And so, I put my years of work experience and the knowledge I’d accumulated as a history buff to work to put together a plan.
I knew this conversation might take a while, so I asked Alexei in advance if I could have some of his time after school.
“This happened because of my incompetence. I’m terribly ashamed. Please forgive me for my mistakes,” I said, bowing in front of Alexei, his advisors, and Flora.
Although she’d also been very worried about Olga and Renato, Flora had read the room and left the three of us alone earlier, so this was her first chance to hear about what had happened. She looked astonished. I supposed to her, changing a law like Lydia had was unthinkable—something from another world entirely.
“Thank you for telling me,” Alexei said, taking my hands in his. “But you don’t need to call yourself incompetent. None of this is your fault. You are a radiant light, high in the heavens. To be honest, I’d much rather you never had to confront such lowly schemes.”
“Brother...”
It’d been quite a long time ago, back at the start of the first semester, but I distinctly remembered he’d told me he wanted me to associate with highborn nobles and learn how to behave in a way that befitted my station.
Hmm... I’m once again reminded of how steadily his obsession with me is growing. As expected of Alexei!
Wait, I should be worried, not impressed. I can’t keep up at this rate!
“Brother, I—”
“I know. I know you, Ekaterina. You’re hurt because your friends were attacked. Do not worry. The Selesnoas are just a puny house that produced one empress. Their arrogance in thinking they can defy one of the proud houses of Yul is outrageous... Not to mention they made you sad. I shall make sure they remember their place.”
A ruthless smile appeared on Alexei’s handsome face. He looked like a demon king, gorgeous yet cold as ice.
“Brother, that’s...”
O-Oops. I’d been so focused on employing my problem-solving skills, that while I’d remembered to report to my superior, I hadn’t thought of a way to calm down said superior. I didn’t have a plan for handling his excessive attachment to me! I’m a fool!
“Your Grace, my lady.”
Relief washed over me at the sound of Novak’s voice.
Thank goodness! I’m sure he’ll warn Alexei to be careful.
“The Selesnoas are a traditionalist faction led by the House of Yulmagna. However, the Yulmagnas have their eyes on them because of their ambition to overtake the three grand ducal houses. For the time being, the Yulmagnas have yet to act, perhaps because the Selesnoas hold the highest status among nobles after the three grand ducal houses, but that does not change the fact that the Selesnoas are isolated. The only ally they have is the former empress. The desperate stirrings of a house like that pose no threat to us. You needn’t show any restraint.”
“I see.”
Alexei’s smile didn’t budge, and a chill ran down my spine.
H-He’s adding oil to the fire! Or ice to the blizzard, in my brother’s case? Whatever! No matter how you spin it, this is a problem. What happened to having sensible opinions, Novak?!
“Don’t worry, my lady,” Halil said, his beautiful lips curling into a soft smile.
Ah, Halil! You’re going to stop this madness?
“They’re making it sound so scary, but the Selesnoas are still fellow nobles of the empire. His Grace doesn’t mean to say he’ll physically harm them. There are many ways to achieve one’s ends. For instance, Yulnova-made wine could suddenly stop reaching the marquessate. Even if they try to purchase it from other sources, these other sources may find it difficult to get their hands on stock too. Good wine is indispensable for any decent noble gathering. Without it, I doubt any house could hold a banquet worthy of its status. Ah, how bleak would the social scene become, I wonder? Of course, we wouldn’t hold any ill will—our inventory would just be running low. That happens. Who could blame us? Still, a marquess would get the message, I’m sure.”
Um, yes, no physical harm, that’s something. But aren’t you gonna stop them?
“I won’t get into the details of the other methods, but at any rate, you needn’t worry. The economic powers of the duchy and the marquessate aren’t comparable. What would deal a serious blow to them would hardly hurt us. Please, put your mind at ease.”
Wait, you just ruined it! Why won’t you tell me the details? What are these methods?! You’re scaring me!!!
Suddenly, Aaron sighed. “My field of expertise won’t be of any use in this particular matter.”
That’s just fine. Thank goodness, in fact!
“However, after traveling the empire for years with Professor Isaac, I’ve heard all sorts of things and cultivated plenty of connections. Managing a house of the scale of Selesnoa should prove no hardship.”
What have you heard, and what kind of connections are you talking about?! Oh no, Aaron’s smile has turned pitch-black too!
The Ekaterina virus seemed to have infected all my brother’s advisors. Even Novak had started showing symptoms.
It’s amazing that Alexei’s Ekaterina virus is just as powerful as him.
Wait, now is not the time to be impressed, I reminded myself. I didn’t want to trouble them into taking such drastic actions. Pull yourself together. After reporting and contacting comes consulting!
“Please, wait a moment. I’ve thought of the way I want to handle this situation. I came to you to seek your permission, brother.”
Alexei didn’t seem to have expected that, and his neon-blue eyes widened in shock. “Oh? What do you want to do?”
I looked into his eyes. “There’s someone I’d like to meet—an awe-inspiring relative of ours.”
Alexei grinned. “The former emperor...and inevitably, the former empress as well, I take it.”
“Yes. Just as I informed you last time, Prince Mikhail suggested I meet him at least once. He’s my granduncle, but I’ve yet to introduce myself to him. I believe visiting him would be most natural.”
“It certainly would.” Alexei’s grin widened, and he nodded. “What will you do when you see them?”
“I have heard that the previous emperor and empress both love music, so I was thinking that they may enjoy listening to some. Of course, I wouldn’t presume to pollute their ears with my clumsy singing. But perhaps they’d like to listen to my talented friend and evaluate her singing. If they like it, perhaps they’ll encourage her to keep practicing diligently, something she could hardly do if her family is forbidden from owning instruments.”
Everyone smiled.
“The imperial household cannot interfere with the domestic affairs of the Selesnoas, but the previous empress isn’t just part of the imperial family. She’s also a former member of the House of Selesnoa. It goes without saying that she has influence over it. In the past, she couldn’t go against her father and brother, but the current head of the House of Selesnoa is her nephew. Given that, her authority over the head must be stronger than it once was. Besides, as Lord Novak stated, if the only reliable ally the House of Selesnoa has is the former empress, I have no doubt the Selesnoas will prioritize her will over Lady Lydia’s. That is the conclusion I reached.”
Alexei nodded again. He seemed to have figured out my entire plan the moment I’d mentioned the former emperor.
“Lady Florus...was it? I was deeply impressed by your friend’s voice, but what guarantee do you have that the former emperor and empress will feel the same?”
“I intend to seek Prince Mikhail’s advice as well. If he’s of the same mind as I, I shall speak to the former empress before she sees Lady Olga to inform her of the situation. If she truly loves music as much as I’ve been told, it shouldn’t be hard to convince her that such a law is a travesty. Well, that’s my hope, at least.”
“Lady Lydia has made her hostility toward you quite clear. Will you let that slide?”
“If I try to punish the Selesnoa through the might of the Yulnovas, unrelated people in the marquessate will have to endure too. I’m afraid of how the other families will look at Lady Olga’s house if we put pressure on all of them for a piano. What if her family becomes despised? The thought makes my heart heavy, brother. Besides, the Selesnoas will suffer a heavy enough blow if the former empress and Prince Mikhail side with me in this matter. Lady Olga and her house will be greatly honored, and all will be pleased. Such a resolution would bring me much joy.”