Chapter 56

A few days later, a banquet celebrating the establishment of the temporary ceasefire was held in the grand hall of the royal palace. High-ranking clergy were invited, and the kingdom was enveloped in a celebratory feast for the first time in a long while.

Candlesticks suspended from the high ceiling flickered with countless flames.

The kingdom’s flags lined the stone walls, and lords and generals sat at the long tables.

At the very back of the hall, the table for the Royal Family was set up.

The King in the center. To his right, the Queen; to his left, the Crown Prince, the First Prince. And seated below him was First Princess Elysia.

—Directly in front of that. I was shown to the guest seat.

I am nothing more than the Third Prince of a small country. Normally, this seat belongs to a great noble.

But tonight alone is different. Gazes gather.

The lords are quietly looking this way.

It was not the look one gives a guest. It was the look one gives someone who produced results.

The battle in the forest stopped, and the borders did not move. The trading post became under the joint management of both sides. A war ended by a treaty, not a sword.

Eventually, the King stood up.

The music stopped, and the hall fell completely silent.

“My lords.”

The King’s low voice resonated.

“The ceasefire this time was not achieved by our country alone.”

The King’s gaze was directed at me.

“It is largely due to the strategies proposed by our guest from a friendly nation, His Highness Leonhart.”

A stir spread. The King of a great power publicly acknowledging the merit of a foreign prince. That alone was unprecedented.

But the King continued.

“Therefore, I shall record this merit.”

A chamberlain stepped forward and presented a document on a silver tray.

The King declared.

“I bestow the title of Honorary Count of the Court upon the foreign royal, His Highness Leonhart.”

The hall roared. It was a decision without precedent in the history of this country.

The King raised his cup.

“To the ceasefire.”

The lords followed.

“To the ceasefire!”

Cups clinked, and the music began again. I quietly raised my cup.

That Princess Elysia was looking this way from her seat—at that time, I had not yet noticed.

After the King’s words dropped, a stir still lingered in the hall.

The honorary title of Honorary Count of the Court. It does not come with territory. No castle, no taxes, no soldiers are given.

But that name will be etched into the kingdom’s registry of nobles.

At court, he will be addressed by the honorifics of his title and treated as an honored guest of the King.

A title to record his achievements as the history of the country.

I remained speechless for a while, still holding my cup.

It carries a meaning heavier than land. It was proof that this country officially recognized my work as history.

I quietly exhale.

And, I chewed over those words.

At the celebratory banquet.

Cups clinked together, and the sound of musicians filled the hall. But in the shadow of the pillars, different voices were being exchanged.

“Did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“The bestowing of the title just now.”

One of them said in a low voice.

“Honorary Count of the Court, they said.”

The hand holding the cup stopped.

“…Is that to that Third Prince of a small country?”

“Indeed.”

Silence fell for a while. Eventually, another noble slowly exhaled.

“Even if it’s an honorary title, it’s a Count of the Court.”

“And what’s more, as the architect of peace.”

“This is not just a reward.”

Their gazes turned to the distant seat.

A single young man. The Third Prince of a small country.

“It means our country has acknowledged him.”

Someone said softly.

“As a face of diplomacy, eh.”

“It is too great a name for a small country.”

Another man furrowed his brow.

“But think about it. That trading post.”

“He stopped the battle in the forest and opened trade.”

“Generating money without moving soldiers.”

A cup was slowly swirled.

“…More troublesome than an army.”

Someone gave a bitter laugh.

“A man who fights with intellect, huh.”

Another noble continued.

“And what’s more, our King bestowed a title upon him.”

“In other words, that man is—”

The words stopped. Eventually, a quiet voice dropped.

“A prince of a small country who has a face in the court of a great power.”

No one denied it.

Beyond the hall, voices of laughter rose, and the celebratory banquet continued.

And, in the shadow of the pillars, another conclusion was also being born.

“…We can no longer make light of the small country.”

“There’s that, too, but.”

“…Is there something else?”

Someone gave a small laugh.

“It’s politics.”

“There is a strongest string to reel the small country in.”

“Marriage?”

Silence fell.

One of them said in a low voice.

“But, it’s that Princess, you know.”

“Do you think she will easily permit it?”

Another man shrugged.

“Permit it or not, you heard the rumors of that military council, didn’t you.”

“The Princess supported him herself.”

“…Ah.”

Their gazes turned to the back of the hall. Someone muttered softly.

“I see.”

Another man raised his cup.

“Is that the King’s intention? A candidate for a husband.”

Their cups clinked.

Elysia’s Perspective

The celebratory banquet was advancing deep into the night.

The sound of music and laughter filled the hall, and cups were constantly refilled.

Amidst that clamor, First Princess Elysia’s lady-in-waiting quietly returned. Offering a silver cup, she bowed ever so slightly.

“Your Highness.”

Her voice was as low as a whisper.

“Just now, among the nobles…”

While receiving the cup, I directed only my gaze at her.

“Speak.”

The lady-in-waiting checked her surroundings once.

“It is regarding the matter of His Highness Leonhart’s ‘Honorary Count of the Court’.”

“…What of it?”

“They are saying, could he not be a candidate to be Princess Elysia’s fiancé.”

The rim of the cup stopped slightly.

But, I immediately carried it to my mouth.

“…I see.”

I let out a small breath. And, slowly raised my gaze. Third Prince Leonhart.

Seeing his figure, I understood immediately.

—This is my father’s aim.

Previously, my father had secretly brought up the talk of marriage to him.

At that time, he was clearly refused.

That is why, this time, he played a different hand.

The title of Honorary Count of the Court.

He probably intends to box him in from the outer moat.

“…What a troublesome King.”

As if appalled, I muttered softly.

However. No matter how much I tried to suppress them, the corners of my mouth continued to rise.

—My father likely intends to box him in.

But who exactly will end up being boxed in?

That, no one knows yet.