The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 417: Reason for Remaining

Chapter 417: Reason for Remaining

After my talk with Elna.

I headed to the Inner Palace in the middle of the night.

To talk to my mother.

Perhaps already predicted that I would come to her, I arrived at her chamber without being stopped by the palace guards.

However, there was someone unexpected inside her room.

Excuse me. Mother,Trau-niisan.

Welcome, Al.

Sorry for intruding.

Why is Trau-niisan in my mothers chamber?

That question puzzled me but it is just right as I also have something I wanted to ask him.

You look like you got your answer right?

You didnt think that I came to consult with you?

You would never consult with me. You grew up that way after all. You are responsible to come up with your own answer, no one else. It is you we are talking about after all. Now then, lets hear it.

I can never go against this person huh.

Thinking so, I started talking.

I will not marry anyone.

If you do that then it will be hard for you to stay in the capital. You know that right?

I have no intention to fight Leo.

Aside from the two candidates for the throne, your recent achievements far surpassed theirs. Whether you want it or not, some will try to carry you up for power you know?

Im prepared. I like it now. Supporting Leo and making him an Emperor. I will not abandon my stance. If anyone wants to push me against him then.I will eliminate them.

It seems that you really made up your mind huh.

What I am saying is that I am willing to make enemies.

The succession war will be even more intense.

However, if I choose to marry then I can avoid that. The future is the accumulation of the present. If I run away now, it will affect the future.

Thats why I wont run.

As expected of you, Mitsuba-dono.

What do you mean?

Literally. Mitsuba-dono managed to accurately read that Arnold will choose not to marry after all.

I understand my son. Im his mother after all.

So you already knew what I would choose..then you should already know what I am about to say right?

You want me to persuade His Majesty for you right? I dont mind but before that can you hear Traugotts story first?

story?

Trau-niisan rarely makes a move.

He is certainly similar to me but he also has a full understanding of his own influence as a prince.

He may not be aiming for the throne but he is still one of the most influential people.

Being the son of the Empress and the direct younger brother of the Crown Prince, he has the ability to do anything if he puts his mind to it.

He doesnt move because of that.

If he does the status quo would change immediately.

Arnold. I am against marriage. Leaving the emotion part aside, a political marriage in this situation would only impact negatively on both Arnold and Leonard. Choosing one bride means that you have to cut off the other. As long as you aim for the throne, it is better to have as many collaborators as you can.

That is exactly the case. I think that maintaining the current status quo is the most beneficial.

But now that Arnolds reputation has risen, it is no longer for you to remain as the No.2 of Leonard faction. If you stay in the Imperial Capital as it is right now, its inevitable that people will start having strange ideas. They will try to divide you up.

I agree. Leo can not leave the western front after all.

Thats why our father wants Arnold to go to the Dominion. Right now, the Empire can not afford to have another fire. Thats why..I want Arnold to leave the Empire.

Leaving is easy. But no matter where I go, there will still be fire though.

Thats why you want to stay in the Imperial Capital and lay traps for the firestarters. I understand your thinking but you need to broaden your horizons a little more.

Meaning?

It was the result of me thinking it through.

I dont have much choice now. Either I obediently marry myself off or stay in the capital waiting for the enemy to come to me. There was no other option.

I considered joining the border defense force like Lize-aneue but Father would never approve of that.

Joining the border defense is the best option to stay neutral.

That being said, in the unlikely case that Father actually approves, other senior vassals would never do the same. After all, Gordon-aniue has just rebelled.

It would be too dangerous to give a person like me, who is supporting his twin brother in the succession war, control over a large army like the border defense force. Leo is already in charge of the western front. If we feel like it, we could forcibly take control of the Empire. Eric would do his best to prevent that.

However, it seems that Trau-niisan thought of a different option.

I want Leonard to be the next emperor. I am going to do what I can to help you achieve that. I might not be able to assist you like how I assisted our late brother but I can at least help you this once. Iwill be the King of the Dominion.

Trau-niisan!? youyou want to marry Princess Marianne?

Of course, with her consent.

Is that so..Uhh..is that okay.?

This is a marriage of convenience. My personal feelings dont matter. And honestly.I dont want to leave this castle and my lazy days behindbut it is a role that someone must take. There is no other opportunity for me to act like an older brother after all.

Trau-niisan said with a smile.

To think that he would bring it up himself.

I thought that he would absolutely hate the idea so I didnt even consider it an option.

However.

Imvery thankful butit still doesnt solve our fundamental problem.

If Trau-niisan went to the Dominion, sending me off there would no longer be an option. But it still doesnt provide me with the fundamental solution.

Trau-niisan nodded in response.

That is exactly right. Thats whyI want Arnold to come with me. To the Dominion.

What do you mean?

The Dominion was an enemy state until recently. It would be difficult for them to accept a royal of their enemy as their king. Moreover, it is entirely possible that they would want to self-destruct themselves. Thats why we need more people to take care of that problem. I will take on the role of their king. And Id like Arnold to be my Prime Minister. Temporarily that is.

Prime Minister of the Dominion.me?

With this, everyone will fit into places. With the impact of your recent achievements, many people are thinking of pushing Arnold up as a candidate but after a while, it should settle down. At that time, I promise to give my full support to Leonard as the King of the Dominion.

Trau-niisan.

The Crown Prince, Gordon, even Ms.Zandra is already gone Eric has changed and Ms.Lizelotte is at the border. The princes and princesses kept disappearing from the Imperial Capital. I thought at least me should stay behind.for a time like this.

When the Crown Prince was still alive.

It was the heyday of the Empire.

Talented princes and princesses all supported him.

Trau-niisan rarely made a move himself back then as well but he occasionally did. He was following up for his brothers and sisters, helping all of them from the shadows.

However, the Imperial Family of that time is already gone.

Trau-niisans eyes are somewhat lonely.

But.I still have one big problem.

What is it?

It would be over if Princess Marianne rejects me.

Hearing that, mine and my mothers faces stiffened.

After all, it is not a battle with high chance of winning.