Yuria secretly obtained the materials and headed to the imperial palace's office.

As a result, the content of the documents was proven true, and numerous witnesses were springing up from that region.

If it turned out that the crown prince had accepted bribes from these nobles, it would essentially mean he had spearheaded the tax extortion.

'I can't take it anymore. I won't even inherit the throne, and now I'm not allowed to get engaged to the grand duke's house either...'

Of course, the emperor presented rational grounds and even mentioned the future after the succession of the throne.

Thus, she had to accept it and obey, but Yuria only grew more rebellious.

If she was not going to be given even one of those things, then why must she remain a direct member of the imperial family at all?

'I absolutely have to get at least one of the two. I can't stand boring things.'

Unable to suppress her own desires, Yuria intended to take only what she deemed absolutely necessary.

How could she let go of her wish to become emperor as a direct royal heir?

If it was to be a lifelong companion, it was only natural to want someone to her liking.

'I'm not the one who's twisted. It's this imperial family that's warped.'

Yuria recognized the glaring contradiction, but she absolutely did not deny it.

The current emperor maintained stable rule, and the factions that supported the crown prince were solid.

But since the throne had not been granted to her, everything felt empty and futile.

'I won't let it end like this. If this is all I'm supposed to be satisfied with...'

Yuria stopped before the office door and faced the guard knights.

The knights hesitated for a moment, then allowed Yuria to pass.

"The third imperial princess humbly requests an audience with His Imperial Majesty."

"... So, you've come? You said you had something to say?"

Only then did Vanderas lower his folder and glance at Yuria.

Yuria straightened her posture and composed herself neatly.

"I believe this concerns Your Majesty, but as I am worried for the crown prince's well-being, I requested to see you in your office."

"Has something happened to the crown prince?"

"I have gathered documents—would you care to see for yourself?"

"Bring them here."

At Vanderas's gesture, Yuria carefully approached and respectfully offered the documents with both hands.

Vanderas received them from Yuria and quickly skimmed through the pages.

At the same time, his complexion darkened, and the commander of the imperial knights beside him had already sensed the emperor's mood.

"... You're saying all this is true?"

"At first I doubted it, but after a thorough review, I realized it was, indeed, the truth."

"How could he be so foolish! To intimidate tenant farmers! How can you oppress those who are the very foundation of this country?"

Vanderas raised his voice and went over the files again.

The southern lands were rich with accumulated nutrients, with vast plains spreading out closely together.

The commoners living in the southern region had farmed the land for generations, but most of it was owned by nobles.

They had no choice but to rent the land to harvest, and the petty nobles hiked up the tenant fees and exploited the fruits of their labor.

"I too was moved by pity, but since His Highness the Crown Prince is entangled in this..."

"A man who wishes to inherit the throne oppresses the empire's people! Hrmph..."

Vanderas was anguished but could not bring himself to make a decision.

The matter had not yet become public, and the crown prince's honor must be taken into account.

Should he mete out strict punishment, it would also diminish the dignity of the imperial family.

"Your Majesty, may I be permitted to offer some humble advice?"

"... Go ahead."

"I suggest this matter be kept secret, and that you summon the crown prince separately to speak with him."

For the future, Yuria deliberately suggested not punishing the crown prince.

Certainly, it would cause controversy, but they could not depose the crown prince over something like this.

Thus, for now, she backed off, seeking first to gain the emperor's favor.

"So, is that why you brought these materials to me?"

"If Your Majesty is burdened with care and anxiety, the empire will be shaken. For the sake of His Highness the Crown Prince too, shouldn't this end quietly?"

"Yes, that makes sense. Your reasoning is sound. Such a commendable thought."

"I am most humbled and grateful."

Yuria realized everything had aligned perfectly and lowered her head slowly.

No doubt the situation was unfolding exactly as Alter had anticipated.

From now on, she would have to meet regularly with Alter and obtain material to discredit the crown prince.

'I have to be careful from now on. If the crown prince finds out, I'll be in trouble.'

Of course, neither the emperor nor the commander of the imperial knights would reveal she was the informant.

But since she would have to keep checking the crown prince, there was a higher chance her identity could be exposed.

She would have to find diverse ways to put pressure on the crown prince.

'Maybe next time I'll spread it through high society...'

* * *

After his coming-of-age ceremony at the grand cathedral, Alter returned home.

Personal ceremonies like coming-of-age were usually overseen by the Semerune Order.

It was customary to have the ceremony at a local church, but with sufficient wealth, one could choose the cathedral.

In Alter's case, since Duke Illenat spared no expense, he received a solemn blessing from the cathedral's holy apostle.

'If I'd been in the northern region, I'd have just gone through a simple ceremony...'

Alter glanced briefly at the document he had received from the holy apostle and then put it in the drawer.

Just the fact that it was certified by the holy apostle gave the document considerable value.

But as it merely served to prove the coming-of-age ceremony, it held little practical worth.

'I hope the birthday presents are a bit more ordinary.'

Alter often preferred a peaceful daily life to glamorous surroundings.

But as he was staying at the duke's mansion, there was inevitably a luxurious and splendid atmosphere.

It was, of course, connected to the dignity required of nobles, so it wasn't entirely wrong for things to be that way.

'Still, there aren't that many people who'd give me a present.'

Alter had grown up in the northern region, so he had few connections in the capital.

Only recently had he started to make his presence known by participating in social gatherings.

He guessed his birthday would come and go quietly within the mansion.

'Can't exactly be choosy with what I get...'

At that moment, there was a knock and Brillie entered.

She was holding a long box in both hands and had to move carefully.

Alter could only stand there in confusion, watching her quietly.

"Uh... this... is a birthday present for you."

Brillie placed the box on the table and muttered in a low voice.

Alter stared at the box for a moment before speaking softly.

"Um... it looks kind of big?"

"It's not that big. It just looks big because of the box."

"Did you have it custom-made?"

"I thought that would be best."

"May I open it now?"

"Y-yes. I'm not sure if you'll like it, though..."

Brillie kept glancing at Alter nervously.

It was a present she had chosen after much thought.

Although he might not use it right away, there would come a time when he had to show it after becoming a formal mage.

But since it was hard to predict how Alter might react, she couldn't help feeling tense.

"This is... a staff."

Alter pulled a long rod out of the wooden box.

It was quite smoothly crafted, with engravings carved in places.

Most importantly, since it had been made to suit his physique, it seemed comfortable to use.

"I did some research, you know? Apparently it's used for related ceremonies or rituals... They said this place makes the best staffs. So... I asked for a custom order."

Brillie rambled nervously, making all sorts of excuses.

A staff was the symbol of a mage and also served as a luxury item for self-display.

Since ancient mages had always used staffs, it continued as a tradition.

But in actual spellcasting, the staff had no real practical effect; it was only carried in certain situations.

"You got me something really nice. I was just going to buy something simple since I rarely use one..."

Alter examined the staff, touching it gently.

It felt smooth and clean, with a vintage hue.

Since wood was the main material, it was probably less durable, but it had likely been processed to strengthen it.

Even if he used it as a club, it wouldn't break easily.

"You had my dagger custom made for me, so I figured I should do the same."

"My gift was a weapon for combat... but this is just for ceremonies. Isn't the purpose a bit different?"

"I-it's the thought that matters, okay? If I give you a cheap present, it just hurts my pride!"

"Hmm... I understand what you mean. Then I'll accept it with gratitude."

Alter did not argue further and calmly accepted.

Even the dagger he gave her had been custom made, imbued with ice magic attributes.

From Brillie's perspective, she probably felt she had to return the favor with something even more valuable, which is why she purposely picked such an expensive staff.

"Since it's custom made... you must have been preparing this for a long time?"

"That's how all custom orders are, aren't they? The hardest part was getting your measurements."

"I don't think you ever asked for my birth date..."

"How could I ask that directly? I had to find out secretly."

"If you'd asked me, I would have answered honestly."

"But if you had hoped, then got disappointed, that would have been worse. So... this is the way it should be."

Brillie lowered her gaze shyly.

It was a gift for her fiancé, so it was especially meaningful and understandably nerve-wracking.

And considering the dagger she'd received from Alter, she couldn't help but ponder over her choice.

"Then you must be thinking about a present for my father as well?"

"Huh? Uh... that's..."

"Wouldn't it be better to go with me? It might be a little difficult for you alone."

"Well then... could you help me a little? I can at least choose it myself..."

Brillie reluctantly agreed and swallowed her pride.

After all, it was better to give a proper present than to give a wrong one.

Alter watched her with a gentle smile.

'To be so embarrassed over this... maybe I've just been overthinking things?'

For Alter, Brillie was someone awkward yet becoming a little more familiar each day.

Since their engagement was for political reasons, it was hard to truly bridge the fundamental distance between them.

But if a single present could trouble her this much, did they really need to be so bound by formality?

'Whether it's destiny or not, I'll do what I have to do.'

He had heard from his mother about destiny and the future, but he did not blindly believe in it.

After all, each person's life stems from their own, individual choices.That's why one had to carve out their own fate.

'As long as I can learn magic properly...'

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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