By Zephyria 
In the Sierran Empire, studies were usually decorated dimly. Thick, dark curtains were hung over the windows, and books were typically placed with a little space on large, deep bookshelves coated several times with dark glaze. Rubel’s study was no different.
The scent of books permeated the warm and cozy interior. I sat in the chair Rubel offered.
Even though he wasn’t standing that close, I could hear the child’s breathing. It was because the study was so quiet. His dark eyes stared directly at me.
“So, what are you most curious about? I’ll tell you that first.”
“I’m curious if you… have a close relationship with the Nobility Almanac Management and Inspection Department.”
“That… if you say close, it’s close, and if you say distant, it’s distant… To be precise, the Nobility Almanac Management and Inspection Department belongs to my father, not me.”
“His Majesty the Emperor?”
“Yes. After all, it’s the Emperor’s job to keep track of the movements of all nobles…”
Perhaps because it was Rubel’s private study, there was only one chair. I met his dark gaze, which looked down at me as he leaned against the desk. Without hesitation, I asked,
“Do you think that is right, Senior?”
“…”
There was no immediate answer. Ah, I shouldn’t have. I cleared my throat, realizing I had spoken as if questioning him.
The next time I asked, my voice sounded as gentle as if I were soothing a child.
“I’m asking because I don’t know. I’ve never imagined such a thing, so I find it difficult to decide whether it’s right or wrong. You, Senior, have encountered it more and know more about it.”
“You told me something like this once before. That some birds set fire to mountains to catch prey.”
“…”
“The Emperor is the one who prevents the fire from spreading too far. I believe it is the Emperor’s duty to protect the trees and wildflowers nearby, no matter what bird starts the fire. They… Of course, it’s not entirely right, but…”
It was the sound he made when speaking of matters of affection I didn’t understand. A chill settled in a corner of my heart. No matter what bird starts the fire… For some reason, I found myself pondering those words for a long time.
In a corner of the dim and cozy study, Rubel, standing before a wide bookshelf, reached for a safe placed beneath it.
Click. A sound of something opening.
What came out of the safe was a book with a black binding. The cover had only a four-digit number embossed on it. The child fumbled through the bookshelf and took out another book. This one had a cover I recognized.
“This is a common nobility almanac, often seen even at the Academy. And this… is the nobility almanac that can only be seen in the Imperial Palace, by the Emperor. Only one copy is made each year…”
“…”
“This is a copy of the nobility almanac from 20 years ago, which my father gifted one to my brother Richard and me each.”
“20 years ago, could it be…”
“That’s right, the year Brother Richard was born.”
He wanted to make sure his sons knew about the events recorded in the year Richard Flo Searon was born.
I didn’t immediately grasp the Emperor’s intention and didn’t touch the binding.
Rubel smiled sadly, resting one hand on the desk, and stepped closer to me.
“This contains the proof that Brother Richard is truly Father’s child. My brother and I stand on a fair line, and he merely lost our mother early… He gave this to me as well, so that his legitimacy would not be doubted even after Father’s death.”
“That…”
“I’m glad I have this. Only one copy of the nobility almanac for the Emperor is made each year. But how many people made it? Dozens? Hundreds? Thousands? I am someone who has to consider their eyes. The fact that people who know the truth exist everywhere.”
Rubel took a deep breath. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him.
“Make me a fair person.”
His softly whispered words sank deep into my chest. I didn’t even blink. I just stared blankly at his lips moving.
In the Central Plains, too, were there people who fought such unseen battles? How fair and just were the methods they used? In the Central Plains, no information was ever given to me directly. I belatedly worried about what I might have done without realizing it.
Warmth spread across the back of my hand, which couldn’t take a proper breath due to the overwhelming and suffocating feeling.
Rubel calmly cupped my hand. The fact that his hand wasn’t trembling was what bothered me.
“If I become Emperor, and you stand by my side… you will also receive their reports.”
“…”
“I… I don’t want to hide anything from you.”
Unable to overcome the heavy air, I inhaled and exhaled, my lungs feeling tight.
Rubel bit his lip tightly at the sound of my loud sigh. I raised my free hand and stopped him from biting his lip.
His chin, which my fingertips touched, was smooth, without a beard. He was young. I couldn’t read the thoughts hidden within this underdeveloped child at all.
It was difficult. This was the way Sierren had continued for generations. A path followed by dozens, hundreds, thousands of people for tens, hundreds, thousands of years. It was hard for someone as dull as me to immediately judge right from wrong.
Professor Cedric, who taught me Alchemy, had repeatedly emphasized the importance of records. I could now construct dozens of reports coherently. The Sierran Empire was filled with people like me, scattered more numerously than stars.
It was only natural for those with wings to fly, and for those with legs to run. It was also natural for those capable of writing to record…
Should I consider it fortunate that I could share even a part of that with people?
As I remained lost in thought and didn’t answer, Rubel, looking dejected again, asked,
“Did… did I disappoint you?”
“Why would I…?”
“Your expression doesn’t look good.”
“Rather than disappointment…”
I blinked slowly. My hand was still holding his chin and cheek. His face was too close. The moment I realized it, I lightly pushed his chest to create distance.
My heart pounded like a small drum. I felt uneasy.
“I’m curious about how much you know about me.”
“…No, that’s…!”
“It’s fine. I don’t want to hear it.”
Even I don’t know myself well, so how could I be written in this book?
Memorizing and analyzing words was not my job. It never had been. Even if I nagged this child Rubel, nothing would change.
If I didn’t like it, I would have to rise to a position where I could question it.
The Emperor and the nobility almanac, the nobility almanac and the Emperor.
Did that mean my desire to protect this child Rubel had faded?
Not at all.
Just as there was a world only visible once one reached Hwagyeong, it would be right to think about it after making this child Emperor. Once I decided that, there was nothing more to say.
To reassure the child, I put on a smiling face.
“You don’t have to worry. I understand to some extent.”
“Mm. Oh, and… about the Debutante.”
“Yes.”
“With my authority as Prince, I can arrange for those close to me to have a more comfortable Debutante ball by assigning them rooms.”
“…Ah.”
“If it’s alright, may I arrange separate seats for you and Young Lady Philodendor?”
There was no need to refuse. It would be one way to widely announce my presence by the Second Prince’s side. I nodded obediently.
“Yes. Let’s do that.”
“Mmm… Thank you.”
Rubel, his strength drained, was about to collapse onto the floor, so I stopped him and gently stroked his head. After spending a pleasant time in the study, we had a lavish meal together.
My Mother had told me that receiving such a grand reception and returning was also part of etiquette, so I finished the meal with a cheerful smile and returned to the townhouse.
In the end, yielding to Rubel’s stubbornness, I felt a bitter taste in my mouth every time I saw the glaive loaded onto the carriage.
❖ ❖ ❖
Upon returning home, I had no suitable answer for my parents’ question about what I had discussed with the Prince. Sitting before a cup of tea as if being punished, I pondered what I could mention comfortably.
Then, something suddenly came to mind.
“Ah. I should mention that I’ve agreed to escort Young Lady Marianne Philodendor.”
“What?”
“It’s… not a big deal, we’ve just agreed to enter together.”
“My goodness! Michael Ernhardt! How could you say that now!”
I had never known my mother to be a woman capable of such a loud, sharp scream.
I sat dumbfounded before my mother, who was fussing, saying, “Call that Young Lady at once,” or “No, it’s too late.”
It was even more perplexing because I had mentioned, while helping Marianne with her training every Tuesday, the reason she decided to ascend the Yuil Mountains, lest it be misunderstood as romantic affection.
“Is… is that such a big deal? It’s not a big deal, it’s just filling in for a close friend who feels embarrassed to see the face of someone they like.”
“But she’s your Debutante partner!”
“…What?”
“If I had known, I would have had your suit and that lady’s dress made together! My goodness, what color is Young Lady Philodendor’s hair? Her eye color? There are only two weeks left!”
“I believe it’s… purple…”
“Sigh, it’s a relief that the color won’t clash too much. Bring that lady to the townhouse tomorrow morning. I’ll call the artisans too.”
“No, I was supposed to meet her next Tuesday…”
“That’s why I’m sending you, not a messenger. Even if it’s against etiquette, the time is urgent!”
I couldn’t insist on something I didn’t understand. Half-dazed, I nodded.
Not hiding my flustered expression, I looked at my father sitting beside me. I inwardly thought he would understand me, but he looked at me with great pity and clicked his tongue, so I lowered my gaze.
Only now did I realize I had made a very big mistake.
After seeing my parents leave to find suitable dresses and jewelry, I couldn’t understand it until I went to bed.
I recalled Princess Floyd’s yellow dress at her Debutante decades ago… Rubel’s face, who had calmly explained that story, also came to mind, and I felt a sense of injustice.
No, if you knew this, why didn’t you tell me beforehand? A misplaced resentment pricked me.