The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 440: Since I’m Free

Chapter 440: Since I’m Free

Traugotts wedding will be after the Adventurer Guilds investigation in the Kingdom is completed. Once that is over, you will depart for the Dominion.

Father decreed.

In other words, my departure to the Dominion will be after the Kingdom investigation is finished.

That means I will have some free time until then.

Is there nothing I have to do?

The quests that had been accumulated at the Imperial Capital Branch were all finished the other day and you have almost no princely duty to attend to until your departure, sir.

What about Leos subordinates?

Leonard-samas core staff team is already on-site with him and the rest are refraining from making their move during wartime, sir.

I see. So, whats their actual reason?

Perhaps they are too scared to bring reports to Arnold-sama since they had been ridiculing you as the Dull Prince for so long, sir. Regarding our current situation, there have been no major problems that require your attention so I think that it would be fine to leave them alone.

Good griefwell, when the time comes when they truly want my attention they will probably run crying to Finne anyway.

And thats that.

Im free.

Theres nothing to do.

I have done everything that I can for the time being and there is not enough time left for me to make a major move.

I guess I will just have to find something to do huh?

Making your moves half-heartedly is dangerous, sir. I believe the correct answer here is to do nothing. If anything, it will be the other side that makes their move first.

The other side?

I mean the people that need you, sir.

The moment Sebas said that.

Someone knocked on my door.

It has been a long time, Your Highness Arnold.

Long time indeed, Earl Baelz. It seems you have been quite busy ever since your promotion to the minister of engineering huh?

Y, Yes. many places were damaged from the war so I was busy with all the reconstruction.

The man who came to me was a plain man in his thirties.

Earl Baelz who was promoted to the position of Minister of Engineering.

He was one of the busiest ministers so he was rarely in the Imperial Capital.

After all, the Empire had suffered damage in all regions.

I heard that he had been traveling all over the country because of that. It seems to be his style to see what he has to work with using his own eyes.

Things were happening one after another after all.

I heard that in addition to your duties, you also went around to meet the nobles all over the Empire for us, right? We must have put you through some hardship huh.

N, No! This is to put His Highness Leonard on the throne. I do not think of that as hardship at all.

As a person who holds the position of a minister that does not base himself in the capital, he is a very convenient ally to Leo.

After all, he had been traveling all over the Empire and recruited more nobles to join Leos faction.

Having a connection with a minister is important for rural aristocrats. This is especially true for those that want to relocate to the central part of the Empire.

So? What kind of business do you have with me today?

Th, that is..

Looking nervous, Earl Baelz has been wiping sweat from his face using his handkerchief.

I have a favor to ask of you, Your Highness..!

Say it.

ActuallyI was attending a matchmaking! Can you please come with me!?

Unintentionally, my face stiffened.

Among all the ministers of the Empire, he is the only one who would make such a pathetic request to a prince.

It made me feel like an idiot trying to anticipate what he wanted from me.

Im getting tired all of a sudden.

..why do you need me at your matchmaking?

I am having a slight headache.

Perhaps because I have been used to dealing with complicated stuff lately.

Somehow I cant take this problem seriously at all.

However, it seems that this is very important to him.

Actually..the other party is the daughter of Marquis Prysel.

Marquis Prysel is a well-known aristocrat.

To be precise, the well-known one is his wife.

Rumor has it that all of the domestic matters of House Prysel are completely under the control of the lady of the house.

During my work with Marquis Prysel, we hit it off.and he told me that he wanted me to try meeting his daughter by all means.but it seems that he kept that a secret from his wife..

Its the Marquiss fault for not consulting with his wife first.

That is true but.it seems that the lady doesnt think that this is a bad marriage either so she wanted me to give her proof that I truly belong to His Highness Leonards faction..she implied that she will allow her daughter to have this matchmaking with me if I can prove myself

Seriously.

This person really is extreme.

Lady Prysel didnt tell him to bring me to her either.

At best, she probably only wanted him to show that he indeed has close relationships with the nobles of Leos faction.

Maybe something like an item or letter from Leo should do the job.

I can imitate Leos handwriting and write a letter

There might be a problem afterward, sir

I have no choice huh

I sighed and got up from the chair.

O, Oithe Earl has been gone for a while now, did you make Earl Baelz angry.?

If he got angry with only that much then thats that! We are in the middle of the succession war! Even if he is a minister, if he doesnt belong to a faction then his future is not secure either!

A loud voice could be heard from the room.

Earl Baelz started trembling at the voice.

With the case of his ex-wife, it seems that he is not good at dealing with strong-willed women.

We, well then.

Earl Baelz touches the door and looks at me.

Theres no use asking for a time-out after coming this far huh.

I nodded at the Earl and he entered the room.

M, Marquis Prysel! Thank you for waiting!

OH! Earl Baelz! Thank you for coming back! Please dont be offended, my wife simply got carried away a little.

I did not get carried away. Ive decided to only leave my daughter in the care of a man who she will be safe with. At the moment His Highness Leonards faction is gaining momentum so many aristocrats recently joined his side. I need you to present proof that you have His Highnesss trust.

Y, Yes..it is as you say..thats why I asked this esteemed person to come with me.

With that said, Earl Baelz points to the door.

Marquis Prysel and Lady Prysels sight turn toward me.

At that moment, they got off their chairs and kneeled.

Y, Your Highness Arnold!?

Greetings, Your Highness.

At ease. I was only asked to accompany the Earl to a matchmaking today.

With that said, I sat down next to Earl Baelz.

The couple is still kneeling not knowing what to do.

So, I urged them to act normally again.

Relax. We cant proceed like this.

V, Very well.

Excuse us.

The couple sits back in their chairs.

Next to me, Earl Baelz is wiping his sweat with his handkerchief again.

He is probably troubled by their unexpected reaction.

Now then, Lady Prysel. You were worried that Earl Baelz may have borrowed Leos name to make himself look better right?

Y, Yes

Then you can rest assured. Earl Baelz is the first minister to express his support for Leo. He hasnt had the opportunity to meet up with us much due to his work but if Leo is in the capital, he would have come here himself. We are already on board the same boat. As long as Earl Baelz does not abandon us, we will not abandon Earl Baelz either. Are you convinced now? If my words are not enough then, we can do this another time once Leo came back too you know?

N, No! This is plenty enough, Your Highness! We understand now! Right!? You understand right!?

I was underestimating Earl Baelzs influence. I never thought that you would bring us His Highness himself..please forgive my shallow thoughts.

Its natural to worry about the future of your daughter. If she is raised by someone like you, then I can be confident that Earl Baelz will be in good hands. A wife can sometimes bring the husband to the wrong side after all. However, with this, I think we can expect a better future for them both.

I said that much and quietly stood up.

Theres no need for me to be here anymore since Lady Prysel already acknowledged the Earl.

The rest is a story between them alone.

Then I will be excusing myself.

Y, Your Highness!?

I do not want to intervene much in someone elses matchmaking. The rest will be up to you.

I said that and left.