I Am Being Mistaken for a Genius Strategist - Chapter 18

On the road to the capital, I leaned against the carriage window, organizing my thoughts.  

First and foremost, there was no way the Imperial Family didn’t know when I had returned to my family’s estate.  

Their eyes and ears are everywhere—it’s not for nothing that they govern this vast Empire.  

Given the timing, they must have calculated when I would have arrived and sent their summons accordingly.  

So, is this entire situation merely a test of loyalty?  

Are they trying to observe how I respond to this inconvenient command?  

‘No, that can’t be it. The Imperial Family aren’t some local establishment playing petty games.’  

More importantly, an imperial decree is absolute. In the face of such, all nobles are merely subjects.  

The idea of finding it “inconvenient” or “troublesome” doesn’t even come into consideration.  

Such a reaction is unthinkable, and even entertaining such a thought is absurd.  

“…So, in the end, there’s only one conclusion.”  

There must have been a compelling reason for them to summon me again.  

Someone heard of me. Someone became curious about me.  

Originally, they might’ve taken their time, slowly observing to ascertain what kind of person I am.  

But something had happened—something that prompted them to seize this opportunity to evaluate me.  

Thus, I was summoned to the Imperial Palace at this slightly unusual timing.  

“Sir Kael!”  

And my suspicions only grew more certain upon meeting the Second Princess.  

“Kael Clauwitz of the Bertie County greets Her Highness, the Second Princess.”  

“Ah… yes, yes. It’s good to see you again, Sir Kael.”  

How long has it been since we last met? And now we meet again so soon. Does that mean I should act more casually? That’s absurd.  

I am a noble and a subject, while the princess is royalty and at the very center of this Empire.  

That gap is insurmountable. Even if the two classes were united in marriage, the distance wouldn’t change.  

“First of all, I want to apologize. For summoning you so urgently when you’ve only just returned to your family.”  

“Your Highness, there is no need for such words. I am a subject of the Empire, and when called by the Imperial Family, I would come at any time and under any circumstance, without a shred of doubt.”  

This is the time to express loyalty. Doing so at the wrong moment would only lower one’s standing.  

With that in mind, I even added a humble apology for not arriving sooner than I had.  

The princess, however, waved her hands dismissively, insisting it wasn’t necessary. Truly, she is kind-hearted.  

“Is everything prepared? We’ll head straight to the palace now.”  

“Yes, Your Highness. Though, may I ask why I was summoned?”  

I already knew it wasn’t the princess who had called for me. This wasn’t speculation—it was close to certainty.  

But I pretended ignorance, hoping to glean some information.  

“Ah, well…”  

The princess hesitated for a moment before starting, as though I’d find out soon enough anyway.  

“To be honest, I wasn’t the one who summoned you to the Imperial Palace.”  

“Not Your Highness? But the letter I received clearly—”  

“It’s a long story. Anyway, it wasn’t me. And to add to that, I don’t even know why you were summoned.”  

This was unexpected. I had thought she would at least know the reason.  

In that case, it wasn’t so much that she “lent” her name but rather that someone had simply “taken” it.  

‘Wow. Thinking of it that way only makes me even more nervous.’  

At first, I had assumed the summons was from the Crown Princess. At worst, the Emperor.  

But now I realized my worries were meaningless.  

Whoever it was, whatever their reason, this was no trivial matter.  

—

The capital of the Empire, the heart of its power.  

And at its center, the most significant location—the Imperial Palace.  

I was now entering that very place.  

I had thought I wouldn’t set foot here until I inherited the title of Count of Bertie.  

Failing that, I assumed I’d never have reason to enter at all.  

Yet here I was, not even in my mid-twenties, stepping through its gates.  

“…Pfft.”  

“Your Highness?”  

“Ah, my apologies, Sir Kael. I couldn’t help myself. Seeing you so nervous is unexpected.”  

Unexpected? Me, nervous? What on earth was she talking about?  

When I remained silent, clearly puzzled, the princess elaborated.  

“It reminds me of when we were facing Norvogrod. When the falling star left the army shaken and morale in shambles. Everyone else was on edge, but you, Sir Kael, seemed completely unbothered.”  

“Well… yes, I suppose I just happened to have a sudden idea at the time.”  

“Because of that, I ended up thinking you were someone who rarely, if ever, gets startled or nervous.”  

Your Highness, that was then. Entering the Imperial Palace is entirely different.  

This is an event so momentous that it may never happen again in my life.  

As the princess and I chatted, we eventually arrived at “that place.”  

The security was so tight it would’ve been easier to pass through a needle’s eye.  

After an exhaustive inspection, the princess and I finally stepped out of the carriage.  

‘…So this is the space where the Imperial Family resides, the heart of the Empire.’  

It was awe-inspiring. Even sifting through the memories of my past life, I couldn’t find the words to describe it fully.  

The grandeur seemed to press down on me, leaving me feeling slightly overwhelmed.  

“Sir Kael.”  

I quickly composed myself and followed behind the princess, flanked by knights.  

Who would I meet here? The Crown Princess? Or the Emperor?  

Both were equally intimidating, though if I had to choose, I’d prefer the former.  

Even with my peculiar memories of a past life, facing the Emperor—the very pinnacle of the Empire—felt unimaginably daunting.  

“We’re here.”  

Beyond the towering columns lay a beautifully adorned garden.  

As we reached the entrance, the knights stopped and formed a protective perimeter around the area.  

The princess and I stepped inside, and I soon caught sight of someone sitting there.  

‘…Ah.’  

There’s a saying about those who command admiration the moment they’re seen.  

People born with an innate charisma that naturally draws others to them—a person destined to lead.  

I had always wondered if such a thing truly existed. But now, looking at this individual, I had my answer.  

“You’ve arrived.”  

That was all they said upon seeing me.  

Yet even in those two words, an elegance and regality struck me deeply.  

Though they sat casually, reclining in their chair, the air around them was anything but ordinary.  

“Kael Clauwitz, eldest son of the Count of Bertie.”  

Get a grip. I immediately knelt, lowering my head in reverence.  

“I greet Her Highness, the Crown Princess, noble heir of the Empire.”  

—

When morale had plummeted due to the falling star, instead of rallying the soldiers, he chose to raise the star back into the sky.  

Whether it was with a kite or a scarecrow tied to it didn’t matter.  

What mattered was identifying the problem and moving the hearts of people.  

The stunt he pulled against Norvogrod was, to be fair, quite risky.  

If the enemy had moved their troops, the damage could’ve been severe.  

But on the other hand, it showed the extent of his confidence.  

Then there was the egg stunt. Yes, the one society now called “Kael’s Egg.”  

A young noble humiliated a prominent pro-peace strategist—a feat that left everyone astounded.  

Not only did he boast of his accomplishments, but he also mocked his opponent with such elegance.  

‘And when the pro-peace faction tried to use taxes to corner the pro-war faction, he turned the tables by appealing to the pride of those who had served in the military.’  

Every move of his was impressive. Now I understood why my sister had been so excited.  

I had watched and waited long enough. It was time to meet him myself.  

So, though I had planned to take my time, fate seemed to favor him.  

“Bel. Summon him at once.”  

Something had come up—a perfect excuse to evaluate him directly.  

My younger sister, Second Princess Isabelle, tilted her head in curiosity but complied without question.  

Perhaps she could have asked why, but she didn’t. A sign of her wisdom, no doubt.  

She was clever, and she had sung his praises.  

Was he simply lucky, as he claimed? Or was there something more?  

Seated in a quiet corner of the garden, waiting for the guest I had summoned, I finally heard the words:  

“Kael Clauwitz, eldest son of the Count of Bertie, greets Her Highness, the Crown Princess.”  

At last, I had come face-to-face with the genius tactician everyone spoke of.  

—

“Take a seat.”  

At her command, I sat down immediately.  

“Would you like coffee? Or tea?”  

I replied that I would gratefully accept whatever she offered.  

Truthfully, I doubted I’d even taste it, whether it was coffee or tea.  

‘Thank heavens it’s not the Emperor… Wait, who am I kidding? The Crown Princess is just as daunting.’  

Let’s not forget—this woman was no ordinary person.  

She was someone who even outshone the Second Princess seated beside me.  

She was the Crown Princess of the Empire. The future Empress. One day, she would rule this nation.  

“Judging by your expression, you don’t seem too nervous. That’s a relief.”  

Not nervous? What was she talking about?  

My heart was pounding so hard I was worried she might hear it.  

The Second Princess glanced at me, her eyes round with surprise.  

Her gaze seemed to ask, “Was all that nervousness earlier just an act?”  

Could it be? Was I so nervous that I appeared calm instead?  

“Good. Lord Kael, I can speak without hesitation about the matter at hand.”

“No, Your Highness the Crown Princess. If you would only slow down a little, I would be deeply moved…”

“The negotiations between the three eastern kingdoms, which were contingent on the formation of their alliance, were finalized not long ago.”

…What?

“Their purpose, naturally, is to join hands and oppose our empire.”