Chapter 16: The Real Goal

Rohan had been busy these days.

He often visited the archives to talk with Jenon, reviewed information, and since his butler was absent, he was also handling all the important affairs of the palace.

Moreover, now that the prince’s exam was confirmed, several nobles had requested interviews with him.

Because of all this, his days passed in a whirlwind.

And so.

A week had passed since he visited the Corridor of the Sun.

At last, an imperial decree from the Emperor arrived for Rohan.

“Departure in three days, huh.”

It was sooner than he had expected.

“Lucretia said she’d bring the clothes today.”

“Yes, she should arrive soon.”

Since it was early winter, the northeastern Gerald Territory was much colder than the capital in the southwest.

Especially for those who had only lived here, the cold could be harsh, so padded clothing was a necessity.

‘I’ve been there before, but it was summer then.’

When he visited the land of another race, the Prana Confederation, right next to Gerald Territory, it was the height of summer, so he hadn’t felt the cold at all.

At that moment, a servant announced the arrival of a guest.

“The tailor has arrived.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Lucretia entered.

“Your Highness, have you been well?”

Lucretia greeted gracefully and sat down.

“You only had to receive the clothes, yet you called for me like this.”

“I called because there’s something I wanted to discuss in person.”

Rohan smiled lightly and offered her tea.

“When do you leave for Gerald Territory?”

Lucretia was quite interested in Rohan’s plans.

Not only did she run a secret intelligence group, but she was also his partner in a major undertaking, so it was natural.

“I leave in three days.”

“Oh my, that’s sooner than I expected.”

“That’s probably because this matter requires swift resolution.”

“Or…… perhaps it’s someone’s will to leave no time to prepare?”

Lucretia said, winking slyly.

Rohan chuckled at the sight.

“Well, that’s possible too.”

The radical faction supporting Elliott and Marquis Fabian were surely hoping for Rohan’s failure.

Since major schedules were coordinated by the Emperor and his ministers, the timing of departure in three days might not be solely Emperor Beltar’s will.

The less time for preparation, the higher the likelihood of failure.

“Has the observer been decided? The Empress, who oversees the exam, usually appoints an escort.”

“You know even that? Good grief.”

Rohan let out a wry laugh at her question.

It seemed Lucretia had studied the palace thoroughly for her family’s revenge.

“Not sure yet. I haven’t heard who the observer will be.”

“I see. So, what did you want to talk to me about? As you know, I’m rather busy.”

Lucretia joked, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

“It’s nothing special.”

Rohan crossed his legs as he spoke.

“While I’m away in Gerald Territory, I want you to act as a watcher here in the imperial palace.”

“A watcher? Me, in the palace?”

Lucretia’s eyes widened, and Rohan nodded.

“While you’re coming and going, if you notice anything unusual, I’d like you to record it.”

“But…… to enter the palace, you need a special reason. If Your Highness isn’t here, I can’t get in. Besides, I can’t visit Empress Emilia’s palace until next month.”

“That’s something we can work around.”

“Ah, don’t tell me……?”

Catching on quickly, Lucretia had already figured it out.

“That’s right. While I’m gone, you’ll be my mother’s exclusive tailor.”

“So I’ll get to meet Empress Amanda.”

“We’re accelerating her treatment, so soon she’ll be able to walk. When that happens, she’ll need new clothes.”

“Is she planning to go out?”

If Empress Amanda, who’d been bedridden, was getting a new wardrobe from a tailor—

That must mean she was planning to go out.

“From short walks to, perhaps, a ball. She’ll need both daywear and formal dresses. Everything she has now is from long ago and much too loose.”

Rohan spoke with a bitter face.

His mother had become noticeably thinner and gaunt since arriving at the palace.

He needed to have new clothes made for her.

“So, I intend to issue you a pass allowing you free access to the palace for a month.”

Tak.

Rohan took a small badge from his pocket and placed it on the table.

“Well? Can you do it?”

At Rohan’s question, Lucretia laughed heartily.

“Your Highness, it seems you prepared all this expecting me to accept, didn’t you?”

“As you know, there’s not much time. It takes about a week to issue this pass.”

Rohan shrugged.

“Your Highness is always so thorough in preparations.”

Lucretia, impressed, accepted the pass.

‘He was sure he’d get the exam, and already planned everything in advance.’

Otherwise, how could he have requested a pass for her a week ago, and hand it over now?

The more she thought about it, the more extraordinary he seemed.

It made her forget the Crown Prince before her was only fourteen.

“There’s general surveillance, but above all, I need you to make sure nothing happens to my mother while I’m away.”

“So that’s your highest priority.”

She understood.

It must be worrisome to leave Empress Amanda, who couldn’t even move properly, behind for such a long journey.

The palace was that frightening a place.

“You don’t trust even the people in the Boronia Palace right now, do you?”

“They’re just staff working here. They have no loyalty to protect my mother, nor do they hold any conviction. And…… I don’t want to drag them into the palace’s complicated affairs.”

“I understand. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you.”

Rohan knew well that Lucretia was not the sort to break her word easily.

That’s why he decided to trust her with this task.

“Well, in that case, may I stay here for a while?”

“Hmm?”

Rohan blinked.

“I cleared my schedule since Your Highness said you’d be busy.”

Lucretia laughed softly.

“Never thought I’d get to stay in the palace. Where’s my room?”

Her cheeky look as she glanced around made Rohan laugh.

“If you’d like to, that would help even more.”

It probably wasn’t just about protecting his mother.

By staying in the palace, she’d be able to gather information more easily.

But Rohan decided to overlook that much.

If he received one thing, he’d give one thing in return.

That was the principle of fair trade.

“I’m counting on you, Lucretia.”

With that, Rohan could finally set aside his greatest worry—his mother’s safety.



***



Three days passed.

“Did you pack well, Your Highness? They say Gerald Territory is quite chilly, so you brought a heavy coat, right?”

“Of course.”

Rohan smiled and sat beside Amanda.

“I’m worried I won’t see you for too long, since the journey’s so far. How have you been feeling?”

“Lately, I feel full of energy. It’s all thanks to you, my prince.”

“……”

It was heartwarming to hear, but Rohan’s eyes darkened.

‘I miss the mother who used to call me Rohan.’

Though they lived alone without his father, they had been truly happy.

Even if they had to survive on boiled potatoes, being together was enough.

His mother had once been playful and always smiling.

But……

Ever since she came to the palace, she changed completely.

She believed, because she hadn’t been properly educated and didn’t know how to behave, that was why his father turned away from her.

Maybe that’s why?

From then on, she stopped calling him “Rohan” and used only the title “Your Highness,” even speaking formally.

She insisted they must follow the palace’s rules and etiquette now that they lived here.

“Are you really that happy I’m going to take the prince’s exam?”

“Isn’t it obvious? If you pass the exam with confidence, everyone will have to acknowledge how clever my prince is!”

“I’ll have to do even better, then. If I want to see you happy.”

“My prince.”

Amanda clasped Rohan’s hand with her twig-like, thin fingers, her eyes sparkling.

“I heard you met His Majesty the Emperor recently.”

“……”

When Rohan glanced away, his mother’s chief lady-in-waiting averted her gaze in embarrassment.

‘I told her not to mention it.’

It seemed she’d talked after all.

“How is His Majesty? What did he say to you?”

“Mother.”

Rohan let out a small sigh and stood.

“I’d like to tell you, but I’m short on time today. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, right. I shouldn’t be keeping you here when you have such an important duty.”

Amanda looked up and smiled softly.

“Have a safe trip, my prince.”



—Have a safe journey, Rohan.



The way she stroked his cheek overlapped with the mother he remembered from before.

“By the way, a tailor will be coming by later to make you some clothes. She made mine as well, so I’m sure she’ll do a wonderful job for you.”

“Really? I’m looking forward to it.”

Amanda replied with a bright smile.

Tak.

“Hoo……”

Rohan stepped out of his mother’s room and leaned against the door, exhaling deeply.

‘Just wait a little longer, Mother.’

Seeing her again, he felt the weight of this journey all the more.

Going to resolve the dwarves’ conflict was a step toward becoming crown prince, but he had another, more important reason.

The reason Rohan was heading to Gerald Territory among so many other issues—

It was because he could find the medicine his mother needed there.

“Your Highness, the carriage is ready. But……”

“What? Is there a problem?”

“There’s someone waiting for you in front of the carriage.”

“……Really?”

Someone was waiting?

“Who is it?”

“Well, it’s……”

Martin hesitated, then spoke.

“……What?”

Rohan, surprised, hurried down the stairs.

“You’re here?”

“……Why are you here?”

“What?”

“Isabel, why are you here?”

“I just came to see you off. I was curious.”

“……?”

Rohan’s eyes narrowed at her feigned innocence.

“Geez, you’re no fun. Give me that.”

As Rohan’s reaction was somewhat flat, Isabel held out her hand to the maid.

The maid handed her a rolled-up piece of parchment.

“This. Her Majesty asked me to deliver it.”

“Ah, so you’re here on an errand. But what is this?”

At Rohan’s question, Isabel shrugged.

“I don’t really know. She just said to give it to Lord Gerald.”

“Hmm. Tell her I’ll do that.”

“Alright.”

Isabel turned to leave after delivering her message.

Rohan, too, took the parchment and was about to board the carriage when, suddenly, Isabel turned and approached the carriage.

“By the way……”

“Hmm?”

She hesitated.

After a moment’s silence, she turned her head away.

“Never mind. I’ll ask later.”

She bit her lip, clearly thinking about something odd.

‘Some habits never change, Isabel.’

Rohan quietly smiled to himself as he got into the carriage.

He didn’t answer her on purpose.

He felt he’d act too familiar if he kept recalling old memories.

“Let’s depart.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Hyah…!

The waiting carriages began to leave Boronia Palace.

“Tch, not even curious what I was going to ask.”

Watching the carriage grow distant, Isabel pouted and hurried away.