The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

“Welcome back. Arnold-sama.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m home.”

With such an exchange with the knight on guarding duty, I entered the Amsberg mansion.

Entering inside, the familiar butler was there to greet me. He told me that Elna and Anna-san are having dinner and started guiding me to them without confirming with the two first.

This is usually the case when I visit them.

Are they just that open?

While having that thought, I arrived in front of the two of them.

“Ara? If it isn’t Al. welcome.”

“Sorry for intruding. Anna-san.”

Anna-san wasn’t surprised and normally welcomed me with a smile.

She then stands up and takes Sebas off somewhere. She probably went off to prepare some food for me.

I accept her hospitality and sit down opposite of Elna.

“Al? What’s wrong? I heard that you are supposed to be at the party today though?”

“It was boring so I left.”

I said so and put the alcohol I brought on the table.

The wine from the castle is quite good. Its taste is perfect.

“It’s still too early…….did you leave before His Majesty?”

“It’s okay. Nobody cares about me anyway. The stars tonight are Leo and Lize-aneue after all.”

“You are saying something like that again…….”

Elna said with a fed-up expression.

Elna is the same as usual. She doesn’t seem depressed at all.

Still, the one that was different from usual here is probably me.

When I picked up two glasses from the table, Elna stopped me.

“You know that I don’t drink right?”

“Even when hanging out with a friend?”

“Haa……just a little okay?”

As I got Elna to compromise, I pour a little wine in one glass and pour another one to the brim.

Then, I handed the one with less wine to Elna.

A short moment of silence took over us.

Elna says nothing. Perhaps she already knew what I wanted to say but she doesn’t want to rush me.

While feeling thankful to her, I lower my head.

“Sorry…….”

“What are you apologizing for.”

“…….The scene from Christa’s future vision can never be changed. No matter how you move, the future was already decided that Christa will be kidnapped. Still, I asked you to be her escort…….”

“Is that so? I managed to save Rita in the end though?”

“I thought that you could do something about it with your power. but…….I didn’t tell you that the future can’t be changed because I don’t want you to doubt yourself. That’s why I kept it a secret from you. I…….tricked you into it……..”

“….that’s insulting.”

Elna murmured.

However, her tone wasn’t angry.

When I raised my face, Elna was staring straight at me.

“Your apology is an insult to me, Al.”

“…..but…….the Order was your…….”

“Yes, it was my dream. I tried hard to get in it. I was raised while being told that joining the Imperial Knight Order and protecting the Imperial family is the Amsbergs’ duty and responsibility after all. That’s why I was really happy when I managed to join the Order. I even aimed for the position of the Captain Commander. Still, I took it all for granted. It seems because of this incident, that dream might be getting far away from me now but it’s all right.”

Saying so, Elna smiles.

Her smile was one that shows that she truly doesn’t mind about it.

But I know. I know how much effort she put in to become an imperial knight without relying on the name of the Amsbergs.

Even though I just rendered all her effort meaningless, Elna still didn’t get angry and just smiled at me.

It was painful.

It would be much better if she got angry at me.

“………”

“That look again. I told you already right. My oath is much more important than my honor. So don’t worry about it. I will never forsake you, Al. I simply acted according to my oath. It wasn’t your fault. I am aware of what could happen and took those risks by myself. So don’t just take it all as your responsibility. Moreover, I was helpful right?”

“…….yeah, of course, you are.”

“I’m glad. If that’s the case then it’s all good. Christa and Rita were safe and I was able to be helpful to you. I think that’s already my victory. Honestly, it would be better if I can help you more though.”

Elna says so while playfully smiling at the wine glass she is holding.

Then.

“If you already understand then stop looking so depressed. What did you come here for? If it’s just apologizing then you are already done, right? So, let’s celebrate. To this modest victory of mine.”

Elna holds up the glass while bearing a proud smile.

Seeing her like that, I can’t just keep brooding over what happened.

Shaking off my hesitation and regret, I hold up my glass. Elna called the chain of events so far her victory. Most people will say that it was her loss, I know for sure that this is her victory.

I have to celebrate with her.

After all, it was the victory of my sword.

“To your humble victory.”

“Yeah, to my humble victory.”

Saying so we clink our glasses and make a toast.

Elna gently tilts her glass but I drink its content all at once and pour another.

“You will regret it later if you keep drinking it like that you know?”

“It’s alright. If we are having a toast then it’s better to drink like this.”

“You said it like you are an adventurer. Well, I don’t hate it though.”

The moment Elna said that I stopped my hand.

The guilt I felt wanted me to confess everything to her.

However, I stopped myself before I could do that and swallowed it all down with the wine.

Right now, there is no benefit in revealing this secret to her. If I do it now, I will just be putting some unnecessary secrets for her to carry.

I will have to tell her someday but today is not that day.

It will only trouble her. It’s easy to let her spoil me but I can’t let myself get spoiled by her any more than this.

Even I have a backbone after all.

“Elna…….I will definitely make Leo the emperor.”

“What’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“I might be a little drunk I guess……”

“Fufu, you are not such a lightweight right?”

“I get like this once in a while……if Leo becomes the emperor, he will surely abolish this ridiculous custom. The succession war certainly was effective in raising competent emperors. Compared to other countries, our empire has considerably less foolish leaders. but to spill so much blood just for that is too ridiculous……if it’s him, he will definitely be able to find another way, that’s what I think.”

I have no intention to die.

I want to live on my own terms, be an adventurer on my own terms, and die on my own terms. That is my life plan.

That’s why the best way for that to happen is for Leo to become the emperor. It was one of the reasons I pushed for Leo to become the emperor.

However, as long as this ridiculous custom continues, I will never be able to achieve that.

Even if we survive, our children will be involved in the next generation’s succession war.

When I got involved in the succession war, I was reluctant but I still have the power to participate in it. But that was not the case for Christa. It might not be the case for most of the imperial family who will be born in the future as well.

It is just too unreasonable to get caught up and push around even though they don’t have any wish for the throne.

“I wonder about that. It has continued for so long you know? It is the duty of the imperial family to produce a good leader. If there is a stupid emperor who can’t control this vast empire then blood will flow even more than in this succession war. And that will be the blood of the citizens you know.”

“I know. I do think that what I wish for is selfish. As long as you are born in the imperial family, you can’t escape its duty. I know that it was our price to pay………but if I was satisfied with that, nothing would change. There should have been others in my family who thought like me. Still, no one did anything. Nothing will change if we just leave it up to the future.”

“Then why don’t you just become the emperor yourself?”

“Don’t be stupid…..even if I think that it is an unreasonable custom, it still has its own merit. If I have to make a realistic judgment call then I’m sure that I wouldn’t choose to abolish it. That’s why I chose to support Leo to become the emperor.”

“And what if Leo arrives at the same conclusion as you?”

“He won’t. He’s not like me. Rather than a realistic and effective method, he would find another way that suits his ideal.”

Hearing my words, Elna smiles.

She then holds up her glass toward me.

“That’s right. I think so too. Leo has something that makes people want to place their hopes on him. That’s why people are supporting him right”

“So you get it?”

“You are happy now because I just praised your brother?”

“Well, yeah.”

While having such a conversation, I and Elna emptied the bottle.

While thinking about opening a new one, Anna-san and Sebas returned.

Bringing along a large number of guests.

“Elna…….!”

“El-nee!”

Christa and Rita who were guided here by Anna-san rushed to hug Elna.

“Your Highness Christa, Rita too…..why are you here?”

“I brought her.”

Saying so, Lize-aneue head over to Elna’s side.

Elna who was surprised by the appearance of Aneue stands up in haste.

“Your Highness Lizelotte!? It’s, it’s been a long time!”

“Yeah, long time no see. You don’t have to be so stiff. I came to thank you today. You have my gratitude for protecting Christa and her friend.”

“No, your words are wasted on me…..”

“Don’t be so modest. It seems you have been taking good care of Al and Leo right. I can’t thank you enough for that.”

“Aneue, I don’t bother Elna that much you know.”

While I was saying that, Leo showed up holding a lot of wines and snacks in both hands.

Did you really have to carry all that on your own? Isn’t he kinda pitiful even though he is supposed to be the star tonight?

“Alright…..will this be enough I wonder?”

“Both of you have the leading roles tonight right?…..you will get scolded by Father later you know?”

“Father already headed back and the one who wanted to do this was Aneue you know. I can’t go against her, right.”

“Aneue was…….”

“I noticed that you were gone. A celebration should be held with the people who did something to deserve it, don’t you think so?”

“For such a reason?……..but you did well knowing that I am here?”

I asked Leo since I thought that Leo was naturally the one who would know but he shakes his head.

Leo turns his sight to the back.

Finne is standing there in her blue dress.

“Finne-san said that she was sure that you would be at Elna’s place so we decided to come here. Aneue said that she wanted to thank Elna too so I think that it’s a good opportunity.”

“Finne did?”

“Yes, I thought for sure that Al-sama would go to Elna-sama’s place.”

To think that there would be someone else who could read me other than Sebas.

Even Leo didn’t know where I went. As expected of Finne huh. Or perhaps, the me today is that easy to read?

While I was thinking about that, everyone sits down.

Finne is sitting next to me while Leo is sitting next to Christa and Rita.

Perhaps he wanted to take care of them.

Lize-aneue sits beside Elna and starts having a heated talk about sword techniques.

“Pleased to meet you, Madam Amsberg. I am called Jurgen von Reinfeld.”

“Ara, nice to meet you. I’ve heard rumors about you, Duke Reinfeld. You were moving around quite a lot weren’t you?”

“That’s embarrassing of me. Actually, a good mineral was recently mined in my territory and it was a perfect mineral for making armor you see.”

“Ara, isn’t that interesting. My husband is currently away right now so can I speak to you about it in his stead?”

“Of course.”

Jurgen who also came over is now having a business talk with Anna-san.

This person is suitable to be a merchant. His habit of never abandoning an opportunity will really be a waste if he chooses to be a warrior after all.

“Um, Al-sama…..were we perhaps interrupted something?”

“…..no, I’m glad you came.”

“Is that so! Then I’m glad!”

Saying so, Finne makes a wide smile.

I don’t know if it was because of the alcohol or the loneliness somewhere in my heart but.

She looked really attractive to me right now.

That’s why I decided to honestly tell her the words that came up in my mind.

“I couldn’t say this at the party but……that dress looks great on you. It’s beautiful.”

“R, Really!? Thank you very much!”

Saying so, Finne happily smiles while her cheeks were dyed red.

After that, the fun time continued for a while.

I thought that parties are boring in general but the modest party here is a lot of fun.