The Coronation Parade Begins

Dressed in formal attire, I waited for Azu and the others to finish changing.

There was still some time before the coronation parade began, but my nerves made me constantly aware of the clock.

Perhaps it was because I had almost no experience with events like this.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

As I took a deep breath, Azu and the others emerged from the dressing room in their gowns.

I had already seen them during the fitting, but perhaps thanks to the custom tailoring, everyone looked even more beautiful.

"My, you seem nervous. Shall I give you a calming charm?"

"Please. I never expected I'd actually be participating in the coronation ceremony."

At first, I thought we'd just deliver a congratulatory letter and some words, and that would be the end of it.

But when everything unfolded, it turned out we'd be walking in the parade alongside Crown Prince Kelves, putting us in the public eye.

That was why I'd spent a fortune having new dresses made for Azu and the others.

Elza gently extended both hands toward me, grabbed my head, and pulled it against her chest.

Then she squeezed.

"There, there."

"H-hey."

So this was her calming charm.

Unlike her usual priest robes, her chest was exposed, so I could feel the warmth of her skin.

"Come now, you can't do that here."

"Oh my."

Azu forcibly pulled me away.

It was quite comfortable, so I felt a bit of regret, but since it would look bad, I decided to be grateful for the rescue.

"Lively as always, you lot. Looks like you're all ready."

"Crown Prince Kelves. Or should I say 'Your Majesty' now?"

"Come now, that's premature. I haven't been officially crowned yet. That said, you've brought some beautiful flowers with you."

"Thank you. They're my pride and joy."

Crown Prince Kelves came to check on us with his guards in tow.

He usually didn't dress up much, but today, appearance took priority, and he wore heavy-looking clothes dripping with ornaments.

He looked almost like a decorative ornament. Having status seems like quite the burden, I thought.

"I never thought that rascal would become emperor."

"Old man. Are you still going to treat me like a child? I've long since come of age—"

"A rascal is a rascal. If that frustrates you, hurry up and become a fine emperor."

From the back, Duke Dantarg and his wife approached, the duke walking with a splendid cane.

He hadn't been using a cane the last time we met, but I suppose age catches up with everyone.

As Crown Prince Kelves's guardian, he could arguably be called the most powerful person in the Empire aside from the emperor.

If Crown Prince Kelves was the biggest winner, then this man was without a doubt the second.

"Sir, I'd like to go greet the Duke and his wife."

"Of course. I'll come too."

He was also Orleans's former employer.

When I brought Orleans over to greet them, Duchess Dantarg gently stroked Orleans's head.

"You look well. I'm relieved. Are they treating you properly?"

"Yes, my lady. My current sir has been very kind to me."

"I wasn't worried, but if anything happens, do tell me. This is still your home too, you know."

Duchess Dantarg and Orleans seemed to have a good relationship.

That was probably why she had been targeted by the servants… The world doesn't always work out the way you'd like.

"You're wasted as a mere merchant. Why not work for us? I could arrange a barony for you. I could even introduce you to a noble's daughter as a marriage prospect."

"No, I couldn't possibly—"

"Ah, but you're not lacking for marriage prospects, are you?"

Duke Dantarg said this half-jokingly.

No, he was half-serious.

If I said yes here, he'd have things moving in no time, and I'd end up naturalized as an Imperial citizen.

That might not be so bad. I'll keep it in mind as an option.

This was a man who had personally led troops to the front lines during the Fire Dragon incident.

Even with a cane, he showed no signs of frailty.

Orleans was getting her head vigorously rubbed, but she looked a bit happy about it.

"Don't worry about the estate. Your parents are doing well. They've been making all sorts of suggestions, and harvests have increased significantly, improving everyone's lives. It seems nurturing people is just as important as putting them to work."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

Duke Dantarg's estate was where Orleans was born and raised.

The initial conditions were far from ideal, but after various events, things had improved considerably.

They'd been cultivating cotton, but come to think of it, they were also growing olives.

Some of the dishes I'd eaten in the imperial capital might have used ingredients from there.

Thinking about it that way, the world feels quite small.

Before I knew it, it was almost time for the parade to start.

"Alright, let's go. Enjoy the parade, everyone."

"Understood."

A soldier guided us to the starting point of the parade.

Rather than horses, a rare elephant would be pulling a massive cabin.

Seats were arranged atop the cabin, where we would sit and look down upon the people.

The central plaza of the imperial capital, usually open to the public, had been cordoned off, and crowds had gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of the next emperor.

A wave of people, you might call it.

I'd never seen so many people gathered in one place before.

Balloons rose into the sky all at once, signaling the start of the parade.

Then came cheers loud enough to shake the air.

"Quite popular, isn't he? The future emperor."

"Well, of course. The previous emperor was elderly and sickly… The nobles under him were doing whatever they pleased because keeping them in line was difficult, and he literally swept them all away to claim the throne. It's only natural."

"A strong, young king of kings. He's also announced tax reductions, so people might be hopeful that their lives will improve."

I listened to Alexia's and Elza's opinions.

Whether a nation's leader is competent directly affects the country's future.

The emperor or king doesn't make every decision alone, but the final call rests with them.

And it's always the common people who suffer the consequences.

The crowds might be celebrating so grandly because they're placing their hopes for the future in the next emperor, Kelves.

I understood the feeling.

I wondered about our Princess Tianis.

She was a bright young girl, but too young.

Even with Lady Anatia by her side, ruling the kingdom as queen would be a thorny path.

There was also the problem with the Church of the Sun God.

Knowing I'd been entrusted with part of the kingdom's security made me straighten up.

There were surely better-suited people out there, but since I'd formed these connections with the Empire, it couldn't be helped.