It has been about two weeks since the incident. Due to the significant confusion, there has been no notable movement in the imperial succession struggle.
During this time, Leo and I visited a certain place together.
The place is called the harem.
It is where the emperor's consorts reside.
Located behind the Imperial Sword Castle, this palace is accessible only to the emperor and those he permits.
There is only one reason for us to come here.
To meet our mother.
How long has it been since we last met? It might have been about three months. Well, it's been a while for me, but not for Leo.
Leo apparently visits whenever he has the chance. He's quite diligent.
"Mother, Al and Leo have come to pay our respects."
"Welcome. I've baked some sweets. Please have some."
In this harem, only my mother would greet her long-lost son so casually.
Her name is Mitsuba. With long black hair and black eyes, she looks so youthful and beautiful that it's hard to believe she has two grown sons. She apparently takes care of herself.
She is a dancer from the East, and the legendary dancer who captivated my father with her beauty and was proposed to on the spot. This story is still popular in the capital.
The legendary part is that her response to the proposal was, "Will you let me handle the children's education without interference?" It was an unconventional response, but it was very much like my mother.
In fact, my mother never let the emperor interfere in our education.
Thanks to her, I turned out the way I did, but Leo has grown up well, so it's a mixed bag.
We sat at the table that had been prepared and started eating the sweets. Then,
"It's been a while, hasn't it, Al?"
"Yes, it has been a while, Mother."
"Have you been too busy having fun? Or did you get a girlfriend?"
"The former."
"Such a boring answer. You two lack any interest in women. At least give me some gossip."
Sometimes, I wonder if she forgets that we are princes.
For me, it's one thing, but if Leo had a girlfriend, it would be a big deal. We would need to investigate her family and everything.
But we were raised as ordinary children, without any of that. We were taught the minimum necessary etiquette and manners, but that was about it.
Her educational philosophy was to let us do what we wanted. Because of this, I was never scolded for skipping boring lessons with our tutors. She would just say, "If you think it's necessary in the future, study it."
Thinking about it now, it's terrifying. What was she thinking about the education of a prince?
As a result of this hands-off approach, my brother became lazy, and I became meticulous. Our personalities are clearly reflected in our upbringing.
"By the way, why did you both come here so formally?"
"Mother, I have been appointed as the ambassador, and my brother as my assistant. We may have to leave the country soon. We came to inform you of this."
"Oh? Is that so? Then I want something edible as a souvenir. I don't need any statues or such things."
"Ha..."
I'm amazed she can live in the harem with such a personality.
Currently, the harem is in the midst of a power struggle. Mothers who want their children to become the emperor are plotting. The empress, who oversees the harem, and the emperor's watchful eye prevent overt actions, but it is undoubtedly a place that requires careful maneuvering.
"Mother, aren't you worried about this?"
"Do you want me to worry? Leo, you're not a child anymore. You're eighteen. If the emperor has given you a job, he believes you can handle it. I trust his judgment."
"I see... Then I will approach my duties with confidence."
"I was just appointed as an assistant, so I'll just do it casually."
"Do as you like. Even if you fail, you won't be killed."
Mother said this while drinking tea.
Anyone else would say something like, "You can't afford to fail," or "This is your chance to impress the emperor."
As I was thinking this, there was a knock on the door.
When Mother answered, the door opened, and Krista poked her head in.
"Oh, Krista. Welcome."
"Mother!"
With a bright expression she rarely shows, Krista ran to Mother and climbed onto her lap.
The small Krista settled on Mother's lap and stared at the sweets on the table.
She seemed to be aware that they were prepared for us.
"Go ahead and eat. Al and Leo aren't eating much."
"Really? Al-nii-sama, Leo-nii-sama?"
"Sure, go ahead. Eat as much as you like."
"I'll have a bit more. Want to join me, Krista?"
"Okay!"
Krista reached for the sweets, looking very calm.
It's as if she's with her real mother.
Krista's mother died when she was young. Mother took on the responsibility of raising her.
Since then, Krista has looked up to Mother like a real mother, and we have grown close to her as well.
"By the way, Elna came to greet me. She was apologizing for something Al did. Did you do something?"
"Well, she did something unnecessary. Thanks to her, I was given this troublesome assistant job."
"Brother is so lazy... Hey!"
Krista pointed the arm of a rabbit plushie at me.
It seems the plushie is scolding me. When I frowned, everyone laughed.
This peaceful time passed quickly.
Just as I was about to leave, Mother asked a sudden question.
"By the way, I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Which consort will Fiene become?"
"Choke!"
Leo and I both spat out our tea at the same time.
We wiped our mouths with the towel Krista offered, coughing.
What's with this sudden question, Mother?
"Mother, Fiene is not that kind of person..."
"But it's rare for you to use 'san' for a woman. Is Leo the dominant one?"
"Well, the common people do say you two are a good match."
I pushed the responsibility onto Leo.
Leo looked like he was saying, "You betrayed me!?" but I don't want to get involved in such a troublesome conversation.
I was about to leave when an unexpected obstacle appeared.
"Mother, Fiene is Al-nii-sama's friend."
"Really?"
"Yes. Fiene is very beautiful and a good match for Al-nii-sama."
"Oh my..."
Mother looked at me with a gaze that said, "You can't be underestimated either."
I was confused by her taking a little girl's words so seriously. Fiene and I being a good match? If we said that in the capital, we'd be laughed at.
"We just spend a lot of time together because of our relationship with the Kleinert Duke. There's nothing going on."
"But she is the most beautiful woman in the empire, isn't she? What do you think, Krista?"
"Hmm... Mother is prettier!"
"Thank you, Krista. I think Mother is the prettiest too."
Seeing the two of them hugging, I sighed, stood up, and bowed before leaving.
"Leaving already?"
"I've been here for a while. I have plans to meet someone today. You can stay a bit longer."
"See you again, Al-nii-sama."
"Sure, see you. Mother too."
"Yes. Take care of yourself. You always push yourself too hard."
"I've never pushed myself in my life. I've lived casually."
"Is that so? Well, let's leave it at that. Good luck."
With that, Mother saw me off. As I left the harem, I steeled myself.
I felt there was still much to do.
To maintain that space.
I couldn't afford to rest.
"Sebastian."
"Yes?"
"Find the weaknesses of the neutral nobles. We need to do what we can while we're in the capital."