Published: January 4, 2026
I took the pen and paper from Cindy and began writing.
After drafting a concise message, I folded it into quarters and placed it into the prepared envelope.
Just then, Cindy handed me a candle. I took it, dripped wax onto the envelope’s seal area, then pressed the emperor’s seal—one I always carry with me—onto the wax.
Having finished the task, I handed the envelope to Robin.
“Take this to Dustin. As for the work here, delegate everything except the urgent matters to someone capable.”
“Y-yes!”
Robin accepted the envelope respectfully, held it above his head, bowed, then backed out of the room without turning around.
Once again, it was just Cindy and me in the room.
“Um…”
“Yes?”
“Why send it to Dustin? Wouldn’t it be better to deliver it directly to the provincial offices or to Lord Oscar?”
“It’s nothing serious. I just wanted to save Dustin’s face.”
“Save his face?”
“Don’t you get it? You’d feel bad if a subordinate you nurtured was snatched away from you behind your back, right?”
“Huh? No, actually, I think it’s an honor for that person…”
Cindy looked puzzled, not feigning it but truly unable to understand.
I realized that this was the result of her deep admiration for me.
I thought carefully about how to explain it so she could understand.
“It’s like that with royalty. That may be an exaggeration, but family members are often regarded like property. If that property is taken away unilaterally, it leaves a bad feeling. So I left it up to Dustin himself.”
“Wow… you considered it to that extent…”
“…”
Honestly, maybe it wasn’t necessary.
Among my siblings, the tenth prince Dustin is especially skilled at concealment.
And his concealment isn’t about hiding ambition—it’s based on his insight into my personality and methods, understanding that ‘without ambition, a prince can live out his natural life.’
That continues even now.
He maintains the stance of the profligate prince without breaking it.
So I sent a message through him as well.
As long as he does that, I will treat him with importance as a prince.
To preserve Father’s late years, as the emperor’s chosen successor, I cannot afford to have defectors in the family.
Well, I’m optimistic that Dustin won’t cause much trouble.
While thinking this, I caught sight of Cindy, her cheeks flushed and her expression dreamy.
“What’s wrong? Is the room too warm?”
“Huh? N-no. I just thought it was amazing.”
“Hmm?”
“Such skillful judgment, and the appointments afterward. With this, dishonest officials will soon be purged, and those who oppress the people eradicated.”
“Eradication is impossible.”
“...Huh?”
I chuckled softly, and Cindy looked dumbfounded, caught off guard.
“If eradication were possible, then all humans would have to become gods—or rather, angels loyal to the gods.”
“Y-yes… sorry—”
“I think rulers should have the resolve to ‘eradicate’ wrongdoing.”
“Huh?”
“Eradication is nearly a fantastical ideal, but good rulers hold ideals while balancing them with reality. So I think they should have at least the resolve to ‘eradicate’ wrongdoing.”
“Wow… I think that’s exactly right!”
Cindy said that with admiration in her eyes.
I smiled faintly, stood up, and began walking toward the door.
“Where are you going?”
Cindy looked a bit surprised.
“I’m going to the tavern to gather information. You should rest first.”
“Y-yes. Understood.”
Leaving Cindy behind, I stepped out toward the tavern, where I could already hear the raucous partying through walls and doors.
Upon entering, the lively atmosphere hit me.
People drinking, savoring food, shouting loudly.
Near the entrance, two men were playing a “drinking game.”
“One pine tree!”
“A square!”
“Cornered on all sides!”
“Double chin—ah, damn!”
“You lose!”
“Ah, geez!”
The two men faced each other, extending one hand, then calling out numbers from zero to ten as they simultaneously revealed a number of fingers.