What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 156

#156 Intrigue (1)

My memory cut off right in Romero Palace.

And Eva said I ‘stood her up’ and returned to the Archduke’s mansion.

How should I compensate for this?

“Jambo [a respectful greeting]. You are Jambo, Your Highness.”

“Yes, Eva. I’m sorry.”

The young lady grumbled, and I apologized repeatedly.

We were diligently walking through the front yard of the Imperial Palace temple, each dressed in bishop and archbishop robes.

I remember supplying Ether to Sadie and then falling asleep because I was too tired.

But I had no idea what happened after that.

When I came to, I was in the Juliette Palace, and the sun was setting in the west.

Cristel also just watched me wake up and headed to the Archduke’s mansion.

Before leaving, she said this:

‘His Highness the Crown Prince is fine. Don’t worry and get some rest. He will explain everything himself.’

I heard that the servant Pierre carried me to the bedroom.

He’s always been diligent, and it turns out he’s also strong. I was grateful and sorry, so I treated him to beef.

Two days have passed since then, and today was the day of the knighting ceremony for Crown Prince Cedrick and Cristel.

“Still, Benjamin gave them Your Highness’s measurements. He had recently taken new measurements to make the archbishop’s robes. The disguise order was successfully placed.”

‘All props and costumes will arrive at the lord’s castle by the 29th,’ Eva added.

I glanced at Benjamin and Ganael, who were following behind.

The two shrugged with a smile.

It seemed they had a hard time calming the young lady’s anger while I was sound asleep.

I should treat them to a separate dinner as well.

“It’s a precious disguise made stitch by stitch by artisans in the duchy. But why did you suddenly fall asleep? Was dancing with me that grueling for Your Highness?”

The child snapped.

I had been dancing with Eva whenever I had the chance since returning from Serenite, but it wasn’t that difficult.

Both I and Prince Yeser’s body were in good shape in terms of stamina and strength.

As a result of trying out a waltz with Eva, I was praised for having a talent for dancing.

Although my martial prowess is 0, I seemed to have somehow acquired essential skills such as horseback riding and dancing.

Even though he was inferior to the main male lead in many ways, the sub-male lead was indeed a sub-male lead.

“The practice was not grueling. Eva taught me kindly. I guess I’ve been busy lately, so fatigue must have accumulated without me knowing. The blankets at Romero Palace were nice.”

I replied. Eva, who was nodding in satisfaction, stopped walking.

The young lady looked up at me with wide eyes.

“······Are you saying you went into His Highness the Crown Prince’s bedroom?”

“That’s right.”

Eva lowered her voice, so I whispered along.

A temple knight guarding the group glanced at us.

Only then did I realize I had made a mistake.

I was a hostage from a hostile country before being a divine partner, so it wouldn’t look good for me to step into the Crown Prince’s most private space.

The young lady would believe me, but there was no benefit to spreading such rumors.

“Don’t worry. I wasn’t alone. Lord Sarnese was with me, and David was waiting outside.”

“Oh my!”

The young lady’s face turned as red as strawberry jam.

I was flustered and looked back at my aides.

Ganael gestured around his neck, signaling me to stop.

Benjamin calmly closed his eyes. It was then.

“You’d better know your place.”

It was a voice I had never heard before. I quickly turned my head and saw a strange man.

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the temple’s main gate.

Attendants and knights assisting Cardinal Boutier bowed to me.

However, the one who spoke to me simply tilted his chin.

Wait, where have I seen him before?

“Commander Bakari, please show proper respect. This is the First Prince of the Holy Nation, the Marquis of the Empire, and the blessed Archbishop Eunha.”

“You, with your ‘prophecy’ specialty, must know. You should also apologize for your impious words.”

Benjamin and Ganael reacted sharply first.

Eva glared at the other person fiercely, then took out a fancy fan from her sleeve and snapped it open!

Then, she loudly muttered to herself as if to make him hear insults like ‘unlucky’ and ‘doesn’t know his place.’

A strange standoff continued without a response from the other side.

I understood that everyone was upset, but I was actually more curious than displeased.

After observing him for a while, the other party finally slowly paid his respects.

A ‘commander’ with a ‘prophecy’ specialty.

“······I am Modest Bakari of the Fleur-de-lis [a symbol often associated with French royalty and nobility]. I greet the Moon of the Holy Nation.”

My prediction was correct. I nodded back and raised the corners of my lips.

The man was the youngest leader of the ‘Fleur-de-lis,’ the Emperor’s direct magic advisory group.

A pair of large, round glasses covered his youthful face, making his impression different from when he was at the Crown Prince’s appointment ceremony.

The blue-green eyes looked quite stubborn.

The navy blue damask robe embroidered with the zodiac signs of the Imperial Palace in silver thread looked like it contained a spoonful of the night sky when viewed up close.

He’s smaller than I thought.

“I will not apologize for giving a warning. As a receiver of revelations, I have only done what I had to do.”

“Yes. I have heard a lot about the activities of the Fleur-de-lis.”

I replied readily to the young voice.

“Trusting in the 80% accuracy you boast, I will pay attention to the 20% exception as well. Will that be enough?”

And as I smiled, the young prophet’s face stiffened.

I gave him a light nod and looked to the side.

The knights, who had been blankly watching us, hurriedly opened the entrance.

-Kooong!

The heavy temple door opened its mouth. I escorted Eva and slowly entered.

From behind, Ganael whispered, ‘I think I drank a hundred glasses of cider [implying he feels refreshed or relieved].’

I barely managed to hold back my laughter.

The commander was the guy who glared at me a lot during the Crown Prince’s appointment ceremony, so I thought it would be okay to have a go at him once.

*

The interior of the temple, where the protagonists’ knighting ceremony was being held, was packed with high-ranking clergy and great nobles from all over the empire.

I had seen a scene full of guests at the spring ball, but today the atmosphere was completely different.

A choir composed of young subdeacons was singing hymns in a very old language.

I naturally felt reverent. Even though I’m not a believer, strictly speaking.

“This way, Eunha.”

“Yes, Natalie.”

I rarely heard the honorific ‘Eunha,’ so it felt awkward.

Benjamin and Ganael took their seats on one side of the pew, and Eva headed to the priests’ seats.

I followed Natalie and moved towards where the cardinal was.

On the platform next to the confessional, a purple carpet and a golden altar were prepared, and three chalices made entirely of gold shone brightly from the highest point.

All the gold candlesticks in the temple were lit.

The bishops I had seen at the annual prayer meeting glared at me and constantly whispered.

Yeah, somehow I ended up being the protagonists’ partner. If you don’t like it, call the author [a humorous way of deflecting responsibility].

“Welcome, my disciple.”

Cardinal Boutier, sitting on the throne, greeted me.

She was dressed in gorgeous formal attire and held the cardinal’s scepter in her right hand.

As I bowed politely, my teacher smiled softly, giving a blessing with her left hand.

“Come to think of it, Your Highness doesn’t have a bishop’s staff. The luggage you brought from the Holy Nation was simple.”

“Ah, yes.”

I replied vaguely.

Only the author knew whether I had left it behind or whether a bishop like me never had one in the first place [another self-aware, humorous remark].

Behind my teacher was a throne one step higher.

I also politely greeted the person sitting there.

“I greet the Sun who has descended to earth.”

“Come closer.”

Emperor Frederica beckoned with her index finger.

Next to her stood Lord Johann, the monarch’s sword and the Crown Prince’s teacher, with a cool expression.

As soon as his eyes met mine, he curved his eyes. The atmosphere changed completely.

“You called?”

“How is the Holy Stone experiment going?”

“That is······.”

-Deng, deng, deng······

At that moment, the clear sound of a bell cut through the conversation.

The murmuring hall became quiet as if cold water had been poured on it.

Then, with a ‘koong’ sound, the main door opened, and the silhouettes of two handsome men and women appeared.

I reflexively gasped.

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“I’m sorry.”

As I immediately showed a repentant attitude, the Emperor chuckled.

Cristel and the Crown Prince began to walk towards the altar at the same pace.

Unlike the priests, the holy knights did not have a set uniform, so both of them were dressed similarly to usual.

However, their eyes contained unfamiliar tension and determination.

The believers stared blankly at the official couple. I felt proud for no reason.

-Tick, tock, tick

The man and woman standing before the cardinal knelt on their respective cushions.

Yesterday, according to Lord Johann’s instructions, the two had spent the whole day bathing, praying, and even receiving prior education.

Seeing them performing the ceremony side by side like that, it felt like a wedding rehearsal, and my heart was pounding.

Marquis Dwiem would be the emcee, but I could be the one to receive the congratulatory money [referring to wedding gift money, expressing excitement about the event].

At that moment, Cristel, who had slightly raised her head, found me at once.

She winked at me with both eyes alternately and then quickly lowered her head. I chuckled.

[We pray to the proud chief god of the great continent.]

-Paaat!

The beginning of the ceremony was similar to the annual prayer meeting.

As the cardinal chanted the prayer and unfolded the sanctuary, the believers bowed their heads.

I was about to close my eyes when the Emperor whispered again.

“Didn’t you say that the priest’s power helps stabilize the Holy Stone?”

“Yes, that’s what I reported. Since yesterday, I have been opening sanctuaries for the divine beasts and applying them.”

I replied. She frowned.

“I don’t understand. Aren’t there two ways for a priest to give Ether?”

“That’s right.”

I nodded my head. At the front of the platform, the cardinal was consecrating the protagonists.

A priest was holding open a thick bible next to her, like an old phone book.

[May you defend the chief god with life, may you choose eternity between life and death, may you breathe even where the chief god is not present······.]

“Why don’t you experiment with physical contact?”

“The sanctuary is much safer for the priest, and it is an environment where it is easier to control Ether. However, we plan to try the contact method later.”

I explained gently. The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

“Then try everything with the holy knight. I’ll pretend I didn’t see you holding hands or hugging in the Imperial Palace.”

“Excuse me?”

My voice cracked and popped. Some of the bishops assisting the cardinal glanced this way.

I covered my flushed face with my sleeve and looked at the Emperor.

She mischievously raised her lips. I was teased again, damn it.

“He’s like my husband when he was young.”

“Could you say that again?”

“King Christner sent a top-secret letter.”

The Emperor instantly changed her expression and changed the subject.

I felt suffocated and looked at her.

I looked around to see if anyone had heard, but fortunately, everyone in the temple was focused on the knighting ceremony.

Only then did I realize why she had bothered to call me during the ceremony.

This was the Emperor’s main point. My mouth wouldn’t open easily.

“The contents······. May I ask about the contents?”

“One is mine, and the other is written to you. I haven’t read that one. I’m also a person with children.”

‘I have no intention of mocking the feelings of a mother who sent her son to another country,’ she muttered.

I waited for the next words, feeling my palms getting wet.

Unconsciously, my tongue felt dry and parched. Surely not. It can’t be.

“He didn’t ask for renegotiation.”

“······.”

“He asked about me and the Imperial Family’s well-being and thanked me for giving you a title. That was all.”

As soon as the sentence ended, I felt relieved.

I took a deep breath and tried to fix my expression.

The Emperor looked at me and laughed as if she was dumbfounded.

“Do you dislike going back that much?”

“······To be honest, yes. But I want to meet Princess Royal and the Second Princess.”

She clicked her tongue briefly. Then she moved her finger again.

I moved closer to the Emperor.

“Send the chief of staff separately after the ceremony. He will deliver the letter.”

“Thank you.”

“Will you write a reply?”

The cherry-colored eyes stared straight at me. My lips were sealed as if by magic.

It was a completely unexpected question, so the answer didn’t come out right away.

“If you wish, I will send a letter to your mother.”

“······.”

It was an enormous favor. My mind spun instantly. But the deliberation didn’t last long.

I lowered my gaze politely and whispered the best answer that an involuntary possessor and a hostage from a hostile country could give.

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s boundless grace. But I am content with just being able to keep my mother’s precious letter. I will not ask for more.”