The Sweet Alpha Crown Prince Loves Me So Much Chapter 146

Chapter 146

The muted curtains fluttered in the gentle breeze.

As the terrace windows were opened on a fine day, the flowers in the well-tended garden sent their fragrances wafting inside, coloring the interior.

Thanks to this, there was no need for deliberate flower arrangements; instead, sturdy plants with lush leaves were placed here and there to purify the air and please the eye.

Instead of crude and flashy decorations, tapestries showcasing the full skill of Lindbergh’s artisans were hung, and at their ends hung the insignia of a bird of prey—Leia Lindbergh’s symbol and soon to be the symbol of the Lindbergh Principality.

As the honored guests began to trickle into the hall, the orchestra started playing sophisticated music.

A woman in a dress the color of the sea, decorated with rich, white lace like crashing waves, added lyrics to the music, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

Everyone forgot to chat as they looked around and listened to the tone of her voice.

Meanwhile, servants dressed in neat, stain-resistant attire that allowed for easy movement bustled about, attending to the guests.

They had ears to hear but were unable to speak, communicating amongst themselves with their hands, which drew attention. At the center of them was Janis.

At Leia Lindbergh’s request, Janis attended today not as the head maid but as an honored guest, beautifully adorned. However, instead of staying in one place, she moved slowly throughout the hall, receiving reports from other servants.

In this way, the changes in Lindbergh were radical yet natural.

As if it had always been so.

Those looking down at the hall from the second-floor balcony seats, which were open only to a select few, couldn’t hide their pride as they watched the slack-jawed foreign envoys.

The people invited there were the people of the Empire who had actively led and strived for the changes in Lindbergh.

To commend their sense of duty and hard work, Leia provided them with individual seats and assigned servants to them as well.

The people of the Empire were bewildered by the lavish treatment that made no distinction between nobles and commoners, but at Leia Lindbergh’s insistence that it was a well-deserved treatment for some who were teachers, they relaxed their shoulders and watched what they and the people of Lindbergh had accomplished together.

Of course, the son of the viscount who had come as Janis’ sign language teacher was among them. He was constantly wiping away his tears.

It had started for Janis alone, but he soon realized that if no one understood her when she used sign language alone, it was as good as not using it at all.

Thus, eventually, a few more experts opened the doors of Lindbergh for the physically challenged throughout the capital, and thanks to that, it spread rapidly.

Starting with this, the field of education was also gradually expanding.

But if there is learning, one must naturally try to use it. At that time, it was none other than the Princess-Regnant who extended a hand to them as they floundered without a chance to communicate.

Leia had given them the coronation period as a trial run. She knew a few honored guests who spent their time chattering about trivial things while worrying about who might divulge them, so she thought it would be a good opportunity.

Anyone with eyes would see the servants communicating with their hands, and they would feel at ease, spewing out all sorts of words without a second thought, overlooking the fact that it would all eventually reach Leia’s ears.

Sure enough, while most of the honored guests were marveling at the meticulous care and the transformed atmosphere of Lindbergh, some foreign nobles showed their envy and jealousy without filter.

“Even if the standard has risen, it’s just a matter of imitating the Empire by selling off their country.”

Someone, tipsy on the champagne served with light refreshments, sneered.

“Seeing how the Empire is so devoted to Lindbergh, we should have offered up a well-raised Omega too.”

Another person next to him chimed in.

“This is the problem with a young ruler. They talk about innovation and what not, putting aside the preservation of history and focusing their efforts on just bleaching their image, tsk tsk.”

An elderly diplomat shook his head.

They paid no mind to the Lindbergh servants standing nearby and found fault with everything, saying this was a problem, that was a problem.

In short, the content was that it was pathetic how she brought in foreign powers, shook the foundation of the country, and got the Empire to back her up in exchange for selling off her younger brother.

Belfry Hendrick, who overheard the entire conversation, calmly wrote down their countries and ranks instead of getting angry.

Since no one was saying anything, their voices grew louder and their content more audacious.

“Isn’t it just a pretense to say things like brotherly nations, and the Empire is only moving because they got their hands on the magic stone mines?”

“Hmph, the Empire is just as black-hearted. To think they’re monopolizing the magic stones among themselves, saying they’re preparing for the end of magic. I heard the Balvenie Merchant Guild demanded a huge reduction in fees, and the Princess-Regnant who accepted it doesn’t know what’s what. Isn’t that right?”

“Lindbergh will be finished if the Empire turns its back on them too. They’ve lost their magic stones and their dominant Omega.”

“They may be high and mighty now, but the end is as clear as day. How utterly foolish.”

Thud.

Just then, Belfry turned his paper over and stood up.

He strode down to the banquet hall and approached the condescending old men without hesitation.

“Well, look at all these familiar faces.”

Belfry beamed.

Upon seeing him, they clamped their mouths shut and their complexions turned dark.

The Emperor’s confidant and the Grand Duke’s consort – Duke Hendrick. More than that, he is the youngest son of Duke Hendrick, famous for his excellent political skills.

There was no one in this room who didn’t know Belfry Hendrick’s face.

As they began to rise awkwardly without being able to say anything, Belfry waved his hand. Instead, with a posture that had drunk etiquette like soup, he plopped down next to them and moved his tongue sharply.

“You know, there was an uproar from all over asking for invitations, right? My goodness. That’s how sky-high our Princess-Regnant’s popularity is.”

At his out-of-the-blue words, they looked puzzled, and Belfry soon bared his teeth.

“So, it seems a number of uninvited guests were mixed in while we were hastily sending out the additional ones. It seems the air in the banquet hall has become a bit stale because of that.”

Sniff, sniff. Belfry wrinkled his nose, openly frowning at them, and when they moved back slightly with reluctant faces, he smiled brightly again as if nothing had happened.

“Even after becoming a principality, it is such an honor to witness firsthand the new beginning of Lindbergh, the eternal brotherly nation of the Empire, isn’t it? Right?”

Belfry repeatedly asked, “Right?” and pressed for an answer, so they reluctantly nodded.

Though they were seething inside, they were in no position to say anything to him, so they had no choice but to laugh along.

Only then, as if satisfied, did Belfry shoot up from his seat.

“Oh, and one more thing. Our Empire’s future Crown Princess is the best on the continent in both looks and character, so His Highness Adrian will not look back no matter who comes along. Of course, it goes without saying that the Empire won’t be dropping a single breadcrumb your way. So save your pathetic talk for when you get back home. Don’t get all worked up on a fine day.”

After saying that last thing, Belfry turned away with a sneer, and they stood there behind him as if frozen.

They were too insignificant, and he was too high up, to attach words like ‘insolent, how dare you.’

In the end, they had no choice but to make their exit while watching for a chance, even before seeing the coronation.

It was the prelude to the Lindbergh Principality’s blade diplomacy, which would later be remembered as the ‘razor’s edge of the tongue.’

 

***

 

“The Kingdom of Leva didn’t attend after all.”

Carl, who had been looking down at the hall, quickly raised his head at Adrian’s words.

He had thought Adrian was only interested in fiddling with his hand, sitting in a slouchy posture on an individual sofa, but it seemed he had been observing the honored guests with a surprisingly sharp gaze.

“From what I hear, they tried to force Princess Ayla to join the delegation again this time, but it seems the princess refused.”

Carl, who was receiving information at the same level as the Crown Prince while taking Crown Princess lessons, spoke with a worried tone.

Ayla had abruptly left Lindbergh and returned to Leva, and after that, she had not made any separate contact.

Immediately after she left, the Kingdom of Leva entered a period of chaos.

Before the traces of the rampaging magical beasts could even be erased, Princess Ayla’s father, that is, the current King of Leva, fell ill.

To make matters worse, disputes over the usurpation of the throne arose, and they were still fighting over who would get it, with all sorts of political machinations being exchanged.

“Even in this chaotic time, they apparently babbled on about how this was Ayla’s only chance to meet a dominant Alpha.”

What on earth is that about?

Like the Lindbergh of the past, the Kingdom of Leva was also full of nutcases. Carl tapped his temple with his index finger and spun it around, clicking his tongue.

“Her foundation isn’t bad. She’s a princess, after all, and even if she’s recessive, she’s an Omega close to dominant. The reason she’s been alone all this time is partly because her parents’ shadow is too dark.”

Adrian, who had been speaking in an indifferent tone, closed his mouth upon seeing Carl’s slightly distorted face.

The people in the hall were gradually taking their seats. A long red carpet was laid in the center, between the honored guests standing on both sides.

A few young priests and holy knights assisting Daniel entered first and stood in a line in front of the platform.

“Was it that you wanted to say she herself lacks the will to break free?”

Carl moved to sit next to Adrian and leaned his head on his shoulder.

Adrian naturally wrapped an arm around Carl’s shoulder and kissed his forehead.

“That’s what I think.”

In truth, he wanted to criticize her more sharply. Perhaps because he had Carl Lindbergh, who overcame difficult situations on his own, by his side, Ayla seemed pathetic to Adrian.

Carl intertwined his fingers with Adrian’s.

“You’re not wrong, but, Adrian, some fences are too high and hard, and they block your view. If you live in a place like that for twenty-some years, you can’t even imagine that there’s another world behind it. But Princess Ayla must have gotten a little glimpse of the outside world through her meeting with Sister Leia. If she moves later on with that as a catalyst, I think I’ll sincerely cheer for her.”

Carl, who had spoken softly, squeezed Adrian’s hand tightly.

Just then, instead of the orchestra’s performance, the priests began to sing a hymn.

They praised the goddess, urged them to keep the faith, and sang of the blessings of a new day.

Adrian, who had been watching Daniel enter in time with the hymn, lowered his voice and said to Carl.

“Cheer for her in your heart only. And even if she remains trapped within that fence forever, neither I nor you will do anything to help her.”

Carl nodded at Adrian, who was glaring at him.

He had no way to help her anyway, nor did he intend to. It wasn’t perfect, but Carl Lindbergh had learned to separate his life from the lives of others.

And above all, right now, he was so completely captivated by Adrian Heineken that Leia Lindbergh’s coronation didn’t even register in his eyes.