Chapter 27 : The Crown and the Lion

The fact that Marquis Fabian has already come to the capital.

This was not part of the plan.

However...

‘You’re a step too late, Marquis.’

Even if he did come, what could he do?

I had already solved the issue in the Gerald territory and arrived at the Imperial Capital first.

“Martin. Take this report to the Imperial Palace and present it to His Majesty.”

“Yes, understood.”

It was a report he had written bit by bit on the road to the capital.

Inside, there were documents proving the successful negotiations with the Dwarves, along with other relevant paperwork.

Lucretia, who had been silently watching, narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms.

“What is this confidence? Don’t tell me it was a total success?”

“I told you I’d handle it well, didn’t I?”

“Wow, ha, wow. Wait, Your Highness. Just how did you do it?”

She had believed him because he said to, but now that she heard the outcome, she couldn’t believe it.

Rohan shrugged at Lucretia’s stunned expression.

“They were easier to talk to than I expected.”

“What?”

Dwarves were known among the other races to be the most stubborn, infamous for hating to listen to humans.

And yet, he said they were easy to communicate with.

‘He’s hiding something. There’s definitely something.’

He was a prince who always showed sides of himself no one expected.

Even if he said otherwise, there was definitely something he couldn’t tell her.

But Lucretia did not ask further.

Instead, she asked something else.

“I noticed earlier, Sir Martin’s sword looked different. Is that a Dwarf-made blade?”

Her question surprised Rohan quite a bit on the inside.

“How did you notice the sword had changed?”

“I just know by looking.”

Lucretia winked one eye.

As expected of the head of a secret information organization, she had a sharp eye for details.

“Dwarf-forged swords are hard to come by… Looks like you get gifts like that if you serve the right lord. So, Your Highness, what about my gift…?”

“Haha.”

Rohan let out a small laugh at her question.

Then he began rummaging through the carriage.

“Ah, here it is.”

Lucretia’s eyebrows shot up at the thick leather pouch in Rohan’s hand.

“What’s this?”

“Before we left Loktercia, the Elder’s wife gave me a bundle of gifts. This was in there.”

Lucretia opened the leather pouch and immediately gasped.

“Mi—, my goodness!”

...No, she cursed outright.

“You’re really giving this to me?”

“I said so.”

“You’re not going to take it back, are you?”

“Heh heh.”

It was only natural—Rohan’s gift was none other than a Dwarf-made sewing kit.

“My goodness, every needle sparkles. Ah, so exquisite.”

Her eyes were full of hearts as she gazed at the sewing kit.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

She bent deeply at the waist, expressing her gratitude.

Even if she had become a tailor for revenge, Lucretia was still sincere about making clothes.

That was surely why she had been able to become such a famous tailor so quickly.

“Oh, by the way. What about Mother’s clothes?”

“I measured everything on the first day. She picked out the styles she wanted, so I’m making one of each for different occasions.”

“Make her a party dress too.”

“A party…?”

Lucretia tilted her head in puzzlement.

As far as she knew, Empress Amanda never attended parties or formal banquets.

So she had left dresses out of this round of clothing…

“I think she’ll need one soon.”

But what could she do, when the biggest client made such a request?

“Just so you know, a dress costs quite a bit, dear customer.”

“Oh? How much?”

“But.”

Lucretia smiled brightly and lifted the sewing kit.

“I’ve received a gift so precious that money can’t buy it, so this time, it’s my turn to give you a present, isn’t it?”

She said she should hurry and put the sewing kit to use, and with a delighted face, she went into Boronia Palace.

“Your Highness.”

Once the conversation seemed over, Hans approached Rohan.

“It’s been an honor to serve you. We are glad this journey has been of great help to Your Highness.”

A statement that embodied the model knight.

“I too have enjoyed being with you all. You’ve all worked hard.”

Rohan’s warm words brought a gentle look to the faces of the knights behind him.

Though they had been called up as extra hands from those left in the Imperial Capital, they did not regret this journey.

Because they could truly feel that someone treasured them, even though they were of common birth.

For them, this journey was a chance to witness Rohan’s true character.

“If fate allows, I hope we meet again.”

“Indeed.”

Rohan smiled softly, taking in the faces of the knights.

“Squad, attention! Salute His Highness Rohan!”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Chuk!

Hans and the knights gave a crisp salute, then quickly dispersed to their original posts.

---

The next day. Rohan left Boronia Palace and headed for the Main Palace.

This was because Emperor Beltar had summoned him upon hearing of his return.

Before entering the audience chamber, Rohan took a deep breath and nodded to the attendant.

“Second Prince Rohan Schubert, reporting!”

The attendant announced loudly, and the great doors opened at the same time.

As Rohan appeared, the audience chamber became slightly noisy.

As he approached the throne, the gazes of the nobles and officials all converged on him.

Their expressions were varied, but Rohan knew that not a few harbored hostility and dissatisfaction.

Especially the nobles aligned under Marquis Fabian—their expressions were as fierce as could be.

Among the nobles, Count Nidro was also visible, grinning from ear to ear.

“You’re here?”

Beltar, as always, sat with a haughty face, beckoning with a finger.

‘He shouldn’t even be able to move properly, with his health.’

Even so, his presence alone filled the room.

Rohan knelt and bowed his head.

“Your Majesty, I have returned after fulfilling my duty as commanded.”

“Raise your head, Rohan Schubert.”

His face was stern, and his voice carried a faint chill.

“I have received a report that you resolved the conflict with the Dwarves peacefully. Contrary to my expectations that this test would be quite difficult, you completed it swiftly and splendidly.”

But Rohan could sense the pride in Beltar’s words.

Reading the Emperor’s inner thoughts, Rohan bowed his head lightly.

“Did you all see, ministers? The results Rohan has shown, I believe, demonstrate the ‘qualities of a prince’ you have all spoken of. I wonder what you all think?”

Beltar smiled as he surveyed the faces of the nobles.

They must be frantic.

The prince they thought could never accomplish it had returned, having completed the difficult test with confidence.

The Emperor’s question caused a stir in the audience chamber.

The nobles displeased with Rohan now showed their discomfort openly.

Most of them were tied to Marquis Cajin Fabian, and knew that Rohan would not act according to their wishes.

That’s why they were extremely wary of Rohan’s rising power.

As the nobles remained silent, Beltar’s face grew grave.

“You are well aware. With the crown prince’s seat vacant, for a prince of the latter line to have successfully completed the trial—do you know what that means?”

“……”

Of course, none could answer.

The power struggle: Marquis Fabian’s faction versus Rohan.

This contest was now clearly Rohan’s victory.

‘But they’ll never accept me as Crown Prince.’

They would try some new scheme to block him again.

Beltar smiled faintly at their transparent thoughts and spoke.

“I believe Rohan will continue to serve the Empire’s future. I hope you will all lend your strength to our new Crown Prince.”

“What?”

“Your Majesty! What are you saying…!”

“Exactly as I said. We cannot leave the Crown Prince’s seat vacant forever, can we?”

The chamber filled with chaos.

No matter how well Rohan had passed the prince’s trial, no one had expected the Emperor to act this swiftly.

“……”

Rohan was quite surprised as well.

He knew the Emperor needed a Crown Prince to handle matters in his stead.

But to declare it to all the nobles and officials on the very day he returned to make his report...

Just then, feeling a gaze, Rohan turned his head.

‘Ah, could it be?’

There was a woman looking at him with a kindly smile.

It was Empress Sherilda.

As their eyes met, she gave him a quick wink.

‘Did Her Majesty lend me her support?’

Goosebumps ran down the back of his neck.

It seemed that heaven itself was helping him in this life.

“Your Majesty. I do not know if this humble one can bear such a heavy responsibility.”

Humility was the proper virtue.

“Of course. You are my son and, no matter what anyone says, a prince of Schubert’s imperial blood. What you lack, you can make up for with time.”

Emperor Beltar handled it masterfully, as if he’d expected the response.

As events flowed naturally, the ministers and nobles under Marquis Fabian’s faction were thrown into confusion.

‘If this goes on, Prince Rohan will really become Crown Prince!’

‘We must stop this, somehow!’

On the other hand, the conservative and neutral nobles exchanged glances.

‘His Majesty has recognized an heir once more. I need to spread the word at once.’

‘Should I start currying favor with Prince Rohan?’

Meanwhile, Count Nidro, who had allied with Rohan in advance, clenched his fist in triumph.

“Your Highness, I always believed in you.”

Though he’d been through every sort of ordeal in the Imperial Capital at his age, this moment was electrifying beyond words.

For the foolish prince, always treated as a non-entity, to gain the right to sit as Crown Prince!

It proved his judgment had been correct.

It was at that moment.

“Your Majesty, I have a report.”

“What is it?”

A noble stepped forward.

“Marquis Cajin Fabian is waiting outside the door.”

“Marquis Fabian?”

Emperor Beltar’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

The nobles began to murmur.

“He’s already here? I thought it would take longer for him to return.”

“Marquis Fabian has arrived!”

Some frowned at his unexpected early return, while others beamed.

“Shall I let him in?”

“…Let him in.”

Beltar nodded after a moment, granting permission, and soon the grand doors of the audience chamber opened.

“Marquis Cajin Fabian, entering!”

Step, step, step.

The room quieted at the sound of one man’s footsteps.

Broad, commanding shoulders, garments woven of black and red luxury.

Well-groomed golden hair and piercing blue eyes.

The appearance of the middle-aged man exuded a formidable presence that silenced everyone.

“Your Majesty.”

Kneeling on one knee, he offered Emperor Beltar a deep, formal bow with a smile.

“Your subject, Cajin Fabian. Having completed all you commanded, I return and pay my respects to Your Majesty.”

It was the return of Marquis Fabian, known as the Lion of Schubert.