Chapter 51: Emperor, Cavellius III (1)
“I didn't expect that.”
Jerome, the leader of the Knights of Gloria, muttered as he left the Imperial Palace.
The only reason he, who was not a morning person, had visited the palace so early was to report to the Emperor about the Third Prince and his governess.
But the Emperor's reaction was lukewarm, contrary to what he expected.
“Do whatever you want.”
That was all he said when he asked him if the Third Prince could participate in the knights' training.
A vague response, indicating neither interest nor indifference.
Jerome frowned as he recalled the Emperor's cold expression.
What's on his mind?
He had known Kavilius III since their youth.
He was the adopted son of a duke, and an outcast from the imperial family, which is why Jerome and Cavellius were close.
However, it remained sometimes impossible to read his thoughts. Just like today.
He says, “Do whatever you want,” but if he doesn’t like it, he gets angry later.
Jerome tried to read his intentions but eventually gave up.
“Well, he didn't say no. He said do what I want, then I will do it.”
The Duke simply finished his thoughts and returned to the Knights' Headquarters.
Unaware that his decision would become a major turning point in the life of a young boy.
“Welcome, Your Highness. “I am Philipp Meyer, Vice-Commander of the Knights of Gloria.”
The jockey Philipp Meyer, with his sharp features and precise prestige, was well known in the capital.
A young commoner who rose to the position of deputy leader in the late twenties—a truly rare talent.
“Nice to meet you, Sir Philip.”
Edwin greeted nervously as he looked at the knight who saluted him.
“Speak comfortably, Your Highness. “I am but a simple knight.”
“Excuse me? Ah, but still...”
“Today, Your Highness will participate in the training of the Third Battalion.”
After he finished his words, Phillip silently looked at the little prince. He looked clearly confused and nervous.
They say that the third empress was a stunning beauty. It seems he inherited her beauty.
Philip secretly admired the prince's appearance:
Honey-gold hair, bright blue eyes, and delicate, pure features.
Striking beauty—almost exaggerated for a boy.
But that seems to be all he has.
A prince from a mother whose kingdom had fallen, a burden abandoned long ago, a boy with a beautiful face and nothing more.
That was the first impression the Third Prince left on Philip's mind.
“The nanny came too.”
Philip directed a wary look at Rachel, the prince's nanny.
“We meet again.”
But she showed no annoyance at his look.
“I came to watch. "It's part of my duties as a governess."
“The training will take about three hours. Do you intend to wait here?
He thought that no woman could bear the hot spring sun, so he turned around and continued:
“A lady as delicate as a flower cannot be left in the sun. I will accompany you to the salon...”
“You must have seen flowers withering in the spring sun.”
He froze for a moment at her sudden response.
“I appreciate your kindness, but it is my duty to remain at His Highness's side. "I will stay here."
The knight let out a sigh of resignation and replied:
“Okay. Then I will guide you directly to the training ground.”
Edwin knelt down and stared at the ground, panting bitterly as his lungs reached their limit.
A strange, hoarse voice came from his chest.
He was even more exhausted than when the monster had chased him back in Luxen.
“Hurry up, you slow movers! And you dare to call yourselves the elite knights of the empire?!”
With the angry shout from ahead, Edwin raised his head.
The 3rd Battalion's cavalrymen were lined up neatly, leaving him a long way behind them.
Isn't the 3rd Battalion the weakest in the Knights of Gloria? However…
However, he could not catch up with them.
There were many of them in their early teens, so the excuse of age no longer applies.
The feeling of defeat and shame crushed him, but he clenched his teeth.
“Huh...”
He watched absently as the knights moved further away, then forced his legs to move again.
"Yes!"
He groaned in pain, but didn't stop.
Because he remembered Rachel's words before he came:
“My lord, from now on you will participate in the training of the knights.”
"What?! "This is crazy!"
“It's just physical training, don't worry.”
“But how can I...”
She said sternly to his frightened face:
“Your Highness, you said you wanted to become strong, didn't you? I promise you this—”
Her serious look was heavier than ever.
“If you do not endure this training, you will never become strong.”
Edwin ran with all his might, the image of his alert nanny filling his mind.
She is the one who does not know how to give up, she always stands tall.
“Ahh!”
He shouted as he rushed to catch up with the knights.
Running is my skill! I won't let myself fall behind this time!
He was no longer running to escape... but to catch up.
That's why it was impossible to stop.
“Hh…!”
He caught his breath, but didn't back down.
His handsome face convulsed until it no longer resembled the face of a prince.
He didn't realize that more than one person was watching him.
“Why do you honor my office at this time?”
Commander Jerome asked the person standing at the window.
The man turned around slowly, revealing curly copper hair and sharp blue eyes.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
He was Cavellius III, Emperor of Ventrum.
With a simple appearance and a thin body that does not befit the title of “Emperor.”
“It is troublesome to wander about without a guard, Your Majesty,” said Jerome without reserve. “At my age, I don’t want to get scolded by my younger sister.”
The Emperor smiled lightly: “The Empress is not the type to scold.”
“It has one weakness—to your majesty.”
"maybe." The Emperor leaned his back against the railing and stared into the distance. “So why did you bring that child?”
His gaze turned to Edwin as he panted, trying to catch up with the knights.
“You told me to do as I please, Your Majesty.”
“And this time you really did what you wanted.”
When dissatisfaction appeared on the emperor’s face, Jerome merely smiled: “Sometimes, I don’t want to interpret your words too much.”
“How disloyal this subordinate is.”
"never."
The Emperor laughed sincerely. “You're the only one who dares to talk to me like that.”
“Didn't you give me permission?”
"Yes. Because you are more valuable to me than blood.”
The Emperor remained silent as he contemplated the extending line of mountains.
“Edith Lionel, isn't it? “That boy’s mother.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
His voice was dry, as if she were a stranger with no connection to him.
“I believed Lionel would extend its influence over the West.”
Jerome remained silent and looked at him.
Edith Lionel, the third Empress and sole princess of the Lionel Kingdom.
Cavilius III married her more than ten years ago to seal an alliance with Lionel.
But she died after giving birth to a princess, and Lionel fell into the hands of the Adamant king. The purpose of the oath became meaningless.
“That boy does not have the qualities of a ruler.”
The Emperor looked coldly at Edwin.
Others might find him pathetic with his effort, but he only saw him as useless.
“Do you think effort makes up for lack of talent, Duke?”
“To some extent, yes.”
“And I'm the complete opposite.” A sarcasm appeared on his mouth.
“He lacks natural talent. So he is a dead card for me.”
“This is what we will see.”
At the Duke's reply, the Emperor turned with eyes filled with suspicion.
“Duke Crowner, why did you take that boy then?”
“I told you before: because his nanny asked me to.”
"governess?" The Emperor frowned.
“You mean that woman from back then?”
“Excuse me?”
"…nothing." He waved his hand, changing the subject.
“This is not your custom, to respond to the request of a simple nanny.”
“As you know, Your Majesty, I have a weakness for women.”
“You refused the request of the Empress herself, and then you say this?”
The Emperor remembered the complaints of the second consort demanding that Jerome be punished, so he bit his tongue.
“So a duke of the empire obeys the words of his governess?”
“Haha, that can be said.”
“Don't mess with me, Jerome Crowner.”
In an instant, the atmosphere surrounding the Emperor changed.
A sharp cold prevailed over the place.
“Say your true intentions. Don't you want your sister's son to ascend the throne?