~Chaptet 22~
“Then, you must have had many conversations with His Highness the Grand Duke? How was it?”
“What do you mean ‘how’? Uh… he’s a good person.”
Why is she suddenly asking this?
I answered, feeling confused, and Aileen’s expression became even more peculiar. It wasn’t exactly a satisfied look, nor was it one of displeasure. It seemed more like she wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Isn’t His Highness quite handsome?”
“Yes, he is handsome.”
I made a puzzled face, increasingly unsure of where this conversation was going.
It was true that Latryne was handsome, and I knew that Aileen had a preference for such features. There had been mention in the novel of how Aileen had once admitted that Latryne’s looks were closer to her ideal type.
I never imagined that Aileen and I would have the same taste in men, though.
‘I mean, I know that, but…’
I kept wondering why she was asking me this.
Sensing my confusion, Aileen spoke again.
“Well, actually… marriage proposals keep coming in for the Grand Duke. As you know, His Grace is an important figure in our kingdom. It’s not exactly appropriate for someone of his status to remain unmarried.”
“But doesn’t he already have a successor? Is it necessary for him to get married?”
Setting aside the question of why Aileen was telling me this, I was already in shock just hearing about Latryne’s marriage.
Aileen, with a troubled expression, replied.
“You’re right. His Majesty also argued that there wasn’t a need for marriage since he already has a successor, but the council elders are stubborn. They’re pushing hard for His Highness’s marriage.”
“What about Latryne? If he doesn’t want to, they can’t force him to marry, right? What did Latryne say?”
I remembered Latryne telling me that he wasn’t interested in marriage, so I asked.
“They haven’t properly discussed it yet. You’re right, if he doesn’t want it, they shouldn’t force it. But from what I hear, the elders seem determined to push through with it, which is why I wanted to ask you first… Wait, Litya? Where are you going?”
Upon hearing that, I stood up and started heading out of the room.
Aileen, who had been talking, was startled and followed after me when I suddenly got up.
“Litya, wait a moment! We’re not done talking yet…!”
I had a bad feeling the council elders would pull something like this. I’d never liked their ways. If they were really going to force Latryne into marriage, I was prepared to storm into the council chambers and cause a scene to stop it.
The idea of forcing someone into a marriage they didn’t want was ridiculous.
Besides, Sertien was already there to take over, so there was no worry about who would succeed.
Frankly, even if Latryne himself had wanted to marry, I would have tried to stop him.
Still in my uniform, I rushed toward the council chamber.
The place Phaedris took Latryne to was a small room.
It was a rarely used room, which made Latryne wonder why Phaedris had brought him here.
But soon, that question was answered.
“Your Majesty, as you ordered, I have brought the meal.”
“Good work.”
It seemed they were about to have a simple meal.
At Phaedris’s command, the servant quickly set up the table and left the room.
“The soundproofing in our palace is quite good. You can say anything here. It’s just the two of us.”
“…”
“What’s wrong? Have you already eaten?”
“No, actually, I am a bit hungry.”
Even though Latryne had eaten with Sertien before coming to the palace, he said that anyway.
More than the fact that he had already eaten, what concerned him more was why Phaedris wanted to be alone with him.
“I just wanted to have a meal with you, so stop looking at me like that. Didn’t we used to have meals like this when it was just the two of us, before you left the palace?”
“…Yes, we did.”
Latryne muttered absently as he stared at the table.
Phaedris’s confident expression faltered slightly as he looked at Latryne, who remained expressionless.
“I’m glad you’re back.”
Latryne lifted his head and looked at Phaedris.
His tone was different from usual.
Latryne knew well about his more casual way of speaking that Phaedris sometimes used.
Although Phaedris usually maintained the dignity of an emperor, when he spoke with Latryne, he often switched to his more personal tone.
Phaedris had relied on Latryne more than his own brother, Ered.
And Latryne was aware of just how much Phaedris depended on him.
After hesitating for a while, Latryne asked Phaedris.
“…Did you feel lonely when I left the palace?”
“I felt very lonely.”
“I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize. I’m just saying that because I relied on you and liked you that much. I know you must have had your own reasons. It did hurt a little that you didn’t explain everything to me, though.”
As he spoke, Phaedris cut a piece of the steak in front of him and took a bite.
Latryne also started eating the food in front of him, little by little.
“As you know, this palace is full of scheming people. It’s hard to trust anyone when you’re alone. Especially for me as the emperor, I can’t just share my thoughts with anyone. You never know who might betray you.”
“…”
“But I know you won’t do that.”
“…It seems like something is troubling you.”
Latryne finally realized that Phaedris had something on his mind and said that.
Phaedris spoke with a bitter expression.
“Yes… I feel bad for bringing this up as soon as you’ve returned. Especially since you’re going through such a difficult time.”
“It’s alright. I haven’t had the chance to listen to Your Majesty’s concerns for a while.”
“That’s why I appreciate you.”
Phaedris smiled as he said this.
“…Latryne, you once told me that maybe my royal power hadn’t manifested yet and that it might still come later.”
“…”
“Four years have passed, but still, the power shows no sign of appearing. Could it be that… I truly don’t possess it?”
The royal family of this country inherited a unique power passed down through the generations.
In order to ensure this power continued, it was essential to maintain the royal bloodline.
Latryne, who understood these circumstances well, responded calmly.
“Even if that’s the case, it doesn’t diminish Your Majesty’s right to the throne. After all, this power is mostly symbolic and rarely used, right? Not having it won’t cause any issues with succession, so there’s no need to worry about that.”
“…But… Do you remember my father?”
“…”
“My father was constantly attacked for not inheriting the power.”
At the mention of the former emperor, Latryne twitched his fingers under the table.
“If that ever happens, I’ll be here to stop it. You don’t need to worry about that.”
“Thank you for saying that, even if it’s just words.”
It seemed Phaedris was comforted by Latryne’s words.
Phaedris smiled again, returning to the tone that befitted an emperor.
Latryne looked at Phaedris and thought to himself.
‘Don’t worry, Your Majesty… Even if you were unable to produce an heir, I’m still here. The royal bloodline won’t end as long as I’m around…’
Latryne’s face briefly twisted with pain, but it was so quick that Phaedris, who was looking out the window at that moment, didn’t notice.
“I feel relieved now. I’m really glad you’re here.”
“I haven’t done anything, but I’m grateful you think so.”
Despite his words, Latryne’s eyes seemed clouded.
“Oh, there’s one more reason I called you here…”
Latryne was puzzled by Phaedris’s hesitant tone.
When Latryne looked at him as if asking why, Phaedris continued.
“I have no intention of doing this, but… it seems the Elder Council is pushing for your marriage.”
“To the Commander and me?”
“That’s right.”
Latryne frowned in confusion.
He had always expected that the Elder Council would try to interfere in his life, even in matters like marriage.
But why were they so insistent that it be with Litya?
Was it simply because of Litya’s noble lineage?
“The Elder Council is always a problem. Even as emperor, I can’t do much about them.”
The Elder Council had existed for a long time as one of the country’s political institutions.
It was made up of high-ranking officials who had retired from their positions in the palace.
Their influence was almost as strong as that of the emperor, so even Phaedris couldn’t easily handle them.
“If I had any thoughts of marriage, this wouldn’t be an issue, but I have no desire to marry…”
At Latryne’s words, Phaedris sighed.
“I thought as much… I suppose I’ll need to visit the Elder Council. They’re probably in the middle of a meeting right about now.”
“This is about me, so I’ll go.”
“No, you’ve always helped me. This time, I’ll support your wishes and help you. If you feel uncomfortable with me going alone, how about we go together?”
“That sounds good.”
After finishing their conversation, the two of them finished their meal and left the room.
Since the Elder Council was also inside the palace, getting there wasn’t difficult.
If all went well, the council should have just finished their meeting by now.
However, as they approached the council building, it was unusually quiet, which they found strange.
Then, a familiar figure came into Phaedris and Latryne’s view.
“Aileen?”
It was Aileen, with a troubled expression on her face for some reason.
