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Chapter : 38
“I was worried about what we’d do if something happened, but I’m relieved that His Highness accepted our advice so well.”
“He does know how to clean up after a failed policy, after all.”
Jeros wasn’t exceptionally smart, but he wasn’t a fool either. Having lived his life since childhood constantly watching and observing others, he was quick to notice who possessed abilities he himself lacked.
‘Knowing how to make proper use of that is a talent too.’
Rather than failing through clumsy attempts, even if he couldn’t do something alone, he would choose people who could help him, use them, and get things done.
That was one of the frightening sides of him that he kept hidden.
“If you showed this level of seriousness all the time, Your Highness’s situation might improve a bit.”
“Haha. He’s always been such a free spirit.”
“Too free-spirited, that’s the problem. He knows how serious things are, yet he’s wasting too much time.”
With a short sigh, Frea shook her head. Raiden, who had been looking at her quietly, asked,
“…Are you worried about His Highness?”
“Huh?”
“It seems like you care more than I expected.”
For some reason, his voice sounded stiff. Meeting his direct, red gaze, she hesitated for a moment before answering.
“If I had to say, it’s not so much worry as regret. He’s not making proper use of his position.”
Even if Jeros lacked some personal ability, he possessed skills that more than made up for it. His knack for selecting and employing capable people could be used in many ways, depending on his political sense.
‘And the fact that he’s the emperor’s legitimate heir can’t be ignored either.’
The reason the empress’s faction still hadn’t crossed the line was because Jeros was the emperor’s eldest son and the only legitimate heir.
Since the founding of the empire, only a legitimate prince could become crown prince and inherit the throne.
This was codified in imperial law, and with such deeply rooted precedent, it couldn’t be overturned easily.
No matter how loudly the empress’s side protested, the emperor hesitated—not only because of opposition from nobles who supported the crown prince, but also because breaking a tradition handed down through generations was difficult.
“With the pressure from the nobles backing the second prince, it can’t really be helped.”
“Still, I think His Highness the Crown Prince could step forward more confidently. The legitimacy that’s lasted so long carries weight.”
“The nobles on the second prince’s side are pushing his sharp mind and exceptional talents. Compared to that, the current crown prince falls short. That’s why the two keep being compared.”
“Does being smart and outstanding automatically make someone fit to be emperor? There have been so many emperors who weren’t particularly bright.”
The reigns of past emperors varied greatly. Some successfully developed the nation, while others were filled with failures.
What was peculiar was that among all past emperors, there hadn’t been a single ‘tyrant.’ That was why Frea rated Jeros’s chances of taking the throne higher than the second prince’s.
“There’s something all past emperors had in common. Whether they became great rulers or not, they never treated life lightly. Even if His Highness the Crown Prince lacks much, he’s not like the second prince…”
“He’s not cruel. I agree with that.”
Raiden didn’t particularly support the second prince over Jeros either. He remained neutral, but he disliked the second prince.
On the surface, the second prince was admired as a perfect figure—smart, exceptional with the sword, and exemplary. In truth, however, his nature was more cruel than anyone’s.
If even slightly provoked, he would swing his sword as a matter of course, frequently replacing palace servants. Out of boredom or to vent his anger, he would inflict punishments on his attendants that were close to torture.
Because of that, the second prince’s palace was always filled with heavy incense to mask the stench of blood.
The empress and the nobles supporting him tried to keep any rumors from leaking out, but they couldn’t control everything. Most of the servants nearby and high-ranking nobles already knew.
So far nothing major had come to light, but no one knew when or how it might explode.
Just imagining how hard the second prince’s faction must be working to protect the image they had built—“more special than anyone else, perfect, and kind”—made it obvious.
Shaking his head with a hardened expression, Raiden continued,
“Honestly, someone like His Highness the Crown Prince is better. Even if his lifestyle is loose and he lacks ability, he won’t cause major trouble, and things will be peaceful.”
“That’s right. At least he wouldn’t reek of blood like someone else.”
“Have you ever met the second prince?”
“A few times. Just exchanged greetings.”
She had met him about three times at palace banquets and noble parties. Each time, the second prince wore a refreshing mint-scented perfume, but Frea, with her sensitive nose, could detect a faint smell of blood beneath it.
“Everyone says his perfume is so fresh and invigorating, but I can’t agree. To me, the heavy scent mixed with blood made it hard to endure for long.”
“You’re sensitive to smells, so it probably felt stronger. Frea, if possible, don’t get close to the second prince.”
“I wasn’t planning to, so don’t worry.”
“And the crown prince, too.”
“Him as well?”
Raiden didn’t support either Jeros or the second prince, but she’d thought he viewed Jeros more favorably. She had no intention of getting close to him anyway, but why warn her about both?
“Why?”
“The second prince is dangerous, but I can’t say the crown prince isn’t either. I think he’s dangerous in a similar way.”
“What? That much?”
On par with the second prince? Was Jeros really that dangerous in Raiden’s eyes? In what way?
“Is there a reason?”
“Well…”
At her question, Raiden hesitated. As he rolled his eyes, he suddenly clenched both hands, crumpling the documents he was holding.
Sensing an ominous air, Frea looked at him in confusion. With a slight frown, Raiden slowly spoke.
“Because, as a man, he’s someone I have to be wary of.”
“…What?”
She widened her eyes at the unexpected answer.
What did that mean? It sounded absurd, but suddenly Jeros’s usual behavior came to mind.
Resembling the handsome emperor and beautiful empress, he was quite good-looking. With his natural charm and sly personality, Jeros freely flirted with young ladies—it was his everyday life.
He was so famous for it that everyone knew he met countless noble ladies, earning him the nickname “lover of all.” Raiden knew that too.
Could it be this man…?
“You’re worried about His Highness’s womanizing?”
“…Yes. Honestly, right now I’m more worried about the crown prince than the second prince.”
“Why?”
“Because someone who looks fine on the outside is more of a threat to me.”
Setting down the already crumpled papers, he continued,
“Even as a fellow man, his flirtatiousness is serious. He doesn’t discriminate in his targets.”
“That’s true. If he likes a lady, he charges straight ahead.”
Even if she already had a lover, Jeros wouldn’t hesitate. He even seemed to enjoy stealing them away—quite a nasty hobby.
“There’ve been several engagements broken because of him. How could I not worry?”
“Well, even so, he wouldn’t take an interest in me. I’m completely not his type.”
Even though Jeros welcomed anyone and met people freely, he had clear preferences. He mostly went for young ladies with soft, cute vibes.
Rather than glamorous beauties, he liked lovely women with pastel tones, and preferred gentle, affectionate personalities.
‘Like Astella, for example.’
She fit his tastes perfectly, which was why, even in the original story, Jeros couldn’t help but fall deeply for her. Compared to that, Frea was the complete opposite, so there was nothing for Raiden to worry about.
“You never know.”
With a firm expression, Raiden went on.
“Even if you’re not his type, you can’t predict when or how his interest might be sparked. That’s the kind of creature men are. So you have to be careful.”
He reached out and took Frea’s hand. Startled by the sudden touch, she didn’t pull away, but met his gaze.
“Someone like him is good at slipping through any opening. He can be quite forceful, too. It probably won’t happen to you, Frea, but still, don’t let your guard down.”
“…All right.”
“For the time being, meeting him for work can’t be helped, but try to avoid personal contact as much as possible.”
“I will.”
When she nodded obediently, Raiden finally relaxed his expression.
