Chapter 36: CH 35

The Third Prince Yuu-sama has a different mother than Rod-sama and Sein-sama.

Rod-sama’s and Sein-sama’s mother was a princess of the neighboring country, Appalachia, who passed away immediately following Sein-sama’s birth.

That’s also one of the main factors that caused Sein-sama’s troublesome personality, but I won’t go in detail about it for now.

Lishe-sama, who’s the current queen and Yuu-sama’s mother, was originally a cardinal of the Spirit Church.

Unlike Catholicism on Earth, women can also assume high positions in the Spirit Church.

Rather, as stronger spiritual and mystical powers dwell in women, they hold more power than men.

In fact, the current pope is a woman, but since it’s another thing unrelated to the main story, I’ll leave it for now.

What’s important for now is that the Church’s influence runs in Yuu-sama’s blood.

Originally, the king married Lishe-sama aiming to absorb the power of the Church that was gaining influence.

However, at the same time the Church approached the royal family with the same purpose, as the result the church came out even stronger than before.

Yuu-sama can also be called the crystallization of that Church’s influence.

“I cannot imagine Yuu-sama engaging in such a thoughtless behavior”

Was the first thing Claire-sama said after hearing Lene’s story.

Yuu-sama might appear as an ignorant prince at first, but as a matter of fact he’s a terrible sly fox.

Therefore, he should understand that with his complex position he shouldn’t thoughtlessly come into contact with commoner activists.

Even so――.

“Nay, I met them”

“Yuu-sama!?”

The one who abruptly thrust himself into our talk was none other than Yuu-sama.

“Anyway, they came to me wanting to borrow the power of the Church. I refused”

Without breaking his friendly smile, Yuu-sama said so.

“It was thoughtless of Yuu-sama. For the commoners’ side, just being able to have Yuu-sama listen to their story was worth it”

“Do you think so? Ultimately, I refused, I don’t think it will matter much. Or rather, as the Church gates are open to anyone, I didn’t have the choice not to meet them”

Yuu-sama replied softly to Claire-sama’s objection.

“But Yuu-sama is royalty, and not on the Church’s side?”

I asked about what’s on my mind.

“Well, that’s the official stance. But, my mother is a former cardinal, it’s an accepted truth that she’s at the forefront of the Church’s influence”

Yuu-sama stubbornly insisted there’s no problem.

Claire-sama looked unconvinced.

“But, could you not have used the official stance as a pretext to avoid meeting them?”

“You’re right. But, I don’t feel like evading commoners’ movement to that degree”

It’s a truly surprising statement.

“Are you sane?”

“Hey, is the idea of equality really that bad?”

Claire-sama’s question was met with Yuu-sama’s.

“Rather than the matter of it being good or bad, I believe it to be unrealistic. With aristocracy gone, who would manage the country?”

“That’s obvious, commoners”

“Aristocrats who receive higher education are one thing, but I do not believe commoners who often cannot even read or write could possibly rule”

“Conversely, wouldn’t it not be a problem if commoners were provided education?”

“That…”

Claire-sama was lost for words.

Yuu-sama’s way of thinking somewhat resembles democracies on Earth.

“I think aristocracy is bound to eventually disappear”

“!? What are you saying!”

Claire-sama will absolutely not accept there may be a situation where aristocracy collapses.

In contrast to the consistently calm Yuu-sama, she appears somewhat emotional.

“The army is certainly strong. But, there’s magic now. Many commoners who hold power equal to soldiers will appear from now on. If that happens, in the end the numbers will speak for themselves”

“However…!”

“In the first place, nobles are propped up by taxes from populations of their fiefs. If these populations rejected nobles’ rule, would there still be any logic in justifying their rule?”

“…”

Claire-sama sank into silence.

Having her belief in the legitimacy of aristocracy, which to her was as natural as breathing, disturbed, Claire-sama is visibly shaken.

“Claire-sama”

“… What is it”

“Listening to nothing but difficult talks made me hungry”

Claire-sama slumped.

“Again, you… Read the atmosphere, the atmosphere”

“Ahaha, certainly it was an inappropriately difficult talk. Claire, sorry?”

“… No”

“Now, let’s go to the dining hall. It’s a little late, so it might be a little crowded”

Yuu-sama left the room, pondering what to get for lunch in exactly the same manner as when he talked about politics

What a truly crafty person.

“Hey you”

When I tried to leave the meeting room some time after Yuu-sama, Claire-sama suddenly called out to me.

“What is it, Claire-sama”

To want to know my opinion, just what kind of turn of events is that.

“Do you think aristocracy will eventually go away as well?”

“I don’t know”

“… I see”

“I don’t know, but even if Claire-sama stopped being a noble, I’d still serve Claire-sama”

Claire-sama looked surprised by me saying that.

“For what reason? With aristocracy gone, and the society as the campaigners preach, there would be no reason to serve me, right?”

“No. I’ve said it many times, right? I serve Claire-sama out of love”

Claire-sama grimaced.

“You are joking again”

“I’m not doing anything like joking. I’m deadly serious”

“Yes yes. It was stupid of me to ask you”

Saying so, Claire-sama started walking towards the cafeteria.

I also followed.

“Claire-sama. I’m serious?”

“Yes yes. Then, what will you eat today?”

“A gyudon set”

“… Again. Do you like it?”

“Claire-sama memorized my food preferences!”

Hmph, Claire-sama snorted displeased.

“Claire-sama, how about also trying a gyudon set?”

“I am fine. Even at best it’s an unsatisfying meal, in excess it becomes unappetizing”

“Then, I’ll give you a bite”

“I do not want it”

“Eh? No way, do you want say aah?”

“I have not said that!?”

It seems we slowly got back to normal.

“Claire-sama”

“What is it?”

“No matter how the world changes, I will always protect Claire-sama”

“So what! I will not accept your protect――”

After saying this much, seeing my serious face Claire-sama’s words got stuck in her throat.

“Always, no matter what happens”

“… What is it, honestly”

Because I was unusually serious, Claire-sama became perplexed.

“For the time being, I’ll start with that”

I pointed at the entrance of the dining hall.

There’s a huge crowd there.

“…”

“Now, Claire-sama, let’s go!”

I led Claire-sama, who made a disheartened face.