Chapter 192: IF ROUTE; Princess Defense (3)

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The Emperor was furious. He was originally known for being uninterested in the national affairs of Habsburg and spending all of his time drinking in a detached palace.

However, it seems he had become enraged because his daily routine was almost threatened. He would very rarely summon the Lord Chamberlain and the High Steward to his detached palace. According to the rumors, he shouted “How dare you try to bring harm upon this royal body!” and threw a clock at them.

I don’t know if I should say he’s petty or deplorable. It’s quite impressive that an amazing person like Elizabeth was born from a father like that.

Nonetheless, the Emperor was the Emperor. The ladies-in-waiting and the royal guard moved quickly in order to avoid the Emperor’s wrath. They got in contact with the influential successor candidates as a part of this.

The Emperor’s wrath and a competition to succeed the throne. The palace quickly entered into a state of panic.

If another day were to pass like this, then the ministers would’ve probably gotten involved as well. The empire itself would’ve been shaken violently. However, the incident went down a path which no one could’ve possibly predicted.

“This so-called intruder in this incident is an individual whom I am sponsoring.”

Johanna von Habsburg dropped a bombshell.

She declared that the palace’s security as a whole seemed to be lacking lately, so she tried testing it out.

There was naturally an uproar. What kind of absurd thing had the imperial princess done? Even if the Second Imperial Princess was rumored to be a tomboy, did she not have a lack of awareness as a member of the imperial family……? Once these complaints were made, Imperial Princess Johanna gave a statement during an official meeting.

“I believed that even if the throne were to fall into a crisis, the populace within the palace would work together to deal with this incident accordingly. Thus, I deliberately ordered the intruder to fall in the lake. However, after the incident occurred, the people within the palace only argued about who was responsible…….”

The beautiful 14-year-old imperial princess shed a tear.

“I was taught that our empire had overcome the numerous threats that it had faced by uniting. Where has our past glory gone? I did, not expect things would turn out this way…….”

This was the moment the incident was resolved instantly.

The ministers of the palace immediately changed their stances and condemned the palace workers. “What were you doing when the royal throne was in danger!?”, “Did you forget your duty because you were busy trying to pass on the blame!?”, “Do not joke around!”.

Be it the ladies-in-waiting or the royal guard, they were the aides of the royal throne. The withering of the ladies-in-waiting and the royal guard only meant the weakening of the Emperor’s power, and the weakening of the Emperor’s power meant the strengthening of theocracy.

Furthermore, a warning could be given to the future rulers, Rudolf and Elizabeth. This probably seemed like a perfect opportunity for the ministers.

Once the situation proceeded like this, the ladies-in-waiting and the royal guard were no longer able to continue their power game. The head maid and the captain of the royal guard backed down after saying that they would take responsibility.

Only the Emperor could have stopped their resignation, but there was no justification. This all happened because the Emperor himself got enraged. He couldn’t take his words back now. This was a matter of authority before dignity. The ministers probably feel like they had just blown their noses without using their hands.

A tragedy brought forth by an immature imperial princess and a foolish crown prince. This incident was going to be settled like this, but……Imperial Princess Johanna made another declaration during the official meeting.

“I do not wish for the head maid and the captain of the royal guard to resign. The two of them have realized their mistakes, so is this not the time for them to work together and create countermeasures? I believe in our vassals.”

If the previous declaration was a straight punch, then this was an uppercut.

The Emperor promptly gave an order as if he had been waiting for this.

“How could the Gods not be impressed with how admirable our Imperial Princess is being? You all may have made a mistake, but you are also the only ones who have the chance to regain our Empire’s honor. Resolve yourselves.”

Both the captain of the royal guard and the head maid later came to give their thanks to Her Highness Johanna.

This was quite literally giving someone a disease and then medicine afterward, but what could they do about it? They could only look moved on the outside while feeling frustrated on the inside. They even apologized to me. Those damned bastards, serves you right!

The palace ministers were suddenly the only ones making a vain effort.

The ministers had attacked the inner workings of the palace under the pretext of internal discord. They couldn’t speak up against the captain of the royal guard and the head maid working together since that would mean they would be the ones causing an internal discord, then. In the end, the captain of the royal guard and the head maid received a pay cut for a year.

The ministers were sad because they couldn’t do anything more. They had to be satisfied with this result and back down. The incident was settled and announced to the public, and the people praised His Excellency the Emperor’s secret act of virtue and the Imperial Princess’ nature…….

“Lately, wandering minstrels have joined in as well.”

Sebastian informed us.

“They say that the scene where Her Highness sheds tears and speaks about the honor of the empire is the most popular.”

“Puhahaha!”

Imperial Princess Johanna burst out into laughter. She rolled around on the floor as she laughed. She moved around so much that her skirt got pulled up, making her white thighs visible. Sebastian cleared his throat.

This was the true form of Second Imperial Princess Johanna von Habsburg, the ‘Imperial Princess who cried for the Empire’……. The truth is quite terrifying.

“Your Highness, that is not proper etiquette.”

“Well, Mr. Sebastian, is this not fine?”

I spoke up with a smile.

“This matter has been completely settled. Her Highness must want to laugh as much as she wants to. Her laughter is like a reward to us today.”

“Hm. If you put it like that, then I will overlook this today.”

Sebastian stroked his mustache and nodded. This man was sincere and strict, but he also had a soft side to him. This was what made him charismatic.

Not long ago, Sebastian had been assigned as Her Highness Johanna’s exclusive butler. He was basically being assigned as the closest person to the Imperial Princess, so it was a promotion.

‘It’s only a promotion in name, though.’

Sebastian got involved in the process of getting me out of prison. The incident may have been wrapped up with a moving ending, but a servant who breaches his authority has to receive a type of punishment. It was like that. It would be fine to say that he was removed from the rat race known as the competition for success.

Despite this, Sebastian never showed any signs of frustration to me. Seriously, I could only be grateful to this man. Who knows if I’ll ever be able to fully repay him for this debt…….

“That’s right. As I thought, Lolita is the only one who understands me!”

“Your Highness, this humble one specifically said only today.”

“Aaaah-, why do I only have petty servants around me?”

Johanna stuck her lips out and pouted. She was still on the ground. I subconsciously smiled bitterly because it felt like I was taking care of an unruly little sister.

Referentially, I was selected as Her Highness Johanna’s exclusive attendant. The Emperor, wait. No, that’s not right……. His Excellency the Emperor was very content by Her Highness’ quick wit. The Emperor knew that the chain of events was all an act. He was informed of our entire plan before Her Highness Johanna made her announcement, after all.

His Excellency had a private conversation with Her Highness Johanna and told her that he would grant her one wish. At that moment, Her Highness answered without a moment of hesitation.

“Please allow Lolita to become my exclusive attendant, Father.”

“I will allow it. As a way for the commoner, Lolita, to protect the imperial family, he will be given the surname Defensor.”

Thus, I became Lolita Defensor.

I may not be a noble, but His Excellency the Emperor had given me a surname. I was partially treated as a noble.

Just a week ago I was being tortured ruthlessly in the underground prison, so should I be happy about rising up this much……? Hip hip hooray for Her Highness the Imperial Princess.

“Oh right, Father gave me a task.”

“A task?”

Imperial Princess Johanna sprung up and dusted her dress.

“He told me to prepare and host this year’s grand hunting party. Father still likes to dote on me.”

“The grand hunting party!?”

Sebastian was surprised. His reaction roused my curiosity.

“Pardon me, Mr. Sebastian, but what is the grand hunting party?”

“It is a hunting party that is held every 4 years where the margraves gather and a hunt is carried out. Its purpose is to publicly display that the imperial family and the margraves are still united. Of course, many retainers tend to participate as well.”

Margraves……. In other words, people like Rosenberg in <Dungeon Attack>?

I had a rough grasp of things. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the margraves were in charge of Habsburg’s borders. Therefore, this meant that the strongest militarists were gathering. This was definitely not a light event. I could tell just by seeing Sebastian’s face.

“Usually, the person who is next in line to become the emperor is the one to host the grand hunting party. Crown Prince Rudolf had been in charge of this until now. This crucial event is being left to Her Highness Johanna…….”

“Uugh. It already feels like a hassle.”

On the other hand, Her Highness Johanna just looked annoyed.

“Preparing for the hunting party is going to involve ordering around all of the servants and guards in the palace. From the placement of the maids and to every last soldier……. Ah, I should make the head maid and the captain of the royal guard pay back their debt now. I’m a genius!”

She grinned.

It seems Johanna was only interested in administrative work. She talked happily about how she was going to arbitrate and command the leaders of the maids. Naturally, there were groups among the servants as well. Managing all of them and completing the party were big tasks as well.

Sebastian and I slipped out of Her Highness’ separate room.

We spoke in a low voice as we walked through the hallway.

“Mr. Sebastian, it seems Her Highness has yet to realize the severity of the situation.”

“Indeed. It is concerning what His Highness the Crown Prince is going to think about this. Her Highness Elizabeth will also be a problem.”

Sebastian let out a sigh.

“This is a big issue. The race for succession had been gradually narrowing down to those two individuals. Her Highness Johanna has now suddenly squeezed between them. No one has been particularly keeping Her Highness Johanna in check until now, but who knows what could happen now…….”

The lake incident wasn’t simply a moving story. Only an extremely small minority of people were aware of this, but the winner and the losers were clearly split apart.

Her Highness Johanna was obviously the winner.

For starters, she made the ladies-in-waiting and the royal guard indebted to her. Their leaders may have received a pay cut, but if they were allowed to go at each other until the very end, then one side would have probably been completely demolished. No one wants that. They probably feel grateful to the Imperial Princess since she managed to mediate the situation appropriately.

She also received His Excellency the Emperor’s good grace and increased her popularity with the people. The ministers may have been a little unsatisfied, but they were still able to deal a blow. They weren’t going to be hostile towards Her Highness Johanna any time soon.

The losers were Crown Prince Rudolf and the Third Imperial Princess Elizabeth.

The two of them had tried to use that opportunity to gain the lead in the battle for succession; however, they ended up being ambushed by someone completely unexpected. Johanna von Habsburg was a joker that they had never even considered the existence of.

The ambush was painful. Not only were they unable to help the ladies-in-waiting and the royal guard, but they were suspected of having stirred the disorder among the groups.

They lost the trust of their subordinates and built up suspicion with their latent enemies. They only faced losses.

They will probably be extremely cautious of Her Highness Johanna now. They were going to get serious.

Elizabeth von Habsburg, the Third Imperial Princess was someone we were going to have to especially pay attention to. She was someone who killed her beloved little brother simply because he was going to be a threat to her in the future. There was no way that she would hesitate to murder her older sister whom she barely has any connections with.

Her Highness Johanna was probably being targeted by the most competent and dangerous person in the world. And the task of stopping that was given to me, Lolita Defensor…….

“Mr. Sebastian, there is something I must tell you about those two individuals.”

“Hm?”

“It involves Her Highness Johanna’s safety. It is incredibly crucial.”

A completely mediocre person like myself was going to obstruct the genius Elizabeth.

It wasn’t a matter of whether it was possible or not. The only thing waiting for Her Highness Johanna if she were to lose this battle for authority was death. I have to accomplish it…….

***

TL Note: Thanks for reading the chapter. I do feel like a lot of information is being left out since this is pretty much a side chapter thing. As in, the author isn’t very focused on the details and is simply trying to progress through the story. It does seem dubious that people would trust Dantalian/Lolita this much when he literally appeared out of nowhere and landed in a lake. The author definitely could’ve set this up better, but that would’ve probably required more chapters. This ‘IF route’ ended up being 6 chapters long, so the author probably cut some corners. I don’t particularly mind it, though. This scenario is pretty interesting in itself as long as you can ignore how easily people started to trust Dantalian/Lolita.

Welp, I’ll see you guys in the next chapter.