Rose appears to have visited the cemetery to lay flowers for the fallen knights.
Upon arriving in the imperial capital of Baumgarten, I headed to the Imperial Public Cemetery before the evening banquet.
This is where the graves of Helga and Paula, and the knights who gave their lives protecting me, lie.
Accompanied by three knights, I arrived at a section with brand-new gravestones, carrying flowers.
There were already visitors at Helga and Paula’s resting place.
An old woman was praying before a grave… that should be Helga’s grandmother.
“Princess!”
Noticing us, the old woman hurried over but stumbled.
Ashes quickly moved, catching her and preventing a fall.
She then took the old woman’s hand, leading her to me.
“You are Helga’s grandmother, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am Helga’s grandmother. …Princess Rose, have you come to visit your granddaughter’s grave?”
“Yes, I’d like to offer some flowers.”
“Thank you. For the Princess to go out of your way to visit my grandchildren…”
“Helga lost her life protecting me. You must hate me terribly, mustn’t you?”
“Not at all. My family has served the Empire as knights for generations. And my granddaughter was an Imperial Knight; she wouldn’t begrudge her life for the royal family… Was my granddaughter of use to you, Princess?”
“Helga Gilbert fought bravely to protect me and lost her life. She is a model Imperial Knight, everyone says so, and I agree.”
I clasped the grandmother’s hands… and lied.
Is honesty a virtue? It’s not like you should tell the truth about everything.
What good would telling her the truth, that Helga died due to a betrayal by her comrades, do?
Besides, Helga being a model knight is the truth. As long as I don’t falsify that, it’s fine.
“…Those are most kind words. I wish I could tell my granddaughter, who is in Valhalla, to hear them.”
“Helga is not in Valhalla.”
“What?… Are you saying Helga has fallen into hell, Princess!”
“Of course not! …Helga Gilbert is in my heart. Helga is still my knight, and even if her body has perished, her soul is always with me.”
“Princess!”
Quester supported the grandmother as she wept, and I offered flowers at the grave.
Helga, Paula, and everyone else who died, I vow to you.
I will end this war. So please watch over me.
“Princess, please destroy the Alliance and avenge my grandchildren.”
I released my clasped hands used for prayer and took the grandmother’s hand again.
“I will accomplish what I must. I promise.”
I cannot fulfill the grandmother’s wish to destroy the Alliance. I aim for coexistence with the people of the Alliance.
But I shouldn’t say that. It would only hurt the grandmother, who believes Helga was killed by the Alliance Army.
…Fighting against those with whom I aim for coexistence. That’s quite a contradiction, but I need to show my strength.
To both the Mechanist Army and the Alliance Army. My enemies are those who wish to continue the war.
Inside the Royal Castle’s Grand Cafeteria, three royals and three nobles sat at a table set in the center of the large room.
After the evening banquet with the nobles, the three royals held a private meeting with only family and trusted aides.
At the center sat the Emperor, my father. Beside him sat the Count and Commander of the Imperial Knights, Lord Starks Vanguard.
To his right sat my brother, the Crown Prince. Beside him sat Lord Ashley Nightraid, also a Count and Vice Commander of the Imperial Knights.
To my left sat I, the Princess. Beside me sat Lord Quester Nightraid, nephew of Vice Commander Ashley.
The Nightraid and Vanguard families both held the title of Count and were preeminent families in the Empire, with connections akin to family, or rather, clan.
It was for this reason that Commander Starks was Quester’s godfather, and Vice Commander Ashley was Ashes’ godmother.
The Nightraid Count’s house is currently headed by Vice Commander Ashley, but it seems they plan to pass the inheritance to Quester once he marries.
Originally, Quester’s father was the head of the family, but he died in battle against the Alliance Army, and Vice Commander Ashley became the head in place of the young Quester.
Raised strictly by Vice Commander Ashley, known as the “Sword God,” Quester grew to become a knight renowned as the “Sword Saint.”
Therefore, Vice Commander Ashley seems eager to pass the inheritance to Quester soon…
Vice Commander Ashley, holding a wine glass, started speaking to his nephew, Quester.
“Quester, actually, I have a marriage proposal for you…”
“Please, not again, Aunt. This is the third time this year alone.”
“I cannot face my deceased brother if I do not pass the inheritance to you soon.”
“You are governing the family perfectly. There’s no need for me to rush to inherit. I wish to remain unburdened for a while longer.”
“Hmph, are you so eager to support the child of a concubine?”
My elder brother, with a displeased expression, interjected. His pointed words seemed aimed at me.
Quester’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly, deflecting his brother’s attack.
“Lord Adel, I cannot let you refer to me as a child of a concubine.”
“If you cannot let it slide, what do you intend to do?”
“What does a knight do when their master is insulted… You understand, don’t you?”
As Quester, known as the Sword Saint, reached for the sword at his waist, my brother’s face turned pale.
“Quester! That is disrespectful to the Crown Prince!”
Vice Commander Ashley reprimanded his nephew, but Quester ignored her and retorted.
“Aunt, even if he is the Crown Prince, he has no right to insult the Princess. I will respond with my sword to anyone who harms Lady Rose.”
“That means drawing your sword against me, who serves the Crown Prince, doesn’t it? Do you understand that?”
“Of course. When it comes to swordsmanship, I am not inferior to you, Aunt. Would you like to test me?”
“I don’t need to test you. I taught you how to wield a sword, so don’t get cocky!”
“I have grown further, Aunt?”
“Ashley! Teach Quester what happens to those who defy me!”
My brother shouldn’t have said that. Why push Vice Commander Ashley into a corner?
“Quester, draw your sword! I’ll give you a little education.”
Even as Vice Commander Ashley stood up, Quester did not back down. He then sought my permission.
“Lady Rose, is it alright?”
I couldn’t let Vice Commander Ashley and Quester, who were as close as mother and son, fight each other.
“Stop it, both of you! Have you forgotten you are in His Majesty’s presence!”
Before I could intercede, Commander Starks silenced them both with a stern voice.
The head of the Nightraid family and his nephew looked at the Emperor and stopped their movements.
“Whether the Sword God or the Sword Saint is superior would be interesting to see… but for now, sheath your swords at my request.”
Sword God Ashley and Sword Saint Quester bowed to the Emperor and resumed their seats.
“Adel, did you call Rose a child of a concubine?”
“I merely stated a fact. Rose’s mother was originally a maid serving in the royal palace, a commoner. She only became Queen through your grace, Father, or rather, His Majesty the Emperor.”
“But there is no denying she is a Queen whom I recognized? Therefore, you have insulted my wife, your stepmother. That is also an insult to me. I will not permit you to ever call her a child of a concubine in my presence again!”
“Y-yes. Your Majesty, I had no intention of insulting you.”
My brother, bowing to Father while glaring at me, was quite adept.
“Rose, is this satisfactory?”
“As expected of Your Majesty, I am impressed.”
“By the way, Rose, you seem to be enjoying yourself outside the garden?”
The Emperor’s cold gaze fell upon me. I shrugged lightly and replied.
“Are you referring to the partnership with Spec Company? I would think you’d praise me for not begging for pocket money and becoming more self-reliant?”
“You seem to have grasped the basics of military affairs. Money is needed to move an army. And to buy the soldiers’ will to fight. Learn the essence of practical warfare from the young prodigy of Oboro-kyo.”
Young prodigy, huh. It’s commendable that Colonel Roogetsu isn’t called a “boy” by Father. Even as Emperor and Marshal, he wouldn’t dare call the strongest soldier of the Mechanist Army a boy.
I suspect Colonel Roogetsu probably calls Father “old geezer.”
“Your Majesty, I intend to learn the essence of practical warfare from Major Toma.”
“…Major Toma? Ah, you mean the Grim Reaper. Rose, you are aware that the Grim Reaper is a man whose identity and objectives are unknown? He is a man not to be underestimated, so be cautious.”
…You, Father, are the one who is far more untrustworthy. You’re probably ordering a maid to monitor me, aren’t you?
“Rose! Don’t get carried away just because you’ve secured Spec Company!”
“I’m not getting carried away. We’ve partnered because it’s necessary.”
“Hmph! I could do the same. Tron Company has expressed a strong desire to cooperate with me.”
This is exactly the development Major Toma predicted. My brother must be an easy puppet to manipulate.
“So? Brother, you accept the partnership with Tron Company?”
“If His Majesty permits it. Unlike you, I am not foolish enough to act without confirming His Majesty’s intentions.”
Is that something to brag about? Brother is the same age as Kanata, he’s 20, isn’t he?
“Does Your Majesty permit it?”
I knew Father intended to watch from a high vantage point by pitting us against each other. He pretended to think before replying.
“Since Spec Company is with Rose, I must permit it for Adel as well, otherwise it would be unfair.”
“I see. So now we are on equal footing?”
“Equal footing? Rose, what are you implying! What do you intend to compete with me over! A concubine…”
“A child of a concubine, you mean?”
“N-no…”
“You managed to swallow your words just barely, so I’ll let it slide.”
“Rose! What do you think of your brother!”
“Right now? Perhaps a rival.”
“A rival! You don’t mean to contest the throne with me, do you!”
“Who knows? Brother, why don’t you study some history?”
“Your Majesty! Will you overlook Rose’s insolent remarks!”
It’s not appropriate for adults to rely on their parents’ influence. Even if he’s the same age, he’s nothing like Kanata.
…I can’t say that about my brother. I came to the Royal Castle intending to receive the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from Father as well.
“Rose, Adel is your brother and the Crown Prince, holder of the first line of succession. Watch your words.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Please dismiss it as the ramblings of a rebellious little girl… Brother.”
“Rose, from now on, show respect to me, the next Emperor!”
“…Adel, you should study history a bit, as Rose said.”
“Yes, I will read books on history.”
My brother, obedient to Father, nodded with a displeased and bewildered expression.
My brother doesn’t seem to understand the meaning of Father’s words. But I won’t be gracious enough to explain it to him.
Vice Commander Ashley seems to have noticed, so she’ll probably explain it to him later.
It’s surprisingly rare for someone who held the first position in the line of succession to actually inherit the throne. This is especially true during times of war.
