Chapter 34: Fishing, or the Great Detective’s Deduction

Chapter 34: Fishing, or the Great Detective’s Deduction

Let me show you around the palace!

Thank you very much, Your Majesty.

The Emperor visited Princess Rosalia, who was waiting in another room, after the audience and left with his fianc in tow. It was Princess Rosalias third time visiting the palace, so she didnt actually need a guide, but the Emperor didnt realise this as he showed her around proudly. In comparison, Princess Rosalia responded calmly without showing a hint of boredom. This Emperor must be an imbecile

Or so I hope they would conclude.

Im not sure if I was a little nervous because there are more aristocrats than usual or if I was uneasy since I was being too deliberate.

Im relieved I can finally catch my breath. Rosalia, Timona and someone who looked like an aristocrats attendant were here.

I couldnt let my guard down, but I was certainly relaxed.

You were great earlier.

I didnt really understand what was going on, I continued to play the foolish Emperor as usual.

Thank you very much, but everything I said earlier was actually a lie.

Rosalia said before smiling mischievously at me, Its a secret though.

Hah? A lie?

Father was actually opposed to me living in the capital, so I snuck out. So, His Majesty hasnt told me anything about his plans.

Eh.

No, no, no, no. Seriously? I made a weird sound just now, but she told everyone that theyll side with whoever takes care of Belbe Kingdoms problems Wait. I see, so she didnt implicitly mention Tomis Ashinaqui!

No, but that still doesnt work. This will ultimately depend on how they interpreted her words. Since the Empire is overwhelmingly superior to the Belbe Kigdom, such deception wouldnt work. Even if its a lie, the Empire can force it to be the truth.

All my statements were unofficial, so I cant confirm whether its the truth or a lie. Besides, it doesnt matter if the result is as Ive stated.

It was true that Rosalia is a Princess, but she isnt a diplomat today. It was easy to forget that all the statements that were made at the meeting earlier were unofficial because there were so many aristocrats at the meeting. If one were to ask the Belbe Kingdom about the statements made at the meeting, their reply would obviously be That isnt true. That was the nature of negotiations made behind closed doors.

But even if that wasnt what the Belbe Kingdom said it was what Rosalia had said. She has to take responsibility for what she said. But if the Belbe Kingdom does exactly what Rosalia had said, then her statement will become truth and no one would know it was a lie. It shouldnt be a problem if thats the case.

Yes, except for me. I had heard this from Rosalia herself. No, she told me.

If I told the Chancellor or the Regent about this right now, they would treat it as the truth. The Emperor had said it after all. It would be nice if it were true, but even if it was fake, they could just blame me.

It would have been better if she hadnt told me. Nevertheless, what was her intention for only revealing it to me? So, is it like that?

The Princess ran away from home. They cant tell anyone about it because it would harm your reputation, and they cant force you back. Thats why youll be living here for a long time

Well, in other words, she eloped. It would be a scandal if this were made public. I dont know how King Belbe feels about this, but he cant order her to return. If he can figure out a reason that will outweigh her reason for staying in the capital, then he could order her to return But again, the Empire must agree with that reason. Now it has come to this, the Empire, not Belbe Kingdom, has to agree since this is the Empires capital.

The only reason that would allow her to return would be the misfortune of a family member. Her reason for staying also seems to be a lie.

We have succeeded in concluding the triple alliance, a treaty that will never be publicised

The three alliances consist of three nations, and there are a total of seven nations to the north of the Empire in the Heavenly West. It was only natural that the Belbe Kingdom, the most western nation, was one of them, but their adversary, Tomis Ashinaqui, isnt. To the east, Eri Kingdom, and the Theanabe Union was created to the south of that, between them was the Gayuhi Dukedom, a small nation. Ghafur Republic faced those three nations and further north was Hismaphe Kingdom, which also held territory in the Heavenly East. Those make up the seven nations.

The three alliances definitely consist of

With Eri Kingdom and Gayuhi Dukedom?

Yes. Eri Kingdom, who borders Tomis Ashinaqui, is invading them while Gayuhi Dukedom, which doesnt border Tomis Ashinaqui, is reining in the Theanabe Union to prevent them from sending reinforcements. A part of the Eri Kingdom army has already entered Tomis Ashinaqui.

So, the Belbe Kingdom can intervene in the Empires politics? Then Rosalias position at the capital I see, so thats why its a secret alliance.

The situation in the north beyond Theanabe Union wont reach the Chancellor or the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies. This isnt because the two are not capable enough, but rather because the northern border, who had been monitoring the northern situation, had become independent as the Theanabe Union. In fact, even Count Palatine Vedett, who was aware that the Theanabe Union was going to go independent, had a hard time obtaining information in areas to the north of the Theanabe Union.

By the way, apparently Fabio and the others are excellent and are often sent in that direction.

At any rate

Im surprised you managed to convince both nations for an alliance.

The Eri Kingdom and Gayuhi Dukedom werent established only recently. Those two nations were watching as the Belbe Kingdom was invaded by Tomis Ashinaqui. They didnt want the blunt of the invasion to be directed at them.

Now, they have changed their course.

I would like to say that our diplomats are excellent, but it seems that this engagement has had a great influence.

Rosalia-san, can you not look a little embarrassed when he said engagement? So cute.

Oh no, I cant have dirty thoughts. Hmmm? If the Emperor and Rosalia are to marry, Tomis Ashinaqui, which is located between these two nations and hostile towards the Belbe Kingdom, would definitely be in the way. Naturally, they expect that the Empire and the Belbe Kingdom will attack Tomis Ashinaqui together. In other words

They want to tear apart Tomis Ashinaqui and make it their own. Or they will demand a share of the territory after it has been conquered by the Empire for engaging in war. Was that their demand for an alliance?

You are insightful. Another reason may be that the establishment of the Theanabe Union has created a connection between Tomis Ashinaqui, the Theanabe Union and Ghafur Republic.

Ah, I see. If those three nations join forces, then the Eri Kingdom and the Gayuhi Dukedom will be half encircled since they face the sea. It was a pre-emptive self-defence so to speak.

I see. This is valuable information that we wouldnt normally hear. So, what is your purpose, Lord Valverde?

A General had come here. He must have a purpose.

It is enough for me if you make Rosalia your legal wife. I want nothing more than that and this is non-negotiable.

Ah, alright. That was what I was planning on doing.

Shit. This person He looks serious. There are only scary people in the Belbe Kingdom

Well, thats how I got more collaborators. They wont betray me as long as my engagement is the core of the alliance. I dont know what will happen if things change though.

Anyway, now I have to enjoy my new life with my fiance, who seems to like me an awful lot if I make a single mistake, my life will go downhill real fast. It was the opposite of a bad guy looking like a good guy just because he picked up a cat in the pouring rain.