What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 916

The Fifth Season (8)

I don’t know how many hours had passed since then.

By the time the memorial service was over and I returned to the Imperial Palace, the setting sun was already painting the western sky with hues of twilight.

I returned to Juliet’s Palace and hurriedly changed my clothes. The purple ceremonial robe carried a strong scent of myrrh and thyme.

The bishops of the Victory Prayer Society had spent a long time burning incense for the fallen soldiers and anointing their remains, and it seemed the fragrance had permeated my own body as well.

The head of the Imperial Palace’s costume department and the head of the makeup department, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, practically wrestled me out of the robe.

As soon as I managed to escape the ceremonial robe, I quickly changed into the hoodie I had worn yesterday.

“Thank you!”

“Your Highness, do you really have to leave right away?”

“Yeah. Sorry, Pierre. I’m leaving again as soon as I get back… If it’s okay, could you put this in a vase for me? I want to look at it for a long time.”

“No! That’s not what I meant. I’m just worried that you might be too tired. Yes, give it to me!”

The freckled page boy, who had been worried, returned to his usual earnest expression when I asked him to take care of the bouquet I had received from the Riester children.

Outside the door, familiar faces were gathered, including head chef Laurent and head servant Julia.

I encouraged Pierre with a bright smile and waved brightly to those watching outside.

They greeted me back, saying, “Your Highness!” with pleasure.

Ganael, who was packing my luggage, added kindly,

“Actually, moving around as often as you do now is typical of the great nobles.”

“Really?”

I asked, retying my shoelaces.

The heads of the costume department, who were tidying up the ceremonial robe, frowned slightly, as if they had never seen such ugly shoes in their lives. Hahaha.

“Yes, Your Highness. It’s not uncommon for them to travel between their estates and the Imperial Capital once a week, and if they have their own family businesses, they have several villas and move around every season. That’s separate from summer or winter retreats.”

“I see. No wonder everyone seems so busy.”

“Rather, Your Highness has stayed in the palace for quite a long time. I much prefer it when the person I serve is free to roam around like this. Ah!”

‘Of course, Your Highness’s health is the most important thing, as Pierre said!’ the boy urged, his golden eyes sparkling.

I laughed out loud and nodded.

My stamina has improved since I fully absorbed the Holy Relic, but I’ll still try not to overdo it.

As Ganael said, I had been busy since this morning.

I stayed at the Gigolt Caravanserai yesterday, spending time with the Prince and Cornelisse, and returned to the Imperial Capital with Ganael before sunrise.

After arriving, I was treated to a lavish meal and spent over an hour in the bathroom under the guise of ablutions [ritual cleansing].

Then, I received a little makeup, crammed in the things I had to do and the routes I had to take at the memorial service, ate snacks, met friends and greeted them…

‘-Swoosh…!’

‘Wow…!’

While I had been shining my halo the whole time, when I opened the Holy Domain for the first time for the fallen soldiers, the crowd, who had been watching in silence, exclaimed for the first time.

As it was a national event to commemorate the dead, there were hardly any reactions such as cheering or clapping, but there were often scenes where admiration burst out like that.

For example, when Cedric opened nine magic circles to encircle the cornerstone of the war memorial, or when Gain created an archway of clear water in front of the honor guard escorting the remains…

Finally, when Demi, Leah, and Perry bloomed white flowers profusely, many people shed tears. I was very touched too.

“Oh, Your Highness! This is an imperial bulletin posted on the Claire Square newsstand this morning. The official announcement was made just yesterday.”

“Ah, thank you.”

-Rustle, rustle

I was carefully checking the contents of my carry-on bag when Ganael received a large flyer from another servant and showed it to me.

‘‘.

…It was the final version, revised with the Prince’s input and approved by His Majesty the Emperor, of ‘Courtly Romance’.

“Since the rumor that the two of you are the Gemini of the Main God has already spread throughout the Imperial Capital, fortunately, there have been no negative reactions or particular resistance so far.”

“That’s good, really.”

I answered with a smile, quickly scanning the newly added sentence.

‘Since the two of you shared all senses and memories, it was difficult to bear each other’s hardships.’

“……”

Suddenly, my gaze turned to the window. I remembered what day yesterday was and fell silent.

The journey back to the desert became even busier.

The Gigolt Caravanserai was a historic inn that had hosted many celebrities and guests over hundreds of years.

Its scale and facilities were arguably the best in the desert, and based on Gigolt Village’s record-breaking monster defense rate and low crime rate—although there had been a few ‘accidents’—its security was also considered excellent.

However, today’s guests are…

-Clatter, clatter

“Elizabeth, try this. The chef’s grilling skills are superb.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

In that it was the grandest of grand guests—one that the dozens of managers who had passed through Gigolt had never served even once—it was enough to make all the villagers nervous.

Jibril clicked his tongue inwardly as he watched the manager, Zeromin, standing stiffly at the door.

A human who has served the Crown Prince, a Prince, and even an angel, is still no match for His Majesty the Emperor.

Well, it was understandable.

The elder in front of him was now, in name and reality, the master of the continent.

“I saw black smoke rising from the east since this morning. Is something happening in the Royal Capital?”

Jibril waved his hand dismissively at the manager and asked.

Then, Aurelie Boutier replied kindly,

“It’s work. Our priests are holding funerals for the dead ‘Fallen Ones’.”

Meanwhile, Prince Yser was smiling softly as he took care of Cornelisse’s meal.

The magician raised an eyebrow.

“I see.”

“We’re also cremating the remains of Yuri Fenetian. In many ways, he’s not qualified to be buried in the royal tomb.”

‘We’re also getting some clothes made.’ It was a tone no different from such small talk.

Aurelie sliced the slightly bloody beef with an elegant smile.

“Oh, and we’re also cleaning up the bodies of the death row inmates. Aren’t our soldiers diligent?”

“Yes.”

Indeed. That’s why the smoke hadn’t stopped all day. Jibril glanced at Cornelisse and thought.

The Imperial Army rearguard remaining in the Royal Capital was clearly turning the Royal Castle upside down under the guise of ‘restoration work’ in order to root out any curses or spells hidden by the founding king.

Moreover, if you went out to the outskirts of the Royal Capital, not to mention the area around the ‘summoning circle’ in question, there were more than a few areas where the New Divine Army had detonated Holy Stone bombs.

To thoroughly comb through and rebuild that vast land, surely…

The Imperial Army alone would not be efficient. There would be an overflow of soldiers homesick by now.

No, there was no need to deploy only the Imperial Army.

“Nobles who want to invest in new land will be lining up.”

If only the Imperial Family’s permission was given, there would be countless people who would bring money and rush here.

Liester nobles never miss the scent of money.

“Oh my.”

Then, the Cardinal’s beige eyes curved into crescents.

“You’re very interested in state affairs, Jibril. I knew you were clever since you were a child.”

“…Even a snot-nosed kid would know that much. I’m not interested in high positions.”

“What you can throw away because you’re not interested is also…”

-Clang!

At that moment, the Emperor put down his glass and opened his mouth.

In an instant, the table became as silent as if it had frozen over.

Elizabeth, who had been shoving meat into her mouth haphazardly, rolled her eyes and looked at the adults.

“…a privilege of snot-nosed kids. You are not.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Would your adjutants accept your exclusion from this meritorious service? Your family? And what about your parents and relatives?”

“……”

“I asked if those who fought and died with you would want your merits to be erased.”

“……”

That was a category of problem that Jibril had not yet considered.

He slowly moved his jaw and looked down at the plate.

“If you do not enjoy honor, the lives of those who wielded swords and staffs under you will also become meaningless.”

“……”

“Do not forget the duties of the Imperial Family. And…”

The Emperor blinked his red eyes and made a mischievous expression.

“Someone has to defend the Serenité March [border region], wouldn’t you say? It would be most reliable if it were a member of the Imperial Family.”

“…Wait a minute.”

“You will have to protect that lake.”

“Huh?”

‘Your Majesty.’ Jibril called out to his fifth cousin with a grimace, but Frederick completely ignored him and moved his spoon again.

Aurelie, who smiled faintly, called Benjamin and requested a few things.

For a while, there was no conversation at the table.

“…Your Majesty. Did you conclude the armistice negotiations well?”

And just as the meal was coming to an end, Prince Yser Fenetian asked politely.

The Emperor wiped his mouth and nodded.

“Yes. The Imperial Family has given it the nickname ‘Serenité Treaty’.”

“…It suits it well.”

The Prince replied.

Considering the beginning and end of the last war, it would be hard to find a more perfect name than that.

“…The Imperial Family’s lands and assets have all been reverted to the Imperial Family, and the assets of the war criminals have also been confiscated without leaving a single penny. The titles and fiefs of the nobles who surrendered to the Empire have been conditionally maintained.”

That was also a merciful and wise decision.

Rather than pushing out the current lords and establishing new lords, it was more helpful to the stability of the system to maintain the existing order by receiving oaths of allegiance from them and collecting tributes and taxes.

The Empire was originally a country unified by absorbing the lands of various lords and dukes, so this method was much more familiar.

“Also, the Fenetian Royal Capital… will be reorganized into a new province of the Empire and will be under my direct rule.”

-Knock knock

Around that time, Benjamin and the servants came in and served dessert.

The Sant and Nuit sisters, who appeared together, took Cornelisse out after asking for the Prince’s understanding.

Since they were all familiar with the young princess, the girl readily accepted the suggestion of ‘more delicious stollen [German Christmas bread]’ and got up from her seat.

The Emperor opened his mouth only after the child’s presence had completely disappeared.

“…But someday you, or your sister, will rule that place.”

“……”

“What do you think?”

“…I am an illegitimate child of Christaena. Although I have been recognized as her bloodline, it would be difficult to assert that there are no political flaws.”

The Prince looked at Cornelisse’s empty seat for a moment.

There was a pair of corrective chopsticks for children where the child had left.

With cute pink pigs attached to the ends.

“The justification of being the Gemini of the Main God is plausible enough to gain the faith of the people, but it is not enough to gain the trust of cunning nobles. Wouldn’t Cornelisse be a more suitable talent for politics than I am?”

“…There will still be those who regard you as a political enemy. I understand.”

The Emperor replied, and the Prince nodded.

Aurelie looked at him with warm eyes.

“There’s no need to worry too much, Prince. The princess will receive the best education and protection from the Imperial Family. And you can meet the Prince and her mother at any time. If you want, I’ll let her priest partner study abroad with her.”

“…I am deeply grateful for your kindness on behalf of Cornelisse.”

Yser Fenetian was very dignified, but there was a strange anxiety in his face.

Frederick saw through his secret darkness at once.

He was very skilled at managing his expressions and maintaining his posture for a young man of his age, but he could not deceive the Emperor of the world, no matter who else he could deceive.

She observed the Prince for a long time, pointing out one by one the things that could be the cause of his worries or depression.

“……”

And soon she found it.

A pair of unfamiliar utensils also placed on the Prince’s seat.

“…What is that?”

“…Yesterday, Princess Yser gave it to me as a birthday present.”

A smile formed on the Prince’s lips as he answered.

He was now caressing the stick with the pig-shaped decoration.

He seemed to be quite fond of the Princess when he thought of her…

Indeed, that’s right.

“Did she give you three pairs?”

“…I’m sorry. How did Your Majesty know that?”

“Ha.”

Of course. The Emperor shook her head and laughed it off.

There was no way that the cute thing would have only taken care of the Prince on his birthday, and she must have given gifts to the young princess as well as the Crown Princess who had become a fruit.

If so, it was easy to guess why the Prince was somewhat sullen.

“Jibril. Is the spirit still not here?”

“Yes, well. They say the time is near, but there’s no special news.”

“……”

Since there was no change in the fruit even after his birthday, he must have felt worried and sad.

The Emperor, accepting the reason, silently sipped his wine.

However, the Prince did not touch the wine until the end of the meal.

That night.

-……Tteum-ah, Eutteum-ah.

“……”

Frederick Liester, who had been dozing off for a while, slowly opened her eyes, bathed in bright rays of light.

Bright moonlight was pouring onto the sofa she was sitting on.