Leo came by last month, and Krista comes by quite often.
But it's been three months since you've dropped by, right?
SIXTH WIFE OF EMPEROR JOHANNES, MITSUBA
EPISODE 7: FURTIVE ACTIVITIES AND ENGAGEMENTS
I heard you were quite the hero in Keel.
Elna was a hero. I didn't do anything.
Oh? I heard you were appointed Lieutenant Ambassador Extraordinary.
I came to talk about that today, actually.
I'll be leaving the country soon.
Well, when you bring back presents, bring me something edible!
Brother, I'd like something sweet, too!
Mother... um... aren't you worried?
You want your mother to worry about you?
You're still such a child, Arnold.
His Majesty gave you the job because he thought you could do it, right?
If he thought so, I believe him.
I see.
Then I can start my new job with confidence.
I was more or less appointed as an afterthought.
So I won't work too hard.
Do what you want.
That's your choice.
Oh, right.
Which of you is going to marry the Blau Mowe?
My relationship with Finne isn't like that, Mother.
Mother, Finne is Brother Arn's friend.
I see.
She's really pretty! She'd be a great match for Brother Arn!
Oh my! Oh my!
No, no, no.
I just spend a lot of time with her
because of my relationship with Duke Kleinert.
Maybe, but she's the most beautiful woman in the country.
Don't you agree, Krista?
I think you're prettier, Mother!
Thank you, Krista!
I think you're the prettiest of them all!
Leo, I'm going to head out.
All right. I'll stay here a while longer.
See you soon, Brother Arn!
Yeah, see you soon.
You too, Mother.
Yes. Take care of yourself.
You always work too hard.
I've never worked too hard in my life.
If you say so.
Good luck!
If Erik, Gordon, or Zandra take the throne,
Mother and Krista are done for.
Sebas.
Sir.
Find something we can use to blackmail the neutral nobility.
I want to do what I can before I leave.
Understood.
Now, time to do something furtive.
Count Baelz, I've heard a certain rumor.
VICE-MINISTER OF INDUSTRY, COUNT BAELZ
A rumor?
About your wife.
She's having a lot of fun every night, and not trying to hide it.
Well...
I'm told she's in debt to a number of nobles and merchants.
It's going to damage your reputation at this rate, Count.
What will you do about this?
I'd like to break off the relationship if I could, but...
There's a reason you can't?
You see, when I told His Majesty about the marriage, he was elated.
That does make it hard to say you're divorcing.
Yes...
All right. I'll ask Leo to explain your situation to Father.
If he feels a divorce is in your best interest, go ahead and do it.
Divorce...
Is that not acceptable?
No, I definitely appreciate it.
But it would be a major scandal...
Excuse me, honey! I need more money for my allowance this month!
Bettina, I'm having an important conversation with the prince...
The prince? Who are you?
Arnold Reks Adler.
Good afternoon, Countess Baelz.
Arnold? Oh, the insipid prince!
The son of Duke Holzwirt was talking about you!
The useless, pathetic, insipid prince,
who lost all his good traits to his little brother!
Hey, you can't speak that way to a prince!
What?
Leave.
What? Are you telling me what to do?
Begone!
We could be stripped of our title for that remark!
Ridiculous!
I'm so sorry, Prince.
She's quite the lady, isn't she?
Listen, I'm used to it. It's fine.
I really do apologize...
What just happened helped me make up my mind.
Can I ask you to intervene with the Emperor on my behalf?
Leave it to me.
Could you put your reasons for a divorce in writing?
Yes, immediately!
I won't forget this favor!
Are you sure about this?
About what?
About making an ally out of Count Baelz.
You look upset.
I do feel a degree of sympathy.
But you can't deny that it's his own fault.
Even if Zandra was the one who sent him Bettina?
Bettina's family are connected to relatives of Zandra's, the Krugers.
Zandra gave Bettina two orders.
The first was to marry into Count Baelz's family and waste his money.
WASTE MONEY
The second was to have an affair with the current Minister of Industry.
WASTE MONEY AFFAIR
When the time was right, she would win him to her side by helping with the divorce.
HELP WITH DIVORCE TO WIN HIM OVER GIVE ORDERS IN SECRET
Then she could report the affair to His Majesty
REPORT THE AFFAIR
REMOVE THE MINISTER
and have the Minister of Industry removed.
Then someone on her side would take his place.
I see...
But instead, I'll be the one to tell Father about the affair.
Wait a second!
Then...
She'll have spent years of planning for nothing.
I've taken her plan and turned it to my own ends.
Is it safe to do that?
She'll probably get angry and make some kind of counterattack.
But still... I needed to do it now.
What do you mean?
While Leo and I are gone,
if three different factions—Erik, Gordon, and Zandra—attack me,
I'm done for.
So I attacked Zandra first.
If Zandra is weakened, Gordon and Erik will turn their attention from me to her.
I see. You've thought this through that carefully...
After hearing all that, do you still oppose my helping Count Baelz?
No... I feel very bad for him now.
Zandra's been manipulating him for years, right down to who he married.
Though in terms of using him for our own purposes, we're no different.
The Minister of Industry is sleeping with his subordinate's wife?
What will you do?
I want him removed immediately.
Count Baelz can take his place.
Count Baelz...?
Is there some problem?
I smell a plot here.
One that involves the battle for the throne.
If that's the case, then fine.
Someone who can't even set up a proper plot has no business being Emperor.
What an odd thing to say.
I believe that when you were a prince, I was the one who devised the plots.
I was the one who saw the talent in you
when you were just an innkeeper's son, and hired you.
Part of an emperor's job is to leave things in the hands of capable men.
I remember those days...
You were called the spendthrift prince.
You pretended to be a fool.
Yes, in that sense, Arnold is like me.
I feel like he's far more competent than he pretends.
Yes. The sudden increase in the number of Leonard's supporters
could only be explained by someone else's furtive activities.
Prince Leonard walks in the path of the light,
and Prince Arnold supports him in the shadows.
For now, we should watch what these raven-haired twin princes
with black eyes, these Twin Ravens, can do.
The Twin Ravens... I like that name.
Perhaps one of them will take the throne.
That, I'm not so sure about.
Your other children are all extraordinarily talented.
In another era, any of them could easily have become emperor.
I believe, for the moment, the two of them have no chance.
A struggle between talented individuals will give birth to a great ruler.
The Empire's future is secure.
You don't seem happy.
They're all my own children.
I know I don't have the right to wish for this, but I do.
That this battle end with little bloodshed...
I'm glad Count Baelz's divorce went well.
Yeah. It's thanks to you for persuading Father.
Well, after seeing this letter...
Why did he get married in the first place?
I can feel his grudge against his wife radiating from the words he wrote...
Who knows?
Especially since he's a successful member of the elite.
Leonard, be careful with how you choose your wife.
Don't worry about me.
What about you, Brother? Mother had the same question.
Marriage, huh?
I swear to spend eternity with you.
I love you, Master Arn.
I'll be with you forever, my Arn.
It sounds like a lot of stress.
I'd rather be single and free for the foreseeable future.
That's just like you, Brother.
Anyway, watch out for Zandra.
After what we did for Count Baelz, she's likely to want revenge.
I'd be worried about Finne, then.
While we're out of the country as ambassadors, she's our flag-bearer.
Zandra will try and kidnap her, I assume.
And from the look on your face, I guess you've already taken care of it?
It's just something that will have to do in a pinch.
But for now...
She's in the safest place in the capital, next to its strongest person.
Welcome back, Prince.
I haven't been here in ages, but this place hasn't changed.
We've known you since Elna was dragging you around.
Come inside. The lady of the house is waiting for you.
It's been so long, Arn!
SUPREME ARCHDUCHESS ANNA VON AMSBERG
And Sebas, too.
It's been too long, Anna.
Yes, Lady Amsberg.
Sorry for sending Finne to live with you so suddenly.
Don't worry. I think she's in the bath with Elna.
Would you like to join them?
I enjoy being alive, so no.
Oh, you used to take baths together all the time!
Smash!
Arn's dead!
I once almost drowned in the baths here...
Oh yeah, I remember that!
Now, let's stop standing in the front hall and have some tea.
Would you help me, Sebas?
Of course.
Arn, you wait in the far back room.
Got it.
This dress looks great on you, Elna!
D-Does it?
I think this one's perfect for you, Finne!
What a beautiful dress.
I'd like to see you try it on, too!
Is this the end for me?
Arn...
...you jerk!
Master Arn!
Oh, I'm sorry!
I heard they were going to take a bath...
Anna, you knew this would happen when you told me to come here, didn't you?
I'm sorry.
If I hadn't said I wanted to try on those clothes...
It's not your fault!
Arn should've just knocked before coming in!
Now, now, Elna, it's not that big a deal.
It is a big deal!
He peeked on an unmarried girl when she was changing!
Then shall we have him take responsibility?
I'd be fine with that!
But he also saw Finne in her underwear, too.
Would we have to fight the Kleinert family for him?
Or would you both like to marry him?
We'll have to send word to Finne's family, as well.
That's...
It's not funny...
I'm not getting married to anyone yet.
You won't take responsibility?
I will not.
Oh, that's a shame.
Now, Arn... Let's hear what you really came for.
Yeah. The truth is, I'd like Finne to stay here for a while, not just today.
And I'd like you to keep her with Elna as much as possible.
This has something to do with the struggle for the throne, right?
I doubt we can help, if it does.
Yeah, I expected that.
Um, what do you mean?
The Supreme Duchy of Amsberg
has an unwritten rule against getting involved in politics.
It's because of our immense power.
I see...
But Finne is the Blau Mowe, and a favorite of His Majesty.
If something happens to her, His Majesty will be most upset.
I think it would make sense for the Supreme Duchy to protect her.
Oh, that's how you're going to play this?
If I don't, you wouldn't agree to it, would you?
All you have to ask is for us to help you out, and we will.
That's...
It's fine. You want to protect her, even if it means relying on us, right?
Thank you.
I'll repay this debt someday.
Sure. However, it may be difficult to keep her at Elna's side.
Does she have a mission?
I just received the orders.
I'll be going as escort to the Ambassador Extraordinary.
You will?
Therefore, I can only stay with Finne while I'm in the capital.
That's still a huge help.
Elna, keep Finne safe.
I won't let any of your enemies touch her.
Um, Master Arn!
What is it? Did you forget something?
Will you be okay?
Princess Zandra won't come after you?
Well, she'll send an assassin or two, I'm sure.
Oh, no!
Don't worry. Sebas is with me, and...
if I need him, Silver will be there for me.
See you around.
Yes. Good night.
I didn't expect Elna would be escorting the Ambassador Extraordinary.
It will be more difficult to have her protect Finne during the mission.
That's probably why my siblings recommended her.
In the sense that it shows the Empire is serious
about this Ambassador Extraordinary thing, it's not a bad idea, either.
What will you do?
Hmm...
I'll have to have you and Mary work in the background on other things.
What other bodyguard could I trust?
The enemy, I see.
Zandra's assassin?
She's in quite a hurry.
She also has excellent taste, going after you.
Well, thanks. It's a nuisance, though.
Indeed. I'll deal with them.
Thank you.
So that was a decoy and this is the real assassin?
Your driver's abandoned you.
You're in quite a predicament, Insipid Prince.
It's fine.
Sebas will be here to kill you in a second.
Even the legendary assassin, Sebastian the Reaper,
won't make it back from a battle against twelve other assassins.
I won't kill you. I'll take you alive.
My sister's into torture, so I'd rather not go.
If you want to hate someone, hate your talented brother!
Wh-Who goes there?!
A passing adventurer.
That girl...
I wouldn't sleep well if I let someone get killed right in front of me.
I'll help you.
Cursed woman...
You'll be making a dangerous enemy if you help him.
I'd rather regret helping him than regret abandoning him to die.
Then die right here!
What?!
I'm not done yet!
A magic weapon?!
I found this antique in a certain ruin.
It's no mere spear!
This is...
This sound can put even powerful monsters sleep.
Can you fight me in that state?
Damn it! Retreat!
You saved my life.
No, it's an adventurer's job to fight for the people.
Well...
My guess is that you're more noble than a commoner, though.
I should've introduced myself.
I'm Arnold Reks Adler.
The Seventh Prince?
I see...
So that attack had to do with the infamous struggle for the throne...
It's worth it to try saving people, huh?
Prince, my name is Lynphia.
Would you please listen to what I have to say?
What's going on here, I wonder?
The children and young women in my village are being kidnapped.
Would you please save my village?
Wouldn't it be faster to talk to the local lord or the military?
I have.
But nobody will do anything.
I need the Empire's help.
I came in contact with Silver during a quest.
I came to the capital hoping that he could connect me to someone in a position of power.
Well...
I met you, so I don't need to find him now.
What a coincidence.
They're doing nothing, though?
The local lord and military
may be in league with whoever's behind these kidnappings.
I wanted to ask for your help with this, as well as financial support...
We've hired adventurers to defend the village,
but we don't have the funds to continue that forever.
I understand.
Though, what will you do if I refuse?
I'll find something that can be used against you and go to one of your enemies.
Then give them what I find in exchange for saving my village.
If I add in that you refused, they're sure to say yes.
Sebas, what do you think?
She'd be perfect, I believe.
She's cool-headed and has a good view of the bigger picture.
Agreed.
Lynphia, Leo and I will be leaving the country for work soon.
We were looking for someone to protect Duke Kleinert's daughter while we're away.
A duke's daughter?
The Blau Mowe?
Correct.
If you agree to protect her, I'll help you.
I'll pay the money you need to protect the village.
Really?
Yeah. I don't have a choice.
What do you mean?
My brother's a softie.
And so is the daughter of the Duke, my biggest supporter.
If I abandoned you, they'd be upset with me.
They'll try to help you on their own.
So it's better for me to just do it.
I'm surprised.
The people call you the Insipid Prince...
But speaking to you gives me the opposite impression.
Are you sure you're not actually Prince Leonard?
You don't have to worry about that.
May I ask for your help protecting her?
All right.
If you protect my village,
I'll protect you and those you want to keep safe.
Then we have a deal.
Glad to have your help, Lynphia.
And yours as well.