That night, after telling Alice that I would send for her later, I headed straight to Oscar's place.
Oscar's mansion—the Eighth Imperial Prince's residence.
Among the numerous imperial prince residences scattered across the capital, it was decidedly average in both size and build.
If anything, the estate of Tenth Prince Dustin—my younger brother—was several tiers above it.
I walked up to the front gate of this modest mansion.
A sentry stood by a brazier, faithfully carrying out his duties.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
It was an unfamiliar face, but I stepped forward until the firelight illuminated my features.
"It is I," I announced.
Even as a mere gatekeeper, he was an employee of the Eighth Prince's estate; I judged that displaying Leviathan's crest wouldn't be necessary.
My instinct proved correct.
After staring intently at me for a few seconds, the guard tossed his weapon aside and dropped flat on his face before me.
"Y-Your Majesty! Forgive me, I failed to recognize you!"
"Stand down. Being devoted to your duty is a virtue."
"Th-Thank you, Sire!"
"Is Oscar in?"
"Yes! He is currently in the garden—I shall announce you at once—"
"No need. Remain at your post. He is in the garden, correct?"
"Y-Yes, Sire!"
Leaving the prostrate guard behind, I strode inside.
Even as I walked, I crossed paths with several members of the staff.
While the gatekeeper hadn't recognized me right away, the servants within the estate grounds knew who I was at a glance.
Having visited frequently back when I was still an imperial prince, there were even several faces I recognized.
Every time someone tried to run off to alert Oscar, I held up a hand to stop them.
Eventually, I reached the garden of the estate.
In an open section of the grounds lay a pond, with a small islet resting at its center.
A footbridge spanned the water toward the islet, where a pavilion stood.
Though far from extravagant, it was a tasteful, serene structure.
There, Oscar was playing a flute.
It was a humble transverse flute, seemingly crafted from bamboo.
Had it been bought from a shop, it likely wouldn't have cost even a single Rien.
Oscar was lost in playing that simple flute.
I stood and listened for a while.
Waiting until the soothing melody drew to a complete close, I applauded.
"You possess an unexpected talent."
"—! Your Majesty!"
Oscar whipped around, his eyes going wide with shock.
Scrambling out of the pavilion, he hurried across the bridge, rushed up to me, and dropped to his knees in one fluid motion.
He bowed low, observing the formal etiquette required of an imperial prince before his Emperor.
I accepted the gesture with easy composure.
"I am deeply honored by your presence, Sire. Please forgive my insolence for failing to receive you properly."
"Pay it no mind."
"You lot! Why did none of you report His Majesty's arrival?!"
Oscar directed his glare past me, his voice laced with a prickle of anger.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw several of the household servants lingering at a distance, watching the scene unfold from afar.
At Oscar's sharp rebuke, all of them instantly dropped to the ground.
"Hahaha, I told them not to announce me. They bear no blame."
"I see... What are you all standing around for, then? Bring His Majesty some refreshments at once!"
Oscar barked another reprimand.
That part wasn't my doing, so I let it pass.
"Please, Your Majesty. Right this way."
"Very well."
Guided by Oscar, I stepped into the pavilion.
Inside sat a carved stone table and chairs, and I took a seat first.
"Take a seat, Oscar."
"Understood."
Even if Oscar was the master of this estate, I was the master of this empire.
Formally speaking, I was the master here as well, and Oscar waited dutifully for my command.
Taking his seat, Oscar looked across the table at me.
"When did you return, Sire?"
"Just a short while ago. Were you unaware?"
"...Yes. I was under the impression Your Majesty was still in Saralria. I anticipated receiving your imperial decree sometime tomorrow or the day after."
I see. So he was already aware of the rebellion.
Well, naturally.
While military operations weren't under Oscar's direct authority, matters like wartime funding couldn't proceed without passing through him as the Minister of Finance.
In terms of logistical preparations, Oscar was heavily involved, so it was only natural he knew.
"I see. So you assumed you wouldn't hear from me for some time and took the opportunity to play your flute, then?"
"I offer my deepest apologies."
Oscar lowered his head.
He must have thought I was reprimanding him.
"I am praising you. There is no point in panicking when panic accomplishes nothing. You truly are an indispensable minister."
"You flatter me, Your Majesty."
"As you already know, I was in Reararat. Given the gravity of the situation, I returned via super express."
"Super express?"
Oscar's expression shifted.
A sharp furrow formed between his brows, his features hardening.
"Indeed."
"Forgive my presumption, Sire, but I must speak. That is not a risk a sovereign of this nation ought to take. Please, I implore you never to do so again."
Oscar voiced the exact same concern as Henry.
In fact, he admonished me with an even firmer edge than Henry had.
"Understood. I shall keep it in mind."
"Haaah..."
Oscar let out a sigh.
He sighed because I hadn't promised not to do it again.
And he had every right to; as both Henry and Oscar pointed out, under normal circumstances, that was not a danger an emperor should ever court.
Having offered an earnest counsel only to have it casually brushed aside, a sigh was the only natural response.
And that was precisely why I remained so wary of him.
Reasonably deducing that no word would come from me tonight, Oscar had allowed himself a brief moment of respite.
And by that same token, even while harboring deep ambition, he was capable of offering the most vital, loyal counsel when the moment demanded it.
Loyalty and ambition—Oscar was the kind of man who could keep the two strictly separated until his time came.
"That is why you are trustworthy."
"...Pardon? What might Your Majesty mean by that?"
"I have spoken with Henry. I intend to lead a personal campaign."
"That is—no, if Your Majesty has decreed it, it is not my place to object."
"I appreciate your quick understanding. My taking the field in person will yield a better outcome this time."
"Understood... And who shall oversee affairs in your absence? What if we were to request the Retired Emperor to step forward?"
Once again, words befitting a loyal minister.
Indeed, the Retired Emperor—my father—was still in good health, and in terms of keeping everyone in line while I was away, there was no better candidate.
"If we cannot handle things without running back to Father, he might well be disappointed in all of us."
"That is true..."
Oscar offered a faint, wry smile.
"As expected of Your Majesty. My thoughts did not reach that far."
"Indeed. I intend to leave Shem in charge during my absence."
"His Highness the Crown Prince?! Surely that is going too—"
"I would like you, Oscar, to accept the post of Prince Regent."
"—!"
Oscar gasped, catching his breath.
"Me... Prince Regent...?"
"Only while I am away. Setting Father aside, having Shem hold the title is the most natural arrangement, and in terms of ability, you are by far the most qualified."
"Such words are far greater an honor than I deserve."
Oscar rose in one fluid motion, dropped to one knee before me, and bowed his head low.
"Will you accept?"
"Yes, even at the cost of my life."
"Hahaha, do not throw your life away so easily. A Crown Prince can be replaced, but Oscar Ararat cannot."
"Your words overwhelm me."
"Then I leave it in your hands."
"Understood."
As Oscar remained bowed on one knee, his shoulders trembled ever so slightly.
What did that tremor mean?
Naturally, there was no way to tell from that alone.
'Master.'
Inside my mind, Leviathan spoke in a quiet voice.
Though her tone was calm, it carried a faint, icy edge of anger.
There was only one reason Leviathan ever grew angry:
Whenever someone harbored disrespect toward me.
The rabid hound that was Leviathan would never forgive my enemies.
Of course, if I told her to heel, she would—she possessed the steadfast obedience of a loyal hound as well.
Both loyal hound and rabid beast; that was Leviathan's true nature.
And through her warning, everything became crystal clear.
Within Oscar, faint though it might be, treacherous intent had surfaced.
It was a slight wavering in his heart that no ordinary person could have ever detected.
In this entire world, only I—with my loyal hound Leviathan at my side—could sense it.
That was dangerous.
Peacetime was one thing, but right now, I needed him to keep his ambitions locked away.
"Come, stand. There is one more matter I wish to discuss."
"Yes, Sire. What might it be?"
"I am dispatching the Imperial Guard Army as reinforcements for Jessica. I will be away for some time; consider it a parent's concern to ensure nothing goes awry."
"As you command. Should we arrange for supplies and provisions to be sent as well?"
"Yes, see to it."
"Understood."
"We shall hash out the finer details later. Today, I merely came to inform you."
"Understood."
Oscar bowed his head once more.
No warning came from Leviathan.
It seemed Oscar hadn't grasped the true motive yet.
Was it simply because military strategy wasn't his forte, or was it...?
Just as I considered pressing the point further, Oscar lifted his head.
His brow twitched for a fraction of a second.
And then, Leviathan chimed in.
'Master.'
So he realized.
'An astute observation. As expected of you, Master.'
I was grateful for Leviathan's confirmation.
Another ripple had surfaced in Oscar's heart—which meant he had caught on to the trap.
He truly was exceptional in that regard.
A delay of that scale was practically instantaneous.
He really is... an incredible talent, isn't he?
I continued to rack my brain, wondering how on earth I could permanently snuff out the ambition slumbering deep within his chest.