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With the 4th Manager inside the mansion and the Masked Unit outside, any attempt at a terrorist attack would be subdued easily. If I had this level of manpower at the Academy, I’d feel at ease.

— That’s an interesting opinion.

“Thanks.”

— It was nothing. After all, it’s the Executive Manager who’s in charge of the field.

As I brought that topic up to the Minister of the Imperial Household, he just said that it was an interesting opinion and brushed it off. Of course, everyone in this line of work knew that the word ‘interesting’ meant ‘stop talking nonsense and get back to work.’

As expected, it didn’t work. Last time, the Masked Unit came to the Academy because of the Third Honor. Keeping them in the Academy regularly would be a waste.

The reason why I was receiving this exceptional support was because I was robbed of my mansion. It would be difficult if I expected to have this good life constantly, so I should get rid of such foolish thoughts quickly.

— How are the VIPs doing?

“We did a quick tour of the square. They liked it.”

— Haha, the Governor will be happy to hear that.

I nodded at the words of the Minister of the Imperial Household. Because of his age, the Governor was usually quiet. However, he was strangely passionate about managing the square for some reason. He often said that the square was the face of the Capital.

It was similar to how elders spent their time managing flower or vegetable gardens, although the scale was incomparable.

Anyways, if the square he managed was said to be good even by the members of different royal families, he would be very satisfied. He might even die because of extreme happiness.

— It’s good that they’ve already seen it. Wouldn’t it be nice to do the welcoming ceremony in a familiar place?

“You’re right.”

I agreed to have the welcoming ceremony in the square. In reality, I didn’t care where it was held. I was already struggling because of these guys, so where the welcoming ceremony would be held made no difference to me. I only wish it had been done by lunch.

— The Crown Prince will be done soon, so the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager should also prepare.

“Yes, understood.”

Although I didn’t want to go out, I forced myself to get up. I was scared of the possible retaliations if I neglected the Crown Prince.

There was a small disturbance when Ainter’s pupils started to shake, but everyone decided to go to the square in the end. He was probably scared to see the Crown Prince even in his dreams, so he probably preferred the first option between going to meet him and ignoring him.

“Ainter, are you okay? Shouldn’t you rest?”

“It’s fine, Louise. I think the motion sickness came late.”

I felt sorry for him as he forced a smile in response. This time, Ainter was also a victim of the other member’s reckless behavior like I was, so I felt even more sorry.

“It will end soon, so don’t worry. The Crown Prince is busy with other work.”

Upon hearing that, Ainter’s expression relaxed a bit. It was as if I had confirmed that the Crown Prince wouldn’t touch Ainter during the ceremony. He was probably still scared to meet the Crown Prince, but at least he wouldn’t be beaten up.

“It isn’t an official visit, so it will end quickly. Once we get back, you should take a good rest.”

Lather comforted Ainter by patting his shoulder. It seemed like they’d built a good friendship while living together for a semester. From the outside, this looked like a heartwarming situation.

‘Although this is all your fault.’

If these three idiots hadn’t proposed coming to the Capital, none of this would have happened. It seemed like Ainter was thinking the same thing as me since he was looking at Lather with a gaze mixed with half gratitude and half swearing. So, this is what giving the disease and curing them simultaneously meant.

“Thanks for your consideration.”

It was admirable how Ainter thanked him with a smile despite that. That’s the composure that allowed him to survive the Crown Prince’s actions.

It seemed like the mental strength that should have gone to the 2nd Prince ended up going to Ainter. Those who were mentally weak didn’t have the right to survive.

I think I’ve realized one of the reasons why the 2nd Prince ended up falling like that.

With that realization, I turned my gaze elsewhere and saw the restless Irina.

“Irina.”

“Eek!”

She was so startled when I lightly touched her shoulder. I didn’t think she would be this surprised.

“Ah, oppa.”

“You don’t need to be so nervous. After all, the Crown Prince said it’s okay.”

I could understand why Irina was rolling her eyes, looking like a meerkat. She was probably wondering if it was okay for a mere daughter of an Earl family to be in the presence of the Crown Prince and other royalty.

I had originally planned to bring only three of them, but the Crown Prince wanted everyone to attend, so I had no choice but to bring them all. That bastard had a talent for bothering as many people as possible.

“But still, for me to be in a place with royalty…”

Even though I said the Crown Prince had given his permission, Irina couldn’t control her trembling body.

Actually, this was normal. Louise had gained immunity thanks to having spent much time with the club members. Meanwhile, Erich wasn’t afraid when he was with Louise, and Marghetta was a member of a Duke’s family, which was right next to the Imperial family in terms of importance. Only Irina was in a pitiful situation.

“It’s not about royal status; we came here to travel, so it would be strange for others to be here and for others to be absent.”

“Is that so…?”

Irina nodded, but sadly, I was lying. Even if the goal was traveling, there wasn’t a need to call the entire group. This was just the Crown Prince’s passive skill, ‘Suspicion’, being activated.

Domestic nobles who had a close relationship with foreign royalty, and his half-sibling who had given up on the right to the throne, traveling with foreign royalty members. The Crown Prince probably wanted to take this opportunity to check everyone out.

Of course, saying this would probably make Irina cry again, so I put it nicely. Anyway, it was true that the Crown Prince said it was okay to come. I didn’t lie.

‘I’m sorry.’

I quietly muttered an apology that would never be heard. But other than checking their faces, there should be no issues.

The welcoming ceremony proceeded as intended without any issues. Since the Ministers had gathered and discussed things thoroughly, it would be weird if something happened. My only job was to sit in my place and clap or bow, so nothing could possibly happen.

‘He also came.’

I saw a middle-aged man commanding the escort troops as I looked around. He was the Commander of the 1st Army Corps and was in charge of protecting the Capital. He was appointed three years ago, and it seemed like he was still actively doing his best.

Ah, our eyes met. We both quickly turned away our eyes after exchanging a light nod. After all, this wasn’t a happy occasion.

“Do you know him?”

“It’s harder to find someone I don’t know in the Capital than someone I do.”

I bitterly answered Erich’s question. I couldn’t help but know the high-ranking government officials that were in the Capital. After all, they were all potential inspection targets, and that’s why I needed to have their basic information in my head. Also, from their point of view, I was an unexpected guest who could visit them at any time.

“Amazing.”

I looked at Erich, who said that as if it were admirable. Seeing how he said my life as a Civil Servant was amazing, could he also be interested in becoming one?

‘I should really write him a recommendation letter.’

If he didn’t have anything to do after graduating, I should write him a recommendation letter for the Ministry of Finance, Justice or Defense right away. I’m sure Erich will be pleased, too. A man of the Krasius family should experience life as a Civil Servant.

“Today’s small meeting could lead to great friendships among countries. How can one not be happy?”

While I was pleasantly contemplating my little brother’s future, I heard an annoying voice. As I turned around, I saw that the Crown Prince was delivering the welcome speech on the stage.

Since the Crown Prince, who tended to avoid long speeches was now speaking, the event was surely about to end.

I was listening to the Crown Prince’s welcome speech in a relaxed manner when the normal content of the speech started to drift off course.

“An unexpected visit is always more welcome than a known guest.”

Huh?

“There are times when light steps are more welcome than the heavy ones.”

What?

“The Empire is the Empire because it’s where everything and everyone gathers. Hence, anyone can visit it and will be welcomed with an open heart.”

Crown Prince, you bastard.

‘So you’ve also gone crazy.’

I bit my lip slightly at the emotion that was welling up deep within to hold myself back. Otherwise, I would have burst out in a standing ovation and said something in support of the Crown Prince.

That’s right, this is my country. This is a proper welcome speech.

‘As expected, status is everything.’

A lowly successor like myself wouldn’t dare to, but someone as high as an Imperial Crown Prince could easily make backhanded insults against a royal prince or future saint. Even a Royal Crown Prince couldn’t hold a candle to an Imperial Crown Prince, never mind some ordinary heir like me.

An unexpected visit is always more welcome than a known guest? Light steps are more welcome? Any visitor is welcome? On the outside, it sounded like a normal comment welcoming guests. However, there was a meaning behind it. After all, blatantly cursing would cause diplomatic problems.

Speaking differently outwardly and inwardly was a basic etiquette of someone with a high rank. The Crown Prince was practically aiming at the bastard princes who made a sudden personal visit to the Capital without making any previous arrangements. The Empire welcoming them despite them having done that was just a bonus. It was like he was saying that the Empire had the generosity and flexibility to welcome even such individuals.

‘Thanks…’

The Crown Prince had just said something I couldn’t. I was really happy about this unexpected situation.

Choked with emotion, I stared at the Crown Prince after he finished his welcoming speech. Our eyes met, and he nodded slightly before calmly descending from the platform.

In reality, I wasn’t just the Crown Prince’s supporter. It’s more than that; it was a one-body-and-mind relationship. From now on, any challenges towards the Crown Prince were the same as challenging me.

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