Volume 8 Chapter 3Madam Annabell

Contrary to most people’s expectations, the succession war that would decide who would become the next Emperor was proceeding in Cleo’s favor.

His faction had begun to grow rapidly ever since Liam made the announcement that he would back Cleo.

After overcoming many crises, Cleo had grown to the point where more voices were pushing for him to become the next Emperor than even Calvin.

However, there was one person that wasn’t happy with such a development.

It was Cleo himself.

“It’s never about me. They always ask for Liam.”

He was in his room relaxing by himself when he decied to voice out his complaint despite there being no one present.

Lysithea, who had been in a good mood recently, entered the room.

Although she was born into royalty, she chose the path of a knight in order to protect Cleo.

With her orange hair tied into a ponytail, she happily gave Cleo a report.

“Cleo, hear this! So many people came to visit today that it’s finally reached a point where they would have to wait a couple of years!”

An increasing number of aristocrats and merchants were rushing over to greet Cleo.

Furthermore, several organizations had reached out to Cleo hoping for a meeting.

Lysithea was excited as such a situation would have been unthinkable given their previous state of affairs.

“Everything’s smooth sailing now that the faction has come together. Besides, Elder Brother Calvin is absent at the moment, so a lot of aristocrats want to meet you. In fact, more and more members of the Calvin Faction are expressing their desire to switch sides.”

Rumor had it that Cleo was now the person closest to the throne.

However, the distance between Cleo and Calvin wasn’t that close.

If something went awry, Cleo could still be blown away easily.

“It’s not me that they’re seeking, but rather Count Banfield. Am I wrong?”

Lysithea’s expression became slightly dark hearing his sarcastic remark.

“I’m sure they’re here for Count Banfield as well, but that’s to be expected. He’s your biggest supporter and backer. Without the Count’s financial and military support, what would have become of us by now?”

Cleo obediently backed down after being berated by his sister.

“It was just a joke. That said, I’m really troubled by all the petitions that I must look through from early in the morning.”

“That just goes to show how many people are relying on you.”

“I guess it’s better than being ignored…”

(Most people think of me as nothing more than the Count’s ornament.)

In reality, he wasn’t happy at all.

His current position was gifted to him through Liam’s power and not his own.

He was aware of how vulnerable he was as a prince.

“Count Banfield’s at the Capital as well, so we can rest assured regardless of what happens! Now, your schedule for today will be…”

Just as Lysithea was about to recite Cleo’s schedule to him like a secretary would, a clamor began outside the room.

The knights guarding Cleo confirmed what was going on.

“Your Highness Cleo, a moment please.”

“What’s the matter?”

“A-actually… Your Highness’s mother will be arriving shortly.”

“My mother?”

Cleo shot up from his seat, and Lysithea’s mouth hung wide open in surprise.

[Annabell Sera Lengrand], their biological mother, had personally come to visit them.

Neither Cleo, nor Lysithea, could mask their shock after learning about their mother’s arrival given that she had never tried to meet her children before.

Facing one another, Cleo asked for Lysithea’s opinion.

“Sister, what should we do?”

“Let’s first see what she’s here for… We can think of what to do with her afterwards. I’ll go welcome her, so Cleo should stay put.”

Watching his sister rush out, Cleo sat down on a chair.

“What is she here for after all this time?”

◇

Cleo was shocked upon meeting Madam Annabell.

Due to her access to anti-aging technology, she looked to be a young woman.

No one would believe that she had three children and was old enough to even have grandchildren.

She could even pass herself off as Cleo’s older sister.

Madam Annabell was wearing a unique yet flashy dress which had a collar so large that she looked like a frilled lizard.

Her hairstyle was also one of a kind, shaped and tied like an onion.

She had always been indifferent towards Cleo and her other children, so it was uncomfortable seeing her smile as she spoke.

“Cleo, you’ve grown so much that I could hardly recognize you. I’ve heard all about it. Your name precedes even that of His Highness Calvin within the palace.”

Madam Annabell had practically withdrawn herself to the back palace and refused to get involved with the outside world.

As such, she was unaware of what was considered fashionable these days and had a unique fashion of her own.

Even though she had remained holed up, she had heard of Cleo’s giant leap.

That appeared to be the reason why she had come all the way here to visit her daughter-turned-son.

Lysithea who stood diagonally behind Cleo took a glance at Madam Annabell before turning her eyes away with a bitter face.

Madam Annabell was all smiles for Cleo, but she didn’t even bat an eye at Lysithea.

“From how things are looking, Cleo will no doubt become the next Emperor.”

“No one knows what the future holds for us.”

“Nonsense! His Highness Calvin might be the Crown Prince, but he’s away from the palace at the moment. He’s battling the Kingdom of Dominion, which has coincidentally given you the chance to solidify your position.”

Madam Annabell was right.

Now that Calvin was absent from the Capital, the Cleo Faction could expand its influence inside the palace.

However, Cleo wasn’t involved in that matter.

“I’ve left that task to Count Banfield.”

Madam Annabell’s eyes became sharp.

“Cleo… I understand why you’re giving Count Banfield preferential treatment. It’s because he was the only one that helped you during your darkest hours, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

(You, on the other hand, didn’t even pretend to help.)

Cleo didn’t voice out his venomous thoughts as he wished to avoid getting into a conflict with his mother.

However, it was as if Madam Annabell could see through his feelings.

“It must have been tough for you. I’m really sorry. I should’ve asked my parents’ household to protect you.”

Madam Annabell grabbed Cleo’s hands and offered a sincere sounding apology.

Lysithea, who was watching from behind, frowned at how brazen her mother was behaving.

“After all this time,” she muttered in a soft voice.

Her whisper escaped the ears of Madam Annabell.

“But it’s not good to rely too much on someone. If you’re too reliant on the Banfields, you will face a lot of problems during your reign.”

“You’re right.”

The problem was that he couldn’t cut off his ties with Liam even if he were to ascend to the throne and become the Emperor.

Not only was he personally indebted to him, Liam was the one who had organized and gathered the members of his faction.

If Cleo were to betray Liam, the aristocrats would no doubt call him an “Ungrateful Emperor” and distance themselves from him.

That would put a severe strain on the Cleo Faction’s strength, and he would be hard pressed to reign as he wished.

Cleo himself was already aware of this and had come to terms with it.

“Make good use of the Lengrand Family here. I’m not telling you to cut off the Banfield Family completely, but start relying on the Lengrand Family little by little. By doing so, you can prevent the possibility of his dictatorship.”

“What!”

Lysithea raised her voice in horror.

“Cleo, don’t lend her your ears! The aristocrats won’t be convinced even if you take advantage of the Lengrand Family’s name!”

Cleo heard his sister’s advice, but he had his own thoughts on this matter.

(Is it really alright for me to rely on Count Banfield so much? Shouldn’t I use the Lengrand Family and shave off as much of his power as I could?)

The Lengrand Family decided to approach him the moment it became clear that Cleo might become the next Emperor.

They weren’t trustworthy, but it didn’t seem bad to use them as a way to restrict Liam.

He knew that the Lengrand Family wasn’t to be trusted, but he couldn’t help but be swayed due to Liam’s presence.

He felt inferior to Liam, and because of that inferiority complex, he convinced himself to accept the Lengrand Family’s offer.

“It should be fine. After all, I have the Lengrand Family’s blood flowing within me. The aristocrats won’t be too happy if they hear that I turned down my relatives.”

Hearing his explanation, Lysithea hesitated.

“You might be right, but how will you explain this to Count Banfield?”

“I’ll personally give him an explanation. I’ll see to it that the Count is convinced.”

(I’m in the weaker position at the moment, but one day…)

This was how the Lengrand Family joined the Cleo Faction.

◇

Marion walks up to me while I’m busy at work.

“Senpai must have it hard as well.”

I don’t know what his sources are and what he’s heard, but Marion is awfully familiar with my situation.

“What are you on about?”

“I’m talking about the Lengrand Family. I heard Randy-san was allowed a special visit to His Highness Cleo. Rumors are spreading not only here but throughout the entire palace.”

Marion shows me a terminal which is displaying information like a bulletin board in my previous life.

A lot of what’s written there is aimed at provoking me.

I ignore them and go back to “my” own work.

“I’m busy right now. Don’t talk to me.”

“Liam-senpai’s so serious. Despite what you say, you can’t fake your serious personality.”

He really doesn’t get it, does he?

He doesn’t understand what I’m trying to do right now.

“So? You came here just to show me this? What, you thought I’d go find them and show them what a bloodbath is? I’m busy as is, so I don’t have the time for that kind of thing.”

“How disappointing. I thought you’d be furious.”

I’m not that free.

While the two of us are talking, Randy approaches us in his flashy suit.

He seems to be very proud of himself.

“Liam, do this too.”

He throws the work which had been entrusted to him and his lackeys to me.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“We should get along as members of the same faction. We’re busy, so do our job for us.”

Randy leaves with his entourage while laughing as if to mock me.

I’m honestly surprised that there’s still someone who would talk to me with such attitude.

Especially when he’s in a worse position than me.

Marion calls out to me.

“Need a hand?”

“No, I will do it. Focus on your own job.”

I’ll stay quiet for now.

◇

Madam Annabell had called upon Randy, and he was giving his reports on Liam while looking very nervous.

“He’s displaying a calm attitude even when we behave arrogantly before him. It makes me wonder if he really caused a scene during his internship.”

Randy had begun his training in a hurry as he was about to reach the age of 200.

He couldn’t be described as serious even when using excessive flattery.

Nonetheless, due to his time inside the education capsule, he could keep up with the talented bureaucrats around him.

Still, a huge wall stood between Liam and him.

Madam Annabell sighed at her disappointing nephew.

“Make sure to watch Liam carefully.”

“Rest assured, for he is already under my watch. So will the Lengrand Family be spearheading the Cleo Faction?”

Randy was interested in the top seats of the Cleo Faction.

Seeing this, Madam Annabell shook her head.

He really doesn’t understand a thing.

“What’s wrong, Aunt?”

“Randy, why can’t you be a bit smarter? When did I ever state that we’ll be supporting Cleo? Our goal is to make the Cleo Faction collapse from within. That is what that person desires.”

To begin with, Madam Annabell had no intention of supporting Cleo.

“Then the Lengrand Family doesn’t stand to gain anything!”

“Calm down. I’ll make sure that there’s profit to be had.”

“Is this somehow related to His Highness Calvin? His Highness Calvin stands to gain the most with Cleo’s downfall, does he not?”

Calvin would benefit the most by kicking Cleo down.

As such, Randy assumed that his aunt was secretly connected to Calvin behind the scenes.

“Randy… Just make sure that you keep an eye on Liam. Corner him if given the chance, but don’t leave any evidence. You know how many aristocrats he’s crushed so far, right?”

Randy nodded while sweating bullets.

“O-of course.”

The Lengrand Family was beginning to show suspicious movements after being invited into his faction by Cleo.

——————————————————————————————————–

Brian (´；ω；｀): “Troubles are rolling in one after another even when the Guide is gone. It’s painful. Oh, but–”

Brian ヾ(*´ω｀*)ノ: “Volume 1 of ‘I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!’ was released today, and this Brian is pleased to say that it seems to be doing quite well.”

Wakagi-chan д゜): “Please also check out Volume 6 of ‘The World of Otome Games if Tough for Mobs’, released July 30th. A limited CD drama edition will be released this time around as well. Oh, and by the way, my guardian, Rion Shan will be voiced by [Yusuke Kobayashi], while the First Luxion will be voiced by [Shirai Yusuke] … Neat, innit?”