Water Magician

Editor: Tseirp

The day after the piano arrived at the mansion.

The next-door neighbors came to visit Ryo and Abel's Residence.

Of course, it wasn't unusual for them to visit… it was just that the neighbor happened to be a prince.

"Welcome, Prince Ryun."

"Duke Rondo, my apologies for yesterday."

Ryo greeted him with a bright smile, while Prince Ryun apologized for not being able to visit the previous day.

"Please, think nothing of it. I heard you were summoned to the Palace."

Ryo said this while inviting him into the mansion.

But what caught Ryo's attention was their attire, including Ryun's.

Their hair was neatly tied and fixed with a crown as usual, but the clothes they wore were the type worn when attending the imperial palace… no, it would not have been strange to wear them even before the Emperor himself, formal attire in every sense.

Ryo wore his usual robe, and Abel wore eastern-style attire, but it was closer to what a commoner would wear rather than something one would wear to the imperial palace.

His upper garment was short, down to the thighs, prioritizing ease of movement…

The contrast with the prince's party was striking.

Inside the residence, Ryo personally prepared tea, took a sip, and then asked:

"Your Highness, your attire today seems quite formal…"

"Yes. Today, I have come to request a favor from you, Duke Rondo."

"Sorry?"

Prince Ryun's tone was heavy. Or perhaps it should be called formally dignified.

"I have been officially sealed as an Imperial Prince."

"Congratulations, Your Highness."

"And in line with this, I would like to request your support."

"Support?"

Ryo tilted his head slightly.

And in the corner of his vision, he saw Abel behind him doing the same.

Prince Ryun looked Ryo squarely in the eyes and declared clearly:

"I intend to claim the Imperial Throne."

Ryo and Abel had expected this.

They had discussed it before.

But hearing it directly from him brought a certain weight to the air.

"I wish to ask for your support, Duke Rondo."

Prince Ryun's gaze did not waver as he faced Ryo directly.

It was the gaze of one who had thought deeply, consulted those around him, won their agreement, and decided to walk that path regardless of what awaited.

However…

"I see…"

That was Ryo's response.

Hearing this, Abel was surprised.

He thought Ryo would immediately say, 'Of course, leave it to me!' and accept without hesitation.

A heavy silence fell.

In this scene, the next to speak should be Ryo.

Whatever the response, it was Ryo's turn.

And Ryo knew it…

After a full five minutes of silence—

"Your Highness, please allow me some time to think."

After seeing off Prince Ryun and his party, Ryo and Abel returned to their room and poured themselves another cup of tea.

Ryo's face clearly showed discomfort.

Apparently, he had tried not to show it while Ryun was present.

"Knowing you, Ryo, I thought you'd immediately say 'Leave it to me!' or 'The throne is yours, Your Highness!' and accept it."

Abel said honestly.

Comfortable enough with Ryo to be blunt.

"Yes."

Ryo also understood that Abel would think this way.

"But… the more I thought about it, the less confident I became. Or perhaps, I couldn't feel the responsibility."

"Confidence? Responsibility?"

Abel tilted his head at Ryo's words.

"Confidence about whether I should truly support Prince Ryun."

"Are you saying he's unfit to be Emperor?"

"No, not at all… from what I know, I believe he is fit to be Emperor. But I'm not confident that he is the 'most fit to be Emperor'."

"Ah, because of the other Imperial Princes."

Abel gave a small nod to Ryo's words.

Indeed, the two of them knew almost nothing about the other Imperial Princes.

"I get the confidence part. What about responsibility…?"

"A responsibility toward the people of Darwei."

"A responsibility toward the people of Darwei?"

Abel tilted his head again.

"If this were the Republic of Mafalda in the Western Countries or the Free City of Kwebasa, I wouldn't need to think this far. They have systems to choose rulers through democratic procedures. But… the Kingdom of Knightley, and this Darwei as well, are not democracies. The King or Emperor is not chosen by the people… even if they get a terrible Emperor, the people can only accept it."

"Ah…"

"That's why I believe that the question of who becomes King or Emperor must be considered very carefully at the moment it is decided."

"So, you're saying that you, Ryo, must consider your responsibility to the people before lending your support."

"Yes."

Ryo nodded and took a sip of tea.

Under an absolute monarchy, the people bear no responsibility for the government.

Because sovereignty does not belong to the people.

No matter how wrong the country's path becomes, it is not the people's responsibility.

At least, history would not hold them accountable.

Though neighboring countries might criticize them contemporaneously.

However, under a democracy, the people themselves are responsible for the government.

Because sovereignty belongs to the people.

This does not change whether it is direct or representative democracy.

The actions of the country are the responsibility of the people…

To history.

"During the Kingdom Liberation War, you supported me, Ryo."

"Of course. At that time, I made that choice with confidence. I believed that if you were King, Abel, the people would be happy."

"I-I see."

Ryo stated this firmly, and Abel scratched his cheek, a bit embarrassed.

"At that time, there was no other realistic option besides you, Abel…even now, I can proudly claim that it was the right choice."

"And this time, you don't have that level of confidence yet."

"Sadly, yes."

Ryo let out a sigh.

Then, he continued:

"And this time, it isn't a decision I'm making as just Ryo."

"Hm?"

"It's as Duke Rondo."

"Ah, right. As the Premier Duke of the Kingdom of Knightley. Meaning…"

"I am choosing while carrying the name of the Kingdom."

"Yes, this means it will be seen as which Imperial Prince the Kingdom of Knightley supports."

Abel sighed as well.

Even if the two of them had no such intention, the three Imperial Princes not chosen would see it.

The shadow of the Kingdom of Knightley behind Ryo.

"No matter how much I might claim, 'This is a personal decision,' it would be meaningless. Such disclaimers never hold, no matter the situation. One's public position follows one until they step down from it—and sometimes even afterward."

"True."

"That's why I believe it is necessary to make this decision with great care."

That is something that does not change, no matter the era or the world.

"If, in the near future, technology advances and travel between the Central Countries and these Eastern Countries becomes easy… And if one of the Imperial Princes I did not choose becomes Emperor, this decision could cause the Kingdom to suffer disadvantages."

"Even though no one can know the future, the decisions we make now will affect our standing in the future."

When acting on behalf of a nation, decisions made as a nation must consider the future as well.

It truly was a troublesome matter.

Ryo drained the rest of his tea in one gulp.

"Therefore, let us go gain the confidence we need to make our choice."

"You mean, to investigate the other Imperial Princes."

"Exactly."

When Prince Ryun returned to his residence from Duke Rondo's mansion, he let out a deep sigh.

In front of him, Princess Shio Fen poured him tea.

"Here you are, Ryun-sama."

"Ah, thank you, Shio."

It was just a simple exchange, but there was no bitterness in the air.

After taking a sip, Prince Ryun spoke:

"Duke Rondo refused my request."

"Oh, is that so?"

"He said he needed some time to think."

"I see."

Princess Shio Fen smiled softly and nodded.

Seeing this, Prince Ryun tilted his head.

"Why are you smiling? He didn't agree, you know."

"He didn't say he wouldn't agree. He said he needed some time to think, didn't he? That means there's still a chance."

"Do you really think so?"

Prince Ryun frowned at Princess Shio Fen's words.

To him, it sounded like a polite way of distancing oneself to ultimately decline.

"If he said he needed time to think, then I believe that's exactly what he meant. He probably just wanted some time."

"Hm… But from what I've heard, Duke Rondo was informed of my appointment as Imperial Prince several days ago. If so, wouldn't he have anticipated this request from me? Especially someone as capable as Duke Rondo…"

"That may be true. But perhaps he was considering a different request?"

Princess Shio Fen's eyes glinted mischievously as she said this.

"A different request?"

"For example, requesting an assassination of the other three Imperial Princes as an adventurer."

"Hey…"

"Of course, that's impossible… but Duke Rondo… Ryo-sama—is an interesting person. He might have been thinking of something unexpected that we wouldn't consider."

Princess Shio Fen smiled brightly and continued:

"I believe it would be best to wait patiently for his answer."

TLN: Please read my translations at tseirptranslations.com, I did not give permission to any site to host my translations.

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