The Crown Prince Who Raises Alt Characters

#229 Leaflet - The Case of Feudal Lord K Empress Eleanor of the Empire was a woman who seemed like the word 'modest' had put on clothes and was walking around. She did not enjoy luxury, was compassionate toward those around her, and listened to others' opinions rather than asserting her own. Whether one would view this as an advantage or disadvantage would vary from person to person, but at least as the Empress of the Empire, it caused problems more often than not. After all, a person of the stature of an imperial empress shouldn't just be unconditionally gentle, but sometimes needs to become ruthless and sometimes needs to engage in political maneuvering and fight, but Eleanor was extremely poor at such matters. Around the lustful Emperor were many women who were both attractive and skilled in various schemes, and the Empress could not properly deal with such people. This was why the Empress's presence always had to remain faint in the political strife among women competing for the Emperor's favor. If there had been no variables at all, Eleanor might have quietly ended her life in a corner of the palace as a merely nominal Empress. However, worldly affairs are inherently unpredictable. The Crown Prince, Alondre Arcandel Eizern. The single child she had with her husband was talent enough to completely change his mother's situation. A genius of the highest caliber among all imperial family members throughout history, even evaluated as the reincarnation of the founding emperor. Yet he was neither of bad character nor did he treat people carelessly, but rather was evaluated as having excellent reputation among the people. The more her outstanding son distinguished himself as heir, the more naturally the Empress's position became increasingly solid. The Empress felt grateful to such a Crown Prince, but at the same time also harbored feelings of regret. 'Alondre has given me so much, but I as his mother have done very little for him.' Thinking about it, her son had unusual aspects since childhood. He didn't easily cry or throw tantrums, never caused worry with reckless behavior, and never became twisted or went astray even when faced with the harsh duties of royalty. If there were such a thing as difficulty levels in child-rearing, there probably wasn't anyone else who raised a child as comfortably as Eleanor herself. Other parents might call it a luxury complaint if they heard it, but Eleanor found that rather disappointing. Despite being her child, it seemed like she herself had contributed nothing to her son's growth. If Alondre himself had heard this, he would have denied it saying there was no way that could be true, but how could a parent's heart be divided so simply? "...You're saying Alondre helped some noble young lady?" Therefore, the Empress had no choice but to show great interest in the series of events related to the Ospin Count family. Because it was so rare for Alondre to involve himself in matters outside his assigned duties and wield political influence. "Yes, Your Majesty. During His Highness the Crown Prince's review of assets, corruption was discovered, and in the process of resolving this, the young lady of the Ospin family—no, the Countess—received indirect assistance." "Are you saying Alondre didn't intervene directly?" "That is correct." "Hmm." In truth, whether in the imperial court or in social circles, there weren't many who focused on the individual known as Kuella Ospin. Because in the eyes of those with insight, the essence of this incident was a power struggle among royalty, and Kuella Ospin was merely used as a pretext for it. But the Empress, for better or worse, was not that political a person. "Still, it's true that a connection has been formed, isn't it? Since it's a rare opportunity, I'd like to meet her once." "...Shall we summon Countess Ospin to the imperial palace?" "It's not like there's any important business, and I just want to meet her out of personal curiosity, but ordering a busy person to come and go seems a bit much. I'll just go myself." "......" The head lady-in-waiting who assisted the Empress at her side broke into a slight cold sweat. It was the nature of the imperial palace that even a casually uttered word or a light glance could carry political implications. The Empress, who didn't engage in external activities very often anyway, personally taking steps to meet a specific noble? If the lady-in-waiting herself were in the same position, she might have cried out begging her to please stay quietly in the palace, saying she would come running barefoot. However. '...Since Countess Ospin is said to be a person with tremendous political ambition, she might unexpectedly see this as an opportunity.' An empress with neither the Emperor's favor nor innate political acumen is nothing more than a mere ornamental decoration. However, the mother of a solid next emperor doesn't need personal political skills. Because authority naturally accumulates just by breathing. For an ambitious noble, forming a connection with such a person would be an opportunity desirable enough to make one's mouth water. The demon Countess who hears this news will surely find it hard to suppress her laughter. *** "Kyaaaaaah!!" Kuella Ospin could hardly suppress her scream. "Why!? Why is Her Majesty the Empress!? Why on earth!?" Not 'Mama'. Not 'Your Highness'. 'Your Majesty'. Setting aside actual power relations, if judged purely by nominal rank, she was a figure in a position higher even than the Crown Prince. At the news of such an Empress's sudden visit, it was only natural that not only Kuella but the entire territory would be turned upside down. "Su-surely she's not trying to reclaim the territory?" In Kuella's mind, the image of the Empress, whose face she had never seen, formed like fluffy clouds. "Oh my... The territory that was functioning perfectly when it was Imperial Territory has become a mess in the meantime. Managing two count territories alone must be difficult, don't you think?" Whether considering the Empress's character or the political issues surrounding the territory, it was an impossible scenario, but Kuella's anxiety did not easily subside. That very day, the retainers of both Ospin and Ribespegel territories entered full-time work mode as if operating twin-drive engines, and Kuella herself also concentrated on preparations to receive the Empress while keeping her constant temperature and humidity younger sister maid nearby. And finally, the day of the Empress's visit. "Most noble mother of the Empire. You have suffered much traveling this long distance. All the people of Ospin and Ribespegel have long heard of Your Majesty's benevolent nature and have been waiting only for today. Please forget the bustle of the palace and rest comfortably here." Kuella, dressed in a more splendid and voluminous dress than usual, lifted the hem of her skirt slightly and performed a courteous bow. Kuella's etiquette, which she had received through rote learning from a certain demon, was perfect like a painting, enough to draw silent admiration from the retainers who attended the Empress. The Empress also smiled gently with her eyes. "I express my gratitude for the warm welcome. Ospin... no, Countess Ribespegel? Which name should I call you by?" "Whatever title Your Majesty chooses to call me by would be an honor. Please feel free to call me as you wish." "Really? Then let's go with Kuella." Gasp. At the Empress's unexpected remark, someone among those nearby inadvertently swallowed their breath. In noble society, calling someone by their 'name' directly, especially in a place with many watching eyes, carries various meanings. Interpreted positively, it's a sign of friendliness meaning 'I accept this person into my private sphere,' but interpreted maliciously, it could also be seen as 'I cannot recognize the title of a girl who turned her back on her parents and robbed imperial property.' However, Kuella answered immediately without even a second's hesitation. "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress. It is a great honor." With a bright smile, both splendid and dignified like a flower. This too, interpreted positively, was a declaration of 'I would gladly become the Empress's person,' but interpreted maliciously, it was arrogance saying 'I don't care what you say.' The people around them were tense from that breathtaking battle of wills(?), but the actual parties involved calmly continued their tour of the territory. "There are many glass products with clear and transparent colors. Are there several skilled mages here?" "No, Your Majesty. While it's true that magic was used to make glass transparent in the past, the glass currently produced in Ribespegel doesn't require such methods. When we grind several ores mined from Ospin into powder and incorporate them into the glass manufacturing process, clear and transparent glass is produced without magical post-processing. Thanks to this, we were able to significantly reduce labor costs." "That's remarkable." "If there's anything that catches your fancy, please let me know at any time. I'll offer it to you immediately." "Hehe, offer it? I'll pay the proper price, so don't worry." "It's fine, Your Majesty. Because just the fact that Your Majesty would use our products would bring great benefit to our territory. We've already received payment, so we can't take additional money on top of that." "What do you mean by that?" "Well, if they're items used by the most noble woman of the Empire, other noble ladies would want to try them at least once." The head lady-in-waiting who was listening to the conversation nearby was shocked. 'What is this person?' The lady-in-waiting who had served the Empress closely for a long time knew that the Empress was gentle enough in character not to get angry over ordinary matters. The fact that she initially called Kuella by name wasn't some political battle of wills, but simply because she had heard so many stories related to Kuella that her internal sense of intimacy had grown. But from Kuella's perspective, the Empress was an exalted person who could darken her future with a single word. When such a person says incomprehensible things and acts unexpectedly, it's natural to be flustered and for responses to be delayed while trying to understand the true intention. But now, no such behavior was visible in Kuella at all. Far from it, she was even making subtle jokes to soften the atmosphere. It was enough to create the illusion of watching old nobles hardened by the political world. Who would believe this was a young female noble who had held the count's position for less than a year? ...The head lady-in-waiting couldn't even imagine that Kuella, who had frozen from the surprise attack by the Empress from the very first greeting, was now operating in 'demon Kron' mode in a half-absent state of mind. "Hehehe. Kuella really speaks well." Meanwhile, the Empress for her part was extremely fond of Kuella. Today was the first time she had met her face to face, but would it be an exaggeration to say it felt like talking with her own child? 'They say that when the relationship between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law is very good, the daughter-in-law can feel like a daughter—is this what that's like?' Of course, it would be difficult for the Empress to decide the Crown Prince's marriage on her own. She would have to hear the Emperor's thoughts, and the Crown Prince's own wishes would be important too. But still, subtly suggesting it to her son should be fine, shouldn't it? (E/N: Nope, sorry. Kuella can't become your daughter-in-law. But she is kind of your granddaughter already since your son is her new father) "Thanks to you, today was enjoyable, Kuella. I'd like to visit again next time—would that be alright?" Before they knew it, it was near sunset. Kuella, who had been in a 'where am I, who am I' state, had also somewhat regained her senses by this point. "Yes, Your Majesty. Please visit whenever it's convenient for you. I will welcome you with all sincerity." Of course, she wasn't being sincere. Common sense dictated that a person of the Empress's stature wouldn't visit so frequently. The two exchanged farewells with smiling faces, and it seemed like all events were concluding. Kuella only realized that this was merely the beginning when she found herself welcoming the Empress, who truly began visiting as frequently as if coming out of a neighborhood café. Even Duke's daughter Selena, who felt the danger of having her friend stolen(?), increased her visit frequency as if she couldn't lose to the Empress, so people clicked their tongues at the demon Countess's absurd demonic charm, saying she had bewitched the Empire's nobility.