31 - A Foothold for Revenge
Next to the Princess's private room is a small meeting room. Originally, it was a waiting area for the maids who were always on standby, but at the Princess's request, it was decided to be used as a meeting room. The people gathered there now are those secretly known as the Princess's faction. Not only Miria, a Royal Guard Knight, but representatives from the Royal Knights, the Royal Magic Corps, and the civil officials had gathered for the meeting.
Every face is still young. What they are aiming for is power in the next generation of the Kingdom. The purpose of the meeting goes without saying. To place the Princess as the successor to the Kingdom. Among the meetings that had been held several times until now, a new face is visible today.
"Why is a mere slave present?"
"Be quiet. Kamui's presence is by my instruction."
"But, Princess..."
"Listen. In the first place, the reason I made Kamui my slave was to have him work as my hands, feet, and brain."
"There is no need for—"
"Kamui is someone whom Julius, who was called a sharp mind, recognized. Furthermore, he is someone with a talent for the sword that even that Geel recognized as a disciple. He will undoubtedly be an asset to me."
"Lord Julius and that Lord Geel...?"
The man, a civil official, seemed to have learned of this for the first time and looked around with a surprised expression. Not only Miria, but the knights and mages who actually knew Ray's strength nodded deeply, affirming Princess Ekaterina's words.
"I managed to pull him away from Julius and make him mine. What would I do if I didn't use that talent?"
"I understand. However, I have one concern."
"What is it?"
"Can he keep a secret?"
"You, please do not make me exasperated. Kamui is my slave, is he not? There is no way he could do anything that would be disadvantageous to his master. Furthermore, he is far more trustworthy than you all."
"Ah, I have asked something embarrassing."
He is not just a slave. A magic of subordination has been placed upon Ray. The civil official realized that it would be impossible for him to betray his master, Princess Ekaterina.
"Then, is that satisfactory? Do you have any more complaints?"
"No, I do not."
"Then, let us begin the meeting. Are there any immediate issues?"
"That is..."
The civil official tried to answer the Princess's question, but he could not put it into words immediately.
"What is it?"
"Regarding that slave..."
"Do you still have complaints?"
"Not complaints, but, well..."
As expected, he could not say it clearly.
"You're being indecisive. Speak clearly."
"Princess..."
"Oh, Kamui, what is it?"
"Since it might be difficult for everyone to say, I thought it would be better if I spoke from my own mouth."
"From Kamui? Do you know what he wants to say?"
"Probably."
"I see. Then speak."
"Yes. Some rude words may be mixed in. I ask for your forgiveness in advance regarding that."
"...Fine. Speak freely."
"Then. I speculate that what everyone wishes to say is regarding the Princess's recent behavior."
"Me?"
"Yes. And it is also my problem."
"Kamui too..."
"I will continue. The Princess has given me, a slave, excessive hospitality."
"That is not true."
The Princess did not notice, but the people around her were secretly impressed by his skillful choice of words.
"No, I feel that way as well. While it is very grateful for me, the problem is how the people around us perceive it."
"And how are they perceiving it?"
"I will put it a bit exaggeratedly. The Princess is, of all things, enamored with a slave."
"Ah, wha—?"
A look of agitation appeared on Princess Ekaterina's face. This reaction made those around her even more anxious.
"Are there not people who rumor such things? Especially for those who hold malice toward the Princess for some reason, there could be no more delicious scandal than this."
"I, I am—"
"I, as the party involved, know well that it is not a fact. However, whether it is a fact or not does not matter to those who wish to utilize it. They will spread the rumor even more exaggeratedly, and even more amusingly."
"...You're right."
"That bud must be nipped."
"How?"
"First, I believe it would be better if the Princess and I refrain from acting together."
"What did you say?"
"If I were a Royal Guard Knight, it would be natural to always be together, but I am a slave. I believe it is better to keep a distance."
"There is no need for that."
"There is a need. The most important thing for the Princess right now is to gather trust and support. Not even a slight scratch must be made. Besides, it is not that I am quitting being the Princess's slave. There is no change in the fact that I will continue to do my utmost only for the Princess."
"...It is for my sake, then?"
"Of course. How is it? Will you accept my suggestion?"
"Very well. But time for reports and consultations is necessary. What will we do about that?"
"Let's see... then, could I have some of your time every day after dinner?"
"Hey! Why that time?"
The one who interrupted was Miria. She had no objection to the conversation so far. Rather, she was grateful to Ray for putting it so well. But the time after dinner is, in other words, night. That would only increase the scandal further.
"Even if you ask why... Miria-sama should know my original daily routine. That is simply the time I am free. Of course, this is my convenience, so if it is inconvenient for the Princess, another time is fine."
"But... however..."
Miria, who had acted together with him, knew Ray's original daily routine well. Waking up with the sunrise, and immediately training. Both morning and afternoon, except for meal times, it was training the whole time. The time after dinner was the time Ray kept free to spend with Cecil. That made Miria think of unnecessary things.
"I do not mind that time. It is to make it known that we will not be together during the day for a while, yes?"
"Yes. During times when there are many eyes, it would be good if you acted conspicuously with other people."
"But if it is known that you are meeting Kamui after it gets dark..."
Even if the Princess agreed, Miria could not accept it with that.
"It is fine as long as it is not known."
"How?"
"Regarding that... it is quite difficult to say."
"We won't know unless you say it, right?"
"I believe another measure is necessary to erase the rumors."
"What is it?"
"Stopping the Princess and me from acting together. That alone will not stop the attacks. New rumors will simply be spread, saying that you are doing so intentionally because you are conscious of the rumors."
"True."
"Therefore, another measure. I will implement a plan to make the rumors about the Princess and me a misunderstanding."
"So, how do you do that?"
"It is difficult to say..."
"Just say it already!"
"Is that so? Then, I will speak. I will make it so that I have another partner. That the rumors were simply a mistake that spread regarding that woman. Since it cannot be that the Princess has another partner, I will create such a rumor on my end."
"I see. Not bad. But the problem is the partner."
"I have already decided on a suitable person."
"Who?"
"Miria-sama."
"I see... hah!? Me!?"
Miria let out a voice of surprise. Without paying mind to such a Miria, Ray continued speaking. Ray did not actually intend to explain to Miria, but was speaking toward Princess Ekaterina, who held the decision-making power.
"There are two reasons. One is that it can be made that it was not the Princess and I acting together, but that I was present where the Princess and Miria-sama, the Royal Guard Knight, were together."
"Th-that means... that I wanted to be with Kamui all the time and dragged him around?"
"Your understanding is fast, as expected. That is correct."
"Then, would I not be a foolish woman crazed by lust?"
"Well, there is a possibility that you will be called that. May I state the other reason?"
"A-ah."
"I will move Miria-sama's room to the one next to this room. After that, please use that as your bedroom, Miria-sama."
"Why?"
"I will secretly connect Miria-sama's room and this one. If so, my entering and leaving the Princess's room will not be noticed by others."
"Listen, does that mean..."
"Yes. It will be seen that I visit Miria-sama's bedroom every night."
"Th-that is problematic!"
"Why?"
"I am a Royal Guard Knight! I am not some woman who drowns in love like that!"
"Is it not because you are a Royal Guard Knight that you should accept this matter?"
"Hah?"
"The person who is made my partner will certainly have their reputation drop. Since it will be thought that they are having sexual intercourse every night with a slave, and one who is still at an age that can be called a child, the eyes of those around will be quite harsh."
"That is something I cannot endure."
"I see... that is a problem. I believe this role can only be performed by someone with deep loyalty who does not mind hurting themselves for the sake of the Princess. I thought that if it were Miria-sama, the Royal Guard Knight, it might be possible."
"Eh? That... but..."
Having the word loyalty brought up made Miria's heart waver greatly, but her pride as a knight was also important to her. Between being a Royal Guard and being a knight—two things that were the same, yet led to different choices—Miria was swaying.
"As expected, let us go with a maid. Princess, is there a trustworthy and tight-lipped maid?"
"I cannot trust maids."
"Then I will choose. There are a few people who do not look at me with prejudiced eyes. Depending on the case, I may ask for permission to actually enter into such a relationship."
"What are you saying?"
"If we actually enter into such a relationship, trust will be born. If that happens, they might cooperate even if they know the truth. This is a quite cowardly method, however."
"That... is no good, I cannot trust maids."
"Is it no good... then, shall we pull Cecil-sama into the camp? It will be difficult since she likely has no interest in such things, but if I ask earnestly, she might agree."
"What did you say?"
The Princess knew that Cecil would accept it even without an earnest request. She had even tried to prostrate herself for just one night. And if Cecil accepted that role, she would likely try to resume the relationship in reality. Even if the physical relationship could be prevented by order, the Princess could not forgive Ray and Cecil spending time alone together before meeting her, or after meeting her.
"I cannot permit it."
"Is Cecil-sama also no good? I have no more candidates. Do the others have anyone in mind?"
Ray asked the other members, but the faces of those questioned were grim.
"In the first place, there are no women."
The one who answered was a member of the Royal Knights.
"None among the civil officials either. If I were to name someone, they would be a maid."
"The Mage Corps is the same. There is no one who will listen to us. Besides, while they have no organizational consciousness, they do care about fellow mages."
Setting Cecil aside, there were no female mages involved with Ray.
"This is a problem. If this plan is no good, the Princess's bad reputation cannot be completely suppressed. It is a trivial thing, but a serious one. It is soon, is it not?"
"What are you talking about?"
"The Hero's debut party. Was it a reception?"
"Yes. Is that a problem?"
"If I were an enemy, I would spread the Princess's bad reputation all at once at that place. If so..."
"The rumors would spread throughout the Kingdom."
The one who followed Ray's words was the male mage. Having heard the conversation up to this point, the man's evaluation of Ray had shot up. Originally, mages were meritocratic. They had little attachment to social status.
"That would be bad."
"Yes. If it spreads throughout the Kingdom, it will not be easy to negate. I wish to settle this while the matter remains within the castle."
"...Miria."
"Y-yes."
"How about it? Won't you reconsider for my sake?"
For Princess Ekaterina as well, Miria was optimal. She had trust in Miria that she would not enter into a strange relationship with Ray.
"...I understand. I will perform that role."
Being asked directly by Princess Ekaterina, Miria had no choice but to steel her resolve.
"Thank you, Miria."
"No, it is for the sake of the Princess."
"Then, is everyone alright with proceeding in this direction?"
"Yeah." "No objections." "No problem."
To Ray's confirmation, everyone returned words of agreement. It felt as if Ray had taken control of the meeting's proceedings. However, at this point, Ray took a step back.
"Thank you for accepting my clumsy plan. Please, proceed with the meeting."
"...Ah, right. Then what is next?"
"Let's see. I believe it would be better to talk about the Hero's debut party from earlier."
The one who brought up the next agenda was the civil official who had originally been managing the meeting's progress.
"Specifically?"
"It is an opportunity for influential houses from various regions to gather. We need to establish connections."
"True. But there is not that much time. We cannot possibly have secret meetings after the party."
"Yes. Therefore, we need to narrow down the targets. That is what I wish to consult about. The Four Marquis Houses cannot be excluded. Conversely, if we can make them all allies, we can say the others do not matter."
"Can we do it?"
"I think it will be difficult... what do you think?"
There, the civil official threw the question to Ray. The official's intention was half expectation, half provocation.
"May I speak?"
"Yes, you may."
"However, I know nothing of the circumstances. I will start by confirming those points."
"On the contrary, it is a good opportunity. Ask as much as you want."
"Yes. First, regarding the Prince, who are his clear supporters?"
"There are none."
"None at all?"
"In the sense of being clear. As for those who do not doubt that the younger brother, being male, will succeed, most of the nobles are so."
"Then where is the opening for the Princess to exploit? Because that exists, you are aiming for the seat of succession, right?"
"The fact that he is sickly. That is the biggest one."
"Is it to the extent that he cannot handle official duties?"
"There are times when he is that bad."
"I see. Among the Four Marquis Houses, are there any who have daughters of an age suitable for the Prince as a candidate for Queen?"
"Marquis Fraser and House Balenberg."
"What is the relationship between those two houses?"
"It is bad. It can be said that all of the Four Marquis Houses have bad relationships."
"Which houses have males of an age suitable for the Princess?"
"House Fraser, House Mason, House Albright."
"Three houses."
"In the case of males, the age difference is not that much of a problem."
"That is also true. Then, as for houses that can compete with the Marquis houses?"
"The Three Ducal Houses. They would lose in military power, but they are houses that carry the royal blood. They can compete in terms of prestige."
"Does the Princess desire the seat of Queen? Or does she desire the actual power of a King?"
"It is the actual power, obviously. The seat of Queen is separately this country... no, that is unnecessary."
"It is difficult."
"As expected, even Kamui cannot come up with a plan immediately."
"Currently, the Princess is trying to take a husband from some noble house, correct?"
"Y-yes."
"To succeed the next generation with that house as a backer."
"That's right."
"And can you seize actual power with that?"
"That is..."
"Since I have only just heard this, I believe there may be mistakes, but I will state my thoughts for now."
"Yes, tell me."
"Would it not be better to make the Ducal Houses, rather than the Marquis houses, your allies? After that, the lower—and it is rude of me to say—well, gathering the support of nobles other than the influential houses."
"Why?"
"First, House Balenberg is undoubtedly a supporter of the Prince. Because the Prince is the only one with the possibility of seizing actual power."
"Actual power?"
"That is how it is, right? The Prince is physically weak. To the extent that he cannot handle official duties. If so, a guardian, or rather, it becomes possible for the Queen's family to seize the actual power of the Kingdom as a proxy."
"True. That is unforgivable. For a Marquis house to move the country, pushing aside the royal family."
"But the Princess will also become like that. You must know that."
"I know. But I will do something about it."
"But can you repel the power of a noble house that contributed to the victory in the succession struggle? Besides, even if they are a backer, I do not think they would recognize a Queen. No noble will miss the opportunity for their own son to become King."
"...True. But without the support of the nobles..."
"That is where I said it was difficult. How far to gamble, how far to compromise. You need to decide that."
"Speak more specifically."
"Then, starting from compromise. Prioritize winning the succession struggle above all. But there is a high possibility of ending up as a Queen with no actual power. As for the gamble, eliminate the openings for influential houses to exploit and aim for the succession. If successful, actual power will certainly be obtained. But the possibility of losing the succession struggle is far greater with this."
"...What is the plan for the case of gambling? You're saying this because you have one, right?"
"Do not take a husband from a noble house. Take a husband who has no connection to noble houses, yet is a person of high reputation within the country."
"Th-that would be..."
"The Hero."
"The Hero!?"
"Yes. The Hero is an existence that transcends social status. Yet, he requires the royal family as a backer. Even if he becomes a husband, he cannot stand before the Princess, who carries the royal blood. Furthermore, those around will never permit the Princess to be looked down upon."
"And then?"
"...Is this plan no good?"
The Princess was clearly not keen. To the current Princess, the Hero was not even in her sight. Having associated the words 'no connection to nobles' with Ray, the Princess had lost interest as a reaction.
"It's not that."
"That's right. I also want to hear more about that plan."
"Me too."
"I as well."
In contrast to the unenthusiastic Princess, the other members wanted to hear Ray's plan. They also understood what Ray had pointed out. However, they had not been able to find a breakthrough until now.
"Then, I will continue. Take the Hero as a husband. Those who support this are people who desire the strengthening of royal authority. I thought the Ducal Houses, who are originally royal, would be so. And many of the lower nobles, who are stagnating because influential houses monopolize important posts, would consider this an opportunity to break the current situation. Am I wrong so far?"
"I think it is correct."
"Then, the targets for establishing connections are the noble houses I just mentioned. At the debut party, focus on the Ducal Houses. Just suggest, subtly, that royal authority should be strengthened for now, and that this cannot be realized with the Prince."
"I understand. But do we ignore the Marquis houses entirely?"
"Ignore House Balenberg. The reason is as I stated earlier. Regarding the remaining three houses, it is necessary to make House Fraser balance between both sides."
"Balance between both sides?"
"Make them hesitate between joining the Princess or the Prince. By dispersing the power, the Prince's backer will be limited to House Balenberg. This is on the premise that the strength of both houses is equal."
"...Well, they are equal."
"As a result, House Fraser will either join the Princess or remain neutral. As long as no failure occurs that makes them an enemy."
"What about the remaining two houses?"
"It is similar to House Fraser. Until the very last moment, make them expect that their own family member could become the husband. In any case, never give a promise to the three houses. You do not need them to be a source of power. Think of it as simply ensuring they cannot use their influence as much as possible."
"...True."
"This is as much as I can say about the nobles for now."
"No, it is enough... Kamui."
"What is it?"
"Regarding the method, there must be things you want to say to me as well. But, I truly believe it was good that I made you mine. I will think about atonement for my treatment of you."
"Please do not say that anymore. Even as a slave, the treatment is much better than I thought. I do not care about it that much now."
"I see. I am happy to hear you say that."
"Besides, that evaluation is still premature. What I just said is a plan that can easily collapse."
"Eh?"
"If I may make an excuse, anyone else would think the same. Whether that plan succeeds or not depends on one thing."
"What is that?"
"What does the King think?"
"Right. That."
"Yes. In the end, or perhaps at the beginning, it is who His Majesty nominates. Everything I have stated so far only serves to stir the support of the nobles and direct His Majesty's expectations toward the Princess as much as possible. Or, it only serves to suppress opposition in the event that His Majesty nominates the Princess."
"Father is soft on me."
"I have heard that several times. However, is it to the extent of making the Princess, a woman, the successor?"
"Not that far..."
"His Majesty desires the strengthening of royal authority. There is no need to confirm that. Then, what kind of emotions does he hold toward the influential nobles? Antagonism, affection, or compromise. It is necessary to discern that and direct His Majesty's feelings in a direction favorable to the Princess."
"True."
"Also, I will say something harsh, but from now on, failure will not be permitted for the Princess. You must always behave in a way that gathers trust from those around you, showing a heart of mercy at times, yet also showing strictness. In a word, the behavior of a ruler."
"Y-yes."
"The upcoming debut party will also be a place to show the Princess's capability. Please approach it with the mindset of diplomacy with another nation."
"Can I do it?"
"Everyone here will support you."
"And Kamui?"
"Of course. While it is impossible for me to be present, I will do everything I can until that moment arrives."
"I see. Everyone, you will lend me your strength, right?"
"\"\"\"\"Yes!\"\"\"\""
Thanks to Ray's advice, the members of the Princess's faction had a clear direction to move in. The voices responding to the Princess's call were full of motivation. The path to the Princess's succession, which they had sometimes given up on as impossible, had a concrete means shown before their eyes. It was natural for motivation to arise.
Ray gazed at those people expressionlessly. If they followed what Ray said, the Princess would be under constant great pressure from now on. Ray knew well from his own experience that a tense mind eventually seeks an outlet.
And Ray, who devised the plan, also knew that the premise of the plan was not just the King's will.
Another premise. That is for Fumiya, the Hero, to be recognized within the country as a person suitable to sit beside the Princess.
(The next preparation is a success. I've also placed another stone for the future. Well, it's a story far in the future, though.)
The voice of Ray muttered in his heart was not heard by those around him. The revenge of Ray, who became a slave, was progressing steadily without anyone noticing.