Koushaku Reijou no Tashinami - Ch 171

The party I

Sparkling gold everywhere.. it's the royal palace.

Even though I am in that beautiful sight, my heart sinks.

This is punishment for me.

Anyhow this is an enemy land.

...... just as far as there is Princess Elle and the Marquis present, it's a battlefield for me.

While having Bern escort me, I stepped in to the hall.

As soon as I entered, a lot of eyes were placed on me.

... while accepting those gazes, I scolded them in my heart, they really must be bored here.. I wish I could laugh, it's so funny.

"It's been a while, Iris-sama"

"It has been a long time, Earl of Sagitaria"

He would still be active as Minister of Finances, but yet I felt somewhere that he has become older compared to when I had met him before.

Is it purely a year of hard work ...?

In the latter case, is it purely due to the battle for the throne, or is there a reason in the financial aspect.

I do not want to hear it because I am afraid that what I think would become true... thinking how to draw out from the conversation is the most important thing.

"How about the physical condition of the Duke of Almeria?"

"I thank you in my father's stead ... My father is cared for by many people but don't worry he is doing fine because my mother is keeping her eyes on him, so I'm feeling much more relaxed. It seems like his complexion looks better than before. "

"Huh ... that's good."

"Perhaps, Earl of Sagitaria, what has been happening these last days is more interesting to spend time, have you been busy lately?"

"Hmm ... ... it certainly might be .... Actually, I am going to go back to the territory soon after this"

"Oh Dear..."

Although I managed to endure not showing how I feel on my face somehow, too much shock hit my chest.

Thoughts about something that would be impossible in normal cases occupies my head, and the scariest is... that I think those thoughts are true...

The Earl of Sagitaria is the Finance Minister. Like my father he is a person who is one of the pillars of the kingdom and it is really difficult for him to return to the territory unless it is a closed holiday.

As the battle for the throne intensifies and he needs to preside over all events occurring in the royal palace, take a holiday at this time? ...... Is not it like saying that the kingdom is dead already?

Earlier evening meetings, the second prince is giving speeches everywhere and turning all nobles to his side.

Even though the first prince have his position and power, the Earl knows how much this will hurt the first prince and affect his position in the battle for the throne unless....

You are in a situation where you have no choice but to take a day off... ... It seems to be the most likely to have happened... Someone must have forced him, perhaps, it has something to do with the Marquis...

"Why?... Did you collapsed as father?"

Are you exiting the battle as father collapsed? ...... I'm trying to ask in words that the meaning is not noticed as I care about surrounding ears.

Earl of Sagitaria, you should be aware of my true intention.

"It is true and bad, I am tired of the bustle in the city, I'm going back to the territory to rest the body and accumulate power so that it can be demonstrated when needed. I can not give up my dreams yet this year. "

I guess from his words that it seems he has not abandoned Prince I, this must be something the prince has indicated him to do.

"Was that so? ... Anyway, if you take holidays now at this time, people with financial problems will also have a headache? In the streets apparently everyone is complaining that the value of food has rised"

"Those rumors seem to be quite bright with the circumstances of the kingdom... Well, I guess it's like that... ...Anyway I do not care what happens with the commerce. Those must be recent disputes of the new merchants. I am agile to solve those issues... "

"Well, that is wonderful, it eases my worries then"

I laughed with my eyes and saw him, trying to indicate that I would be glad to help.

Even so, the Earl of Sagitaria has not smiled. I was asking the real intention of his troubled eyes. Whether I could read his true intentions lurking in the conversation is a wonder.

Eyes often said and explain more than the mouth. The eyes cannot lie.

"Well then, I will excuse myself at this point, if I monopolize you much, I will be stared at by others."

And the Countess of Sagitaria went.

...... It was a satisfying time to hear most of what I wanted to know.

I looked around and a sudden person appeared at the edge of my sight.

...That is Mimosa.