Chapter 14 - Coming-of-Age Ceremony
◆ "Discord" Among the Royal Siblings
"The King—so that was his personal campaign back when he was the Crown Prince, wasn’t it? It’s been more than twenty years since then."
"It remains a vivid page in history. Even now, His Majesty the King likely recalls those scenes as if they were freshly painted in his mind."
"His Majesty has always adhered to the principle of readiness for battle, yet he detests war more than any other noble. That sentiment stems from the countless instances of...honor and pride he personally witnessed and engraved into his memory."
"Quite so. However, when necessary, His Majesty does not hesitate to wield resolute power. He avoids relying on it lightly because he remembers the countless lives that vanish as a result of its use."
"He cannot help but think of those who spat blood and fell lifeless to the ground. His Majesty is a ruler overflowing with compassion—for those who are valuable to the kingdom, for those with great ability, for those who contribute to the welfare of the people. And above all, for the countless commoners who, without noble titles, fell as mere foot soldiers on the battlefield. ...To bear the weight of all those lives upon himself—it is not something an ordinary person could endure. Truly, he is a man worthy of being king. 'A king who disregards the fallen, who formed the foundation of the kingdom, is unworthy of the crown' ...isn't that how it goes?"
"That was a saying of the former High Priest, though it was repeated by the successor to the Minister of War. Don’t you think it's slightly disrespectful?"
"Hm? Don’t you know? The designated successor serves directly under the Second Prince. I simply have a future where I might be assigned a role in the military. Even so, I must earn it through my own efforts."
"That is your interpretation. But do you not think circumstances may change when the time comes?"
"That duty is too heavy for me. Regardless of who bears it, the Minister of War is a symbol of power. They must constantly monitor the movements of the military aristocrats, strategize to secure victory in battles, and minimize sacrifices... Furthermore, they must coordinate with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs to ensure His Majesty's peace of mind. It's a position where considerations are endless, and in exchange for the honor of being the Minister of War, one must dedicate their entire life. Ensuring that the next king embraces the spirit of peace is an ever-present guiding principle. To wield power and restrain it... Father is navigating an extremely difficult course."
"You see it, don't you? The anguish of those who command military power. That is why I thought you would be suitable as the Minister of War."
"You overestimate me. However... that ceremonial attire suits you well. You could be mistaken for a professional strategist."
"Thank you for your kind words. ...When I return to the frontier, I will proudly boast about this to my family."
"Haha! Good. I like that about you. Let’s meet again at the gratitude banquet later."
"Understood."
In the midst of the casual conversation, his fiancée furrowed her brows slightly. Forgive me, for we will never meet again. Once I return to my homeland, we will not cross paths, much less would I meet her once she becomes his wife.
He came like a storm and left like a storm—a nobleman who moved on a whim.
Because of that, he was often underestimated, but truthfully, he observed closely, listened well, and never neglected gathering information. On top of that, he thought deeply. His ability to piece together fragments of information and infer unseen circumstances set him apart from men of his age. Well, not that it would matter much to me, as I would soon be leaving the royal capital.
Even so, his rise to prominence was undoubtedly beneficial for the kingdom. I hoped he would grow to be a good protector of the realm.
--- At the appointed time, the grand coming-of-age ceremony began.
Standing as a representative of His Majesty the King was the First Prince. Though born of a concubine, the First Prince was exceptionally talented. Rumors about him were mostly positive. It was unfortunate, however, that he had yet to take a princess consort.
I had heard that an engagement arranged before his admission to the Magic Academy was annulled due to certain circumstances. Whether the issue lay with the First Prince's side or his former fiancée’s side was a matter of speculation, but the truth remained shrouded in the thick fog of the royal family. The First Prince had neither been disinherited nor placed under house arrest, and his former fiancée had married into the noble family of another country.
If that was the case... so that’s how it is. The First Prince also seemed to have his share of troubles with women.
Eventually, the First Prince would have to take a princess consort, and it was clear as day that this would become an important political matter. If affection were to blossom within such an arrangement, it would be a blessing for the people of this kingdom. In contrast, the Second Prince, who received the cravat symbolizing adulthood from his elder brother, was engaged to the daughter of the leading Grand Duke’s family. Most importantly, the Second Prince was born of the Queen herself.
In the upper echelons of the kingdom, it was certain that, if things had proceeded as expected, the Second Prince would have been named Crown Prince. Considering the bloodline and the balance between the noble families, it was understandable that this would have been the outcome. The preparations for this, and the dissemination of information to those around him, were said to have been moving in that direction, or so the rumors said.
But was that truly the case? On that day, in that place, the daughter of the Grand Duke’s family hinted to me that the Second Prince was undergoing trials.
The touchstone test, however, was not a battle but rather my former fiancée and her group—the unexpected elements. Including their potential aides, it was said that these trials would take place within the Magic Academy. Because of this, I was ordered to avoid interfering, to refrain from any contact with my former fiancée, and to, in essence, abandon the relationship.
I hoped for a good outcome.
On the ceremonial stage stood the First Prince. Looking from a distance, I could see the Second Prince below the stage. Yet, I felt an unsettling air. The meaning behind the First Prince’s gaze and the response in the Second Prince’s eyes—pondering these made the situation feel even more ominous.
This was because the gazes of the aristocrats around him were divided between those who pitied him and those who ridiculed him.
Soon, the announcement of the Crown Prince's investiture would likely be made, but that would happen after I had already returned to the frontier. The common folk would only learn of it much later. I could only pray that a good choice would be made for the future of the kingdom.
The ceremony proceeded without issue, and pure white cravats were distributed to all those coming of age this year. With this, we officially joined the ranks of the nobility. My elder brothers had their ceremony at a church built on land managed by the knightly family. Being the only one to attend the royal castle’s ceremony felt a bit awkward, but I chose to accept it as a result of my internal mana.
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