SMLD 06

Chapter 06

“Your Highness Kalix?”

At the unexpected appearance of an utterly unforeseen person, Odellia froze in place, staring in surprise. What on earth was *he* doing here?

Kalix de Alendassia.

He was, so to speak, a man like a star in the night sky. Brilliantly vivid, as if you could reach out and touch him—but never quite within grasp. Distant and far removed, a person who lived in a world entirely different from Odellia’s.

*’Well, in reality, with all the differences in status and everything else, he *does* live in a completely different world.’*

Although they had been on the same battlefield, and she had even been the commander of the 1st Knights Division—the supply unit among the six divisions that assisted the Crown Prince—Odellia had very rarely had a private audience with him.

She had indeed become commander of the 1st Division, but that posting had come about only near the final battle, after her superior had been killed in action and she had taken over by circumstance.

In the last battle, where she had earned the title of Golden Lion Hero, she had happened to behead an enemy general—but with so little direct contact, she had hardly ever exchanged words with the Crown Prince like the other division commanders.

At least in her memory, her conversations with “His Highness the Crown Prince” went something like:

—

*”Why did you join the army?”*
*”……Because I heard…… I could eat……”*
*”The supply division commander chose his successor well.”*

—

He had just chuckled and moved on. Even after they secured victory and returned to the capital, even when the Emperor issued the decree for her to make her debut…… the Crown Prince had always remained someone unrelated to Odellia.

Anyway, an entirely unexpected person had come to her house at an entirely unexpected time. Behind Odellia, Cedric quickly recognized the Crown Prince, saluted, and called out:

“Supply Deputy Commander of the 1st Knights Division, Cedric, reporting to His Highness the Crown Prince!”

Then he nudged Odellia, who was staring blankly, and shot her a look. Only then did she awkwardly salute and straighten her posture.

“Commander of the 1st Knights Division Supply Unit, Odellia, reporting to…… His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“At ease with the formalities. The war is over, after all.”

With his usual indifferent gaze, he sat down on the sofa as naturally as if it were his own home.

Cedric hurried off to brew tea, and Odellia walked over to stand before him. Her face still showed that she couldn’t understand why His Highness the Crown Prince had come here. As he said, the war was over—surely he had no business with her.

In the meantime, Cedric returned with tea, trembling nervously.

“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness. I should be offering you better hospitality, but…… we rarely have guests……”

Kalix quietly studied the teacup Cedric had brought. It must have been bought at a flea market—the cup was chipped, and even the pattern painted on it looked rustic.

As you know, Odellia had not yet received her proper land reward, but that didn’t mean she was penniless.

“Did you spend all your salary from serving as a division commander?”

“That’s not it. I sent it to my parents back home……”

“Didn’t you say your parents passed away in the war?”

“……Not my biological parents, but my adoptive parents……. But how did you know that?”

“Do you take me for so irresponsible a man that I wouldn’t even know what kind of people my subordinates are?”

At that, Odellia had nothing more to say.

“Of course, I don’t meddle in my subordinates’ personal spending habits, but this is no state to be inviting guests over, is it?”

With a genuinely pitiful expression, Kalix lifted the chipped teacup and gestured to his aide behind him. The aide pulled out a notebook and began scribbling something down.

Rising from his seat, Kalix began to inspect the house in earnest.

With the long, slender cane engraved with the imperial seal, he tapped the carpet—*tap*—the picture frame—*tap*—the wall molding—*tap*. Each time he tapped something, the aide trailing behind him diligently scribbled notes.

After a while, the Crown Prince sat back down on the sofa, took a sip of the tea Cedric had brought, frowned, and set it down again.

Though the Crown Prince said nothing, his aide seemed to understand something, nodding and scribbling more notes. Whatever it was, it clearly wasn’t good.

Soon enough, the aide bowed to the Crown Prince and left the house first.

Odellia watched the scene blankly before belatedly asking:

“Your Highness, what brings you here……?”

Seated leisurely on the sofa, the Crown Prince slowly crossed his legs and looked up at Odellia. For an ordinary man, such a pose might have been unsightly—but for the man voted the empire’s most handsome, every gesture seemed to exude not only dignity but even beauty. Odellia let her words trail off and fell silent.

“Odellia.”

“……Yes, Your Highness.”

“I came to help you with your debutante ball.”

“……Pardon?”

“I intend to support you in every way going forward.”

A person from the imperial palace—and the Crown Prince at that—was offering to be her patron? Wariness flickered in Odellia’s eyes.

“You don’t trust me.”

“How could I possibly doubt Your Highness? It’s just that I am so lowly and lacking in understanding that I wonder…… Your Highness is saying you’ll become my patron now……”

“Yes. You’ve understood correctly.”

So why *you*? What’s in it for you? Odellia still stared at him with a face that showed she understood nothing at all. But Kalix simply flashed a very handsome smile.

*Just because you smile like that doesn’t mean everything is solved, Your Highness.* She wanted to press him, but how could she dare?

“Of course, I’m not offering this favor without any return. I’m not that benevolent.”

“……Then……”

“I’m not good with pretty words. Once you find a good match, marry, receive your land, and your husband inherits the title—I want you to use that power for me.”

“……”

So it was a kind of deal.

He would find her a sufficiently docile man of suitable rank so she could receive the Talamand territory without issue—and in return, the two of them would become his people, or rather his tools, to do as he bade.

“……Why? Your Highness can obtain everything you desire, can you not? If you want land, you could simply buy it.”

“I want a new faction.”

“A faction?”

“At the very least, a faction that knows how to truly serve the people.”

“Your Highness, if others heard you say that, they might misunderstand.”

“It’s not a misunderstanding—they’d be hearing correctly. In other words, reform. In worse terms…… it could be called rebellion. Or from your perspective, it could be revenge, or a chance to restore your honor.”

Odellia’s expression quickly hardened.

“……I don’t understand what you’re saying. There’s no way I could become the kind of faction Your Highness desires. Just look at the article in today’s paper mocking me—”

When Odellia brought up the newspaper, Kalix placed something on the table. Odellia’s gaze fell upon the paper.

It was a daily newspaper from a famous and influential printing house. More authoritative than the gossip sheets that published anonymous trivialities.

Though it wasn’t the front page, the open spread contained a commentary on Odellia.

—

【……Lady Odellia’s dignified demeanor brought a breath of fresh air to those present. Instead of being ashamed of her shortcomings and hiding them, or putting on a pretentious air to puff herself up, she acknowledged and accepted them.

Lady Odellia’s pure and dignified smile won the heart of Lady Herdel, who is famously particular. Of course, this writer, too, offers praise to Lady Odellia. In that ballroom full of pretentious elegance, there was probably no one as genuine as Lady Odellia. One might even think that her upcoming debutante ball could bring a new wind to the empire. ……】

—

“Not everyone mocks you.”

Odellia looked up at Kalix.

“And besides, you’re not the type to lack confidence just because others mock you. Am I right?”

To hide her slightly shaken heart, Odellia quickly turned her head away. Pretending to gaze at the distant mountains outside the window, she planned to make some vague excuse and decline.

“No matter how you put it, this is far too much for someone like me……”

“I’m not asking you to be my general.”

“Pardon?”

“There’s someone I’m looking for. I want you to help me find that person.”

“Why me?”

“Because among my associates, you are one of the few I can trust.”

In the end, Odellia sighed, nodded, and asked:

“Who are you looking for?”

“Erdel Rubis.”

“……”

“The youngest son of House Rubis. He’s been declared missing, but they couldn’t find him for many years.”

“……”

“Some believed the child was still alive; others thought he must have been killed by the Emperor.”

“……”

“I believe he’s alive. Hiding his identity somewhere.”