Going back slightly in time.
In what could only be described as her private chambers, Frizion sat face-to-face with Angela Luxinowa and Videre.
She received their reports in her personal room rather than an office like those of Schuls or Cabajid simply because Frizion did not have the same volume of administrative work as her brothers. As the First Princess, Frizion spent her days studying, hosting tea parties for the daughters of the nobility, and serving as the ornamental flower of high society; she lacked a formal, designated position.
Of course, politics were often discussed and decided within those social circles, so in that sense, Frizion was already a significant participant in the political landscape of the Bestia Empire.
While reading the letter Videre had delivered—the personal message from Mercurio—Frizion’s usually soft and smiling expression stiffened slightly. Angela wondered what was written in that private correspondence, but Videre had a general idea of its contents. She presumed it outlined the requirement for Frizion to join the Rebel Army as Mercurio’s subordinate, just as he had explained to her beforehand.
(Her Highness Frizion’s goal was to create a military stalemate between the Subjugation Army and the Rebel Army by throwing her support behind His Highness Mercurio. Then, once both sides were at a standstill, she intended to step in as a mediator to reconcile them. That was her aim. However...)
The Rebel Army, led by Mercurio and his inner circle, had no intention of reconciling with Schuls or Cabajid from the start. For Mercurio, the current situation was both a crisis and a golden opportunity. Considering the current Right of Succession to the Throne, it was almost impossible for Mercurio to ascend to the throne if things proceeded peacefully.
That was precisely why he intended to force a decisive conclusion here and now, eliminating those who stood above him.
However, even Mercurio did not go so far as to wish for his brothers' deaths. To be honest, execution would have been the most efficient path, but doing so would undoubtedly cause the First Prince Faction and Second Prince Faction to erupt in fury. It was clear that such an act would lead to a far more horrific, quagmire-like civil war than the rebellion he was currently spearheading.
To prevent that, his plan was to place his two brothers under house arrest without taking their lives. Even if it did not go that far, the best outcome would be to force them to govern impoverished, remote territories. To achieve this, he had to secure an overwhelming victory in this rebellion.
The Rebel Army Mercurio had previously envisioned would never have been capable of such a feat, but now... yes, with Rei siding with the Rebel Army, it was no longer impossible. Consequently, while Mercurio welcomed Frizion as an ally, he could not accept a stalemate. That was why he had set the condition that she serve under him.
"Her Highness Frizion..." Angela called out to her master with a worried look.
Frizion looked at the letter several times, her eyes brimming with sorrow. "Mercurio... I cannot believe even you intended for this."
Sadness seeped into her voice as she realized that no matter how she moved, she could not stop her brothers from drenching their hands in one another's blood.
"What shall you do?" Angela asked, though she had already anticipated the answer.
Frizion’s outlook had been naive—or rather, Mercurio’s was far more ruthless—but she had already completed the preparations to join the Rebel Army. She had already explained the situation to the nobles in her faction, and they were ready to either follow her or temporarily evacuate to their own lands. Since things had come this far, she could not simply call it off.
(And yet...)
Images of her older and younger brothers crossed her mind before Frizion finally spoke. "It hasn't changed. We will join the Rebel Army as planned."
"Are you certain? His Highness Mercurio has already resolved to force a decisive battle. Things will not proceed as you envisioned, Your Highness."
In response to Angela's confirmation, Frizion nodded, though the sadness in her eyes remained. "Yes. Now that it has come to this, we must end this civil strife as quickly as possible to minimize the hatred they feel for each other, even if only by a little. Besides... if it is Mercurio or Vihera, they should still have the leeway to listen to me, unlike Big Brother Cabajid or Schuls."
If battle was unavoidable, then it should be ended as soon as possible. Angela and Videre both widened their eyes at the resolve that appeared alongside the sorrow in her gaze.
They had misjudged her. That was the thought shared by the two knights. They had half-expected she might simply be paralyzed by grief and fail to act. But Frizion, while feeling that pain, was already turning her mind toward the next step.
(She truly is of Emperor Trajist’s blood. To think I would realize that at a time like this. It is just like Her Highness Frizion that her goal isn't to win the struggle for the succession to the throne, but to end the fighting between her brothers as quickly as possible.)
While feeling impressed, Angela spoke. "Then, how shall we proceed? I have heard that Lord Rei has already been shown to the cottage Your Highness usually uses, so immediately—"
"No, please wait a moment. It will take some time to notify the people in my faction, so leave him be for now."
"But if our course is decided, wouldn't it be better to inform him immediately? Lord Rei would surely be able to rest easier if he knew."
"...Videre, you met Big Brother Cabajid near the castle, didn't you?"
"Eh? Ah, yes. My apologies for causing such a disturbance..."
Even though it was Dune who had provoked the fight, they had been in a volatile situation while carrying the massive bomb that was Rei's presence. Furthermore, an Imperial Guard Knight had appeared. If Cabajid had not intervened, they might have been interrogated by the Imperial Guard Knight then and there. Had that happened, Rei's identity would have certainly been discovered.
As a result, there was a danger that the Imperial Capital itself might have been burned to the ground. Since Videre did not know that Rei required Seto’s power to create a firestorm, she felt a chill run down her spine even now.
"If Big Brother Cabajid saw Lord Rei, we should assume his identity has been discovered. He must have seen him during the fighting tournament, after all."
"But I heard that Lord Rei's robe has a concealment effect..."
Videre recalled the information she had heard while they were camping on the way to the capital, but Frizion merely returned a grave expression. Because Frizion usually wore a soft smile, her presence became even more intense when she turned serious.
"Listen, Videre. You must not underestimate Big Brother Cabajid. He doesn't just read one or two moves ahead. He routinely reads five or six moves ahead. It is best to assume his identity has been seen through."
"...Then, doesn't that mean we should hurry even more?"
If Rei's identity was discovered, then the White Rose Knight Order that brought him—and Frizion, who commanded them—would naturally fall under suspicion.
"From here on, even a small failure will not be permitted. We must proceed with that mindset."
In Frizion's mind, it was a near certainty that Cabajid had noticed Rei. Furthermore, based on the reports of Rei's personality and behavior, she sensed he was someone who hated being bound. She felt that informing a person like that of the current situation in detail might lead him to take some unexpected action.
"Personally, I find him quite likable, though..."
At Frizion's low murmur, Angela and Videre looked surprised. While Frizion generally liked everyone, she had almost never described a person—especially a man—as likable. They hoped it wasn't a romantic feeling, given she hadn't even met him, but considering the feelings her younger sister Vihera held for Rei, both knights wondered if it might be a family trait.
"Um, Your Highness Frizion. Just as a precaution, Her Highness Vihera also feels... toward Lord Rei..."
"Eh? Oh, that? Don't misunderstand. I don't harbor any romantic feelings for this Lord Rei. It's just, he's the one Vihera likes, right? That means in the future, he might become my brother-in-law. I just thought it would be nice if we could get along, that's all."
Frizion dismissed the idea with a wry smile, but having been raised as a princess, she was more interested in romance than most. Her older and younger brothers were still young, yet there were almost no romantic rumors about them. Well, in Schuls's case, he had a foster sibling named Amare, but from Frizion's perspective, it didn't look like there was anything between the two.
Frizion shook her head lightly. "There are many things I'd like to think about, but now is not the time. ...Angela, I'm sorry, but regarding Lord Rei... no, since he's Vihera's beloved and my future brother-in-law, perhaps I should just call him Rei. Could you take some food to Rei? While you're at it, I want you to talk to him and see what kind of man he is."
"I don't mind. After hearing Videre's story, I thought he seemed interesting as well."
"...Angela. I'm telling you, you mustn't fall for Rei too, alright? Rei has my sister Vihera, after all."
At this moment, was it fortunate or unfortunate that Videre did not know about Elena? Angela, having been cautioned by Frizion, gave a sigh.
"Unlike Your Highness Frizion, I have no interest in romance."
"That is a problem in its own right, isn't it? Especially for your father, Count Luxinowa."
Angela was the daughter of Count Luxinowa. However, since her older brother would inherit the title, there was no particular need for her to take a husband. In the first place, Angela was the second daughter; her older sister had already married into another noble family.
"Whether it's romance or marriage, that will only be after I have passed the position of Knight Commander to the next person. Right now, work is my lover."
Angela murmured this while glancing briefly toward Videre. Within the White Rose Knight Order, Videre was highly skilled and held the deep trust of her subordinates. She was somewhat stiff-necked, but she was certainly talented enough to become the next Commander. Of course, she wasn't the only one being considered. Videre was a promising Next Commander Candidate, but she was still only one of several.
"Honestly... well, because Angela is that kind of person, I can trust her. At any rate, please take the food to Rei. And make sure to shake off any watchful eyes before you go."
"Yes."
The slightly peaceful atmosphere of a few seconds ago vanished, replaced by Angela's serious expression as she bowed. Even so, her movements remained elegant, befitting the leader of the White Rose Knight Order, the group directly under Frizion.
"Then, Your Highness Frizion. I shall deliver the meal to Lord Rei at once. Please excuse me. ...Videre, you shall guard Her Highness Frizion until I return."
"Yes. I have accepted the duty of guard."
Hearing Videre's reply, Angela nodded with satisfaction and left the room.
Watching her go, Frizion immediately called a member of the White Rose Knight Order and instructed them to convey her request for a meeting to the nobles belonging to her faction. She could have sent letters, but letters remained as clear evidence. If they were to be seized by Schuls's or Cabajid's men, it would undoubtedly be fatal for the First Princess Faction. Dispatching members of the White Rose Knight Order, who possessed a certain level of skill, was the safest course of action.
(How much can I achieve? ...And yet, I do not want to see my brothers spill one another's blood. I suppose I am being selfish for acting on such a thought.)
She had a reputation for being kind, but she felt it was all nothing more than self-satisfaction. Thinking so, Frizion wore a faint, self-deprecating smile.