The next day.
Returning to Eldain Academy from Talonfather's Castle.
A bombardment of opulence awaited me, and I found myself in a gilded carriage without any preamble.
Penelope had presented me to the imperial vassals as a potential betrothed.
'According to the plot, the Empress has the privilege to choose her candidates, and a duke bound by allegiance to Archheim cannot decline….'
In essence, I was f*cked.
Responses varied widely.
She had never previously discussed marriage. For such a princess to select a figure from the shadows as her consort?
This had set the gossip ablaze, literally.
One might expect House Reinhafer and House Steiner, to whom my betrothal was promised, to be in an uproar by now.
But no.
Regardless of how fervently you aspire to the throne, you can't just grasp it, can you?
I abruptly recognized Penelope's crafty strategy.
She was capitalizing on my public persona.
The prodigy scion of a dark family. Yet she feigns affection for the very white knight who saved her life.
A burning question prickles at my consciousness: Why am I perpetually ensnared in these predicaments?
Of course, I'm not implying that the Empress's behavior rivals the terrible antics of Louis, the First Prince.
Yet, this announcement cost me several things.
For starters, it estranges me from my own kin.
House Reinhafer stands at the underworld faction's core, preparing for rebellion.
Along the way, I've become entangled with the Lunatics and now cooperate with them.
Theo, the patriarch, might interpret this as treason and could make an attempt on my life at any moment.
The second implication is just as grave.
A duke like Reinhafer, and a master swordsman with whom I share a history—the Steiner family.
I was apparently betrothed to their second daughter (unbeknownst to me, of course), and now Princess Penelope of the Imperial House steps in?
This seems nothing short of a 'transfer'.
Naturally, they're not pleased.
This issue could quickly spark a turf battle between families.
'Things have spiraled into chaos. Ha, how did this occur?'
"Are you concerned?"
As I mull this over, the dowager princess questions me.
Her smile, ever so slightly, irks me, but I keep my composure.
I remember her reassuring words.
"Princess, you must be very ambitious. Already there are whispers in the palace that I'm a potential suitor for you."
"That's a compliment, isn't it?"
"...."
At my silence, Echidna folds her arms and nods as if she has no choice.
"…You appear to have a newfound sympathy for me. Honestly, I never saw this coming. But now that it has, why not join us once and for all? I doubt your family will celebrate the news, but at least, you won't die."
That's some priceless advice.
Echidna… you're truly on a highway to hell.
Whether you foresaw this or not is irrelevant. What matters is that you delivered me to Penelope.
I suppressed my fury and stared at the princess.
"It's too early to forsake the family. I harbor no love for House Reinhafer, but there's unfinished business there."
"Why so anxious? You have the Empire and me for protection. As you well know, my brother is immobilized for a while, and surely you don't think… the Empire's Princess can't defend her potential husband, do you?"
Penelope somewhat resembles Eleanor today, a distressingly unfair comparison. I have no options. All I can do is choke down my anger.
"In any event, I beg for my life. I refuse to die prematurely. All I want… is a comfortable life."
Up to this point.
Recovering my memories,
Surviving the Inner Lunatic,
And overcoming the lifespan issue.
'I can't even say it out loud. I need to scream into a hole.'
As I pondered this, the carriage lumbered on.
It's one wild journey. Will I have to make this trip frequently now?
Maybe it won't be so bad.
The sole concern is that there's only one good outcome.
Shit.
* * *
Upon my return to Eldain and Sidious Hall, Zitri was the first face I saw. She's a maid with the [Genius] trait, but why her?
For once, I'm relieved to see her.
How much more of her nagging will I endure?
She's bound to question how I ended up courting a princess when I only went to the Imperial Palace for a reward.
I take a deep breath first.
"Welcome back, Young Master."
"…Yes. I trust nothing transpired in my absence?"
My voice wavered, but I delivered the words as calmly as I could muster.
Zitri's response had a slight edge to it.
"Indeed, nothing 'as calamitous' as your ordeal happened, Young Master. Come in. You must be famished, and I've prepared a meal to coincide with your arrival."
Here we go.
I swallowed, then proceeded inside and settled at the table.
I watched as Zitri methodically chopped away at the cutting board, as if she had more cooking to do, and swallowed again.
Finally, she abandoned the task, sighed heavily as though admitting defeat, and sat beside me. Despite everything, her expression remained neutral.
I wonder if she has grown accustomed to me.
A somber thought.
After a span of silent dining,
Zitri suddenly broke the quiet, casting a glance my way.
"...So. What the hell unfolded this time?"
In response to her question, I recounted the day's events candidly.
My encounter with the prince, the ensuing spotlight I attracted. The proposals I had dismissed in the carriage, and Penelope's infatuation surpassing my expectations.
Before we knew it, two hours had slipped by.
Zitri listened, a slight brightness entering her expression.
"So, ultimately, you're undecided about your loyalties."
"Something like that. For now, the Princess is pressing me hard. I am the one under siege. I assure you, there's no glamour in it."
"I figured as much. Even for a scoundrel, I doubted you'd go as far as to disclose your carnal preferences...."
"And what if I did?"
"Hmm. Not much, really."
A displeased frown creased my forehead.
"Why even bring it up? Want to stir the pot?"
"What's your next move?"
Zitri deflected with a casual, bureaucratic nonchalance. It's a tactic I've employed more than once. Usually, I'm on the receiving end.
"For starters, I believe a return to the Reinhafer manor is in order to address any misunderstandings. I'll request a private audience with the Lord Patriarch, and assure the Steliner family that any transgressions were unintentional."
Because I don't want to die.
I omitted the "because I don't want to die" part.
Even that sounded too jerk-ish for my taste.
Damn.
Just piecing together that explanation shatters the madman image. Even becoming entangled in this mess indicates an insane(?) inclination.
Isn't the aftermath too gentlemanly? I sighed heavily at the thought.
Zitri casually sipped her tea.
"Word has it that Rover, the patriarch of the Steiner family, is fiercely protective of his daughter. He might try to kill you. Brace yourself."
"There's an abundance of helpful advice today. Sadly, it all predicts my imminent death."
"I know the path is arduous, but you still have a few years before your Eldain graduation, right? With your potential, I'm sure Dean Noah will keep an eye on you. You don't need to stress about it now, but...."
"That's true. However, Dean Noah taking an interest in me… could be problematic. That person is… unpredictable."
Noah von Trinity. If the four wise men lose interest in me, it's game over. Amidst all this political drama, I risk meeting my end.
Noah might lose interest if I continue showcasing my talents without giving off diva vibes.
And that could blow my cover.
At least until Princess Penelope straightens up.
'I feel like my survival tightrope just got a lot thinner.'
The Lunatics might decide to interrogate me. While I doubt the Lunatics would go as far as suspecting me, the possibility unsettles me.
At this point, I need to show up at the headquarters at least once.
If I don't, even Luna might try to assassinate me.
It's their way of saving face.
A few subtle assassination attempts wouldn't raise eyebrows. The only threat I need to be wary of is the Lunatics.