Published: January 4, 2026
The conversation was over.
But even though it was finished, without the emperor’s permission, a subject was not allowed to leave his seat at will.
No matter how much it seemed like the discussion had ended, Henry could not move unless I said something.
So Henry waited.
I remained silent too, and a silence flowed between the two of us.
After a while, I was the first to speak.
“Henry.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Do you think I am being roundabout?”
“Your Majesty’s deep wisdom and foresight are beyond our reach—”
“Brother.”
“—!”
Henry gasped.
Calling him brother was probably the first time since I ascended the throne.
In this gazebo, where no one else could overhear us, I said it.
“Do you think I am being roundabout?”
“...A little, yes.”
Henry answered quietly, leaving a slight hesitation.
“You see, brother, I never desired the imperial throne. At least, not until Albert stirred up trouble.”
“Of course.”
“After that, I vaguely thought it, but still believed it would be Brother Henry or Brother Oscar who would take it.”
“...Yes, that’s right.”
“But Father gave me the throne. Brother, hasn’t Father said something like this to you? That ninety percent of wise rulers tarnish their later years?”
“Ninety percent of wise rulers...? Ah, I have heard something similar said in a roundabout way.”
“I heard it directly, exactly those words. Father was deeply worried about that.”
“Ah.”
Henry nodded clearly.
“Father was not only a tremendous warrior but also had a literary temperament.”
“Literary temperament?”
I was surprised to hear this appraisal for the first time and turned to Henry.
“Wonderful literary works need to be properly finished to the end.”
“Ah... music is the same.”
I said, and Henry nodded.
Alice’s image floated into my mind.
Though I don’t understand literature well, Alice’s singing always left a strong impression by allowing one to enjoy the afterglow.
Henry continued.
“Father was undoubtedly a one-in-a-thousand-year wise ruler. If you think of his reign as a story, if it stumbles at the end, it’s far worse than just a weak ending.”
“That’s right. That’s why I can’t let Brother Oscar have the throne, nor can I allow a rebellion. Either of those would tarnish Father’s story.”
“If absolutely necessary—”
“Hm?”
“There’s always assassination.”
I shook my head.
“There is no plot that won’t be discovered. No, even if it only becomes a rumor, it’s no good.”
“Sometimes people become ill.”
I was momentarily stunned.
Henry meant a slow-acting poison that would make the death look like an illness—
Something like the Boinix wine and Dragon’s Claw that Gilbert tried to slip to Father.
There are poisons like that, with even slower effects.
But—
“That’s no good. If someone thinks they have little time left, they might act recklessly.”
“...You’re thorough, thinking that far ahead.”
Henry’s eyes widened in genuine surprise.
“Brother, do you know any good way?”
“There’s no choice but to keep walking the tightrope... for now.”
I smiled faintly.
I turned around, then faced forward again.
Just as Henry said, for now, I have no choice but to keep walking the tightrope.
I must continue threading the needle.
I have already prepared the “real” and released the “illusory.”
Next...
I pondered a little.
Both “real” and “illusory” have been set in motion.
There’s little more to do on top of that.
Maybe it’s best not to do any unnecessary things beyond this.
Everything I have done so far has been to keep Oscar in check.
It’s a delicate balance.
As an emperor who is away from the Imperial Capital, I must do a certain amount of things, and it’s okay for the news to spread, but I mustn’t provoke him unnecessarily.
What to do?
Maybe one more thing—
“Y-Your Majesty.”
“Hm? You are... Luke, right?”
“Yes! I’m Luke!”
Brought back to reality by the voice, I looked and saw the young eunuch Luke kneeling on the bridge just outside the gazebo.