That last sentence was almost a whisper, and I couldn’t help but search his face with my eyes. He forced a small smile. “You probably don’t like that idea. But if you look at the reality, compassionate lords don’t always have the most developed or stable estates.”
“I know there are those who believe a sovereign should be feared rather than loved. That if you can only choose one of the two, it should be fear,” I said. “Pragmatically discarding people after you’ve turned your thoughts to them is difficult. If the situation calls for it, it’s easier if you’ve never allowed your personal feelings to get in the way. I assume that is what you mean.”
In my past life, there had once been two great powers. One had been the nation of freedom—the champion of democracy. The other had been centered around the state, or rather an incredibly influential political party, in such a way that you could hardly have said the sovereignty belonged to the people. Yet that second nation had grown and expanded itself at an impressive speed.
People aren’t always straightforward.
Mikhail looked at me, astonished, before laughing.
“To be loved or feared... To love your subjects or not, huh? If my tutors heard you, they’d launch into a passionate debate. Would you like to join in one day? I’d love to hear you debate with some of the greatest minds of our time.”
No, no, no. What are you even suggesting?! Although, I am kind of curious to see what kind of debates the greatest minds of the empire have...
Still, having such tutors was very princely of him. That reminded me of how Alexander the Great had been tutored by Aristotle.
“Lady Ekaterina, about your plan regarding Lady Olga...”
Flora’s voice brought me out of my thoughts.
Oops! My history-buff passion was activated, and I forgot myself.
“Thank you, Lady Flora. Prince Mikhail, would you please help me meet with the previous emperor?”
“Of course. What you suggest will be good for the people of the Selesnoa Marquessate. They’re citizens of the empire too. I will lend you my strength for the future stability of the empire.”
Thank you, Prince! “For the future stability of the empire,” huh? That sounded so cool!
“However...”
Hmm?
“There is only so much I can do. My grandmother is a kind person, but she’s very serious when it comes to music. She will not give empty praise, even if I request it. As a singer who’s been invited to the garden of the God of Music, she believes it’d be blasphemy to praise someone she doesn’t deem worthy of receiving a summons from the god. Lady Florus needs to earn her praise with her abilities.”
O-Oh. Well, nothing to be done about that...
I wanted to kick myself in the face. How could I have been so sure she’d agree just because her grandson asked? I should have seen this coming!
“I’m sorry I couldn’t live up to your expectations,” Mikhail said.
“No, don’t apologize! A singer under the divine protection of the God of Music wouldn’t compliment others so easily, of course. I’m sorry for suggesting that in the first place...”
Mikhail seemed surprised to see me apologize so frantically.
“I’m relieved to hear you say this,” he said with a smile. “I was scared I’d disappointed you. But, I’m fairly certain my grandfather would agree if you just asked. After all, you’re the granddaughter of the dear friend he still adores. His words would be enough to tie the Selesnoas’ hands, I’m sure.”
“Thank you. I’m glad to hear he still treasures his friendship with my grandfather.”
I’d thought the previous emperor would agree to help if Mikhail asked, but I hadn’t imagined he might do it for me because I was Sergei’s granddaughter.
The previous emperor and my grandfather must have been even closer than I thought.
To think I could get the former emperor to speak on my behalf so easily... I’d been reincarnated into a very blessed environment.
“There is one issue you may want to consider,” Mikhail said. “If Lydia learns of your plan, she’ll likely sabotage it. All she’d need to do is give Lady Florus random orders and make it so she has no time to leave the academy.”
“Ah! You’re absolutely correct!”
Even if she didn’t get wind of my exact plan, she still saw me as her enemy. If she noticed that Olga came to my home to play—to take vocal lessons, actually, but that part was a secret—she might try to stop that from happening.
What should I do?
“That’s why you should keep Lydia busy, so she doesn’t have time to think about anything else. That’s just an idea, but what would you say about telling her you plan to visit the previous emperor and inviting her to join?”
“What?!”
“Your singing is the talk of the academy, so let’s say I asked you to sing for my grandfather and grandmother. While we’re at it, I’d like her to perform too,” Mikhail said. “If she believes it’s her chance to have a direct showdown with you, she’ll accept. Then, she’ll spend every minute of her free time practicing to ensure she can beat you. Do you think she’ll pay Lady Florus any mind while she’s training to fight you?”
Whoa, that makes total sense.
Lydia would never miss a chance to fight me with her favorite weapon: singing. Since she’d have to perform in front of the previous emperor and empress, she’d need to prepare to be in the best possible condition. Mikhail was right; she’d spend all her time practicing.
Way to go, Prince! You’re quite the decent—no, amazing tactician!
“What a masterful plan. It’s just that...Lady Olga will have to confront Lady Selesnoa head-on.”
Lydia versus Olga, FIGHT! The previous emperor and empress and the crown prince would be the witnesses of this singular combat! Oh boy...
Before I’d gone to talk to Alexei, I’d told Olga that I had a plan, and that it might require her to sing in front of the previous empress. That had been enough to make her tremble like a leaf, but she’d still told me, “I’ll do it. For my grandmother’s piano, I will!”
However, would she be fine with battling Lydia in single combat?
“I feel like that will drive the nail in,” Mikhail said. “Besides, while my grandmother won’t compliment Lady Florus’s singing without meaning it, I imagine she won’t approve of a law that forbids people from owning a piano. She’s likely to comment on that if given the chance. I’ll be there too, so if the Selesnoas make light of my grandmother’s words, I’ll be able to rebuke them for it later.”
Oh!
“However, Lydia will have her eyes on Lady Florus henceforth, that is certain. She might be able to save her family’s piano with this, but I do worry about her future after she returns to the marquessate for good,” he added with an anxious frown.
I smiled. “I’ve thought of that, and I was thinking of advising Lady Olga to remain in the capital after graduation.”
Madam DiDonato had assured me that Olga had what it took to fill the national theater with her fans. Someone had reached the position of empress because of her musical talent in this very empire. A noble girl could bring honor to her house by becoming a singer as long as it was for a prestigious institution. The Selesnoas would also have more trouble messing with the family of a diva of the national theater.
“I love Lady Olga’s voice. If she agrees to keep singing, I intend to ask my brother if the House of Yulnova can sponsor her. I doubt Lady Selesnoa will be able to touch her then.”
“Good. Lady Florus’s future looks bright,” Mikhail said, his expression relaxing. “I’m also curious to hear her voice if it’s as wonderful as you say. I suppose I should before she visits my grandparents. All things considered, may I visit your house during one of your singing lessons?”
“Of course, you’re very welcome to.”
“Thank you. I’m looking forward to it.” Mikhail paused. “In the end, this is exactly what you suggested.”
I laughed, realizing he meant my suggestion from the other day that he come over during a singing lesson.
“This is part of our plan to help Lady Olga. You can still give more thought to how you’d like to hear my song,” I said. “I’m deeply moved seeing you do so much for the sake of our people and the future stability of the empire. I’d love to find a way to thank you, but I don’t know how... If there is anything you want, please do not hesitate to tell me.”