Chapter 45: A Full Belly Breeds Loyalty

"……And the most important thing. All of this must be kept secret."

"Understood, Your Highness."

At Rohan's final words, the pen in Collin's hand paused above the notepad.

"But, Your Highness…"

Abbot Collin slowly turned his head toward Rohan.

Deep wrinkles appeared beneath his sharply angled brows.

"Why are you showing such concern for this child, Your Highness?"

He had just received an order from Rohan to periodically compile and report on the health and development of Princess Noah, as well as a full list of everyone who came into contact with her.

That made him all the more curious.

"To be frank, the very fact that Princess Noah is here means that even the Imperial Family hasn't officially acknowledged her existence, has it?"

Collin posed his question directly to the Crown Prince with a calm expression.

After all, Collin Meister, Abbot of Elysion, was not a typical abbot.

He hailed from the illustrious Rosham family, owners of the richest territory in the southernmost part of the Empire, and he had once served as Minister of the Imperial Household under the previous Emperor.

After the regime change, he settled here, managing the abbey, often interacting with noble visitors seeking convalescence as he spent his twilight years.

"Besides, she's that ill-omened 'Black Starling', the one with half her face covered in a dark bruise. Forgive my frankness, but I find it quite strange that Your Highness would show such interest in Princess Noah, from what I know."

Indeed, befitting a former Minister of the Imperial Household, Collin tried to analyze Rohan's actions from every possible angle.

He was especially on the lookout for any 'political' motives.

Rohan, who saw right through Collin's thoughts, replied with a gentle smile.

"I told you before, didn't I? Because I'm her older brother."

"……"

Is that really all there is?

‘A man of deep sentiment, it seems.’

He'd heard that His Majesty had approved of him, allowing his rise to Crown Prince, but Collin had never quite believed it.

"The world calls you a toothless lion. But I know that's not true."

At Rohan's words, Collin's eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"

"I know that you're preparing a new faction through this abbey."

"……!"

Collin, whose face was typically expressionless, widened his eyes.

That slight reaction alone let Rohan sense that this seasoned man had lost his composure in an instant.

And this was the reaction Rohan had been aiming for.

Collin immediately lowered his gaze, tapping his knuckles on the desk as he chose silence.

"The reason I bring this up is simple."

Rohan looked Collin straight in the eye.

"I'm not here to stop you. I could even help you."

"……You would help me?"

Collin asked quietly.

This time, there was no hint of hostility, only genuine curiosity.

"I know you wish to return to the political arena through Elysion. And I know your financial situation isn't ideal right now, forcing you to lie low."

He even knows that much?

Collin stifled a small sigh before speaking.

"It's simply astonishing that you know all that. There's no point trying to hide it, then."

Recently, he'd heard rumors that the Crown Prince was getting close with Count Nidro.

So, could information have leaked through Count Nidro's side?

"No need to overthink it, Sir Meister."

Rohan walked slowly to stand by the window.

The view of the foggy forest was breathtakingly beautiful and mysterious.

"I'm considering making regular donations to Elysion. With clean funds, and quite generously."

"Regular donations, you say…"

Is he offering to secretly fund me?

Rohan turned his body back toward Collin and spoke again.

"As long as you uphold the condition I mentioned earlier."

Collin did not avert his eyes from the returning gaze.

"To watch over and report on Princess Noah, you mean?"

When Rohan nodded, Collin's expression became peculiar.

Taking care of a single child in exchange for a generous, regular donation.

No one but a fool would accept such an unbalanced deal.

"Is there perhaps anything more you want from me?"

"Not at the moment."

"Ah."

So, that meant there might be something he would want in the future.

"I'll accept your condition."

When Collin agreed without resistance, Rohan smiled.

After all, caring for one child wasn't much trouble, and he probably needed the money.

Since Empress Emilia's faction had thrown newborn Noah into this place, even if a problem arose later, Collin would have something to say in his own defense.

‘They call it convalescence, but it's really abandonment.’

Perhaps they actually wanted the child dead.

The thought left him with a bitter taste once again.

As Collin readily accepted the condition, Rohan stood from his seat with a gentle smile.

"She's a lovely child. Please take good care of her."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"……That's a beautiful mirror. You have excellent taste."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Before leaving, Rohan glanced at the mirror hanging on the wall, then stepped out the door.

Just one hour.

Even after such a short visit, Collin was left with many thoughts about the impression Rohan had made.

He sat idly in his office, sipping at the now-cold tea.

"It seems my judgment of the world has dulled since retiring from politics."

Confined to the outer abbey, he only ever heard news of the capital through the nobles.

So in his mind, Rohan had always been 'the foolish prince'.

He'd thought the recent ascension to Crown Prince was just luck, or the Emperor losing his mind.

But……

"No. He was raised up for good reason."

After seeing him today, Collin realized all his thoughts were merely prejudice and misunderstanding.

The Crown Prince he'd met in person was a thoughtful and wise youth.

From the perspective of someone who'd spent many years in the capital, Crown Prince Rohan appeared far more mature than his age.

‘He speaks as if he's been steeped in politics for years.’

Collin opened a small box sitting on his desk.

It was the advance payment Rohan had given him before leaving.

Though the box was small, it contained a full 100 gold kron—a staggering sum.

It was enough to cover Elysion's monthly expenses.

His head tilted in puzzlement.

"Come to think of it… Did the Crown Prince always have this much money?"

It hadn't been long since his coronation, and there must be many expenses to cover.

And 'clean funds,' at that.

That's the kind of phrase only someone well-versed in these circles would use so casually.

Collin quietly closed the lid of the box.

"Crown Prince Rohan… Just what kind of person are you?"

The words he muttered without thinking lingered in the room.

To someone who knew the capital's finances inside out, the origin of this sum remained a strangely uncomfortable mystery.

---

Two weeks later.

The garden of Count Nidro's mansion in the capital was overflowing with people.

"Alright! If you've already served as a knight or soldier, form a line here! If you have no prior experience, please queue up over there!"

On his day off, Zenon was out in the yard shouting at the top of his lungs.

Today was the first round of selection for the knights who would guard the Crown Prince's Palace.

Since bringing this many people into the capital all at once could cause problems, Rohan had asked Count Nidro for permission to use his front yard for the event.

"More people came than I expected."

At William's words, Rohan nodded.

"We drastically lowered the requirements, so anyone and everyone must have applied. Especially for commoners, this is a road to advancement."

"And even after we screened out so many with the paperwork, there are still this many… It's amazing."

Everyone here had already passed the basic qualification checks.

Not just criminal records, but even their family and relatives had been investigated.

Such an enormous task was only possible in such a short time thanks to Zenon, the undisputed master of paperwork.

"Zenon Lorance. He's got quite the skill, that one."

A hint of jealousy crept into William's voice.

Rohan caught it and let out a small laugh.

Having worked alongside Zenon by chance, William was quietly wary of his rapid work pace.

Whenever Zenon received praise, William would always pretend to be indifferent and busy himself with writing something else.

Since both were hardworking and driven, pairing them up led to great synergy, as expected.

Just then—

"Your Highness!"

Someone approached Rohan, calling out familiarly.

It was a man in exercise attire marked with the insignia of the Capital Knights.

"Hans?"

Recognizing him immediately, Rohan's eyes widened.

"I'm honored you remember my name, Your Highness."

Hans bowed once and smiled.

"What brings you here?"

"Ah… I've come to apply to join Your Highness's knight order."

Hans scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile.

The last time Rohan was dispatched to Gerald's territory—

Hans had led the small dispatch unit and served as Rohan's escort.

"Actually, the knights who were with me back then are here too."

Rohan looked in the direction Hans pointed.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

"It's been a while, Your Highness!"

There, men in matching uniforms bowed politely.

All familiar faces.

Rohan smiled and waved at them.

"I didn't expect to see you Capital Knights among the applicants. It's good to see you all again."

"As you know… we're considered auxiliary personnel and not officially affiliated with any particular palace."

"That's true."

"We've all said before how much we'd like to be your personal knights. We also miss the 'loop' Your Highness made for us."

"Haha, is that so? I do remember you all clearing three bowls each that day."

Rohan was genuinely delighted.

Capital Knights who'd risen from commoner status had already proven their abilities.

They'd entered the capital's service solely on merit, without outside help or favoritism.

If such men joined Boronia Palace, it would be a great asset to Rohan.

"Now that registration is complete, the testing will begin! Everyone, please line up!"

At Zenon's booming announcement, Hans quickly bowed his head.

"Then, I'll excuse myself for now."

"Yes. I hope we meet again soon."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Hans dashed off to join the queue, and Rohan grinned.

Back during that rough dispatch, Rohan had cooked meals for them and shared many stories.

'To think such small acts of kindness would come back to me this way…'

Even Rohan hadn't expected this.

Listening quietly, William blinked and asked,

"But, Your Highness. What is 'loop'?"

"Something like that exists."

As a noble by birth, William probably had no idea what 'loop' meant.

Rohan turned as he replied.

"William. Reserve a restaurant for dinner on the day of the final round of the knight selection."

"Excuse me? All of a sudden, what do you mean by that?"

"A full belly breeds loyalty and spirit. Can't be motivated on an empty stomach, can you?"

With that, Rohan strode calmly toward the carriage.

"Sigh, I was hoping today would go quietly for once!"

Left alone, William slapped his forehead, muttering complaints as he hurried after Rohan.

"Your Highness, if I may, our budget isn't infinite, and the expenses for Boronia Palace alone are already sky-high. At this rate, the accounts book really might start coughing up blood!"

He raised the ledger in his hands, nearly wailing.

"Let's go. There's still plenty to do today."

But Rohan paid no heed, stepping right up into the carriage.

"What are you waiting for? Would you rather walk?"

At his lord's prompting—

"This ledger is going to end up as my will one day, I swear…"

William, face pale, climbed into the carriage with a mumble.

It was a moment when he couldn't help but miss his days as Count Nidro's attendant.