Through a brief silence, a cuckoo’s call rang out long. Somehow, as if urging me, he spoke.
“Lionel. Your memory must be bad, because there are still 2 left.”
But I didn’t want to make Cesare, who was happy for once, feel terrible with a kiss from someone like me. And he was right. Now wasn’t the time to be distracted by something like a kiss.
“…I’m not doing it anymore.”
“Are you angry? Because I said that back then?”
“If you’re lying down like this, it seems you don’t need to get used to me anymore.”
“That’s for me to decide.”
“I don’t want to do it anymore either.”
At my firm words, Mitche seemed even more surprised, squeaking as he peeked his head out from above. He squeaked, asking as if wondering why I wasn’t kissing Cesare.
“Chuu chuu? Ppyoppyo…?”
That’s right, I’m not doing it. Mitche. No matter how much I’ve fallen for Cesare, what’s the point of kissing someone who finds it terrible—it only makes me feel dirty and crushes my pride.
Cesare’s lips, which had been rounded, slowly closed. Mitche also closed his mouth as if somewhat sulking. Somehow feeling tired, I just let out a small sigh and leaned against the bench with my eyes closed.
* * *
Until the last day in Ilbrun, I enjoyed the gatherings I’d promised with several women of the principality. Among them were daughters of monarchs and daughters of local nobility, and for two days I worked hard to raise Cesare’s reputation by lavishly praising him.
Rather, because of my position as a commoner, they treated me more intimately. The mountain of gifts accumulated over two days was proof of that.
“A whole bunch came again today.”
Watching the attendants busily load the gifts into the cargo compartment, Cesare somehow spoke with displeasure. I carefully made a list of who sent what. This will all become useful later.
“Since it’s come to this anyway, I hope we become even closer with the people of the principality. When you don’t know who the enemy is, it’s better to make as many allies as possible.”
If we built good relations with the principality, which was like a time bomb that could explode at any moment, the imperial family wouldn’t be able to treat Cesare carelessly either. If a balance of power was created, Cesare might choose something other than rebellion.
“The ducal family is already magnificent, but if your diplomatic status grows as well, there really won’t be anyone who’ll look down on you. Well, it wouldn’t be bad for you to get engaged to a princess from the principality while you’re at it.”
“…Shut up.”
“You’ll have to yield to women, what else can you do? I wasn’t in the game from the start anyway.”
“I said shut up, Lionel!”
Cesare retorted with a suddenly very angry voice. At the excessive reaction, I stiffened slightly, wondering if I’d talked too much, when a man with several guards approached from behind us.
“Oh, Yanox heir! You were here! Fortunate that I caught you before you left.”
It was Admiral Enrico, whom I’d seen at the party before. As it turned out, he was the next heir of the Ilbrun monarch who only had a single daughter, and a key figure of the pro-imperial faction.
“What brings you all the way here, Admiral?”
“I was wondering if you might be interested in the position of bilateral friendship ambassador. Of course, I’m also here to see you off.”
Friendship ambassador? At the tempting proposal, my eyes opened wider than Cesare’s.
“The relations between our two countries aren’t exactly smooth right now. To put it bluntly, His Highness Cedric plays the role of lubricant, but taken men aren’t popular.”
I, who had been just reading the mood during their conversation, quickly chimed in from the side.
“Then Cesare is perfect! It would be quite interesting for anti-imperial faction people with daughters. The position of Duchess of Yanox, second to none in the Empire, is still vacant after all.”
Then Admiral Enrico smiled contentedly with an expression that said ‘correct answer.’
“Yes. It came up while having a drink with the heir’s father last time. I was surprised when someone who’d been so uncooperative in that area actively proposed it, but good things are good things.”
“Father did?”
Cesare and I looked at each other as if we’d made a promise. That’s how well we both knew that Lampel had no interest in such things.
“I met Princess Françoise yesterday and she said many young ladies are already curious about the Yanox heir. Since the heir is handsome and overflowing with refinement, he’ll gain much favor from the principality’s people.”
That’s right! Even though our boy has a reputation for being twisted at the Academy, he’s a talent among talents who possesses both civil and military virtues. Ahem. I told you I’m good at promotion.
“An excellent choice. Cesare and I hope the relations between our two countries will improve for the better.”
I smiled and flattered him, asking him to look favorably on Cesare. As expected, Cesare, being an elegant aristocrat, didn’t eagerly accept the proposal but politely declined once.
“…I’m grateful you think well of me, but regrettably I haven’t completed my studies yet.”
“Haha. It’s just a nominal position so it won’t interfere with your studies. Anyway, please think it over and I’ll await good news. I hope you had a good time in the Taitus Principality.”
Watching the satisfying scene of the admiral and Cesare shaking hands, I also bumped fingers with Mitche in a high-five.
‘It’s thanks to you. Cutie.’
“Ppyo~.”
These days, Mitche hadn’t disappeared anywhere and stayed by my side continuously. I wondered if his presence was becoming stronger as time passed.
After the admiral left, Cesare immediately dropped his business face and snapped at me.
“Position of duchess? Lionel, you’ve been going on about marriage, marriage since earlier—are you really okay with me getting married?”
“It’s not bad.”
“You said you like me! Did your feelings change? Did you find a woman you like in the principality or something?”
“As long as you’re doing well, I don’t care.”
If you do well, I can survive too.
After answering like that, I turned back around to work on the list. Then Cesare grabbed my shoulder hard and pushed me under the shade below the cargo wagon.
“…Cesa-re? What’s wrong?”
When I blinked and looked up at him, he stared at me with eyes I couldn’t read and pressed his body close. Just as I was about to step back, not understanding his two eyes that slid closed as he brought his face close—
“Hey. You two brats there.”
Lampel’s voice was heard. Startled by it, I quickly pushed Cesare’s chest away and scurried over to Lampel.
“Ah, Your Grace! Are you heading to the Balkan Mountains? Is there anything you need? Hehe.”
I showed Lampel the most affable smile I could muster and fawned over him, but he didn’t even snort. Damn it. Father and son really are hard to please. Ugh, forget it. I have no business with an aging psychopath old man either.
Cesare approached with a somehow slightly flushed face, clearing his throat and speaking to Lampel.
“Ahem, hmm. I heard Father recommended me for the friendship ambassador position. Actually, I was already surprised that you attended the party, but I didn’t know you’d look after me in so many ways.”
“My work and you receiving suspicion for the Crown Prince’s assassination attempt are separate issues. Even if those principality bastards are worthless, it’ll be somewhat better if you stick with them.”
As expected, the friendship ambassador matter was Lampel stepping forward to help Cesare. If I was thinking correctly, Lampel must have used the situation where it would be awkward for Cesare to raise an army if he got entangled with the pro-imperial faction. Unlike the anti-imperial faction, the pro-imperial faction would want the Empire to remain firmly maintained.
‘If Lampel is helping too, Cesare might even abandon his rebellion plans!’
He was opening up breathing room one by one for Cesare, who must have been anxious about his weakened position. My chest swelled with the feeling that the hopeless future that seemed unchangeable was gradually being resolved.
‘It’s changing. Even without breaking the addiction, I might be able to get through this well. I can do it if I try! What the Line 1 grandpas said wasn’t wrong! If you say it works, it works, it works!’
While I was smirking, Lampel grabbed Cesare’s shoulder with a serious face.
“Listen well. Someone among the mages noticed first that divine power had weakened and tried to use you as a detonator to frame you as an assassin. Because if Yanox is imprisoned, it becomes justification for the mages to rise up.”
“Hmm? Then the culprit is among the mages?”
Doubting those words, I responded without thinking, and Lampel’s artificial eye glared at me.
“Newborn puppy. Be quiet.”
That’s puzzling. Cain said the Dark Guild side was suspicious. Then was Cain’s guess wrong?
If mages were the ringleaders, they wouldn’t have committed such acts through the Dark Guild. They’d just use magic themselves rather than needing to hire another mage.
“…I suspected it would be so from the time I became certain that divine power had weakened. I’m screening mages who usually had complaints about the temple.”
“I know all the situations are difficult. So you need to know when to give up on some things.”
“……”
“But there are also things you must not give up. I hope you can distinguish between them well.”
No, don’t speak so ambiguously! Say it straight—’Don’t start a rebellion,’ old man! Just because you’re handsome doesn’t mean you can get away with everything! I wanted to shout that loudly, but what can a small citizen like me do but squawk?
“…I’ll keep Father’s words in mind.”
“And if other mages demand you take some action, contact me. I’ll take on their denunciations.”
Lampel removed his hand from the shoulder and took a step back. When he snapped his fingers, Cesare’s collar straightened out very neatly.
“Hmm, ahem. And don’t think you can sort out the situation alone just because you’re an Academy student. Don’t get cocky just because you received a title either.”
Oh, he received family education via teleportation magic, delivered straight. They really are an identical father and son the more I look.
“And keep an eye on that newborn puppy too. He’s got a bad head and goes sniffing around everywhere without understanding the situation.”
“I’m not a newborn puppy….”
What exactly about me is dog-like that people keep treating me like a dog? Lampel hasn’t even seen my special tricks!
“The imperial family and temple bastards will keep trying to suppress you. The mages will keep expressing discontent too. Never get dragged in. Your getting angry is what those behind the scenes want.”
After leaving his final advice, Lampel chanted a spell and disappeared without saying goodbye.
“To freely use teleportation magic within the principality’s territory, His Grace is quite free-spirited.”
“Does that mean diplomatic law can go to hell?”
This guy is quick-witted too. Really perfect from one to ten, I could die from how adorable he is.
“Hey. As if. Now, let’s head back to the Academy!”
“Ppyoppyo!”
When I clapped my hands to refresh the atmosphere, Mitche also bounced up and down excitedly.
“Let’s plan next semester’s schedule on the way! I’ve already gotten the summer semester manual, you see.”
I pulled out from my pocket the Academy documents delivered express through various merchant guilds’ couriers and my special connections. No one in the tour group including Cedric would have read this yet. Seeing it, Cesare burst into loud laughter as if dumbfounded.
“My puppy has quick information gathering skills too.”
“Woof!”
When I barked imitating a dog, his eyes that had been sharply raised slowly settled down toward me.
However, the pounding pleasantness was brief. We, who were about to plan the schedule, had to swallow hard after seeing one line of text above the course list.
-Starting from the summer semester, all magic-related classes at the Imperial Academy have been completely cancelled.-
