[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
Chapter 66
As soon as I heard the emperor’s words, I bowed my head almost reflexively and said, ‘I humbly ask that you please withdraw this honor that is beyond my rit.’
“I want to know why.”
The Emperor asked, responding to my request and I answered.
It’s not a trivial matter. It seems excessive to place myself, who is rely a junior compared to all other recipients of the honor, at the forefront.
They too are saviors of the empire, heroes for the empire. However, they are gradually being forgotten as ti passes, so it is only fitting that they should be up front.
“You really have a great heart..”
However, from the Emperor’s perspective, it was all the more reason to bring Karl to the forefront.
“I understand your intentions. Putting juniors at the forefront may seem like saying to the past heroes, ‘Now you belong to the past.'”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“That’s precisely why you should be at the forefront even more, Karl Adelheit.”
Upon hearing this, I made a perplexed expression as if I didn’t know the reason.
“Ti is a fearso thing. The past is such a powerful thing. No matter how bright it is, it eventually becos dull and fades as ti passes and becos the past. Even if you try to shine it again, try to make it clear again. Polish and polish. Even if you keep polishing, the stain of ti cannot be removed, Karl Adelheit.”
The Emperor reflexively touched his wrinkled forehead.
“And so, there are tis when we need to share our current brilliance to illuminate the glory of the past. Not by forcing the past, but by naturally recalling it through what we have now.”
“…!”
“Surely, the past may have lost much of its shine. However, that sparkle hasn’t completely disappeared. It can still shine again, reflecting the light of the present.”
Only then I understood what the Emperor was saying. I realized why I was being promoted.
It was a request. To step forward and let the Empire once again rember the heroes of the past.
To not forget that there were those who bravely stepped forward and sacrificed for the empire.
“Do you understand my heart?”
In response to the Emperor’s question, I nodded my head vigorously and then spoke.
“I, Count Friedrich’s eldest son, Karl Adelheit. By Your Majesty’s command, I will do so. If I can help them shine again, I will do it a thousand tis, ten thousand tis.”
“Very well. Please do so.”
The Emperor looked at the young man kneeling before him. What a delightful figure he was.
* * *
I understood why I was called. It was to make a request, to seek permission.
The Emperor could have simply sent soone with the command “co.” But he didn’t.
Whether it’s the way it looks as a person asking for sothing, or the way it looks to a dal of Honor recipient. Whatever it was, I was just grateful.
Anyway, as the conversation about the New Year’s ceremony ca to an end, the Emperor casually changed the subject.
“I heard you were on the battlefield for almost three years. And now you’ve returned as a student to the academy.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. As a re returning student, I am truly at a loss for the honor of becoming a recipient of the dal of honor.”
“You received what you rightfully deserve. There is no need to say more.”
After saying that, the Emperor subtly asked about the veterans’ pension foundation.
He heard about it. It was established by two marquisates and two imperial counts.
At first, it was a bit sudden and there were concerns, but soon it was relieved.
And of course, the reason was plainly my na being involved in it.
“Was it your suggestion?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I never considered war or welfare lightly, so…”
“It’s impossible for you to be so casual about it. If you were that casual, you wouldn’t have shouldered the empire’s honor twice. Rather, it pains my heart. I should have paid more attention to such matters. I was too focused on making the empire stronger and montarily forgot about them.”
“That’s absolutely not true. I know better than anyone how the empire treats those who have returned from the battlefield.”
Saying that the empire’s treatnt of soldiers is absurd doesn’t make sense from the beginning.
It’s not like we’ve been in a ceasefire state for over 50 years, and just a few years ago we were in a war zone. The empire is doing its best. I just lent a hand there.
“I feel much better now that you say that.”
The Emperor smiled slightly, showing a hint of sincerity. Then he sighed.
“Are you prepared?”
“Your Majesty?”
“I have no other aning. I’m just curious. Has the order of succession changed?”
What is this about? It’s surprising enough that the Emperor is asking a re nobleman sothing.
And there’s no other aning, but the content is suddenly about ‘order of succession’? What on earth is this?
“I, I apologize, Your Majesty. With my humble intellect, I cannot understand what Your Majesty ans.”
This ti, the Emperor raised an eyebrow as if to question . Then he looked at for a mont, and from his gaze, I strongly felt the feeling of ‘are you genuinely not understanding right now?’
“Has he not spoken to you yet?”
“If you’re referring to my father, I’ve heard nothing from him.”
“….”
After a mont of silence, the Emperor suddenly beckoned to the chamberlain standing beside him.
Then he whispered sothing in his ear, and the chamberlain walked away with quick steps.
After a while,
“Your Majesty, I have received your summon.”
“Co in, Crown Prince.”
The Crown Prince entered, looking as if he had been dragged away from his work.
He blinked for a mont as if he didn’t understand why he was called, then he lightly waved his hand when our eyes t, and refocused on the Emperor.
“Crown Prince.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“It seems Count Friedrich’s eldest son still knows nothing of you. How is that?”
“Ah…”
What’s this? Is the Crown Prince also involved? What the hell. What’s going on with everyone?
“Actually, I talked to Count Friedrich yesterday.”
“And?”
“It’s dinner ti… So perhaps the Count was planning to talk to Mr. Karl Adelheit today. That’s what I think.”
Listening to their conversation, it seems there was so discussion between my father and the Crown Prince. But what about? Why did they talk? I still don’t understand at all.
“Hmm.”
The Emperor touched his chin and then nodded slightly as if to say, ‘That could be.’
“Well, as a student, it may take so ti. Count Friedrich must be having a bit of a headache. Still, it’s a really good thing for the county. A Count who has twice been awarded the dal of Honor. Has this ever happened before, Crown Prince?”
“Not that I recall, Your Majesty.”
…What’s everyone talking about? What? No, what? A Count?
Why am I a Count? I’m just the eldest son of the Count, maintaining the family honor and ensuring no damage to our reputation. Later, I’ll just have to support my sister who will eventually beco the Countess.
My questions were answered during the conversation with the Crown Prince after I withdrew from the Emperor’s presence.
“…What?! Are you saying your highness and my sister?”
“Shhh. Most people still don’t know.”
Shhh? How can this be kept a secret forever! He’s the Crown Prince for goodness’ sake!
Oh my, oh my. Is my sister… with the Crown Prince? The future Crown Princess? Even the future Empress?!
I’m shocked. I’m so fucking shocked that I don’t know what to say.
Are they taking my sister away? No way. What shocks is not that my sister will be the Crown Princess, but even more so that she will beco the Empress.
‘Crown Prince… Will you be able to handle it?’
My sister is a good person. It’s a bit exaggerated, causing so problems, but still good.
But on the other hand, there are certainly frightening aspects.
It’s not just scary, it’s downright terrifying. She inherited everything from our mother, including her fiery temperant.
I follow my sister well, of course, and she treats well, but I know all too well what will happen if she ever becos disappointed in or gets angry.
“…Your Highness.”
So, mustering all my courage, I decided to ask, against all odds.
“Are you sure about this? My sister is undoubtedly a good person, but she’s… how should I put it? She might not be quite suited for a quiet Crown Princess or Empress.”
“Hahaha! How could I not know that? Karl, I know everything. And because I know, I fell in love with her even more.”
“Ah, yes. Is that so…”
What unique taste you have. You’ve fallen for that? Did you actually see it yourself?
Maybe you saw when she stabbed the shoulders of those Kanfras in the special ops interrogation room last ti.
‘…Wait.’
“Your Highness. If, hypothetically, my sister were to marry you and beco the Crown Princess and then the Empress, what would happen to the title of Count Friedrich?”
“If there are no other heirs, the Crown Princess and then the Empress would hold that title. Such cases are not uncommon.”
The Crown Prince smiled as he took a sip of tea.
“But the present situation is different. There is a perfect heir to the title, a man of overwhelming prestige, of overwhelming honor, who is unlike no other noble in the Empire.”
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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