The Materialistic Princess, Episode 12
Empress Caroline looked at me with a composed smile. I swallowed dryly inwardly.
Emperor Frick had committed plenty of wrongs thus far—enough that he ought to be mindful of the Empress’s mood. He had arbitrarily changed imperial law, taken three wives, and to make matters worse, one of them, Consort Sabrina, had even placed a curse on Anok, who had been the imperial family’s only heir.
That curse had blown away a part of his soul, but ironically, because of its effects, Anok had been born a magic swordsman with a level of magical power unparalleled in history. ‘That’s why Emperor Frick and the Papal See fear Anok even more.’ By taking Consort Sabrina as his wife, he had been able to expand the empire’s territory as far as the Yedan region, but that land was a double-edged sword, containing both mines and monsters.
And now the Crown Prince, Anok, whom the Empress had safely borne and raised, had fought the monsters of Yedan for years, won, and returned to the imperial capital. ‘The Empress even attached a beautiful mistress to Emperor Frick, constantly turning his gaze outward. All for Anok.’ In other words, Empress Caroline was currently the most powerful person in the empire. ‘And someone like that wants me.’ With a single word from that woman, whether someone lived or died could be easily decided. The Empress I had seen in the fragment of emotion was a sinister person who wore her masks well. Even if everything she did was for her child, she was fundamentally deep and calculating. That was likely the secret to how she had maintained her power. ‘The princess is far more interesting than I thought.’
“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”
If the Empress had devoted so many long years to finding her child’s soul, then she would understand its value and gravity well.
“Hoho. You are truly fearless. There is a part of you that resembles your elder brother exactly.”
Mm. That felt rather unpleasant.
“I understand your family is deeply in debt.”
I already knew that the Empress had paid off the debts of House Kaneff. I had simply been too afraid to ask exactly how large those debts were. And since they were debts that would disappear through the engagement anyway, I had lived as though I had forgotten them. ‘In my current situation, I can squeeze more out of this.’ I looked at the Empress with a composed expression. She laughed softly once again.
“I shall repay all of it and permanently exempt the Denbridge estate from taxes. In addition, I intend to show my sincerity regarding this marriage proposal with one four-wheeled carriage, four horses, and one thousand Terra gold coins. What say you?”
When I failed to answer because I was busy calculating in my head, the Empress added,
“As his fiancée, to maintain your dignity, I shall send ten dresses and ten sets of accessories.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Madam Cladine chimed in beside her.
“It is an unprecedented level of dowry to be sent to a bride.”
If she was backing her up to that extent from the side, I judged that this was the point where I should stop. In any case, this was only the beginning. I bowed as politely as possible.
“I am merely overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s grace, as vast as the sea.”
“Now then, we may conclude the discussion regarding the engagement here.”
At the Empress’s gesture, Madam Cladine brought out paper and a pen.
“I believe it to be true that the Crown Prince needs the princess’s assistance in order to feel emotions. This engagement is not merely a marriage between two people of marriageable age. It is a matter of legitimizing the Crown Prince’s succession to the throne and suppressing the forces that attack him. Princess, do you understand what this means?”
“Are you saying it is a marriage where what is shown to others is important?”
“Indeed. The two of you will carry out many public activities from now on, become targets of the press, and be kept in check by the Papal See. If one considers personal happiness, the Crown Prince being able to feel emotions is truly a joyous matter. However, he is the Crown Prince of the empire, and therefore it is necessary to reassure the people.”
As she said those words, a trace of weariness seeped into the Empress’s expression.
“That he is not a devil…”
Empress Caroline, who had revealed a moment of weakness, once again wore a perfectly composed expression.
“We must make it so that all people know the Crown Prince is feeling emotions. That is the role you are to play, Princess.”
“Do you have any orders to give me?”
At my answer, the Empress smiled brightly.
“For a princess who has never once emerged into society from the ducal house, you understand reason well. That sets my mind at ease.”
She personally picked up the pen and drew strokes across the paper, writing out the words.
“Political moves shown to the press are important as well, but what matters most of all is the Papal See.”
A contract was drawn up stating that, on the condition that I and the Crown Prince spend two hours together twice a week, the Empress would provide me with the dowry she had mentioned earlier.
“Princess. I can grant most of what you desire.”
I swallowed dryly and waited for her next words.
“If you want gold, I can even give you a treasury that never runs dry.”
I very nearly swore loyalty on the spot, but barely managed to hold myself back. What a heart-fluttering statement that was!
“However, that is only if the Papal See formally acknowledges the Crown Prince’s right of succession to the throne.”
“I hope you understand what a great political burden it would be for me to restore House Kaneff to prosperity. And also the fact that House Kaneff’s fate rests in my hands.”
“I understand what you mean.”
The Empress’s personal seal was stamped onto the contract.
“I look forward to your efforts, Princess Roselia.”
With that conversation over, I left the Empress’s chambers. Then, as I mulled over the conversation we had just had, I calculated how much profit I had made. ‘The biggest gain is the tax exemption, after all. I can use that to try all sorts of things.’ I knew that even a single carriage cost an enormous amount. That was because I had once talked with Kyle about carriages on the way to Rockingham. And as for horses, even on Earth, a single horse could cost hundreds of millions, so I thought it would be similar here as well. ‘Or rather, since they’re even more important here, should I assume they’re more expensive?’ “I shall escort you straight to the east wing.”
Following Madam Cladine and escorted by knights, I moved to the banquet hall on the first floor of the east wing. There, servants were busily decorating the interior, and in the midst of the commotion, Serena was practicing her route of movement.
In case any reporters intruded, escort knights were moving around near the banquet hall, keeping strict watch.
“Miss Kaneff!”
Serena, who spotted me, smiled brightly and waved her hand. Since she had no acquaintances here, it seemed she was giving her affection to me.
“Is practice going well?”
At my question, she nodded.
“When His Majesty the Emperor calls us, we just have to come out to the front of the platform and wait.”
In this banquet hall, where the debutante would also be held, Serena and I would be commended for our merits.
“Here, kneel on one knee and lower your head slightly. Yes, that’s right. Then His Majesty will personally place the flower crown on you. Now, stand up slowly.”
The process of receiving the award was simple. There was nothing particularly grand to practice, so after checking the route a few times, the schedule came to an end.
“Since we’ve come all the way to the east wing, shall we go take a look at the atelier?”
Following Serena’s suggestion, I headed to Princess Iella’s atelier. Princess Iella had a deep appreciation for art and great interest in trendy things.
She had the kind of personality that could not be satisfied unless she tried anything new before anyone else, so her atelier was full of curious objects.
That also suited Serena’s personality well, and in the fragment of emotion, the two of them had quickly become friends. If the opportunity arose now, perhaps it might happen again.
“That must be the atelier!”
As though revealing how special the place was from the wide-open doorway alone, there were famous paintings, uniquely shaped tables, and chairs made with the latest technology placed inside.
Several noble young ladies were already wandering around the atelier. When they discovered us, they immediately covered their faces with their fans.
They seemed to be talking among themselves, but I felt their gazes repeatedly turning toward me. It seemed to be because of the article that had come out that morning.
“…
I can’t believe a woman like that is really a noble.”
“Look at that red-haired woman. Birds of a feather really do flock together. She’s walking around without even an attendant or a maid.”
As soon as we entered the atelier, I heard the young ladies whispering about us. ‘Birds of a feather… In that case, all the more reason to stick with Serena. She’s the protagonist of this novel, after all.’ I quickly linked my arm with Serena’s and put on my best capitalist smile.
“Viscountess Serena, aren’t you truly looking forward to it?”
“Y-yes?”
When I suddenly made friendly physical contact and called her by both her name and title, Serena looked down at me with flustered eyes. I tilted my head slightly and spoke in a small voice.
“Call me Roze. Loudly enough for everyone to hear.”
“Ah…!”
Her eyes widened like a startled rabbit’s. Then she smiled gently and called my name affectionately.
“I will, Miss Roze. Please just call me Serena.”
“Oh, honestly, I told you to call my name loudly…”
“Hoho.”
I had to show off our friendship to those noble young ladies, but Serena smiled happily as though none of that mattered.
“Oh my!”
Just then, the noble young ladies who had been glaring at us let out enchanted screams. Puzzled, I turned around.
“What brings His Highness here?”
Anok, accompanied by Roner, was striding all the way over here on his long legs. He was dressed in a pitch-black uniform, magnificently adorned with gold trim and various medals. ‘The Crown Prince shouldn’t appear when I’m with Serena! What do I do?’ Just then, the wind blowing through the open window softly stirred his golden hair. As expected of the male lead, even his entrance was extravagant. ‘If I sense anything strange, I’ll drag him out of here immediately and run.’ His steps stopped precisely in front of me. I looked back and forth between Anok and Serena with a wary expression, then greeted him.
“I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
He merely gave a slight nod, then abruptly stated his business first. He did not even glance in Serena’s direction.
“I have something to discuss with you, so I would like us to move elsewhere.”
At the words implying he wanted to speak alone, the murmuring grew even louder. ‘What the heck? For someone with such bad rumors, he’s quite popular. Is it because of his face, after all?’ More gazes were gathering on us. Serena gently unlinked her arm from mine and said,
“I’m all right.”
Neither Anok nor Serena showed any sort of special sign. In any case, I could not keep Anok waiting any longer, so I asked Roner to take care of Serena. There was no telling when a reporter might barge in.
“Sir Roner, I’d like you to escort Viscountess Serena for a while.”
Roner glanced at me with a displeased expression, then reluctantly nodded.
Once the situation had been roughly settled, Anok took me and went down to the first floor of the east wing. It seemed he was probably taking me to some space reserved for the imperial family. Anok, who had been silently walking straight ahead while looking forward, finally opened his mouth.
“I heard Her Majesty the Empress summoned you. Do you truly intend to marry me?”
“Yes.”
I answered brightly. At that, he stopped just as he was leaving the east wing and turned to look at me.
“Why?”
Anok tilted his head as though he truly did not understand the reason. What reason would I have for wanting to marry you? Because of money, of course. But saying that outright was a bit much.
“Ah, well, you see. This could be misunderstood if I put it wrong. Though it is true, but, I mean…”
I was rambling as I tried to choose my words.
“Wait.”
He cut me off and quietly looked around.
“Let’s go to the west wing.”
“……?”
“There are many reporters nearby. Come this way.”
I obediently moved to where he was standing. Anok placed me in front of him so that my hair would not stand out, then walked slowly.
“Huh? Hey, over there…”
As we were quietly moving toward the shade, I heard someone’s voice. Instinctively, I realized we had been discovered.
“It can’t be helped. Excuse me.”
“Pardon? …
Aaaah!”
Anok swept me up over his shoulder. Yes. He literally slung me over his shoulder like a piece of luggage and ran toward the west wing at an unbelievable speed. Though if there was a problem, it was the minor issue that my soul seemed to have been left behind around the east wing.
“Continue what you were saying.”
As soon as he arrived at the rear garden of the west wing, he set me down and said that. ‘What is with this man…’ “Is there really a reason to avoid reporters to this extent? It makes us look even more suspicious.”
“Whether we avoid them or face them, they will write the articles they want. In that case, it would be better to avoid them than waste time on something pointless.”
He looked like a robot that practiced keeping things brief and avoiding inefficiency to perfection. It made me think that Serena, who had made this kind of human fall in love and reformed him into someone human, was an impressive person.
“Well, if I’m going to marry anyway, isn’t it only natural to choose the best marriage prospect among them?”
“Do you want to become Empress?” I scratched my head and answered.
“Well, not exactly. Mm, becoming Empress doesn’t actually sound that great. But isn’t something good simply good? Your Highness can feel emotions because of me, after all.”
“I do not really understand why that is a good thing. If it is a political issue, I need only prove myself with my own strength. There will be noise, of course, but what persuades the public is not something like emotion.”
“Her Majesty the Empress did not seem to think so. If emotions were not important, would Her Majesty have spent all those long years clinging to the task of finding Your Highness’s soul?”
Anok could not answer and stopped for a moment like a broken robot. What in the world was going through that head of his? As silence flowed between us, I thought of Anok from the original work. ‘Well, at this point, Anok doesn’t know what it means to trust someone. He kept Serena by his side after calculating the profit and loss and deciding she was necessary to him.’ If I pushed the necessity of emotions on him now, it might instead create resistance. I changed course.
“Have you already forgotten enjoyment?”
I tilted my head sharply up toward him and met his gaze.
“You only learned yesterday the pleasure of eating something delicious. There are many more intoxicating emotions in the world. Aren’t you curious? Now then, what emotion are you feeling right now?”
“…
Emotion.”
At my words, his face became lost in thought.
“Would you like me to let you know one more time?”
At my words, Anok looked down at me and abruptly brought his face closer.
“Are you planning to pounce on me again?”
“No, you keep phrasing things strangely. That was nothing more than a product demonstration…”
Since there was only about a handspan of distance between us, I did think that if someone saw us, it would be a perfect situation for a misunderstanding.
“You, you shameless…!”
But I truly had not expected that the person to discover us would be Reiji, who was coming out of the Room of Starlight.
“Get away from Roze!”
Kwaaaa—!
An abrupt surge of water came crashing through the imperial palace.