Chapter 40: The Crown Prince of the Empire

The grand hall of the imperial palace was steeped in such solemnity that even breathing felt forbidden.

“I hereby appoint Rohan Schubert, Prince of the Empire, as Crown Prince.”

The powerful voice of Emperor Beltar resonated slowly throughout the hall.

At that moment, all the ministers and nobles gathered in the hall knelt in unison.

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!”

Rohan, dressed in pristine white Crown Prince’s attire, was kneeling at the very center of the hall.

The Emperor’s hand rested upon his shoulder, and the ‘Blue Seal’, symbol of formal investiture, was attached to his chest.

“……”

With that brief touch, a cool shiver ran down Rohan’s spine.

The realization that there was no turning back—and the weight of finally arriving at this position—came crashing down all at once.

At that moment, sunlight poured through the windows, illuminating the interior of the hall.

It was a strangely radiant light.

Rohan raised his head.

And his eyes met the Emperor’s.

‘Father, it begins now.’

Becoming Crown Prince had not been all that difficult.

But now the true test began.

Unlike as a prince, the position of ‘Crown Prince’ meant his sphere of action had greatly expanded.

‘Marquis Fabian is not the sort to sit still.’

Though he had retreated a step for the sake of Empress Emilia, there was no way he would simply stand by and watch Rohan ascend to Emperor.

Even if Rohan did become Emperor, if he was not under his thumb, Marquis Fabian was the kind of man who would not shy away from murder.

That was why he had to keep moving relentlessly from now on.

Compared to Fabian’s faction, Rohan’s own forces were still only a handful.

Rohan rose from his seat and turned to face the ministers and nobles gathered in the hall.

“I, Rohan Schubert, declare here that, in accordance with the command of His Majesty the Emperor, I have become the Empire’s Crown Prince.”

His voice was unwavering, his gaze calm and profound.

“As heir to the throne and leader of the Empire, I pledge my body and soul to defend the justice, order, and the lives of the people of this Empire. I vow to live as one who carries responsibility, not luxury; duty, not power…”

The oath of accession to the Crown Prince continued.

Rohan paused to catch his breath, then finally bowed his head.

“From this day forth, as the Crown Prince of the Empire, I swear before the people and the nobility to live in a manner befitting the name of the Imperial Family.”

The silence was brief, and once more the grand sound of trumpets filled the hall.

Outside the hall, amidst the crowd, a herald began to read the proclamation.

“We hereby announce the enthronement of His Highness the Crown Prince! From this day forward, Prince Rohan Schubert is proclaimed as the rightful heir and successor to the imperial throne!”

The news spread swiftly among the people, and everyone was abuzz with talk of the new Crown Prince.

“Crown Prince Rohan, hmm. I don’t think he’s a bad choice.”

“And who are you to judge? It’s not like people like us have any say—the ones up there have already decided everything!”

“Wasn’t he born a commoner? Who knows, maybe things will get a little better for us?”

“Oh, come now! Believe what you will. He may have been a commoner as a child, but now he eats and dresses as a royal! Do you really think people like us matter to them?”

There were those who favored Rohan for his commoner origins.

And others who, having suffered at the hands of the nobility, remained distrustful.

Thus, opinions on Rohan’s ascension as Crown Prince were sharply divided among the people.

Meanwhile, the radical faction loyal to Marquis Fabian was filled with discontent.

“How can His Excellency the Marquis not make a single move at a time like this!”

It was Count Frolan of the radicals, who spoke excitedly, tossing his hair back.

He was one whom Marquis Fabian had long given a seat at his table, and he was absolutely furious at the news of Rohan’s investiture as Crown Prince.

The men gathered around the large round table all began voicing their opinions at once.

“Silence is tantamount to acquiescence, is it not?”

“…I suspect he has struck some deal with His Majesty. Otherwise, this makes no sense.”

“A deal, you say? Why would His Excellency stoop to bargaining? Are you saying His Majesty has some fatal weakness on the Marquis?”

Just then, someone spoke in a heavy voice.

“That’s impossible. His Excellency is not such a man.”

It was Viscount Berat who spoke quietly from the other side of the table.

He was usually reserved, but whenever he did speak, his words carried weight.

“According to some recent secret intelligence, there was a brief confinement of Her Majesty Empress Emilia. I believe it’s related to that incident.”

“What…! Viscount Berat, is that true?”

“What on earth happened…?”

As the nobles reacted in shock, Viscount Berat cautiously continued.

“It’s not certain, but I suspect it’s about that incident back then.”

“That incident…”

“When Prince Rohan—no, the Crown Prince—spoke of that ‘letter’ during His Majesty’s birthday.”

At those words, several nobles’ eyes gleamed with interest.

“Are you saying it was Her Highness the Second Empress who forged His Majesty’s letter?”

“I’m not certain, so please do not mention this anywhere else. It’s only conjecture.”

“…Hmm.”

The nobles grew pensive.

“In any case, I believe in His Excellency. I’m sure he’s laying the groundwork for something even greater this time. He wouldn’t simply step back without a plan, would he?”

“Still, I do find it a bit disappointing that His Excellency would orchestrate something this big without consulting us.”

At those words, Count Frolan crossed his arms with a displeased expression.

Another noble spoke up.

“Don’t take it too hard, Count Frolan. As Viscount Berat said, His Excellency is not an ordinary man. No doubt he is making plans for what comes next.”

At that moment, Viscount Berat rose from his seat and spoke.

“Gentlemen. Instead of talking amongst ourselves here, why don’t we go and ask His Excellency directly?”

“A splendid idea.”

The nobles, one after another, stood and began to leave.

Count Frolan, still frowning, grumbled as he followed after them.


---


Boronia Palace.

After the Crown Prince’s investiture, the palace was quietly but visibly changing.

Above all, the first thing that changed was the attitude of the people.

With the Prince’s Palace elevated to the Crown Prince’s Palace, servants and attendants bustled about, faces alight with excitement.

Boronia Palace was now the official residence of the Empire’s Crown Prince.

Naturally, the appropriate dignity and order were required.

The staff uniforms were remade from fine light blue cloth befitting the palace’s new status, and every morning, long lines of attendants stood in neat formation.

“To think our young prince would become Crown Prince.”

“Truly! It’s like a dream come true.”

With the elevation came a hefty increase in wages for the staff, so they were nothing but delighted at the situation.

It wasn’t just their wages that had risen. The budget had greatly increased as well.

The official notice from the imperial treasury allocated more than triple the previous operating funds, and craftsmen and architects for renovations were arriving one after another at Boronia Palace.

Broken tiles and worn-out corridor decorations were being replaced one by one.

However, amidst all that splendid transformation, there remained an empty spot.

“Your Highness, Count Nidro is here.”

The door opened, and Count Nidro, dressed in a dark brown coat, entered with proper decorum.

Rohan slowly rose from his seat to greet him.

“You’re here, Count.”

“To be invited to Boronia Palace as your very first guest after your investiture… It is an honor, Your Highness. I am Devon Nidro, deeply moved beyond words.”

Count Nidro lowered his head, sincerity in his eyes.

“No need for such honors. Please, take a seat.”

When Rohan smiled and offered him a seat, the Count sat on the sofa, his attendant standing behind.

“Your investiture has made quite a stir outside, Your Highness. The people’s reactions have been mostly positive.”

“Is that so?”

Rohan, as if unsurprised, calmly took a sip of tea.

It was as expected.

No matter what, the label of ‘commoner origin’ would follow Rohan for life, and the people were bound to feel some affinity for him because of it.

“Indeed! Everyone is applauding the Crown Prince for rising by merit, not by noble birth. Of course… some among the nobility are quietly uncomfortable.”

“If it’s just ‘quietly’, then that’s a relief.”

Rohan smiled mildly, and Count Nidro’s long white eyebrows twitched.

“I am always keeping a close eye on the nobles’ movements. If anything happens, I’ll rush here at once, so please don’t worry too much.”

“That’s reassuring. If it’s you, Devon Nidro himself, I know I can trust you.”

At Rohan’s remark, Count Nidro laughed heartily.

“By the way, Your Highness, even though the palace has been elevated, it feels a little…empty.”

“I’ve been troubled by that as well. The number of staff must increase, and now, instead of borrowing knights from the capital, I must establish my own order. But—the steward who should oversee all of this position is currently vacant.”

“Oh, I see! You dismissed Reginald properly back then, but still haven’t appointed a new steward?”

At Count Nidro’s question, Rohan nodded.

“That’s right. I haven’t found anyone suitable for the position.”

“In that case, Your Highness, may I introduce someone to you?”

“I’d be grateful. What sort of person is it?”

“He’s the second son of a baronial family, and a graduate of the Imperial Academy with second-highest honors. He always comes in second wherever he goes, but in my experience, he is steadfast and capable in his work.”

A perennial second-place talent.

How intriguing.

“And who might that be?”

With Rohan’s curious expression, Count Nidro smiled slyly and stood up.

Then, he walked over to his own attendant, who had been standing behind.

“W-wait, Count, surely you don’t mean…?”

The attendant looked flustered, while Count Nidro looked quite pleased.

“Exactly. This young man here. My own attendant, and the younger brother of Baron Gerald—William Gerald!”

“He’s Demico’s younger brother?”

Rohan’s eyes widened.

He hadn’t paid close attention before, but now that he looked, there were quite a few similarities to Demico.

Count Nidro lightly patted William’s back and spoke.

“What do you think? Being of the Gerald family, Your Highness can trust him, and he’s worked under me for three years, so he’s certainly capable. I daresay you’ll find no better talent than this one.”

He spoke with a hearty laugh, and Rohan smiled, satisfied.

‘Three years under Count Nidro.’

That was no easy feat.

Anyone who survived three years under the infamous old fox of the capital had to be exceptionally competent.

“Indeed. You’re right. I doubt I could find a better talent.”

William, with his slightly wavy brown hair and sturdy build, had a handsome appearance.

And in his eyes, quietly flickering with a touch of madness, he resembled the ore-crazed Demico quite a bit.

“He’s just what I need.”

“Ha ha! I knew you’d say so!”

Count Nidro, delighted at the successful recommendation, sat back down.

“Well then, William. Introduce yourself. From now on, as steward of Boronia Palace, you will serve His Highness the Crown Prince with all your devotion.”

At those words, William wore a dumbfounded look.

“Count… Isn’t this all a bit sudden? After all our years and memories together, is it really right to toss me aside like merchandise…?”

Rohan let out a small, amused laugh, while Count Nidro shook his head.

“I know it’s a bit hard, but it can’t be helped. You’re still too young to spend your life only under me. Don’t let your talents go to waste—go swim in a bigger pond.”

“But still…”

“Is it that you don’t want to work under me?” Rohan asked.

William hesitated briefly before answering.

“No, Your Highness.”

“Then that’s settled. Starting tomorrow, you will assume the duties of steward at Boronia Palace. I’ll have your room prepared before today is over.”

“Tomorrow… you say?”

William’s eyes blinked rapidly.

Why did everyone seem to like making decisions so quickly?

William glanced at Count Nidro, then bowed deeply.

“Understood, Your Highness. I accept your command.”

At his calm reply, Rohan and Count Nidro exchanged glances.

The Count winked mischievously at Rohan.