A Problem

In the end, I looked around the castle afterward, but I couldn't find any clues pointing to the traitor.

Then night fell. A large party was being held at the castle.

The party, attended by important figures from every country as well as many nobles, was in full swing.

"Fine! There's some unusual-looking food over there too!"

"Orihime-sama, it's dangerous to run around like that."

Wearing a black dress, Orihime ran without watching where she was going and nearly collided with someone. Fine gently cautioned her.

Fine was wearing a blue dress, and both of them stood out from everyone else at the party.

I followed the two of them around the party venue.

Normally, entertaining Orihime was my job, but Fine had been the one attending to her all day. As a result, Orihime had grown close to Fine. Then again, she was also sulking because I'd left her on her own.

"Hmm! This is another unusual flavor! But it's spicy. Arnold, I'm thirsty."

"There's some over there."

"I'm thirsty."

Orihime stared fixedly at me.

Her eyes seemed to say, "You left me on my own all day, and you can't even grant me such a small request?"

Reluctantly, I fetched some fruit juice from a nearby table and handed it to Orihime with a sigh.

"Here you go."

"Mm. Much obliged."

"You're awfully high and mighty."

"Hmm? Do you have a complaint? If that's how you feel, I can complain about being left on my own all day too, you know?"

"You were playing with Fine, weren't you?"

"I was. Fine was very kind to me. I even went to see the festival with the elven princesses."

"Then isn't that fine?"

"It isn't! I was sad..."

Orihime lowered her shoulders, looking utterly dejected.

Fine comforted her with a wry smile. Somehow, I felt like I'd done something terribly wrong.

Orihime had said she wanted to go to the festival again, and I'd promised to take her. I felt bad about breaking that promise.

"I'm sorry. Cheer up."

"Hmph..."

"I'll make it up to you next time."

"Really? You're not lying?"

"Yeah, really."

"Mm! Then I'll forgive you!"

With that, Orihime flashed a cheerful smile.

She changed moods quickly. Still, it was a relief that she cheered up so easily. In fact, I ought to be grateful that abandoning my role as her escort had only left her a little sulky.

Father would have chewed me out if he'd heard about it. Of course, I could honestly have told him that I was investigating the Grimoire, but it would still have been a hassle.

Time was precious now. Whatever I wanted to do, I didn't have enough of it.

I was using the time allotted for the party to have Sebas search the castle, but I wondered whether he would find any clues.

"We probably won't find anything..."

I muttered as I looked around.

At the edge of the party venue, Wendy, Christa, and Rita were happily eating. Shifting my gaze a little, I saw a minister from the Imperial State talking with Eva and Julio. They were probably discussing diplomatic matters.

Erik and Konrad were nearby, talking together. Formally speaking, Konrad was considered a supporter of Gordon. I wondered what he could be discussing with Erik.

Still, Konrad was a shrewd one. He had a carefree air and seemed skilled at navigating the world. If he decided it would be best to get along with Erik, he would act on it immediately.

On the opposite side of the venue stood Gordon and Prince William. They were speaking with an important figure from a vassal state. Brother Trau stood beside them.

Brother Trau's gaze was fixed on Christa, who was standing some distance away. It was only to be expected of him.

Even so, he seemed to be eavesdropping, which made the important figure from the vassal state look uncomfortable.

If they were discussing some scheme, Brother Trau would be the first to notice. When he got serious, he was troublesome beyond measure. It would be extremely difficult to outmaneuver him.

So I should be worried about that side after all.

Thinking that, I shifted my gaze to the center of the venue.

There stood Leticia in a white dress.

The pure-white dress, which seemed to embody purity and elegance, suited Leticia perfectly and drew the gazes of everyone in the venue.

She looked every bit the star of the evening. She naturally drew the eye, and I found myself admiring her every movement.

Beside her stood Leo, impeccably dressed. He was also attracting the attention of the women. It was impressive that he didn't lose his presence despite standing next to Leticia.

The two of them looked so well suited to each other that the women around them were sighing.

Leo, however, wore a troubled expression. A noblewoman nearby looked at him and said, "Leonart-sama is more wonderful than ever today!" But all I felt was unease.

Our eyes met.

I had no choice. I would have preferred him to resolve this on his own, though.

I motioned with my head for him to follow. Leo understood exactly what I meant, excused himself to Leticia, and followed me.

We went to the balcony. Fortunately, there was no one else around.

"Brother..."

"You look glum."

"Yeah... A little."

With that, Leo lowered his gaze.

What a troublesome younger brother.

Thinking that, I asked Leo,

"Leo, have you found your answer? Not my answer—your own answer."

My answer as a prince was to abandon Leticia.

That would also fulfill Leticia's wishes.

But that was my answer. I still hadn't heard Leo's.

That's why I asked him. I thought that was what had been troubling him.

However, Leo's reply came quickly.

"I have. I've already found it."

"Hm? I thought that was what you were struggling with."

"If I couldn't arrive at an answer after thinking for a day, I wouldn't deserve to become Emperor. As you said, I thought I should give her the best memories possible. So I spent all day thinking only about her. And then I realized... I want her to live so desperately."

"Oh? And what are you going to do?"

"...There's only one way to resolve everything. I have to bring her over to the Empire."

"Asylum? I doubt she'll agree to that."

"I know. That's why I'm going to use the last resort."

"The last resort?"

I had a pretty good idea what he meant.

I'd thought Leo was capable of arriving at that answer.

I deliberately hadn't said anything because I wanted Leo to realize it himself. It wouldn't mean anything if he didn't come to the realization on his own.

Leticia wouldn't be moved unless it was an extension of the answer Leo had reached himself.

This was a matter of feelings.

"Yeah. I want to take Leticia as my wife."

"I see. Why not? I think the two of you would make a good match."

Satisfied with Leo's answer, I nodded repeatedly.

Leo was Leo, after all. Even while struggling with a problem, he managed to arrive at the best answer.

Even considering the succession struggle, taking the popular Leticia as his wife would offer nothing but benefits. It was a perfect move, both personally and from a broader perspective.

He really was a little brother I could be proud of.

That was what I was thinking when Leo's face suddenly fell.

"S-so, Brother... There's a problem..."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Um..."

"What's wrong? Are you feeling ill?"

"It's not physical, exactly. I just feel awful... Actually, I don't know how to propose to her, and that's got me worried. What should I do...? What should I say?"

Seeing Leo look at me beseechingly, I let out a deep sigh.

As expected, he was a troublesome younger brother.