As you approach the pinnacle of power, it is said that you become ruthless. If even family members turn their swords against each other, who can you trust and live with?
Thinking that way, Asha even felt a little sorry for Carlyle.
There was no one he could trust by his side… No matter how much he thought about it, the only one who came to mind was Lionel Bailey.
But even he, once he's married and start his own family, wouldn't his family become his top priority?
Just then, Lionel approached from the opposite side.
"Are you patrolling yourself, Your Highness?"
"Ah, it's just… I had some time to spare."
"If you have time, please rest. Countess Pervaz or His Highness Carlyle, you two seem to be the kind of people who can't stand it if you don't push yourself."
"Is that so?"
Asha smiled a little, grateful to Lionel for nagging her like he did with Carlyle.
Then, she suddenly thought of Lionel when they first met and asked.
"Come to think of it, Sir Bailey seemed to sigh a lot when he first saw me. Did you expect to have such a hard time?"
"What are you talking about? Hahaha!"
Lionel laughed merrily and thought back to that time as he climbed the ramparts with Asha.
"If you promise not to cut my throat, I'll tell you."
"Would I dare harm His Highness's closest aide?"
"His Highness thinks you could kill Sir Raphelt, so he left me in his place."
It was a joke that was too close to reality, and the fact that everyone knew it was what made the joke a little creepy.
Anyway, Asha promised Lionel's safety.
Then he confessed honestly.
"At that time, I thought it was a good thing that people who looked so alike met."
"Yes? You mean me and His Highness Carlyle look alike?"
"In the sense that you're both crazy in your own way."
At that, Asha burst out laughing. She thought she knew why Carlyle often laughed when he was with Lionel.
But it was Lionel who had the knowing look.
"That's the same thing. His Highness Carlyle also laughs as if he finds it funny when he hears something completely rude."
"Is that so? You saw through that even then?"
"Ah, well, at that time…"
Lionel thought of Asha, who looked much more emotionless than she did now.
"At that time, I thought you resembled each other in a different way."
"What other way?"
"As I told His Highness Carlyle, Countess Pervaz at that time looked very much like His Highness Carlyle when he returned from war."
That was an unexpected answer.
"What was it like?"
"Hmm… It was like something was broken, but at the same time, he seemed too sane. He looked sad and lost… It's hard to define in one word."
Then, as if he had suddenly remembered something, he added.
"For example, I wouldn't be surprised if the Countess suddenly attacked His Highness Carlyle and tried to kill him."
"What? Why?"
"That's right. Anyway, I thought that at the time. His Highness Carlyle agreed as well."
Asha laughed in disbelief.
"If I did something like that, I would be killed by His Highness Carlyle on the spot, wouldn't I?"
"Yes. But I thought the Countess wouldn't care about that."
There was a moment of silence.
Then Lionel spoke in a serious voice, as if this was the main point.
"That's what His Highness Carlyle meant when he said to live more like a fox and be more ambitious. The Countess keeps… looking like someone who will disappear once everything is over."
Looking down at Pervaz, bathed in moonlight on the high walls, Asha couldn't decide what expression to make and smiled awkwardly.
"I am the lord of Pervaz. I will not abandon Pervaz first until my life is over."
Then Lionel immediately pointed his finger at Asha.
"That's exactly what I'm talking about. You may think it's an exemplary answer as a lord, but it's actually a very dangerous statement."
"What is it?"
"Where is the Countess' personal happiness in that answer? And do you think someone who has thrown away their personal happiness can last long?"
"… ."
Asha had heard similar things from people in Pervaz, including Decker.
[It's time for you to be happy, Lord.]
[Of course! You should get married, have many children, and live happily ever after like a rabbit family. Ahahaha!]
[Asha, find your own happiness.]
Every time she said in response, "Yes, I will," and smiled it off, but in fact, Asha couldn't quite remember what her own happiness was like.
'Did my father and brothers know what happiness was?'
Having seen nothing but misery on the battlefield and died under the swords of the barbarians, what would they say if they saw me now?
Wouldn't they say that I already look happy enough?
"I… I am happy. What more could I ask for here?"
But Lionel looked at her with a compassionate gaze.
"A happy person doesn't make an expression like the countess. So ask for more."
"...Even if it's ridiculous?"
"Yes! God has said that he will only give opportunities to those who ask for them. If you truly desire and ask for something ridiculous, you will surely come close to it."
Asha briefly imagined herself standing next to Carlyle, who was wearing the emperor's crown.
Carlyle, majestic, with the red coronation mantle over his shoulders and the emperor's orb and scepter in his hands.
And next to him… the shabby herself.
'It's nonsense.'
Asha laughed softly.
But not wanting to worry Lionel any further, she nodded and replied.
"Yes, I will keep that in mind."
Believing that the only thing she truly wanted and desired was for this ridiculous feeling towards Carlyle to disappear as soon as possible.
***
The atmosphere of the aristocratic society has changed completely in just a week since Carlyle appeared in Zyro.
There were no longer any people who called him a servant of the devil or who said that he had irresponsibly left for Perbaz.
"After all, His Highness Carlyle is the one who befits the crown prince."
"That's right. Now that I see him again, I know that for sure."
Such voices could be heard everywhere.
However, Carlyle didn't become arrogant.
'They change their minds faster than flipping a palm.'
He had turned the whole situation upside down before the bad rumors about him could solidify, but there was no guarantee that the current atmosphere would last.
Therefore, he had to find the source of the bad rumors and step on it hard.
"It's been a long time, Archbishop Radrel."
"May the blessings of God be with you. It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness."
The place Carlyle had visited after much deliberation was the first temple of Zyro, and among them, the room of Archbishop Radrel Otis.
The archbishop, who had under him the high priests and ordinary priests and managed the entire diocese to which he belonged, was the highest-ranking clergyman after the pope.
Therefore, Carlyle also showed a respectful attitude, unlike his usual self. Of course, that was not what he was thinking on the inside.
"Do you oversee all the temples in Zyro, Archbishop Radrel?"
"No. Zyro is the capital, so there is another archbishop besides me."
"Even so, since you are staying in the largest first temple, it seems right to ask you about this matter."
"What do you mean by this matter...."
Archbishop Radrel tilted his head with a face that showed no sign of understanding why Carlyle was here.
However, Carlyle did not believe that innocent-looking expression.
"I heard that malicious rumors about me are spreading from the Elahe Temple."
"Oh, come on! How could that be?"
"Hmm, I don't have time, so let's get straight to the point. I've already checked everything, so you don't have to pretend you don't know."
Carlyle crossed his legs and took out a cigarette from his pocket.
"What I'm curious about is..."
He lit the cigarette and took a light drag. It was a considerably rude attitude to have in front of the archbishop, but who would dare to point out Carlyle Evaristo's behavior?
"It's how much you and the Elahe Church are involved with Gabriel Knox."
"Ah, ahaha! What are you talking about? High Priest Gabriel is our temple's most diligent supporter. How much are we involved with him...."
"All in one?"
A puff of cigarette smoke accompanied these muttered words as they dissipated into the air.
"What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"
"Do I have to explain this to you as well?" Carlyle demanded sharply. "I'm asking if the Elahe Church has fallen into the hands of Her Majesty the Empress. It's also a question of whether you have decided to violate the political neutrality of religion."
"T-that's impossible!" Radrel vehemently denied it, but Carlyle thought the sweat forming on his forehead was a more honest answer.
"It seems that Grand Cardinal Gabriel has made up his mind to do so. I don't know if he started it on his own or if he was instructed by the Elahe Church."
"You misunderstand. High Priest Gabriel is only doing this for the sake of the imperial family…!"
"Is it for the sake of the imperial family to put priests in the emperor's bedchamber and key administrative positions while supporting Her Majesty the Empress, to designate the Elahe Church's feast day as a national holiday, and to spread false rumors about me?"
Carlyle's piercing gaze made Radrel unable to meet his eyes. Cold sweat dripped down his face.
Then, Carlyle suddenly spoke in a gentle, seductive voice as if tempting him.
"Or… were these things done without the consultation of Archbishop Radrel or the Elahe Order?"