Chapter 27
With a hand on her chest, she continued.
“Our Empire and Founder owns those territories. Why should we surrender them to those who have betrayed our Founder, our God?”
“What…”
While Jane remained silent, her expression mirrored Rene’s.
“After all, who genuinely wants war? It only led—leads to endless suffering.”
“And what of it? They must bear the consequences of their betrayal.”
Rene’s voice sliced through the silence with striking clarity. Cielo noticed the fierce resolve in her eyes, a testament to her deep loyalty to their Empire and its legacy—an image that was both inspiring and daunting.
Cielo struggled to find the right words, wrestling with the weight of the discussion. The territory being talked about was more than just locations. They represented the strength, history, and spirit of their Empire. To give them up would mean surrendering and betraying the vision of their founder.
“… .”
Cielo couldn’t say anything.
It seems these individuals hold a deep-seated hatred for the Allied Kingdoms. He had truly believed that Rene would understand this feeling, considering her background as a commoner, but he was wrong. They appear indifferent to the plight of innocent lives, convinced that such people deserve death for their supposed betrayal of the First Emperor.
It’s unfortunate, really…
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the bell signaling the end of their lunch period.
“Oh my, look at the time!”
Rene rose to her feet, with Jane doing the same. He accompanied the pair as they made their way to return their empty tray.
Cielo bid farewell to Jane and Rene and walked down the corridor, lost in thought.
Could Konstantinos’ desire for another mage be connected to the ongoing war? Was he destined to be sent to the battlefield by the prince?
‘I have clearly told him that I’ve never taken a life before.’
Thus, the prince should understand the mistake of sending someone as inexperienced as himself into battle. However, it is important to note that if he were faced with a situation where taking a life was essential, Cielo would not hesitate to make that choice.
‘But that doesn’t mean I want to go to war!’
His main worry is his own survival. Stepping onto the battlefield is like signing a death warrant.
“You seem lost in thought, my boy.”
Fisher commented as he pruned the dried roses.
“I’m sorry, I was just thinking about something…”
He voiced his apologies while continuing to detach the dried roses from their stems.
Fortunately, recognizing dried roses by hand is a simple task, which is why Fisher allowed him to help with the cutting.
Fisher chuckled softly as he watched him.
“Is something bothering you? You can share it with me. This old man is here to listen.”
Cielo paused, contemplating the situation.
Generally, older people can be just as stubborn as the younger generation. If the younger generation views war as inevitable, what does that imply about the older generation that instilled this belief in them?
However, seeing the kind expression on the elderly man’s face, Cielo decided to open up about his thoughts on the current war.
“… .”
Fisher listened quietly, taking in Cielo’s concerns and perspectives. He seemed lost in thought as he continued to trim the dried roses, his hands deftly maneuvered the shears, showcasing a familiarity born from years of nurturing life from the soil.
A heavy silence hung in the air, filled with unspoken feelings and the weight of shared experiences. Feeling anxious, Cielo set the cut roses aside while he waited for Fisher to respond.
After a moment of silence, Fisher finally spoke up, his voice steady yet tinged with a distant echo of memories long past.
“In my youth, I was an eager teenager who joined the army and was deployed to the frontlines.”
This revelation was far from what Cielo had expected from the elderly man. The image of Fisher, the gentle gardener with calloused hands and a nurturing spirit, clashed with the notion of him as a soldier, a warrior who had faced the horrors of war.
“…You were a soldier in the war?”
He had never imagined that a gardener, someone who dedicated his life to cultivating beauty and peace, would have a history as a veteran.
Cielo leaned in, intrigued.
“How did you go from soldier to gardener? That’s quite a shift.”
Fisher chuckled at Cielo’s astonishment and nodded in agreement.
“I took part in the fight against the Saoirse Alliance and came back deeply impacted by trauma. I agree with you that the conflict needs to end and that the Empire should let go of its control over the four kingdoms. However, my feelings differ from those of most people within the Empire.”
It wasn’t only the aristocrats who wanted to extend the conflict, the people of the Fides Empire also wished for the war to continue. With these two groups united, the Emperor found himself unable to deny them. In the end, which emperor would disregard the voices of their subjects?
Fisher sighed heavily.
“This is because of their deep respect for our Founder, whom they see as a god. Their loyalty knows no bounds.”
Watching him, Cielo realized they shared a common understanding. Fisher seemed profoundly affected by the war, yet everyone remained resolute in their stance.
‘As an outsider, my perspective holds little significance in this matter.’
This empire is not his home, he was not born into this world, and he possesses no knowledge or admiration for the First Emperor. His perspective would not change anything.
“My sole desire before my death is to witness a world free of conflict.”
Fisher held the dried roses tightly in his hand, observing as they disintegrated. Each delicate fragment that fell to the ground felt like a piece of his own dreams slipping away, carried off by the relentless flow of time.
“… .”
Cielo averted his gaze and offered a wistful smile.
“Let’s witness it together, Fisher.”
So, make sure you live long enough to witness that change.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
***
After hearing from Rene that the Head Butler was finally returning today, exactly eight days after his departure, Cielo resolved to confront him at midnight in his office.
Alistair had always been absorbed in his responsibilities, and Cielo took advantage of the situation, knowing he would likely still be working late into the night, which turned out to be true.
“Young master?”
Alistair, still disguised as an elderly man, was taken aback, as this was the first time he had been sought out by Cielo instead of the other way around.
As soon as Cielo locked eyes with Alistair, he closed the door and, with tears welling in his eyes, recounted everything that had happened during the eight days Alistair had left him alone in the palace.
“Please, calm yourself, young master.”
Alistair instructed him to sit down, handed him a tissue, and gave him a moment to collect himself after sharing everything that had happened. Once he had calmed down, Alistair took a deep breath.
“I arranged for you to wear that disguise during your nighttime infiltration, knowing you would have preferred white otherwise.”
Alistair commented as he observed his outfit, which was unmistakably white.
“… .”
It’s hard to blame him for this! His eagerness prompted him to choose the clothing that caught his eye right away, particularly the plain white shirt he usually wears in his room. Being so familiar with it, he acted purely on impulse.
“The way you managed to slip past the guards and attendants on your way here, without any disguises, still baffles me.”
The Head Butler seemed both amused and conflicted.
Given his remark, Cielo was also left wondering how he had managed to avoid being noticed by everyone around. As he left his room, his mind was mostly blank, with his only concern being to reach Alistair as quickly as possible.
Alistair took a deep breath and shifted his gaze elsewhere.
“Unfortunately, it appears that this strategy was ineffective, as someone still managed to see you despite your disguise.”
“… … .”
The butler had indeed foreseen his plan to sneak into the library at night and had provided him with an all-black outfit. What was particularly remarkable about his attire was that it included inscriptions meant to make him invisible to anyone who wasn’t looking directly at him, regardless of any sounds he might make. Regrettably, he was caught in the act and made direct eye contact with the person who found him, which rendered his disguise useless.
“And it was not merely anyone who noticed you. It was none other than His Highness Castiel, the Second Prince of Ettore.”
Alistair sighed again.
This calm individual rarely sighed, but he did so a few times tonight. It seems he has made a considerable mistake.
“Am I in trouble?”
Cielo asked, nervously toying with his fingers.
“Fortunately, no.”
Cielo felt a wave of relief wash over him as Alistair shook his head. However, the serious expression on the man’s face quickly dampened that relief.
“If it’s not a problem then why do you look so concerned?”
Alistair hesitated, weighing whether to share the information before ultimately choosing to continue.
“The Second Prince of the Ettore family has always taken a neutral position, so there’s no need for concern, I can assure you of that. However, he does have a rather peculiar preference…”
“What do you mean?”
Cielo asked with a frown and Alistair looked constipated as he replied.
“The second prince is drawn to people with unique appearances.”
Even with the implications of those words hanging in the air, it took him an embarrassing two minutes to fully understand what Alistair intended by the term “drawn.”
Cielo hesitated, his face flushing red as the realization settled in. Not only was he a man, but he had also never felt any sexual attraction to anyone, regardless of gender, in his 28 years of life. The thought of being the object of someone’s desire, especially by the second prince, was both bewildering and unsettling.
“But I’m a man?”
He stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
‘While I can appreciate beauty, I’ve never experienced any sexual desire.’
From his memories, he is referred to as asexual.
“The second prince has never displayed any specific preferences when it comes to gender. May I ask if he expressed any interest in you?”
“Not really. I made sure to avoid the East Wing and stayed near Fisher after our first encounter.”
“That was a smart choice. The Second Prince was granted access only to the East Wing and needed permission to venture into other areas, such as the garden.”
This revelation took him by surprise, as it explained why that person had not garnered a following despite their clear interest. It also sparked his curiosity about the deeper reasons behind this arrangement.
“I will have him leave tomorrow to ensure your comfort, young master.”
“Is that something you can arrange?”
Cielo asks, surprised.
While Alistair is the Head Butler and has more authority than the regular butlers, it’s essential to recognize that Castiel, being Konstantinos’ cousin, holds a higher rank than Alistair.
“Certainly.”
Confident in Alistair’s abilities, Cielo chose not to ask any more questions about the matter.
“That explains why he kept looking at me so intently.”
He shivered at the memory of the second prince’s unyielding gaze.
“I will ensure he departs at the earliest opportunity tomorrow morning.”
Alistair declared, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
He sank into the sofa effortlessly. The sofa’s coziness, paired with the soft flicker of the candlelight, unexpectedly made him feel drowsy.
Cielo yawned while he kept talking.
“By the way, I’ve come across some troubling information from the maids.”
“What is it?”
Despite his inquiry, Alistair seems to have already guessed the topic that would capture his attention.
“Well, I’ve heard that a war is currently happening?”
“Indeed, there is. However, this conflict has persisted for the last 1,000 years. It is unlikely to conclude in the near future.”
“… .”
Even Alistair appears unfazed by the war that rages on.
Cielo stared at the table, deep in thought about the subject.
‘I guess my unease comes from the fact that there was no war in my previous world.’
In his former world, the world government had the backing of all nations, which is why warfare was absent. Although life may seem mundane, it was an exceptionally peaceful time.
Alistair, having observed the young master’s expression throughout, finally decided to speak.
“Are you worried that we might send you off to fight? Please be assured that His Imperial Highness would never put you in harm’s way.”
Cielo had planned to ask about this, but it seems he need not worry about his safety at this moment. He clutched one of the decorative pillows and held it tightly as he spoke.
“While I do have concerns regarding my own security, I also feel sad for the innocent people who will suffer because of the war.”
Alistair’s expression showed that he understood the root of Cielo’s worries, and he responded with a warm smile as he continued to explain.
“The primary concern of the Empire is the well-being of its innocent citizens. That foolish alliance is aware of this, which is why they refrain from extracting financial resources from their populace. They understand that such actions would provoke the Empire to launch an offensive aimed at domination.”
Alistair explained that since the Empire’s founding, the First Emperor established a principle that the Empire must remain committed to its citizens, placing their safety and overall welfare above all else.
In the end, the people of the empire and the four kingdoms are the descendants of those who yielded their territory to the First Emperor. In appreciation, the First Emperor guaranteed the safety of these individuals and their descendants.
“What about the slums, then?”
If the Empire truly valued its citizens, shouldn’t slums be nonexistent?
“The people living in the slums are mostly undocumented immigrants from other countries. This is also why they refrain from seeking help, as doing so would lead to their deportation back to their home nations.”
Alistair provided an explanation before proceeding further.
“Any orphans and homeless individuals from the Empire are permitted to seek refuge at either the Church or the Association, as these institutions are mandated to accept them.”
“Oh…”
This information was truly astonishing.
Despite knowing that most of the people living in the slums were undocumented immigrants, the empire chose not to expel them unless they revealed themselves.
In his past life, if this had been his homeland, those individuals would probably have disappeared, either through imprisonment or forced removal, possibly facing even harsher repercussions.
“If that’s the case, shouldn’t we be worried about those kingdoms that might be holding their citizens against their will?”
It’s entirely possible for such situations to arise, especially with three nations involved. The number of people they could potentially detain must be in the millions.
Alistair’s demeanor turned serious.
“They attempted this maneuver a few years back, and the outcome was so disastrous that the alliance promptly abandoned the notion.”
Given that the Fides Empire has consistently shown restraint, it seems they finally took decisive action when the alliance resorted to taking innocent people hostage, indicating that the Empire does not take such issues lightly.