“Oh…! This is the room of the Imperial Prince, a place never before set foot by anyone…!”
Rolf, who had been shown into the room, couldn’t hide his excitement.
He quickly opened the curtains that had been drawn against the approaching dusk, letting in as much sunlight as possible to examine the room.
Next to him, Oscar also squinted his eyes with interest as he looked around the room.
“Hey, it seems there’s one more room here than we have, but other than that, it’s quite a standard room. I thought there’d be a red carpet right at the entrance, a chandelier like the sun, and stained glass everywhere.”
“What did you expect, senior? This academy is all about practicality and solidity. Even though it’s an Imperial prince’s room, it doesn’t mean it’s furnished like a palace or cathedral,” the prince replied, slightly exasperated by his older friend’s teasing remarks.
However, Rolf, with shining eyes full of excitement, waved his fists enthusiastically.
“What are you two saying! Look at that painting, it’s one of Gephardt’s early works, right!? The books on the shelf all have gilded edges, and the sofa set is an outstanding piece from Dausenburg! The recently reupholstered fabric is the latest creation from the Lassen workshop! It’s luxurious all around!”
For the financially strained nobleman Rolf, even a small piece of this furniture would amount to a significant fortune.
After indulging in an enthusiastic discussion of the room’s furnishings, Rolf’s sharp, fox-like gaze wandered suspiciously beneath the bed and beside the shelves.
“Surely in the room of the Empire’s first prince, even the risqué books must be luxurious and special…”
“Rolf, stop it. You’re free to appraise the room, but stop searching through it.”
“Or, could you not do either?” The prince interjected, matching Oscar’s serious warning with his own solemn request.
The three of them had come together through a joint business venture and had quickly developed a comfortable camaraderie.
Though Prince Albert was often busy, he had found himself with an unexpectedly free schedule on this particular day, allowing him to invite his two older friends to enjoy the afternoon.
The prince brewed tea himself and handed it to his friends, who responded with lighthearted thanks such as “Royal tea!” and “Thanks,” as they took their cups.
“Oh, right,” Oscar suddenly remembered something and put down his cup.
He rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a small cloth bag embroidered with the logo of the Bernstein Trading Company.
“Prince, this is for you. My brother entrusted me with it.”
“From Mr. Bernstein?”
The prince, who hadn’t expected anything, took the bag and examined its contents with a troubled expression.
“…What is this?”
“Take a look; it’s money.”
Inside were several silver coins.
Oscar shrugged his broad shoulders and said, “This is just a small portion of the profits from the business we started. We thought it right to give you your share.”
However, Prince Albert pushed it back without a word.
“…No thank you. I can’t find any reason to accept this.”
He gave Oscar a cold stare.
“I never intended to give special treatment to any specific trading company. I supported the business because I believed it would benefit the people… and because I believed in the friendship we share. But receiving payment for that—”
“Hey, why are you getting so worked up? It’s only right to compensate someone fairly for their work, regardless of whether they’re a prince or a slave. You can’t criticize the policies of the Bernstein Trading Company,” Oscar interrupted.
“But—”
Albert tried to argue, but Oscar cut him off with a dismissive wave.
“Don’t misunderstand. This isn’t a bribe, nor is it a payment for our friendship. In fact, it’s the opposite.”
“Opposite…?”
Albert looked puzzled, and Oscar grinned.
“Prince, you’ve never formed a friendship without considering the benefits or losses involved, have you? Listen closely. True friendship between friends cannot include even the smallest transaction. Whether your friend is a merchant’s son or anyone else, the same applies.”
Oscar gave the beautiful prince a searching look.
“There will be plenty of people trying to exploit you under the guise of friendship, seeking the power and magic you possess. I don’t deny that. But I won’t allow myself to be one of them. I don’t want to exploit you, nor do I want to be used by you.”
“………”
“You have created the magic formations, the foundation of this business. That must be rewarded. But if we just brushed it aside because we’re friends, we’d be taking advantage of you. That’s why this is fair compensation. It allows us to sit together as equals and enjoy tea. Do you understand?”
Oscar watched Albert’s expression change as he came to an understanding.
The prince nodded slowly, “Yes,” and finally loosened his grip on the small bag.
“Compensation… Now that you mention it, this is my first time earning money on my own. It’s a refreshing experience.”
“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Oscar teased, a relieved expression softening his face.
“I’m glad you understood quickly. It might seem like a minor matter for a merchant, but it’s a point of pride. And if you react this strongly, I can’t imagine what it’ll be like when we have to pay the selfless saint we know,” he added with a chuckle.
“You haven’t paid her yet?”
“No, we haven’t. We were being cautious not to offend her by implying she was profiting from friendship. I didn’t want her to misunderstand.”
Rolf nodded in agreement as the three of them discussed the matter.
“Yes, I can imagine how challenging it would be…”
Oscar, with a weary expression, leaned back into his chair.
“All I know is making money; handling women should be my forte, but she throws me off balance. It’s troubling.”
If anything, someone skilled at making money would be the most likely to win over her heart, but no one in the room realized that.
They continued discussing business updates and various rumors, when Rolf dramatically sighed.
He put his empty cup on the table and slumped lazily on the sofa.
“Luxurious room, high-quality tea, and sophisticated conversation. Yeah, it’s fun, but why isn’t our cute little Leonora here with us?”
It seemed he was lamenting the absence of their younger friend, the academy’s idol, Leonora von Harkenberg.
“Business is going well, an earl has joined Bernstein Trading Company, but what’s the point of discussing it with just a bunch of guys around? My information is for the sake of cute girls.”
Rolf made a show of caressing the air at about the height of a girl’s waist.
“Leonora would listen with sparkling eyes, saying ‘That’s amazing! Really?’ That’s why I gather information. We guys need someone this small, with upturned eyes, cute, and attentive. Today is the second day of the contract festival? How many more days until she returns? I wish today’s sunset would come faster so I could see Leonora sooner!”
Albert laughed at Rolf, who was glaring at the sunset.
“Sorry about that, Mr. Kvants. I didn’t mean to take her away from you two.”
“Exactly! Oh, if only I hadn’t let you hear that rumor back then.”
“What rumor? What’s going on?” Oscar asked, tilting his head.
Rolf pouted and began explaining.
“This time, Leonora suddenly became the ceremonial maiden. Sure, the decision involved her status, but it was really the Empress’s decision.”
“The Empress? Why?”
“Well, that’s just because I’m concerned about my future wife.”
Rolf whispered quietly to his puzzled friend. “Actually, just between us, there’s a nasty pamphlet circulating in a part of the town about Leonora. It’s been happening since after the spirit festival, calling her things like lowly and so on… So, I heard the rumor and, because I was worried about Leonora, I ended up telling the prince about it.”
“Ah…”
Rolf’s knack for gathering information was well-known. Oscar nodded along, grimacing at the mention of ‘slander,’ but then, as if recalling something, he shivered.
“You should have seen the prince’s face when he heard it! I would have liked to show you, Oscar. No, maybe that would give you nightmares. But on the other hand, you should have seen it. You could have shared half my nightmares! Anyway, he got really angry, wrapped up his official duties in a huff, and was about to go down to town. He was going to find the culprit.”
“…Sorry about that.”
“Yeah, you should apologize! Really think about it… But you see, the prince was supposed to work on state matters with His Majesty that day, and when the emperor saw the prince acting strange, he asked what was going on. So, the prince told him the story, and oh boy, it was a big deal. Both His Majesty and Her Majesty, who already felt like Leonora was their future daughter, got really fired up. ‘We can’t let anyone slander our future daughter! Mobilize the entire army to search the town! The culprit must be paraded through the streets and executed!’ they exclaimed.”
Rolf spoke light-heartedly, but the content was serious. Oscar realized there was a chance the military might be moved based on an imperial decree. He twitched the corner of his mouth nervously, while Albert nodded uncomfortably.
“It nearly led to the misuse of the dragon crest, which should only be used for governance. But seeing that, I snapped back to my senses. I’m sure Leonora wouldn’t want anyone to be punished without reason, even if she found out she was being slandered. Instead, she would show her own virtue and try to reform the culprit.”
Seeing someone more drunk than yourself can sober you up.
Albert calmed down and persuaded his parents to reconsider. He asked for their help to ensure the girl would not feel ashamed to be a candidate for the role of empress.
Then the empress proposed that Leonora be given the role of priestess for the upcoming ceremony. She insisted she would speak to Natalia, who had been the one planned for the role, personally, making it an imperial order. Albert gladly accepted.
So, he volunteered to act as an ambassador and went to visit the Hakenberg estate.
“I didn’t want to cause any unnecessary concerns, so I only told the marquis’ house about the social status issue… But it seems she saw right through it all with her amethyst eyes.”
Albert shrugged lightly, recalling how the girl accepted, saying she would do it for the prince. He couldn’t hide his delighted smile.
Rolf gave him a stern look, so he cleared his throat.
“She said she would do it for me, and now she’s trying so hard to live up to my expectations that she’s losing time with her friends. I’m truly sorry.”
“Why do apologies make me angrier…?”
“Stop acting like her boyfriend!” Rolf growled, clawing at his hair, then turned his intense gaze on Oscar. “Oscar! Go! Take her! Steal Leonora from the prince! It’s not fair that he’s got the looks, power, and Leonora! Steal Leonora and at least take one thing away from him!”
“…I get what you’re saying, but why don’t you go and do it yourself?”
“Fool! Oscar steals her, but then Leonora realizes Oscar is a flirt and leaves him, and that’s when I comfort her and win her over! It’s all part of my plan!”
Rolf Kvanzt, with his quirky personality, had the most cunning mind.
Just as the three were enjoying their lively conversation, a voice interrupted them.
“Excuse me…!”
Before anyone could respond, the door opened abruptly, and someone entered the room.
Oh wow Kais about to drop a bomb