Royal Advisor

I gave Azu and the others a full day off, exempting them from all chores like cleaning and laundry.

Thanks to that, they seemed to have recovered somewhat.

Doing everything in their place was a bit tough, but it was nothing compared to what they went through risking their lives.

Honestly, I'd like to take it easy for a few more days, but a summons from Princess Tianis left me no choice.

I changed clothes and stretched my back, hearing my bones crack.

My shoulders were quite stiff too.

"Azu and Orleans. Also Elza, please come. The other two can stay home and rest in rotation."

"Okay."

"Leave things here to us."

Finn and Alexia were staying behind.

Since Princess Tianis had said she didn't mind about one's origins, it was no longer a problem to bring them to the castle.

Still, they needed rest, and as proof, both of them were completely relaxed.

Resting when it's time to rest. That's important too.

As a souvenir, I bought cream pie from a confectioner in Kassad.

It had apparently become popular among women recently, so I thought it was a good choice.

We arrived in the Royal Capital via portal.

The city had taken damage from the rain of magic, but the streets were busy.

Some people were even selling goods in front of shops that had been destroyed.

What commercial spirit… but I understood the feeling. I'd probably do the same in that situation.

The stone pavement had been patched up, and carriages could travel again.

This vitality made me believe everything would be fine no matter what happened.

Even if the king had died and a young girl inherited the throne.

From gathering information along the way, it seemed the people of the Royal Capital didn't yet know of the king's death.

The royal army's initial response may have been slow, but they completed their mission properly, so perhaps few people questioned it.

However, there were many voices worried about the damage to the castle.

I showed the gate guards the seal I'd received from Princess Tianis and was let in.

I'd been nervous at first, but I was used to it now.

I'd earned the brand of a merchant permitted to enter the royal castle.

Well, it was less about my abilities and more about various circumstances aligning, so it wasn't like I was being invited there as a merchant, but outsiders wouldn't know that.

We were shown to a room newly established for Princess Tianis within the castle.

The annex had taken heavy damage and was completely unusable, and even if temporary, it would be problematic for someone holding royal authority not to have a room in the castle proper.

Inside the room, Princess Tianis and Lady Anatia were seated on a sofa.

However, Princess Tianis was completely exhausted; rather than sitting, it would be more accurate to say she was slumped against it.

"Good of you to come… Have a seat; I'll have tea served."

"Yohane-san, welcome!"

"You both look tired."

Lady Anatia appeared energetic on the surface, but fatigue was visible.

She was just putting on a cheerful front. I sat down as instructed.

Azu and the others stood behind me.

Tea was promptly prepared.

"Ah, you noticed? You're quite observant."

"I'm exhausted. I had no idea a king's work was this tedious and unglamorous. Endlessly listening to reports and requests, making the safest decisions. And you have to consider not just benefits but also how people will feel about your decisions… it's such a pain."

"It's the same thing Father does. Just on a different scale."

Lady Anatia giggled.

I placed the cream pie souvenir on the table, and Princess Tianis reacted to its sweet smell.

First, a maid used magic to check for poison.

Then it was sliced and arranged on plates.

"Only trusted people are here, so you don't need to be so on guard. Kanon tried to force her way here, by the way, so we're holding her down to rest."

"Ah, I can imagine that."

Apparently, she'd been saying things like "I'm fine, let me go to Her Highness!"

She may have been tactless and inconsiderate of others, but her loyalty was genuine.

She was incompetent, but I could see why she was kept close.

Both of them seemed to like the cream pie, and the two boxes I'd brought were empty in no time.

"I crave sweet things because I use my brain so much. Ahh, that was delicious."

"In your current position, couldn't you have the castle chefs make it for you?"

"They have their own work to do. I can't interfere with my personal desires. Especially now, they're also preparing meals for the evacuees."

Many people had returned home once things settled down, but some were still sheltering at the castle. Apparently it would continue until temporary housing was ready.

I was impressed at how much more mature her thinking had become compared to when we first met.

I remembered her being more willful back then.

Lady Anatia's presence might be a big factor.

"Thank you for the treat, Yohane-san. I'll repay you somehow."

"No, you've been taking very good care of us, so please don't worry about it."

I'd been making good profits through the ducal house, so I'd do this much any time.

By the way, I noticed Azu and Orleans had been eyeing the cream pie.

I'd buy some on the way home.

Azu and the others deserved a treat too.

"So, why were we summoned?"

"Right. For now, please continue with the work I've assigned you. You can report to me on that as well."

"Understood."

"Also, the coronation has been officially scheduled."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty Queen Tianis."

I stood and bowed to Princess Tianis.

Azu and the others followed suit.

After a deep bow, I sat back down on the sofa.

"Thank you. Well, I'm not queen yet, though… My elder sister has become a bit mentally unstable from recent events. She's renounced her succession rights and will be transferred to a royal domain for recuperation."

"She wasn't suited for difficult situations. She probably had no desire to inherit the throne anyway."

"I see."

I'd never even met the First Princess, so I couldn't really comment.

"Once I become queen, it'll be harder to meet, but while I have reliable people, there aren't many I can actually trust. So I'm recommending you as a royal advisor. That's fine, right?"

"I'm honored."

It was literally a by-royal-appointment position.

Honestly, given Yohane's position, there would probably be a lot of jealousy and gossip, but knowing I had a direct connection should prevent anyone from acting against me directly.

"Congratulations, Yohane-san. I put in a good word for you too."

"Thank you as well, Lady Anatia."

"No need for 'Lady.'"

"No, your position requires it."

Especially now that she was here as Duke Baroba's representative.

"You'll come to the castle periodically for reports and consultations. I'll pay you properly from now on."

"I see. In that case, I'll gather information at the Merchant Guild."

"Yes. That's what I'm expecting. And also… about Alsarm. We never found out the details of that magic, but it's reasonable to conclude it was the Church of the Sun God declaring war on the Kingdom. Duke Baroba has decided to deploy his military. The kingdom will support this and send reinforcements."

… Finally.

I'd thought this might happen, but war was really beginning.

This information could probably earn me a fortune, but taking on the advisor position meant I couldn't do anything flashy.

So this is what it means to wear a collar.

"The Church of the Sun God is an unknown quantity. The Alsarm army may be formidable, but we'd really like to deploy the main royal army instead of just reinforcements. However, that's not possible since the imperial succession dispute has ended."

"Crown Prince Kelves?"

"Yes. It's surprising that we're having a change of ruler at almost the same time. The last resistance force… who was it again?"

"Wasn't it Carlos?"

"Right, right. They rallied behind a young prince and united other factions and regions, becoming a major force at one point, but Kelves won in the end."

Carlos… that name sounded familiar.

Elza quietly brought her lips close to my ear.

Her breath tickled.

"Alexia-chan's former fiance."

"Oh, him. Come to think of it, he did say he'd become emperor."