"I'm sorry!"
"It's not something you need to apologize for, Ikuto. Don't worry about it. Thank you for coming to help."
"That is only natural. However, it is unthinkable that the Palace Guards would lay hands on their sword hilts before Your Highness Asha."
Ikuto apologized to me after we returned to the room.
Harty had been crying with frustration when Terry and his entourage left in what looked like a flight, you know.
Apparently, that woman in the dress was Terry's wet nurse or caretaker, and she seemed to be from a fairly high-ranking noble family.
They also had three guards stationed permanently, which again suggested high status.
"What in the world did Lady Asha do! I wouldn't ask them to be grateful, but to act as if they would kill you! Is she not the same as you, a child of His Majesty!"
"I'm sorry too, Harty. I should have acted more carefully."
"No, no, that's not something Your Highness needs to worry about."
Helkov spoke with his bear-like face, but since his original features were those of a fierce beast, that alone carried tremendous intimidation.
Still, I could tell it was an expression born of concern for me.
Wearrel's ears and tail had their fur standing on end.
"At any rate, this is the fault of the guards. It is only natural that they be punished for drawing their swords before the Prince. Please rest assured, for I have memorized their faces and shall administer appropriate discipline. Why, I intend to teach them that there are ways to neutralize enemies without drawing one's sword in this world."
Which basically means, he's planning to use training as an excuse to beat those three guards who laid hands on their swords half to death, doesn't he?
Since he can't impose official penalties, it seems Ikuto is angrier than I thought.
I just hope he doesn't end up on bad terms with the guards.
"Moderation, okay?"
My request was met with the adults' polite smiles and promptly brushed aside.
When I muttered, "It's not like I've ever even wanted the throne," the retainers, suddenly remembering my presence, fell silent.
Since it seemed awkward, I forced a joking smile.
"I'm obsessed with alchemy right now. Surely if I were in a position to become Emperor, I wouldn't be able to do such things?"
"Goodness, speaking with Your Highness Asha occasionally makes one feel as if conversing with an adult who shares the same perspective. Though your environment may force you to be so, there is no need to rush into adulthood."
Ikuto spoke gently.
And he smiled, but somehow I sensed a dangerous atmosphere in that forced laughter.
"That aside, regarding those insolent guards, I have memorized their faces and shall administer appropriate discipline, so please rest assured. Why, I intend to teach them that there are ways to neutralize enemies without drawing one's sword in this world."
Wait, he said that part twice? No, looking back at the original text, Ikuto does repeat this sentiment twice - once earlier and once here. Actually looking carefully, the first time is when he's explaining to Asha that he'll discipline them, and then later he repeats it almost verbatim after the conversation about alchemy. This seems to be a narrative repetition or emphasis on his determination.
Actually, looking at the Japanese text structure:
First instance: 「それはそれとして、警護のあの不届き者どもは顔を覚えましたので相応の躾けはしておきますからご安心を。何、世の中剣を抜かずとも敵を無力化できるという稽古をつけようと思います」
Second instance: 「それはそれとして、警護のあの不届き者どもは顔を覚えましたので相応の躾けはしておきますからご安心を。何、世の中剣を抜かずとも敵を無力化できるという稽古をつけようと思います」
They are identical. This appears to be either a copy-paste error in the source text or intentional repetition for emphasis. In translation, I should probably translate it both times as it appears, or if it's clearly an error, I might note it, but the instructions say no translator notes. So I'll translate it twice as it appears.
Wait, looking at the context, the first time this appears is after Helkov speaks and before the alchemy conversation. The second time is after Ikuto speaks gently and smiles. So yes, it appears twice in the text provided. I'll translate both instances.
Continuing with the translation...
[The text continues with political discussion about factions]
"To answer your question, Your Highness, regarding whether His Majesty serves as your backing..."
The one who grants me the most favor while simultaneously guaranteeing my origins.
However, Harty pressed her handkerchief to her eyes and offered a different name.
"Originally, it should be the Count Niftas family who serves as Lady Asha's backing."
"Ah, right. My name is Iscarion=Niftas, so I belong to the Count Niftas family."
Iscarion is the name of the Empire, and the family name of the Emperor.
However, my father, who was the third son of Count Niftas, made Iscarion his only family name after becoming Emperor.
I am the only one in the Iscarion family who bears the name Niftas.
I had forgotten because I don't use my real name, and since nicknames are the norm in this world it wasn't a problem, but my formal name is Asgyuros Furysosario Movino Iscarion=Niftas.
It's severe, long, and hard to pronounce, so I like the nickname Asha.
"Is the Count family doing anything?"
"Nothing! Not even seasonal greetings! Since leaving the Count's household, there has not been a single inquiry!"
To summarize Harty's indignation, apparently the Count Niftas family is supposed to manage the foundation for me to live as a noble.
However, the Count family has cut off all ties with me.
Therefore, they neither introduce me to connections in the royal court who could help, nor arrange for tutors to provide necessary education.
It is Harty who currently teaches me noble manners.
"Don't I need the Niftas name?"
"Well, Your Highness is clever so you probably understand quickly, but it's to imprint the impression that while you are the Emperor's son, you are not legitimate."
Helkov explained crudely.
From his dissatisfied tone, it seems deep adult circumstances are involved.
However, that only raises further questions.
"Why did the guards draw their swords on me this time when I'm with Terry? They're keeping me so far from the throne. Above all, I've never appeared in any official capacity. They don't even know what kind of person I am, so that reaction was excessive."
When I posed this question, Wearrel explained with a sigh.
"It is also a distant cause that His Majesty ascended to the throne from low birth. No matter how high one's birth, if there is precedent for a lower-ranked successor overturning that position, the possibility cannot be denied."
"So they think I could take the throne if Terry weren't there? So that's why Terry was crying and they reacted that way?"
It doesn't quite click, but does that mean I'm viewed as that dangerous?
Seeing my confusion, Ikuto supplemented.
"Your Highness is clever, which may be why you don't understand. As we say in our country, suspicion breeds dark ghosts. A doubting heart projects your false image. Not knowing the reality—in fact, precisely because they don't know—they don't realize how far removed it is."
"So to Terry's entourage, I'm a villain plotting to usurp the throne?"
What a wild leap of imagination.
Moreover, my own principles and thoughts aren't considered at all.
"There is also the matter of factions."
Harty, having reined in her tears, straightened her handkerchief and explained.
Apparently, my very existence is a seed of trouble for those engaged in power struggles.
The Emperor's faction is the Duke Lucaios faction, the Empress's family.
Now that Terry has been born, their power is guaranteed to grow stronger with time.
For factions competing with that ducal faction, I am the only one who can be used to shake them.
Furthermore, for those wanting to join the ducal faction, disparaging me and spreading malicious rumors serves to curry favor with the ducal faction's people.
"Don't they have better things to do?"
"I think so too. But moving a country, which is a gathering of people, is fundamentally impossible for the Emperor alone. Factions are necessary, and His Majesty currently relies solely on Duke Lucaios. So for Count Niftas, who managed to join that faction, they want to ride that winning horse."
Helkov spoke lightly, but his beastly face remained as intimidating as ever.
The Count Niftas family, who should be my backing, keeps their distance and treats me coldly for self-preservation.
They have no intention of caring for me to the extent of incurring Duke Lucaios's displeasure.
"Another possibility is simply those targeting Lady Asha, who is undefended, to hinder His Majesty. Marquis Strateg, who doesn't want the ducal faction to seize current authority despite his high lineage, or Duke Eurasion, who missed the throne despite his bloodline. The list goes on."
According to Wearrel, Father also faces strong opposition regarding bloodlines.
I've heard of it, but apparently he's trying to change the old established order.
The Empire has lived long, so there are wasteful systems and institutions that are too ancient to function.
To do new things, they need to cut away the old waste, but there are people who cling to that waste.
I know things a five-year-old shouldn't need to know thanks to the exchange of opinions happening before my eyes right now.
If I stay quiet, I'm still small enough to fall below everyone's line of sight.
So they forget my existence and the information exchange grows heated.
"Duke Lucaios is trying to eliminate primogeniture, that old established rule. In that respect, he is His Majesty's ally."
"Yet they treat His Majesty's son with such contempt. It is frustrating that we cannot inform His Majesty immediately because we cannot afford to incur the Duke's displeasure right now."
Harty expressed frustration to Wearrel, who wore a difficult expression.
I see, so this Empire practices primogeniture.
In that case, I'm the eldest son but not the Empress's son, so I'm being pushed aside.
Perhaps from Duke Lucaios's perspective, this is the result of forcing through the unreasonable, which is why they're abnormally wary of me?
If it were absolutely impossible, that would be one thing, but because the possibility of removal remains, they continue to suspect.
So does that mean risking my life just to interact with my younger brother?
Personally, I don't think power is such a nice thing.
"I've never even thought about wanting the throne."
When I muttered that without thinking, the retainers, remembering my existence, fell silent.
Since it seemed awkward, I forced a joking smile.
"I'm obsessed with alchemy right now. Surely if I were in a position to become Emperor, I wouldn't be able to do such things?"
"Goodness, speaking with Your Highness Asha occasionally makes one feel as if conversing with an adult who shares the same perspective. Though your environment may force you to be so, there is no need to rush into adulthood."
Ikuto spoke gently.
And he smiled, but somehow I sensed a dangerous atmosphere in that forced laughter.
"That aside, regarding those insolent guards, I have memorized their faces and shall administer appropriate discipline, so please rest assured. Why, I intend to teach them that there are ways to neutralize enemies without drawing one's sword in this world."
Which basically means, he's planning to use training as an excuse to beat those three guards who laid hands on their swords half to death, doesn't he?
Since he can't impose official penalties, it seems Ikuto is angrier than I thought.
I just hope he doesn't end up on bad terms with the guards.
"Moderation, okay?"
My request was met with the adults' polite smiles and promptly brushed aside.
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Next: The Marquis's Hand 1