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Chapter 67: The Unhinged Second Princess (1)
Second Princess Philia Ortaire.
The place I arrived at after receiving her letter was none other than the Palace of Dawn.
When I mentioned the second princess's letter, Erilda, who was standing beside the crown prince, showed quite a sharp reaction.
“She made contact with you?”
“Yes, well...”
“Ha. That crazy bitch.”
Why was Erilda so furious?
To explain that, I need to first go over the imperial family tree.
The current emperor of Ortaire has one empress and one concubine.
In addition, he had a mistress—now deceased—who was the mother of Aria.
From the empress came the crown prince, the first princess, and the third prince.
Meanwhile, the second prince and the second princess were born of the concubine, from the House of Estro.
In other words, the crown prince’s faction and the second prince’s faction are political rivals born of different mothers.
Now, this brings up a question.
How can the second prince, born of a concubine, even dare to challenge the crown prince’s claim to the throne?
Especially when he’s lacking in competence… and is set to become the worst emperor in the future?
The answer is simple.
“She really crossed the line. Just because they’re from Estro, they think they can do anything?”
Concubine Yurdena Ortaire hails from none other than the Ducal House of Estro—one of the empire's three great noble families and a founding house.
Yes, the concubine Yurdena’s maternal relatives are from the House of Estro, a lineage as prestigious as the Empire of Pharos itself.
Sure, the children she bore—the second prince and the second princess—are idiots and fools, respectively, so their bloodline might not seem that impressive.
But then again, bloodline hardly proves anything when the current empress—who is suspected of having an affair with the chancellor—gave birth to the crown prince.
What matters is that the House of Estro is an elite family of the highest order.
And the connections that come with being a thousand-year-old founding house—that is their power.
The House of Estro has been making various moves to ensure that the next generation of the empire falls under their influence.
Their main tool?
The second prince.
Thus formed the current rivalry: the crown prince's faction versus the second prince's.
From Erilda’s perspective, someone who supports the crown prince, any contact from the second princess would be infuriating.
Erilda said,
“Reject it. Especially if she used the word ‘guidance’ in the letter. Don’t give them any foothold.”
A valid point.
Even if the second princess operates separately, she still has Estro at her back.
If she uses “guidance” as a pretext to meet with me—Pharos—it could be seen as an attempt by the second prince’s faction to undermine the crown prince’s sole claim to legitimacy.
Of course, I wouldn’t dare claim to be the second prince’s teacher.
But politics is all about appearances.
Ignoring her would be the correct move.
However, there was a reason I couldn’t.
“I think it’s worth going.”
“Betrayal?”
“Why are you being so extreme? Just hear me out.”
Erilda’s gaze turned cold—clearly waiting for me to explain myself.
I said,
“If I play my cards right, I might be able to get the Estro seal. And I’m sure you know what that means.”
At that moment, the crown prince responded.
“…The Sacred Heaven Sword.”
“Yes, that sword. The one His Highness can never obtain.”
“If it’s that sword, then...”
The crown prince nodded, while Erilda ground her teeth.
What is the Sacred Heaven Sword?
As I mentioned before, it's one of the three great legendary swords looted from the imperial treasury during wartime by the future crown prince.
Its effects?
Too great to describe.
A crown prince with the Sacred Heaven Sword versus one without is like a fully armored knight versus a naked one with a wooden stick.
And historically, it’s the weapon of the first emperor.
Its impact on imperial legitimacy is immeasurable.
That was the key issue.
Even though the crown prince has fulfilled all other aspects of legitimacy, he can’t get his hands on that one sword.
To retrieve it from the treasury requires the seals of all three great noble families—and one of them is Estro, the power behind the second prince.
‘We can’t raid the treasury right now, either.’
Back in wartime, security was so lax that you could just steal it.
No one could oppose the crown prince for carrying the sword—those types had either fled or died.
But now, that’s not the case.
Which is why this may be the only chance.
“The only one who can authorize the seal is the head of the family. And the second princess is very close to the current head of House Estro.”
Politically close?
No.
But the Estro family head dotes on Philia outrageously.
So much so that he once bought her a top-class estate in the capital just because she cried once.
He even delays official duties to have tea with her whenever she calls.
So, if I can persuade her properly, maybe… I can get the Estro seal through her.
As I finished explaining, the crown prince’s expression shifted.
“…It’s worth a try.”
“Callios!”
“Calm yourself, Erilda. This isn’t just about legitimacy. Even thinking of the enemy, I can feel the need for the sword myself.”
I nodded.
The sword the crown prince had used before was practically junk after being imbued with the power of domination.
And if he’s to become a Swordmaster… forget legitimacy, he needs a proper weapon to fight.
That made it two-to-one.
The majority agreed to make contact with the second princess.
Erilda sighed deeply and muttered,
“You two together are the reason I can’t have a single day without a headache. You know that?”
“Don’t lump me in with him. That’s offensive.”
“Yuren…?”
“Anyway, I’ll take that as permission.”
The crown prince gave a betrayed look.
I ignored him and turned to Erilda.
Her bulging eyes were filled with killing intent.
Can’t be helped.
“Shall I make you a burger?”
“……!”
Her glare intensified with power.
But silence is consent.
Tch.
Always acting tough when a burger will fix everything.
* * *
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In the end, the royal with a weakness for cheeseburgers forgave me through proper channels.
She still nagged the whole time, but everything she said was easy to refute.
The core issue she raised was this:
—So how exactly do you plan to get the seal? Even she would know that using it would hurt her family.
To which I answered:
—Do you really think she’s capable of that level of thinking?
—……
—This is the woman who used national funds to pamper her boytoys. You really think that mind is capable of such insight?
—…The head of Estro will notice.
—Which is why we do it behind his back.
—Behind his back…?
Of course, since it’s about power, the family head wouldn’t willingly give the seal.
But that doesn’t mean there’s no way.
“If she accidentally stamps it for us, we’re golden.”
Philia has open access to the Estro family head’s office—it’s common knowledge.
So if I can coax her into secretly stamping the seal, even if the family head finds out later, he can’t say anything.
If he causes a fuss, he’ll have to punish Philia.
And if worst comes to worst and he tries to disown her in anger?
Fine by me.
By then, we’ll already have the seal.
And whether Philia’s cast aside or not is none of my concern.
It’s a no-risk gamble.
And with that decision, I arrived at the Second Princess’s Lotus Palace.
“This way, please.”
Well-trained attendants guided me toward the garden.
A garden in full bloom with white and yellow flowers.
As I wondered how much money it must’ve cost to create such a scene in the autumn season, a voice called out to me.
“Oh, Grand Master!”
That title—“Grand Master”—for some reason, it stirred something in me.
The voice that said it was high-pitched.
At a tea table in the middle of the garden, a blonde woman in a yellow dress was smiling.
“It’s such an honor to meet you! Oh, I should introduce myself first! I’m Philia Ortaire. The Second Princess of the Imperial Family!”
“Pharos’s ‘Lesser’ Lord greets the Second Princess.”
“Yes, Grand Master! Please, have a seat!”
So she’s really going to keep calling me “Grand Master,” huh.
I sat down, and Philia beamed brightly.
Droopy eyes, a high-bridged nose, and dimples that suited her radiant smile.
In short, she was pretty—but looked a bit empty-headed.
And recalling that she actually was rather empty-headed, I had to admit, her looks were refreshingly honest.
“What kind of tea would you like? Black tea? Or… oh! We just received a new—”
“Your Highness, may I hear your reason for summoning me first? Since it was a request, after all.”
“Huh? Ah! Right…!”
Is there something wrong with her attention span?
As I pondered that, Philia began to speak.
“Ahem, ahem! Then I should start with the reason I sent the letter!”
I adopted a listening posture.
Whatever it was, I needed to earn this girl’s favor, so if it was a personal issue, I’d try my best to help.
Then, with a serious expression, Philia said:
“These days, I keep thinking about someone…!”
“?”
“I want to know what guys my age like, but there’s not a single guy around me I can ask! And then I thought of you, Grand Master! Because you’re a man and experienced!”
My mind went blank for a moment.
Philia clasped my hands tightly, her eyes earnest.
“Do you happen to know what boys my age like?”
How the hell would I know, you little brat.
* * *
Philia Ortaire.
After some back-and-forth, I learned a few things.
This…
There was a real chance here of getting her seal of approval.
I became certain of it when I realized: she’s a clueless little girl.
She had zero awareness of political dynamics or the current state of the system.
It was just love.
She was trying to use me, Pharos, for her own romantic interests.
That sealed it.
“If you help me, I’ll do anything I can in return! So please…!”
It was just the offer I’d been hoping for.
Thinking that this might actually go smoothly, I had her sign a written pledge.
That made me feel a little more motivated.
And that’s why I listened to her story, which brought me to this current situation.
‘Hmph.’
I had a lot to say.
“I do have some experience, you know! I gave him a house, a carriage, even a shop, but just throwing stuff at them doesn’t seem to work! Once they get what they want, they leave! I guess girls really shouldn’t give their hearts away so easily…”
Before even giving things away, maybe don’t go giving away pieces of yourself.
“So I thought! Let’s try giving just enough to make them think they can still get more out of me!”
Is your dream to be a sucker?
“Conclusion! I’ll start with something small but meaningful! Oh, and by meaningful, I mean something with practical value and worth!”
Maybe it’s time to let go of this whole “give a gift” concept entirely?
So many things were on the tip of my tongue.
Of them, only a few were fit to say out loud.
I picked the most appropriate words I could muster.
As much as I wanted to drop everything, I had no choice.
If I wanted that seal, this girl was my only shot.
“Well, first off, the whole idea of trying to win someone’s favor with a gift is a bit misguided.”
Before thinking about what to give, try understanding the other person.
Even I, who hasn’t been in a relationship in over forty years—before and after the regression—know that much.
‘Then again, she is only fourteen… maybe she just doesn’t know yet.’
As I was thinking that, Philia tilted her head.
“Who doesn’t like money? You tend to like people who give you money, right?”
“…Uh.”
Why can’t I argue with that?
My lips just flapped silently.
* * *
Maybe… maybe that girl had discovered some universal truth.
Maybe it was the world that just couldn’t keep up with her thinking.
That thought crossed my mind, briefly.
In any case, I decided to listen seriously, to give her the impression I was really invested.
I heard stories about the shop clerk she used to like, the silk merchant’s son before that, and even a mercenary from before that.
All those experiences had led her to her current “plan” for success.
So, what does Philia want right now?
She wants to know what this new guy she likes is into.
Which means: I need to see the guy.
“Well, let’s start by identifying him. What’s his name?”
“I don’t know!”
“?”
“But I do know where he is!”
“???”
Did I hear that right?
Just as doubt began to creep in, Philia’s eyes sparkled.
“Perfect timing! Today’s the day he comes out onto the street! Do you want to… secretly spy—I mean, casually pass by with me?”
What does “casually pass by” even mean?
…Instead of asking, I just nodded.
And then, I had an experience I never could’ve imagined.
“Huh? Boss?”
“Peto…?”
“Eek?!”
Philia, now wearing a robe, led me to the city’s marketplace—to a hardware store.
There, she pointed out the person in question: none other than Peto, the boy I’d brought into the capital.
As I exchanged greetings with him, Philia looked up at me like she’d just found her savior.
I looked back and forth between Peto and Philia, shock momentarily forgotten.
“……”
This… this might actually turn out to be easier than I thought.
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