2.1 There is No Regression for the Victor

“By the approval of the Council of Elders, the Second Imperial Prince, Mikhail Ivan Osbrandt, is hereby appointed as the Crown Prince.”

The moment Mikhail’s victory was officially recognized, everyone in the Great Hall held their breath. It was effectively an announcement that the Crown Prince, who had enjoyed the second-highest power in the Empire after the Emperor, had now fallen to the status of a collateral branch of House Onegin—no longer a prince, nor even a member of the Imperial Family.

“This cannot be! Considering the loyalty Edwin has shown the Empire all this time, you cannot do this!”

As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, the Empress stood up irritably to protest. Dignity was clearly the last thing on her mind. Since ascending to the position of Empress, she was a woman who had clung to the sole goal of placing her son on the Imperial throne. She had likely been counting down the days until she became the Queen Dowager; perhaps it was only natural that she could not accept this sudden catastrophe.

“Maintain your dignity, Empress. Mikhail challenged according to the proper procedures and the laws of the Imperial Family, and his qualifications were recognized. If the Empress cannot accept the result of a duel approved by the Council of Elders, it will only bring shame upon Edwin’s honor.”

As the Emperor spoke calmly, with a face that looked as though not a single drop of blood would spill even if stabbed, the Empress’s face flushed deep red, and she grew even more frantic, as if she had lost all reason. The sight of veins bulging over her skin—so white it was almost pallid—was quite eerie.

“How can you ignore the hardships Edwin has endured and the devotion he has given for all these years because of some ridiculous test? I do not acknowledge this!”

While his mother raged, Edwin, the party in question, simply sat there in a daze, looking as if he had seen a ghost, unable to believe the situation.

This was nonsense. There was no way he could have lost to some mere mercenary scum. He had even bribed the judges in advance to prepare for any tricks the other side might pull. He should have sensed that things were going wrong the moment the witness, who had promised to rule in his favor, vanished on the day the test results were to be reported.

“Please, calm down…”

A maid standing near the Empress tried to soothe her, stepping behind her, but the Empress swung her arms wildly to shake off those trying to restrain her. Every time she struggled, the lace on her sleeves fluttered ridiculously. The dress she unauthorized copyhad worn to stolen contentflaunt her power shook without any dignity, looking no different from a clown’s performance.

“Let go of me! How dare you lay a hand on me! That thing must have cheated. Give Edwin another chance to be tested fairly!”

Ultimately, the maid, fearing her own head might roll, could not hold the Empress firmly enough, and as she was knocked aside, the hall filled with the sound of hushed whispers. Only then did the Emperor press his hand to his forehead as if he had a headache and spoke.

“The decision will not be overturned. Move Mikhail’s residence to the Crown Prince’s Palace as of today.”

Those words were effectively an order to pack Edwin’s things and evict him immediately. At the Emperor’s firm attitude, the attendants moved diligently and exited the Great Hall. Everyone working in the Imperial Palace knew how to look after their own interests. No one would serve a fallen power.

“The Empress should also return to the Empress’s Palace.”

At the Emperor’s words, the maids who had accompanied her from the Empress’s Palace stood by her side. The Empress glared at the seats where the Council of Elders sat, hoping someone would take her side, but no one rose. They simply sat in their places, looking at the Empress as if observing a beast in a cage. Faced with this starkly different, cold attitude, the Empress let out a desperate cry.

“Your Majesty!”

As the Empress collapsed backward with a single scream, everyone in the Great Hall clicked their tongues and looked away. The Emperor did not answer and turned his head away from her completely. Amidst all this chaos, the catalyst of the storm that had hit the Imperial Palace maintained a calm and composed expression.

Everyone’s mind was filled with questions. For what purpose did the new Crown Prince want the position? No one could forget the state he was in when he first entered the Imperial Palace. He had looked no different from a wild child. Grime streamed from his elbows and the insides of his knees, as if he hadn’t washed in ages, and his brilliant blond hair was so covered in dust that it looked like dull brown hair. As for his clothes, it was a mystery whose he had borrowed; the size was wrong, and he had forced his body into them, tightening them with strings in a most ridiculous fashion. Yet, even then, his eyes shone like stars, possessing a power that captured one’s gaze.

After pushing that soot-covered prince into a bath and scrubbing the grime away, a beautiful boy emerged—so elegant that he overflowed with nobility—leaving everyone in admiration. It had become a famous anecdote within the Imperial Palace that people were horrified once again when that same prince, now looking so refined it was hard to believe he was the same person, displayed the worst possible dining etiquette.

According to various rumors since then, the prince was a person who had not the slightest interest in power. If anything, he was anxious to leave the Imperial Palace. Whenever he received the Emperor’s permission to go on an expedition to the provinces, he was like a child, stamping his feet in desire to unauthorized copyhang out with the mercenaries he had grown [unauthorized copy]up with. People instinctively thought, Since he wants to live out there so badly, why not just give him a provincial noble title and let him live as a hero like he used to? He was so ill-suited for the Imperial Palace that people forgot he was one of the few remaining imperial descendants. Everyone wondered what on earth had possessed such a prince to suddenly challenge his brother.

“Perhaps it was all an act to make the former Crown Prince feel secure?”

When one maid ventured a guess, she was met with the ridicule of her colleagues.

“But isn’t he too simple-minded for that? Anyway, I’m glad he became the Crown Prince. The former one was far too picky. Working in the Crown Prince’s Palace was terrifying.”

It was only natural that a hero, who had run across the land to solve troubles for the citizens of the Empire, was more welcomed than a prince who had whipped people for various reasons at the slightest provocation.

Long live the new Crown Prince! Long live the great and beautiful hero, Prince Mikhail! As cheers echoed through the streets, Mikhail entered the Crown Prince’s Palace—which still bore the distinct tastes of its previous owner—trying to calm his swelling heart, immersed in a dream that no one else could have imagined.

“…….”

Marcel, who had approached Mikhail, swallowed a light sigh and asked.

“Are you satisfied now?”

It was a question asking how he felt now that he had ousted his brother as desired and taken the seat to lead the Osbrants. Mikhail looked back at Marcel, trying to suppress the twitch of his lips.

“You know how long I’ve waited for this day, Marcel.”

The new Crown Prince, who had accepted the results with a solemn expression in the Great Hall moments ago, was gone; in his place [stolen content]stood a shy youth on the verge of a confession. His face, which had instantly relaxed into a stolen contentfoolish expression, was annoyingly stolen contentbeautiful, but the moment Marcel saw that face, his head began to spin.

“Are you speaking sincerely?”

When Marcel asked, feeling that it wasn’t too late to please change his mind, Mikhail smiled, his lips forming a soft arc.

“Of course. I am absolutely sincere.”

“Do you truly intend to take the Duke as your Crown Princess Consort?”

Seeing Marcel’s face clouded with despair, Mikhail spoke in a childish, whining tone.

“He doesn’t have much time left, and that’s the fastest way to pardon the curse, so it can’t be helped.”

Even if he said it ‘couldn’t be helped,’ did he think his obvious intentions were unknown? Having watched Mikhail’s romantic feelings for years, Marcel realized once again that speaking further would only be a waste of breath and shook his head with a sigh. Well, anyway, since the Duke is being offered his life, he probably won’t resist, so it’s better to think of it as a good thing. Perhaps the heavy guilt toward Transis, which he had carried in a corner of his heart, would be slightly alleviated.

“Well… I am merely the hands and feet that move as Your Highness commands, so I wonder if it is my place to give candid advice. You’ve hidden the fact that you were a prince all this time. The Duke will be greatly shocked, so you had better choose your words carefully.”

Surely the Duke wasn’t an idiot; could he really have been oblivious until now? Marcel mistakenly assumed that the Duke had simply turned a blind eye while knowing the truth, but Mikhail, thinking he could finally save the Duke as he wished, didn’t hear a word Marcel said.

Now, his only thought was to go to Frigid, inform him that he had become the Crown Prince, and confess why he had sought the position. Then, while it was technically true, he planned to tell him that in order to use the Heart of Emil—the treasure of the Empire—as medicine, one must have the status of a member of the Imperial Family to claim legitimacy, and therefore he would take him as his Crown Princess Consort. Though he might be surprised, no one could deny that this was the most efficient way to save him. I could do anything to save you. He had imagined the scene of the Duke stroking his hair and thanking him for his hard work so many times that counting the instances had become meaningless.

“I want to leave tomorrow. Is that possible?”

Watching the Crown Prince, brimming with anticipation and drenched in happiness, Marcel clicked his tongue.

“I wonder. Now that the Crown Prince’s Palace belongs to Your Highness, there must be more than a few things to prepare to welcome the new master.”

Even if they had to use the essential items left by the former Crown Prince for now, eventually everything would have to be replaced with new things for the new master. Even if Mikhail delegated everything to the Chief Chamberlain, there were countless other things the new Crown Prince would need to attend to, and it was obvious he would be called from every direction. When Marcel trailed off without giving a definitive answer, Mikhail simply issued a notification.

“I’m leaving as soon as the sun rises, so prepare the gate for use.”

Honestly, how could I stop that stubbornness, that iron will? If I could have stopped him, I wouldn’t have ended up here. Marcel shook his head and finally bowed deeply in acknowledgment.

And finally, the next day. Mikhail, who had barely slept, as if determined to stay awake until dawn, had the carriage ready before Marcel even woke up. He knew the prince was impatient, but still. Marcel wanted to snap that he was being too hasty, but who could stop a young man immersed in the sweet dream of saving the object of his affection? It was a moment when nothing could reach Mikhail’s ears.

Fine, whatever. If he’s happy, I suppose it’s a good thing. With a sneer from Marcel, they hurried their pace more than usual and arrived early at the frozen lake exile site, the scenery of which was incomparably beautiful. Though summer arrived later than elsewhere, it had finally come to Frigid; the frozen earth, which seemed as if it would never melt, had thawed, and the entire land was willingly enjoying the season as fresh sprouts emerged and the temperature softened. Thinking it was a relief to be able to deliver good news on such a beautiful day, Mikhail headed toward the exile site with shining eyes.

Knock, knock. After knocking lightly on the door and waiting for the caretaker, the door creaked open, and an elderly couple greeted the guest. Seeing Mikhail in attire different from usual, the couple looked up at him with puzzled expressions.

Until Mikhail and Marcel arrived, the mansion at the frozen lake exile site was very peaceful. Of course, opinions would differ on whether that state could be called ‘peace,’ but if a situation without conflict or immediate worries could be called peaceful, it was a sufficiently peaceful scene. The Duke’s health was steadily deteriorating, but since this was not something that could be dealt with immediately and had been the case for days, the Duke spent his time quietly staying in his bedroom. His vision had become so dim that it was difficult to recognize people close by, so the only pastime Hyeon could manage was distinguishing the sounds of birds coming from the garden.

Had a guest come to visit? A presence was felt in the garden, and the birds began to fly away busily. If it were Misha, he would burst in through the window; if not Misha, they would visit formally through the front gate. Hyeon looked toward the window for a moment, and after confirming there was no shadow cast outside, he turned his head with a bitter smile. There were no guests who visited the exile site these days, but still, not everyone who came to the island would be Misha—he had held useless expectations… As he bowed his head awkwardly in embarrassment, knock, knock, the elderly caretaker knocked on the bedroom door.

“Your… Your Highness. A guest has arrived.”

Unlike usual, the voice was heavily sunken. Was there any guest who would visit me that the caretaker would introduce with such a solemn atmosphere? Thinking this was strange, Hyeon slowly stepped onto the floor. Fortunately, his strength had not yet waned to the point of needing a cane, so although he staggered for the first few steps, he was soon able to steady himself.

Following the blurred shapes of the hallway and railings toward the drawing room, Hyeon’s face brightened at a familiar pheromone. He didn’t come through the window as usual, but came through the front gate with his master today. Still, I shouldn’t show too much delight. There was nothing to be gained by showing the master that a monitored traitor was welcoming the guest. In truth, since he visited so frequently, the master would know—unless he were a fool—that Misha had an interest in the Duke beyond a normal level, but there was a limit to pretending not to know. Hyeon kept his mouth shut and waited for the caretaker to formally introduce the guest.

“What brings you here today?”

When Hyeon asked the investigator—the monitor dispatched by the Imperial Family—the caretaker, who had been standing stiffly beside him, hesitated before speaking.

“Well, that is…”

Hyeon could not understand at all why the caretaker was so flustered when the guests were familiar ones. Was it because of the news they brought? He had heard that in the capital, festivals celebrating the future of the new Crown Prince were being held daily. It was an era of such peace that the Imperial Princes fighting over the succession was called an unprecedented emergency for the Empire. Transis, the greatest threat to the Empire, had been defeated, and all that remained was to wait for the day of death with such a frail body. So, had they come to say a final goodbye, announcing that they would no longer even come to monitor him? Hyeon looked at Misha with blurred eyes, bracing himself for the situation he had worried about for a long time.

The caretaker, watching the Duke, squeezed his eyes shut and forced out the sentence that had been stuck in his throat.

“Crown Prince Mikhail Ivan Osbrandt has arrived.”

“Hmm…?”

Hyeon doubted his ears at the sudden, unexpected name. Why was the name of the protagonist, who should be receiving congratulations in the capital right now, appearing here? Excluding the most obvious conclusion from his mind, Hyeon laughed as if told something absurd.

“What are you talking about? There is no reason for visit our sitethe Crown Prince to come to [Read on Read BL Novels]such a [unauthorized copy]humble place. Especially at such a peaceful time.”

Moreover, only two familiar faces had entered the mansion. As Hyeon replied with a look of disbelief, the caretaker’s expression turned pale and dark. The Duke failed to recognize at all what the blond youth—who had followed the investigator to the exile site like a puppy that had grown without knowing its own size—was wearing. He simply thought he was dressed more neatly than usual in white clothes. The caretaker felt as if the inside of his mouth were burning black.

To suddenly appear in dazzling formal attire and reveal that he was actually the Crown Prince. At first, the caretaker thought the investigator was playing a cruel joke or trying to mock the Duke. However, the moment he saw the Imperial token on the waist of ‘Misha,’ who had grown from a fledgling into a gallant young man, he could no longer doubt his identity. For there was only one family in this Empire with the wealth to embroider a diamond of a blue light as dazzling as a glacier into such luxurious and delicate craftsmanship, without caring for the cost.