I took the first step, but the final move was Grandfather's. The Duke of Cadeia thoroughly milked the stunned Duke of Javier.
"Looks like you've been living off your smooth talk."
"Haha, how could that be, Your Majesty?"
"Look at this. Wasn't it just your smooth talk?"
The Emperor of Situations blocked any retreat for the Duke of Javier with his characteristic cold and cutting remarks, even as he smiled kindly. As a result, the Duke of Javier was tasked with securing a massive amount of food and water to alleviate the famine in the west. Since it required a tremendous amount of manpower and cost to move water from a water-rich area to the west, it could be considered a significant expense.
"Good job. Congratulations."
As always, the Duke of Javier was smiling kindly, but it somehow didn't feel genuine. It seemed like things were going to wrap up nicely, but nothing in this world goes exactly as planned.
The Emperor of Situations, who had been quietly observing the situation, suddenly cast a vote of opposition. One of the ministers cautiously asked,
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but what are you opposing?"
"The rainmaking ritual. Mabel is still too young to appear in official schedules."
I agreed with that opinion.
'Right, right. I am still young.'
Despite pushing the concept of a prodigy, I was, after all, just a child who had recently celebrated my second birthday. I had agreed to the rainmaking ritual partly out of curiosity about how the Duke of Javier would react and partly because I wanted to give him a bigger headache. Even if it didn't happen, I wouldn't be upset. Of course, the Duke of Javier, who had already lost a lot, wouldn't just let it go.
"But, Your Majesty, there's nothing better than a rainmaking ritual to calm the restless hearts of the people."
"The only official events you've had were two birthday celebrations. And now you suddenly want me to perform a rainmaking ritual in front of the people?"
The Emperor of Situations' face turned cold, and his voice dropped low. It was so intimidating that even I, who had been just watching, was taken aback. The other ministers also looked uneasy.
"Duke of Javier, I'm beginning to doubt whether your proposal is truly for the people or if you have other motives."
"How can you say such a thing, Your Majesty? I spoke solely for the sake of our country. To calm the restless hearts of the people and to demonstrate the Emperor's presence—"
"Your words can also be interpreted as implying that the Emperor has been absent."
"You know very well that's not what I meant. Please don't misinterpret my loyalty."
The two men's argument seemed to have no end. Seeing the ministers' faces turn pale, I sighed inwardly.
I couldn't just let this go on. I threw the pillow on the floor with a thud, trying to draw attention. One of the ministers looked shocked.
Was this the pillow that one of the ministers had brought...! I quickly got off the throne and hugged the pillow, and the minister's face relaxed.
'You shouldn't hurt anyone carelessly.'
Anyway, I had successfully drawn everyone's attention. I hugged the pillow and looked around at the ministers and the Emperor of Situations.
"I'm tired. I want to go to bed."
Someone asked, dazed. I deliberately made a fierce expression.
"If you want to fight, do it tomorrow. I'm going to bed."
I saw some of the ministers' mouths open wide. I suddenly felt good, thinking I had unintentionally shown the face of a tyrant.
I declared the meeting over on my own. Just as I was about to leave the meeting room with a clear conscience, I heard the ministers talking behind me.
"Of course, His Majesty is—!"
'Of course, he's too arbitrary?'
My steps halted. I turned around with my mouth open.
'Why, why? What exactly is wise about this?'
I reflected on my earlier actions with a humble heart. But no matter how I thought about it, it was just the act of a tyrant. I had abruptly ended the meeting! It was completely arbitrary!
"I am deeply impressed by His Majesty's suggestion to calmly reflect and discuss again tomorrow!"
"How can he be so decisive!"
"Heh heh heh. Of course, His Majesty is the best!"
I looked at the ministers with a pale face, shook my head, and quickly left the meeting room. I didn't want to hear any more of this.
A sigh escaped me. So, if I were to summarize this situation succinctly, it would be something like this.
'Once again, I've become competent.'
If it were to be discovered, not only would I be deposed, but I would also undoubtedly receive the fervent love of the Holy Kingdom. Of course, I would decline. *** I immediately went to find Yangi after the meeting. The little guy was rolling around on the grass and, upon seeing me, pretended to sit properly, looking startled.
"I already saw you rolling around."
[It wasn't rolling around.]
"Rolling around, though..."
[It's because my back itched! What are you trying to say? You don't know anything!]
I was a bit worried that Yangi might get upset and not talk to me, so I put the steak I had brought in front of him and tried to soothe him.
"You're cute and handsome today, Yangi."
[Chomp, chomp chomp! What's so obvious about that? Chomp.]
Yangi, who never touched cat food despite being a cat deity, quickly finished the steak.
'You shouldn't give human food to a cat...'
Yangi flared up at my unintentional inner thoughts.
[I'm not just any cat! I'm the messenger of the gods!]
'Yeah, yeah. The great messenger of the gods. I have something to ask.'
I took a humble stance, and Yangi seemed to feel better, lifting his head high.
'I want to know the limits of my humble power. You said I can communicate with nature. Can I make it rain?'
Yangi looked at me as if I were ridiculous. Was that not possible? I had been counting on that ability. I thought I would have to strongly oppose the rainmaking ritual at tomorrow's meeting. But just as I was about to practice, I stopped, fearing I might run out of divine power and not be able to make it rain during the ritual. It seemed better to conserve as much as possible.
Suddenly, Oscar burst in, drenched in sweat from sword practice.
Oscar ignored my nagging and approached me.
"What's this about a rainmaking ritual? That's not right, is it?"
Indeed, there were no secrets in the palace. The content of the meeting just a few hours ago had already reached Oscar. Since it wasn't a big secret, I nodded.
"Will you be okay? It's not like you're going alone, right?"
"Really, I'm fine. What's the problem?"
"If Mabel is okay with it, then that's fortunate."
Oscar smiled gently and stroked my head. As I smiled back at Oscar, I inadvertently asked,
As soon as I asked, I closed my mouth, thinking 'Oops,' but Oscar had already heard. His face, which had been kind just a moment ago, turned hard.
"...You're scared, Mabel."
"You're saying you're fine when you're not."
I looked at Oscar with dissatisfaction. His advice, pretending to be mature, was something I wanted to throw back at him.
I had already made up my mind. I was speculating that the Duke of Javier's aim was to undermine my authority as Emperor. Rain doesn't fall just because you want it to, so it wouldn't come easily. He would seize this as an opportunity to tarnish the royal family's reputation. But what if it really rained?
'He would just be sending relief supplies for nothing.'
The thought made me feel vindicated. Even a little rain would be fine. Once it started, the rumors would inflate. To execute this perfect plan, I had to perform the rainmaking ritual. Seeing my determined expression, Oscar suddenly knelt in front of me. His clear green eyes, like those of a midsummer forest, looked at me calmly.
"Then, take me with you."
Despite being a child, Oscar spoke with the authority of any knight, even giving me a sense of security.
It was strange. For the first time, I felt like Oscar was acting like an older brother. *** On the day of the decisive regular meeting, a rare scene unfolded. Mabel, who usually lay on the throne as soon as the meeting started, was sitting with bright eyes. The ministers were so surprised that they even forgot to make their usual formal greetings. The meeting began, and Mabel watched quietly without yawning as numerous items were discussed.
'She's so cute, I can't focus on the meeting!'
Finally, only one item remained: the rainmaking ritual. The Duke of Javier, who had first proposed the rainmaking ritual, presented his prepared materials. He seemed fully prepared.
"—Therefore, I believe it is the most effective method to calm the people's unrest. That's all."
After his long speech, a cold silence fell. Some agreed with the Duke of Javier, but no one dared to speak up. The Emperor of Situations was glaring fiercely from behind the infant Emperor. Everyone believed the usual tiresome debate between the Emperor of Situations and the Duke of Javier would continue. But Mabel, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly stood up.
Everyone, including the Emperor of Situations and the Duke of Javier, looked puzzled at her sudden declaration.
"I agree with the rainmaking ritual. The Duke of Javier has a point."
Gadeinia and Esteban hurried to try to dissuade Mabel, but it was futile. The Duke of Javier realized this was his chance. He didn't know why the infant Emperor agreed with him, but a good thing was a good thing, right.
'She probably just wants to go on a picnic.'
The Duke of Javier, not taking it seriously, pushed hard at this moment.
"Since His Majesty wants to go, who could stop him?"
"This is all for the royal family."
"This is an opportunity to solidify the new Emperor's position."
"Please grant it, Your Majesty."
The timing was too perfect. Esteban even felt a sense of betrayal. With the Emperor's enthusiastic support, even the hesitant supporters of the rainmaking ritual joined in. The idea itself wasn't bad. With Mabel taking the lead, the game was already over. The Duke of Javier smiled at his small, cute ally.
'Of course, it's easier to handle a child who knows nothing.'
Looking at the Duke, Mabel smiled back.