Published: January 4, 2026
“I heard that Your Majesty also dotes on Sem.”
“I wonder about that. I intend to be strict with him.”
Father said this as he turned his gaze out the window.
His eyes were distant.
Somehow, the phrase “failure in child-rearing” floated through my mind.
The eldest son, Gilbard, and the second son, Albard.
Indirectly, Father ended the lives of both his sons.
Because of that backlash, it wouldn’t be strange for him to be harsh toward Sem—his grandson.
“I think Sem is a happy child.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Father turned to me, a bit surprised by my words.
“Your Majesty’s ‘strictness’ surely means educational strictness. For a wise ruler like Your Majesty to personally guide him strictly is nothing but a blessing.”
“...I see.”
Father smiled faintly.
After a few seconds of silence, I brought the conversation back on track.
“I intend to take another measure. I believe it requires Your Majesty’s approval.”
“Hm, speak.”
Father’s expression turned serious.
The face he wore when governing—the face of the empire’s highest authority.
“It’s about the increasing issue of the treatment of the royal family members in the empire.”
“...You’re going to tackle that?”
“I have already sown the seeds.”
As Father looked surprised, I deliberately maintained a neutral expression and continued.
“It concerns Arlene.”
“...I see, so that’s it.”
Father suddenly realized, and I nodded slightly.
Arlene, the fourteenth imperial princess, is my blood-related older sister.
Some time ago, she and her husband, Angus Bull, were troubled because tradition bound them from living as a normal married couple.
I broke that tradition a little, allowing them to live like a normal married couple.
Starting from that, I have been acting as an emperor who ‘interferes with tradition’ in various ways.
The moment I mentioned this, Father looked fully convinced.
“You’re right. The empire has lasted too long. By now, the allowances for the royal family members have become no small sum.”
Father said this, and I nodded.
From the moment I was born as prince thirteen, I have received a stipend of several thousand Lien.
Because I am a prince, because I am royal family.
Simply by being royal, a fixed allowance is provided by the empire.
Not only the “current” princes, but even the “former princely houses” are given allowances until a certain bloodline distance.
Since Father had more than a dozen children, emperors tend to have many children for the succession.
This means leaving a burden of allowances for future generations.
In short, the empire supports many royal families who do not work properly.
And this is a “resource”—a resource monopolized.
“Impressive, Noah, you intend to tackle this.”
“That’s the plan.”
“But suddenly taking it away will be difficult. Naturally, there will be resistance.”
“There is tradition to consider as well.”
“Hm?”
Father tilted his head slightly.
“The empire is a land of warriors. The formal ‘first battle’ that every royal male is made to participate in should be made into a proper first battle. It’s disgraceful for imperial male royals not to step onto the battlefield even once—”
“That’s a very solid pretext.”
“Yes. In the end, it’s like renewing a license.”
“They will be treated the same as merchants.”
Father said, and I nodded.
Among merchants, those who handle important goods require a permit system.
Similarly, to enjoy privileges as royal family members, they must achieve battle accomplishments and renew their license.
“I understand. I will do it. I will carry the resentment to my grave.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. But I will do this.”
“What?”
“I will be using it soon...”
“...Impressive, Noah.”
I thought it was Father who was truly impressive, having understood everything in an instant.
☆
After leaving Father’s bedroom, I escaped the palace.
I went straight to Oscar’s mansion.
I broke in and returned to that tower.
Oscar was still there.