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Generally, since Electors possessed power that was, in some ways, even more formidable than the Emperor's, it wasn't particularly strange for a Prince to accompany an Elector during an audience.
However, it was only natural for the Emperor to feel deeply dissatisfied seeing his son acting as a messenger bird for Herbert Achen.
This wasn't merely because he knew that Elio Foldenbach was the one responsible for killing the Emperor's most beloved eldest son.
Generally, one who is to sit upon the throne must not simply advocate for the words of a close aide, no matter how powerful they are. To do so only signifies a lack of qualification.
Yet, from the moment he met the Emperor, Prince Elio had been acting as if he were Herbert's proxy. It was strange.
While Prince Elio was violent and moody, it was to a degree that the public could easily package as being ‘manly’ or ‘bold.’
Furthermore, since the death of the first prince, he had been intentionally laying low. He was not the type to blindly cling to a single issue to this extent.
Thus, the Emperor found it all the more puzzling and unpleasant.
“It is not a settled matter! This kidnapping marriage must be annulled even now.”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes and asked.
“Why does the Prince think so?”
“Times have changed. Even if women are beings who follow men, a household is fundamentally formed by the harmony of two people. Rahan Norwich kidnapped and raped Iris Achen, ignoring Iris Achen's will. The Imperial Family has a duty not to stand by while such an atrocious act is committed.”
At first glance, it sounded plausible. Had this not been a matter of House Achen, the Emperor might have praised Elio. However, there was a blind spot in Elio's words.
The Emperor replied sharply.
“Then what about the fact that House Achen ordered Iris Achen to marry Philod Ahen?”
“I am not sure what you mean.”
The Prince acted coy, pretending not to know. The Emperor suppressed the urge to snort and continued.
“According to the Prince's logic, should that marriage not also have been carried out reflecting Iris Achen's will?”
“…That is because it was the will of the head of the house. As a member of the family, I believe it is proper to follow what the head of the house has decided.”
The Emperor now felt miserable. His son had left the eldest, whom the Emperor loved particularly, a half-cripple. And not satisfied with that, he eventually drowned him. He had completely ignored his father's plea to spare his brother's life.
And yet, he dared to chatter so brazenly. The Emperor asked much more aggressively than before.
“But Prince. The girl named Iris Achen is the daughter of Licht Achen. Therefore, she should be the highest priority successor to the title of Elector. Is that not so?”
“That is true, but…”
“Then would it not be correct for Iris Achen to become the head of House Achen?”
At those words, Elio's complexion changed abruptly.
“Does that mean you intend to seat Iris Achen as the head of the Achen Ducal House…?”
My son, why are you acting so stupidly today?
The Emperor barely managed to suppress the urge to scream.
“The affairs of an Elector's house are not something even the Emperor can speak of recklessly. I am merely pointing out that Iris Achen is not in a position where she must simply follow Herbert Achen's instructions.”
“T-that is true. But it is custom in family matters to follow the elders…”
Elio began to ramble again. The Emperor no longer wished to listen to him.
Simply meeting Elio had made the Emperor rapidly exhausted. Of course, the desire not to provoke Herbert Achen, one of the powerful Electors, also played a part.
“Prince. Since House Achen is so influential, would it not be better to leave such a sensitive matter to House Achen? The entire Empire is already in a state of unrest.”
Potato Blight, plagues, and magical beasts. The Foldenbach Empire, being as vast as it was, suffered from many problems simultaneously.
But recently, things had been more chaotic than ever. All sorts of problems from numerous territories arrived at the imperial capital labeled as urgent reports.
“Fortunately, it seems the Achen Duchy has no particular problems yet. To the point where you've come all the way to the capital for such a trivial family matter.”
They should just handle their own family fights; they must be quite bored. The Prince reacted positively to the sarcastic remark made while looking outside.
“Ah, that is indeed a great relief. It seems the Achen territory is peaceful. There should be no major issues with the Empire's food supply.”
Unaware that his words would further twist the Emperor's mood. However, before the Emperor could act out of spite, he felt a strange sensation.
The season was already early summer. But since the Achen territory was much further south, the heat would already be hitting. Plagues usually travel with the heat, yet the Achen territory is peaceful?
“It seems Eridrahan is protecting House Achen.”
Of course, it could be a coincidence. They might be extremely lucky, or perhaps Herbert Achen's ability to govern his territory was actually decent.
But the Emperor had known Herbert for twenty years. He had never thought of him as a decent lord. He didn't know what it was, but he felt an uneasy sensation.
“I will send a message to Iris Achen through Grand Duke Lacheize soon.”
“Your Majesty, with that alone…”
As expected, Elio frowned deeply at the mention of his sister's name. The Emperor waved his hand with a feeling of weariness.
“Instead of Grand Duke Lacheize, I shall summon Iris Achen herself.”
Only then did the Prince's brow unfurl.
If it were up to him, the Emperor felt like quickly picking Yvette Lacheize as the next Emperor and running away.
Why does the throne make even the bonds of blood wither away?
It was a thought far too lacking in realism for someone sitting on the throne. However, no one would blame an old and exhausted Emperor for being sentimental.
But because of that, the Emperor missed what thoughts his son was hiding behind his act of playing the fool.
The Emperor irritably dismissed the Prince, and the Prince left cheerfully. He seemed excited to have something to brag about to Herbert Achen; as soon as he stepped out, he was seen gesturing to the Duke of Achen.
The Emperor called a maid and ordered her to fan him.
It seemed summer was coming soon.
* * *
“You are summoning Iris Achen to the capital?”
Herbert Achen's face turned pale. The reason he had rushed to the capital in the first place was to use Prince Elio to bring Iris Achen back to the Achen Duchy.
But the Emperor did not go according to Herbert's wishes.
“Your Highness! Why would His Majesty the Emperor…!”
Moreover, to the capital?
“Is this not different from what was promised?”
Herbert protested strongly to Prince Elio. The Prince shrugged.
“I also tried my best to persuade His Majesty. Did you not see?”
“Effort, my foot!”
What effort! Herbert gnashed his teeth. The Emperor had always hated it when Electors tried to climb over his head.
He seemed utterly sick of the tug-of-war he had played among the Electors during his time as Crown Prince.
Knowing the Emperor's temperament, Herbert had intentionally asked Prince Elio for the favor and waited with his back bent outside the audience chamber.
“His Majesty the Emperor says this is the best way, so what can be done? Duke Achen, it is unfortunate.”
But Prince Elio was acting stupidly, unlike himself. If Yvette Lacheize was cunning, Prince Elio was no less so.
Prince Elio was a man who could manipulate people with his combination of craftiness and boldness. So why did this result occur?
Herbert felt a fire raging inside him.
It was only last night that he had heard the news that sending magical beasts to Arnsberg had failed.
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