Chapter 10
“And he was spouting utter nonsense and nitpicking the Baroness’s appearance. It was absurd… we’ll see what the Crown Prince has to say later.”
“That’s something he can only realize once he actually receives guiding, isn’t it.”
“Even if we were to put a ban on his suppressants… I worry he might go on rampage.”
At the Empress’s murmured lament, the Emperor suddenly fell silent. Sensing that something had happened, the Empress looked at him.
“Was there something that I do not know about?”
“Well, that is…”
When Emperor Anox hesitantly explained how Kasselard had ended up taking guiding substitutes, the Empress flew into a rage.
“I knew this day would come! Truly, that child is hopelessly foolish!”
“The deed is already done, so what can we do? Isn’t his head too big now to be scolded into learning?”
He was right. It was far too late an age to teach him through force. Their son had already awakened as a Transcendent in his youth, making him difficult to discipline even then.
“What should we do…”
“How about calling the Baroness again and persuading her? If it’s between young people, they might be able to talk it out. When we speak, it just sounds like nagging to him.”
The Empress worried about what might happen since Ephinia was so afraid of the Crown Prince, but it was also true that Kasselard was a pressing concern.
“If we merely make demands, won’t she resist?”
“Are you saying we should offer some kind of reward?”
The Baroness’s current title and a monetary reward seemed sufficient, but hearing the Empress, it felt like they would have to offer separate compensation specifically for guiding the Crown Prince.
Empress Yekaterina recalled the humiliation Ephinia had spoken of. How a young lady from a count’s house had nearly caused her severe injury by pouring hot water on her.
“Let us grant her the title of Count. In any case, if she is to marry the Crown Prince, she would need at least that level of status.”
“Hm…”
Granting a title to a Guide itself was not difficult. Without Guides, Transcendent rampages could not be prevented. In particular, there were hardly any who opposed granting status to Guides who restrained high-ranking Transcendents.
However, that was only up to titles below Count. A countship was another matter entirely. It was from the rank of Count that one could grant baronies and viscountcies.
“Must it be a countship? There will already be backlash just from raising her to Viscount.”
“It’s Count’s house that tormented that child. If we grant her the title of Count, she may feel motivated.”
When people felt motivated by upward mobility, they sometimes displayed strength they never knew they had. The Emperor looked unconvinced.
“If she were to become the Crown Princess, a mere viscountship would be nothing, wouldn’t it?”
“With Kasselard acting as he is, would she even want to become Crown Princess? No matter how high one’s status, if one’s home is not comfortable upon returning, it is all meaningless.”
At the Empress’s words, the Emperor reached a conclusion.
“Then let it be a countship. As for the pretext… we will have to think about that from now on.”
Since it was the result of raising their son poorly, it seemed they would need to think long and hard. The Empress suggested calling in a few other trustworthy retainers to deliberate further. It would be troublesome if the two of them slipped due to a half-baked plan.
* * *
“Then how about adding another condition that the Baroness would find appealing? Something that the Crown Prince would also find trustworthy.”
Joining the plan devised by the Emperor and Empress was the Empress’s trusted nephew, Duke Hylian de Lanas. He was normally busy subjugating monsters, but recently he had gained some leisure and was spending pleasant time with his wife at the ducal residence.
“And what would that be?”
“The Tower Lord has foreseen that the time of rampage is approaching. So set the deadline as the year His Highness the Crown Prince turns twenty-seven, and if His Highness does not go berserk by then, promise the Baroness not only the title of Count but also permission to form a pair with another Transcendent.”
“No, wouldn’t that be disastrous?! Even if she would end up guiding him, if the Baroness were to turn her eyes toward another Transcendent…”
When the Emperor raised an objection with a frown, Hylian spoke in a calm tone.
“The Crown Prince is merely being stubborn right now, but he is someone keenly aware of his own benefit. If he receives proper guiding, his eyes will surely focus on no one else but the Baroness.”
“Hm…”
The Empress spoke in a voice full of concern.
“Given everything Kasselard has done so far, would the Baroness even accept him so easily?”
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