Chapter 221 – Side Story, or (2)
News of what happened in the Imperial Palace had already spread far and wide.
After all, entire legions had stord into the city center and charged straight into the palace—it would’ve been weirder if no one noticed.
Still, the actual truth behind that night’s chaos, and the heavy events that followed, is known by very few.
Most people believe the story went sothing like this:
A secret prince, exiled for unknown reasons, returned to take revenge and seized control of the palace.
To stop him, the Second Princess led an army into the capital and fought valiantly to reclaim it.
In the process, the Emperor was gravely wounded and left in critical condition.
In response, the princes and princesses unanimously acknowledged that the only one worthy of succession was the Second Princess and voluntarily left the palace.
…Well, in a way, that’s not entirely false. But it’s also absurdly dramatic, almost childish.
Still, people accepted this hastily patched-together narrative without much question.
The truth is, Mirelis—the Second Princess—had been a hero to the people since ten years ago.
A daughter born of a concubine, who nonetheless carved her way through the front lines of war and accomplished countless feats.
What could be more stirring to commoners than that?
In contrast, the other royal princes—though they too were commanders—accomplished nothing but wasting lives and troops.
So, when news broke that Mirelis would beco the new Emperor, the public welcod it with open arms.
This wasn’t like the usual politics people ignored with a dismissive “just the elites fighting over their bowls.”
No—this ti, they cared.
Most people didn’t even know the current Emperor’s na. But Mirelis? Everyone knew who she was.
anwhile, back at the academy, the second sester was proceeding as usual.
Even though I’d been away for several days overseeing the power transition in the capital, everything was peaceful.
In fact, most of the staff probably didn’t even realize I’d been gone.
I gathered Kirrin, Isra, and Kaiden to brief them on what had happened and what was to co politically.
Kirrin gasped repeatedly in disbelief, while Isra sumd it up with: “Well, as long as the academy isn’t affected, we’re good.”
Kaiden, as always, said little, just smiling faintly.
“Professor Dian.”
Kaiden called out as I exited the headmaster’s office.
“Did the Second Princess happen to propose to you?”
“…How’d you know? You weren’t scrying with magic or sothing, were you?”
“No, not at all. Just… watching how things unfolded, I had a feeling.”
“She did ask to marry her.”
“And what was your answer?”
“I said no.”
“I see.”
Kaiden smiled, as if both my and the Princess’s responses had been exactly as expected.
“From her perspective, you’re probably the only real option right now.”
“I doubt that. I’m just one of many.”
“At the mont, perhaps. But the power of the Empire—the strongest nation on the continent—is shifting from the Emperor to her. That’s no small thing. She needs soone by her side. Soone who can support her and endure that weight. Among those she knows, that’s only you. Linus is already married, after all.”
“Even so, I’ve got no reason to help her.”
“I know. You wouldn’t fit that role anyway. If you were the type, you wouldn’t have vanished without a word ten years ago.”
Kaiden chuckled softly.
“Still, you should attend the coronation. Let’s not forget—it’s thanks to Mirelis’s quiet support and willful indifference that you’ve been able to enjoy such peace at the academy. It’s only right to show up.”
“…You’re not wrong.”
Indeed, whether I realized it or not, I’ve benefitted from her support.
Fine. What the hell. I’ll go.
The aide practically begged anyway, promising a discreet entrance through the back.
“But Kaiden… now that you’re bringing up morals and obligations… about what you did back then—”
My lips snapped shut like a zippered pouch.
Kaiden, still smiling, held up his fingers—flickering with a faint blue magical glow.
# # # # #
“Professor.”
Knightley tapped my shoulder with a wooden sword.
What an arrogant little brat.
We were in the middle of a rare private lesson.
Ever since she’d fallen behind rilda and Hindrasta in both theory and combat, she’d been relentless, practically hounding to train her more.
I tried to make excuses about not having anything left to teach, but it was too late.
Back during sumr break, her second brother recognized —and that’s when she realized I might be soone far more formidable than I let on.
I flicked her practice sword away with a finger, and she said,
“My father sent a letter.”
“What’d he say?”
“He said the Princess suddenly reached out and wanted to get closer.”
“Oh? That’s… unusual.”
I responded vaguely, but Knightley narrowed her eyes.
“You did that, didn’t you?”
“Did what? A re academy professor got the most powerful noble in the Noble Council and the future Emperor to make up? Wow, I must be incredible.”
“Don’t dodge the question. It’s true, isn’t it?”
“Got proof?”
“You weren’t at the academy for several days—when the whole palace uproar happened. You were in the capital, weren’t you?”
“How’d you know I was gone—wait, never mind.”
Of course she’d know. She, Hindrasta, or rilda always drop by my office at least once a day.
“So? You did sothing, didn’t you?”
“What could I possibly do to make the Noble Council and the palace reconcile?”
“Easy. You probably told the Princess that if she wanted to be Emperor, she shouldn’t alienate the Noble Council.”
…How does she know that?
“I bet you gave her a whole bunch of advice. She listens to you.”
I stared at her instead of answering.
“Proof?”
“She does everything you suggest. Funds you. Backs you up. And she’s trying to stay on your good side—because you’re friends with Sir Linus. With him on parenting leave, you’re the only one active and influential near her. Of course she wants to keep you close.”
What the hell…?
She’s scarily sharp.
“Then it was you, right?”
“If you believe it, what’s the point of saying otherwise?”
“Ugh, seriously…”
“Let ask you sothing. Hypothetically. If the Second Princess ca to you and asked what her first moves should be as Emperor, what would you say?”
“To ?”
She paused to think, then began listing:
Reconcile with the Noble Council. Integrate northern nomads into the Empire. Disband and redistribute the Security Bureau. Conduct small military campaigns to solidify regional control.
…That’s almost everything I told her.
What the hell.
“Knightley. You interested in politics? Diplomacy?”
“I’ve picked up a lot of things growing up. And yeah… I’m interested.”
Well look at that.
Six months in, and I’ve just now discovered a whole new aptitude in her.
She’s not fit for sothing like the Special Forces.
But Knightley Toulouse, Imperial diplomat or Chief Secretary at the Ministry of State? Now that fits.
Co to think of it, the Minister of State I know is still in the palace.
As her personal tutor, I suppose it’s only right I help guide her future path.
“Want to work in the Ministry?”
“The Ministry? The palace? I’m not getting a job.”
“What? Then?”
“Give the answer you owe .”
What the hell is she—
Oh.
"You don’t an that ridiculous marriage proposal your dad ntioned—?"
“What’s so ridiculous about it?!”
“It’s nonsense! How does a professor marry a student? Cut the crap!”
“I won’t be your student after graduation! Where are you going?!”
I ran.
Fast.
# # # # #
A coronation invitation arrived.
The invitees from the academy were , Kirrin, and Kaiden.
Kirrin was invited because the academy’s director was now becoming Emperor.
Kaiden and I were listed under our official title: Demon King Slaying Special Force.
Which ant the rest of the squad likely got invited too.
Looks like the whole gang’s getting back together.
Co to think of it, this’ll be the first ti since ten years ago we’ve all been in the palace together.
When I told Olysia I planned to attend in my usual shirt and slacks, she almost foad at the mouth.
“You absolutely CANNOT go like that! AAAAARRRGH!!”
In the end, on the day of the coronation, I was forced to wear the very stiff, very uncomfortable formal wear she’d prepared for .
Who wears a tuxedo in the middle of sumr?!
Kaiden opened a teleportation gate, and we stepped through to the capital.
In front of the palace, the drawbridge was already a chaotic sea of guests.
“That’s a lot of people… we’ll be stuck out here for hours.”
Kirrin muttered, standing on tiptoe to see.
But I had no intention of waiting.
“Kaiden.”
“Yes, Professor Dian?”
“Let’s scale the wall.”
“As you wish.”
“W-Wall?!”
“There’s a spot I use often. No one’ll catch us.”
With Kaiden’s magic, we climbed the wall and slipped into the palace using a route I’d used often during the war.
“Where… are we?”
Kirrin asked, tilting her head at the lavish room we’d climbed into through a window.
“The Emperor’s bedroom.”
“EEEEEK?!”
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