<4>
When asked to choose a favorite place in the vast imperial palace, Edwin picked a small royal villa closest to the stables. I couldn't understand why his tastes were so modest when I raised him with only the finest.
Inside Edwin's villa, his followers were huddled together, scheming something. They panicked at my arrival, hastily folding the map spread across the table and covering it with their bodies, making a fuss.
And Edwin, with a sly grin, extended his hand to me, suggesting, "Such a nice weather. How about a walk, Raviel?"
"Stop being idle, and sit down. I've come to talk."
"Speaking of talking, why are you eyeing the weapons, Raviel?" Edwin asked, noticing my gaze drifting toward the swords, spears, and axes adorning one wall.
I pulled a long spear from its stand and questioned, "Could this break your legs if wielded, Eddy?"
While his followers froze, swallowing nervously, Edwin just chuckled nonchalantly and replied, "If you strike hard enough, maybe?"
Knowing he would willingly offer his legs if I asked, I set the spear down and sighed. As I gestured his frozen followers to leave, they quickly gathered the maps and documents, even taking the spear I had laid down, and scurried out.
I turned to Edwin, who was now sitting alone at the cleared table, still smiling broadly.
"What are you plotting now?"
"Nothing at all, Raviel. You told me to behave, didn't you?"
"Behave? And yet you directly intervene in the final selection of the tournament?"
"Oh, that."
"That's not it, you rascal. Didn't I say time was of the essence?"
"You did."
"And yet you're judging the finals? Just say you'll kill the winner, Eddy."
"Oh, Raviel. Why would I kill the winner? I won't do that."
Edwin laughed, waving his hands dismissively.
'Should I just end him right here?'
My cold stare silenced his laughter. Edwin then approached, kneeling beside my chair. He rested his chin on the armrest and looked up at me with a pitiful expression.
This cunning boy knew all too well how to melt my heart. I raised my hand to give him a noogie on the head, but I couldn't bring myself to do it when I saw my reflection in his clear green eyes.
Considering that everything he did was out of love for me, even if it was a bit unconventional, I couldn't really be angry with him, after all. So, instead of giving him a noogie, I opened my fist and gently stroked Edwin's smooth hair.
"Hehe."
Edwin chuckled, his face looking like it had lost a few screws, rubbing his head against my hand.
I couldn't help but crack a smile too, but kept a stern face as I told him, "I'll be handling the final selection. You stay out of it."
"Eh? Are you going to fight, Raviel?"
"Why would I? I'm just going to see if he has what it takes to be a prince consort. I'll get engaged to the winner for a year before deciding whether to marry him or not. And again, stay out of it."
"But I can't just leave you with someone weaker than me..." Edwin trailed off, sounding disappointed.
What was in his head, thinking the stronger the better? If someone was stronger than Edwin, the empire's strongest, they should be hunting dragons, not wasting away as a mere prince consort.
I could come up with a more productive excuse, but I knew exactly the nonsense that would persuade Edwin instantly.
"He should be weaker, so I can call you to scold him if he doesn't listen," I said.
"Ah! Genius, as always, Raviel!" Edwin exclaimed with a smile, seemingly satisfied.
Why would I scold my future partner? If I were to bring someone's precious son into my home as a reliable worker, I should feed him well and give compliments.
Besides, if he didn't listen, I could just send him away. No need for the hassle of scolding or so.
Anyway, I managed to keep Edwin out of the selection tournament and his legs intact. He was the type to obey my instructions, so I prevented any potentially fatal incidents during the selection tournament.
Of course, my little brother, a lunatic, might do just about anything except what I explicitly instructed him not to do. So, I headed back to my office chamber and summoned Cecil, the chief inspector.
Soon, Cecil appeared, her thick blond hair tied up in a swishing ponytail.
"Your Majesty, have you summoned me?"
"Cecil, good to see you. How's work? Good?"
"Oh, I don't think so, Your Majesty. When was the last time I even went home? I've been cursing my past self for melting at your letters and taking on all this work."
Cecil Brinth, known as the Eagle of the Imperial Palace, was a valuable asset, sharp in her work despite her tough and straightforward language. I didn't mind her grumbling or even insulting me, not her past self, as long as she didn't resign.
I smiled softly and soothed her, "If it gets too tough, let me know. I'll send another letter."
"Ah, planning to charm me with your elegant writing and then dump more work on me, right?"
"I really value your cleverness."
"How can I resist a beauty's flattery? I should just blame myself. What do you need from me today, Your Majesty?"
"Hmm, about Edwin. I have a feeling he's up to something. Can you find out what he's plotting in advance?"
"Um…"
Cecil hesitated with a troubled expression. Given her uncharacteristic reaction, it seemed keeping tabs on Edwin was no easy task.
I had expected this, considering his secretive nature, but Edwin wouldn't spill anything until he had already caused some trouble.
"Regarding Lord Edwin, we've already tried to assign people to watch him, but given his keen senses... After one of our members got caught and threatened with death, no one is willing to step forward."
"... I see."
"However, we're still digging around his affairs. I too have been meaning to discuss this, but... Your Majesty, you and your brother are really close, right?" Cecil asked cautiously.
Surprised by the unexpected question, I tilted my head and replied, "Of course."
"That's what I thought. Everyone in Seven Hills knows Lord Edwin is so devoted to you, Your Majesty, but..."
"But? Come on, spit it out."
Cecil hesitated, scratching her chin, then composed herself and began, "Last month, Lord Edwin left the Imperial Palace, didn't he?"
"Yes. Running away is his hobby. Nothing unusual, so."
"During that time, he crossed the border and visited the Kingdom of Grima. He secretly brought something."
"Is that so?" I responded nonchalantly.
His eccentric behaviors, like unauthorized trips abroad or smuggling, didn't surprise me anymore. However, Cecil's expression grew more serious.
"It turns out he acquired Manglada, known as a special elixir of Grima. He then had the palace chef secretly mix it into your food."
I burst out laughing upon hearing this.
Cecil continued, her face graver, "I couldn't understand why he'd hide such a deed, so we kept an eye on it and found that he's been secretly mixing various reputed medicines into your meals. We intercepted and confirmed they were indeed medicinal, but I can't fathom why he's doing this without your knowledge."
"If that's the case, no need to worry about it. It's one of Edwin's long-standing hobbies, along with his runaway."
"Pardon?"
"Getting medicines he believes are beneficial and secretly feeding them to me. It got me so annoying that I told him to stop, and he must have changed tactics to mixing them into my food."
Cecil looked perplexed, asking, "What an odd hobby?"
"He's always been like that. Don't worry about it. Thanks to him, I'm as healthy as I am."
"If you say so, Your Majesty… Well, I understand. I'll do my best with Lord Edwin, but please don't keep your hopes too high."
"I trust you'll do your best. And you're still gathering information on the four ducal houses, right?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. I'll report as soon as new information comes in," Cecil confidently answered and returned to the Inspection Bureau.
I smiled to myself, recalling her words. So that explained the occasional odd plates in my meals.
Perhaps because our parents passed away early, Edwin was a bit obsessed with my health. When he was sixteen, he attempted his first runaway and returned with a renowned elixir from the south, insisting me to take it.
His methods might be unconventional, but his concern for me was always sincere. Feeling guilty for neglecting such a brother in my past life, I always ended up giving in to Edwin, even with all the trouble he caused.
Plus, he wouldn't get into any trouble I couldn't handle. Becoming an empress all of a sudden was a bit shock, but I couldn't deny it suited me. I enjoyed governing and overseeing affairs.
As I leaned over the desk, pleased with my thoughts, a part of me wondered if this was really okay. But what could I do? I was already the empress.
And so, I spent the rest of the day wading through a sea of paperwork.
***
The next day, the first round of the prince consort selection tournament began. As it was an event where my potential husband would be chosen, I couldn't just ignore it, so I decided to make my way to the arena to show my support.
In the carriage, I was accompanied by Edwin, seemingly more excited than me, and Kaleb, who seemed to barely breathe between our sibling.
Distractedly sifting through documents, I asked Edwin, “How many matches are there today?”
“This is the first match for each group, so eight in total.”
“Eight? Don’t tell me I have to watch them all, do I?”
“I’d really like it if you could watch the fourth one.”
“I have no time, you know. Unless you're offering to take over my duties.”
Edwin glanced at the stack of documents Kaleb was holding, then quickly revised his suggestion, “Maybe just the first match? All the participants should be there anyway.”
He spoke with a shrug, and I nodded in agreement. If I only watched the first match, I could return to the palace before the afternoon's noble council meeting. That would give me time to review the rest of the tax reports beforehand.
‘Oh, wait. Today’s agenda was about the exchange rate issue with the Zilton Empire? I’d need to check on that first thing upon returning.’
I sighed, organizing my schedule in my head. No matter how much I thought about it, this workload was too much for one person.
“Eddy.”
“What’s up, Raviel? Are you feeling unwell?”
“When’s the final?”
“In a week.”
“One week...”
Regardless of who it was, I just needed someone to help lighten the load.