Chapter 96: Timid Man, Bold Love

“We’re closed for the day… huh?”

Lucretia’s eyes widened as she saw the customer coming through the door.

“Your Highness, what brings you here?”

“I had some time before dinner, so I thought I’d stop by for a bit.”

“You’re not the type to come by without a reason… Is there something you didn’t get to say this morning?”

“That’s not it. I just have something to ask.”

At Rohan’s words, Lucretia drew the curtains and offered him a seat.

“Please, sit over here. Just a moment.”

She quickly returned with some warm tea and refreshments.

“You look much better, Lucretia.”

“Oh, do I really?”

Hohoho!

Lucretia smiled, patting her own cheek.

“Maybe it’s because that unpleasant Kazhin is gone and I finally found a clue to decipher the family treasure… I just feel really good today. It’s all thanks to you, Your Highness.”

“You give me too much credit. It’s not like everything’s been settled yet.”

“Even so. Someone who used to strut about, fearless of the world, is now a fugitive living as a vagrant. That alone is something.”

She took a sip of her tea and continued.

“We’re still keeping an eye on the remaining nobles as well.”

Her “Embroiderers” were still hard at work.

“I’m glad. I thought the group might disband soon.”

“Mm.”

Lucretia shook her head.

“We started out for revenge against Kazhin, that’s true. We were united by that common goal.”

Given how much trouble his family had caused, it would have been stranger if they had no enemies.

“But just because Kazhin’s gone doesn’t mean it’s all over. There’s no guarantee that another Kazhin—or a third—won’t show up.”

“Is that so?”

“So lately, we’ve been sending people mostly to watch the nobles with bad reputations. We’re recording in detail what kinds of unreasonable things the servants under them are subjected to.”

“Ho… That’s impressive.”

It seemed Lucretia was becoming more and more clear about her own path.

“Protecting the rights of workers, huh…”

And at those words, a spark of inspiration flickered through his mind.

“Let’s talk more about that another time. I think you’ve given me a really good idea.”

“If Your Highness, the true power behind the Empire, will work with me, I couldn’t ask for more. Fufu!”

“‘True power behind the Empire,’ really.”

As Rohan let out a hollow chuckle, she raised her eyebrow.

“I’m not just making that up. Your reputation is higher than ever right now.”

“Is that so?”

“Eighty percent of the customers who come here bring up stories about you. Admittedly, most of them are women, though?”

She chuckled slyly.

“The hot topic among all the noble ladies these days is: who will marry the Crown Prince, the real power behind the Empire!”

“……”

It was a natural development, but Rohan couldn’t help but feel a bit burdened by it.

“I haven’t really given marriage much thought yet.”

He’d come here for advice about sightseeing in the capital, but the conversation had gone all over the place.

“Do you remember that young lady who desperately tried to catch your attention last time?”

“Yeah, I do. Glinda Reditch, right?”

“Do you know what she’s like now? She’s working her hardest to act like a saint, a benevolent soul, trying to raise her reputation. Honestly, it’s ridiculous.”

“Haha, that’s actually pretty funny.”

“Anyway. Just know that every eligible lady—and her parents—has their eyes on you right now.”

He felt he was leaving with a valuable tip.

‘I’ll have to tell William to toss any personal letters for the time being.’

Marriage among imperial princes was always a matter of utmost importance in the Empire.

The advantages gained through a single marriage alliance could be surprisingly significant.

“Oh right, what was it you wanted to ask me?”

She was quick to get to the point.

“Nothing too serious. You know I came back with the Elphirians this time, right?”

“Of course.”

“I was thinking of showing them around the capital.”

“…!”

Lucretia’s eyes widened.

“What a wonderful idea! You want to show the essence of the Empire to Elphirians who’ve only lived in Silbaren, right?”

“Well… It’s not as dramatic as that.”

Rohan scratched his cheek.

“I just want them to leave with good impressions and memories of the Empire.”

He hoped for continued good relations with Silbaren.

Though it seemed like just a small town where Elphirians gathered, Silbaren was a place with Nasra—a figure whose influence represented all non-humans.

Rohan explained that the Elphirians had been greatly impressed by imperial cuisine, and asked her to prepare a list by lunch tomorrow.

“You won’t regret coming to me for a tour list for the Elphirians. I’ll make sure of it.”

She was someone who always got the job done right and never disappointed.

That was exactly why Rohan had come to her without hesitation.

“Well, I should get going…”

They’d talked longer than expected, and time had gotten away from him.

As Rohan stood to leave—

Ding!

The door swung open energetically.

“My love! I brought delicious food! Surprise visit!”

Someone came in.

“…?”

“Oh my. Ha…”

A moment of silence.

Seeing the man with both hands full of food bags, Rohan’s eyebrow rose.

“Mind explaining exactly what’s going on here?”

Rohan’s eyes sharpened as he looked at the man, who’d frozen stiff.

“Jenan.”

---

“I’m so sorry, Your Highness! Truly sorry!”

Jenan bowed so deeply his head nearly touched the ground.

“When I came back, you were nowhere to be found, but you came straight to Lucretia’s shop after work with food in hand.”

Cold wind seemed to whip around Rohan as he crossed his arms.

“T-that… I-I won’t make excuses.”

Lucretia nudged Jenan in the ribs with a flustered look.

“Didn’t you say you’d go straight to His Highness after work?”

“I did, but when I got there, you weren’t home…”

“Oh, honestly. What am I going to do with you.”

Judging by their exchange, they’d grown quite close.

“How long has this been going on between you two?”

So this is how it feels when people you know suddenly become a couple.

Rohan felt a subtle, inexplicable sense of betrayal.

Though, it wasn’t a bad kind of betrayal.

“Uh, um…”

Unable to answer, Jenan was saved by Lucretia, who spoke up.

“Not long. Just after Your Highness left, maybe…?”

“Huh.”

So something like this happened while he was away.

“Tsk, I missed seeing all the excitement in person.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing, never mind.”

Rohan waved a hand.

“Well, in any case, congratulations.”

He smiled.

Lucretia and Jenan.

The two had always seemed a good match in their own way.

Lucretia was spirited and confident, while Jenan was shy and easily embarrassed—their differences made them a good fit.

Especially since Jenan had blushed from the very first time he’d met Lucretia.

‘If I think about it, it started back then.’

A timid man, but bold when it came to love—is that it?

Suddenly, Rohan saw Jenan in a new light.

“So, when’s the wedding?”

At Rohan’s next question—

“Wh-what?!”

“Cough, cough! Ahem!”

The two panicked, flailing about.

“Ah, we’re not at that stage yet, Your Highness!”

Lucretia hurriedly waved her hands.

“Is that so?”

Rohan tilted his head.

At the end of his gaze, Jenan was wearing a faintly disappointed expression.

“I don’t think he feels the same way, though?”

Rohan’s lips curled mischievously.

---

“Honestly. Who’d have thought something like that would happen between those two while I was away.”

As he returned to the Boronia Palace, Rohan muttered to himself.

He’d once paired them up to investigate that fake merchant incident—had they grown closer then?

He shook his head.

“Who can really understand men and women?”

When it came to romance or marriage, he was definitely out of his depth.

“Your Highness!”

Just then, Martin came running out from inside.

“Where have you been? You disappeared without a word—I was so startled.”

“Oh, I just stopped by Lucretia’s shop. Why, did something happen?”

“No, it’s just…”

Martin breathed a sigh of relief.

“Still, if you’re going somewhere, at least let your attendants know. I nearly had a heart attack thinking something happened to you.”

“Ah, sorry. I only meant to step out for a bit…”

He hadn’t realized how much time had passed, getting caught up in interesting conversations.

“Dinner preparations are complete. Her Majesty the Empress has already gone to the dining room.”

“Really? Good, at least I’m not late.”

He’d almost kept his mother waiting.

It was a good thing he’d hurried back for their dinner together.

“Oh, and… There will be more guests at this meal, at the Empress’s request.”

“Guests? Who?”

Who else would be coming?

Rohan tilted his head in curiosity.

“Empress Cherilda, Prince Elliott, and… Princess Noah.”

“Really? Noah too?”

He’d been meaning to meet with all of them soon anyway.

But even little Noah was coming!

‘Did Mother arrange this? But why?’

Rohan was a bit puzzled.

It was only because he hadn’t yet heard how Amanda, the Empress Consort, had been spending her time here while he was in the north.

“Let’s go right away.”

His heart started pounding for no reason.

Rohan hurried his steps.

.

.

.

When he arrived at the dining hall, everyone was already seated.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“It’s all right, Rohan. We just arrived ourselves.”

Empress Cherilda smiled kindly, inviting him to sit.

And then, as soon as he appeared, a boy came running up.

“Brother!”

Elliott looked like he’d grown so much in such a short time that Rohan couldn’t help but grin.

“Elliott, how have you been?”

Rohan ruffled Elliott’s hair affectionately.

“But, where’s Noah…”

He looked around for Noah.

“Noah is right here, Your Highness.”

“Mother?”

At the familiar voice behind him, Rohan turned around.

“…!”

And then, seeing the person standing beside his mother, he was utterly shocked.

It was no wonder.

The one carrying Noah in her arms was none other than—

“How…?”

Empress Emilia, who was supposed to be imprisoned in the Northern Tower.

Hollowed cheeks, lifeless skin. Brittle, frizzy hair.

Her plain, everyday dress was so different from her usual splendor that for a moment, he barely recognized her.

Empress Emilia, holding Noah, met Rohan’s astonished gaze, bowed her head slightly, and spoke.

“It’s… been a long time, Crown Prince Rohan.”