TFLMLD 67

Chapter 67

Macaron’s Choice

Calypse’s answer was one that couldn’t have come out unless she was well-versed not only in the Empire’s political climate, but also in the global one. Even Soletin, who had been preparing for this war for a long time, had only recently heard about the shifts in the Kingdom of Halatis. There was no way he could have expected today’s discussion to touch on such a topic…

‘How could the Second Princess Consort give such an answer…?’

Goosebumps ran all over Soletin’s body, enough to make him shiver. It seemed the nobles felt the same, for murmurs rippled restlessly through the chamber. Raelin glared at Calypse’s profile, her face burning red. Realizing that silence was putting him at a disadvantage, Rainer quickly spoke.

“What will you do about the gorge?”

This time, he was confident she would not be able to answer. But soon, cracks spread across his expression.

“If we cannot enter, then shouldn’t we make them come out?”

Make them come out… It was still a vague strategy at this point. Picking up from her words, Macaron spoke. He examined the map and calmly elaborated.

“The Riten region and the Nepad region are both major supply routes for grain distribution.”

With every word he spoke, Calypse’s vast knowledge shone brighter.

“In other words, if the Empire seizes these three areas, they won’t be able to endure for long.”

Macaron beamed at his wife with a face that said he already knew all of this. And when Soletin realized it too, a faint smile tugged at his lips.

‘To let his wife speak at such an important place…’

It was clear that to Macaron, strengthening his wife’s power mattered more than his own desire for the throne.

‘A man wholly unfit to be Emperor.’

And yet, he was precisely the man who had to become Emperor. Hearing the couple’s answers today, Soletin was more convinced than ever. Macaron had already finished preparing everything required for the imperial throne. If Rainer had been preparing to become Emperor, Macaron was preparing for what came after becoming Emperor. His brilliance had been proven countless times before. Soletin knew full well that the achievements he had accumulated were no simple feats.

‘A man with the qualities to become an Emperor greater than me.’

If this son became Emperor, he might well write a new history. Soletin both feared this and, at the same time, looked forward to it. Macaron had once claimed he had no interest in the throne, and yet, in the meantime, he had prepared all this… Even as his father, he couldn’t help but feel a chill down his spine.

What was even more ridiculous was the Second Princess Consort “Calypse” standing by his side. A woman who crafted magical tools and had mastered both global geography and politics… He couldn’t help but wonder how much more was hidden behind her.

In truth, the throne could never be taken by ability alone. The one seated there needed loyal people by his side and the ability to recognize and command talent—an extremely important quality. What worried Soletin most about Macaron becoming Emperor was exactly that. The people around him were limited, and within the palace he had always been an outsider. For Macaron, there was no such thing as compromise or concession. His way of charging forward, like a wild bear, sometimes even looked foolish.

‘A true ruler must also know when to discard his own men, tsk.’

But he had always overcome that concern in his own way. Instead of discarding them, he stubbornly carried along those who stood with him.

‘That woman must already be his person as well.’

After all, he had dragged her all the way into the palace and was now bolstering her. And besides… it was obvious that Macaron was infatuated with his wife. A man’s eyes said much, and Soletin could clearly see the difference. The cold, piercing gaze he usually wore, and the gentle eyes he showed when looking at his wife—they were two entirely different things. His seasoned eyes caught everything in an instant.

It was laughable.

‘Was there ever an Emperor who truly loved the Empress?’

Through the shifting ages and a thousand years of imperial history, such a thing had never once happened. The Emperor’s marriage was a political tool, nothing more, nothing less. And yet, here he was, marrying a baron’s widow with a child, someone with no standing at all. Truly laughable.

Still, for some strange reason, Soletin felt that if it were Macaron, he might see it through to the end.

‘Bringing her here means he intends to show everyone that he will make her Empress.’

When the Empress’s seat was vacant, it was an important bargaining chip, allowing the nobility to be weighed and measured.

‘To throw away the easy path and choose the thorny one…’

A choice completely opposite to Soletin’s, who had survived by cutting people away to keep his throne. He wanted to test Macaron once more. To see just how far his ability reached.

O son who would write a new history.

“You will march on the Kingdom of Mitnut.”

“……”

“I appoint Macaron as commander-in-chief. Prince Macaron, you must repay us with victory!”

After Calypse’s counterattack, Rainer’s face looked as though he had been struck on the head. The nobles supporting Macaron stirred, while Rainer grew pale. With Soletin’s command added on top, Rainer’s eyes filled with venom. He had spent his entire life chasing the crown prince’s seat; he had no intention of giving it up so easily.

“The Imperial Army is positioned at the border with Halatis and cannot leave its post. Surely you don’t intend to fight a war without them?”

“……!”

At his words, the chamber instantly froze again. Then, Marquis Rivert stepped forward, bowing respectfully.

“Didn’t Her Highness the Princess Consort say that Halatis is embroiled in civil war and not in a position to wage another?”

Rainer sneered and cut him off.

“So Marquis Rivert would follow the word of just a woman…?”

At that, Soletin himself barked out that his words were insolent, forcing Rainer to correct himself.

“No, I mean—are we truly going to move the Imperial Army based solely on the Princess Consort’s words? Since when has our Empire become like this?”

His tone was dripping with mockery directed at me. But not a single noble objected. Just as Macaron was about to step forward, I blocked him.

It stung, being dismissed entirely for my birth, but forcing the nobles’ opinion here would only backfire on Macaron. At best, he would be branded as a prince bewitched by his wife. Thankfully, Marquis Rivert spoke up again.

“Then are you suggesting that only the private soldiers of the nobility fight against the Kingdom of Mitnut? Surely that’s not what you mean!”

Rainer’s lips curved in a mocking grin.

“That’s exactly what I mean. If the nobles’ soldiers can settle it, then I don’t mind. But if you expect the Imperial Army to move based on the Princess Consort’s words, I, as the First Prince of the Romanti Empire, will never let it pass.”

No matter how clever the strategy, no war could be won without soldiers. Until now, wars fought without the Imperial Army, using only noble levies, had been extremely rare. To face an entire kingdom that way was essentially a death sentence. As expected, the nobles erupted in an uproar.

“You mean to send His Highness to his death without the Imperial Army’s aid?”

“How could you thrust the Prince into such danger!”

But Soletin only watched silently. As Emperor, he could silence them all in an instant, but true loyalty could only be won if Macaron proved himself here and now. His abilities had long been established, but his years of seclusion had eroded the memory of his accomplishments. If he was to rise again, this trial was essential.

‘But if he really has to fight using only the nobles’ soldiers…’

It was a dizzying thought. They might not even agree to send their troops in the first place.

Finally, after much heated exchange, it was Macaron who silenced them all.

“If we defeat Mitnut’s provocation with only the nobles’ private armies, will you give up your claim to the crown prince’s seat?”

His low, cutting voice startled Rainer, who hadn’t expected such a move. I was just as shocked as the rest. But quickly, I understood his intent. He wasn’t merely thinking of securing the throne. An opportunity like this, to unite the nobles’ forces, would not come often. He clearly intended to settle the matter once and for all before he ascended.

Rainer stared at him, then twisted his lips into a smirk.

“Of course. But if you fail, then you must give up your claim.”

“Very well.”

Raelin shot Rainer a look that screamed Are you insane? But he ignored her, plastering a grin over his face. Outside official occasions, the enmity between the princely couples was glaringly obvious. Their personal relations were none of my concern, but Rainer’s expression still left me uneasy. He was not the sort to let Macaron’s campaign succeed smoothly. He might well scheme more viciously this time to take his life.

The nobles supporting Macaron murmured in protest at this outrageous agreement, but Macaron stood firm, his conviction unshaken. It reassured me a little, yet my worry outweighed it.

Soletin, watching everything closely, finally issued his decree.

“To conquer Mitnut without the Imperial Army will require everyone’s cooperation. That, too, will fall to you, Macaron.”

I had thought he might stop it—but no, he was pressing forward. My mind reeled.

“Until now, the Second Prince Macaron has proven everything required to ascend the throne. If he secures the support of the nobility as well, there will be no reason left to delay naming him Crown Prince.”

At this point, I understood Soletin’s intent. He was pretending to step back while in fact supporting Macaron’s course.

“Two weeks from now, you will march on the Kingdom of Mitnut. Prince Macaron, prepare yourself.”