Chapter 35: That’s Right, Let’s Leave the Capital


    After Rosalia and Salomon returned to their room, I was waiting for Count Ptine Vedett with a cup of tea made by TImona. The spies had worked hard behind the scenes so that this secret meeting could take ce. Count Ptine Vedett oversaw all the spies since he was their Chief.


    He came from above the ceiling as usual just as I was finishing my second cup of tea.


    Thanks for your hard work. Ive made you work extra, sit down.


    I signalled Timona with my eyes and he began brewing tea for Count Ptine Vedett. Timonas skill in making tea is, frankly speaking, superior to that of a maid. ording to him, this is a part of his duty. But I dont remember Helck ever making me tea.


    Count Ptine Vedett sat across from me and spoke.


    This isnt much for a spy.


    The spies in the ceiling twitched at those words. Apparently, that wasnt true.


    Now dont say that. Pass on my thanks to the other spies too.


    If that is what you wish, Your Majesty.


    Is this the carrot and stick A way to manipte impressions? No, theres nothing better than having the spies like me a little but this guy never misses anything.


    Just to confirm Do you want to hear the details of the meeting?


    No, I dont need to hear about it.


    The secret meeting was set up by Count Ptine, so I thought he would have wanted to know what it was about but I was wrong.


    Well, now that my true nature has been exposed, he would have <em>immediately got rid of them </em>if he thought they would pose a problem. Count Ptines top priority is not my will, but my bloodline.


    What do you think?


    It wont be a problem <em>for now</em>.


    I sighed at his words.


    I thought the same.


    Rosalias exnation and the way she secured her role in the capital were brilliant, but they were lies.


    She was evaluating the aristocrats who nested in the capital too rationally.


    After all, they are those whobelled opposing aristocrats as rebels and got rid of them for their own benefit. They are a mass of paranoia and power-hungry people, and they will soon be suspicious and uneasy about Rosalia and will move to eliminate her. Unfortunately, the fundamental principle that drives humans is emotions.


    The only thing that can control them is continuous benefit. If you dont give them benefits all the time, they will move to eliminate you while lightly thinking You <em>might</em> get in the way.


    In fact, they are wary of Count Ptine, who is often summoned by me, because he is from the neutral faction, even though he had dered that he would side with the one who crowns the emperor. Therefore, Count Ptine <em>has been leaking information about me to both factions</em>, though they are only information that can be leaked without any problems.


    Rosalia and Salomon are in danger, but they ran away from the Belbe Kingdom, so they have almost no continuous benefit to offer the aristocrats. What can I do?


    Shall I leave the capital?


    I see, to <em>travel</em>?


    Oh, as expected of the Chief of the Ministry of Intelligence, hes quick. Honeymoons didnt exist here, but that doesnt mean it hasnt happened before. Fortunately, Rosalia and Salomon will ept this because we have a coborative rtionship.


    Yeah. Im too ignorant of what my nation is like. The information that is provided to me about the nation is also limited So, Ive always wanted to tour the nation, and Ill only be going around with my fiance.


    I dont have much knowledge about this world. I dont know how themoners live or how the aristocrats live. I cant stay ignorant when I gain real power.


    I have to start by knowing about domestic politics, international politics and military affairs. The fate of this nation depends on it. I wont be able to stand it if I make a mistake by thinking about things based on the knowledge I have from my previous life.


    In a sense, the timing was convenient, because I can keep Rosalia away from the dangerous pce, and she will be able to see me as a child who is having fun with the person he likes.


    Do you oppose?


    No. I dont oppose to the idea <em>itself</em>.


    So, it depends on how I go about it. Well, I thought so. There are several problems with this.


    There are three problems with this. The first is whether the Chancellor and the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies would agree to it. The second is whether I will be seen as doing Rosalias bidding, and the third is whether it will be seen as an act that will benefit the neutral faction right?


    My objective this time is to tour around the nation. I have to drop everything else, otherwise it would be dangerous.


    First, I will let the Chancellor and the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies decide where I go except for the first ce I visit. This solves the first and second problems.


    By letting them decide my destination, they can move me around as they wish. They can show me what they want me to see and not show me what they dont want me to see.


    To gain something, you have to give up something. In this case, I must let myself be used to some extent.


    Well, Im not saying that I will move exactly like they want.


    And the solution to the third problem will have <em>you stay in the capital</em>, Count Ptine.


    I see


    Count Ptine pondered for a while after saying this.


    What is this? Why does it feel like Im asking my parents if I can stay at a friends house for the first time? Dont make me nervous.


    Your guard wont be a problem, since I can use the spies stationed all over the nation. I will stay in the capital for as long as possible.


    Good. He seems to have given me his permission.


    Ah, please do. And the first ce that I mentioned earlier If those two are deciding where I go then there will both disagree on where I should go first, right?


    Both of them would probably want me to go to their ce and not the others, and they can never know how long the interest of the Emperor, a child, willst. I might immediately say, Im sick of this, and leave.


    Yes, they definitely will.


    We shall say that you decided on where I should visit first, and that its a ce Ive been interested in for a long time.


    It wouldnt be odd for me to visit the ce first if he says that Ive been interested in it for a long time.


    I see, you want to go to Theanabes border? I guess they will ask you to visit Lord Rauls fief after that.


    It is where the mercenaries invaded after all. He will probably try to gloss it over, but it might be possible to expose his weakness, so the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies, who wants to draw out the Chancellors weaknesses, will agree. As for Lord Raul, his fief will be the second ce that the Emperor will visit. Not bad.


    Ill leave that to you. Can you arrange this?


    Please leave it to me Also, you need to be considerate towards the Regent, so you have to return to the capital from time to time.


    Ah, right. That person will be annoying if I leave her for too long.


    Alright. I will return regrly and stay in the capital during winter. I will probably be travelling for a few years


    That is fine. I will send Fabio if I have something to report to you.


    Okay, thanks.


    Now I just have to call those two


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    The Emperors selfishness has started again, someone muttered.


    Youvee all the way to my nation, so Im sure youd like to see more of my Empire, no?


    Yes, well


    The Emperor, oblivious to Princess Rosalias slightly troubled expression, ordered the two Archdukes.


    Im going to travel around the Empire with Rosalia. You may decide where I go. You are to entertain us so that Rosalia and I can enjoy ourselves.


    Thus began a series of journeys that wouldter be known as The Selfish Emperors Tour.


    And with the end of that journey began a turbulent era.