Chapter 8
Klaus spoke calmly.
“First, I thank the Duke for leading by example. However, voluntarily taking on twice the expected share could set an awkward precedent for others if a similar situation arises in the future.”
He looked meaningfully at Mecklinger.
“Therefore, in principle, each noble house should bear an equal share, but houses with capacity may voluntarily contribute additional amounts. Any house that contributes extra will receive appropriate recognition in the name of the Imperial family. Does this compromise work for everyone?”
For noble families, recognition from the royal family was no small honor. The Duke and the ministers all bowed in unison.
“We will follow the words of His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince.”
I felt admiration inwardly.
Klaus was not inferior to a seasoned politician. In front of so many ministers, he did not falter and proposed a compromise that everyone could agree on.
As expected of a romance fantasy male lead. The more I looked, the more charming he seemed.
After the state council meeting ended, I followed Klaus back to the room.
“Phew…”
Klaus sank deep into the sofa, looking exhausted. The steward quickly placed a cup of tea in front of him, good for recovery.
“Muzel. You should sit for a while too.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I moved to sit opposite Klaus. Sure enough, a fragrant cup of tea was served in front of me as well. I gave the steward a thankful glance.
At Klaus’s gesture, the steward put down the teapot and left.
Soon, it was just the two of us.
“I want to hear your impressions of observing the state council meeting.”
His voice strangely lacked energy. He must really be tired.
Feeling that speaking bluntly from the start might be rude, I answered in a polite way first.
“I was very impressed by how Your Highness and the ministers conducted state affairs with such in-depth discussion.”
“Are you teasing me?”
Klaus pressed his long fingers to his forehead.
“Muzel. I won’t scold you, so speak honestly.”
“Are you really sure about that?”
I asked cautiously. It is always wise to be careful when a superior asks your opinion.
Klaus removed his hand from his forehead and looked straight at me with his mysterious violet eyes.
“Yes. No need for any embellishment—just tell me what you truly feel and think.”
His firmness reassured me.
“I sensed power struggles between factions. To put it more clearly, it felt like opposition for the sake of opposition.”
Klaus stared at me silently and replied slowly.
“…Go on.”
“The Duke of Mecklinger seemed at first to be completely loyal to the Imperial family, but he appeared to have ulterior motives. And he doesn’t even try to hide them.”
“What do you think his true intention is?”
This is bad. The more I answer, the more questions Klaus asks. He’s really pressing me.
I hid my tension and spoke again.
“It’s because of the proposal he submitted today. If Your Highness had accepted the Duke’s supplementary plan, the matter would have been resolved according to his wishes. The nobles would unconsciously regard the Duke’s authority as greater than yours.”
I finished speaking and bowed my head.
“I apologize for my harsh expression. Please consider it the inexperience of someone newly appointed.”
“…”
I could feel Klaus’s gaze. He hadn’t taken his eyes off me since earlier.
What should I do?
After a while, he finally spoke.
“You’ve only observed one meeting, yet you are sharper than I expected, Muzel.”
Thank goodness. He didn’t seem displeased.
“There’s no need to apologize. Didn’t I say from the beginning that I wouldn’t scold you?”
I slowly raised my head. Klaus’s lips curved slightly at the edges.
“You are not far off in your observations. But I think that is a desirable phenomenon.”
“?”
I was puzzled. He considered the situation where the Duke of Mecklinger and his followers confront Klaus a desirable one?
Klaus crossed his long legs and clasped his hands on his knees.
“Do you understand the nature of politics?”
“To be honest, I don’t really.”
“Hmm, that’s fine. You haven’t been in the Imperial Palace long, so that’s natural.”
Klaus tilted his head slightly, a posture he takes when most comfortable.
“Absolute, untouchable power is not always right. As you said before, I admit the Emperor is not perfect.”
I was a little touched that he remembered what I said.
But when Klaus suddenly smiled, my heart skipped a beat.
“The Imperial family and the nobles cooperate while checking each other. Even if there is opposition for the sake of opposition, giving room for restraint can prevent greater backlash.”
“Yes.”
“In any case, if you know the other side is willing to listen, discussion can be conducted rationally. Politics is like human relationships. Ultimately, it is done by people.”
The arguments in the council had been loud, but that too was understandable if the goal was to show ‘I am not to be underestimated.’
Recognizing that one cannot insist on only their own opinions makes the other party more willing to listen at least once.
“Muzel.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Klaus’s tone softened considerably.
“Honestly, I do not want absolute, unchecked power. That’s what is called a tyrant.”
Or a dictator. I nodded.
A tyrant is not romantic at all.
In romance fantasies, tyrants are often portrayed as romantic figures protecting their beloved with great strength, but in reality, it is not like that.
A more accurate description would be someone who ruins the country because of obsession with women.
Yet honestly, from a novel reader’s perspective, a tyrant can be attractive. Everyone must obey the male lead without question.
I tentatively spoke to Klaus.
“However, from the perspective of serving Your Highness, I would hope no one dares oppose you.”
“Haha, I should thank you for becoming a sure ally.”
My heart nearly melted at Klaus’s smiling face. The benefits of being a man must be too good. I was completely flustered.
“As a politician, I must endure noisy situations like today’s council meeting. But I also need allies like you who will unquestionably support me.”
“Thank you…”
My voice was barely audible. It felt like he just said, ‘I need you.’
Klaus smiled faintly.
“I should be the one thanking you. It’s rare to have a capable aide. I look forward to working with you, Muzel.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
This must be the way romance fantasy male leads train the supporting characters. Completely captivating someone’s heart—definitely no ordinary skill.
When the conversation ended, I lightly bowed and returned to my seat.
“…”
My mind was blank. Had I been looking at Klaus for too long?
I shook my head to clear it.
A few days later, I received a reply to the telegram I had sent to Lumi. A messenger had slipped it under my door.
I quickly opened the envelope.
<Let’s meet and talk. At the sanctuary on the holiday.>
“Sigh…”
A short message made me exhale in frustration.
She’s possessed as the daughter of a wealthy family, yet why is it so brief? Couldn’t she write a precise time and place? Writing a few more lines wouldn’t bankrupt the household.
Being possessed as Princess Elfriede, her behavior really did feel like a highborn noble girl with a nose in the air.
Well, it’s not surprising. Everyone around calls her ‘Princess’ and fawns over her; it would be strange not to be brainwashed.
But that treatment only applies within the world of the novel. Lumi and I are still ordinary friends. I would never bow to her.
“Tsk.”
Honestly, I didn’t feel comfortable.
I remembered when I met her in the greenhouse and she yelled not to call her Lumi. Did she claim to be the highest noble blood in the empire? I was genuinely baffled.
“…”
Still, I felt I should give Lumi some breathing room. She’s trying to live happily possessed as a novel character, so reminding her of the cold reality seems unnecessary.
Until Lumi’s mind stabilizes, it may be better, for psychological reasons, to go along with her pace.
I must remain calm. I can’t be shaken by Lumi’s emotional instability. She’s not in a normal state right now, so I need to understand her.
Even a Crown Prince’s aide has designated rest days. But like other roles that must be ready for emergencies, I cannot fully relax on those days.
My quarters are inside the Crown Prince’s palace, and as his closest subordinate, I must respond immediately when summoned. On days when I must go out for long periods, like today, I must be a bit cautious.
But it couldn’t be helped. I would just tell the steward and go.
