Chapter 13: The Prince’s Request

Three days later.

The flowerbeds in front of the palace were filled with all manner of vibrant blossoms, as if openly reflecting the owner's tastes.

This place, the Marine Palace, was also famous for its dazzling and breathtakingly beautiful front garden, and it was where Empress Sherilda resided.

The last time Rohan had visited here was a week after he had become a prince.

According to the strict laws of the imperial castle, he had been brought here to pay his respects to the Empress.

When Rohan, timid and shrunken from being thrown into a strange world, arrived, the Empress had extended her delicate, beautiful hand to him.

―So, you must be Rohan. How did you turn out so handsome? I am called Sherilda.

Looking back now, it was no small thing.

Even if her husband was the Emperor, such generosity was not easily given.

As he entered the palace, the attendants were busy at work.

The dustless interior and neatly arranged, antique furnishings were truly impressive.

“I greet His Highness the Second Prince.”

Bel, the chief attendant who served closely by the Empress’s side, approached and bowed respectfully.

He was a young man with jet-black hair and sharp features.

“I’ve come as promised at the arranged time.”

At Rohan’s words, Bel looked troubled.

“Yes, I know. However… Her Majesty the Empress is currently meeting with another guest, so you may need to wait a little while.”

A meeting so important it kept the prince waiting.

Who could it be?

Rohan grew curious.

“That’s fine. I’ll wait.”

“I will serve you some tea.”

After bowing politely, Bel disappeared.

As Rohan sipped the tea Bel brought him, the parlor door opened and two people appeared.

A young woman with light brown hair and an enigmatic appearance.

A single maid.

‘So, the person meeting before me was Consort Emilia.’

With the clear sound of heels, Emilia approached.

“So, it’s Rohan.”

This unexpected encounter was not a pleasant one for either of them.

“I greet Your Highness, the Imperial Consort.”

As he answered, Rohan glanced briefly at Consort Emilia’s stomach.

She was holding her still barely showing belly with care.

Rohan already knew the name and face of her child.

Noah Schubert.

The Schubert Empire’s second imperial princess, following Princess Isabel, Empress Sherilda’s only daughter.

“But what brings you here?”

“I came to pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress.”

Rohan replied courteously.

“Came to pay your respects to Her Majesty, huh… Did Amanda put you up to it?”

She was probably the first in history to refer to the senior First Consort so casually.

No wonder her nickname behind her back was the ‘Golden Viper.’

“If you, who are always holed up in the Boronia Palace, came all the way here… there must be some scheme behind it, right?”

She spoke coldly, arms crossed.

“As Your Highness says, if someone like me, always in the palace, is scheming, how grand could such a scheme be?”

Though it was a clear attack, Rohan replied with composure.

“Hmph.”

Emilia tilted her head slightly, then snorted.

“I heard you had a magnificent new outfit made, but I guess you only had money for just the one?”

She was talking about the clothes Rohan was wearing.

She must have been watching Rohan’s attire the whole time.

“Of course. As if beggars like you could cling to the imperial castle.”

She muttered under her breath, but it was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

“……”

Except for Emilia, everyone glanced at Rohan for his reaction.

Yet Rohan’s face remained calm as ever.

“Tsk, how boring. Let’s go.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

When she didn’t get the reaction she wanted, Emilia clicked her tongue and turned with her maid.

The path she came and went was filled with the strong scent of rosemary.

But what lingered even more than the scent was the mockery and venom in her words.

“Your Highness… Are you all right?”

Martin’s face, filled with concern for Rohan, was twisted with fury.

“I’m the one insulted, but if someone saw your face, they’d think you were the one cursed at.”

Rohan gave a small laugh and nudged Martin with his elbow.

“Your Highness is my lord. What loyal servant would be pleased to see his lord insulted?”

The truth was, Rohan wasn’t hurt at all.

‘I’ve heard much worse in my previous life, so this is nothing.’

Would those who seized the Empire have ever been kind to a puppet emperor like him?

At that moment, Bel, the chief attendant, approached them.

“Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress will see you now.”

“I’m fine, so don’t worry. I’ll be back soon.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll be waiting.”

With Martin’s reply, Rohan began walking to meet the Empress.

Walking down a simple, elegant chestnut-brown corridor, Rohan soon arrived at a certain door.

“Phew.”

It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen her.

Straightening his clothes once more, Rohan raised his hand and knocked on the door.

***

Knock, knock, knock.

“Your Majesty, it’s Rohan.”

“Yes, come in.”

As if she’d been waiting, her answer came at once. He pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside.

“I greet the exalted mother of the Schubert Empire.”

“Rohan.”

Standing by the window, bathed in warm sunlight, was a woman.

Frost-white hair as if touched by snow, and clear blue eyes.

Her expression seemed kind, yet her gaze was firm and resolute—a striking presence.

Empress Sherilda Schubert smiled at Rohan.

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

A fragrant herbal aroma filled the Empress’s study.

Clink.

Setting down her teacup, Sherilda spoke first.

“It feels like I haven’t seen you in almost four months.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The last time he’d seen her was at the crown prince’s funeral.

“So, have you been living well in the imperial castle?”

“Thanks to your care, I have been getting by well.”

“What care did I ever give you?”

Sherilda let out a gentle laugh.

That child who was once so awkward has grown quite a bit, she thought.

“How has Your Majesty been?”

“Well. I eat the best food and wear the finest clothes in the palace—how could I not be well?”

Even though she’d lost her son Joshua and much of her power, she was still the Empire’s Empress.

Unlike the other imperial consorts, who had entered as concubines, she had different rights from the start and still lived a life of abundance.

“You haven’t been involved in outside affairs at all recently. How have you been? I’m curious.”

“I occasionally meet people for tea, and if the weather’s nice, I tend to the garden. That’s how I spend my days. And you, Prince? I’m very curious about you too.”

Sherilda smiled brightly and winked playfully.

“I’m not so different. Who in this castle is as idle and free as I am?”

When Rohan chuckled, Sherilda looked at him curiously.

“I heard you attended the breakfast council recently. And I heard you played a big role in the dismissal of the Boronia Palace steward, didn’t you? Lately, you seem quite busy to me.”

“Well…”

It seemed the Empress had been keeping an eye on him as well.

Rohan decided this was the perfect opportunity to state his purpose for coming.

“Your Majesty. The truth is, I came today to ask a favor.”

“Oh? A favor?”

Sherilda’s eyebrow arched with interest.

“I plan to live from now on as befits the Second Prince of the Schubert Empire.”

“As befits the Second Prince… and what do you mean by that?”

Sherilda stared at Rohan, smiling but intent.

Rohan knew.

Depending on his answer, her attitude would change.

No matter how virtuous and kind she was, she was still the Empress.

When it came to the Empire’s safety and the imperial family, she was more thorough than anyone.

“I’ve heard there’s been some friction between the Dwarves of the Prana Federation and the Gerald Territory.”

“…How did you learn that?”

Sherilda’s eyes widened at Rohan’s words.

She had expected a request for a larger palace budget or a tutor for royal studies—but this was completely unexpected.

“I sometimes play go with Count Devon Nidro. I heard about it then.”

“Hmm, now that you mention it, I remember. But what does that have to do with living as the Second Prince?”

There was curiosity in her eyes.

“I would like to properly step into imperial politics through resolving the Dwarf dispute in the Gerald Territory.”

“Hmm…”

Sherilda stroked her chin.

“Isn’t it a bit early? I hear you haven’t even received a proper prince’s education yet.”

She was right.

But this was exactly why Rohan had come to her.

‘I can’t afford any obstacles.’

To ascend to the crown prince’s position.

He could not let even a speck of dust become a handle for Marquis Fabian or the other nobles.

The ‘Prince’s Examination’ that the heirs of the Schubert imperial family took was, in a sense, a qualification test.

Even if he didn’t pass, he could still participate in politics, but to aim for the crown prince’s seat, it was absolutely necessary.

And…

‘The authority to hold the Prince’s Examination belongs to her.’

Rohan spoke.

“I may not have had proper prince’s education, but I understand I am allowed to take the Prince’s Examination.”

“Wait. So you’re saying, you want to skip the education and go straight to the exam?”

Sherilda asked in surprise, and Rohan nodded.

“So, what do you think about holding this Prince’s Examination as a dispatch to Gerald Territory?”

“Prince.”

Sherilda’s eyes shone.

‘Does he want to be the heir!’

Living as the Second Prince, as he said.

It wasn’t about receiving the proper treatment he had missed as a child.

It was a declaration of intent to make the currently vacant crown prince’s seat his own.

“I understand, Rohan. By saying this to me, you’re asking me to hold the Prince’s Examination, aren’t you?”

“I am sorry, but yes.”

“Very well. I will grant your request. You are a prince of the Empire. You always have the right to request the Prince’s Examination from me.”

Sherilda smiled kindly as she spoke.

For her, seeing Rohan so proactive was truly endearing.

“Of course, it won’t be easy. Since Gerald Territory is under Count Nidro’s fief, his approval is needed too.”

Sherilda’s words held more meaning than just the matter of Count Nidro.

First, when Rohan took the exam, the ministers would not all be welcoming.

Second, the Gerald Territory itself was a complicated and difficult place to resolve issues.

But Rohan had already calculated everything.

“If you just hold the examination, I’ll take care of the rest.”

Rohan gave her a bright smile.