In the first place," Henriette continued, "there is the matter of Henriette's knighthood.

　Otherwise, there's the matter of Henriette's knighthood.

A knighthood ......?
It's a good thing that you are not the head of the marquise if it becomes a felony. I'm sure it is impossible to conceal or hide the fact that it is a felony, so I think my title will be stripped from me.
No, there's no question about it, what's the problem with that?　No, it sounds like you're saying that it's important to Henriette personally, but it's also important to other people, so I'm trying to be accommodating.
It's a good thing I said so. It's a good thing that you have some familiarity with the affairs of the empire to understand that ...... is no longer the head of the family, it means that all authority is automatically given to those uncles. I'd rather destroy the house of Liubrand than do such an unwise thing.

　Then he let out a sigh and blinked his eyes a few times.
　I'm not sure I understand, even from the way he tilted his head.

I've heard that Henriette's uncles are that ......, but is that all you have to do?
It's not so bad if it goes down by itself, but it's definitely going to cause a firestorm while getting others involved. It's not a good time to be in this kind of situation, but it could also be a good time to start a war with the kingdom.
...... How do those people have any real power?
There are two main reasons: ...... or maybe it will be one after all. In the end, it's going to be because I'm disliked.
Well, I thought it would be because they're not well-liked, but I guess the severity of their ...... opponents was more than I expected. Still, you're giving those people real power, what the hell did you do ......?
"I didn't do much,

　A shrug of the shoulders and a scowl, but it really wasn't that big of a deal.
　It's just that the fact that it wasn't that big of a deal was something the Empire couldn't afford to miss.

　The Empire, after all, has the Empire's interests at heart.
　In other words, rather than letting Henriette take the real power, the empire decided that it was still in the empire's best interest to let those uncles take the real power.

　In addition, people saw that the uncles were easier to carry.
　It would be easier to carry the uncles than Henriette, if you handed over the real power to them, to align with them rather than with you.

　And ironically, because of the past mistakes, both the empire and those around it believe that if Henriette is the head of the family, the worst is not going to happen.
　Even though she is not in control, Henriette is still the head of the family.
　If the need arises, the master's authority can forcibly block the uncles' movements, and knowing this, the uncles won't do anything rash.

　You will be able to get a good idea of what to expect when you are in a position to do so.

But if you want to continue, it's necessary for me to remain the head of the family. That's why I'm trying to cobble together a soft landing so that I don't lose my title.
"You're supposed to be the main architect of the emperor's assassination?
It's a good idea to be able to have a variety of reasons for false accusations. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for your country: ......
Does that mean that this generation of emperors was hated by the people?
"It's not that I didn't like it, but I know for a fact that ...... was a part of me that was neglected.

　This generation of emperors was a bit too hasty.

　The empire's longest wish was to unify the continent, which is basically the view of unity.
　But even so, the current emperor was pushing things too far.

　He has waged more wars with neighboring countries than any other emperor in history, taking in more countries and people than ever before.
　There was no small amount of confusion and exhaustion in the empire.
　No, it has not gone away now.

　Although not openly criticized, to the extent that the excuse of assassinating the emperor for the sake of ...... country might be accepted by the people, it has gone too far.

"Especially since we are the front line. I think it would be easier to gain the sympathy and understanding of the people around you if you say something appropriate like you felt the empire couldn't sustain itself like this. However, they can't just let him go free, so they probably decided not to strip him of his knighthood and imprison him in the city or something like that.
You mean, in name but not in substance, no different?
That's what it means.

　The only reason why it would be confusing if people knew that Henriette had been caught is because the speculation would be more likely to spread on its own.
　If it is announced along with such a story, it will not be so confusing.

　And I think there is probably a reason why Henriette has been noticed.
　Because of this, Henriette's capture would allow the emperor's assassination to be handled most amicably.

　Yes, Henriette was caught because she was spotted.

　I don't know to what extent the Kuro Wolf Knights knew what was going on, but if it wasn't for ......, there is no way they would have been in the Liubrand territory.
　I had concluded that the assassination of the Emperor was almost certainly an inside job.
　They could not think of anything other than to capture Henriette, coming to the Liubrand territory where they have the most contact with other countries.

　Well, as I said, it was only after arriving here that Henriette realized that.
　If you had noticed it earlier, there might have been a different present, but ...... is no use saying that.

　It's not that Henriette has anything to do with it.
　It's not a problem if you think of it as a short trip to the imperial capital.

　It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about it.

Anyway, that's why there's nothing for you to worry about. The reason why it is taking so long to discuss this is to buy time for all parties involved to make sure that there is as little confusion as possible. ...... Well, it's possible that they are discussing some of the things that happened afterwards.
Then ...... Oh, you mean the next emperor?　But that's something similar you said before, why can't you just have a normal seniority system or something?
It's a bit of a problem with the rest of the royal family. After all, they are all women.... In the long history of the empire, there has never been a female emperor, so it's hard to decide. But that's our problem. I repeat, there is nothing for you to worry about.
Hmm ...... I see. And surely that's why I'm here, right?
That's what I mean. I'm not going to go so far as to say that none of this makes sense ......, but at least it's not worth the risk.
I see. ......, I guess I'm a little bit premature, huh?

　The figure of Allen, who shared a bitter smile and shrugged his shoulders as he said this, seemed somewhat relieved.

　It seems that he or she really came here because of his or her concern for Henriette, rather than because of some agenda.

"That's unusual for you, isn't it?　...... Were you so worried about Watashi?


"Hmm?　Isn't that obvious? When I hear that you might be imprisoned for a major crime, how can I not be worried?
"-- Ugh.

　I said it jokingly, but it was unexpectedly returned with a serious look on my face, and I'm at a loss for words.
　And that face is definitely a serious face.

　With a slight aversion in your gaze, you speak a little faster.

"Well, but, so you understand that there's nothing to worry about, right?　It would be more of a problem if they were to find out that you are here. I don't know how you got here, but you can go home quietly this time.
Yeah, I'll do that. Oh, just one last question.
"Hmm?　What is it?
The thing about Henriette's uncles that have come up a few times before - do they have children?

　Henriette tilts her head, blinking her eyes at the question she hadn't been expecting.
　I wonder why she cares about it, maybe it has something to do with Allen being here.

　But at any rate, the answer itself is simple.

They have kids?　You shouldn't be there, right?　To begin with, they're only one year older than Henriette. Well, I guess that's not so unusual.

　Although I say "uncles," my uncle is the only one who is related to me by blood, and my aunt only officially became my aunt last year.
　It's a little late to be able to call them all together in the exact sense of the word, as they've been fiancées for a long time and were already like family.

　It's a good thing that they're still older than you, so they're still in power on an interim basis, but in reality, they're more like puppets to the people around them.
　But even so, I was still badly influenced by the people around me, or maybe my character became a shitty one.

　Anyway, that's why they shouldn't have any children yet.

I see ...... and by the way, did you adopt a child or something?
It's not that you can't have a child, it's just that you just got married and it's not that you can't have a child. It's not that you need an immediate heiress: ...... Oh, no, I think I've heard that story before. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. It's just that I haven't heard any details about it, and she didn't tell me.
"I see. ...... Okay, thank you.
"I'm not sure what I wanted to ask after all, but I'll just say you're welcome.

　The same is true of how Allen came to be here and how he found out about Henriette in the first place, but Henriette doesn't ask Allen about such things because she doesn't think it's particularly necessary information.
　If you're not bothered, I'd be lying if I said I didn't care, but if I needed to, I would have told you from Allen, and more than anything else, the situation is the way it is right now.

　Although it may look like we are talking at leisure, we are inside the castle.
　You should only take care of the necessary matters, and if there is something else you want to talk about, we can talk some other time.

　Whether that other opportunity will come is another story.
　At the very least, if things continue as they are, Henriette will be imprisoned and won't be able to see Allen during that time.

　But that's a little late for that.
　This was the one time that was an exception, Henriette shouldn't have met Allen, who was walking his own path in this world.

　So there is no problem--

Then I'm going to go. "See you later.
"...... Yes, also is,

　Thinking that the time would never come, I still said so.

　And then, just as abruptly as he had come, Allen disappears from the scene.
　It's only at that moment that I thought with a sigh of relief that I came up with the idea to get out of the door properly.

...... ah, I see. That's what it's all about, isn't it?

　Suddenly you understand.
　I understand now.

　How did Allen know about Henriette?
　Was he able to come to the capital?
　Did he sneak into the castle?

　A slightly untrue perception of Allen.
　The reason.

　But it was already too late to notice.

...... completely. It's always like this, isn't it?

　If only I had been able to see it a little earlier, there might have been another way.
　Henriette always notices when it's too late.

　As she whispered this, the door to the room was violently opened at about the same time.
　From the other side emerged a familiar figure in jet black armor.

You're supposed to come into a room more quietly, aren't you?　--Lisette
I'm sorry about that. But it was a necessary situation.
I see. So, well, I guess you don't have to ask me what I want, but I'm just going to ask: ...... What the hell do you want with such a rowdy bunch of guys?

　Lysette appeared, followed by others wearing similar armor.
　The number of them was no less than ten, if not more.

　And what they had come here for was a matter of time now.

Yes. Master Henriette, there are now suspicions that you have been linked to the kingdom and betrayed the country. Please come and explain that.

　I let out a sigh, as expected.

　But the problem is that although we can predict these reasons, we don't know who is pulling the strings behind the scenes.
　As long as you can use the Kuro Wolf Knights, you must be a member of the royal family, but I have no idea who would do such a thing.



　But I don't think it's necessary to think about it right away, because I'll be led to that person afterwards anyway.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find your way to the right place. ...... Imagining that and thinking about what would happen afterwards, Henriette let out a sigh again.