Groundwork

"I'm sorry about yesterday. I was inadequately prepared. Please forgive me."

"I thought I told you that you needn't come."

"Prince Leonart ordered me to assist you."

"But I was the one who judged you incompetent and told you not to come."

"There is no excuse for that."

Wutz hung his head at my words. But he didn't seem inclined to leave.

Rather than being unable to give up, "persistent" was probably the more accurate description.

"Hmm... Which noble in the White Gull Alliance is considered the most harmless?"

"I believe that would be Damian von Becker, the son of Baron Becker. He admires Lady Fiene, but his position is that he only joined because his friends invited him."

"Hmph... It seems you did your homework. But that's information from yesterday."

With that, I showed Wutz several sheets of paper.

They contained lengthy letters of apology, with signatures beneath them. Damian's name was among them, of course.

"This is...!?"

"I've already made several seemingly harmless nobles withdraw. Damian is one of them."

"How did you do this so quickly?"

"The nobles in the White Gull Alliance run the gamut. At its center are those who could realistically be considered candidates to marry Fiene, while for those on the fringes, that is merely a pipe dream. Many joined because their friends did or simply on a whim. And such people are usually not wealthy. So I looked for records of their debts and paid them all off. In other words, I became the person they owed money to."

"An effective method, but... where did you get the money?"

"I don't spend money. I've always left its management to Sebas. In the meantime, Sebas wisely increased it for me."

That was the truth. I had left the management of my assets to Sebas, and he had used them skillfully to multiply them many times over. That said, this was only so that no one would become suspicious when I spent money. Our true source of funds was my income as Silver. I was probably one of the wealthiest individuals in the Empire, at least in terms of personal assets.

"You did all that... but..."

"You're wondering why I spent money to make harmless people withdraw?"

"Yes, exactly."

"You'll understand eventually. If you're willing to serve as a fighting force, follow Sebas's instructions. Sebas."

"Yes, right here."

Sebas appeared from nowhere, making Wutz's eyes widen. Well, anyone would be surprised.

Ignoring Wutz, I handed Sebas the list.

"Why, this will be quite an expense."

"It's fine. Spend as much as you can. We need to teach a ridiculous gathering like the White Gull Alliance a proper lesson. We need to show them which of us is above and which is below."

"In other words, you want us to be thorough?"

"That's right. Show every noble in the Imperial Capital how money is used."

With that, Sebas bowed respectfully and left the room with Wutz.

For now, I'll leave the groundwork to those two.

As I was thinking that, another visitor arrived at my room.

"Prince Arnold. Alois von Simmel has arrived."

"Welcome, Count Simmel. I'm sorry to summon you in a situation like this."

"Not at all. I have time to spare."

There was no lie on Alois's face as he said that. He seemed to be studying various subjects, but that alone was probably not enough to keep him from feeling bored.

I grinned at Alois.

"That's good to hear. I'd like you to do a little work for me."

"That depends on what it is, Your Highness. Unfortunately, I don't have much talent to offer."

With that, Alois hedged his answer. He was being quite prudent.

It seemed he was studying that sort of thing as well. That was good.

"Silver thought highly of you, didn't he?"

"!?"

"Or should I call you Grau?"

"Who... are you?"

That was information only Silver and Alois could have known. But there was still someone else who could have known it.

"I was the one who commissioned Silver. I didn't want anyone interfering with Leo."

"You... you sent Grau to me?"

"That's right."

At that, Alois quietly took a step back and knelt right there.

"What happened?"

"Your Highness... I wish to express my gratitude. Thanks to you, I was able to protect the lives of my people..."

"It wasn't me who protected them. It was you and Silver. But if you still feel indebted to me, then I want you to lend me your strength."

"Yes, Your Highness. Anything you ask. I'll give it my all."

"That's a bit dramatic. I only want you to talk about me."

"You want me to spread favorable rumors about you? Leave it to me!"

Alois's face brightened at once.

But I shook my head.

"Huh?"

"The opposite. I want you to spread bad rumors. Look deeply troubled, and tell people that I'm a frightening man."

"W-wouldn't that make the situation worse?"

"That's fine. I already discussed it with Silver. This is the strategy we've settled on, so don't worry. It wasn't just something I came up with."

I mentioned Silver's name to reassure the worried Alois.

Even so, Alois remained only half-convinced, but he reluctantly nodded at my request.

"Your Highness, please promise me one thing."

"What is it?"

"When this situation has settled down, please give me permission to set the record straight. I won't be able to face my people if I leave their benefactor disgraced."

"That may be difficult. It depends on the situation. I can't promise."

"But..."

Seeing Alois's hurt expression made me feel as though I were doing something wrong. Well, I was plotting something underhanded, so I wasn't entirely mistaken.

It couldn't be helped. If Alois refused my request here, there was a chance the plan would fail.

"All right, all right. Do as you please."

"Really!? Thank you!"

Alois bowed deeply.

Even if Alois set the record straight, people would either see me as a man who used a child to manipulate public opinion or as one who was using a child to manipulate public opinion. Either way, there wouldn't be much difference.

"That's all I wanted to discuss. Will you do it for me?"

"Yes! Leave it to me!"

Alois gave an energetic reply.

I found myself stopping him as he tried to leave the room. There was something I wanted to confirm.

"Count Simmel—or rather, Alois."

"Yes?"

"Ah, no... It's just... Have you met any members of the imperial family besides me?"

"I've spoken with Prince Erich and Prince Leonart several times. Unfortunately, I haven't had any contact with anyone else."

I sighed inwardly when I heard that.

Father had kept Alois at the castle so that he could study various subjects and because he was considering him as a candidate for Krista's husband. Knowing Father, he would never marry Krista off to another country. That meant her husband would have to be an imperial noble.

He probably wanted her to marry someone she herself liked when the time came. But the fact that he still hadn't arranged an opportunity for them to meet meant he was still wavering.

"Stop becoming useless whenever it concerns your daughter..."

"Pardon?"

"I was talking to myself. In that case, how about having dinner sometime? I'd like to introduce you to some people I know."

"Really? I'd be delighted!"

Alois smiled innocently as he said that.

Alois was a promising young man. His mettle had already been proven during the civil war. He was the leading candidate to become Krista's husband. But in the end, what mattered was whether the two of them liked each other.

For now, I might as well let them meet.

With that in mind, I saw Alois off.

Then, just as Alois left, Fiene arrived.

She looked deeply dejected.

"What's wrong? This isn't like you. You look gloomy."

"I'm sorry... It's all because of me..."

Fiene looked even more downcast as she said that. Apparently, she thought what was happening was her fault.

That was absurd.

"It's not your fault. Half the blame lies with foolish nobles, and half with Father."

"But... it's because I stay by your side, Al-sama..."

"Don't misunderstand. If you were a nuisance, I would have sent you back to your territory long ago. The fact that I haven't means that I've chosen to keep you by my side. Do you understand?"

I pressed the point in a firm tone, and Fiene nodded with a slightly surprised expression. With a wry smile, I asked her for tea as usual.

"Good. Then could I have some tea? Make it strong."

"Y-yes! I'll prepare it right away! U-um... Al-sama...?"

"Hmm?"

"There are some sweets, too..."

"Of course I'll have some. Please bring them."

"Y-yes! I hope they suit your taste."

Fiene began preparing everything while humming a tune.

It was the same scene as always. An ordinary day.

There were people who had tried to destroy it. And of all people, they were my own vassals, trying to destroy my modest everyday life.

"I won't show them any mercy..."

I voiced my resolve quietly enough that Fiene wouldn't hear.

At the same time, I felt anger bubbling up from the depths of my heart, and I forced myself to calm down.

I wanted to keep smiling, at least in front of Fiene. If I made a frightening face, it would surely trouble her.

"It's ready! Here you are, Al-sama!"

"Ah, thank you."

As always, the tea was delicious.