Hiding That The Damn Prince Is An Omega

Vol-2: Chapter 8.1

People who didn't know, would think that the emperor was taking care of his distant relative's nephew or showing hospitality to the heroic grand duke who saved the empire from a crisis, but that wasn't the case in Leona's eyes. The emperor's action now was not pure affection, but a thoroughly calculated one.Numerous nobles attended the improvement ceremony today. A larger number of people gathered than expected to see Archduke Eckhart, who is being discussed as the next emperor, with their own eyes.

The emperor was now revealing his intentions in front of such people. He said that Archduke Eckhart was the one he had chosen as his successor.

Just as expected. The nobles on either side of the podium were busily exchanging glances. Right now, their heads are probably running tight, calculating which side will benefit them.
Leona bit her lower lip, resisting the expression of her face. The aristocratic faction led by the Duke of Herace is fine. They followed the wishes of their head, the duke, and had long supported Étienne as the next emperor. As long as the empress herself and the duke did not collapse, no one would leave.

The problem was the neutrals and the various minorities who had not yet decided on a position. They began to show interest in Archduke Eckhart.
This was especially true of nobles and knights who had enemies in the military. On the surface, he claims to be politically neutral, but the mood has already shifted to the Grand Duke.

Leona spread her fan to cover her nervous expression. No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't see a sharp number.

Not too long ago, she didn't care about neutrals and minorities. Because she was confident that even without their power she would make Etienne the emperor.
However, the situation changed when Archduke Eckhart became active. If neutrals and minority aristocrats supported Archduke Eckhart and colluded with the imperial faction, there was a high possibility of losing the initiative.

I have to stop that....

But by what means?

Leona's mind became as complicated as tangled threads.

"Long time no see. Her Majesty the Empress.”

Leona, immersed in her troubles, returned to her reality at the sound of Richard's voice greeting her. She put her thoughts back and forced a smile.

There is no point in thinking about it right now. This was a matter of moving gradually over time.

“…..Long time no see, Archduke Eckhart. It's nice to see you healthy."
“I am happy too.”

After her formal greeting with Leona, Richard turned his head to look at Etienne. His eyes, as blue as the deep sea, shimmered like pearls.

“Your Highness the Prince.”

Richard approached Etienne with a welcome expression on his face. The hard look that Leona had seen a while ago was nowhere to be found.

"Long time no see. How have you been?”
"Ah…..”

Étienne looked at Richard, who was politely greeting him with honorifics, with his awkward eyes.

Over the past three years, Étienne has thought of the moment he would reunite with Richard. But he hadn't thought of such a reunion. He is Richard, who calls himself as the prince, not his brother.

“Ah I…..so so."

Etienne mumbled his reply, who pursed his lips like someone who had been attacked by surprise.

“The Grand Duke has been well…..?”

After hesitating for a moment, Etienne spoke to Richard hesitantly like a shy person. If Richard treats himself as the prince of the empire and is polite, he had to do the same.