54 – Temptation
One day, about two weeks after the sunrise of the new year.
The empire was turned upside down.
“Ho’oi, ho’oi! A tremendous incident has occurred!”
A boy shouted, waving a newspaper filled with characters. It was a common occurrence for newspaper vendors to exaggerate gossip. Still, those curious enough paid the boy and bought the newspaper.
Should I just throw it away if it’s not even amusing news?
As someone among the pedestrians tried to read the newspaper with that mindset.
Commotion erupted from all directions.
“My, my… is this really true?”
“If this is false, the entire newspaper company would collapse!”
“No matter what, the disgrace of the noble family…?”
Pedestrians who sensed something was amiss rushed towards the newspaper vendor like a flock of birds. In an instant, the boy’s hands were busy. Even the wealthy nobles found it not worth the time to receive change and simply threw the exact amount and snatched the newspaper.
“No matter what happens to the empire…”
Sighs echoed around. Sounds of despair mixed with anger could be heard from all over.
The headline of the newspaper article that provoked people’s lamentations was as follows:
[Chapter 1: Crown Prince Rufheit Arteria, masquerading as a virtuous citizen of the empire!]
Truly, it was a scandal that could be called the epic tale of the empire. The specific details of the incident were as follows:
[On the previous night, at a New Year’s celebration ball, Crown Prince Ascalion accused Crown Prince Rufheit of wrongdoing. In the grand ballroom, filled with Emperor and nobles, there were numerous pieces of evidence…]
The details of the incident were lengthy. Nonetheless, people read through it meticulously, not missing a single detail. Although the time spent reading the newspaper varied for each person, the reactions were unanimous.
“Does this even make sense? Even if we are tired of the monarchy, how can he, as a demon, govern the empire…”
“It’s absurd. If such a person becomes the Crown Prince, the country will surely perish.”
“In comparison, Crown Prince Ascalion… He’s still young, but he can stand up against adults.”
The fact that Crown Prince Reines had given up the fight for the throne was known throughout the empire. Therefore, people often bet on whether Crown Prince Rufheit or Crown Prince Ascalion would wear the Emperor’s crown. However, if the contents of the newspaper were true, Crown Prince Rufheit was an unacceptable ruler on a physiological level.
“This… We should pray for Crown Prince Ascalion to become the Emperor.”
“But he’s still young.”
“Even if we put a seven-year-old brat on the throne, they wouldn’t even think of doing something like this.”
“Well…”
In general, people’s preconceptions are not easily shattered. To them, the principle of primogeniture is familiar, and it is common sense that adults are wiser than children. However, in the current situation where there are only two options, that preconception was gradually eroding.
“Perhaps the hope of the empire lies with Crown Prince Ascalion…”
The scale in the hearts of ordinary citizens tipped to one side.
◈
“aaahhhhh!!!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Crown Prince Rufheit, consumed by boiling rage, struck all the objects in the room, scattering broken glass and shattered furniture everywhere. The sight evoked terror in the servants. If anyone dared to provoke him, they could become the target of his fury and receive a whipping.
The servants who experienced it firsthand lowered their heads and desperately averted their gaze.
“Dare… dare… dare…! Ascalion, this orphan child!”
Hoo… hoo… Lupehite takes a moment to cool off, exhaling as if exhausted, with a cooling device on his forehead.
From behind Lupehite, the sound of servants moving statically reached his ears. Even that insignificant sound irritated Lupehite, who turned his gaze with bloodshot eyes.
Lupehite, who was about to ruthlessly exercise violence, came to an abrupt stop in his movements.
“What in the world, how long will you behave so timidly even as a crown prince?”
“… Mother.”
At the sudden appearance of the empress, Lupehite turned his gaze diagonally.
The empress was one of the few people who could control Lupehite. Therefore, it was inevitable that Lupehite, despite receiving a scolding, could only go as far as sighing in response.
“Sigh…”
After exhaling, the empress gave orders to the maids.
“Clear out. Quickly.”
“Ah…! Yes! Understood, Your Majesty the Empress!”
Only then did the room, destroyed by Lupehite, gradually begin to regain its old appearance. The empress, who relieved the oppressive atmosphere at times like this, was truly appreciated by Lupehite. Little did he know that she was the empress who had manipulated the poison from the beginning.
The empress stared at her impulsive son with a look of pity.
“How long does the crown prince intend to spend the new year without properly heeding his mother’s request?”
“I…!”
“Crown Prince!”
Before Lupehite could defend himself, she unilaterally cut him off.
“I told you. Excessive ambition ruins the body. I’ll take care of everything, so please just follow orders properly. Is that so difficult?”
“Grr…!”
“… Exercise restraint for a while. Cease tormenting the palace residents. Like a mouse that has taken medicine, if you can have a time of quiet, breathing even soundlessly, I will somehow manage to rectify the situation.”
Though dealt a critical blow, there’s still a chance to blur the lines. Promise rewards to the appropriate parties, and reverse the accusation of excessive loyalty.
“Sigh…”
The empress openly sighed. The child she had carried in her womb for ten months was lacking in many ways. It was almost as if the third prince Ascalion resembled her more.
Even knowing it wasn’t a virtue as a parent, she couldn’t help but make comparisons.
‘Both are from the same father, yet there’s really no corner to argue that one is better than the other.’
The third prince, carving his path from one to ten on his terms. And the first prince, rejecting the spoon even when everything is served on it. Objectively speaking, it was clear who was more fitting for the throne.
The empress was starting to grow weary of this irrationality.
“Tsk, why did I end up giving birth to someone like this…”
“… “
For the first time, the first prince witnessed his mother’s eyes filled with disdain. He had seen signs of her being disappointed and frustrated with him before, but the look of contempt was a first.
Feeling embarrassed and angry, Rufheit tried to pick up the rage jar to throw it away as soon as the empress disappeared from his sight.
But at that moment, the empress’s admonition echoed in his mind.
[Exercise restraint for a while.]
[Like a mouse that has taken medicine, breathing even soundlessly.]
In the end, Rufheit, unable to do this or that, hesitantly placed the trembling rage jar gently on the table. Then, the anger erupted within himself, who didn’t have the courage to go against the empress’s words.
“Uwaaah! Damn it, damn it, damn it all! Uwaaah!!!”
Unable to throw anything, having to be cautious even in his thrashing. Rufheit repeated the act of howling like a beast with his throat stretched taut.
“Hoo… Hoo… Haah… Damn it… Haah… Haah…”
Rufheit’s appearance was akin to a roaring blaze of firewood, leaving behind a pile of ashes. After expelling and exhausting his emotions, it seemed that not even the feeling to push up from his chest remained.
Everyone disappeared, and there was no need
“If it were the Crown Prince, I wouldn’t expect the surroundings to be so lax. There are plenty of ways to cover it up if needed.”
“How on earth is that possible? The rumors have spread so much…”
“Well, if I were the Empress, I’d start by creating a scarecrow. Blame it on the high-handed actions of a subordinate obsessed with achievements.”
Nonchalantly, Elysia conceived a ruthless scheme on the spot. Occasionally, I find her a bit intimidating.
“Shedding tears, supporting the victim’s social return with a comprehensive approach… Drafting a law containing a manual for identifying spies while simultaneously splitting the power of the Information Department. That would be a good move.”
“The Information Department? Seriously?”
“It’s the most influential department in the Arwell Palace. This way, you can transform your image while even leaving a mark on Urien’s right-hand man.”
“Opposing it might backfire…”
“That’s right. As the Empress, I can come up with such basic schemes in no time.”
Elysia is truly reliable. She seems to be looking several steps ahead, and to call this a basic scheme is almost insulting…
Perhaps the ultimate boss of the novel should be Elysia, not the Empress.
Lost in my ideals, Elysia reminded me of the upcoming event.
“The hunting festival is coming soon.”
“Yes, Urien will finally have the chance to mock. Quite a delight.”
“You’re really something in various ways…”
The hunting festival is an event commemorating the New Year, wishing for the well-being of the Empire by hunting beasts in a designated hunting ground as an offering.
“Urien, by now, must have neglected physical training and proper martial arts just to focus on studying. I’ll have so much fun comparing him with Glen.”
“Are you saying you’ll also enter the hunting grounds?”
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Elysia asked, her eyes wide with surprise. I quickly clarified the misunderstanding.
“I have no intention of participating in the hunt. We’ll just watch our kids stumble around. Killing without purpose is something I’d rather avoid.”
“To dedicate oneself to the one who granted is the purpose, isn’t it?”
“The Pope doesn’t desire such things. It’s just a part of human culture that he refrains from interfering with.”
Elphesia, upon hearing my response, let out a bitter laugh.
“… It feels like I’ve learned an unnecessary truth.”
“So what? Everyone finds it amusing regardless of my preferences. That’s good enough.”
“Anyway, you’re refreshingly straightforward in peculiar matters.”
“That’s how you get adored by a wife, or so they say.”
“… Ha, seriously… unbelievable.”
For some reason, Elphesia, feeling annoyed, turned her back on me for a while.
When I turned towards her again, she slyly turned to the opposite side. I circled around Elphesia, finding it amusing. Then, she also started spinning in place. As she rotated, I, in a circular motion, orbited around Elphesia. Eventually, realizing my intention, she trembled with embarrassment.
“Ugh, don’t follow me!”
Bang!
She forcefully closed the door, leaving. However, it was now clear to me that I had to follow her.
It was a conclusion based on the intuition developed over time with Elphesia.
“Wait, Elphesia!”
I should apologize quickly as a tease.
Being with her is truly enjoyable.