Chapter 5: Imperial Capital Tour


    Immediately after we returned to the capital we head to see Leo.


    Leo knows that I am making my move but he doesnt know about my connection with Silver. Therefore, it is necessary to answer his questions about that first.


    To think that Nii-san has a connection with Silver as well.. I know that you have many acquaintances but I didnt know that you know such an important person.


    He is not my acquaintance. He was the one that contacted me. He told me that as a proof of trust, he is going to help pull Duke Kleinert to our side. Thats why I created the story that Silver moved because you asked for his help. Sorry that I have to get your approval after it has already happened.


    After I give Leo the report about what happened in Leos room I exined about Silver to him.


    If I dont make it like Silver was the one who took the initiative it would be harder for me to move in the future.


    Eventually, my connection with Silver will be exposed. I have to prepare for that time as well.


    Its okay. Nii-san also has your own thoughts on the matter as well right?


    Yeah, I didnt immediately tell you because I didntpletely trust Silver. But he aplished what he said he would do. I think it is fine to trust him for now. However, it is certain that he is a man with many mysteries. We dont know his reason to cooperate with us either. It would be wise not to trust himpletely for now.


    I see..I want to meet him too.


    I will ry that to him but since he went out of his way to reach out to me, I dont think that man has any ns to meet you directly right now. I know how to contact him but it still depends on him whether he would respond or not. Since he wont follow our order directly, I think he is something like a Joker that only moves as he pleases so lets not rely too much on him.


    Understood. But thanks to him, the Kleinert Duchy was saved and the Duke also gave us his cooperation right? So I think that he must be a good person.


    Everyone is a good person with you..


    Giving up, I sigh.


    I feel like I have been sighing like this a lottely. The reason is needless to say since there is another person with the same type of personality as Leo.


    By the way, I heard that the Duke sent a person to help us but, who did he send? The Duke cante here personally after all


    Yeah, thats right. Sebas, can you call her for me?


    Yes, sir.


    I ask Sebas who was standing by in the corner of the room to bring Finne who is in the nearby room here.


    Pleased to make your acquaintance, Your Highness Leonard. I am the eldest daughter of Duke Kleinert, Finne von Kleinert. Please take care of me.


    Finne gracefully pinches the helm of her skirt and perform a curtsy.


    Without being surprised, Leo responds to her in a perfect manner.


    I am the eighth prince, Leonard Lakes Adler. I never thought there would be an opportunity for me to speak with the u Mowe herself. You are much more beautiful up close. It is my honor to finally meet you.


    My, what a skilled person. It is my honor to be able to meet Arnold-samas little brother. I am relieved since Your Highness is a gentle person like Arnold-sama said you would be.


    Nii-san spoke about me? That is intriguing. Can I hear what he said?


    Yes, I would be happy to. Ah, I will prepare some tea.


    Thank you.


    It took them less than a minute to have a heart to heart. My brother is so scary. His ability to slip into other peoples good side is already a talent.


    There are a fewmon topics between the two. Naturally, since they dont have many points of contact, they are often rising the topic about me.


    I can only make a cramped expression when they are talking about me. Leo must have noticed that and direct the conversation toward me.


    Speaking of which Nii-san. What kind of cooperation from Finne-san do you have in mind?


    Basically, I will have her be our negotiator. Andter, I will have her frequently travel from her mansion in the capital to our ce. That will show that Duke Kleinert is on our side. That is about it for now. Ah, I have already talked about Silver with her. You dont have to worry about that. She knows that I tricked her family and still cooperate with us.


    You made it sound like I am a bad person again.the fact that our house has angered Silver-sama was the truth, but it is also true that Arnold-sama has mediated between us. Wouldnt it be fine if we leave it at that?


    Thats good. I think so as well. Nii-sans w is that he tends to put himself down too much after all.


    Haa..


    It is like there are two Leo.


    Well, if we are going to gather more ally then it would be good to collect more people like this. My trouble will increase though.


    This is my style so dont worry about me. More importantly, Leo, did you gather allies in the capital?


    Unnnn, its hard to say. The influential people inside the capital were already taken by those three after all.


    I tried to change the topic by asking how Leo is doing on his end but it was as I expected.


    Even if they know that Duke Kleinert is backing Leo, the only one who will move is the neutral faction. In the first ce, those who are already taken in by the three rivals cannot move. That should be what was going on when they dont know that the Duke supported us.


    UmI dont know much about the imperial capitals circumstances so..can you tell me about the three rivals that you were talking about?


    Havent you tell her?


    She keeps asking unrted questions on the way here so I dont have enough power left for the exnation.


    I am sorry..


    Its fine, it is normal that he would be troubled. He is basically a person that always deflects a talk like that after all.


    He is!?


    It was because that was too troublesome to deflect though.


    Aw


    I took a sidelong nce at the sad-looking Finne and grab three jewels inside the room then arrange them on the table to make the exnation easy to understand.


    These are our three rivals. The first one is this blue jewel. The second prince, Eric Lakes Adler, twenty-eight years old. He has most of the cab ministers on his side and is known as the intelligent prince. The second one is this red jewel. The third prince, Gordon Lakes Adler, twenty-six years old. He heads out to the battlefield as the most powerful asset of our army, he is in the military faction. And the third one is this green jewel. The second princess, Zandra Lakes Adler, twenty-two years old. She is excellent in magic and has a lot of support from the magicians throughout the empire. These three are aiming for the throne while expanding their power. There are other members of the imperial family that are aiming for the throne but you cannotpare them to these three.


    The civil officials, the military and the magician. They have their own solid support base. The state that the nobles are taking advantage of this and build up their own power, that is the current session war. This began three years ago..when our eldest brother, the crown prince passed away on the battlefield.


    I have heard..my father used to say that if the wise First Prince is still alive, something like a session war would never happen.


    I couldnt agree more. If that person is still alive then this annoying stuff would never exist in the first ce.


    On the contrary, it is exactly because that person died that the others got the chance.


    I remember the sense of wrongness about that. He was both dignified and brave. His personality was also excellent like an upgraded version of Leo, would a person like that went and die on the battlefield?


    There was an investigation and the emperor himself was the one who personally investigated the case so it is proven that it was not plotted by someone but I cant shake off the feeling that there is some scheme hidden deep inside all of that.


    However, bringing up the dead will not help us.


    That person is no longer here and our three elder siblings are merciless to their enemy. Leo, unless you take the ce of our eldest brother and be the emperor, there will be no path left for us.


    I know. But, will I be able to do it


    Rest assured. I guarantee you can do it.


    Saying so, I p Leos back.


    Seeing Leo break into a fit of coughs, I and Finneughed.


    -


    The streets of the Capital are always busy.


    Finne looked at such a street and turn around toward me.


    Arnold-sama. What is that?


    That is an appraisal store. That ce has a certificate so their fees are quite high. And you can just call me Al.


    Will that be okay? Using a nickname?


    I will be troubled if people noticed my identity by chance so just call me Al.


    .Even if I call you with that afterward as well?


    Finne turns to look at me expectantly.


    There are only a few people who call me Al. However, if she wants to call me that there is no reason to stop her.


    Do as you like.


    Yes! Al-sama!


    What are you looking so happy about?


    While I am impressed that such a small thing like this can make her happy, I keep guiding her around the capital.


    On the way, we dine at a local restaurant. After that, I show her the important facilities of the capital.


    We dont have much time so just guiding her around the capital took us quite some time.


    When the timees when I thought that we should head back soon, Finne found an essory store.


    Ha~a..dont take long okay?


    Yes!


    Since she looked at me like she was pleading to take a look inside, I give her my permission.


    Since she doesnt say anything herself I cant say that she is willful. However, as ones eyes can convey the feeling as much as ones mouth, the power of the thing she said with her eyes wasnt half baked at all.


    How many times has it been?


    As I am tired I didnt enter the store. I lean my back on the pir in front of the store and wait.


    However, one of the customers did not let me rest at all.


    My My? If it isnt the Dull Prince?


    Hearing an unpleasant voiceden with sarcasm, I knit my eyebrows.


    Honestly, I have to run into a guy that I dont want to meet.


    The person that appeared is a young man with brown hair made into a bob hairstyle surrounded by his entourage.


    His longnky clothes and his hairstyle senses are simply put, bad. However, it seems like he thinks that it looks cool so he is brimming with confidence.


    His name is Gied von Horsvath. He descended from Horsvath house which is the house that ranked No.two of the oldest noble houses in the empire. And despite my unwillingness, my childhood friend.


    The Horsvath house possesses a territory near the imperial capital. Thus, he has a residence in the imperial capital and often came to the castle. Since we are the same age, adults around us stuck me and Leo with him. He often apanies us in lessons and training, that is the rtionship we have.


    However, he only put on a good face in front of Leo and bully me behind his back. His entourage is also his bullyrades from that time. I never retaliate nor have I never tell the adults. Moreover, the adults that noticed also overlooked him. It must have been quite a sight for them.


    Seeing a prince with a much higher status than their own getting bully might give them a sense of superiority after all.


    After we grew up, he often gets involved with me like this.


    Gied..its rare to meet you in a ce like this.


    I spotted a shabby looky face that shouldnt even be considered a prince when I was riding on my carriage you see. I thought I had to call out to you as one of the imperial nobles.


    Well, thanks.


    What is that attitude?


    Gied pushes my face with the walking stick in his hand and speaks with an irritated expression.


    Do you think that I cant hit you because we are in public? No one would raise a voice even if I beat you up you know? Nobody cares about your face anyway.


    I wonder. Leo has gotten famous recently, people might alreadye to know my face right?


    Its not like every citizen can remember the faces of all the imperial family members. Even with my notoriety, they should only know that I have ck hair and ck eyes. I appeared in front of the people in some ceremonies but since they were far away, theres no way that they can grasp our urate appearance.


    However, recently Leo has be famous. Theres no doubt that it would be a big problem if he hit me who has the same face.


    You are not Leonard. People can tell just by looking at you. You always dressed sloppily and your eyes are always looking downward. Its the sign of how unconfidence you are. Who would think that you are a member of the imperial family? Your behavior itself is nothing close to one!


    Saying so, Gied hit my shin with his stick. My face grimaced with a sharp pain but I dont fall down.


    I cant afford to make a scene here. It still looks like someone is being picked on by the noble but if people recognize my face as a member of the imperial family then it will cause a fuss. If it bes like that, then it will be troublesome no matter the result.


    Now, what to do?


    What is happening?


    I almost click my tongue.


    To think that she would show up now.


    Can you please do not mess up the situation?


    Finne look at the stick Gied used to hit me with and openly show her anger.


    Insolent!!


    Nn? Who is that? Your servant?


    I see so you are a rude person.


    Saying so Finne removed her hood.


    For a moment, Gied absentmindedly admires her beauty, but once he knows who he is talking to he jumped in surprise.


    Y, you areFii, Miss Finne!?


    Yes, I am Finne von Kleinert. And you are?


    I, I am Gied von Horsvath. The eldest son of Duke Horsvath.


    The son of the venerable Duke Horsvath? That is unfortunate. I thought that you would be a person who behaves himself with more honor.


    Gied begins to make an excuse for Finne who has a disappointed expression.


    He looks extremely unsightly. It was unthinkableing from Gied who always fuss over his dignity. To be criticized in front of a crowd like this, it is probably something his pride wouldnt allow.


    It, its a misunderstanding! This guy is..


    Prince Arnold Lakes Adler. You think that it would be okay no matter what you do to the Dull Prince? Do you have no respect or loyalty toward the imperial family?


    N, No, its not like that..


    I look at Finne.


    It would be bad if Finne makes Gied lose face here. Finne is the ue Mowe. On top of the fact that she is extremely famous in the capital, she is also the emperors favorite. It would be easy to have her save me here but I cant allow her to antagonize Gied.


    There is no need to make a useless enemy like this. If I let him do as he pleases then Gied would be satisfied and if he one-sidedly hit me then only his reputation will fall.


    I tried to tell her to stop with my eye but Finne doesnt pay it any mind.


    Then she says something outrageous.


    In the first ce..do you think that I am apanying Prince Arnold?


    Eh..?


    Finne looks straight at me.


    Recognizing what she wanted to do, I sigh.


    If its like this then I can do nothing but follow through with Finnes n.


    This is troubling, Finne-san. Since you dont want this to be a rumor, I was pretending to be Nii-san you know..


    My deepest apologies. Leo-sama.


    Eh, ah, eh, Leonard?


    Yeah, thats right. Gied-san.


    I fix my hair and stand up straight. I imitate Leos tone of voice and change my expression into a gentle one.


    Seeing my transformation, Gieds face turned blue immediately after he remembered what he had done.


    Le, Leonardits not like that. This is umm.


    Its fine Gied-san. I know that you have been doing something like that to Nii-san, as long as Nii-san doesnt say anything I also have no intention to move as well. But we have to excuse ourselves for today. I am in the middle of guiding Finne-san after all.


    A, Aa.G, got it


    Gied head back with a bad expression.


    If its me, in case something happened to Leo then I might bring up the respect and loyalty toward the imperial family like Finne did as well. At the very least, Leo is the fourth faction in the session war. Unlike me, he is a prince that might be an emperor.


    Gied must understand that it would be bad if he let the situation worsen like that as well. I hurriedly return my appearance back to normal.


    However.


    You really have to do that?


    I am sorry..


    Ha~a.lets go.


    First, we have to get away from this ce. We gathered too much attention.


    We walk toward the castle at a quick pace. I stopped when we are close to the castle and look at Finne.


    Finne is looking at me with a face like she wanted to cry.


    .You arbitrary did that right?


    I am truly sorry


    If you just leave it alone then it only would lower that guys reputation. But with this, that guy will at the very least be hostile toward you and Leo. Moreover, because they have the information that Leo might be moving around while pretending to be me, that information would make it harder for me to move.


    .


    If I keep on like this then she might really cry as tears are already umting in Finnes eyes.


    Seeing that, I look away.


    No matter what I say to Finne now, nothing will change. I cant me her for what happened.


    If you have learned then next time dont do something like that by yourself. It can be dangerous for you too, so dont do it again.


    Yes.


    She is still looking like she is about to cry.


    Looking at Finne hanging her head, I am at a loss. In the end, since I cant do anything I open my mouth.


    But..I understand that you did that for my sake. Thanks.


    Al-sama.


    Sorry that it has to end with a bad aftertaste when you were having a lot of fun.


    N, No! It is not Al-samas fault! It was all because of my thoughtlessness! I will be more careful next time! Th, thats whycan you guide me around again?


    Yeah, next time I will disguise myself as well.


    Hearing so, Finnes expression immediately got better and she smiled brightly.


    It was worth going out of my way to guide her around the capital to see that smile. Thinking so, I bring Finne back to the castle.


    TLN: With this we are done with the first arc/chapter of the story. I actually want to trante more of this before I go because this is a story that need a certain amount of world building before it be gold.


    Well, Im off to Japan in four days so I will have to leave it at this for now


    -Mr.Graverobber