While Adel had made up her mind to step forward publicly, she’d yet to make her grand return.
“The situation has become tricky,” Roselia said, anxiety plain in her voice as she scanned a document. “His Highness’s recent behavior has been irreproachable—on the surface at least. Many of those who’ve yet to hear of Her Highness Adel’s return, military officers and provincial low-ranking nobles for the most part, have started supporting him.”
“Even among the eminent nobles who are aware of Her Highness’s presence in the capital, plenty are on the prince’s side,” Eiwass replied. “Some are hoping to make a puppet king out of him, while others have been taking bribes from him for the longest time. Besides, my recent scandal has done nothing to help our cause. Even some of the sensible ones have started jumping ship.”
Eiwass was grinning as though he found all of this very amusing, and Roselia glared at him.
“Leaving the empire ahead of schedule was a terrible mistake. We should have stayed, regardless of our business with Elizabeth,” she replied with a sour expression.
Adel waved her hand. “Roselia, what’s done is done.”
“Her Highness is right,” Eiwass said. “You shouldn’t worry too much about it.”
“And you should worry more, Eiwass,” Adel shot back.
Eiwass saw the reproach in the princess’s eyes and shifted the topic. “Speaking of which, Your Highness, how do you plan to reveal yourself to the public?”
“I don’t know. The only way to make it impactful would be to reappear with some big achievement. That might make some of my brother’s supporters come to my side. Even if they don’t, it should at least make them question their loyalty to him.”
“The question is, what kind of achievement? I can’t think of a big issue you could fix single-handedly in a short time...” Roselia said.
“Getting rid of monsters or brigands like His Highness has done would certainly lack impact. His Highness has already established his reputation as a strong warrior. Surpassing his renown by playing on the same field will prove difficult,” Eiwass added.
“Not to mention that, until now, Haldoria has always given preference to male heirs,” Roselia said. “Women have sat on the throne in the past, but only when the next male heir has been too young to rule—and they’ve always abdicated in the heir’s favor as soon as they’ve come of age. That’s why some of the nobles who are the most conservative and attached to traditions have refused to question our idiotic prince’s right to inherit even during the worst of his foolishness.”
“That’s true,” Adel said. “Tell me, do you think Elizabeth might get in my way?”
Adel usually never lost her composure, but this specific question was one that truly worried her. After the deal she’d made with Roselia, Elizabeth was far less likely to hurt the people of Haldoria, but magic contracts had loopholes. Besides, she was perfectly free to interfere with Adel’s plans. Adel didn’t think Elizabeth had any reason to hate her personally, but if she thought that Adel was a hindrance, she might try to get rid of her nonetheless. Adel knew that Elizabeth could be ruthless.
“There’s no way to be certain that she won’t,” Eiwass said. “She’s soft on her people, but she’s merciless to those she’s deemed her foes. And even if she doesn’t think of you as her enemy, she isn’t one to hesitate to make sacrifices for the sake of her goals.”
“As I thought, I should stay clear of the Yutear Empire for the time being. In that case, I still think a feat of arms is my best chance. Most civil officials are either on my side or neutral, while my brother has the support of military officers and provincial nobles. I must show off my strength in order to appeal to them.”
“But what will you do? As Lord Eiwass said, subduing monsters and brigands won’t leave much of an impression on people’s minds.”
“I agree,” Adel replied with a nod. She turned to Maoran, who’d been standing quietly next to the wall after serving tea to everyone. “Maoran, could you bring us a map?”
“Yes, mistress.” Maoran fetched a map from a shelf and spread it over the table around which Adel, Roselia, and Eiwass were sitting.
“I’ve decided on this place,” Adel said, pointing.
“Wh-What?! Are you serious?!” Roselia exclaimed.
“Ha ha ha! Now that’s interesting,” Eiwass said. “It’s also very unlikely that Elizabeth would interfere there.”
“This is no laughing matter!” Roselia retorted. “This is indeed an urgent matter, but the one to take care of it should be His Majesty, with the support of the knights!”
“With the prime minister dead, it shouldn’t be too hard to get His Majesty to delegate the matter to Her Highness.”
“Perfect. I’ll leave that to you then, Eiwass. Get permission from my father.”
“It’ll be my pleasure, Your Highness. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Borrow five hundred soldiers for me— Oh, and four knights to lead them. I’ll need them to handle the communications with the neighboring villages and the defense of our base of operations, so their loyalty matters more than their skills.”
“Understood.” Eiwass nodded and immediately started scribbling notes on a piece of paper.
“You’re being awfully cooperative. I thought you’d try to set some annoying conditions before agreeing.”
“Why would I? I’m your devoted servant, Your Highness.”
“My devoted servant, huh? I don’t think I’ve ever heard a description that fits you less.”