Rose gazes at the stars in the night sky, praying for Kanata’s safety, even though he is an enemy.
By the time Rose finished reviewing the data on the Last Legion, Asura Unit, and the major divisions of the Mechanist Army and Alliance Army, the master of the sky had changed from the sun to the moon.
“Lady Rose, let’s stop here for today,” Clifford said as he returned from his meeting with Spec Company. Rose nodded and shut down her computer.
“Clifford, are the arrangements for the launch ceremony scheduled for a week from now complete?”
“Everything has been arranged as you instructed.”
“I’ll confirm just in case, but the tape cutting is to be done by Reine, correct?”
“Yes. We have asked Ms. Magdalene Bergier. Duke Bergier seemed exceedingly pleased. He asked me to convey his gratitude for entrusting such an important role to his young daughter.”
Duke Bergier is an in-law of the Royal Family, but he lost the succession dispute with my father and is living in semi-seclusion, unable to appear in public. He likely sees this ceremony as a stepping stone to regaining his status, but my father would never allow it, and I have no intention of helping Duke Bergier return to power.
However, Duke Bergier is indeed an in-law of the Royal Family, and his daughter, Reine, is kind-hearted and sensible. It feels wrong to involve Reine, who just turned thirteen, in power struggles… but as she carries royal blood, she cannot escape the political significance of her position. If that’s the case, I want Reine to be on my side. She’s like a younger sister to me.
Of course, if Reine wants to distance herself from power, I won’t force her. Just as I decided my own path, Reine should do the same.
After dinner with Clifford and Tasche, and a bath, I prepared for bed. I had the large, canopy bed I had been using replaced with a smaller one. I will be going to the battlefield sometimes, so it’s better to abandon an extravagant lifestyle. This new bed itself is still too luxurious.
Without the canopy, I could see the night sky through the large skylight. It’s a beautiful night with clear stars… I wonder if Kanata is looking at this same starry sky somewhere in the distant Alliance territory? …Kanata… we gazed at the stars together in the Witch’s forest, didn’t we? Do you remember? You only knew the constellations that indicated direction and season, so I taught you about various other constellations.
Sirius shone exceptionally brightly in the night sky. That is Sirius, Kanata’s guardian constellation. And shining beside it, as if protected by Sirius, is the constellation of the Saintess. I taught you up to this point, right? I didn’t tell you then, but… I wonder if I should have told you that the Saintess is my guardian constellation… In myths, Sirius was sent to save the Saintess from danger. That’s why it’s beside her, protecting her? Kanata saved me from danger like the mythical Sirius… but he’s not beside me…
“Kiki? (Are you sad?)” Tasche poked her head out from the basket bed. I seemed to have worried her.
“…It’s nothing. Goodnight, Tasche.”
“Kiki. (Goodnight.) Kiki! (A shooting star!)” Tasche pointed to a shooting star trailing a long tail.
I have to make a wish quickly!… Please let Kanata be safe. I offered my wish to the shooting star before lying down. It’s okay, Kanata survived a battle against Major Toma, a super-soldier. He’s bound to be safe no matter what happens.
The fanfare of the military band signaled the start of the launch ceremony. Under the watchful eyes of knights in perfect formation, the ceremony proceeded smoothly, and the Duchess’s daughter cut the luxurious ribbon. My ship, the Pallas Athena, moved forward and stopped before us.
“Lady Rose! Thank you for entrusting me with such an important role!” Reine, who had grown a little taller, greeted me. I gave her a light hug.
“Thank you. It was an important ceremony for my ship, so I really wanted Reine to do it, even though I might have been asking too much.”
“No! I wish I could board this ship with you!” I hope so. But boarding this ship requires resolve. When you’re a little older and decide to board this ship of your own will… let’s journey together.
“Lady Rose, it has been a while. Have you grown a little?” Duke Bergier, standing behind Reine, greeted me. …Still with that Kaiser mustache. A man who failed to become the true Emperor (Kaiser).
“Not as much as Reine. Duke, it has been a while. Are you feeling alright?” The prolonged period of seclusion must be painful for a man like Duke Bergier, who has an meddlesome personality.
“I am well. Lady Rose, please give my regards to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Yes. Well then, Duke, fare thee well. Reine, see you again.”
“Yes! I look forward to seeing you again! Please take care.”
As Reine and the others saw me off, I ascended the gangway, accompanied by the Knights of the Rose Cross. I headed straight for the bridge, and standing before the command seat, I issued my first order to the crew.
“Pallas Athena, depart! Our destination is the Imperial Capital Baumgarten!”
In the captain’s quarters of the ship heading towards the Imperial Capital, I discussed future plans with three knights and comrades.
“Duke Bergier must be overjoyed to be able to appear in public after so long,” said my silver-haired older sister. My golden-haired older brother replied, “It seems so. However, Lady Rose, is it safe to bring Duke Bergier out? It might incur His Majesty the Emperor’s displeasure?”
“It would be a problem if he were to be reinstated to public office, but he merely participated in a ceremony. Furthermore, Duke Bergier was not formally ordered into seclusion. Everyone is just watching His Majesty’s face and being overly cautious. There should be no problem.”
“It has been fifteen years since he lost the succession dispute, yet Duke Bergier still seems to harbor regrets. We must not be careless,” Clifford stated. I agreed with his assessment. Behind his deferential attitude, his ambitious eyes are visible; Duke Bergier has not given up.
“It seems so. However, as long as we know he is dangerous, he is not that dangerous. Dynamite can be useful if used correctly.”
“Hmph. Even if he has royal blood, Duke Bergier is merely an in-law. The idea of him succeeding to the throne is absurd. How can he even bear to fight for it?”
“Ashes, it doesn’t matter who obtains power or how they obtain it. What matters is how it is used, that’s all.”
“…Perhaps. However, I’m certain Duke Bergier would use power solely for his own benefit.”
“Most likely. However, fundamentally, Duke Bergier lacks the capacity. Even if he were the legitimate heir of the Royal Family and my father were from a collateral line, the outcome would not have been different.” I believe this not out of favoritism for my own kin. My father and Duke Bergier are too different in stature.
“Lady Rose, knowing Duke Bergier’s lack of capacity, why did you have him participate in the ceremony?” Quester asked. That question is the answer itself.
“That’s the answer. Cruel as it may sound, it’s precisely because he is small-minded and easy to read his intentions…”
“Easy to use as a pawn, you mean. I was mistaken.”
“A banquet hosted by the Royal Family will be held in the Imperial Capital for the first time in a long while. His Majesty told me he would hold a family-only meeting afterward. Only one attendant is permitted. Father will have Starks, and Brother will have Ashley. Quester, you will accompany me.”
“Leave it to me.”
“Lady Rose, are you not satisfied with me? It should be Quester who settles your enemies, and I who protects you!”
“The banquet might be a bit… prickly. Ashes, you have a bit of a short temper.”
“How dare you! I have enough discretion to act appropriately for the situation!”
“I am not saying you lack discretion. This time, I want to contend ‘calmly,’ so I chose Quester. While I may eventually have fierce clashes with Brother, it is with him that the real struggle will come. I have no intention of playing my trump card at the beginning of the game.”
“If that’s the case, I will yield to Quester this time.”
“I intend to ask His Majesty for an official position within the Mechanist Army. What rank would be appropriate?”
“Prince Adel is currently a Major General, but he started his military career as a Colonel. So, the highest you could hope for is Colonel.” Clifford replied, stroking his beard, which was more magnificent than Duke Bergier’s Kaiser mustache.
“Then, being modest, I will step back and start as a Lieutenant Colonel. It’s one step below Colonel Roogetsu, so it’s just right.”
“That’s Lady Rose’s specialty, asking for things. It’s a shame I won’t be able to witness your efforts at the banquet…” I feel like I’ve been asking for things a lot lately.
“Then, Clifford, I have a request for you too… I’m hungry. I want pudding…”
“Kiki! (I want to eat!)”
“Oh? You said ‘Boku’ just now?”
“It’s fine! There’s no need to maintain a formal conversation in front of my family! I want pudding! I really want it!” I flailed my hands around, being selfish! Seeing me, Tasche followed suit, mimicking me perfectly.
“Kiki! Kiki! (Pudding! Pudding!)” When Tasche and I sang in unison, Clifford puffed out his chest proudly.
“I thought you might. I have some prepared. It’s not store-bought, mind you? It’s homemade pudding made by my wife, Chris.”
Yay♪ Clifford’s wife, Chris Clifford, is a former patissier, and her skills are top-notch.
Homemade pudding on my own ship must be incredibly delicious♪
