Ganix Obina was, so to speak, a person with no presence.
The Empire was a country without the constraints of a legal wife and concubines, or so-called mistresses.
Originally, the Empire was formed by merging numerous nobles and countries. To accommodate them all, they abolished the system of legal wives and concubines, promising equal status to the Emperor’s wives.
Thanks to this, they were able to quell the rebellions of numerous nobles and successfully establish the Empire.
Therefore, the Third Imperial Prince of the Empire was someone who could reach a very high position in the line of succession, as there were no restrictions of legal wives and concubines.
However, despite being the Third Imperial Prince of the Empire, Ganix Obina had not shown a significant presence, even at the age of 21.
Ganix Obina’s birth mother passed away giving birth to him, and her family also left him practically abandoned without much interference, even though their grandson was in the Imperial Palace.
In a way, Ganix had been left alone in the Imperial Palace, where the competition for succession was fierce, without a protector, but he was content with that life.
This was because he himself was inherently weak-hearted and had no desire for power.
Being behind the competitors also meant that the shackles that bound him were looser.
Thus, he secluded himself in the Imperial Palace, indulging in his hobbies of painting and acquiring various knowledge. Even at the age of 21, he only had a fiancée who was 12 years younger than him (he was forced into the engagement because there were many nobles trying to get close to him due to his status as royalty), and he was a very clean person when it came to romantic affairs or women.
He was truly an incorruptible, pure, and kind-hearted person, an individual who did not fit in the Imperial Palace.
But rather, that was why Ganix was able to maintain relatively good relationships with his siblings.
Even if they were siblings in the Imperial Palace, they were no different from each other’s rivals, so it was difficult to have a good relationship. However, Ganix was naturally not seen as a competitor, so they could treat him comfortably.
Ganix was always inside the Imperial Palace, listening to the stories of his tired siblings from time to time, like a hydrangea in a pot.
…That’s how it should have been.
“Brother Ganix has been acting differently since half a year ago. He became reluctant to talk to people, often left the Imperial Palace, and his behavior and way of speaking seemed like he had become a different person.”
“At first, I was worried, but I couldn’t suspect him much because he didn’t become a violent person.”
“Rather, I even thought it was fortunate that my weak-hearted brother had changed into a lively person.”
“However, Brother Ganix’s change did not stop there.”
The number of nobles unfamiliar with the Imperial Palace who entered the palace increased.
The person who invited them was Ganix.
Unlike his days of being confined to the Imperial Palace, he began to roam the Imperial Palace and the outside world, starting to build his own power.
If it was just that, it could have been understood to some extent.
The Emperor was getting older day by day, and Ganix was also a person in the position of successor.
It was natural for nobles to seek ties with the successor of the Imperial family.
Rather, Ganix was in an exceptional position for not having done such a thing until now.
And then, an incident occurred.
“The Ninth Prince… Nasaro was quite different from me, but he was still a good child.”
Nasaro Obina was a lively child who turned 12 this year.
He got angry at what was wrong and knew how to apologize when he did something wrong.
He was still young, so he sometimes caused accidents, but he was a lively and energetic boy, befitting his age.
That Nasaro died.
The cause of death was drowning.
He was said to have crossed the river on a rowboat with Ganix to go swimming, and the boat capsized, causing him to die.
It had not yet reached the ears of the nobles of the Empire, but the family in the Imperial Palace already knew.
They were currently hiding the information to prevent chaos in the Empire and to find out the exact cause of death, but soon the news of the Ninth Prince’s passing would spread throughout the Empire.
A tragic accident that made everyone in the Imperial Palace unable to hold back their sadness.
“However, I know one fact that others do not know.”
However, only two people in the Imperial Palace could not help but question this death.
“Nasaro, hated water terribly.”
When he was young, Nasaro had fallen into the water around the age of seven, so he had an extreme fear and rejection of deep water.
He was fine with entering the bathtub for a bath, but he could not even imagine riding a boat.
Nasaro was ashamed that he, who would do great things in the future, was afraid of water, so he only told his nanny and Rachel about this fact.
“That Nasaro went swimming? It was too suspicious.”
Since Nasaro’s cause of death was swimming, it was too difficult to see it as a simple accident.
“So, I began to investigate the incident that day with questions.”
“However, a few days ago. I heard the news that Nasaro’s nanny had died.”
Suicide.
That was the nanny’s cause of death.
She often showed signs of being in pain because Nasaro died and she was not with him. The death of a nanny, who was not even of
the Emperor’s bloodline, did not receive much attention and was buried as it was.
However, in Rachel’s eyes, Nasaro’s nanny was not someone who would end her life by suicide.
She was in pain because of Nasaro’s death, but it was too strange for someone who wanted the culprit to be caught to suddenly commit suicide.
“So, I knew. That it was a warning.”
This was a warning.
A warning not to investigate Nasaro’s death any further.
That’s why Rachel was sure that Ganix was the culprit.
“I don’t know why, for what reason he killed Nasaro. But it is true that Brother Ganix is planning something.”
“And I realized that if I stayed like this, I would be in danger as well. Like the young Nasaro, I also have few connections.”
In addition, Rachel was sincere in her magical research, which was far from a desire for power, so she did not have any strong connections.
Rachel judged that if she stayed like this, she might suffer an ‘accident’ like Nasaro.
“So, that means you chose us.”
“That’s right. Because the Evergarden family, who has no ties with other nobles and my siblings, and who will bring the biggest impact to the Empire, although not now, was suitable.”
That’s why Rachel chose Evergarden.
The Evergarden family, which was poor and had a bad reputation even though it was a barony until just half a year ago, suddenly began to rise.
It was a choice made with the calculation that if she made ties with such Evergarden, Ganix would not be able to touch her easily.
“…I’m sorry, Princess. If we have already joined hands with other princes and princesses, why would you say such a thing?”
“…If you already have other backers, I judged that it would be a good choice to some extent if Brother Ganix was wary and checked by other siblings because of my information.”
“Still, I judged it to be a kind of gamble.”
“Indeed, you are wise.”
‘Rachel is cautious, but she is not so indecisive that she is slow to make decisions.’
‘And right now, we need a ‘collaborator’ who can definitely agree to our plan.’
‘Rachel will be in trouble without us, but we can join hands with others at any time… Rachel is the one who is desperate.’
Felix quickly turned his head after hearing Rachel’s explanation.
The Evergarden family’s hand was excellent. Even if it wasn’t Rachel, there would be no major problems with the plan.
However, if it wasn’t Evergarden, the result for Rachel would be close to destruction.
Right now, Felix and Rosaria are bowing their heads, but in fact, Rachel is bowing her head to the two of them.
‘Then, there’s no need to refuse.’
“It’s getting late, Princess.”
“……..I see. It’s already this time.”
When Felix opened his mouth after a moment of contemplation, Rachel’s eyes widened for a moment, then she answered with a blank expression.
This was because she judged his words to be a kind of refusal.
But.
“If you don’t mind… how about we continue the next story at my main residence?”
“…!? Really?”
Rachel, who had been sitting at the table, jumped up from her seat when Felix invited Rachel to his main residence.
The meaning of inviting her to the main residence to continue the story was no different from taking Rachel’s hand.
“Of course. The Evergarden Barony will always welcome Princess Rachel.”
“I express my gratitude for your invitation.”
Rachel accepted Felix’s handshake that followed and answered forcefully.
At this moment, the Empire’s Fifth Princess and the Evergarden Barony were connected by a strong connection.
“Then, would it be okay to send you the detailed schedule in a letter later?”
“Yes, I’ll attach my staff, so please send it that way.”
“…Hoo.”
As the story was coming to an end to some extent, and the atmosphere was breaking up, Rosaria sighed secretly and felt relieved.
‘I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s unusual. So… the Third Prince is a bad guy? Or is it? Was it the Fourth Prince?’
While Felix was facing Rachel and continuing the conversation fluently, Rosaria could not join the conversation and just watched, not knowing what to do.
‘Anyway, it seems like it ended well… I should go and get some sleep.’
“Then, excuse me. Eternal peace to the Empire.”
“E, eternal peace to the Empire…”
“Infinite development. To you.”
With that, Felix bowed his head formally for the last time and opened the door and left.
‘Let’s get out of here quickly.’
Following him, Rosaria was about to leave the room with a trot when.
“Wait a minute, Lady Rosaria?”
“Y, yes?!”
Rosaria, who flinched at Rachel’s voice suddenly calling her, stood beyond the room and turned her head awkwardly.
“I, is there any problem…?”
‘What is it? Did I make a mistake? Why did you call me…?’
Rosaria, who was sweating profusely at Rachel’s call, asked politely.
“The joint test was really impressive.”
“E, ehehe! N, no way!? It wasn’t a big deal at all!”
“Ah, you’re a senior now. Rosaria-sunbaenim.”
“Sun…?!”
“Please take care of me in the future. Rosaria-sun.bae.nim?”
“….Huh?”
Bang-
“…What?”
However, unlike expected, Rachel, who called herself a senior, smiled, and at that moment. The door closed.
“? What’s wrong?”
“Huh? Ah, no…!? It’s nothing.”
‘Why did you suddenly call me? And senior… is it a joke?’
Felix called out to Rosaria, who was frozen, awkwardly staring at the closed door in that situation. Rosaria scratched her head and followed him.
Although it was somewhat complicated, a very long night was passing.