CHAPTER 10
The new King of Pantreon identified Leonhardt as the key figure behind the victory in the recent war. Expressing his boundless gratitude, he declared that he would never forget the appropriate rewards and favor owed to him—and granted Leonhardt one of Pantreon’s many gold mines outright. It was among the largest of the gold mines. The amount of gold extracted there alone would be astronomical.
With this, Leonhardt’s achievements became impossible to ignore even if one tried. His position grew even more solid, and among the ministers there were even occasional voices claiming that, rather than the current incompetent emperor, it would not be strange for Leonhardt to be crowned emperor immediately—if only he remarried.
The ministers were frantic, each desperate to place their daughters in the position of crown princess. Even the maternal relatives of the current empress faction quietly admitted that, compared to the two-year-old Prince Milo, Leonhardt would make a more suitable emperor. There was no helping it. Unless one was blind or foolish, anyone would think the same.
The empress of the conservative faction was ultimately interested only in her own honor and power. She devised a plan. Nothing particularly special—it was the most basic of palace intrigues: she wanted to place someone of her own faction as crown princess.
“The incompetent emperor simply suffers from an inferiority complex toward his son because of his dead twin brother. He’s not even interested in the throne itself—he just doesn’t want to give it to anyone else. Whether the emperor lives or dies is none of my concern. I just don’t want to be dragged into it, Father. That’s why we must absolutely secure the position of crown princess for our side.”
“But will Crown Prince Leonhardt accept such a thing?”
“We’ll make him accept it. The Ferdi family is currently lying low, and above all, the position of crown princess is vacant. Isn’t this the perfect opportunity for our family to seize control of the palace?”
Meanwhile, the reformist faction, fully aware of the empress’s scheme, also saw this as an opportunity. A perfect opportunity.
“Everyone, listen. His Highness the Crown Prince has returned alive. Silentium has succeeded greatly. We must strike first before the empress places her own candidate as crown princess.”
“But how? Unfortunately, none of our families have daughters of suitable age. And the Ferdi family situation is even worse—he’s probably completely fallen out of favor with her after the divorce. Besides, our daughter is only nine. She’s too young. And it’s not like we can marry her to a man either.”
“…We don’t necessarily need a formal selection for crown princess. What if His Highness and Lady Rosnelli reconcile?”
“Come now, after a divorce? Reconciliation?”
“The anonymous noble who has been sending supplies to the battlefield every time—it is Lady Rosnelli.”
“…Who said that?”
“The Duke of Ferdi told me in confidence. Anyway, it means there doesn’t seem to be any lingering resentment after the divorce.”
“Nonsense. They haven’t even shared a bed once in four years. How could feelings suddenly appear now?”
“That’s why we must make them appear!”
“How?”
“Send His Highness the Crown Prince to Silentium. It is a place meant purely for rest. Perhaps they simply never had the time or space for feelings to develop because he was too busy with work. And although Silentium is famous for healing and skincare… did you know many couples end up getting together there?”
The ministers leaned in, intrigued.
“Young nobles these days don’t even go to social balls anymore. They say it’s more appealing to meet while receiving treatments rather than dancing meaningless dances.”
“…And there’s a mixed bathhouse there.”
An elderly noble nearly jumped up.
“A mixed bath?! Men and women naked in the same place?!”
“No, no—it’s not like that. It’s called a mixed bath, but everyone wears clothes. It’s more like a large open plaza. People mostly soak their feet or use facial packs. But apparently, people tend to develop romantic connections there.”
It meant that rather than the elaborate appearance of layered noble gowns, simple tunics made people seem more noticeable. And soaking one’s feet in the same space created a strangely intimate atmosphere.
“Young people these days… so you’re saying feelings develop from that?”
“The important part is the atmosphere we create,” the old man said slyly, mimicking whispering hands near his mouth.
“So if we leave His Highness and Lady Rosnelli alone on a beautiful day, and properly arrange the circumstances… feelings that didn’t exist might just appear. If it works, we gain the Crown Prince’s health, a crown princess, and even an heir. If not, at least we improve his health. It’s a win either way.”
The other ministers nodded in agreement.
“…Hmm, that might actually be a good plan.”
After exchanging looks, they all rushed off as if coordinated.
They hurried to Leonhardt’s study, moustaches and beards flying.
After fixing their appearance and catching their breath, they knocked. Dalton opened the door.
“We have urgent matters to discuss with His Highness.”
“His Highness is currently busy…”
“This is for His Highness.”
From inside came a short, sharp voice: Let them in.
The ministers entered, slightly tense.
Leonhardt, buried under a mountain of documents, looked up at them sharply.
“What is it?”
A gaze that warned them not to waste his time.
The ministers already knew—earlier that day, another group had been scolded and driven out.
“Your Highness, you’ve only just returned from the battlefield. Why are you already overworking yourself like this?”
“So that’s what it is. While I was fighting on the battlefield for two years, His Majesty must have been so worried about me that he couldn’t work at all. Such deep paternal love, wouldn’t you say?”
“…We ask that you leave the administration to us for a while and take a few days of rest.”
“Rest, you say.”
Despite having just returned from war, he could not rest. Documents and petitions piled endlessly before him.
He was inherently a tense and meticulous man. From childhood, the former emperor had demanded perfection from him, using him as a substitute for the throne. That expectation became obsession.
After losing his mother at six, he underwent relentless training as heir. He had no room for innocence or emotional softness.
Responsibility, duty, and the determination not to become a useless emperor like his father had turned into an obsession: he alone must handle everything.
His body was worsening. The workload never ended.
At this rate, he might die before even producing an heir.
“Your Highness, you must rest. Think not only of now, but of the future. If you do not live long, what is the point of all this work?”
“Perhaps if you spend a few months at a retreat, your condition will improve. You’ve been so overworked that your mind and body are exhausted.”
The ministers nodded.
Selecting a crown princess was important—but his health came first.
“Then where should His Highness go for recuperation?”
Someone suggested Silentium de Rose.
“It is famous among nobles. A hot spring resort said to heal the body. Even foreign nobles visit.”
However, Duke Rudeli objected immediately.
“Treating illness with bathing? That will only worsen his condition!”
Others tried to suggest alternatives, but a younger minister raised his hand.
“I have been there. It is excellent. I also benefited from it.”
Rudeli glared at him.
“Benefited? Do you know diseases can spread through water? And you would send His Highness to such a place with unknown side effects?”
“But modern doctors also say cleansing the body is beneficial. There must be a reason it is so popular. The gardens are well maintained, and it is far enough from the capital for proper rest.”
In the end, despite initial reluctance, the ministers were persuaded.
It was decided: the Crown Prince would go to Silentium de Rose.
Duke Rudeli still looked deeply displeased.
