The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 147: Sister in Law

Duke Kleinert has come into contact with Elder Weitling, sir.

Is that so.

After my rampaging stunt, I was waiting for the situation to unfold inside my room.

Fortunately, Sebas can act as my eyes and ears during that time.

I am already a target of surveillance of the people inside the capital so its better to stay still now rather than make a poor move.

Also, due to the impression manipulation by Earl Simmel, it seems that Elder Weitling is doubting that Arnold-sama might have been replaced by Leonard-sama, sir.

I see. So he took it that way huh.

When I muttered so, Finne who was brewing tea asked me a question while slightly tilting her head.

What do you mean by that way?

Its simple. I did something Leo-like. Getting angry, persecuting nobles, I did it all in the way that people would never think that I would do it. It doesnt matter that peoples evaluations of me change and it doesnt matter that people think that Leo might have swapped places with me. I can move no matter which way they take it.

You have been doing that?..I didnt notice it at all.

The more people know about me, the more strange my actions would seem to them. It is easier for people to think maybe Leo switched places with him?. Well, it is alright either way. They can think that I have changed into someone frightening and this is still okay. After all, it is impossible to play being incompetent forever, this will put an end to any foolish noble who will try to make light of me and this will also compensate for Leos weakness, his naivety, as well. With this, we can move the nobles who are still hesitant because of Leos lack of ruthlessness. If we let them think that Leo also has a scary side to him, they will no longer be able to stay on the sidelines after all.

Eric and Gordon will not show any mercy. The nobles who are not on their side will definitely get weakened, if not executed. However, Leo is different. Since he gives off the impression that he is kind and generous, many people think that they might be forgiven even if they just keep observing the situation from the side.

If we can make them fear him then it would be easier to move them.

I feel sorry for Leo but since there will be no loss for the faction with this, I will have him forgive me here.

I dont think that Leo-sama would resort to that kind of method though

The people who are close to him might think so. But thats just them. And even among those people, they will still feel some sense of wrongness from me. I already laid some groundwork with Father, depending on how this plays out, I might have to act as Leo as well.

That should be the last resort, sir. I am sure that Elder Weitling isnt entirely convinced that you two have swapped places either. He shouldnt cause any fuss basing on suspicion alone. The best result here would be to create a situation where your actions can be interpreted either way, sir.

Right. There is a big disadvantage of pretending to be Leo too.

The impression that Leo had swapped places with me can be manipulated by just circulating rumors.

No matter what the facts are, the nobles will still be panicked at the possibility that Leo might have swapped places with me.

To be honest, I dont want to pretend to be Leo in front of them.

What kind of disadvantage is it?

Its a big disadvantage. Lets say that I told them that I am actually Leo who swapped places with me.if that happens, I will have no choice but to act as him until he comes back. That is too painful for me.

I think that Al-sama can do it though?

There is a difference between can and want. Humans can learn by experience. I have already learned the hard way how painful pretending to be Leo is..

I remember when we visited the southern nations.

At that time, it was already a pain impersonating him. but as if to add salt to the injury, a sea dragon even showed up. Nothing good ever came to me when I switched places with Leo.

As I thought, I should let them take this either way in the end as Sebas said.

Sebas. Keep the rumors flowing for me.

Yes, as you wish, sir.

Finne, you just act like you usually do. Depending on the situation I might have you do something for me but we will see how they will handle this situation for now.

Yes. Here, please take this.

Saying so, Finne smiles and serves me a cup of tea.

In the chaotic castle, only my room was still the same as usual.

The next day.

I was called by a certain person and is currently making my way to her room.

On the east side of the inner palace, there is a place called [the East Palace] reserved for the wife of the Crown Prince. Once the crown prince becomes the emperor, the royal consort will move from this place to the palace at the center of the inner palace as the empress.

In other words, the person who can live here is the Crown Princess. However, there is no one holding that title at the moment. Still, there is a person who is living here.

The Former Crown Princess. The woman who became a widow after the Crown Prince passed away.

My sister in law.

Therese Lakes Adler. Her former name is Therese von Weitling.

The eldest daughter of Marquis Weitling.

Its been a while. Arnold.

Yes, its been a long time. Sister in law. I am glad you are in good health.

Saying so, I bowed to the beauty with long honey-colored hair, my sister in law, Therese. Before she became my eldest brothers wife, she was the center of the attention of high society. She is still 26 and her beauty still hasnt changed but the death of my brother began to cast a shadow on her.

My sister in law was allowed to live in the East Palace at the discretion of the Emperor after the Crown Princes death.

The reason was that she couldnt forget the Crown Prince and cant bring herself to keep living from the shock of losing him.

It is inevitable for people to sympathize with her and let her live quietly in the East Palace.

It was surprising for her to call me. After all, she is someone that would never move except for events related to the Crown Prince.

Im sorry for calling you here so suddenlyI wanted to apologize to you on my brothers behalf. As his sister, Im sorry for his actions.

Its all right, please dont worry about that.

I put one hand forward to stop my sister in law from lowering her head.

She shouldnt lower her head over something like this. This person was someone who was supposed to become the empress after all.

It is not my place to say this but..can you forgive my brother, will you forgive Laurenz?

Im sure that is the wish she has from the bottom of her heart.

She already lost the Crown Prince, thats why she is worried about losing her brother, Marquis Weitling.

However, she has misunderstood something here.

I am very disappointed. I didnt expect such words to come from you.

..you can not forgive him can you.

Yes, I have no intention to let this go. If he wants to be forgiven then he should have come to apologize to me directly. Moreover, it seems that you are misunderstanding something, Sister-in-law..the moment you married Aniue, you have already become a member of the imperial family. Isnt it my side that you supposed to be on?

That is.

Laurenz von Weitling has done a great deal of disrespect toward me as a member of the imperial family. His actions are a show that he is holding the whole imperial family in contempt. The honor of the imperial family will be tainted if I simply forgive him.

.Arnold. Please. I have no blood-related family left beside him..

Unfortunately, if you are my sister in law, your priority should be given to protecting the honor of the imperial family over your blood connections. I will keep silent about it this time but please do not forget that many people find your presence here in the East Palace to be unpleasant.

Advising her so, I turned back.

I might have been too harsh but this is something that someone should say to her.

She shouldnt want to part from this place, after all, this place was where she spent memorable days with my brother.

This place is that important to her.

Arnoldthe Crown Prince..Will had a high opinion of you, you know.

This is the first time I hear it.

If its you then you must be aware that there is no point in cornering the Weitling house..my brother is still young. Please, give him a chance to start over.

He is still older than me. Moreover, if he can at least make the right decision here, the worst-case scenario can still be avoided. He simply will suffer the consequence of picking a fight with the imperial family. As the head of an influential noble house, one could say that he is still lacking. Chaos will be created when someone incompetent acquires power. You should be able to understand that much, Sister in law.

Arnold

I will have to excuse myself here.

Saying so, I left the place for good.