaking was not born out of jealousy either, but Lady Chloe who managed to spin his words her way, blushed, looking very pleased.
‘Do not be so cold. We are future siblings-in-law.’
‘I wonder about that… Things might end up different before you even noticed. You should have heard the rumors too, right?’
Being reminded of the rumors regarding the newly found saintess candidate made Lady Chloe’s smile cramped. He knew how full of jealousy the lady was and he purposely provoked her. He had unwillingly bore with her so far but he likely went for the attack this time because his display of displeasure is not going anywhere.
As if feeling refreshed after having expressed his sarcasm, my brother left the room, with his fiancee watching him leave with trembling shoulders. The lady was fuming, and soon enough, I heard the sound of her fan hitting the floor. I guess she cannot gloss that over in front of me.
‘How displeasing!! Good day to you, Prince Yello.’
‘Ah, a moment, please! Sis, I have something to show you.’
Lady Chloe was about to leave with heavy footsteps but I stopped her halfway. I instructed Sando to take the birdcage to me. Inside was a bird with unusual colors, yellow feathers but a mix of red and blue in its wings.
‘Oh my, a present for me? I already have Shin as a pet though?’
‘That’s what I thought, but if that’s the case, could you please just send this to your relatives in House Moonlight instead?’
Being told that it was not for her just after having refused had changed her mood instantly. She’s quite interesting if you looked at her objectively. Although my brother can’t stand her.
‘So you’re asking me, your future sister-in-law, to do you errands?’
‘Now now, I was meaning to send a message. That if sister and brother were to get married, I would be connected to the ducal house, so I was trying to get along with them while I’m at it. I’m sure my ever gentle and kind sister-in-law, will grant the wish of his most adorable younger brother, right?’
I picked up her folding fan on the ground and told her pleasing words with upturned eyes. At that moment, Lady Chloe’s mood was instantly overturned.
‘O-Oh my…, since when did you become so skillful with your words, goodness. I guess it can’t be helped. It’s the request of my one and only brother-in-law, I shall lend you my assistance.’
She’s acting like she’s doing a huge favor for sending a single birdcage. However, I only replied with a smile not letting those thoughts on the surface.
‘As expected of my sister-in-law, how very generous! Then as for the message, please write;
“I deeply wish that the house’s oldest and greatest wish will be fulfilled, from the bottom of my heart.”‘
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆
Several days later, I was invited to the manor of House Moonlight. I was told to do so incognito, so I only took Sand with me and rode a crestless carriage.
The one who led us to the reception room of the manor was the young ducal lord, Vlad. Looks like he was sent to entertain my company to stall for the lord of the house, so he sat ahead and began talking to us.
‘It was his highness who sent the birdcage in this room, right? My father was full of praise for them being well-trained, sir.’
‘It’s good to hear that he liked them.’
‘Although, Lady Chloe looked so patronizing in bringing it here though. That young girl used to be so adorable before House Sereknight adopted that child of mistress. Madame Yona’s personal maid was the one to take guardianship of him so I sparingly accepted him, but I just cannot bear the thought of a mere commoner tainting the name of House Moonlight.’
I see, so Lady Chloe got the ‘Mistress’ Child’ remarks like this. The Ducal House also sent several house employees to them so she likely took a bad influence from them. Also, you’re not the one who picked him up, you cur.
‘Not to mention, that illegitimate mongrel took up a pig for a fiancée, himself. Talk about a well-matched!’
‘Ohh, by the way, the pig fiancée you were referring to. Could that be my cousin, Shiela Whitey from the margrave house?’
‘….Huh?’
‘Am I correct? The illegitimate mongrel that you were speaking about is Darck Sereknight, so his fiancee would be the niece of my mother, Neju, in other words, Shiela, the niece of the queen, herself.’
Having my relative spoken ill of, I couldn’t help but put pressure on the young ducal lord who became flustered. He said that they were just figure-of-speech. Well, how about that?
Meanwhile, the Duke arrived in the reception room and looked bewildered at the complex ambiance of the room.
‘Greetings, highness, I would like to apologize for the troubles that… Vlad, what are you doing!?’
‘Uhm, well… I was thinking of entertaining him until you arrived so.’
‘Well, it was quite entertaining indeed, Duke. Your son praised the bird I sent for being disciplined, unlike him.’
‘!! Vlad, just leave.’
Now that he had been forcefully expelled by the Duke who turned pale, and with Sand and other servants on stand by outside, the room suddenly went silent.
‘My apologies, highness!! Please forgive my son’s impudence…’
‘I do not mind. Let’s just go straight to the topic… but before that.’
‘!?’
At the snap of my fingers, the two of us were enveloped by a pillar of light. The duke who was looking around restless turned her gaze upwards, amazed. Before he even realized it, a black magic circle appeared.
‘H-Highness… what is this!?’
‘Sorry about that, I’ll take it off after we’re done talking.’
As I said that, an ant queen sits at the top of my pointed finger. That’s right, the black magic circle was composed of her ants. While Vlad was running his mouth with worthless things, I took out a bag with ants in it, and using the ‘Elf’s Precious Jewel,’ I asked the ant queen for a favor to have her ants form a formation of Silent’s magic circle. They could be stepped on and when on the ground so I had to do this instead.
‘Dear me, very well done. As expected of the lineage of House Whitey.’
‘Nobody can hear us right now so the duke can spare me with his flattery. The duke himself also summoned me here to talk about confidential things, didn’t he?’
I took an informal vocal tone in order to beckon him to talk without reservations. The duke withdrew his forced smile, beckoned me to sit, and sat down himself.
The lord of Moonlight Ducal House, the house with the largest contribution to the sacred church when it comes to both missionary work and donations. Their family motto is to ‘To devote; to give; and to love, just like the saintess.’ His son’s noncompliance of the motto aside, with such a saintly lord of the house and the slow accumulation of his achievements, the house has been elevated to ducal status a single generation ago.
(Comparatively, House Moonlight has not produced a queen nor a saintess. I’ve always thought of that as a mystery but…’
After drinking the tea to clear the bad taste of earlier, I gave the ant queen a single spoonful of sugar on a platter as her labor, that was when the Duke interjected.
‘I called upon his highness here in order to confirm something. I will jump straight to the topic, sir; how much does his highness know?’
‘Hmm, well. I wouldn’t say that I know everything, but I’d say fairly decent.’
‘…The secret of House Moonlight is not written in records, and within the royal family, should only be told to the crown prince. I heard that his majesty prioritizes the first prince but, don’t tell me his majesty is now leaning towards Prince Keith?’
The duke was being suspicious but it’s not like I could just flatly say that, I cheated the info out of Canaria’s game cheat sheet~ or something, so I kept it, mum. Bluff is crucial here.
‘Duke, the reason why I had to go through this roundabout way is because of the information I got that the House Moonlight is in contact with the empire’s men. I am under the impression that the empire is planning to invade its circumference soon. The stronghold of our country, the Coloflare Kingdom is the sacred church, and I know that in order to break it, one must go through the House Moonlight who holds the highest influence.’
‘Hahaha…, his highness seems to be quite fond of strategic stories in his young age. It is true that merchants from the empire have been coming-and-going, and there are times where they jest about making deals with the empire, all of which I refused, of course. Our ducal house is a devoted follower of the sacred church, after all.’
The duke replied in jest and laughed it off. However, there’s something I’ve been curious about ever since guessing that Yolda Moon came from House Moonlight.
‘Your ancestor…, was made the villain. Do you not resent the church at all?’
‘This might seem complicated to his highness, but the kingdom needs authority. It is important to take political measures that ensure that the people won’t starve and that they’ll live comfortable lives, but there will always be inevitable, but those alone would lead to inevitable national crises. In those moments, the country needs an absolute existence that would keep the populace at ease.’
‘At ease… and you’re saying that’s the Saintess.’
‘As his highness said, House Moon went on the receiving end of persecution after Yolda dyed her hands with evil. To the point that the house was forced to change its name and to demote into a barony. However, the one who protected the House Moonlight and shielded it from the implications was the same person who faced Yolda, the Saintess, herself. Of course, we have had complex feelings about it, but if we did take the matter into our hands, we’ll just prove to them that we’re a house of villains.’
The House Moonlight who received grace from the Saintess swallowed their grudges and exhausted their efforts for the kingdom. But was it because of the witch ancestry that they never produced a saintess and queen candidates?
‘I heard about it from Lady Masumi. That Lady Chloe and my brother’s betrothal would be the Ducal Houses’ greatest wish fulfilled.’
‘I guess that’s true… Chloe has always been a hard worker ever since she was little. Blackia may be strict but she never broke down and answered expectations. If she were to become the queen and the saintess… our loss honor will be restored which would surely make out ancestors happy.’
Lady Chloe’s reputation, even with the exception of my relatives, was quite the opposite among our generations. While she may be just putting up a facade to deceive the adults, it is also true that she won’t be able to do her Saintess ascetic practices without putting any effort into them.
While it is just an amusing story here, knowing her eventual fate in the game does not make me emit a smile at all.
‘What if… What if that were to be overturned?’
‘…Highness?’
‘The duke knows about her too, right? The rumors about the new saintess candidates as well as my brother’s discord with Lady Chloe. It would be alright if they made it to marriage as they were, there’s still a chance otherwise.’
The duke swallowed his breath. Looks like he was able to guess my concern. He likely couldn’t brush it off as a childish concern, considering the light that descended from the sky at that time.
‘That can’t be… Even if that’s the case, Lady Chloe still have all the rights to become the queen even if she isn’t the saintess. When it comes down to it, both of them can become a queen too.’
‘If that happens, who will be the consort? As the duke mentioned earlier, the existence of the Saintess is authority itself. Even if she is a commoner, she cannot be treated lightly once the church designates her as the true saintess. This situation… would just repeat the saintess myth for a second time.’
Chloe will become a witch, just as Yolda did. I didn’t put those into words, but the suggestion of that possibility has made the duke grimace.
‘…What does his highness wish of me?’
‘I will pray that nothing of such happens but, I wish to implore to the Duke that he does not sell his loyalty over to the empire.’
Breaking off the engagement, stripped of her Saintess recognition, and banished off the capital; all leading to despair and witchery. The fall of Chloe whose veins flow with Moonlight’s, will make the ducal house disappointed and distrustful of both the royal family and the sacred church. They condemn them for how having rewarded their hundreds of years of servitude with such mistreatment. However, they will not let their sentiments on the surface, and join hands with the empire under the surface, allowing it to send its personnel within.
That’s right, weapons do not need to be involved in destroying a country. It only needs those who hold enough influence to lead its fate to destruction. Without anyone realizing its slow and eventual decay.
‘I will protect the ducal house so as to not lead to that. You are essential to this kingdom’s continuance sir.’
Vlad may be problematic, but this house lord holds the kingdom’s fate within the game’s timeframe. You could say that he is the most centerpiece out of all those who do not appear in the game.
‘Haha… his highness is thinking too much of me. My sentiments alone do not have a large effect on the circumstances. The same goes for you. I’m aware that this may sound impertinent, but the second prince’s faction is at a disadvantage as of now. Not to mention, you’re too young. Both of your convincing power and unifying strength false short to that of the first prince.’
‘….’
‘We’re both powerless, you and me.’
That’s right… the duke and I, alone, cannot evade the worst that is to come.
‘For now, that is? Right?’
‘….?’
‘I still have a chance at obtaining power myself. If it’s to make you not despair at the royal family, and for your continued support of the sacred church, I… will aim for the crown… earnestly.’
For a moment, my brother’s face come to mind which I brushed off. In the game, I hated being selfishly put on the palanquin of the crown prince, or rather even now. I do not wish to be the tool of the second prince faction. However, I am still a prince of the Coloflare Kingdom. In order to prevent the eventual ruin of the kingdom after a hundred years, I need to make a choice.
‘….The degree of your concern is painted on your face, highness. When it comes down to it, we will cut off our ties with Chloe in order to protect the house. Do you… have the resolve to fight your brother head on?’
‘I do. If the first prince were… to make light of the House Moon’s lineage, and Lady Chloe turns into a witch, then I, Prince Yello Keith Coloflare, shall kick my brother off his pedestal and claim the throne for myself.’
For now, I can only pray that such a time would not come to pass.
