The Cresta family is misunderstood by most of the nobility, but there are a few who know their true nature.
And it's often a person of high rank in the royal court.

"Hello, Ed. You're early this year.
Hmm?　...... Oh, Al, is that you?

On the evening of the day that he and Dualis discussed what to do next, Edward was tipping his glass at a tavern in the lower town of the royal capital. His clothes were as simple as those of a commoner, and the atmosphere had changed drastically. Not many people would recognize him as the son of a nobleman when they saw him now.

The person who approached Edward was a young man who looked as if he was a day laborer living for the day, with disheveled clothes and shaggy hair like some roughneck. However, his movements were agile and seamless. To the casual observer, it is easy to imagine that he is quite skilled.
Al, as he was called, sat down next to Edward with a familiar gesture and ordered a heavy drink.

What's wrong?　What about your work?
I'm done for the day. Let me relax.
Don't be ridiculous. Your job doesn't give you time off.

Even as he said this, Edward poured a bottle of sake into the man's glass. He knows better than to let him get so drunk that he can't do his job.

"Well, it's not easy being a big shot. You don't even have time to go out for a drink.
"Well, that's unfortunate. I'm really glad I'm the son of a lowly lord.
"A lowly lord." ....... I don't know what you're talking about.

The man snickered and topped up his glass. The man snickered and topped up his glass, which was instantly empty.

The joke's on you, but are you sure?　Is it really okay for His Majesty's bodyguard to be selling oil in a place like this?
"There are plenty of other knights guarding me. If I'm going to be in the palace, I can't leave my side.
What, you're not going today?
...... That's a tricky thing to say. You make it sound as if you've been going to the palace every day.

Edward chuckled back sarcastically.

Let's not hide anything here. Alford Swoon, Lord Commander of the Guard?
...... You're still scaring me. Can you hear me?

Despite his words, his expression was nothing but a grimace. Perhaps he was expecting it.

Alford Swoon. He was the second son of the Earl of Swoon, and his talent with the sword had been outstanding since he was a child. He is one of the elite young men who have made a career out of their sword skills and have been appointed as the leader of the current king's guard at a young age.
You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their lives. ...... It seems like a strange scene to see him dressed as a roughneck at a tavern in the middle of nowhere, meeting with Edward, who is also sneaking down there. But between the two of them, this was normal.

"So, the reason why the Cresta family came out of the estate earlier than usual is because of what happened to Miss Diana?
"Of course. How can I leave my sister struggling in a palace she doesn't want to be in?
"Struggle," ....... I've heard rumors that Miss Diana is enjoying her time in the palace.
"...... You're not serious, are you?

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

Don't get mad. Don't be angry. I know it's a lot for Miss Deanna to take for granted.
"Oh. The fact that Diana was ordered to enter the palace in the first place was unexpected. Despite the rantings of her father's cronies, Diana's reputation in social circles is terrible. I'm sorry to say, but that's not exactly what you like, is it, little man?
"You're not a little boy, ....... His Majesty is your age, after all.
I'm not a fan of this kind of thing. You can't believe that he grew up in a royal palace, he's so naive.
...... Well, I won't deny it.

I'm not sure what to make of that. In the event that you've got a lot of money, you'll be able to take advantage of it. There is no hiding, no pretense, it is an unspoken agreement.

His Majesty's mother is from the prestigious Mondria family. "Her Majesty's mother came from a prestigious Mondrian family. It's no wonder she tends to be biased.
Your predecessor tried to correct the bias by gradually entrusting you with the duties of the office, didn't he?
Yes. And then, suddenly, he died. His Highness Juke became the king without warning, but he ascended to the throne amidst a pile of ...... uncertainties.
It's not that I'm not a fan of the idea, but I'm not a fan of the idea.

Alford could not help but chuckle. Not only Edward, but all the members of the Crester family have a keen ability to observe and see through others. That's why Edward's assessment is so spot-on and unrefutable.

Diana agrees with him. Politics is not just a matter of having a sense of justice. Even that sense of justice is self-indulgent.


"You're right about everything, but don't say too much. He's slowly realizing what's going on, and he's trying to fix it.
"Huh?　Is this a romantic effect, like Deanna had planned?

I'll cut right to the chase. Alford scratched his head.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.
There is no lack of security in the palace. Until Deanna and Rita got there, even our best Darknesses had trouble figuring out how to infiltrate this place.
You're leaking ...... information by letting Miss Deanna in.
What the hell is this? Don't tell me you didn't see that coming.
Haha, yeah. We're gonna need the Cresters' direct line. I've known from the start that you'd be in the dark.

Edward stared at Alford.

"Did you want Diana in your court, even if it meant leaking information?
"Her Majesty was very much against it. "His Majesty was very much against it, though, saying that he would not allow such a poisonous woman into the Red Rose! He said.
"If you're too stupid to understand Deanna's charms, you'll get your heart broken or something and never recover.
"Hey, don't be such a sissy.

You can't be a sissy." Alford continued with a light touch.

But realistically speaking, even without the pressure from the people surrounding Duarisse, Diana's name would have come up as a candidate for the Red Rose in the near future. There are not many houses that can top the Landrose when you consider their lineage and actual position.
...... So, that's it.

In order to maintain the balance of power in the palace, Diana was placed in the Red Rose. It seems that Dualis and Edward were right in thinking that.

It is true that the support of Duarisse's cronies made it easier to get Diana into the Red Rose. It also made it easier to explain to His Majesty.
You can't resist the pressure of ......?　I'm not sure that the boy has any idea what's going on in his own palace,.......
Not only that, until recently, he completely ignored the existence of the palace.
"That's why people around you were so worried. The struggle for power within the palace has a great impact on the politics of the outside world. It's not good to upset the balance.

Deanna, the Cresters have been handpicked to be the mediators. The most difficult position.

Who will be admitted to the court will be decided by the chief vassals when the time is right. His Majesty will have a say in the matter, but it is safe to assume that the final decision will be made by the chief vassals.
"......, is that so?
The problem is that most of the vassals who decided to take Miss Diana into the palace do not know the truth about the Cresta family.

Edward's eyebrows twitched. He stopped playing with his glass and shot a deep look at Alford.

"Are you sure?　You can tell me that much?
You've got nothing to hide, right?　And it's really not a problem. After all, I've never seen a noble family as noble as the Cresta family.
I don't know what you're talking about.

Edward let it slide, but he understood what he was saying.

A nobleman should serve his country, serve his people, and live for their happiness.
It has been said in the Kingdom of Ergeland for a long time, but very few families are able to do so. But Edward was convinced that his family was one of the few "noble" ones. Perhaps that's what Alford is referring to.

Even if the Crester family were to receive the information, it would not endanger the kingdom. He knows this, which is why he is being so frank.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why. Deanna did much better than I expected.
"Not that Deanna herself wanted to do it. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.
If she's incompetent, she'll try to expand her power, or attack the other side, or make more chaos if she can't control the inside, right?　Even if the front doesn't say anything, she's aware of the situation and is acting the best she can. It's not something an average girl can do.
That's what Diana is supposed to do. After all, your aunt and mother have taught you how to swim in the court.

Edward nodded proudly. Trusting my sister is one thing, worrying about her is another.

"Oh, it was a good decision to include Miss Diana. Even the 'darling princess problem' that no one saw coming has been taken care of thanks to her.
"...... Baroness Shayla Carreld, right?　What kind of princess is she?
It's rare that you don't remember a nobleman's daughter.
I'm sure you've heard of it. First of all, the only girls I remember are the ones that need attention.
"How dare you, you know all the girls of your age.

Edward snickered at Alford's teasing tone. If you keep being introduced to them every social season, you will remember them even if you don't want to, because Edward has an excellent memory. That's all there is to it.

"It's just that this face is good for gathering information about women. Don't change the subject, it's about Miss Shayla.
"Hmm. What do you want to know?


It's who you are. I know most of your background.
...... Totally, sometimes the Cresta family really scares me.

The tone and content of Alford's voice did not match at all. Edward didn't care, he just looked at her and urged her on.

"Miss Shayla... I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what you like.
I don't care what you like.
"I don't care what you like." "...... Yeah, I know. I know.

I'm not sure I've ever talked to her that closely before," Alford said of Shayla.

You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. That's the kind of girl she is.
"......, the kind of temptress that little boys like.
Well...

Edward's thoughts were blunt. Alford nodded, but so did Alford.

"You're in love for the first time, aren't you, little man?
Oh, yes. Mistress Shayla is very guarded, even when it comes to the temporary whims of the king.
You're going to have to go to the palace every day ...... to get her attention. I'm sure you're not the only one.
No. You can't even understand the state of the inner palace to begin with. I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

If it were only for the presence of Her Majesty in the palace, there would not have been much of a fuss, Alford concluded, stirring his drink.

You've got your work cut out for you, little man, with His Majesty's protection.
"He's a man of some merit. I'm not going to deal with a complete incompetent. I'm wasting my time.
...... Well, if you insist, I'll just keep him under observation.
That'd be great. --But thank you, Miss Deanna.

Alford muttered sincerely.

I'm not sure what to make of this. Moreover, His Majesty, who is the most important person, is infatuated with a low status concubine without even looking at the situation. Normally, she would have lost her temper or thrown herself out of the palace, but she understands the entire situation, accepts the "front"'s intentions, and maintains a perfect balance within the palace. If it weren't for Miss Diana, the inner court would have been in turmoil and the politics of the 'front' would have gone haywire in the near future.
"I know it's troublesome, Deanna. You can't just throw her out when she's put in that position. She doesn't know how far the repercussions will go if she makes a bad move. His nerves are not so weak that he would lose his temper under such circumstances.
She's a rare talent. She's a perfect match for the queen.
Are you nuts? You're an idiot. You wouldn't give your pretty sister to that little boy.

Edward said briskly. I'm not sure what to make of this.

In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at our own website. You can't hide from Master Shayla forever if you can't control yourself.
I'll be there to help you out. I'm sure you'll be fine until the ball.
If the ...... situation moves, it will be at the ball.

The opening of the social season is the royal ball held in the name of the king. It is a big event to which all the noblemen in the country are invited.
This year's event is particularly spectacular. It is, after all, the first year of the opening of the royal palace. The royal family will be all dressed up to decorate the palace.

"His Majesty's partner will be the highest-ranking concubine in the court. In short, the Red Rose.
"Diana. ....... Another role to struggle with.
But Her Majesty is desperate to get close to Master Shayla somehow. There's a very good chance something will come up at the party.
......, tell her to pull her weight.
We'll do our best, but don't get your hopes up.

If I'm interpreting Alford's words correctly, it's 'impossible'. Edward held his head.

I'll report it to my sister at .......
Please do. I'm sorry, but Miss Diana is my only hope.
That's really pathetic. Don't work me too hard.

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