Chapter Title: The Weight of Power
Since they did not cross the colonnade as usual, it took a little longer to reach the outer palace. Just as Adelaide regretted not wearing low-heeled shoes, the outer palace came into view. The beautiful exterior, combining the traditional architecture of Santnar and the court style of Orqueenia, was always grand and dazzling.
Ironically, the Bonaparte family was the last to adopt the Orqueenia court culture. It was to avoid losing public support.
"This is the best spot."
Aegir led Adelaide to a place under a statue with a view of the entrance. It was a statue of scales, the symbol of Santnar. Adelaide found grass lying flat in the shadows below.
"Someone has used this spot before. Did they leave because I came?"
"..."
Aegir did not answer, but Adelaide felt as if she had received a response.
*It's probably a spot used by those secretly escorting Cesare, unlike Aegir.*
Adelaide sat on the low, hollow stone floor under the scales and looked around. The low shrubs cleverly concealed the area, making it difficult for anyone to see who was there. In contrast, the view from this spot was clear. It was undoubtedly a deliberately created spot, probably to prevent the assassination of the Bonaparte family heads throughout history.
*There was an assassination attempt before I met him, after all.*
Suddenly, she felt the presence of the man named Cesare.
"He is coming out."
Aegir's words made Adelaide quickly look up. Through the grass, she saw Cesare. He was crossing the thick portico columns, heading towards the entrance. The first thing that caught her eye was his hair, which appeared a brighter sea color under the sunlight. Next was the sight of him slightly lowering his head and lazily smoking a cigar. Finally, she noticed his unbuttoned shirt and the white Sogdian silk coat draped over his shoulders. There were no bandages on his chest.
*He seems to have healed. That's a relief.*
Behind Cesare were Gigi and many others she had never seen before. They all appeared to be civil servants, escorted by Bonaparte's guards dressed in black tabards over their armor.
"The guests are arriving now."
Aegir whispered softly. Adelaide could also tell that the main gate of Bonaparte was opening. The sound of carriages and horse hooves began to be heard up close. The first to appear was ten chestnut horses and a single mule. Adelaide widened her eyes in surprise upon recognizing the person on the mule.
"...It's the former chair."
With a sparse beard, thinning hair, a modest linen robe, and an unusually short stature, it was the former Signoria Chair, Elder Giannini, whom she had only seen in newspapers. Over eighty years old, he approached the portico stairs on a similarly aged mule. The attendants riding the horses dismounted first to assist the elder. But Elder Giannini refused their help and, with considerable effort, dismounted the mule. He handed the mule's reins to an attendant and slowly walked towards Cesare.
Then, he deeply bowed to Cesare, who stood like a young, dissolute god. Cesare looked down at the old Elder Giannini with a nonchalant smile. He neither bowed nor offered a handshake. One hand was in his pocket, and the other brought the cigar to his mouth. Finally, Cesare nodded indifferently. Only then did the elder and his attendants straighten up. They maintained their humility as they entered the outer palace.
The same scene repeated afterward. The line of carriages and horses had grown long behind the former elder's group.
*That's the current Priori and head of the Rossi family, Libby Rossi.*
*That's the Podestà, Lucy Gazollo.*
*I don't know the name, but that attire must be an auditor from the Law Compliance Office...*
Numerous nobles, former ministers, current priori, heads of major arte, and high-ranking officials appeared. They all paid respectful homage to Cesare. Only a few shook hands with him on equal footing. Adelaide let out a breath, unsure if it was admiration or a sigh, at the sight of Cesare looking down nonchalantly at people who had lived three times as long as he had.
"...Even with that, he manages to come out and greet people at the door."
She thought he would keep people waiting like a spoiled brat. Aegir, surprisingly, responded to Adelaide's muttering.
"It's due to the teachings of the Pater Patriae."
"You mean the second head of the Bonaparte family."
"Yes. He taught that to survive in Fornatie, one must not rule over others."
"And he only rode mules."
"Yes. To follow the teachings of the Pater Patriae, the master always greets guests at the portico."
Aegir said, then a moment later looked away.
"...Of course, he also said it's because he enjoys making those noble brats wait outside."
*...That sounds like Cesare.*
Adelaide looked back at the portico. The long line had already disappeared. Cesare was receiving a report from Gigi. It was probably about the guest list. Finally, Cesare took a deep drag on his cigar, enough to make his cheeks hollow, then turned and tossed it away simultaneously. The hem of his silk coat fluttered like an emperor's cape. The attendants fanned out to the sides, making way. Cesare crossed the path with a cold face. Several retainers, civil servants, and knights followed him, and finally, the outer palace fell silent.
"..."
Adelaide crouched in that spot for a long time.
*This really is a different world.*
It was her first time seeing Cesare's public face. She realized the immense power he wielded as the head of the Bonaparte family.
*I have to become the sister of such a man.*
Her mouth went dry. Adelaide remained silent for a long time, so Aegir spoke up.
"You cannot enter the meeting room, but what will you do?"
Adelaide looked at Aegir. A man who served Cesare. He must be familiar with such scenes.
"Does it usually take long?"
"It depends on the issue."
Adelaide let out a deflated sigh. That was a wise answer. Yet, she still could not move for a long time. Cesare was not someone who could leisurely watch Adelaide's dancing.
*I knew that, but still.*
As the head of the Bonaparte family, the head of the Stellone Bank and Stellone Trading Company, and the youngest current Priori, he might not be the leader of Santnar, but he was the one responsible for its treasury. The annual total income of the Stellone Trading Company was four times the income of Santnar, making it inevitable. The Stellone Bank, thanks to its underwater vault blessed by the sea goddess, was the most reliable financial guild across the continent. The taxes paid by the Bonaparte family were enormous. It was not uncommon for them to host foreign dignitaries or hold important national events at their own expense.
But Cesare's greatest power lay not in his wealth but in his political prowess. Under Eva's leadership, the Bonaparte family had remained the hidden rulers. They possessed so much that they avoided public scrutiny by remaining out of sight. This teaching, passed down from the Pater Patriae, was diligently followed by successive heads of the Bonaparte family.
Except for Cesare.
Cesare Bonaparte. This favored son of fate and the gods became the new successor of the Bonaparte family immediately after Rowan disappeared. And he made his presence fully known. It happened when Cesare was ten years old. Using his exceptional looks, charming speech, and innate political sense, he gradually idolized himself. As the "Son of Fornatie," loved and dissolute but impossible to hate. He sacrificed most of his private life for this role but managed to retain public support.
Under Cesare, the Bonaparte family finally stepped out from behind the curtain. Since then, it was evident that the Bonaparte family could more easily address the political, social, and economic issues of Santnar.
Adelaide absentmindedly watched a ladybug crawling on a blade of grass.
*I used him as a cushion, danced the waltz with him, and went shopping together...*
She felt anxious for no reason. How much would the time she wasted for him be worth in money? She felt that Cesare considered this charade more seriously than she had thought.