Going back a little while in time.

Frizione was meeting with Widele and Angela in what could be called a private room.

The reason why Frizione was listening to Widele’s report in a room like this rather than an office like Shurus and Kabajid was simply because Frizione didn’t hold an official role like her brother.

As the First Princess, Frizione studied culture, hosted tea parties for the children of nobles, and played a general role of someone in high society, but she didn’t have a clearly defined job.

However, as politics were often discussed and decided by high society, it could be said that Frizione was quite involved in the politics of the Bestir Empire.

Frizione’s usually gentle smile stiffened slightly as she read through the letter from Mercurio that Widele handed over to her……

Angela wondered what the letter said, but Widele could roughly guess.

She expected that what was written was what Mercurio had told her about becoming his subordinate.

(Princess Frizione’s aim was to create a military stalemate between the rebel army and punitive force by cooperating with the rebel army. Then, when neither side could make a move, she would step in to mediate between them. That had been her aim. However……)

From the very beginning, the rebel army, including Mercurio, had never considered repairing relations with the punitive force……Shurus and Kabajid.

For Mercurio, the current situation was both a crisis and an opportunity.

Considering the current succession rights, if things continued peacefully, it was highly unlikely that Mercurio would become the emperor.

That was why he wanted to settle things clearly here and now, eliminating those above him.

That said, even Mercurio didn’t intend to kill his brothers.

To be honest, it would be best for him if his brothers would take their own lives, but if that did happen, the the First and Second Princes’ factions would undoubtedly cause a commotion, leading to a slugfest of a civil war that would be even worse than the current rebellion.

To prevent that, he would have to capture his two brothers without taking their lives. At the very least, he believed it would best to have them govern a remote territory.

But, to reach that point, he needed an overwhelming victory.

Frizione had previously thought that the rebel army led by Mercurio wouldn’t be able to do that, but now……yes, with Rei siding with the rebel army, it was no longer impossible.

For that reason, Mercurio would no longer accept a stalemate, even if Frizione were to join his side.

That was why Mercurio’s condition was for Frizione to serve under him.

「……Your Highness Frizione……」

Angela called out to her master with a worried look on her face.

Frizione continued to look at the letter several times with sadness in her eyes.

「Mercurio……I can’t believe you had those kind of thoughts too.」

Sadness seeped into her voice, knowing that no matter what she did, she wouldn’t be able to stop the bloody battle between the brothers.

「So, what do you want to do?」

Even as she asked, Angela had guessed Frizione’s answer.

Frizione’s thinking was naive, or more accurately, Mercurio’s might have been too harsh, but still, she had already made preparations to join up with the rebel army.

She had already explained this to the nobles who were part of her faction and they were all ready to either go with Frizione or evacuating to their own territory.

As that was the case, she couldn’t just decide not to join with the rebels anymore.

(Besides……)

As the image of her brothers flashed through her mind, Frizione spoke.

「No change. Let us join with the rebel army.」

「Is that really okay? Prince Mercurio has already decided on a decisive battle. Things aren’t going the way Your Highness planned.」

Angela asked for confirmation and Frizione nodded with sadness in her eyes.

「Yes. Since things have come to this, we need to put an end to the civil war as quickly as possible to reduce the hatred that has built up between us. Besides……Mercurio and Vihera, unlike Kabajid and Shurus, are probably still willing to listen to me.」

If a fight was unavoidable, they had to end it as soon as possible.

Not only Angela, even Widele’s eyes widened at the determination and sadness in Frizione’s eyes.

They had misjudged her. That was what they though about Frizione.

They had expected Frizione to feel lost and sad enough to not take any action. They had even anticipated that eventuality.

However, despite her sadness, Frizione immediately racked her brains for her next move.

(Indeed, she is a descendant of Emperor Tragist. I never thought I’d realise that at a time like this. It seems that Princess Frizione’s goal isn’t to survive the battle for the throne, but to end the fight between brothers as soon as possible.)

Angela spoke while secretly impressed.

「So, what are you going to do? I heard that Rei-sama has already been shown to the cabin Your Highness usually uses, so we can go right away……」

「No, please wait a bit. It will take some time to inform the members of my faction, so leave it as it is for now.」

「However, if the decision has been made, wouldn’t it be better to inform him as soon as possible? Rei-sama will feel more at ease if he knows.」

「……Widele, you met Kabajid near the castle. Is that right?」

「Eh? Ah, yes. That is, sorry for the trouble……」

Even though Dune was the one who had dragged them into it, the situation had still been incredibly tense with the bomb that was Rei. Furthermore, a Royal Knight had appeared.

If Kabajid hadn’t appeared, they really might have been interrogated by the Royal Knight.

If that had happened, Rei’s identity would definitely have been discovered.

That could have resulted in the Imperial Capital itself being burned down.

Widele, who didn’t know that Rei needed Set’s power to create the fire tornado, felt a chill run down her spine.

「If Kabajid saw Rei-sama, he probably knows his true identity. He must have seen him in the fighting tournament after all.」

「But, I heard that Rei-sama’s robes have a concealing effect……」

Widele recalled the information she had heard from Rei on their way to the Imperial Capital, but Frizione replied with a serious expression.

Frizione always had a gentle expression on her face, so her serious expression made her apear even more imposing than usual.

「Listen, Widele. Don’t underestimate Kabajid. He can read a person’s moves five or six steps ahead, so he’s probably seen through Rei-sama’s true identity. You have to assume that.」

「……Then, shouldn’t we hurry even more?」

If Rei’s true identity had been discovered, then the White Rose Knights, who had brought Rei here, to be under suspicion……and Frizione, who controlled the White Rose Knights, to also be under suspicion.

「From here on out, even the slightest mistake will not be tolerated. Those are the conditions we are now working under.」

It was already almost a certainty to Frizione that Kabajid knew who Rei was.

And, from Widele’s account of Rei’s personality and behaviour, she could sense that he hated being tied down by others, so if they were to tell Rei the details of their current situation, he might do something strange.

「Personally, I like him……but……」

Angela and Widele looked surprised at Frizione’s words.

Frizione was someone who generally didn’t dislike people, but even so, she rarely expressed her affinity for someone else……especially a man.

They hadn’t met in person, so they thought, or hoped, that Frizione didn’t have romantic feelings, but considering Vihera’s feelings for Rei, it might not be entirely impossible. Such thoughts crossed Angela and Widele’s minds.

「This, Princess Frizione. Just so you know, Princess Vihera also has feelings for Rei-sama……」

「Eh? Oh, that? Don’t get the wrong idea. I don’t have any romantic feelings for Rei. However, he is someone Vihera likes, right? If so, he’s someone who might become my brother-in-law in the future. I just thought it would be nice if we could get along.」

Frizione denied it with a wry smile, but being raised as a young lady, a princess, she was more interested in romance than most people.

Although her older and younger brothers were still young, there were hardly any rumours about them.

No, well, in Shurus’ case, he had a foster sibling of sorts called Amare, but even in Frizione’s eyes, there didn’t seem to be anything going on between them.

Frizione shook her head lightly as she thought about it.

「There are many things I would like to talk about right now, but it is not the time for that. ……Angela, I’m sorry, but Rei-sama……no, since he is Vihera’s love interest and future brother-in-law, I think I should just call him Rei. Could you please bring Rei some food? I’d like you to talk to him while you’re there as well to see what kind of personality he has.」

「I don’t mind. I’m also interested after hearing about him from Widele.」

「……Angela, I shouldn’t need to say this, but you shouldn’t fall in love with Rei either. Rei has Vihera, my sister.」

Could it be considered fortunate or unfortunate that Widele didn’t know about Elena at this point in time?

Angela, who was told off by Frizione, sighed as she spoke.

「Unlike Your Highness, I’m not interested in love.」

「That is a problem in of itself. Especially for your father, Count Luxinois.」

Angela was the daughter of Count Luxinois.

However, since her brother would inherit the title of Count Luxinois, there was no need for her to take a husband.

To begin with, Angela was the second daughter……although her older sister had already married another noble.

「If I fall in love or get married, that will happen after I pass the position of Knight Commander to another person. Right now, my work is my love.」

Angela muttered as she glanced briefly in Widele’s direction.

Widele was a skilled member of the White Rose Knights and was well trusted by her subordinates.

She was a bit stubborn, but had what it took to be the next Knight Commander.

Of course, that didn’t mean that there weren’t others under consideration as a candidate for the next Knight Commander.

Although Widele was a strong contender, she was just still another candidate.

「Seriously……well, I can trust you, Angela, because that’s the kind of person you are. Anyway, please bring some food to Rei. And please keep an eye on your surroundings as you do that.」

「Yes.」

The slightly peaceful atmosphere from a few seconds ago changed completely and Angela bowed with a serious expression at Frizione’s words.

That said, she still appeared elegant, which was probably why she was the leader of the White Rose Knights.

「Then, Princess Frizione. I will immediately deliver food to Rei-sama. I will be away for a while. Widele, you will be guarding Princess Frizione until I return.」

「Yes. I accept the role of guard.」

Hearing Widele’s reply, Angela nodded with satisfaction before leaving.

Seeing her leave, Frizione immediately called someone from the White Rose Knights to convey a meeting request to the nobles in her faction.

She could have sent a letter, but a letter would be clear evidence if ever found.

If it were to fall into the hands of Shurus or Kabajid, it would undoubtedly be fatal for those in the First Princess’ faction.

Considering the danger, the best course of action was to send someone from White Rose Knights who had a certain level of skill.

(How far can I go? ……But still, I don’t want to see the sight of brothers shedding blood. I guess I’m just selfish thinking that.)

She was known by the people for her kindness, but it was ultimately all just for her own selfish reasons.

Thinking about that, Frizione gave a faint smile of self mockery.

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