After the Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony concluded, the attendees began mingling. Isabelle approached Patrick, the newly appointed Crown Prince, accompanied by Duke Rosalind. She spoke kindly.

“Your Highness, I heard you and Duke Rosalind will be entering the academy together.”

Despite the whirlwind of events, Patrick returned the greeting with proper etiquette and answered politely.

“I hope Duke Rosalind has an enjoyable time at the academy. I’m also looking forward to it because I’ll be able to meet others my age.”

Duke Rosalind responded with a bright smile.

“I hope so too. My uncle told me that the most important thing at the academy isn’t grades but making friends. I’m excited about meeting many friends my age.”

Watching Duke Rosalind’s polite yet pleasant manner, Patrick felt a twinge of anxiety.

‘What if I can’t measure up to Duke Rosalind?’

Isabelle gently scolded Rosalind.

“Don’t think you can slack off just because your uncle says it’s okay!”

“Yes, Mother. I’ll be careful.”

After projecting a close bond between mother and son, the two headed toward the imperial elders. Patrick felt as though the two had just declared war on him.

‘So they plan to gather as many supporters as possible at the academy?’

***

A few days after the Crown Prince’s investiture, Sophia visited Patrick.

“Have you recovered from the fatigue? Ceremonies seem simple, but they can be draining for some strange reason.”

Patrick gave a weak smile.

“It still feels awkward every time someone calls me the Crown Prince. It feels like I’m not worthy, too easy, and… also too heavy.”

“That’s because it is heavy. You may have been born and raised as a prince, but being Crown Prince solidifies your future. Of course it feels heavy.”

“Yes, I’ll remember that.”

“It wasn’t easy for your father to become the Crown Prince, and it wasn’t pleasant either.”

Patrick hesitated before speaking cautiously.

“I… I’ve heard people say that Mother and Father weren’t originally meant for that position.”

“Frederick… your father had to compete with the former Duke Rosalind. But it wasn’t a position with an original owner. If someone had truly been qualified, the former Emperor would have named them Crown Prince early on, just as you were.”

Patrick hesitated again but finally spoke.

“I’m worried about Duke Rosalind. He’s so handsome and talented, and a lot of people seem to like him.”

Patrick recalled the scene at the investiture, where Duke Rosalind was surrounded by far more people and was effortlessly engaging in cheerful conversations. The thought made him feel uneasy.

“Unless I prove I’m better than Duke Rosalind, won’t people doubt I’m fit to be Crown Prince?”

Sophia sighed.

“That’s exactly what I was worried about. You trying to compete with Rosalind. Everyone will likely compare you to him—just as they compared your father to Duke Rosalind’s father. And there will be people who act as if Duke Rosalind’s capabilities make his exclusion from the position some great loss or tragedy. But think about it, Patrick! Do you believe being better than Duke Rosalind would make you a better emperor?”

Patrick hesitated before answering.

“At least I’d be sure I was the best.”

Sophia smiled.

“You are the best. Think about your siblings.”

Patrick managed a faint smile.

“Besides… your real competition isn’t Duke Rosalind. It’s the Emperor.”

Patrick shook his head.

“I could never beat him.”

“Exactly.”

The two shared a smile, and Sophia asked,

“What do you think of your grandfather?”

“He was very kind to me. He taught me how to ride a horse himself and took me everywhere to teach me many things.”

“That’s right. But the former Emperor never did any of that for your father. You’ve heard about the circumstances of your father’s birth, haven’t you?”

Patrick nodded. He had overheard someone whispering during his investiture that Duke Rosalind had a stronger claim to legitimacy than he did.

‘But my father is the Emperor of Uranus—a truly great Emperor. How dare they say such things at my own inauguration. Never… I won’t be swayed by their words. Never!’

Seeing Patrick’s complicated expression, Sophia spoke gently.

“Because of those complicated circumstances, your grandfather and father were never close. And then there was the rivalry between brothers. But the hardest part came after your father became Crown Prince. He struggled until he was confident he was worthy to succeed the former Emperor.”

“Father couldn’t surpass Grandfather either, right?”

“Your father thought just like you. He believed he could never become an emperor like your grandfather, who carried out reforms while keeping the imperial elders and nobles in check. But he did continue the late emperor’s reforms well.”

Patrick spoke with a somber expression.

“I thought you came to reassure me, Mother.”

“That’s right. I came today to tell you that competing with someone else is pointless. You don’t have to compete with anyone. You may think that as the crown prince, you have to be the best at everything. But you don’t need to be the best. Wouldn’t it be better if you could recognize who is?”

Patrick smiled slightly.

“You don’t have to be the fastest runner. Just choose the fastest horse. That’s what Grandfather said.”

“Exactly. Perhaps the most important thing you must do as emperor is to take responsibility—while leaving the tasks to those who do them best.”

“But who would listen to someone weaker than themselves?”

Sophia responded playfully.

“Maybe they won’t. Here’s my advice: choose people who refuse to follow you because your words are wrong, not because they doubt your qualifications.”

Patrick nodded, still not looking fully satisfied.

“I don’t completely understand, but I feel like I’m starting to get it.”

“Who taught you to give vague answers like that?”

“Mav did.”

Sophia sighed.

“I hope you don’t rely on it too much, though there may be times you’ll need it. Your words will carry more weight as time goes on.”

“If I fall behind Duke Rosalind, and people say I don’t deserve to be crown prince… Mother, will you be okay? Will Father be okay? Will you… be disappointed in me?”

At that moment, Robert entered awkwardly, holding a tray of refreshments.

“You are the crown prince. That is your qualification. …And I won’t be disappointed.”

Sophia pretended to nibble on some refreshments, stepping aside to give Robert room next to Patrick.

Patrick, blushing, looked at Robert. The boy’s father, still unaccustomed to revealing his emotions, gazed at him with affectionate eyes.

Watching the two men awkwardly but lovingly express their emotions, Sophia thought, 

‘How can they be so alike?’

Clearing his throat, Robert said,

“Your abilities may become your pride, because they’re essential to being a good emperor. It’s natural for you to want to prove that. But being crown prince isn’t about proving you’re better than someone else.”

Robert still wrestled with his own choices, comparing himself to the late emperor. Sophia knew that well.

‘He’s becoming a better emperor because of it,’ she thought.

Sophia nodded to Patrick as if to give him strength.

Robert said the words he had always wanted to hear from his father—not in the form of tests or hints, but spoken directly to his son.

“During your time at the academy, you’ll have to learn more than just the contents of books. You’ll make friends, fight with friends, and even lose friends. You’ll learn what’s worth competing for and what’s not. You’ll learn when to fight and when to walk away.”

Patrick, now looking more confused, said,

“I really don’t understand this part.”

Robert gently ruffled Patrick’s brown hair.

“You won’t be able to forget that you’re the crown prince—even if you want to. And neither will anyone else. You’ll always act as the crown prince, but you don’t yet know what it means to be one. And neither does anyone else. You’ll all have to learn as you go.”

Looking at his dazed son, Robert laughed brightly.

“I’m not sure I understand what I’m saying either. But you don’t have to win every time. Just losing to someone won’t make me disappointed in you.”

Sophia laughed.

“Your father must be worried about you. He’s saying a lot today.”

Hearing both parents say they wouldn’t be disappointed, Patrick felt relieved. Still, he thought to himself,

‘But I still want to win. Especially against Duke Rosalind. I’ll show everyone that Father was never wrong.’

As Patrick’s expression lightened, his parents finally left his room. Wrapping her arm around Robert’s waist, Sophia said,

“Patrick will do well. My children and you—anyone who tries to hurt my family won’t get away with it.”

Robert gave a soft smile.

“I’ve always trusted your judgment. And I won’t act like the late emperor did. He was a great emperor, but as a father… I won’t become like that. Just wait and see.”

“You saw Patrick’s face. You’re already a good father.”

Patrick, watching his parents leave from the doorway, made a vow.

‘I won’t let anyone insult them. I’ll protect my father’s honor.’