SWNOVELXO Chapter 185
[ Chief of Staff of the Empire. Visiting the Wounded Soldiers’ Ward with Your Highness the Second Princess. Ensuring that all patients, and even the attending doctors, focus solely on their own duties… ]
[ You lying here are the true heroes. Those who spilled blood on the battlefield are the ones we honor. As long as you do not harm the Empire, I will support you all my life. At the Chief of Staff’s words, everyone cheered… ]
―Sarak
The Crown Princess, having folded her newspaper, tilted her head in confusion.
“How odd. According to Bel, the Chief of Staff—my brother-in-law—said he wanted some time to rest.”
“Our father was worried that if too much work was piled on him, he wouldn’t be able to enjoy his newlywed atmosphere. So I heard he was trying to reduce his workload bit by bit, yet here he is, taking on tasks directly?”
“Could it be he’s feeling pressured? Is that why he’s working so diligently?”
She thought, chuckling at how peculiar he was, but at that moment, Gnaius spoke up next to her.
“…Um, sister.”
“What is it?”
“Are you feeling displeased at all?”
The sudden question made the Crown Princess look at him as if to say, “What are you talking about?”
“Displeased? What part of me would feel that way?”
“The visit to the Wounded Soldiers’ Ward. That was originally something you were supposed to do next month, was it not?”
It was a method for managing public sentiment that had been effectively used in previous wars. Particularly, the next Emperor, the heir to the throne, would often represent the Empire’s heart.
It was only natural for Gnaius to be surprised, as he expected things to go in that direction this time too.
Kael and Isabelle had already achieved significant results on the battlefield, gaining fame and respect. They had done enough that no one could say anything if they stepped back now.
However, by stepping forward again, could it be perceived as wanting something even bigger? And naturally, the one most sensitive to this would be the Crown Princess herself.
“Wow. Have you reached the point of knowing my schedule? If you have that much leisure, then you should help me with my work.”
“I am helping already… No, that’s not it. Really, are you not feeling hurt or displeased?”
Hearing that, the Crown Princess made a pouty face, showing a hint of exasperation.
She clicked her tongue at her brother.
“What do you think I am? You think I could be that foolish to let something like my position lead me to envy a brilliant God or my younger siblings?”
“N-No, that’s not it.”
If that were the case, Gnaius himself, as well as Isabelle, would have been removed long ago.
The Crown Princess was undoubtedly a good person, but for the Empire, she would never hesitate.
Even if they shared the same bloodline, she would never tolerate any betrayal.
“I actually think it’s fortunate that Bel and my brother-in-law are taking the initiative. To be honest, I was worried whether I should actually handle that schedule.”
“Why’s that? If you went to see the wounded, it would be a tremendous boost for them…”
“Isn’t there a certain qualification needed for that? A sense of shared experience? What would it mean for someone who has never even been on the battlefield to visit them?”
There are those who have remained with the soldiers from start to finish. Therefore, it’s much better to leave the final stages to them.
The wounded soldiers would surely feel a greater sense of pride and patriotism when they received visitors from those two.
However, some might argue there’s no benefit from this at all. There’s a chance that the solid position of heir could sway.
If such a question were to arise, the Crown Princess would simply laugh it off.
In the first place, if her position could be shaken by such a trivial matter, it would mean her abilities were lacking.
And she herself wouldn’t even believe that a mere incident like this would put her position at risk.
Still, she was confident that it was in the best interest of the Empire for those two to take on the work instead of her.
“Each of us is doing what we can in our respective positions. Gnaius, do you see me as someone so desperate that I cling to something merely for show?”
“Absolutely not!”
“Then that’s settled. During that time, I’ll be drafting a compensation legislation for them. It seems His Majesty the Emperor has noticed my intentions and suggested I discuss it with the Ministry of Justice.”
The mention of legislation and the Ministry of Justice made Gnaius perk up.
He was already interested in various laws in the Empire, so he had just found his task.
“Is there anything I can help with?”
“Of course there is. It’s only natural! Already, our father has so much on his plate that he could use three, no, four bodies! If this continues, he might damage his health, so his children must share the burden.”
“Anything for our father and the Empire, I’m prepared to do.”
“Right. That’s what my younger brother should say. The Crown Princess continued with a smile.
“The moment we start drafting the legislation, you’ll be pulling all-nighters with me for several days. How many lives were lost and how many were injured due to this last war? We need to address that quickly without any delays.”
“Yeah. Right now, there’s no room for anxiety or jealousy; that’s the reality.
There’s a mountain of things to do. This is a golden opportunity to make this Empire shine even brighter!
I’m rather grateful to God for having brothers like them, and for having ministers like this around me.
“By the way, is there anything other than official duties for my brother-in-law?”
“I’ve already hinted at Bel to bring it up.”
“The wedding and the Duke title ceremony are both coming up, but he’s been working so hard, I’m worried.”
“…Isn’t that because he has to dedicate himself to the Empire for a long time?”
“Exactly.”
The Crown Princess smiled widely at that. So much so that Gnaius trembled slightly.
It seems the future is bright. Decades from now… please, let Kael come begging me to persuade my sister!
*
“Ha-choo!”
“My Young Master? Have you caught a cold?”
While I was measuring my size, Alexei, who was standing with the clothes beside me, looked surprised and asked.
“No, it’s not a cold. I just sneezed suddenly.”
“That’s a relief. I thought it was because the weather got colder.”
“After braving the harsh battlefield—not just once, but four times—a cold wouldn’t even faze me.”
At that, Alexei nodded vigorously, “Ah! That makes sense!”
In the meantime, the tailor assigned to make the new formal attire took a step back.
The measuring was done, and now he seemed to want to check if there were any specific parts I had in mind.
“Alexei.”
“Yes. Leave it to me. I’ll inform the tailor about our Young Master’s attire style.”
My attendant who has been spending time with me since childhood.
He was originally destined to be the head butler of a Duke, but Alexei’s fate shifted as well.
Once I receive the Duke title soon, that friend will unexpectedly become the Duke’s head butler.
“I’ve heard that he’ll be treated almost like a Count.”
That’s quite a thing. A head butler holding a position equivalent to that of a Count.
Of course, Alexei wouldn’t actually become a Count, but the existing Counts would surely show him that level of respect.
Not only that? Existing servants of our family will gain significantly more influence while I hold the Duke title.
“…I’m a bit worried.”
“What did you say, Young Master?”
“Just suddenly receiving a Dukedom. I wonder if I’ll do well without making any mistakes.”
“What? No way. Young Master Kael, you don’t trust yourself?”
“Oh dear… Young Master, I daresay… every single one of us has worked hard for at least ten years for the Clausewitz family.”
“That’s true.”
“Whether Count, Duke, we are merely serving the lord we are destined to follow. We’ll only work hard to ensure we don’t become a burden to him.”
Seriously. I don’t know who taught him to speak so well.
“The measurements for the formal attire are done. What’s next?”
“We need to go check out the site being prepared for the new Imperial Military Academy by the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Education.”
“Ah. Right. I remember that.”
The importance of commanders and staff has been emphasized more than ever in this war.
Thus, the Ministry of War has joined hands with the Ministry of Education to cultivate new talents.
I practically suggested, “What about this new military academy?”
“Ah! Ah! Alexei!!”
“Yes, Young Master!”
“I just want to rest! I want to do nothing and just play!!”
“Um… isn’t that a calamity you brought upon yourself?”
Sigh. Damn it. I can’t argue against that, which makes it even sadder!