Chapter 29

When I was three years old, I moved to the palace.

I had been living at the Nifutas Earl's house, and we moved to the capital, so I should have seen it from the carriage, but I don't remember.

"I vaguely remember being carried in by my father."

"Yes, that happened. The Empress had gone in first, but you returned the next day."

"Father carried you in himself, along with Lady Asha."

Herkov and Wearrel reminisced.

I heard that I was supposed to enter the palace quietly with only my nanny, Harty, but my father carried me in himself, announcing to everyone that I was a prince.

"For the past five years, His Majesty hasn't gone to the summer retreat or the winter palace."

"Is that so?"

When I asked Ikt, he made a troubled face.

Come to think of it, even in my previous life, CEOs and such had vacation homes.

Of course, my father, the emperor, would have them too.

"I've never heard of that before. Does that mean it was customary to go once a year?"

"There are no such entries in the diaries from six years ago."

"Hey, Sefira, you shouldn't read people's diaries without permission."

Sefira Sefiroth, the light orb, flickered and said something outrageous.

"......The cover was disguised and hidden."

"That's even more of a no-go, I think."

Diaries that can't be left out are even more of a no-go.

"Besides, six years ago, the previous emperor was on his sickbed, so it's natural that there are no entries."

There's no way they would take a sick person on a vacation.

Herkov cleared his throat and interjected into my conversation with Sefira.

"As you say, it didn't happen when the previous emperor was ill. But about ten years ago, there was a grand procession of magnificent carriages that entered and left the capital every year."

"There were also diplomatic and inspection trips, so the officials and equipment moved with the emperor."

Ikt added, but from the way he said it, he hadn't seen it either.

"Wow, that sounds like a lot of trouble. Is His Majesty too busy for such things?"

I imagined a grand procession like the alternate attendance of daimyos.

It was apparently flashy because it had a symbolic purpose of asserting authority.

But my father's power as emperor is still weak.

He's been working hard for the past five years to strengthen it.

He probably judged that it was more important to solidify the internal structure than to make a good face in diplomacy.

"Ah, Your Highness? I think you're overthinking it, but you're wrong. The problem is more emotional."

Herkov interjected, looking uncomfortable.

But I'm not that dense.

It's a difficult and emotional issue.

And when it comes to vacations, the Japanese translation is holidays or family trips.

"Could it be that there was talk of leaving me behind, and His Majesty got angry about it?"

They nodded in unison.

"Since it's a good opportunity, shall we talk a little about geography?"

Wearrel took out a scroll.

It seemed he intended to use it for today's lesson.

When unfolded, a rough map appeared.

It wasn't detailed, and it was so stylized that it looked like something from a game.

This is because maps are valuable sources of information in a world without satellites.

Detailed maps are strictly stored, and only the necessary parts are lent out in a limited range.

"This is our capital in the center. And to the north is the palace."

"Yes, there's a lake to the south of the capital, and to the north of the palace is the source of the water."

Major roads lead to the capital from all directions.

However, the central part of the continent is vast, and there are several small countries within the empire.

"The winter retreat is to the east, and the summer resort is to the west. To go to either, a duke's family controls the key points, and their wishes cannot be ignored."

Even a duke of the empire can be a king of a small country.

Such overlapping statuses are allowed, and even the emperor cannot ignore them in peacetime.

Besides, the Lukaieos Duke's family is the Empress's family and dislikes me.

They probably don't want to create a fait accompli by treating me as a prince.

I'm sure the Eulasion Duke, who lost the throne to my father's appearance, feels the same way and doesn't want to deal with me, who will definitely be of lower status in the future.

"Am I disliked too much?"

"Speculating is a sign of a low mind."

Ikt smiled and spat out a poisonous remark.

Ikt's superior, the Strategus Marquis, often speculates too.

He still suspects that I'm corresponding with Princess Diora of the Lukisaria Kingdom.

We're just good friends, you know.

Recently, Diora sent me a drawing of herself, but the Strategus Marquis confiscated it before I could see it.

He says I shouldn't fall in love with the beautifully grown Princess Diora or something......

And because of that, I get scolded by Levin, who cares about me, for troubling my superior too much.

I didn't even say I wanted a picture, and he knows that.

"Well, His Majesty's answer is that he won't go on vacation if he can't take you. Thanks to that, your younger brothers have never left the capital."

"Oh, that's a pity. Maybe it would be better to take them even if it's not for me."

When I answered Herkov, he made a disappointed face.

But family trip memories are good, right?

In my previous life, I was taken to the countryside a few times, and only there could I enjoy time with my relatives while my parents were away.

I could play like that during elementary school, but I spent my middle and high school years studying for exams and didn't have time to go to the countryside, so I only have childhood memories.

Still, it's better to have happy memories.

"......I want to see the world with my own eyes someday."

I don't know this world.

If there are surprises even inside this palace, what must the outside be like?

I don't need adventures like the ones Ikt tells.

But I think it's a problem that I don't know enough about the world I live in now.

"Hey, just a little look at the capital. Is that not allowed?"

Looking at the three of them, I pleaded further.

"Wearrel, I think it's necessary to see it in person for geography."

"The capital is much larger than you can see on a map."

"Ikt, just for a very short time. I promise I won't do anything dangerous."

"You can't assault someone you can't see......"

"Herkov, can't you even let me see the person selling alcohol?"

Herkov looked thoughtful at my desperate plea.

"Understand, Lady Asha. The palace is much safer than the outside."

Wearrel said this again.

In other words, this world has more security issues compared to Japan.

"A child of eight could be kidnapped if they walk alone, even in the capital."

Ikt's shocking words were followed by Herkov's nod.

"There are also places with poor visibility due to the high buildings and crowds. There are dangers."

"Still, if we avoid danger all the time, it won't do. I think it's better to get used to it now."

I pleaded for the necessity to the three of them, who were trying to intimidate me.

They exchanged glances and sighed.

"Can't be helped. In this case, I'm the best person for the job?"

"Right, you can't use magic in the city."

"I live in the barracks, so I'm not familiar with the city."

Wearrel and Ikt stepped back.

It seems they have agreed.

The moment I smiled, Sefira intensified her light.

"I want to see the lake."

"Ah! You're here too. Please don't talk outside? I don't know what excuse to give."

Herkov frowned at the intensifying light of Sefira.

It was probably just bright, but his fangs showed, making him look scary.

And Sefira Sefiroth casually pushed her own request through.

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Next: First Visit to the Capital 1