Following Ashillya, she led me to an antique and elegant room.

Amusingly, it was the office used by the academy’s principal, but Ashillya naturally took the main seat without caring about that.

Is this what the future Emperor of the Empire must be like?

“Sit down.”

“Thank you for your gracious favor.”

Ashillya naturally offered me a seat, so I bowed my head and sat. Two teacups were prepared on the table in front of the sofa.

Perhaps they were originally prepared for Leonhardt, but I didn’t care much about that. Ashillya also didn’t seem to mind the change in schedule much.

“My little brother has caused trouble.”

“No, I was also rude, so I think we’re even.”

“Haha, are you trying to gloss over insulting the Imperial family like this?”

Tsk, she saw through me.

Ashillya smiled with a small laugh as she drank her tea, and I awkwardly smiled back. After all, she probably won’t execute the second son of one of the families that has supported her to become the Crown Princess.

With that thought, I also raised my teacup.

“I shall rely on the gracious favor of Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

“You have a way with words.”

The tea had a very deep flavor. Of course, I have no expertise in tea… but if Felix’s body felt that way, it must be so.

“By the way, I’m surprised. I didn’t expect the second son of the Astria family to be such an interesting person.”

“…You flatter me.”

I couldn’t tell if it was praise or an insult, so I took it as a compliment. In response, Ashillya simply smiled leisurely while savoring her tea.

“You don’t need to worry too much about that child Leonhardt. His Majesty is also displeased with that child’s misconduct.”

“I understand.”

Hearing Ashillya’s words, I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, if his own son were disgracing the Imperial family by claiming to be royalty, he would not simply overlook it. Someone like that would never have become Emperor. Perhaps Leonhardt’s punishment for this would be that he could not become the Crown Prince.

Although I was relieved to hear Ashillya’s words, I could not feel at ease. Just being in her presence made me unable to let down my guard.

Ashillya Philippe Hamen Urlas.

She was the most dangerous person I had ever met.

While Leonhardt was a hotheaded child who was difficult to deal with, Ashillya was like ice itself. Her abilities and talents…as well as her brilliant rhetoric and politics, she was so outstanding that she was able to win over the nobles who disliked her and eventually rise to the throne.

No matter how much the Astria’s were a founding noble family, I could not let my guard down before her. Who knew when she might use me as an excuse to put a leash on my family?

“You don’t need to be so tense.”

“…How can I not be tense before Your Highness?”

“Well, my appearance is beautiful enough to warrant tension.”

With a mischievous smile, Ashillya’s expression made me awkwardly smile.

She was certainly beautiful, but more than that, I was afraid of making a mistake.

“Indeed, among the nobles, there is high praise comparing Your Highness’ beauty to that of a goddess.”

“Hmm, is that so? I heard people call me a vampire.”

“That is simply petty jealousy from the foolish masses.”
A cold sweat trickled down my back. This woman, Ashillya, was not particularly concerned about her appearance.

Of course, she was not swayed by those who belittled her as vampire-like either. But bringing up such a topic must be to test me.

Faced with her unexpectedly playful yet dangerous words, I could only wet my parched lips with my tongue.

“I’m well aware. So, what do you think?”

“…What do you mean?”

“What do you think of my appearance? Is it to your taste?”

…I couldn’t discern her intent with that question, so for a moment, I almost frowned, but I barely managed to keep my expression in check as I spoke.

“How could I possibly evaluate Your Highness’s appearance? I can only say that you are the most beautiful of all I have seen.”

“I see. Then would you care to hold my hand?”

“…How could I lay my hands on Your Highness’s noble body?”

There was hardly any point of contact between Ashillya and Felix. But with her suddenly saying such a thing, I was about to go crazy.

She couldn’t possibly be looking to find fault, could she? Was this really just playful banter?

As I squirmed uncomfortably in refusal, Ashillya smiled and continued speaking.

“How insipid.”

“You go too far, Your Highness.”

“Shall I bring out your spirit?”

“…Your Highness.”

I involuntarily let out a deep breath, and Ashillya burst into laughter.

“I apologize. It’s been so long since someone has addressed royalty in such a manner that I got a bit carried away.”

“Haha…”

Perhaps she found amusement in my rude address to Leonhardt. But still, I couldn’t talk to Ashillya like that, so I smiled awkwardly.

“It seems I’ve taken too much of your time.”

“Not at all. It was enjoyable talking to Your Highness.”

“You’re not very good at lying.”

I knew Ashillya and Felix were only about two years apart in age, but the way she spoke felt like she was addressing a very young child.

In reality, I was much older, but I didn’t feel bad about her talking to me like that; it was comical.

“I, too, have business to attend to, so let us part ways here.”

“Understood.”

Following Ashillya’s words, I also stood up. As she leisurely walked to leave the room, she suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to me.

“It is well known that I will ascend to the Crown Princess position, but I have not actually ascended yet, so be mindful of that next time.”

“…My apologies.”

“No need to apologize.”

With a small smile, Ashillya continued in a subdued voice.

“If you call me Ashillya, I may consider tolerating it.”

“…I would rather you execute me.”

Though my time with Ashillya was short, for some reason, I felt completely drained.

***
“Haah!”

Bang!

Leonhardt was wildly punching the  furniture in his room.

Unable to contain the rage that rose to the top of his head, he threw a nearby chair while breathing heavily.

“Crown Princess?”

Having heard Felix’s rude remarks towards him, Ashillya’s appearance, and the conversation between Ashillya and Felix, Leonhardt’s head was boiling, and he could not control his anger.

The words “Crown Princess” kept swirling in his mind.

Leonhardt had always believed that, in the end, he would take the position of Crown Prince.

He thought he was better than that utterly vile woman or the man who pretended not to care about the throne while pulling strings from behind the scenes.

That’s why he could go around brazenly calling himself the Crown Prince.

‘Come to your senses. That way, you might at least preserve your life.’

But now…

For that vile woman to ascend without his knowledge? And that madman Felix thought he could insult Leonhardt like that and survive?

Clenching his fist so tightly that his nails dug into his skin, Leonhardt glared as he exhaled.

“How dare these insignificant beings disrespect me?”

Compared to himself, everyone else was inferior.

In talent, in martial ability, in noble bloodline.

He was superior in every way. That fact would never change. Biting his lower lip, Leonhardt finally seemed to make up his mind as he turned to walk away.

‘I must see His Majesty right away.’

To inquire whether it was true that she would be invested as the Crown Princess and to discuss what measures would be taken against Felix for insulting him.

Leonhardt hurriedly tried to leave, but he could only stop when he saw the person standing before his eyes.

“…Step aside.”

“You must be going to see His Majesty.”

Somehow, Ashillya, who had disappeared along with Felix, now regarded Leonhardt with her usual cold gaze.

Creaking his teeth, Leonhardt growled, “I said move aside.”

Though Leonhardt was clearly displaying his rage, Ashillya remained composed. It was as if no matter what he did, he could not surpass her. Naturally looking down on him, Leonhardt bit his lower lip hard at Ashillya’s demeanor.

“It will be useless even if you go.”

“…What would you know?”

“Do you really think you can change something already decided?”

Seeing Ashillya’s mocking smile, Leonhardt felt his head again boiling with rage.

Approaching Leonhardt, trembling uncontrollably from his pent-up fury, with elegant steps, Ashillya spoke in a soft, quiet voice.

“My ascension to that position is already an established fact. You know that is not something the likes of you can change, don’t you?”

“……”

“And…”

Ashillya’s long, slender fingers reached up to Leonhardt’s chin.

Forcibly lifting his drooping head, Ashillya looked him in the eye and said,

“Do not lay a hand on that child. It has been a while since I met such an interesting person.”

With a slight, beautiful smile, Ashillya’s voice was cold and chilling.

“For if you do, even I may not be able to contain myself.”

Leonhardt could only stare blankly at Ashillya’s retreating back, failing to realize he had been overwhelmed.