BSS 73

I realized I’d made a mistake when the Royal Knights glared at me, but thankfully the Emperor didn’t seem to mind at all.

“It is a palace where members of the imperial family who have committed wrongs spend time reflecting on their actions.”

So, in short, it was a punishment for running away.

“While staying in the Palace of Silence, they may meet no one, contact no one, and are stripped of all comforts to learn restraint and patience. No one may leave before the time I have set.”

That just sounded like a prison for royals.

“Then… I can’t meet him?”

“That is correct. Why is it that you would make even your wish about meeting the Second Prince?”

“…It’s not a reason worthy of Your Majesty’s concern.”

“What is it?”

The Emperor pressed me for an answer, so I had no choice but to speak.

More than anyone, I knew how trivial my reason really was.

“Because we are friends… I only wish to say goodbye before leaving Elan.”

After much thought, that was how I defined my reason for wanting to see him—at least for now.

“A friend.”

“That night, we shared a moment neither of us will ever forget. If that isn’t friendship, then what is?”

Once I said it out loud, it sounded rather suggestive.

Afraid of being misunderstood, I hurriedly added,

“I know it’ll only become harder to meet as time passes, so I want to see him now. There are things I never got to say.”

There was an awkwardly large gap in status to call us friends.

And there was also a distance between Elan and Dmitri that couldn’t easily be crossed.

I might never set foot on Elan’s soil again in my lifetime.

“So my son has a friend.”

The problem was that this ‘friend’ wasn’t someone who could just knock on the gate and say, Hey, let’s hang out, and expect him to come running.

Already kneeling, I felt the towering barrier of the imperial family press down on me and grew despondent.

“Your Majesty. I won this tournament to meet Esh.”

“How bold.”

“Please reconsider, just once more.”

“Girl, do not ask again. I deny that wish. Even leniency, when given out of fondness, has its limits.”

“……”

“Do you not understand? To grant that wish, I would have to revoke an order I already gave. That is why I cannot grant it.”

I understood perfectly well that the Emperor’s dignity and pride would not allow him to retract an order.

But no matter how I looked at it, it just felt incredibly petty.

It wasn’t even a real prison—what was so hard about letting me meet a ten-year-old kid who was reflecting on his mistakes?

Why was he being so damn strict?!

I had so much I wanted to say, but all I could do was stare at the floor, my clenched fists trembling.

If I had nine lives, maybe I would’ve said something.

“What is it?”

Huh? Did I say that out loud without realizing it?

“Speak, Robenin Pedri.”

I froze in place, still kneeling.

Only then did I notice Robenin standing right beside me.

When did he even get here—and who did he think he was, raising his right hand and asking to speak before the Emperor?!

Speaking to the Emperor first—such audacity was beyond even my imagination. Had this bastard lost his mind?

From that moment on, I was certain of it.

This guy was insane.

“Your Majesty. I have a good idea.”

“What might that be?”

The way the Emperor looked at Robenin—so gentle, so full of favor—made me feel sharply aware of the discrimination.

Hey. You didn’t look at me like that!

So this is what favoritism toward one’s own people looks like.

“As a winner myself, may I not also make a wish?”

“You may.”

“However, I desire nothing.”

Well, he was a duke’s son—of course he wouldn’t lack for anything. Thinking it had nothing to do with me, I halfheartedly stared at the patterns in the stone floor.

“But if I must choose one thing, it would be a duel with the person here—Jinny Crowell.”

You lunatic.

“Oh?”

Don’t look interested, you crazy Emperor!

“Of course, it would be difficult to realize if she does not consent.”

“Naturally.”

“Therefore, if Your Majesty would graciously permit it, I wish to transfer my portion of the wish to her—on the condition that she duels me.”

Listening quietly, I ground my teeth in disbelief.

So in the end, his ‘wish’ was to fight me—and he wanted to make it sound like he was doing me a favor on top of that?!

Do I look like a pushover?!

This guy was an even bigger freak than I was.

“A duel between two champions—an excellent idea. And the intent behind yielding one’s wish is admirable as well.”

“I’m glad it pleases you.”

“Yes, yes. If we consider it as two wishes, then it wouldn’t be impossible to overturn a command already given.”

As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together—the Emperor’s reaction wasn’t just positive, he looked outright pleased.

“This tournament was dreadfully dull, you see. Both the junior and youth divisions had a single standout, making it feel like a fight between a child and an adult.”

“E-Excuse me, Your Majesty!”

I’m a person too—my opinion matters!

“What is it? Surely you don’t object?”

Of course I did, but if I said that out loud, I had a strong feeling my life would become very difficult.

“Well… it’s just that. I’m only ten years old, and Lord Pedri is sixteen, so in that sense it doesn’t seem fair.”

“Then naturally, if there is to be a duel, we should give the young lord a handicap.”

I’d heard that the Emperor doted on Robenin Pedri as if he were his own child, but I hadn’t realized it was to this extent.

“How about it, Jinny Crowell? If you duel Lord Pedri and win, I shall grant your wish.”

I even have to win?!

“I don’t understand how the conversation ended up like this.”

The words slipped out, full of dissatisfaction.

It was getting harder and harder to hide my temper.

“The wish you desire is somewhat excessive to grant outright. However, if you defeat the genius our Empire prides itself on and even seize his portion of the wish, I will gladly grant it.”

“Lord Pedri said he’d give it just for dueling—”

“Listen.”

“……”

“I set the rules. I grant permission. I show leniency. None of that is for you to decide.”

Damn it.

It was all entirely up to him. Well… he was the Emperor.

I wanted to punch that languid, beast-like face of his.

It was the exact expression of someone who toys with prey he doesn’t even intend to kill.

Was this the sorrow of coming from a small nation?

“I’m quite curious to see which of these two geniuses will win.”

Warning bells blared wildly in my head, but there was no way out.

The Emperor had already decided to carry out Robenin’s proposal.

And when the Emperor wanted something, it was bound to happen.

I felt like a bull thrown into an arena, my teeth grinding on their own.

“Young lord, what do you think? Is my leniency insufficient?”

“No. Please do as you wish.”

“So you have no objections.”

“Yes. I will comply.”

I swore I would hate every last one of these imperial bastards.

I could see all too clearly what the Emperor wanted.

He wanted to enjoy his own entertainment while letting Elan’s genius completely crush me.

It was miserable, but I had no choice anyway.

“Jinny Crowell. I await your answer.”

The answer was already decided; all that remained was for me to speak.

If I had to do it anyway, I refused to do so looking pathetic.

I was nothing more than a Dmitrian caught between the Empire’s Emperor and a young lord—but my pride was intact.

I rose to my feet and looked up at the Emperor. Grinding my teeth just enough not to show, I said exactly what he wanted to hear.

Fine.

“I’ll do it.”

Let’s do it your way.

I had no intention of losing quietly.

You’ve underestimated me, you imperial bastards.

“Coordinator!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Prepare a match between the champions. The winner’s wish—whatever it may be—shall be granted.”

The Emperor looked at me.

And I was filled with nothing but resentment.