The Empror's Trap

Faced with this promotion, Kenji accepted it with a clear conscience.

To be honest, with his current authority, even without the title of prince, he was no different from one, and even had more actual power compared to those real princes. Pluvia's exceptional conferral was partly to express her favor towards him to others, and partly to show that after this incident, she had gained some trust in him.

It was also sending a signal to Kenji.

That is, from now on, she was truly tying them together on the same rope.

In the future, anyone wanting to target her would have to consider his position; similarly, anyone wanting to target Kenji would have to weigh Pluvia's stance.

A title that made little difference whether conferred or not, yet forcibly bound the two together, and right after the coup attempt had just ended, this seemed very natural and reasonable.

"Your Majesty! You mustn't be so hasty!" Chancellor Long exclaimed, unable to control his emotions as he urgently spoke up.

Such a casual approach to bestowing the title of prince was a nightmare for him. Beyond the potential chaos this might create in court power struggles, granting such a title to someone outside the royal family could set a problematic precedent. What would happen if other officials performed great deeds in the future? Would they all receive princely titles too?

"What's wrong? I'm not being hasty at all. Kenji's contributions are so significant—if I don't make him a prince, what would my subjects think of me? He's saved my life at least twice. Isn't that enough to warrant a princely title?"

"No, I simply meant that if you wish to bestow such a title, Your Majesty should at least follow the proper ceremony and inform the various departments in advance. But now, Your Majesty has so abruptly named him a prince..."

"Chancellor, the requirement for ceremony when bestowing princely titles hasn't existed since our earliest ancestors. The first princes were named through verbal appointment, often without even receiving lands. This doesn't prevent us from proceeding with the formalities later. Though our Camelot values propriety, we can certainly be flexible when needed. These rituals and procedures are merely decorative—I don't require them at present."

Pluvia understood her chancellor's concerns.

The title had been granted too hastily, without the traditional ceremony or advance notice to the relevant parties. Such actions could be considered reckless.

But that recklessness was exactly what Pluvia wanted.

Without such boldness, these officials wouldn't grasp the situation. Now was the time for radical decisions that clearly demonstrated her position.

Pluvia knew this approach would cause many court officials to align themselves with Kenji. In their eyes, Kenji had been named a prince, making him the emperor's new favorite—following him would be advantageous.

The officials weren't fools. They'd recognize this as Pluvia and Kenji forming a strong alliance. Faced with this seemingly stable partnership, those fence-sitters would inevitably support Kenji.

"...Very well. Since Your Majesty insists, I won't say more."

Chancellor Long was exhausted by the situation. He understood what Pluvia wanted, but this approach seemed too risky. What if Kenji became dissatisfied with just being a prince and set his sights on the throne?

It wasn't impossible. Kenji had revealed such ambitions years ago when he was still a youth. Chancellor Long doubted that someone with such grand aspirations as a teenager would have none now.

He could only hope the emperor had a plan to deal with him.

Along with the princely title came all the privileges someone of that rank should enjoy. Pluvia ordered the renovation and expansion of the Duke Anos mansion, completely transforming it to meet princely standards.

Additionally, Kenji would receive a substantial territory near Luminara City, in the secondary capital. Though not particularly fertile land, it was more than enough for Kenji, who hadn't expected to receive anything tangible—he'd assumed the princely title would be merely honorary.

After leaving the palace, Kenji received congratulations from everyone. When officials wanted to celebrate with him, he firmly declined.

If these had been his supporters all along, he might have accepted. But most of these people had been planning to force the emperor's hand just hours earlier.

They weren't genuinely congratulating him. They were only aligning with him because his power had grown too great, and after weighing their options, they'd chosen to stand with him.

With such people, genuine friendship was impossible—only discussions of benefits and exchanges. Since they were negotiating interests, Kenji needed to maintain the upper hand.

He wouldn't casually accept their invitations. Instead, he immediately expressed his desire to return home. Only then would these officials raise their offers to gain political capital with him.

Soon, news that Duke Anos had been named Prince Anos spread throughout Luminara. Officials who learned of this would quickly inform their colleagues, and surrounding cities would soon know as well.

By then, Kenji had already returned to his mansion.

Or rather, his princely residence.

His foreign mission had been completed brilliantly, and everything since his return had gone smoothly. Now back home, Kenji could finally relax.

Of course, Rinas had returned with him.

Fresh from battle and still covered in dust, Rinas hadn't chosen to rest after the fighting ended. Instead, he had reorganized his troops, tallied casualties, and sorted out the units before rushing back to Kenji's side.

After all, Kenji had entrusted him with command. Not wanting to be away for long, Rinas had arranged for his troops to rest temporarily while he led a group to protect Kenji on his return to the prince's residence.

"I heard that Luminara was able to resist those incoming troops because officials from Prince Anos's household discovered some officials selling and smuggling armor and weapons. Lady Siyue noticed these irregularities and made plans in advance."

Rinas explained. He'd heard this from General Balinos's officers. Though he couldn't verify it, the information certainly wasn't baseless.

"Siyue did exceptionally well this time," Kenji remarked admiringly.

Siyue truly did have social anxiety, but that didn't hinder her abilities. When no strangers were around, she could fully utilize her talents.

In military command and operational management, her learning ability had always been extraordinary—something Kenji deeply admired about her.

"I remember the young lady wasn't always like this. She used to be very outgoing," Rinas said, recalling the Siyue of his childhood.

In his memory, Siyue had always been clever, but not with today's sharpness—her intelligence had been more mischievous then.

Yet when he returned after three years, Siyue had transformed so dramatically that it seemed like she'd become a different person.

Besides, how did the well-bred young lady who once eloquently explained the books of sages in front of countless people turn into a socially anxious person who stayed indoors all day, avoided people, and trembled when she did see strangers?

It was truly strange.