Chapter 74
When Renato began to voice his worries, Ludweek, saying it was a joke, gently fed him a soft sweet to comfort his desperate younger brother.
"Regarding the military school, it seems they're planning to establish a special class every year, anticipating an increase in noble children. While Count Zeli personally wished to teach at the military school, it's also the nation's intention to use his fame to encourage not only commoners but also nobles to join the army."
"From the nobility..."
"They say the number of soldiers retiring from the frontlines exceeds those enlisting. If that's the case, they'll have to recruit from elsewhere."
"However, the military school and the army are merit-based. Would anyone truly endure such harsh training and aim to become a soldier without being favored just for being noble?"
"Even if they fail and give up, it's the only path left. Those who are not heirs must find a way to make a living somehow. Well, if they're children of high-ranking nobles... they might be given a portion of land and live comfortably."
"If that's the case, we should break their inflated pride at the military school first..."
"Celes already has."
As he sipped his tea and answered as if he'd seen it himself, Renato looked up at his brother.
Wondering where that information came from, Renato looked at Ludweek, who grinned mischievously and pulled a letter from his chest.
"That is...?"
"It's from Celes's cousin, Roberto."
"Cousin?"
"Their grandfather was a Marshal, and their father is a Colonel in the National Army. Either Roberto or his younger brother Liam will eventually succeed the Marshal. Long ago, Father introduced me to them so we could build ties and maintain coordination with both the knight training and the National Army. I suspect they hope for a relationship like the one between Father and the Marshal."
Though Renato had met Roberto a few times in childhood, the brothers had not appeared in public at all since entering the military school, so his memories were vague...
Thinking about exchanging letters with someone whose face he couldn't even recall left Ludweek feeling conflicted.
"Roberto and the others have joined the army and are meant to support the Rotish family from behind the scenes. But if Celes said she wanted to join the army, what would you do, Renato?"
"...What do you mean?"
"I thought you'd chase after her—but was I wrong?"
"I still don't know. No Knight Commander has ever entered the military school instead of the academy. And yet, joining the army..."
Following tradition, Renato intended to become the Knight Commander and serve as the right hand of his brother, the future king. But it was easy to foresee the concubine faction using various excuses to try to bring him down before then.
He knew in his head that only a fool would hand the enemy ammunition to attack with, but his heart felt differently.
"But the one who once led the knight training is now teaching swordsmanship at the military school, isn't he?"
When his ever-indulgent brother offered this advice, Renato clapped his hands and nodded.
"If a Former Knight Commander is teaching at the military school, then it's not strange for a former soldier to become a Knight Commander either."
Moreover, by the time the Third Prince graduates from the academy, Ludweek and Renato plan to gain enough strength to undermine the concubine faction as much as possible.
"Balancing being a soldier and a knight is..."
"It's difficult, but even if Celes joins the army, it would only be for a few years. When she returns to inherit her territory, you can join the knight training."
"I'll speak to Father in advance. It might be wise to get advice from the Marshal while I'm there too. And then..."
Glancing at Renato, who was deep in thought with a serious face, Ludweek also considered how he could support him when the time came.
The current king is someone who ruthlessly ousted his own father and brothers for the sake of the country. He wouldn't grant his son's wish with just a word. First, a detailed action plan considering benefits, losses, and future prospects must be submitted, or he wouldn't even listen.
By the way, Renato had a hard time getting permission to attend the military school, having to rewrite his plan multiple times.
"With the military school and the action plan, things are going to get tough..."
"Brother?"
As Ludweek groaned 'I'm jealous' while covering his face with both hands and looking up at the sky, Renato let out a chuckle. Then the two burst into laughter, savoring the moment, knowing these exchanges would soon come to an end.
"Come to think of it, Celes's adopted sister is the same age as me, right?"
"What about it?"
"She's enrolling in the academy next year."
Renato, who had been blushing and smiling, suddenly turned expressionless as if all emotion had drained from him, and even his voice became cold and low. Ludweek tilted his head, recalling their first encounter at the lake, wondering what could have caused such dislike...
"If she tries to approach you, eliminate her without mercy."
"...That's quite extreme."
Though Celes's adopted sister is part of the Rotish family, Renato would have likely become her classmate if he had enrolled in the academy...
Seeing Renato seriously insist on eliminating her, Ludweek was taken aback but nodded in agreement, thinking that scenario was unlikely.
"That girl said strange things at the lake. Things like events and conquering the Crown Prince. She also acted arrogantly toward Celes..."
When Ludweek saw Celes, who had said she'd only peek through the arch, walking toward the lake, he immediately assigned a knight to accompany her and followed himself. He had watched from a short distance as Celes approached someone standing by the water and began to speak with the girl who turned around.
"She looked more like a fairy than a human—such a fleeting appearance."
"I've never seen someone whose appearance and personality are so mismatched. She's not a fairy—she's a monster, isn't she?"
"A monster that drinks human blood? ...That might suit her too."
"Brother, please don't take any interest in her."
"I am curious in a different way, but don't worry—there's no way she'll become the Crown Princess."
"Really? You promise?"
Renato held out his pinky, and Ludweek smiled wryly as he hooked his own around it.
Even without repeating 'absolutely' over and over, the Crown Princess is chosen from families carefully selected by the King and Queen. Among them, the leading candidate for engagement is a young marquis's daughter, already renowned for her beauty and brilliance.
To choose that unrefined girl over her would be...
"If she had hidden her true nature, it might have been dangerous. With that appearance, if she begged, I might have forgiven everything."
"Brother... you promised, remember?"
"No need for such a scary face—it was just a joke. Besides..."
There may be many who catch the eye—those who stir a desire to protect, those who could become beautiful and talented women—but the one who looks the most beautiful and captures his heart is only one person.
"Besides...?"
"No, it's about time I go. May I hug you?"
"Of course."
Renato threw himself into Ludweek's open arms and said, "I'll do my best."
After hugging him tightly, Ludweek gently stroked Renato's head and stepped away, walking toward the door. Renato silently watched him go...
"Brother."
He whispered in a small, very small voice.
In the quiet room, that tiny voice echoed. Ludweek tilted his head slightly as if prompting him, and Renato continued speaking the words he hadn't meant to say.
"Are you truly okay with this, Brother?"
Renato waited for an answer without asking what he meant. Without questioning the meaning or saying anything in particular, Ludweek simply smiled and turned his back, leaving the room.
"In that case, I won't hold back."
Facing the silently closed door, Renato whispered even more softly than before.