Chapter 68

I quietly opened my mouth.

“Is that… a decided matter?”

The First Prince twirled his cup with his fingertips.

“No.”

He takes a sip of wine.

“In the near future, there will be the ceremony for my approval as Crown Prince.”

Saying that, my brother had a look in his eyes as if gazing slightly into the distance.

“I just thought it would be good if I could appoint you then.”

The room was quiet, the lights swaying.

I thought for a while, and eventually said.

“Actually—there is something I thought of at the hot spring resort.”

The First Prince returned his gaze.

“Oh?”

I slowly chose my words.

“The incident this time was merely an accident. A chimney was blocked, and people just collapsed.”

I put down my cup.

“However, when I saw that inn, I thought.”

I looked at my brother.

“What would have happened if it had been an epidemic.”

The First Prince’s expression changes slightly. I continued.

“People are crowded together, windows are kept tightly closed due to steam and smoke, and dirty water is reused.”

I say quietly.

“If an illness were to slip in, that hot spring resort would be finished in a month.”

I felt the shadows in the room grow darker.

“And the same thing—could happen in every town in this country.”

I recall the knowledge I once obtained.

“That is why I thought. I want to receive that land as my territory.”

The First Prince raised an eyebrow.

“The hot spring resort?”

I nodded.

“I will build a single city there.”

While lightly moving a plate on the desk with my finger, I explained.

“Medicine is something the church has long protected.”

And I continue.

“Therefore, we invite monks, and leave the medical treatment to them.”

The First Prince is listening quietly.

“Medicinal herbs are also necessary. We gather herbalists and doctors, and eventually make it a place of learning to study medical arts.”

“…A university, huh.”

My brother said softly. I nodded.

“Because it is a hot spring resort, the sick will gather, and nobles will visit for recuperation.”

I pointed to the cheese on the desk.

“And, merchants will also come.”

The First Prince’s mouth relaxes slightly.

“Scholars, nobles, merchants. If the three intersect, it will naturally grow as a city.”

And finally.

“There is one more role.”

The First Prince put his cup down.

“What is it.”

I answered.

“Travelers, pilgrims, and merchants coming from foreign countries. First, we have them stay in that city.”

I continue quietly.

“After observing their physical condition there, we let them enter the Royal Capital.”

The First Prince narrowed his eyes.

“If there is someone carrying a disease, they will be stopped there.”

I said.

“If we do that, perhaps, the bad air carrying epidemics will not reach the Royal Capital.”

The First Prince opened his mouth.

“You are saying that while one city cannot protect the country, you can show the method, huh.”

Eventually, he slowly lifts his cup.

“…I see.”

My brother gave a small laugh.

“You thought that far ahead at a hot spring resort?”

I shrugged.

“While taking a bath, though.”

The First Prince looked at his wine for a while.

And says quietly.

“You are thinking of a more interesting job than Chancellor.”

And, gave a small nod.

“I understand your thoughts well.”

Saying that, he took his cup in hand and slowly swirled the red wine.

“I will consult with the King.”

Catching the light, the liquor shines in a deep color.

My brother gave a slight bitter smile while continuing to stare at his cup.

“…Truthfully.”

He raises his face.

“I wanted to have you work by my side, though.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Would that… mean more work than I have now?”

The First Prince answered immediately.

“Naturally.”

And he shrugs.

“It is not a job where you can talk about fixed hours.”

…Absolutely not.

I thought so from the bottom of my heart. Days bound by government affairs in the Royal Capital. In other words, mountains of paperwork. Unending meetings.

Rather than that—the hot spring resort is better.

I can enter a natural hot spring every day. The air in the valley is refreshing. If it’s that land, grapes might grow too. If cultivated well, I could even make wine.

Cooking would be interesting too. If I use the hot spring’s steam, I can make steamed dishes. Whether meat, fish, or vegetables.

…No matter how I think about it, that sounds more fun.

But, I cannot let such things show on my face. I quietly put down my cup.

And said with a solemn face.

“No matter what land it may be—”

I look at the First Prince.

“I intend to help you, brother, for the sake of the country.”

The First Prince looked at my face for a while.

Eventually, he gives a small chuckle.

“…Is that so.”

He lightly swirls his cup.

“For the sake of the country, huh.”

He shrugged just a little.

“Words very like you.”

After saying that, the First Prince continued quietly.

“But, Leonhart.”

The eyes looking at me soften just a little bit.

“Since the past, you were more earnest than anyone, and put in effort too.”

The First Prince stopped his cup.

“…However, you were strangely inconspicuous.”

While staring at his cup, he continues.

“And look at you now. You received the title of Count of the Court in the great power, were hoisted up by merchants, and saved people at the hot springs.”

My brother let out a small breath.

“A younger brother with ceaseless rumors.”

Then, he laughs just a little.

“Building a city at a hot spring resort, huh. I didn’t think you would bring up such a story.”

He took a sip of liquor before saying.

“…Well, fine. If it is useful to the country, I don’t mind.”

And he lowers his voice slightly.

“But remember this. There is no truly easy place for royalty.”

My brother placed his cup on the desk.

“No matter where you go, the work will chase you.”

My brother looked at me.

“You have changed.”

He said after a slight pause.

“…No. Perhaps you were originally that kind of man.”

And he laughs lightly.

“I just didn’t notice, that’s all.”

I lifted my cup.

“…For now, let us enjoy the wine.”

The First Prince looks this way. I gave a light laugh.

“We can talk about politics tomorrow too.”

My brother was silent for just an instant, and eventually let out a small breath.

“…That’s true.”

He lightly raises his cup.

“For tonight at least, let us just be brothers.”

I nodded.

If we are to spend the same time together, the pleasant one is better. Even if you drink liquor while carrying heavy talk, it won’t taste good.

We lightly clinked our cups together.

A clear sound echoed in the quiet room. At that moment, the fragrance of the wine wafted up softly.

My brother took a sip of wine, and suddenly muttered.

“…Leonhart.”

When I raised my face, my brother said quietly.

“Do not forget.”

He lightly swirls his cup.

“You are my younger brother.”

And, he slowly drained the wine in his glass.

…Another reason I desire the hot spring resort as my territory is because of Marc. Even though that arrow wound has mostly healed, it must ache occasionally. If it’s the hot spring resort, I can ease his pain even a little with the power of the hot water.

…Protecting one’s subordinates is also the duty of one who stands above.

Although this thought is not something to purposely voice aloud.