The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

In the throne room, the Emperor and his children have gathered.

There, Leo reports on the events that happened so far. Just in case, I silently kneeling behind him.

“After the defeat of the Sea Dragon, the Principality of Albatro and the Principality of Rondin have reaffirmed their alliance. The conflict in the south should calm down for the time being.”

“Umu, good work. It seems like I gave you a much harsher work than I thought. Still, you have shown me how skillful you are when you resolved the incident.”

“Thank you very much.”

Father looked satisfied as he praised Leo.

Well, that’s only natural.

We don’t have to deal with the southern conflict anymore and the Empire’s reputation has grown with the defeat of the Sea Dragon.

The Principality of Albatro has officially stated that they want to have a diplomatic relationship with the Empire as well. There are only good things coming out of this incident.

And everything is credited to Leo.

“It seems I have to give you a reward. Leonard, do you have something you wish for? With such an achievement, you can even ask for a minister position you know?”

At that moment, the faces of the ministers together with our elder brothers and sisters froze.

Eric is the only imperial family member who holds a ministerial position and Father just said that he would give a position with equal power to Leo.

This development is surely unpleasant for Gordon and Zandra whose factions want to install their own minister into the government.

Eric’s expression doesn’t change but the gaze behind his glasses is colder than usual.

However, gaining a half baked power like that will stir up unnecessary trouble, we might be the target of an assault from all sides.

The Minister of Industry is already ours. There is no need to go out of our way to get another such position. I have already talked with Leo about that.

“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s offer but the current me is still not suitable for such a position.”

“I see. Is there anything else you wish for?”

Father also can’t afford to not give any reward to him either.

If he doesn’t do that, he can no longer award any achievements that are inferior to Leo. Those who offered to be rewarded would also have to decline because Prince Leonard has declined his after all.

“Yes. Before I left on the mission, I was asked by a girl from the southern region to look into the incident at her village. I told her that I couldn’t do it right away because I have to leave the country as an ambassador but since I have safely come back, I want to help her.”

“Hou? You want another work to do huh. You really are hardworking. Don’t you think so too? Arnold.”

“Yes. I can’t imitate him at all.”

“Fuh, that might be true. So? What is the incident that she wants your help with?”

“It seems that the people of her village have been kidnapped.”

“Why didn’t she go to the local Lord, why did she come directly to you?”

“…..She said that the Lord didn’t move even after she had reported the incident.”

“What?”

The face of the Emperor who was in a good mood up until now immediately turned sore.

Eleven years ago.

Father accepted all immigrants as citizens of the Empire against the demand from the Sokal empire. In other words, the various villages of all races inside the Empire have been accepted as the Empire’s villages since then.

“When was that village built?”

“Since the girl said that she was born in that village, the village should already exist more than eleven years ago.”

“Those damn fools! They dare ignore my decree!?”

The enraged emperor rises from the throne.

Everyone inside the throne room kneeled down and bowed to the Emperor.

Prime Minister Franz tried to calm him down.

“Please calm your anger, Your Majesty.”

“How can I be calm with this!? Eleven years ago I issued a decree to all the lords! I told them that all the immigrants are to be considered citizens of the Empire! And now that they have blatantly ignored my order!? To ignore my decree is the same as looking down on me!”

“We still haven’t made sure of that yet. That’s why Prince Leonard said that he wants to investigate this matter.”

“No! I will personally lead the investigation myself and if it’s true I will take the head of those lords!”

“The country can’t run itself while its emperor personally intervening in a problem at the frontier. Please leave this matter to Prince Leonard, Your Majesty.”

Franz’s advice managed to calm the Emperor’s wrath.

I thought that this would conclude with Leo being ordered to investigate the southern region but instead, two people nominate themselves.

“Your Majesty. Leonard was just done with his mission. Please leave this matter to me.”

“No, Your Majesty. Leonard just came back and Zandra is a girl, please leave this to me, I can handle this matter. My body is getting frail from being idle for so long. I will show them the meaning of imperial law.”

The first to nominate herself was Zandra. Of course, the southern region is where Zandra’s mother’s family has a strong influence. If anything happens in the south, Zandra’s faction will have a lot to suffer.

On Gordon’s side, he only wants to make some achievements soon. Gordon is a general but without war, there is no way for him to exhibit his military talent.

However, they both should have take Father’s mood into consideration first.

“You two! Are you intending to use this to your advantage in the succession war!”

Saying so, Father’s wrath got ignited again.

They were too reckless to get their achievement. The immigrant problem is something that Father has always been worried about.

Just because the Emperor has decreed so, it doesn’t mean that everyone would recognize the immigrants as imperial citizens. Apart from the Imperial Capital and its surroundings, discrimination against these immigrants still exists, especially in the frontier. The stories of Lynfia’s village are not that uncommon.

What was unusual this time was that Lynfia came to the Imperial Capital herself with the idea that if this matter can be resolved somehow if it reached an ear of someone from the imperial family.

And that is exactly it. This is the problem that directly involved Father’s pride. Father’s impression of anyone who can resolve such an incident would definitely improve.

“This is not your problem, this is mine! I won’t let you use it for the succession war! Fools! Zandra! Your mother is from the south! You may be deeply involved in this! Gordon! You have always use brute force to solve your problem so there’s no way I can leave such a delicate matter like this to you! Use your heads a little, Both of you!”

“ “ We, We are sorry……” “

The two stepped down with Father’s reprimand.

Because Father was quite angry at them, he exhaled to calm himself down first before he looked at Leo.

“Leonard. I appoint you as the inspector. Thoroughly investigate this matter.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Do not make any compromises. Drag out all their sins to the open. Kidnapping is a serious crime in the Empire. Ignoring them is also a crime. Don’t show any mercy to anyone involved.”

Father ordered Leo with a strong tone.

Peeking at Zandra, I saw an anxious expression on her face.

With how she looks, Zandra’s mother’s house is probably involved. If what Lynfia said is true and the local lords are involved in these kidnapping cases then it means that Zandra’s mother’s house is probably behind it.

This is a very difficult case but if we can solve it then that alone will give a strong blow to Zandra’s faction.

She can start regretting that she couldn’t crush Leo’s faction when we were away right now.

With this, Leo will become an emperor candidate both in name and in reality. More people will come to his side and our faction will not be crushed so easily.

Our foundation has solidified and from now on it is the real battle.

“That’s all for the meeting. Everyone is dismissed.”

When Father said so, I was about to leave the place.

But.

“Arnold. Stay behind for a bit.”

“Yes?”

“Stay.”

“Yes…..”

Why me alone……

With that in mind, I stay behind inside the throne room.

Then, only me, my father and Prime Minister Franz remained inside the throne room.

As I wondered what he was going to say, Father opened his mouth to say something for a few times but he gave up and threw the matter to Franz.

“I leave it to you! Franz!”

“Didn’t you say that you are going to say it yourself.”

“Whatever, you say it!”

“Haa…….Prince Arnold. The reason we want you to remain here alone is that there’s a matter involving Her Highness the First Princess who is now at the eastern border.”

“Is there something wrong with her?”

“Actually…..we have received a marriage proposal for her.”

“I refuse.”

Hearing my immediate refusal, Father and Franz have a miserable expression on their faces.

Seriously, no one would expect such an expression coming from the Emperor and Prime Minister of the Empire.

“Pl, please don’t say that…..His Majesty only has three daughters. Her Highness Christa is still too young and Her Highness Zandra keeps saying that she will never get married.”

“That’s why it’s just ridiculous to propose marriage to her. She is the marshal who is in charge of the entire eastern front you know? Our Empire only has three marshals right? The only person who can give her order is Father alone you know?”

“Even so, if things keep going on like this she will never become a bride! She is already twenty-five you know!?”

“If you think so then why don’t you tell her yourself?”

“I’ve already sent out a lot of letters! And she refused it every time too! She said that she will quit being a royalty if we forced a marriage on her you know! That ungrateful daughter.!”

“Isn’t it fine even if she doesn’t want to get married…….”

“I’m her father! I have a duty to worry about my daughter’s future! Listen here, Arnold! You are on good terms with Christa and that elder sister of yours like you too. Write a letter to her and convince her to come to the capital. If you can’t convince her then you have to go to the eastern border yourself!”

That was quite an unreasonable order.

If you are going to do that then can’t you just order her to come here as an emperor?

I do understand his reason though. He doesn’t want to be hated.

My eldest sister and Christa are the daughters of my father’s beloved second consort. In particular, my father can’t be too harsh on my elder sister who looks almost identical to the second consort.

I sighed and gave him a nod like there are no other choices but to do so. Rather, there’s nothing I can do here except nodding.

Aaaaaah, I feel like things are going to be troublesome again.