Chapter 31

One afternoon, Byron Allen came to visit.

Since Byron was under my command, I met him in the living room I used daily, not in the reception room for guests.

I was sitting on the sofa, and Byron was standing.

Behind Byron, servants continued to bring in boxes and other items, piling them up.

While watching this, I asked Byron,

"What's going on? What are those?"

"News just came from the palace. Ada has been formally recognized as a concubine by His Majesty."

"Hmm."

I nodded in understanding.

Ada is the woman Byron had sent to the palace as a servant.

She met me six years ago and was chosen based on my advice.

That woman has now been elevated to a concubine by the emperor.

"This is a small token of gratitude."

"I see."

I remained seated and looked at the boxes behind Byron.

The boxes were mostly open, revealing the gold and silver treasures inside.

"You've really gone all out, about 30,000 liens, right?"

"..."

"What's wrong? Why are you so surprised?"

"No, I'm just amazed by your keen eye, Lord Noah. To pinpoint the exact amount, it's truly impressive."

So that's all it is.

"Anyway, it's good news. She's a concubine now."

"Yes."

"From concubine, the next rank is secondary consort, then primary consort, and at the top is the empress."

"Yes, I hope she can eventually become a primary consort."

I nodded in agreement with Byron's wish.

The status of the women in the emperor's harem is divided by rank.

At the top is, of course, the "empress."

Below her is the "primary consort," who holds the position of "righteous wife."

Below the primary consort is the "secondary consort," and at the bottom is the "concubine," marked with the character for "commoner."

Like officials, the consorts advance in rank based on the emperor's favor and the status of their sons.

The mother of the crown prince is the empress, and the mother of a prince is automatically a secondary consort.

I became a prince with the title "wise" six years ago, so my mother was promoted to primary consort at that time.

Since there is only one empress, the primary consort is the de facto top position if you aim higher.

"From now on, it's just a matter of praying for more of the emperor's favor."

"No, from here on, it's politics."

"Eh?"

Byron was surprised, his face showing that he hadn't considered this.

"I said politics. Of course, winning the emperor's favor is the fastest way, but beyond that, the politics among the consorts is crucial."

"Is that so?"

"Imagine if one of the consorts replaced Ada's perfume with a scent the emperor dislikes."

"――!"

Byron gasped, his face turning pale.

"The harem is as cutthroat as the world of men, if not more so. It's a den of demons, even more so when you consider only the nastiness."

"Y-Yes!"

"Send money and funds to Consort Ada. If you understand it's politics, you know what to do, right?"

"Of course! Thank you!"

Byron bowed hurriedly and left with his servants.

I thought for a moment and wrote a letter using the paper and pen always kept in the living room.

"Is anyone there?"

As soon as I called out, the maid Zoe entered.

She had probably been waiting outside the door.

"Did you call, Master?"

"Yes, take this letter and 10,000 liens to my mother in the harem."

"Um... me? Wouldn't Dylan be better for the palace?"

"The harem is off-limits to men. Even I, her son, can't enter."

"Is that so?"

"Princes are separated from their mothers shortly after birth and can only see them once a year."

"Oh, right..."

It's common for nobles to talk about such things casually.

Zoe has been with me for a long time and has probably heard such things before.

"That's not important now. If you see my mother—Consort—please tell her that I consider myself Ada's guardian."

"Um... are you involving your mother in politics?"

"Yes, why not?"

"My mother... right."

"That's what it means to be royalty. Even real family values profit and status over affection. Ada is a girl I chose, serious and ambitious. If she advances, she will be a good ally for my mother."

"Ah... the world of nobles is amazing... I understand. I'll go right away."

Zoe, impressed, took my order and headed to the palace.

☆

Later that afternoon, a messenger from the Bursley store on Cobalt Street arrived.

The owner, Alan, had found a treasure and wanted me to come by whenever I could.

I wondered if the 10,000 liens had worked.

Thinking this, I went to the Bursley store alone.

"Welcome, Thirteenth Prince!"

As soon as I arrived, the owner, Alan Bursley, greeted me with a broad smile.

I had been to this store many times.

I entered the VIP room at the back as if it were my own mansion, leading Alan with me.

I sat down and immediately asked,

"So, what's the treasure?"

"Here it is."

As Alan gestured, one of his employees brought in something covered with a cloth.

"That shape... is it a painting?"

"Yes, it is."

Alan nodded to his subordinate.

The cloth was removed, revealing a framed painting.

It was a painting of a beautiful woman.

"This is called 'Fuwawa.'"

"Hmm."

I stood up and approached the painting, examining it closely.

"Is it cursed?"

"Indeed, you are perceptive!"

Alan gestured again.

Another employee brought in a different painting, this one not covered.

It was a painting of a girl.

Though just a painting, upon closer inspection, it bore a resemblance to the beautiful woman in the first painting—Fuwawa.

"What is this?"

"A replica. It was made around the time Fuwawa was painted, I've been told."

"I see, a growing cursed painting."

"Exactly."

I compared the two paintings.

Fuwawa and her replica.

It was clear.

Through Leviathan, I could sense the ominous aura of the original.

With this—

I took Leviathan in hand.

I extended the shrunken bracelet to its original size and swung it down.

I swung it with the force to cut the painting Fuwawa in half.

"Your Highness!?"

Alan was shocked by my actions.

But then, he was even more surprised.

The painting, which appeared to have been cut, showed no damage, but a beautiful woman emerged from it.

She was translucent and floating in the air, appearing like a ghost.

'――'

The ghost—Fuwawa's mouth moved, as if she had spoken.

"I see."

"What, what is it?"

Since there was no physical sound, Alan asked me cautiously.

"The paint in this painting is mixed with the artist's blood. The artist must have been insane, killing the girl and mixing her blood with the oil paint to create her image."

"Such a thing..."

'――'

Fuwawa spoke again, her voice inaudible, probably only audible to me.

"What did she say this time?"

"She wants to repay me for freeing her. If so, swear loyalty to me."

'――'

After hearing "Understood," Fuwawa returned to the painting.

She came out again and went back in.

By severing the bond with Leviathan, she was no longer trapped in the painting and could come and go as she pleased.

And.

――――――――――――

Name: Noah Ararat

Minister of Justice Prince

Gender: Male

Level: 3/∞

HP: E+F Fire: F+B

MP: F+F Water: E+S

Strength: E+E Wind: F

Stamina: F+F Earth: F+F

Intelligence: F+E Light: F

Spirit: F+F Dark: F

Speed: F+F

Dexterity: F+F

Luck: F+F

――――――――――――

My abilities also gained a slight "+" in Earth.

It's a cursed painting, but considering its origin, this is not bad.

Meanwhile, Alan, who had been watching Fuwawa's movements, was completely amazed.

"Amazing... I never thought a cursed painting could do something like this..."