“People are complaining about inflation, and they’re blaming the Rave Empire. They say they’re being exploited and that the officials under the control of Rave are all corrupt. Dissatisfaction has been building up.”  Hades calmly rested his elbows on his knees while saying such disconcerting things.

“Do you have any idea why?”

“No major policy change has been passed in Leyca recently, but some people might be up to something. Also… my younger brother has a bad reputation. According to people, he’s the next in line for Grand Duke. He’s selfish and uncontrollable, and everyone looks down on him.”

Jill sighed. Is he really that problematic?
“His Highness Lutiya’s grandfather is the Grand Duke of Leyca, right? Did any of the flames fall on him?”

“I heard he’s in seclusion because of his old age. However, the man who recently became the Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Leyca also came from the Rave Empire, yet he has a good reputation. He isn’t giving in to the pressure from his home country and is pushing ahead with reforms to protect Leyca. His name is Minerd—”

“—Minerd?!”

Hades was stunned into silence by Jill. Rave moved toward Hades and tilted his head.

“Do you know him, Little Miss?”

“N-no, but I feel like I recognize that name…”

To hide her wandering gaze, she leaned her back against Hades’ back and turned away.

—Minerd Theos Rave.

The person Jill knew was a member of the Rave imperial family. Amidst the civil war and the purge, he had defected from the Rave Empire, seeking asylum. He claimed that he wanted to avenge his sister, and that the renunciation of his right to succession was a result of an elaborate trap set by Hades.

In other words, he was the one who instigated the war with the Kingdom of Kratos. By claiming that he was the rightful emperor and that the Rave Empire should be defeated, he gave Kratos the just cause of starting a war.

Jill had met him several times when she was Geraldo’s fiancée. And to put it bluntly, he was a crook. Most of the information he gave was false, so Geraldo didn’t trust him in the slightest.  He was merely used as a portable shrine for convenience. The man himself also seemed to be aware of this, so he couldn’t be said to be incompetent, either.  

Nevertheless, Jill just couldn’t accept the way he tried to garner sympathy by claiming that his sister had been murdered by Hades…

…Then, she realized something.

—that’s right, I’m sure she’s his younger sister.

“…Isn’t Princess Natalie’s older brother called ‘Minerd’?”

Hades nodded in understanding.

“Now that you mention it… No wonder it rung a bell…”

“…Could it be a mere coincidence?”

After Rave asked such a rhetorical question, Hades was lost in thought.

“I wonder about that. Apparently, he’s related to the Duke Fairert from his mother’s side. As such, he was supposedly residing in the Fairert territory… But I wasn’t aware he had absconded to the Grand Duchy of Leyca? His surname is also different…”

“Maybe it’s because he relinquished his right to the throne? He did it amid the repeated deaths of crown princes…”

“He fled the imperial castle in the middle of the night, so he wasn’t officially dethroned. Someone else renounced his right to the throne. Right now, he’s barely a member of the Rave imperial family. Nevertheless, if he were to announce himself as one, both Brother Vissel and the Duke of Leirzatz wouldn’t stay quiet…”

The Duke of Leirzatz was one of the three powerful dukes in the Rave Empire. But why would Hades suddenly bring him up? Hades smiled wryly, as if sensing Jill’s doubt.

“If Natalie’s brother hadn’t run away, Listeard’s brother—Duke Leirzatz’s grandson—might not have become the crown prince and survived.”

That’s a heavy burden, his eyes wandered.

“Listeard wouldn’t necessarily agree, though. But if the Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Leyca is really him, I wonder what Natalie, Listeard, and Vissel would think…”

“H-His Highness Vissel as well…?”

“Vissel bullies Listeard because Listeard’s brother was such a great man. He’ll never admit it, though.”

To take it out on Listeard just because his brother was great… How childish.

However, Jill didn’t say anything and merely bowed her head. It was probably more complicated than she thought.

“I’ve never met him, so I’ve only heard rumors about him. They say he was an excellent person.”

“…What was his name? I’ve never heard of him.”

“Arnold. Arnold Theos Rave… The reason I didn’t use his name is because no one refers to him by that out of courtesy.”

That’s also heavy. This is also the Goddess’ fault.

Having decided, Jill raised her head.

“—So, right now, in Leyca, there’s a lot of dissatisfaction with the Rave Empire, and one of the reasons is Prince Lutiya’s behavior!”

“Y-yes? That’s right.”

“Then it’s simple! I just have to reform that class, including Prince Lutiya!”

Hades blinked, while Rave spoke up.

“Is it really that simple…?”

“There’s no point in overthinking it. There’s no saying the people of Rave aren’t doing whatever they want in Leyca, either. They didn’t even hesitate to attack us. Besides, if the future Grand Duke from the Rave imperial family is acting tyrannically, there’s bound to be a lot of discontent, yet Prince Vissel said that no such reports have come in, right?”

“Indeed, but someone in Leyca or Rave might be intercepting them. According to the landlord, very strict restrictions on traveling by boat or dragon have been imposed recently.”

“The attack on us wasn’t actually aimed at us, but rather to keep people from the Rave Empire out.”

If it was aimed at the Dragon Emperor or the Dragon Empress, they’d have been tracked down more rigorously. Rave stretched out.

“So, if we act carelessly without fully understanding the situation, it’ll only make things worse.”

“Exactly. And even if there’s fraud or corruption, in the end, we can’t do anything without evidence.”

Hades was the emperor. He could easily find fault in an enemy and dispose of them, but one slight misstep, and it’d backfire, spreading discontent among the people. They couldn’t just eliminate anyone and call it nipping the problem at the bud. Now that Leyca was already full of discontent, they needed to think carefully about what was going on.

“I’m sure Vissel is doing everything he can right now.”

“I’m sure he would be. This is Prince Vissel we’re talking about. Had Prince Lutiya been trying to get in Your Majesty’s way, Vissel would’ve gotten rid of him already.”

Hades just laughed vaguely and didn’t answer. Rave merely sighed.

“Prince Lutiya is still a child! There’s still plenty of time for him to reform! If he realizes that he can become a great Grand Duke in the future, his discontent may subside! We shouldn’t give up hope! Let’s prove Prince Vissel wrong!”

“…You just want to get back at Brother Vissel.”

“Of course! I’ll do anything, even if it means being a teacher!”

…In the end, she felt as if she were dancing on top of Vissel’s palm. But still! It was her decision, nobody made her do it!

She stood on top of the fluffy bed and clenched her fist.

“Okay, I’ll do my best! I’ll definitely reform Prince Lutiya—eep!”

In the middle of declaring her resolve, someone held her from behind. She fell on her butt, bouncing right between Hades’ legs.

“…Your Majesty.”

“No, you can’t.”

…Unlike usual, he was acting spoiled. Jill was confused when he tightened his grip.

“I like how cool and optimistic you are. I also know it’s for my sake, but I don’t want you to pay attention to other men.”

Understanding what he was complaining about, Jill gently shifted her bare feet.

“H-he’s a student, and he’s still a child…”

“You’re also a child—! You’re eleven years old! The age gap is more balanced! Any man younger than me is my enemy!”

“…Y-Your Majesty, you’re saying such ridiculous things again…”

Concealing her nervousness, she cleared her throat.

“H-have more confidence. They are no match for His Majesty.”

“Do you really think so?”

“I do. After all, His Majesty is good at cooking!”

Clenching her fist, Jill insisted.

“Don’t worry, Prince Lutiya definitely won’t wear an apron!”

“Sorry, Jill. You sound persuasive, but I disagree.”

I personally thought it was a good line… but it didn’t work.

Hades smiled and lightly kissed Jill’s chubby cheek, then he turned off the lights.

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