Published: January 4, 2026
“So, how much do you know so far?”
I settled down and, while receiving a human massage prepared by Cindy, I asked her again about her purpose in coming.
I had a rough idea already.
She must have anticipated that I would rush back to the Imperial Capital at top speed, and she had prepared accordingly.
In other words, she was aware of Father’s situation and was here to discuss it.
“As expected of Your Majesty.”
“You’re the amazing one here.”
“Me?”
“For a woman like you to be so prepared, waiting for me like this, you must have grasped something significant.”
“…Your Majesty is truly remarkable.”
Cindy said, her expression filled with genuine admiration, her eyes seeming feverish with excitement.
But that was only for a moment before she quickly composed herself.
“Lord Noisehill has arrived at court.”
“…The First Prime Minister from two generations ago?”
Cindy nodded silently.
Noisehill was the First Prime Minister during my childhood.
He served for nearly thirty years under Father, the late Emperor, holding the position longer than anyone else in Father’s reign.
There was no hesitation in calling him a key figure behind the scenes.
Later, he resigned due to old age and returned to his hometown, completely stepping away from politics.
By the way, after him came Jan, and now Don, my trusted confidant, holds the position of First Prime Minister.
And now Noisehill has appeared at court—before Father himself.
“I see… Do you know Father’s condition?”
“According to reliable sources…”
“Hmm?”
“He is fully conscious, and his responses show no abnormalities. However…”
“However?”
“The consorts have all been kept away.”
“…I see.”
I nodded gravely.
Although there was a caveat that Cindy’s information was trustworthy, my honest impression was that things were worse than I expected.
“Is it… not good?”
“…”
I glanced at the men giving the massage.
“Rest assured, they have been carefully selected. If any information leaks from here, it will be on me.”
“You not outright denying that possibility is typical of you.”
“Much obliged.”
“Noisehill is a man skilled in concealment.”
I turned my gaze toward the wall, speaking as if looking out through it to the scene outside the carriage.
“Since stepping down as First Prime Minister, he withdrew to his hometown, ensuring neither he nor his descendants got involved in politics. Normally, after thirty years as First Prime Minister, he could wield enormous influence.”
“Yes, that’s what I think.”
“But that also breeds resentment.”
“Resentment… from whom?”
“From me.”
“Your Majesty?”
“To be more precise, from the hypothetical version of me.”
“Hypothetical… Your Majesty?”
“Heh, this concerns you as well.”
“Huh?”
“If my younger brother grows up and successfully takes over the family, how old will you be then?”
“Um…”
Cindy, looking confused, tried to answer my question.
I smiled mischievously and went on.
“Just imagine, you’re all proud, thinking ‘Now is my era’ as you inherit the house, and suddenly an old man butts in from the side. You’d feel murderous, wouldn’t you?”
“Ah… I’d better not incur Your Majesty’s displeasure…”
“That’s the idea.”
I chuckled softly.
Of course, I have no such intention. If reason prevails, I listen, and if laws are broken, I strictly punish.
But the hypothetical me—the hypothetical new emperor—is not like that.
Young people instinctively dislike old men interfering.
If that young person wields power, even to the extent of feeling omnipotent as the new emperor, this dislike deepens.
And unlike an ordinary young person who might just grumble, the emperor holds absolute power over life and death of all imperial subjects.
If he wished, he could ignore laws and execute someone. (Though considering the consequences, he definitely shouldn’t.)
In short, I think Noisehill fully withdrew to protect himself.
“And now that man, so skilled in concealment, has appeared at court again. There’s no other reason than being summoned by retired emperor Your Majesty.”