The Emperor Who Was Chapter 78 : Chapter 78

Chapter . 78

“Praise the rciful Prince Leontes!”

“Praise the benevolent Prince!”

“Praise the virtuous Prince!”

As soon as I set foot in the banquet hall, praise reciting my rcy over and over arose from all directions. When the bard sang with a voice like coughing up blood about how I showed rcy to those in need, people responded in unison. With desperate eyes asking for the sa rcy to be bestowed upon them.

“As one who experienced that rcy firsthand, please tell us the story of that ti!”

Not only Michelon, but even Sir Rolf and Nanette, who were proofs of the rcy bestowed upon Cecile, were asked to tell their stories.

Since they were favored by

despite not being nobles, people were eager to please them. Only Yolande, the mage, leisurely sipped high-quality wine.

The Count's mother spoke only to Sir Rolf.

‘I should hasten Michelon's knighting ceremony earlier than planned.’

“When I first saw Prince Leontes, I just cried like a child. Because I was so nervous just being close to soone so high-ranking.”

Nevertheless, even that picky lady looked at the cute and smart Nanette with a smile. Although she often turned her worried gaze to her grandson sleeping in the nanny's arms.

What was truly burdenso was the Count of Montova. I was prepared for him to attend to

personally. Although I didn't have the leisure to watch how much sincerity he would show like I did with Grimiati.

However, I didn't expect him to try to attend to even Sir Rolf or Michelon. Michelon even tried to receive the Count's service as if it were natural.

-…I don't like bowing to your brothers, but thinking about the day I will burn them to death alive, I can bow with a smile.

No matter how much the bloodthirsty warmonger dragon disguised himself as a human, the Imperial Palace was his limit. Even though I explained the complex political situation I was in over and over, he stopped caring after a short while.

-Anyway, you entered your first castle safely! That's what matters. Who cares about other things?

In other words, since I had entered the castle, unless it was a siege or defense battle, I couldn't hold his interest for long.

“He works well humbly? How about making him a steward?”

The dragon whispering to

like this had no thoughts comfortably on his own, but the face of the Count approaching him with a beverage bottle to pour was hardened miserably.

Being young, instead of wearing an iron mask like his cousin-in-law Rhiannon, a tragedy flowed just by looking at his face.

Do I have to go this far. But if it's for my family, willingly... Still, as the Count of the historic Montova family, just because I'm receiving the Prince's favor, do I have to attend to even a commoner of unknown origin... However, thinking of my old mother and the baby left by my dead wife, I willingly offer my body... Even seeing such a son, tears welled up in the old lady's eyes...

‘I never ordered him to do that! Making a fuss on his own and trying to make

feel indebted!’

I was also furious. I couldn't think of what to do, it must have been caught from Michelon.

If it were up to my temper, I would have let him do as he chose. But nobles held strong grudges.

Once in Armatia, commoners beca chancellors one after another, but both were killed by the resentnt of nobles who had to attend to them when they dined with the Emperor. For nobles, that alone was enough reason to hold a grudge.

‘Even here, I have to worry not about Michelon, but about a Count who might touch a dragon's scale!’

It was then. Sir Rolf, who was sitting between

and Michelon, suddenly stood up and strode towards the Count.

“Dear Count, out of respect for you, I make a request. Please allow

to serve.”

Then, without giving the Count a chance to answer, he smoothly took the bottle the Count was holding. He politely guided the bewildered Count and sat him in his seat.

A loyal subject indeed! Sir Rolf is truly my loyal subject! Different from the dragon who is tearing at roe deer at like a wolf instead of following his example!

“But I―”

The Count spoke in confusion, but I cut him off and ordered.

“My loyal knight Sir Rolf, fill everyone's cup. Then, lead a toast as my knight!”

“I will follow your order, Prince Leontes.”

Sir Rolf bowed deeply, then went around filling everyone's cup. Unlike the Count, he did it sincerely with a diligent face. When he filled the old lady's cup, she thanked him and expressed gratitude softly, and the maids vied to smile brightly.

“The Count was doing fine, he could have just sat and received the drink, why take on troubleso work unnecessarily.”

Every ti the dragon, unaware of what grudge relationship he almost fell into, said thoughtless words with a thoughtless face, I found comfort looking at my loyal subject.

The Count of Montova had a more presentable expression than before, but now he was anxious. Because he couldn't even make

feel indebted by serving my commoner attendant?

However, after the banquet ended, when the Count requested a private audience, I felt that what was coming had co.

Although it was a private audience, since our statuses were different, even if the Count ca alone, I could have all my attendants present.

However, I only had Sir Rolf stand behind

and had Yolande and Michelon hide with invisibility magic. Not to agitate the Count, who was already cornered, too much.

“Prince Leontes, please save

and my family.”

Then, as soon as this man entered my room, he knelt on both knees and begged with his hands clasped without preamble. What am I supposed to do, really. Would he not have done this if I had placed two commoners beside ?

“Should you not make that request to Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Her Majesty the Empress has abandoned . Along with

and her motherless cousin nephew.”

The young man who lost his wife and was about to lose his castle ground his teeth.

“Why were you abandoned by Her Majesty the Empress; did you fail to fulfill your duty?”

He could not speak for a mont. I did not wait long.

“If you do not wish to speak, you do not have to answer.”

I was about to order him to leave, but noticing this, the Count of Montova spoke imdiately.

“Because I refused Her Majesty the Empress's order.”

I just looked at him expressionlessly. He swallowed his saliva and continued.

“Her Majesty the Empress told

to open a gambling den here, but I made excuses and delayed it.”

Rhiannon often heard that she was a daughter of a rchant family because her great-grandfather was a rchant, and she truly had excellent business sense. Usually, gambling dens grow larger in the order of the capital, social circles, and the Imperial Palace.

She intended to spread the play of the capital social circles, which local lords envy, to the countryside and scrape money from the whole country.

‘No wonder, even if she stops at nothing to cut

off who receives Father's favor, it was strange she cut off the Count of Montova…….’

“The reason?”

“My father died of shock after losing a large sum of money at Lauderdale's gambling den.”

Even though I knew, when I asked, Montova answered honestly.

“Montova is my first estate. I will rule this place directly as the lord, and you must step down from the position of administrator anyway. Your retainers may remain in their original positions if they wish.”

Few retainers would follow the Count out of the castle to a small village. Retainers who remain in the castle yet stay loyal to the Count can be replaced gradually.

“Even as the captain of the castle guard is fine. I will do my utmost in loyalty. Please appoint .”

Upon investigation before coming, the Count was indeed capable. Having almost seen his family fall, he matured early and had been working hard joining forces with his mother.

Although he had to please the Empress, it seed he had a good relationship with his wife who was from Lauderdale.

I also originally intended to recruit talent from the region rather than bringing in Elan's nobles who try to succeed through connections by getting involved in factional fights. But I couldn't leave a spark for an estate war when I didn't even have an army yet.

“Even if you say so, if you pledge loyalty to , Her Majesty the Empress will order Lauderdale knights to attack you. Then do you have the power to protect my estate against them?”

If I, a Prince, ruled this place directly and gave positions to Sir Rolf or Michelon, even the Empress couldn't attack . Unless she frad

for treason.

Then is he worth

taking the risk of keeping him as an administrator?

The Count bit his lip.

“…Please give

a chance… Give

a chance to prove my ability and loyalty to Your Highness.”

That chance rightfully should go to Sir Rolf, who had served

faithfully since I was powerless.

If I ask for a title for my loyal subject now, Father would approve imdiately. But enemies would slander

and him saying I gave a title to soone who hasn't even established rit yet. As if they hadn't done the sa.

Until I build my power, I shouldn't give them an excuse. That's why I brought him here to take a position and establish rit.

‘If I act unfairly now just to be a good person alone, my subordinates will also act unfairly following . If that happens, it's my fault.’

The situation was pitiful, but at least he, a Count in na, had a small village to go to if kicked out from here. Sir Rolf had nothing.

“I will show my performance in the mage hunt for Your Highness.”

…To think I worried because of such a guy.

“I know the cause of why residents disappear in Petrafis.”

“Shouldn't you naturally know? Since you also hold the position of administrator there concurrently.”

“…I apologize.”

The Count lowered his head, but admitted his fault and didn't make excuses.

“If there is soone you suspect, report to . But since that place is now my estate too, I will go and examine it myself.”

The Count's eyes moved anxiously.

“…The residents there know the geography of Mount Petrafis well, so once they hide, they are hard to find. How much more for a mage who can resist detection magic. I have also failed until now, but if you give

one more chance, I will definitely capture that person. We don't know when the Traneha religion's holy knights will arrive. Wouldn't it be better for Your Highness too to handle the matter before that?”

If there really was soone using mana, I could detect them. The relationship between the Count and the residents of Petrafis village didn't seem good either, so there was no reason to take him.

I dismissed him saying I would think about it for now. He bowed politely and withdrew.

“Prince, it is presumptuous, but may I dare say a word regarding this matter?”

As soon as he did, Sir Rolf spoke.

“Of course, Sir Rolf.”

“Please accept the Count of Montova's request just this once.”

The cause of why I didn't want to accept that request spoke like that.

“…Why?”

“The Montova Count family is a historic prestigious family that was even a Margrave before Armatia expanded its borders. Conflict with Her Majesty the Empress is an unavoidable path sooner or later anyway. If you bestow grace upon them, it will surely be helpful to Your Highness in the long run. Right now, unlike other brothers, Your Highness has no noble retainers, do you?”

“Sir Rolf, what are you saying now? Leontes intends to employ you importantly. Not the Count of Montova. Why yield instead of considering it an honor? Are you not confident in taking on a heavy responsibility?”

Michelon, leaning one shoulder obliquely against the wall, asked him. Sir Rolf answered calmly.

“He, a Count, is more helpful to His Highness than I, a common knight. Even you, Michelon, are not a knight yet.”

“Hmm, so you're saying you're not confident after all.”

“Yes.”

“Leontes will ascend to the throne soday. Until then, I wish you luck so that his first knight won't be pushed out by other higher-ranking people.”

“Thank you.”

“There is no need for either of you to wish luck or be thankful. Because I forget nothing. Especially if it is my loyal knight.”

I put my hand on Sir Rolf's shoulder, intervening between them.