Chapter . 73
The noblewomen did not see jealousy or obsession as virtues in a lover. Many husbands killed their wives for having affairs while they themselves cheated. The claim that treating each other's lovers casually was elegant was spreading.
Of course, if I had favored a commoner woman for a long time, they would have become incarnations of jealousy.
However, Yolande returned from flashy dresses to comfortable mage robes and cast off the Charm Magic she detested. Showing no sign of a commoner acting arrogantly with the Prince's favor.
“A man among men, emulate Prince Leontes!”
“A knight among knights, let us praise Prince Leontes!”
Thus, I ascended as the Knight of Purity with the unexpected support of the noblewomen. Even without scattering gold to bards, this title, which spread from mouth to mouth and solidified, was quite pleasing to me.
“You, a Knight of Purity! Hahahaha!”
Michelon laughed.
“Because a royal's pure love is a rare case. In fact, Grimiati is famous for that. But he is a collateral branch and Roncer's ambassador.”
“So you, a direct descendant Prince and younger, are in the spotlight as the future guardian of court romance?”
“Something like that.”
“Haha, Desmond will beat the ground in regret, hahahaha!”
“It is joyous that a stratagem to defeat an enemy succeeds, but it is even more joyous that trying to save my people brought other achievements as well.”
When I said that while looking at Yolande and Vincent, both of them teared up.
“I will be loyal to Your Highness for the rest of my life.”
“How can I ever repay this grace.”
“…I am grateful too. Because it is a realization I would not have known without you two.”
The accumulation of such realizations one by one was also the process of becoming a monarch.
Of course, Desmond not only beat the ground in regret but was also envious and angry. To the point of picking a fight as soon as we crossed paths in the hallway.
“…You seem to be in a very good mood these days. Your face is very triumphant.”
“Impossible. I am already busy just thinking about other things. Since my head is not filled only with that matter like you, it is not to the extent that I have no room to think of other things.”
Desmond disappeared while barely greeting me, snorting like a bull, but I was sincere. I had accomplished what I naturally intended to do as the future Emperor more easily than I thought, and receiving unexpected rewards and praise was indeed enjoyable.
However, due to my nature, rather than enjoying that pleasure, I ended up focusing on the next problem. This aspect is not very good, but I originally had a problematic personality. Wondering how it would have been if Nanny had lived longer, and missing her too.
“What is that problem?”
Michelon, who was watching our conversation with a smile, asked.
“The estate is the biggest problem.”
Sir Rolf answered on behalf of me, who didn't even want to open my mouth.
Currently, I was a Prince without an estate, all alone. As a son of a noble, even if one lost their mother like me, it was common to inherit the mother's dowry estate. Although they might fight with the father who covets that estate.
However, my Mother brought enormous gold instead of an estate. If it were an estate, even if the large part went to Father and Maximilian, a little would have returned to me.
‘This is all because of Grimiati, who insisted during the marriage negotiations that he would rather give more gold but absolutely no land.’
Not to mention Maximilian or Desmond, even Alexander received a title with an estate as an illegitimate son of the Emperor. He also received more estates for his merits as a Sword Master.
So only I was in a state with no house, no land, and no castle. Even if everyone was expelled from the Imperial Palace incurring Father's wrath, they could go to their own house in their own estate, but I would become a wanderer again.
‘Above all, without an estate, I cannot establish my own court.’
Court (Curia) is a word originally derived from the meaning of a court of law. Only one who has established the right of judgment by ruling over the people can establish it. Those interfered with by the Emperor's judicial officers, priests, or neighboring lords are not recognized even if they establish one.
In the old days, a well-fortified castle was enough, but now there must be a palace surrounded by a fortress to safely hold trials and balls at the same time.
Only then do people gather. Whether flatterers smelling money or knights trying to sell their loyalty, those who obey my authority and acknowledge me as their master.
However, Father bestowed enormous money upon me but not an estate.
“Buy one. There are many nobles whose estates are mortgaged due to gambling debts. I have selected only the places suitable as strategic points. Buy from these. Buy quickly. To build a castle to my liking, you have to start building from now. If you want to wage war, you must have a base to raise an army.”
The warmonger dragon pestered me, and honestly, I considered it.
“All other brothers except me received estates from Father.”
“So? If you don't receive it from the Emperor too, do you lose face?”
…It wasn't just a matter of face. But I wanted to know Father's intention. I tried to negotiate with Chancellor Cuaron too, but the Chancellor made up an absurd excuse that Father loves me too much and does not want me to go far from the Imperial Palace.
“Didn't he bestow estates on other brothers because he doesn't love them?”
“Hoho, it means he loves Your Highness that much more, hohohoho. Does it not mean you are his most beloved son? Even the famous Carolus the Great of old loved his daughters so much that he did not let them marry, hoho.”
“That was because he didn't want his paternal grandsons to fight over succession rights with maternal grandsons; as proof, when one of his daughters fell in love with someone of low status, he let them marry!”
“Hoho, those are valid words. But I cannot say that His Majesty the Emperor did not bestow an estate because he hates Your Highness the most, can I? Since it is truly the opposite, hohohoho.”
However, when I showed signs of anger, the Chancellor quickly flattered me gently and promised to speak to Father. Saying that he also wished Father would bestow an estate on me to solidify the relationship further.
At the next banquet, Father personally approached me and hugged me.
“My beloved son, Knight of Purity!”
As if he were someone who had held and raised me since I was a baby.
‘Suspicious.’
Even if I noticed immediately and was wary, it was futile. Since it was an attack that would be disastrous to avoid in the first place. I had no choice but to stand there unable to move and endure it.
Even after separating from me, Father held my shoulders with both hands and said. In front of the courtiers staring intently at this rare spectacle.
“My most beloved son, do you doubt my love?”
This was the unique rhetoric of Lombroso IV. Usually, one gives a basis before making a claim. When asking others, one gives the reason why they are asking beforehand.
At least between ‘my most beloved son’ and ‘do you doubt my love’, shouldn't there be at least one sentence like ‘I am sorry I could not express my favor enough’ or ‘I heard you were disappointed not to receive an estate’?
Asking abruptly like that, there can be only one answer. Otherwise, I would become a child hated by Father again in front of everyone. No, going a step further, I would become an unfilial son denying Father's love.
“No, Father.”
“Indeed, how could my most beloved son not know my love? Is that possible? If there is anyone who denies it, come forward.”
He even asked the people this time.
Judging only by his actions, he seemed ready to not leave anyone alone who denied his favor towards me.
Maximilian and Desmond still had angry faces. Because Father had never been like that to any of the brothers. Only Alexander managed his expression well.
“How could we not know? His Majesty the Emperor loves Prince Leontes the most.”
However, Grimiati was the first to wag his serpentine tongue. To flatter the Emperor and thereby provoke the pride of his grandnephew Maximilian. It was something the Duke of Lauderdale, who was wary of his sister, could never do.
On the other hand, Rhiannon had an expression more sensitive to the Emperor than to her son. Indeed, a courtier who grasps the Emperor's inner thoughts best, including the direct royal family. It was the secret to receiving the Emperor's favor for the longest time, rising to the position of Empress from a humble status.
If there was anyone here who would not be deceived by Father's love for me like I was, it was her.
“That is correct, Your Majesty!”
“The sight of the father and son is truly beautiful!”
“I am deeply moved!”
Following the Duke who deserved to be struck by lightning, everyone competed to flatter.
I should have held back then.
“You love me the most, so I do not know what to do with myself, Father. Then, may I take this as meaning you will bestow an estate upon me?”
I shouldn't have said it so openly, but frustrated by Father's way of speaking…….
“Your estate is my embrace.”
Father told a shameless lie without changing his expression once.
“Since you are my most beloved son, stay always by my side and serve me from the closest distance. Even if others leave me, the one remaining by my side until the end must be you.”
The words are as fine as silk. But in the end, it meant not to leave the Imperial Palace or the Capital. Among the royal family, I was the only one who hadn't done so until now.
Everyone used to visit famous places in Armatia even for recreation or sightseeing. They were invited not only to their own estates but also to the estates of relatives or acquaintances. Even the youngest, Desmond, frequently visited his estate and Lauderdale's estate. Duke Grimiati's invitation would not have been a problem if the intention wasn't impure.
But I, who had never left the Imperial Palace let alone the Capital, suffered unspeakably when exiled before the regression.
‘Something that didn't happen before the regression, yet something that makes the situation more difficult.’
Since it follows success, the feeling wasn't entirely bad.
Father's face, as emotionless as always while claiming to love me the most. Yet his bright eyes piercing through my reaction in detail.
“Beloved Father.”
I said with all my might. The only person here for whom acting skills could be not just terrible but entirely insincere was Father alone.
“It is truly an honor. I will gladly rule the estate you have bestowed upon me for you, Father.”
Saying so, I extended one arm and pointed at the people, at the place where they were gathered. As if meaning the Imperial Palace itself.
The faces of my brothers, whose eyes were saying ‘poor thing having no estate, you'll be tied to father's side forever’, stiffened all at once. Because I expanded the interpretation of the rhetoric pressuring me as if I were inheriting Father's court, including the Imperial Palace. As expected, they followed my meaning well.
‘If it is the Emperor's embrace, it cannot not be the Imperial Palace.’
If Father intended to tie me down without letting me out like a dragon's egg, I also had to gain what I could gain.
Father looked down at me. I also looked back at Father.
Then, Father laughed. As if impressed.
“My most beloved son speaks so beautifully too.”
Then he hugged me again and said.
“If you wish, how could I not grant it.”
Saying so, yet not bestowing an estate in the end.
Then, the gazes of my brothers jealous of me no longer felt thrilling. Since it only grew their hostility while there was no substantial gain. Just as Father subtly induced.
“Prince Leontes, it is an honor to meet you. I have recently been appointed and wish to greet you.”
Still, since then, the procession of those coming to pay respects, whether foreign ambassadors or high-ranking officials, was endless. Because anyone ignoring me, whom the Emperor acknowledged as his most beloved son in front of everyone, would only be ignored by everyone as foolish.
“Your Highness, I wish to petition you about a most unjust matter.”
Above all, there were countless people coming to solicit favors, bringing gifts as if it were natural. Assuming I had filled the position of the Favorite Subject that had been empty.
What is the life of that Favorite Subject like?
“Wake up. Stop sleeping and wake up!”
I naturally wake up early in the morning. But now Michelon woke me up from dawn. Because I have to go see Father every morning.