Before the noble council meeting.
The Crown Prince had persuaded the Emperor.
"This is our last chance to take down Desmont."
He argued it was an opportunity to bring down a family that could pressure the Imperial family in the Empire.
"Considering everything Desmont has done to pressure the Imperial family until now, this is an opportunity we must seize. Father, you know how much pressure the Imperial family has faced from Desmont since your predecessor's time...!"
"..."
"They are a family that should never hold power. They're traitors who want to control the Emperor as they please."
"Even so, taking down Desmont now is unreasonable. Though Desmont's influence has waned, they're still Desmont. Besides, they're indispensable to the Empire."
"There are many families that could replace Desmont."
"You mean Wolfgang?"
The Emperor knew all about the Crown Prince's activities. He had given him freedom like a sheep in an open pasture, but he was also someone who worried about the Empire's security more than anyone.
Angered by the knowledge that eyes were watching him, the Crown Prince clenched his fist as he looked at the Emperor.
"Yes, that's right."
"Is Wolfgang your sword?"
"...Yes."
The Emperor sighed deeply and questioned the Crown Prince.
"You do understand how important Desmont is to this Empire, don't you?"
"..."
"The presence of the Grand Mage. This alone prevents other countries from easily threatening us. It reduces defense costs and maintains peace in the Empire."
"The Empire's national power is not weak."
"Don't assume talents like the Knight Commander exist only in our Empire."
"..."
"Besides, that butler of Desmont's seems extraordinary too, so it's better not to mess with Desmont right now."
"...A mere commoner cannot threaten the Empire."
"..."
The Crown Prince's eyes that saw the truth and the Emperor's eyes that discerned the same truth glared at each other.
Both knew that no lie would work between them.
The Emperor opened his languid eyes and spoke to the Crown Prince.
"Have you ever wondered why I didn't bring down Desmont when the Young Duchess used black magic?"
"..."
"It's because Desmont cannot be absent from the Empire. If Desmont's position becomes vacant, there will certainly be nobles rushing to fill that place."
"..."
"No family keeps to their boundaries like Desmont does. Yes, if we bring down Desmont now, governing the Empire would certainly be easier. Honestly, with Desmont's influence diminished, running state affairs is more convenient."
"...That's why we should correct this now. If Desmont, which is expanding its influence, turns its fangs in the wrong direction, it could threaten the next imperial authority!"
"Crown Prince, do you trust Wolfgang?"
"...I do."
"...Very well, then let me ask you one thing. Why are you so obsessed with Desmont?"
"...I want to pursue my own politics."
The Emperor, impressed that the Crown Prince who always tried to avoid the weight of the crown was finally looking at it properly, closed his eyes tightly and granted the Crown Prince's stubborn request.
After all, it was the first time the Crown Prince had involved himself in state affairs, and the first favor he had ever asked of him.
"I will handle Desmont."
"It won't be easy."
"...I have a plan."
"If you're thinking of eliminating the head of Desmont, forget it. If things go wrong, the entire imperial family could be in danger."
"...I understand."
The Emperor granted his son's stubborn request.
Even though this choice might bring disaster to the Empire, it was a burden that the future king had to bear.
And so, the Crown Prince...
"Hiiiiieek!!! Father, all the chocolate is gone."
"Chocolate...! Bring the chocolate!"
"Miss! Didn't I tell you to eat it sparingly?!"
"Hiek?"
...was traveling west together with Desmont.
The atmosphere of Desmont heading west was lively. It was so noisy and cheerful that he wondered if this was really the Desmont he knew.
At the Imperial court, Desmont had been tyrannical.
"Isn't raising the tax rate on magic stones a direct attack on Desmont?"
"..."
"While you generously overlook the tax rates on other nobles' businesses, I think it's unfair to burden Desmont, who processes magic stones."
"'The Emperor's word is law...'"
"Is the treasury running dry?"
"'The Emperor's word is the law for nobles.'"
"I've heard that the Second Prince's personal spending is quite large... Rather, Desmont requests a detailed investigation into this matter."
It was hard to believe that such a Desmont was now heading to subjugate a ferocious beast with such a peaceful atmosphere.
He had expected them to depart with a heavy mood, expected them to show signs of seeking revenge for the Emperor's unfair words, but the Crown Prince was quite bewildered by the Desmont family who worried about chocolate instead of the ferocious beast they were supposed to deal with.
Moreover...
"Eek?"
"..."
"Father. Why is he riding in the same carriage?"
The Crown Prince couldn't believe that Desmunt Olivia was here.
He had heard that she was expelled from her family for using black magic, but he couldn't believe that she was participating in the journey to the west as if nothing had happened.
Olivia, with chocolate in her mouth, stared at the Crown Prince and spoke.
"Is the Emperor broke?"
Insulting the Imperial family as she did.
"The Emperor is not your friend... Use honorifics, Young Duchess."
"Eek?"
"..."
"Father, I feel so sorry for him. He must be a beggar."
The Crown Prince nearly lost his mind at the words of the Young Duchess who had nothing to lose. He had never heard such words in his life.
'...I should have brought my personal carriage.'
Two families operated the carriages heading west. Originally, the Imperial family had offered to prepare a separate carriage, but a sacrifice was needed to observe Desmont's atmosphere.
"I'll go as an informant."
"That's not acceptable...!"
"I'm the only one who can ride in Desmont's carriage. Besides, I was curious."
Accompanying the western schedule might have been a good thing. He could witness Desmont's downfall with his own eyes, and if something unfortunate happened, his word would be more credible than the Marquis's.
All things considered, it might have been a good thing, but...
"Hey."
"..."
"Hey!"
"..."
"Ricardo, I think he's deaf."
The Crown Prince, suffering more insults than expected, couldn't contain his rising anger.
"Hey...!"
The Crown Prince brushed back his hair with a hollow laugh at the informal address.
"Haha... I see Desmont hasn't learned proper etiquette toward the Imperial family."
"Eek?"
"Not knowing what bloodshed those words from the Young Duchess might bring."
"It's fine. I've lost everything, so there's nothing more to lose."
"That's...!"
"Your father took everything away."
"...?"
"What! Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Is Desmont always this impudent?"
"You...! You bastard!"
The Crown Prince widened his eyes at Olivia, who was genuinely trying to throw a punch, and looked at a man covering her mouth.
'Ricardo.'
Apparently aware of how awkward this situation was, he was covering her mouth while rolling his eyes, which was quite a sight to see.
'Yes... This is the difference in status between you and me. A gap that someone like you could never cross.'
The Crown Prince wanted Yuria.
Though he hadn't felt much romantic interest yet, he was curious to learn more about her. For that, he needed to address Ricardo first.
Every time he met Yuria, bringing up Ricardo made the Crown Prince uncomfortable, and he laughed as he watched Ricardo's trembling shoulders.
'I'm not sure if it was good not to bring knights.'
If he had brought knights, he wouldn't have been able to ride in Desmont's carriage, and he wouldn't have seen Ricardo's flustered appearance.
'This is amusing.'
"Kh.. Miss..khuh... Still, he's the Crown Prince... please watch your..."
"Listen, Ricardo. Their father stole our money, you know?"
"Khk... Ah... Please stop."
"Eeeeeeek!!!!! Father!!! I don't like this bastard!!!"
"Puhahahahaha!!!"
'He's laughing?'
The Crown Prince clenched his fist as he watched Ricardo burst into laughter.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Pardon?"
"How dare you insult the Imperial family in front of the Empire's Crown Prince...?"
"Pardon?"
"When we return to the capital, I will certainly report this incident."
"Yes."
"..."
Ricardo was looking at the Crown Prince with a calm expression.
"Please tell the Emperor. Tell him that Desmont did this and that, and that you felt bad, so please scold us."
"You insult me to the end."
"Today, you're not alone."
Ricardo shrugged as he looked at the Young Duchess who was glaring at the Crown Prince as if she wanted to kill him.
"Eeeeeeeeek!!! Let me go!!! I just want to hit him once!"
Ricardo muttered quietly, 'When she's on your side, there's no one more reliable than the Young Duchess,' as he looked out the window.
"Wow... The sea is so beautiful."
"Where?!"
"Over there."
"Eek? I can't see it."
"I meant that your heart is as vast as the sea, Miss."
"Hiiiiieek?!"
The Crown Prince clenched his fist as he watched Ricardo and Olivia playing well together, determined to wipe the smiles off their faces.
At the same time, Ricardo harbored the same feelings.
'How should I play with him?'
It was the Imperial family who had crossed the 'line'.
He looked forward to it.
He looked forward to seeing the Crown Prince in trouble after catching a big weakness. He looked forward to seeing him fall from power that always seemed so lofty and eternal.
"Ah, Your Highness."
"Shut up."
"What happens if a member of the Imperial family becomes associated with slavery?"
After a long silence, the Crown Prince sighed deeply and answered the question.
"...All privileges of being part of the Imperial family would immediately be revoked."
"I see. Then what happens if they become associated with black magic?"
"The Imperial family is not as weak as Desmont."
"Is that so?"
"This will be interesting."
"What did you say...!"
Olivia grabbed the Crown Prince's hair.
"Father!!! This bastard is annoying me!"
The Young Duchess hated the Crown Prince.