In the imperial year 2009, Imperial Consort Marianne was assassinated, yet the ninety-eighth emperor, Charles Di Britannia, showed no reaction. The next day, he summoned Ask Vi Britannia, sixteenth in line to the throne, for a private audience.
"Ask, do you have anything to say about Marianne's death?"
Ask lowered his head and thought for a moment, then looked up again to meet Emperor Charles's eyes.
"I asked my elder sister. She was guarding Mother on the day of the attack, but Mother ordered her to withdraw. In other words, Mother was meeting someone she knew that day. This was very likely orchestrated by someone in the imperial family."
Charles said nothing, quietly waiting for Ask to continue.
After a brief pause, Ask took the hint and went on:
"The target of this murder may not have been Mother alone, but the entire branch of the imperial family headed by her. Her three children may very well be next. Moreover, the murderer was likely someone Mother knew. A thorough investigation could implicate numerous members of the imperial family and nobility, causing enormous upheaval within the empire. Especially now, in wartime, the empire must remain stable."
Emperor Charles finally gave a satisfied smile. He was clearly pleased with this boy of only eleven and did not hold back his praise.
"An excellent deduction. To glean so much information merely from what others have told you-young as you are, you are no less capable than Schneizel."
Ask readily accepted Emperor Charles's praise and continued:
"Then, Father, what do you intend to do?"
Ask knew that his father must have another purpose in summoning him the day after his mother, Imperial Consort Marianne, was assassinated.
At his question, Charles's expression gradually grew solemn.
"Lelouch and Nunnally will be sent to Japan as political pawns."
With a single sentence, he pronounced the fate of Ask's younger brother and sister, Lelouch and Nunnally. And he was not finished.
"As for you, Ask..."
Charles stared into Ask's eyes, as though asking him to decide.
Ask smiled, a hint of confidence in his voice as he said:
"I'll be fine. I don't believe any fool from a collateral branch of the imperial family or the nobility would dare touch me."
Hearing Ask's dismissive tone, Charles laughed as well.
He knew what this son of his was capable of. As his eldest son with Marianne and the tenth prince of the Holy Britannian Empire, Ask was still among the younger imperial heirs at eleven, yet his intellect and methods rivaled those of the second prince, Schneizel. At only eleven, he had established his own faction and secured a foothold within an imperial family rife with schemes and intrigue.
He was also widely acknowledged among the imperial heirs as the most outstanding prince after Schneizel.
Although many families within his faction had courted Ask to draw closer to Marianne, some perceptive individuals had recognized his talent. Whether nobles seeking to climb higher or those nearing the end of the road and gambling on a chance of survival, they had chosen to "invest" in him.
Charles had every confidence in Ask. Though he knew the truth behind this assassination and the identity of the murderer, he did not believe the culprit would be foolish enough to target Ask.
The main reason Marianne's death would cause little upheaval was that her power base was far too small. Ask was different. If he were assassinated, it would send enormous shock waves through the imperial family, and the members of his faction would unleash the most vicious war the imperial family had ever seen.
It would surpass even the Bloodstained Rebellion.
Thus, anyone with a brain would not choose Ask as a target.
"Then that is what we shall do. As a precaution, do not leave the palace this year, and avoid making any major moves. Next year, I will send you to the EU front. You have the ability to begin earning military distinction early."
Ask nodded as well. No struggle within the imperial family could be taken lightly.
Charles was about to close his eyes, signaling that the audience was over. Before leaving, Ask made a request:
"Father, I would like Monica to join the Knights of the Round."
"Oh?"
Charles slowly opened his eyes, somewhat surprised by Ask's request. This son of his, usually so forceful, had actually chosen to show vulnerability.
"This would provide another solid layer of protection."
Charles understood what Ask meant.
"Then so be it. If she earns sufficient distinction within three years, she will be promoted to the Knights of the Round."
Marianne's fall would inevitably have some effect on Ask. Though it would not shake his foundations, it would give the other imperial heirs a pretext to target him.
Monica Kruszewski, the eldest daughter of Baron Kruszewski, was a gentle, well-behaved blonde girl who had entered the palace a year earlier as Ask's prospective knight, training at his side.
At just nine years old, she looked exceedingly gentle and obedient, yet possessed an exceptional talent for piloting.
Over the past year, she had not only studied piloting but also improved her hand-to-hand combat and firearms skills, training entirely to the standards expected of Ask's future knight.
Now, he intended to have Monica promoted to the Knights of the Round.
Since the founding of the Holy Britannian Empire, there had never been a case of a Knight of the Round serving as a member of the imperial family's personal knight. Not only were the positions incompatible in rank, but the Knights of the Round were the emperor's direct forces and answered only to him.
Yet Ask's request had received Emperor Charles's approval. This was an unprecedented exception, and it would also silence those members of the imperial family with designs on him.
Emperor Charles closed his eyes again, dismissing him. Ask could only take his leave, though he was quite satisfied with the outcome of their meeting.
As he left the palace, the knight-in-training Monica and the other knights waiting outside bowed respectfully, then addressed him:
"Your Highness."
The speaker was an older knight in his forties, whose duties now consisted mainly of serving as Ask's guard and Monica's instructor.
He wanted to ask about the outcome of the meeting, but he could not raise the question first. He had to wait for Ask to speak before asking anything further; otherwise, it would be disrespectful to a member of the imperial family.
Ask gave a confident chuckle, answering the question on his mind.
"Have the old duke take the lead in reining things in. Before we confront outside enemies, we must secure our own ranks. Find those fence-sitters first."
Ask had his own faction, but it was not entirely rock-solid. Its core could be trusted, yet too many weeds on the fringes bent whichever way the wind blew.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The knights behind him immediately snapped crisp military salutes, then hurried after him.
"Also, how are things with Earl Weinberg and Earl Asprius?"
"Well..."
The older knight hesitated, but at a look from Ask, he spoke.
"After learning of Imperial Consort Marianne's assassination, Earl Weinberg's attitude became less than favorable, while Earl Asprius brushed us off as usual."
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