Today is the day I go to the main building—that is, the central wing of the palace.
Last year, it came to light that Her Highness the Consort was softening—or rather, that she appears to be a sympathetic person by nature. It seems she had been regularly pressured by her birth family, House Duke Lucaios, to be cold and ruthless now that she was the Emperor's consort, and further pressured to protect her sons from me, her rival for the imperial throne.
(Surrounded by people connected to Duke Lucaios, she was only fed information that painted me as the villain—just like Terry. I suppose the twins were still too young to be told such things.)
Though she had looked at me with scorn, when she saw the unmistakable cold treatment I received, she was overwhelmed with guilt and wept profusely. Moreover, I happened to overhear that this guilt increased every time she spoke with me.
Not knowing that the egg-shaped covered stand was a sweets container, or not having a single portrait of my mother—every time it becomes clear that I'm not even living the minimum noble lifestyle she envisions, she cries, which is a bit troublesome.
"Welcome, Aarsha. You must be tired from walking. His Majesty will arrive shortly, so, well, you all—"
Before the Consort who greeted me could finish, four-year-old Fel and Warner ran past her side. I spread my arms wide to catch them so they wouldn't fall.
"Welcome, Brother Aarsha!"
"Brother Aarsha, what will you show us today?"
"Hey, you both look energetic. But it would be a shame to get hurt and waste time when we've finally met. If you want to see me quickly, you should sit and wait before I arrive."
""Yes sir!""
The twins' innocent affection stings my tear ducts a little. Even though I once made them cry loudly, they welcome me with sparkling smiles. I heard that Fel realized after throwing up and calming down that day that he didn't feel bad anymore, and understood that I had helped him. Warner also noticed that Fel's condition was mild, and tried hard to follow my instructions. Therefore, among these young, adorable brothers, I am treated as a hero. That's why I look forward to our twice-monthly meetings. Furthermore, they continue to let me meet with Father alone. In addition, my younger brothers sometimes come to see me on their own initiative, so this past year has truly been fulfilling.
"I want to become an alchemist too. But I don't have a teacher, so you be my teacher, Brother."
Fel says such happy things in high spirits while holding my hand and walking toward the chairs. He's been passionate about it ever since learning that I saved him with alchemical knowledge. Maybe it's also because I got carried away and showed them various things as entertainment?
"It uses fire, so it's still too early for you, Fel. Besides, there will be more teachers from now on. I think it's better to start as a hobby first."
"Me too, me too! I'll become strong! I'll be able to protect Fel and Brother!"
Warner also raised his small hand energetically, not wanting to be outdone. Apparently, he was impressed watching Terry practice swordsmanship. Waving even the hand connected to mine, Warner began demonstrating how he would fight. Even after sitting in the chair, they speak to me energetically from both sides. I was busy but happily responded. Then I felt a gaze and turned my neck. When I looked, Terry was at the doorway connecting the salon to the next room.
"Terry, I'm happy to see you. Have you been well?"
"Yes, ah, yes. You also seem unchanged, Brother."
He breaks into a smile when he notices me, but immediately corrects himself to act like an older brother. He's amazing for six years old. Terry needs to set an example for the twins too.
We members of the imperial family are all smiling warmly at one another. However, I was aware that the maids and attendants along the walls were watching my movements with caution. I'm not even imitating a battlefield cameraman anymore, and I can no longer fool the Lucaios faction into thinking I'm a dull prince. If they realize I'm not stupid, I wish they would understand that I wouldn't do anything bad in this situation. But I suppose that very suspicion breeds doubt. As long as they doubt, I apparently look like a demon or devil in disguise.
"Sorry, was I late?"
"Your Majesty, I also just arrived."
When I stood to greet Father's entrance, Fel and Warner imitated me, and Terry also stood up despite having just sat down. The Consort guided His Majesty to his seat with perfectly natural movements. At the same time, the Consort's maid brought in a baby carriage. There lay my younger sister who had just been born last year. She seemed to be napping, and I could clearly see her plump cheeks and the line of her eyelashes on her closed lids.
Beckoned by Father, I also drew near the baby carriage. I heard my sister is blonde with golden eyes too. She's apparently so difficult that taking her out of the room carelessly makes her fussy and causes convulsions, so today is the first time I've finally been able to meet her.
""Sigh...""
Father and I sigh simultaneously. When we looked at each other, we both had faces that couldn't be called imperial—completely softened. I'm sure I look the same.
"So cute."
"Yeah, cute."
Fel and Warner whisper so as not to wake her, saying how cute their sister is. Terry, for some reason, was acting shy around family and keeping his distance. Perhaps he steps back when I'm with the twins and Father because he's still not used to my presence, someone he had never interacted with before.
"Terry, look, she'll grow up quickly, so this is only for now."
"Yeah, I know."
Even while saying that, he responds to my call and comes over. And he probably knows that about the twins too—I feel envious but also fond. Thus, surrounding my sister, we five males continued whispering among ourselves. But at the right moment, my sister returns to rest in another room. Sleeping is a child's job, so it's regrettable but unavoidable.
And then we have a family tea party. The room attendants and palace guards are sent outside, leaving only one close advisor with a bob cut and one serving maid. Both are people who relatively don't glare at me.
"Today I'll do experiments using water."
""Yay!""
The twins raise voices of pure anticipation, while Terry is quiet but has an excited expression.
"This is a medicine made by alchemy that freezes water. Pour this into this water. Don't touch it, just look inside."
"It's not frozen? Did it fail?"
Terry pointed out the lack of change, looking at the test tube brought from the room. Getting the words I wanted, I pour the water mixed with the deliberately diluted medicine onto a plate. Then, though it was about to freeze, the water—which had been in a disordered molecular arrangement as a liquid—has its molecules rearranged by the impact of falling onto the plate, changing from the point of impact into a solid, that is, ice.
""Wow!""
"Goodness, how mysterious. I've never heard of even water-using mages being able to do such a thing."
Though it's an experiment to entertain the children, the Consort also finds it mysterious because she doesn't understand the principles. As I thought, she lacks scientific knowledge.
"Now then, next I'll drip water onto a coin. What do you think will happen?"
"It will spill."
"It'll get wet."
"The water will fall?"
"But considering what we've seen so far, I suppose that won't happen."
Your Majesty, please stop reading the meta.
I carefully passed the water along a stick so it wouldn't splash, placing it on the coin. Then, raised by surface tension to its very limit, it doesn't spill. Even such a simple thing—when applauded, it feels like I'm performing magic tricks. At this level, I won't be regarded with suspicion for practicing alchemy.
"Why?"
"How come?"
"I don't understand."
The twins are honest about it, but Terry looks frustrated. Still, being surrounded by my three younger brothers, I don't feel bad. Of course, I'm not doing these experiments just meaninglessly.
"This is a property of water. Next I'll show you water that moves on its own. This device has a thin, long glass straw inside a glass container, passing through the bottom of the container. Of course, even if you put water in the container, it won't leak unless the water reaches the top of the straw. But if you insert a glass tube covering the straw here..."
The water suddenly reduces its level and is sucked into the straw to be discharged. Though I don't need to give a difficult explanation about internal and external water pressure, eventually I intend to connect this experiment from the siphon principle all the way to coffee makers. I think that way they won't cut my annual stipend for doing useless things.
Regular Update
Next: Changes in Environment 5
Updated 9/6 (Inserted after Chapter 40)
Idle Talk 7: Aarsha