If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 81

The chief chamberlain was a control freak who sought to manipulate the imperial family to his will. Naturally, in an important decision like ‘imperial succession,’ his will, as a kingmaker, had to be reflected absolutely. And now, the next emperor he had chosen after the mad emperor was none other than Rosasia.

 

And now, the successor he had chosen to follow the Emperor of Madness was none other than Rosasia. The reason was simple. She understood his words well and had claimed first place in the competitions twice in a row.

 

Princess Silver Bird is sharp enough to read my moods, making her a worthy candidate to succeed the mad emperor as a wise ruler.

 

With their personal desires aligning so perfectly, the two collaborators whispered sweet words into the mad emperor’s ears.

 

Meanwhile, Dominic, who had been quietly observing this alliance that wasn’t quite an alliance, curled his lips upward. This is getting interesting. Rosasia, was this part of your plan too?

 

To earn the wariness of the mad emperor, who held absolute power, meant immediate death. The imperial princesses lived their lives constantly proving to their father that they posed no threat. Yet here was Rosasia, managing to avoid any suspicion while the mad emperor’s collaborators willingly made statements that worked in her favor.

 

Every beginning was driven by interest. Everyone among the collaborators present here felt interest in Rosasia. That was why they made such choices. Dominic was included among them.

 

Interest is just an interest? Dominic scoffed inwardly at the words of his father, Duke Arondit. It depended on who held that interest. When those in power are interested, it can become a force to be reckoned with.

 

Marquis Osbond placated the mad emperor with flattery. “As long as Your Majesty’s authority remains intact, the reign of the great emperor shall be eternal.”

 

“…Indeed.”

 

It was an unchanging truth. Dominic, along with the 200 elite imperial guards, pledged absolute loyalty to Emperor Axellion alone. There was no force in the world that could rival this power. And yet, for some reason, Dominic, the most symbolic figure as the emperor’s sword, wore a cold smile on his lips.

 

“Your Majesty, the lunch has been prepared.”

 

“Let us proceed.”

 

Marquis Osbond and Duke Arondit also rose from their seats. As the four of them exited the audience chamber, Domnic bowed respectfully. “I will remain here to take care of some matters.”

 

“Very well.”

 

As the emperor walked across the long path lined with a red carpet, the gazes of the imperial guards standing along the walls followed him intently. Their eyes were as sharp as freshly forged blades.

 

“Safe travels, Your Majesty.”

 

After seeing off the emperor and the three collaborators, Dominic personally closed the door to the audience chamber. His smiling face was gradually hidden by the narrowing gap until it disappeared from sight.

 

It was after some time. Creaak. With the grotesque sound of hinges, the door opened. Dominic, whom they saw again, was drenched in blood. His face was devoid of any trace of a smile.

 

“S-Sir Dominic?”

 

The two imperial guards stationed in the hallways turned pale as they faced him directly.  Through the wide-open doorway Dominic had pushed open, they could see the state of the audience chamber. The emperor’s personal guards who had been stationed inside were now lifeless corpses sprawled across the floor. It was a massacre.

 

The knights drew their swords and demanded answers.

 

“Why would you, the emperor’s sword, do such a thing?”

 

“Co-Could it be… treason?”

 

The tips of their swords trembled.

 

This man was Dominic, who had slaughtered dozens without spilling a single drop of his own blood, drenched only in that of others. There was no way they could win against him.

 

Dominic responded in his usual tone, as if nothing was out of the ordinary. “Treason? How cruel. This is proof of my loyalty.”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“You all felt it too, didn’t you? That profane killing intent emanating from inside.”

 

The imperial guards flinched. They had felt it, but they had dismissed it as mere disdain directed at lowly figures like Count Gawain or Marquis Osbond. But to think it was directed at the emperor? How could that even be possible?

 

Dominic provided a clear answer. “The imperial guards’ imprint has been weakened.”

 

“You mean…”

 

The two knights were among Dominic’s closest subordinates.

 

Dominic readily gave them an answer. “The power of the mad emperor is weakening. Ever since the princesses’ competition began.”

 

“…!”

 

Soundless shock filled their wide-open eyes.

 

Dominic watched them, as if savoring their reaction, then brought a finger to his lips. “Keep quiet. Even His Majesty himself doesn’t know this.”

 

Wasn’t it one of a schemer’s duties to conceal trivial matters to avoid unnecessarily provoking the tyrant’s temper?

 

Dominic gave his order with utmost loyalty. “Clean everything up neatly by evening. As if nothing ever happened.”

 

Cracks were forming in the mad emperor’s dominion, once as absolute as a sanctuary. How this phenomenon, intertwined with the imperial succession competition, would unfold was something that would have to be observed over time.

 

✦

The first day of June was my birthday. For imperial family members, even birthdays were work. I had to sort through congratulatory letters and gifts, send replies, and record the names on a list. Since I didn’t place much significance on birthdays, it was a tiresome task.

 

“This is one thing that was better in the old days. Back then, they didn’t bother celebrating the birthdays of the princes and princesses.”

 

With over a hundred imperial princes and princesses combined, celebrating someone’s birthday every other day would have been exhausting for everyone involved. Moreover, the mad emperor’s children lived fragile lives that could end at any moment. They likely weren’t worth spending the time or expense on.

 

The maids who were in the middle of sorting gifts were, for some reason, looking at me with affectionate eyes.

 

“Please don’t say things like that, Your Highness.”

 

“Normally, a grand banquet should be prepared.”

 

“Even the daughters of minor lords start writing invitations two weeks in advance.”

 

“I know.”

 

Though I’ve learned now, to be honest, it took me a long time to understand when I was younger. What kind of parents held banquets just because it was their children’s birthday? It wasn’t like their children achieved anything. They were just born. But why commemorate that date every year?  If someone lives to be sixty, does that mean they celebrate it sixty times? Wouldn’t that get tiresome?

 

I still don’t fully understand all these questions. It was more like I’d memorized the general sentiment rather than truly grasping it.

 

Hamel spoke warmly. “One reason birthdays may not feel exciting to Your Highness is that Your Highness isn’t the type to be deeply moved by gifts.”

 

Now that I think about it, that seems accurate.

 

“Your Highness doesn’t like receiving gifts? Then what do you like?”

 

Not only Sione, who asked the question, but also Demia and Regen seemed focused, waiting for my answer. I appreciated their effort to serve me well, but it was a bit overwhelming.

 

“I’m not really sure.”

 

Hamel offered some help. “They say there are five languages that express love in human relationships. Words of affirmation, gifts, quality time, acts of service, and physical touch. From those, choose two things Your Highness would like to give someone you care about, and also like to receive.”

 

Acts of service is definitely out. No question about that.

 

I fell into thought. “Something I’d like to give to or receive from someone I care about, huh.”

 

“Just think of us and make your choice!”

 

Looking at my playful and adorable maids, I immediately knew which option I wanted to pick. “Hmm, spending time together.”

  

“Oh my, really?”

 

“I enjoy the time I spend with you all.”

 

“We’re so touched, Your Highness!”

 

As I hesitated to choose one more, my lips faltered. The other option had come to mind because of looking at Regen.

 

“Your Highness, what’s the other one?”

 

“…”

 

I couldn’t bring myself to say it was physical affection. “Words of affirmation.”

 

“Huh? Really?”

 

“Your Highness is?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

The moment I lied, they immediately doubted its truth. Especially Demia, who strongly objected.

 

“I can’t believe it. Even when I sing praises about how beautiful Your Highness is, you just let it go in one ear and out the other. Don’t tell me you don’t have any affection for me?”

 

“…That’s not true.”

 

My lie led to a misunderstanding, leaving me flustered.

 

“Is Your Highness sure it’s words of affirmation?”

 

Even Regen joined in, so I decided to be shameless.

 

“I don’t know why everyone doubts me.”

 

“My apologies. It’s not a doubt.”

 

“Is there anyone who dislikes praise? And if it’s not words of affirmation, then what do you think it is?”

 

“…” Regen closed his mouth with an awkward expression.