Chapter 228: The Crybaby Prince

After we moved downstairs using the first secret passage, we took multiple secret passages to get down to the lower floor.

Then we arrived at the secret room where it is connected to a room in the Inner Palace.

To think that this castle has a secret passage that leads right to the Inner Palace, I dont think that anything is impossible here anymore

I had fun going through them though.

Finne was enjoying her trip through the series of secret passages while Mia was taken aback after she was dragged through so many of them.

But, you have a naive side too huh, Prince?

A naive side? Where?

You have been generously showing those secret passages to me, right. I think you are already aware but I am a thief you know.

And how am I naive because of that?

If I want to infiltrate this place, I can utilize them to my hearts content you know.

Ahh, I see.

Mia astoundedly sighed at my answer.

It certainly seems a little foolish of me huh.

Mia is certainly someone from another country, moreover, she is also more or less a criminal.

I have shown her multiple secret passages in the castle not to mention that I planned our escape through the Emperors exclusive secret passage.

All of them are national secrets.

But

If you want to try then by all means. I cant recommend it though.

You think I cant pull it off right!? I am specialized in breaking into peoples  mansions you know!?

Thats not really something that a person should take pride in right.

Th, that is, I am well aware of that! B, But thats not the point!

Al-sama. I thought that you dont care about sharing such national secrets because of the situation we are in but, am I wrong? I thought that Al-sama thinks that if the secrets are leaked, you can just suppress it though.

You are half correct. I do think that if Mia is careful then she should be able to pull it off. But it is also true that even if it is leaked, there is nothing to worry about.

Finne tilted her head.

I point to the side of the aisle that leads straight ahead.

Do you see a small hole over there?

Theres an opening..what is it?

A trap. To get rid of anyone who plans to enter the Inner Palace through this passage.

A trap!? Watch out!

Mi was surprised and immediately pulled Finne toward herself.

Thats a good reaction.

Dont worry. It wont react when a member of the Imperial Family enters the aisle.

I see. So even if it is okay for a member of the Imperial Family, if others try to use it..

The traps will be activated. Apparently, there are some kinds of traps hidden in most secret passages and secret rooms. Thats why if someone unintentionally discovers a secret passage in the castle, a member of the Imperial Family would check it out first. Most of them were built by the emperor of each generation because they have to hide something that they feel [Guilty] about. Thats why the trap that you usually find in these kinds of passages are quite nasty.

Hidden rooms and passages that were not passed down to later generations.

Why would someone build such a thing?

The reason is that the emperor has something to hide.

In the case of this passage, it was built so that the emperor can sneak out to visit the consort without getting caught by his empress.

You might think that an emperor visiting his consorts is normal but the empresses often hail from powerful houses of the Empire. For an emperor that was afraid to lose his backing, he would need to keep the empress happy.

Since the emperor knows that he can not allow himself to get caught since it wont just end with the empress getting angry, the trap here is unforgiving to intruders.

In some cases, there is a barrier to prevent intruders from entering and in other cases, there would be traps that will outright kill the intruders once they step inside the secret passage.

The reason why the Imperial Family is safe from those traps is simply that we are family. It would be outrageous if your successor dies because of a silly accident.

There are princes who love exploring the castle like me after all.

Thats why you should not use these secret passages if you want to break into the castle. Even if you dont die, you will make noises when the trap is activated. The Imperial Knights will never miss that. You wouldnt want to fight the Imperial Knights immediately after you escaped the trap right?

As expected of the Empire huh, the extent you people are willing to go is clearly different from the Dominion. Im sorry but.people of the Imperial Family are quite strange arent they.

You dont have to apologize. The Adler house is a gathering of weirdos after all. Nothing can be done about it.

For starters, trying to unify the whole continent is already too strange.

Even if you managed to unify the continent, its not like there would be no more conflict. The grudges of the people who got their home robbed away by us would be directed at the Imperial Family. Despite knowing that, my ancestor who decided to continue plundering everything to stop the circle of sadness. They must have mistaken themselves for a god or something.

And we, their descendants continue to have that misunderstanding.

It is not up to me to decide whether that is a good or bad thing. That kind of thing is up to the historians to decide. However, I am sure that our ideal is not that respectable.

Thanks to that weirdo of an ancestor, this ridiculous succession war has become our tradition to this day.

It simply means that the Imperial Family can not be normal right.

Finne skillfully followed up for me.

Her view is not wrong either.

As long as we stand at the top of such a vast empire, we can not afford to be normal.

After all, no one would follow an ordinary guy.

The Prince is certainly very strange so I think that is true.

I think of myself as a relatively decent person you know. Right? Finne.

No, uhh, that is a little..

Finne said with a vague smile on her face.

Why didnt you follow up for me in a time like this.

Eric, Gordon, Zandra, and Trau-niisan. Unlike those people, I dont have any strange quirk right.

That might be true but.I think that the people you compare yourself to have one or two extremely strange habits though.

Then at least I am better than Leo. How about that?

I wonder about thatI think that it is a close match though.

A close match!? I have only heard good things about Prince Leonard you know!?

What are you saying. Theres no way that someone who aims to become an emperor doesnt have a screw or two loose right.

In response to my words, Finne said nothing and kept the vague smile on her face.

Thats weird. I dont think that I have any weird quirk though.

I guess its bad that Leo is my twin huh.

What a troublesome younger brother.

Al-sama can say that but I am sure that he also shares the same feeling you know. Siblings are like that after all.

Hou? Then I will ask him when he gets back.

As expected, I cant say that I am the most decent person among the Imperial Family either.

There is still someone in my family that is still too normal.

After a while, the exit was visible.

When I opened the exit, we arrived at a storage room.

Alright, I will leave the rest to you two.

Leaving the rest to us? Are you not coming?

Sorry, but there is a place I am more worried about you see.

His Highness Ruperts group isnt it. Please take care.

I will not be doing anything myself though. I will just send Grau to his place and hide. I will be hiding in the secret passages to keep watch on the situation and help you from behind. But dont attract too much attention alright. If you are not near a secret passage, I cant help you after all.

I understand. You are saying that I can go wild after this right?

If Finne gives you permission that is. I will leave her to you.

Yes, please leave this to me.

Saying so, Finne bowed at me.

Seeing that, I closed the exit.

After the exit was completely shut, I changed into the appearance of Grau with illusion magic.

Well, its time to go help that one normal person of the Imperial Family huh.

Given Aloiss personality, my youngest brother, Rupert should be giving him quite a trouble right about now.

Whether for good or bad, that child is too normal.

While thinking so, I moved to the room next to the room where Alois was given for his stay in the castle.

Rupert should be with him now.

Then.

WAAA! I dont want to leave! What if I die!?

Your Highness, please dont be so loud

I heard a loud cry from the inside.

Hearing that, I sigh.

Rupert, who has grown up under his mothers protection, is a crybaby who can not be separated from his mother.

It can be said that it is only natural for a ten years old child to act like this but for a member of the Imperial Family, he can not afford to rely on his mother forever.

I guess I cant say that since I am also being spoiled by my mother even at this age huh..

Muttering so, I left the room I transferred to and quietly entered Aloiss room.

Seeing me, Alois looked like he just saw his savior.

Grau..!

It looks like you have your hands full huh.

Who!? I cant see his face!? Scary!

Saying so, the petite boy clings to his bed.

A little curly brown hair and blue eyes.

His expression looked like he was half crying.

This boy is my youngest brother, Rupert.

Although he was born into the Imperial Family, he is an ordinary child.

If I am the Dull Prince then I guess he would be the Crybaby Prince.

Nice to meet you, Your Highness Rupert. I am Grau, a wandering strategist.

Saying so, I gracefully bowed to the frightened Rupert.

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