37-84

EP.84 Balkan Civil War (2) 

After the emperor collapsed and news of the crown prince’s impeachment trial spread, the capital of Balkan, Adria, split into two factions: the Second Prince’s camp and the Crown Prince’s camp. 

One side argued that Prinz’s sexual preferences made him unfit to be crown prince, while the other insisted that sexual orientation was a private matter and that he had governed the empire capably, making him fully qualified as the next emperor. The two factions clashed everywhere. 

“The position of emperor isn’t just about ability! You know full well there’s also a duty to produce many heirs and continue the royal bloodline!!” 

“Who cares if the crown prince loves women or men? The important thing is how well he governs the empire!!” 

“Ha! If his hidden lover were just a man, that would be better! But he had sex with something that’s neither male nor female. If that creature ever gets pregnant with royal blood, what then?!” 

“T-that’s…” 

Debates disguised as arguments broke out everywhere: in the council chamber, in the palace square, even in taverns frequented by commoners. 

Rumors about the crown prince spread, growing increasingly malicious now even claiming he was a pervert having homosexual orgies with his retainers. 

Although the crown prince’s good governance had kept public opinion balanced at first, the rumors quickly tipped sentiment toward the Second Prince’s camp. 

In a secret room of the Second Prince’s palace, Heinrich toasted with his retainers. 

“Wahaha, just as I planned!!” 

“Yes, Your Highness. As you instructed, we’ve planted agitators throughout Adria’s squares, and we’ve attended tea parties and social gatherings of high-ranking noble families, spreading rumors that the First Prince can only have sex with something neither man nor woman.” 

“I’ve been spreading the rumor that the First Prince is a homosexual. All it takes is one tabloid and the gossip blows up. Hehehe.” 

“And there’s a rumor that Princess Hiriya hasn’t slept with the First Prince since their wedding night. We didn’t even start that one it seems to have come straight from the First Prince’s palace, so it must be true.” 

“Hehehe, Brother Prinz was really something, huh? Looks like I didn’t even need to work that hard to spread rumors. But really, why would he sleep with such a creature when there are perfectly good women around? I just don’t get it.” 

As Heinrich received these reports, young girls lay unconscious foaming at the mouth at his feet. When drool from one girl’s mouth wetted his shoe, he casually wiped it off on her face. 

“Hahaha, well said! By the way, when I become emperor… Hiriya and Rachel maybe you all want a turn?” 

“Well… if you wish, Your Highness, you can let us have our way with Hiriya and Rachel. We can pass them around as we please… I have no interest in such big, vulgar breasts anyway.” 

Heinrich’s subordinates grew aroused at the thought of defiling the noble crown princess and second princess. 

“But… if something happens to the second princess, our secret agreement with Leon could be at risk. Of course, I remember what you said before…” 

“Hmph! That Leon! Once I’m on the throne, I’ll ally with Teseito by giving back Streve, then destroy Leon first! And I’ll make that arrogant first princess my personal sex slave. Ah! That means Rachel must be kept alive until then.” 

“Pardon?” 

“I’ll cut off that haughty bitch’s limbs and make her my personal onahole, while she watches her little sister get gang-raped by you all! Hahaha, just thinking about it feels great!!” 

Heinrich’s mad laughter made his subordinates shrink back for a moment. 

“…By the way, has Rachel noticed anything? She’s been holed up in her room lately. She’s still a princess, so we can’t just barge in and have no idea what she’s up to.” 

Since marrying Rachel, Heinrich had never spent a wedding night with her, and Rachel had no interest in him either. They were a couple in name only, sharing nothing. 

“What could that girl possibly do? Don’t worry about such an idiot with the big event coming up. Oh! And… is ‘that’ ready?” 

“Don’t worry. It’s proceeding under strict security. Soon, the emperor will…” 

“Well done. The best timing is when Brother Prinz falls from grace. Proceed as planned. Now, let’s have another drink!” 

Heinrich and his men toasted again, imagining the glorious days ahead. 

While the Second Prince’s palace celebrated, the Crown Prince’s residence was in mourning. 

As public opinion turned more and more against the crown prince, calls for Prinz to abdicate grew ever louder. 

The only saving grace was that it was impossible to depose the crown prince without a formal order from the emperor. With the emperor still unconscious, the crown prince’s aides rushed to dig up dirt on the Second Prince to reverse public opinion. 

“Your Highness! We must do something! At this rate…” 

“Sigh~ Any news on Heinrich?” 

“Sorry, nothing new yet. So in that case…” 

Prinz’s chief aide, Viscount Toys, glanced at the third annex, and Prinz gave a wry smile. 

“That’s not an option. I’d rather abdicate. I’ve already betrayed the crown princess once I can’t betray her again.” 

“But! Your Highness! It’s not too late. I won’t ask you to kill that person yourself! Just send them to the countryside and announce they’d been hiding in the palace all along! Claim the dresses you wore were theirs! That way, at least public opinion might…” 

“I said no! Leave me!” 

“Your Highness… there’s no other way…” 

Despite Prinz’s order to leave, the loyal Toys knelt at his feet and pleaded, and Prinz bit his lip until it bled. 

Creak  

At that moment, the office door opened, and Prinz and Viscount Toys turned around. 

“There you are, Your Highness… Viscount Toys? Could you leave us for a moment?” 

There stood Crown Princess Hiriya and Yunas, Prinz’s lover who had shocked all of Adria. 

“…Understood. I’ll return in the morning.” 

“Sorry, Toys… If you find anything to use against Heinrich, act immediately without my permission.” 

At Prinz’s order, Viscount Toys bowed deeply and left the office. 

Once Toys left and the door closed, Hiriya and Yunas approached Prinz. 

“The moonlight is beautiful… Could we have some tea and talk, just the three of us?” 

At Hiriya’s request, Prinz just nodded, and Hiriya brewed tea and led them to the terrace, placing cups on the table. 

“Come here. The night breeze is really nice.” 

She sat at the table, linking arms with Yunas and Prinz. 

After a brief awkward silence, Prinz spoke first, and the conversation between the husband who had become the adulterer and the “mistress” began. 

“First… I owe you an apology. The truth is, I chose you as crown princess…” 

“Yes, I know. My father and our family were too weak to function as royal in-laws, right? And my lack of ambition helped too.” 

“…That’s right. And before I married you, I was already seeing Yunas… I always intended to make Yunas the crown princess, no matter the opposition… but it was impossible. Yunas didn’t want it.” 

As Yunas nodded quietly, Hiriya gave a wry smile. 

“I’m truly sorry, Hiriya… I know it’s a burden for me to keep Yunas by my side, and I tried to give up my feelings for the crown prince, but I just couldn’t… sob…” 

“It’s all right. I knew you two were together. Of course, I didn’t know about Yunas’s body…” 

“You… you knew?” 

Prinz looked surprised, and Hiriya smiled. 

“Yes. Did you think I didn’t notice you sneaking off every night? I checked your office, but you weren’t there… so I waited and followed you, and saw you go into the third annex. I also noticed that the door, usually locked, opened only for you.” 

“W-when did you find out?” 

“A long time ago. I’ve known for three years.” 

“I… I see… I’m really sorry.” 

As Prinz bowed his head, Hiriya smiled brightly. 

“Hehe, it’s fine. Lift your head. Actually, I have someone else in my heart, too.” 

“…I know. It’s Yuno, isn’t it?” 

Hiriya’s eyes widened in surprise at Prinz’s response. 

“You… you knew?” 

“Heh. I could tell by the way you looked at Yuno. You always had such a longing expression.” 

The couple crown prince and crown princess looked into each other’s eyes and burst out laughing. 

“Hahahahaha!” 

“Hohohohoho!” 

After a while, they looked at each other again. 

“We were married, but our hearts were with other people.” 

“Yeah. And it’s time to end this.” 

“Yes, dear. I’ll divorce you.” 

“All right. But let’s delay the public announcement. And you should go to Yuno. Whatever happens with my brother and me… Yuno will protect you to the end.” 

“Thank you, dear. This is the last time I’ll call you that. Yunas, please take good care of him.” 

“Y-yes… I’ll do my best, Hiriya…” 

The three of them enjoyed the night breeze, sipping the tea Hiriya had brewed.