Chapter 68

Thank you for the bookmarks, ratings, and comments.

It had been a while since Lucian stayed at the palace. His room was prepared right next to Yusei's. After dinner and a bath, Yusei said they hadn't finished talking and suggested they sleep in the same bed. The bed was large enough for two people to sleep comfortably.

"Odine is in trouble," Yusei said as soon as they got into bed.

"What? Did Odine pick up another wolf cub or something?" Lucian, who had been lying on the bed, immediately sat up.

"…Not that kind of trouble. It's more serious. Another proposal for a marriage alliance from the Alres Empire has come in."

"Persistent, aren't they? We already turned them down. There's no way we'd accept."

Lucian's brow furrowed naturally.

"This time, they even said the third prince liked Odine's picture in the newspaper. It might be a tasteless lie, but either way, it's troublesome to be so persistent. Of course, it's because Odine is a prime candidate. They probably think they can revive old ties through trade or something. She could even be used as a hostage. Uncle Jules is in a foul mood. We need to find a fiancé for Odine as soon as possible. Mother even suggested making one of us, like me or Lucian, her real fiancé. But Odine flatly refused, saying, 'I don't want a cousin.'"

"…That's a bit harsh, isn't it?" Lucian felt as if he had been insulted in a fatal way without knowing it.

"Don't complain to me. I understand, but I don't want to be engaged to a cousin who argues with me all the time. What about you, Lucian?"

Yusei looked at Lucian with a dejected face.

"Sometimes she seems like a sister, but more like an older sister. I don't think an engagement would work."

"Really?"

"Odine doesn't want it, after all."

Lucian answered without much enthusiasm.

Yusei thought that an engagement between Lucian and Odine would be good. Odine clearly likes Lucian, and it's obvious to anyone who watches them. But Lucian hasn't noticed.

Yusei spends more time with Odine, so he understands. Odine finds it troublesome to be friendly with people. She can only be casual and relaxed with Lucian. Lucian, in turn, doesn't mind and gets along with the aloof Odine easily. Even their uncles probably think they are just friends. Odine's insistence that "Lucian is just a cousin" reinforces this idea.

But Yusei understands why Odine doesn't want to express her feelings. If Lucian doesn't notice, it's no longer necessary. It's frustrating that she acts so aloof but gets upset if he doesn't notice. There are probably other reasons why Odine gave up on Lucian, but if they didn't have to decide on a fiancé so quickly…

If they had more time until they grew up, things might be different. But Yusei couldn't say this and didn't want to.

Besides, while Odine might find Lucian easy to be around, it's not clear how Lucian feels.

"So, there are a few candidates, but it's hard to choose."

"Is it hard to rank them?"

Lucian asked, and Yusei shook his head.

"The main candidates are Emile Luea, the heir of a duke's family, and Lionel Lager, the son of a marquis. But it's hard to gauge their personalities. They don't have many close friends, so it's hard to know what they're really like. We can't get information from the servants or maids in their estates because the management is too strict. Our spies can't infiltrate, and even if they do, they can't get much information."

"Why not just rule out the unknown ones?"

Lucian suggested straightforwardly.

"That's easier said than done. A perfect fiancé who is easy to investigate is rare. Lucian, you have good ears. If you hear any information, remember it."

Yusei, lying on his stomach with his elbow on the pillow, asked Lucian.

"Sure, I'll help as much as I can. Are they in the same grade?"

"Emile is in the same class, though you seem to have forgotten. Lionel is a year older."

"Since they're close in age and at the same school, it should be easier to gather information."

Lucian answered thoughtfully.

"By the way, I can also gather information for choosing my aides. I need to choose my aides, too."

Yusei said with a sigh.

"Even at 11?"

Lucian was impressed by Yusei's responsibility but also felt a bit sorry for him. Yusei looked unhappy.

"It's not too early. Father didn't have aides until he became king. He was always the neglected second prince, so his aide selection was delayed. But he had people who served him loyally even when he was being oppressed, and he could rely on them. Anyway, I'm told it's better to choose aides early to build trust."

Yusei frowned as he spoke.

"But from what you said, it seems that the king, who had a difficult time, could choose loyal aides who stayed by his side during those hard times."

Lucian pointed out, and Yusei looked up.

"Exactly. I think so too. Truly trustworthy."

"Right."

Lucian nodded.

"But in reality, I don't think I'll have a difficult time."

Yusei shrugged.

"…Yeah, you're right."

"Because of that, it's said that I should build trust early."

The conversation came full circle. Lucian felt a vague sense of understanding.

"Is choosing a fiancé for Odine that difficult?"

Lucian asked, and Yusei made a bitter face.

"Not as urgent, but it's hard to choose. I've seen their profiles many times. They all seem similar. Even when I meet them, I only get the impression that they have good manners. There are five candidates now."

"Isn't that a small number?"

"Various factors have narrowed it down to five. It's not a final decision. We could also choose from the attendants, but I'm not considering that now. There are about 100 attendants, and the royal management office selects them. I'm choosing very close aides, and a small number is enough."

"What do these close aides do?"

"It's not set in stone. It varies by country, era, and king. They could be secretaries, advisors, or even someone skilled in divination. Some kings chose aides who were like mental stabilizers. The point is to choose excellent people you want to have close by."

"If it's that flexible, you don't need to be so tense. Just choose someone who isn't a complete failure and adjust as you go."

"Of course, I can't be that careless."

Yusei frowned and shook his head.

"They're human, not magical tools. Can you really judge them clearly? They'll probably act perfect in front of you. They won't reveal their true abilities or inner thoughts. It's impossible to choose perfectly, right?"

"Judging them is part of the training."

Yusei said with a sense of enlightenment.

"Is there a good way to choose?"

"…Just narrow it down through interactions as classmates."

"Got it. Then, that's what we'll do."

Lucian smiled with a relaxed face.

"Got it…? That's the hard part. Interacting while judging each other is stressful."

Yusei's frown deepened.

"…I see. Then, let's change the strategy to choose from a relaxed interaction."

"Relaxed is the hardest."

Yusei sighed.

"…Yusei, are you overthinking it? I don't think you need to act so grown-up."

"As the first prince, I want to be a suitable crown prince."

Lucian thought, "He's really serious." That's why it's even more difficult.

"Anyway, it's okay to be relaxed. Do your best, and if you fail, get help."

"I don't plan to fail."

Yusei answered coldly.

"Got it, got it. So, what strategies do you have?"

"…Not really strategies, but I plan to observe their practical skills in class and gather opinions from others. I've asked Odine to help, especially with how they treat girls. But Odine's social circle is very limited, so it might be difficult. Lucian, can you gather information from plants?"

Yusei looked at Lucian with hopeful eyes.

"I can, but it requires preparation. Ordinary plants won't provide much information. I can talk to magical plants or trees. Or, plants I've grown with my magic… In that case, I'd need Father's permission to release evolved plants outside."

"Would Baron Sariel give permission?"

"I've never even thought about asking for it."

Yusei pondered. He knew Lucian's abilities were highly confidential. They could be the country's greatest strength, so they couldn't be leaked easily. It was only natural.

The reason Odine gave up on Lucian, hint: "sister" (it's not just a hint anymore). But they are still young, so there's time. Engagements can be dissolved.

Thank you for reading. I'm glad you enjoyed it. The next update will be in about three days due to stock issues. Thank you.

m(_ _)m