Although Velder spent most of his time in the Imperial Palace, he had recently begun to go out more often.
On the surface, he cited the selection of a crown princess consort as his reason, but in reality, it was closer to a whim.
Since he couldn't stay cooped up in the palace all the time, he wanted to experience something at least a little different.
'I've wandered all over, but... everywhere's much the same.'
Velder merely continued his contemplation as he strolled near the pond in the palace grounds.
In the pond, golden-hued fish were swimming busily.
This pond was always maintained by the imperial household's exclusive servants, so it could never get dirty.
Even most nobles couldn't afford to raise fish, so, in fact, the very existence of this pond was an expression of the Imperial Family's authority.
'Maybe it would be easier to just get married to whomever they decide for me.'
Velder was already aware of his position and presence as crown prince.
It might seem that, as the next emperor, he could have anything he wanted, but in truth, he was entangled by all sorts of conditions.
Even if he found a woman fit to be his crown princess, would the emperor and empress even dare to permit the marriage?
'... Still, I'd prefer to search a bit more thoroughly.'
Velder was beginning to think he ought to look beyond the capital and examine other regions as well.
There were certainly many nobles residing in the capital, but other regions were being left out of consideration.
At the very least, he wondered if he shouldn't present his actions as a brief tour of the empire.
'But they won't permit it. It would put my safety at risk.'
Velder had already predicted the reactions of the emperor and the officials.
He was to inherit the throne, after all; they couldn't allow him to venture recklessly into unsafe places.
Of course, those who quietly desired his downfall might voice mild approval.
'Not that I could have someone else do it... Has finding a marriage partner always been this difficult?'
Though Velder found it unsatisfactory, he didn't deny the reality.
Not just him, but his siblings would go through a similar process.
Even the nobles were preoccupied with political marriages; how could one go against such trends?
'Should I delay a little longer? Or...'
While pondering other methods, Velder remembered his conversation with Duke Illenat.
He'd deliberately mentioned the imperial knights to Duke Illenat, but hadn't gotten a clear response.
All he was told was that he'd persuade his daughter well.
'Either he already has something in mind, or his daughter is being quite stubborn.'
In effect, it was close to a rejection of his suggestion.
Had Duke Illenat truly wanted to enroll Brillie in the imperial knights, he would have acted with sincerity.
But nothing in particular had been heard so far; clearly, something had happened, in whatever form.
'It's too much of a waste to give up now. Isn't there another way?'
A noble daughter handling a sword was rare to begin with.
What's more, she was highly skilled and was running a knight order alongside the next Sword Saint.
With that sort of qualification, shouldn't the imperial knights accept her as a member, opposition notwithstanding?
'I can't conscript her by force... and can't make some trivial excuse to a ducal house either.'
It wasn't for nothing that the Illenat house was called a powerhouse.
Duke Illenat had been loyal to the imperial family for many years, accumulating wealth and fame.
Not even considerable funds could compete with the Illenat house, and with the honor built by history, tremendous influence had been established.
'If it's come to this, I'll need to offer something tempting enough.'
Brillie Illenat's objectives and the means to achieve them—
He'd have to propose something relevant as a reward.
Yet, did enrolling in the imperial knights really need to be so troublesome?
'That, and... the grand duke's child is a bit of a regret, too.'
Velder still had lingering interest in hiring Alter Radiant as an imperial attendant.
He hesitated a little, simply because the conditions given were limited.
He didn't intend to make him perform difficult tasks—just to enhance his own prestige would suffice.
'Just by staying by my side, I can shine brilliantly. Authority, after all, is meant to emanate from appearance.'
Velder was obsessed with the dignity befitting the position of crown prince.
None must trespass, yet he must display his destiny as the next emperor.
That was why he adorned himself splendidly and demanded decent appearances from his attendants as well.
'My attendant must be at least that much. As for a bodyguard knight, well, that goes without saying.'
Velder was even thinking of visiting Duke Illenat's residence later.
If he visited in person, he could meet both of them at once.
If it wasn't truly impossible, shouldn't he keep trying?
'Something I can't possess... Is that why I become more obsessed?'
* * *
Alter read books whenever he had spare time.
It wasn't particularly for cultivating his manners or studying to become an imperial official.
It was simply a way to hone his own talents.
'I need to try these things out for myself to really understand them, though...'
While studying the theories and concepts in the books, Alter couldn't help but feel regretful.
There was a clear limit to what knowledge could be gained from reading.
Ultimately, he had to draw out his own efficiency through repeated practical experience.
But with his body as it was, even performing magic was a struggle.
'I collapse after using magic even once. What could I possibly do?'
Alter closed the book and pushed it aside on the desk.
In the northern region, he had already experienced the consequences firsthand, and his father had even warned him not to use magic.
Knowing that, forcing himself further would only endanger his own life.
'I let my guard down for a moment and caught a cold... now I'm just hanging in there with medicine...'
At the sound of a knock, Hilise appeared.
As always, Hilise set down a bowl of medicine.
Alter silently approached the table and drank it in one go.
"Maybe it's just my imagination, but it feels like I see you pretty often."
"... Is that so? Then I'll arrange for someone else to come from now on."
Hilise offered a new proposal without even responding directly.
If the person he served felt uncomfortable, he had to address it accordingly.
Of course, this was a trick to shake his psychology, and, more often than not, it produced a smooth result.
"Why take it that far? I was just asking."
"Ah, my apologies. I thought you were uncomfortable, so I tried to resolve it quickly."
"I'm not uncomfortable. Everyone's treating me well—why would I be uncomfortable?"
Alter answered casually, yet grasped the underlying intention.
He suspected that Hilise himself was deliberately coming and going to keep an eye on him.
Perhaps he was quietly making plans to run away with Brillie.
'He must be hoping for the engagement to break. If the marriage goes through, he wouldn't be able to do anything.'
Of course, just because Brillie broke the engagement didn't mean Hilise would get a chance.
Compared to the other male leads, Hilise was at a disadvantage.
With regard to background or reputation, the crown prince and the next swordmaster were favored, and with a phantom thief and a vampire freely moving about, there would be an even larger gap in accessibility.
'Which is probably why his presence seems to diminish as the story goes on...'
"You could designate a specific butler or maid. That way, things might become a bit easier for you, Lord Alter."
"No need, just do as you've been doing. I don't want to create more work."
Alter saw no reason to hinder Hilise.
On the contrary, by letting him act as he pleased, Hilise's sense of rivalry towards him would diminish.
In fact, in a critical moment, he might even become an ally, so perhaps a bit of cooperation wouldn't hurt.
"If you need anything, just let me know any time. After checking, I'll arrange it for you."
"Hmm... That's true. Could you buy something for me?"
"What do you need? We'll cover the costs on our end."
"This time, I should buy it myself. I don't want anyone to think I'm after the ducal house's wealth."
"...?"
Before leaving the northern region, Alter had received a considerable sum from his father.
Since he couldn't always take from the ducal house, it was an emergency fund to use in special situations.
But Alter was even considering investing it to increase those funds.
'I won't make a loss. I need to use it when necessary.'
Even while facing the not-so-distant future, Alter was still conscious of the other male leads.
The crown prince had shown up a bit early, but that only meant he encountered Brillie sooner.
In the end, all the male leads would approach Brillie in turn.
'Now the vampire will appear... things might get dangerous.'
Of course, with Brillie's skills, she wouldn't be an easy target.
Still, his acts were bizarre and cruel enough that he couldn't just ignore them.
'He's after Brillie's blood.'
* * *
Although Brillie had always commuted to the knight order headquarters, she mostly walked.
Of course, she could have used a horse or carriage, but she wasn't fond of them.
The easier her body had it, the weaker her mind became, and she'd only develop a habit of relying on such comforts.
'... Something's off.'
While walking with composure, Brillie still remained aware of her back.
For several days, she had sensed an odd presence.
Moreover, this feeling became clearer every time she commuted, so she couldn't help but be on guard.
'It's like I'm the only one being followed.'
Only then did Brillie gain certainty, her gaze growing cold.
Someone was maintaining a fixed distance, shadowing her step by step.
They were probably ready to flee at any moment before being caught.
'If they were skilled, they'd try to hide their presence. Why reveal it?'
Brillie began to contemplate how best to respond while considering various possibilities.
Should she turn around and launch a surprise attack? Rely on the knight order's help to capture them? Use her family's private soldiers?
To ensure capture, she'd need extra support, but if she hesitated now, she might let her target escape.
'I need to find out why I'm being followed. If it turns out it's not human...'
Brillie halted suddenly and spun quickly.
The presence vanished abruptly, and she couldn't even guess which way it had moved.
Given such characteristics, it must have been quite formidable.
'Looks like they noticed they were discovered. And all I did was stand still...'
Brillie anxiously surveyed her surroundings.
The ability to detect the slightest change revealed razor-sharp instincts.
It was a sense granted only to the strong; if it was a monster, it must even possess intelligence.
'I doubt there are monsters in the capital... but it's not unheard of.'
Brillie prepared for the worst-case scenario and began walking again.
Even a powerful being wouldn't rampage in the heart of the capital.
Considering her own status, handling the aftermath would become almost impossible.
In other words, no one but a fool would attempt such a thing.
'Only two types of monsters can take on a human form.'
Operating on the assumption that the pursuer wasn't human, Brillie instantly arrived at a conclusion.
Vampires. Werewolves.
Vampires had skin almost the color of violets and took on a human form most of the time.
Werewolves could change between human and wolf form as they wished.
'I need to take care of this quickly. I'll be fine, but others might get hurt, right?'
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
So the vampire appears?
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】