Chapter 14: The Prince’s Wager

The meeting with Empress Sherilda ended successfully.

“Are you saying she’ll really give you the test you want?”

“Yes. From her perspective, there’s nothing better for her than if I handle this matter well.”

At Rohan’s words, Martin looked at his lord with wonder.

Martin probably didn’t quite understand.

A prince of humble birth suddenly appearing and claiming imperial blood.

And for that prince to be declared as the new Crown Prince, taking the place of her deceased son—how could she allow it so easily?

But to truly understand all of this, one needed to know the long-standing ‘feelings’ that had built up over time.

‘Empress Sherilda is the firm pillar of the Empire’s conservatives.’

And Marquis Fabian and those nobles belonged to the Empire’s radical faction.

She had been displeased with the radicals’ movements for a long time, and felt the greatest threat when Consort Emilia entered the palace.

Then, Crown Prince Joshua met his end, and because of that, the Empire’s conservative faction had become greatly shaken and was losing strength.

Therefore, to her, it would be a much better option to support Rohan rather than let power fall into the hands of Marquis Fabian.

She was convinced that if the radicals seized power in the Imperial City, the nation would crumble.

And this way of thinking was no different from that of all the conservatives in the Empire.

“How incompetent must I have seemed, for them to leave me alone even in this situation.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing.”

Rohan waved his hand and looked at Martin.

“You’ll come with me to the Gerald Territory, right?”

“Of course, my lord.”

“Have you ever been there?”

“No, I haven’t. But I’ve heard it’s extremely cold.”

At Martin’s reply, Rohan laughed heartily.

“Soon, I’ll have to ask Lucretia to make us some padded winter clothes.”



---



That evening.

“Your Majesty, a reply has come from Count Nidro.”

It was a letter that had been sent urgently.

“Already?”

Empress Sherilda received the letter from Chief Attendant Bell.

“Oh.”

A small sound of admiration escaped her lips as she read the letter.

“It seems Rohan had already spoken with Count Nidro.”

“He’s willingly handing over the matter of the Gerald Territory?”

At Bell’s question, Sherilda gave a slight nod.

“He says that if the Gerald Territory is chosen as the prince’s trial, all authority over it will be handed to Rohan. The Lord of Gerald has also agreed.”

“Amazing. I never thought he’d have made arrangements in advance.”

“Indeed.”

The corners of her lips lifted faintly.

Rohan was acting with more boldness than she’d expected.

He was carrying out what he wanted swiftly and precisely, like a well-trained steed racing toward a fixed goal.

Perhaps she’d been underestimating Rohan too much.

“Bell.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“What do you think of Prince Rohan?”

“……”

Bell hesitated for a moment.

He couldn’t tell whether she was asking for his personal opinion, the public’s evaluation, or just recent developments.

He carefully chose his words, then finally spoke.

“He seems like a completely different person from the one I met before.”

In the end, he offered his personal view.

“Is that so?”

The Empress let out a soft chuckle.

“I feel the same. How did that timid-looking child grow so much in such a short time?”

It was quite remarkable.

“It’s just like seeing His Majesty in his youth.”

He even looked almost identical.

“I intend to use my strength to make Rohan the Crown Prince.”

“…Your Majesty.”

There’s no need to go so far, the words rose to Bell’s throat.

It hadn’t even been half a year since Crown Prince Joshua had passed away.

Though others might not realize, Bell, who served her closest, knew that she still carried a deep wound in her heart.

But…

‘Even so, she is the Empress.’

She was Joshua’s mother, yes, but she was also the Empress of this Empire.

Knowing how much Sherilda cared for the Schubert Empire, Bell could not bring himself to speak further.

“I will also do all I can to assist you, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you.”

Whether she understood Bell’s feelings or not.

Sherilda smiled radiantly and continued.

“Rohan says he’ll undertake the prince’s trial at the Gerald Territory this time.”

“The Gerald Territory…?”

“Yes, the mining region where the conflict with the Dwarves is getting worse.”

“He’s chosen a difficult path.”

Bell knew well.

Just what kind of problems plagued that place.

It was just then.

“Mother, are you really making Rohan the Crown Prince?”

Suddenly, the door burst open and a girl sprang inside.

With reddish-brown hair and striking features—Sherilda’s daughter, Princess Isabel.

Sherilda’s eyes narrowed.

“Isabel. Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?”

“I wasn’t trying to! I just happened to overhear while coming to see you, Mother!”

Isabel giggled and linked arms with Sherilda.

“Anyway, do you really think Rohan can become Crown Prince?”

“And why couldn’t he?”

“They say he’s the biggest coward in the Imperial City and an idiot because he was born a commoner!”

“Isabel, don’t speak carelessly like that. Rohan is still a prince of this nation.”

Sherilda let out a small sigh and pressed her forehead.

Whom did this child take after to be so unruly?

Isabel was her daughter, but her personality was truly hard to understand.

Perhaps she’d been spoiled too much as the Empire’s only princess.

By the time Sherilda tried to correct this habit, it was already too late.

Isabel was already fourteen—well past the age of being easily molded.

“It won’t be easy. Still, I am curious. How will he manage the trial?”

“Indeed. I’m curious as well.”

What was Rohan thinking when he chose the Gerald Territory?

And how would he resolve its problems going forward?

Empress Sherilda’s eyes shone as she smiled softly.



---



Rumors traveled quickly through the Imperial City.

“The Second Prince is taking the prince’s trial!”

“What? Is that true?”

“What’s this about a prince’s trial all of a sudden? Hah! Even if that clueless prince takes the test, it’s obvious what’ll happen. He’ll fail for sure.”

The news that Rohan would take the prince’s trial was already spreading like wildfire.

“So, where will the trial take place?”

Normally, the prince’s trial involved solving minor issues within the Empire to prove one’s ‘qualification’.

Naturally, where and what issue the trial would address became the topic of utmost interest.

“I hear it will be announced today at the ‘Hall of the Sun’!”

Young and old officials alike, everyone paid attention.

The conservative nobles watched with curiosity and skepticism, while the radicals showed caution and distrust.

At 4 o’clock in the afternoon, all the ministers and nobles gathered in the ‘Hall of the Sun’.

This was where the Emperor proclaimed the Empire’s important issues and sought opinions from ministers and nobles—a venue for the Imperial Assembly.

“We greet Your Highness the Prince.”

“Your Highness. It is an honor to meet you.”

And today, Rohan was present as well.

“The Emperor and Empress have entered!”

As the two who presided over the Hall took their seats at the head, the Imperial Assembly began.

Matters were dealt with solemnly.

Because only the Empire’s most important issues were addressed here, no one dared speak thoughtlessly or act disorderly.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve been here.’

In his previous life, this place always felt like a bed of thorns.

Predetermined issues, predetermined answers.

As a powerless emperor, he had no choice but to lose the initiative to those blinded by greed.

Clench.

Sitting just below the head seat, Rohan’s fist tightened hard.

“…Thus, the supply request from Margrave Malta will proceed as decided.”

After a long period during which all sorts of imperial matters were addressed,

At last, the much-anticipated agenda of the prince’s trial was proclaimed.

“The next agenda is Prince Rohan’s trial.”

A minister unrolled a parchment and made the announcement, and all eyes turned to Rohan.

Beltar and Sherilda’s gazes also focused on him, with Beltar’s eyes especially sharp.

“Indeed, the prince’s trial. It does seem rather sudden.”

Beltar spoke with an intrigued look.

“Empress, are you aware that Rohan has not even received proper education as a prince?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am aware.”

“And you still raised this agenda knowing that. Hm, I see.”

Beltar nodded toward the minister.

A signal to continue.

“Her Majesty the Empress, who is presiding over the trial, has chosen the site for Prince Rohan’s test. The trial site will be the ‘Gerald Territory’ in the northeast of the Empire, and the problem to solve will be the dispute with the Dwarves in the mines there.”

“Gerald Territory?”

“What? Seriously?”

No sooner had the minister finished speaking than the hall erupted in murmurs.

“I heard even Count Nidro is struggling with that place…”

Though it was far from the capital, due to recent coal supply issues, everyone was aware of the Gerald Territory.

“Oh, the Gerald Territory. Why choose that place?”

At Beltar’s question, Empress Sherilda spoke up.

“Coal is one of the resources most closely tied to the people’s livelihoods. If the prince can solve the problem at the large coal mines of the Gerald Territory, it would be a blessing, and it would prove that the Imperial Family has produced an outstanding talent. Is that not good for everyone?”

“Hmmm.”

“Hmm!”

At the Empress’s words, uncomfortable sounds of clearing throats rose from the nobles’ seats.

Most were radical nobles who supported Elliot for the throne.

“Your Majesty. It would be good if the problem were solved as Her Majesty said, but what if the prince, who hasn’t even received proper education, causes trouble by mishandling the matter and brings harm?”

“That’s right. This isn’t an issue to be taken lightly. Even Count Nidro, with all his experience, hasn’t been able to solve it, has he?”

As expected.

Just as the Empress had worried, opposition soon arose from all sides.

“Hm.”

Beltar rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought for a moment.

Then he spoke.

“In that case, let’s do it this way.”

Beltar’s gaze fixed on Rohan.

“Prince. If you take on this task and something goes wrong, how will you take responsibility?”

At Beltar’s question, Rohan rose from his seat.

“I am well aware of the seriousness of this matter. Therefore, I promise before Your Majesty, Her Majesty, and everyone present here today.”

Rohan spoke to the ministers and nobles who were watching him.

“If, because of my intervention, the problem in the Gerald Territory worsens into a larger conflict and brings harm to the Empire, I will immediately renounce my position as prince.”

“What did you say?”

“Your Highness!”

Beltar’s eyes widened, and the Empress rose from her seat.

The buzz of the ministers and nobles grew louder.

“Will that be enough?”

It was an unprecedented and shocking declaration of abdication by a prince in the history of the Empire.