Editing Tytania:Volume 3 Chapter 1 (section)

=== IV ===
Having finished the breakfast meeting, Jouslain would normally have headed straight to his office, but instead, he altered his course and made his way towards his psychotherapy room. The owner of that room was a young girl who would celebrate her eleventh birthday within the year, known to the public as Princess Lydia of the Kingdom of Elbing. Although legally she was Jouslain’s ward, mentally, they appeared to be equals.

Princess Lydia, who had also just finished her breakfast, greeted her guardian with great vigour. Whether by someone’s design or not, everything from her small ribbons to her socks had been unified in shades of green, making her look like a young witch frolicking through a forest of fresh greenery. The two of them travelled together to the Second Spaceport. The observation deck there served as the favourite debating ground for this peculiar pair.

“If one must resort to trickery in order to defeat Lord Ariabert, then even I would do so. The disparity in strength would be simply too great to fight square and fair.”

Jouslain acknowledged Princess Lydia’s opinion regarding the situation facing Lord Ariabert. For Tytania to demand that their enemies fight fairly and honourably could be seen as an arrogant imposition by the powerful. It was a scene akin to a giant being expected to duel an infant. Flicking her finger against the surface of the transparent wall, Princess Lydia fell into thought for several seconds before finally withdrawing her hand and asking:

“Would Lord Ariabert be capable of killing an opponent who offers no resistance?”

“He would not, I expect.”

“Could he kill women or children?”

“I don’t suppose he could.”

“Could he attack hospitals or schools?”

“No,” repeated Jouslain. Princess Lydia moved her fingers once more. It appeared she was drawing something upon the surface of the transparent wall.

“Lord Ariabert is a good man, but it will be to his detriment if it becomes known. Do you not agree, Lord Jouslain?”

“A keen insight; I am impressed.”

Jouslain bowed respectfully. Though he had spoken in jest, he was inwardly impressed. Princess Lydia’s political insight was far beyond the reach of an ordinary adult. When Tytania stood preeminent and powerful across the entire universe, possessing the luxury to display tolerance and moderation, Ariabert’s chivalrous integrity would be an ideal quality for a leader. However, if an opponent had discarded their white gloves to don soiled ones right from the start, he might find himself caught off guard.

Princess Lydia gazed solemnly at her fingertips, which she had withdrawn from the transparent wall.

“There is but one thing that concerns me.”

“What is it, Princess?”

As Jouslain cast an interested gaze upon her, Princess Lydia tilted her head slightly. It seemed she was choosing her words with great care.

“If the Clan, uhh, if the Clanner were to order Lord Ariabert to kill women and children, would Lord Ariabert obey that command?”

Jouslain looked back at the Princess as he replied, though his tone might have been somewhat professorial.

“Princess, Lord Ariabert is a noble of Tytania. And for Tytania, the orders of the Clanner are absolute.”

“Absolute, is it?”

“If they were not, it would not be Tytania.”

Jouslain could not bring himself to offer Princess Lydia a false reply. He felt that doing so would be dishonest to the intelligent young girl. Tytania was not an organisation that placed humanity as its highest value and pursued it above all else. They would uphold humanitarian principles only when they judged it to be to their advantage. Jouslain’s decision to protect Princess Lydia, despite there being no profit in it, was at present due solely to his own personal sentiments.

“And what of you, Lord Jouslain? If the Clanner gave you an order, would you obey it?”

He had fully expected that question. Nevertheless, Jouslain found himself unable to answer immediately. He had yet to find a final answer regarding the possibility of the coexistence of sitting upon a tower of power and upholding the dignity of a common human being. It was a question he had continued to ponder since his boyhood, and yet he had failed to reach a conclusion.

“I do not know.”

After a period of deep contemplation, he answered:

“I may refuse to accept being of Tytania, but perhaps I will be unable to do so. It is regrettable that I cannot answer with full confidence, but I intend to do everything in my power to ensure the Clanner is not compelled to issue such an order.”

Tytania had been harsh, utilitarian, and ruthless up until now, but they had never been unnecessarily cruel to the common citizenry. They had never been driven to such an extremity. Until now, that is.

“So even you, Lord Jouslain, do not know yourself.”

“Regrettably not.”

“And yet, you claim to understand Lord Ariabert?”

Princess Lydia’s question left Jouslain speechless. It was an unexpected psychological blow. In other words, was Jouslain unconsciously looking down upon his maternal cousin of the same age? Was the belief that he could insightfully perceive Ariabert’s psyche, even while his own remained unreadable to him, nothing more than groundless arrogance?

Of course, this applied not only to Ariabert but to Idris as well. Jouslain believed that if the responsibility for humanitarian matters could be placed upon the Clanner, then Idris would not hesitate to engage in destruction or slaughter. However, no such precedent existed. Perhaps it was merely Jouslain’s own prejudice.

“Did I offend you, Lord Jouslain?”

A somewhat worried voice drifted into Jouslain’s consciousness, and the young Tytania high noble returned to the real world. He met the gaze of the young girl, which seemed to be scrutinising his face.

“No, quite the opposite. You have given me a wonderful hint. I shall keep it in mind from now on.”

“Hmm. You truly do treat a child as a fully-fledged adult, Lord Jouslain.”

Princess Lydia let her expression break.

“There are many mysterious things about you, Lord Jouslain. That is what I like about you. Oh, and by mysterious, I do not mean strange or odd.”

“I understand.”

Jouslain smiled as well, and a certain thought came to mind. He made a request to the Princess. He had considered this the other night, but he felt it would be beneficial if Princess Lydia could send a mail<ref name="ftn3">“Letter” (手紙) is pronounced “mail”.</ref> to Viscount Balamy Tytania, who had been driven away from Uraniborg due to a trivial incident. It would aid in his mental stability.

“Could I ask this of you, Princess?”

“I do not mind. I have been wanting to write to Bal anyway. But do you think it will be effective?”

“It certainly will.”

After making that calm assertion, Jouslain added jokingly:

“Lord Balamy is an individual who will carry the future of Tytania on his shoulders. If you place him in your debt, it will be of great benefit to your homeland.”

“I wonder if Bal will even perceive it as a favour.”

Princess Lydia laughed, as if mocking the logic of an adult, and turned her gaze towards the regular vessels docked at the Second Spaceport. Beside her, Jouslain also gazed at the ships that traversed the galaxy.

“It appears that as long as even a single person remembers them, humans can endure both idleness and isolation. I am certain he will be pleased.”

He stopped his sentence there, wishing to keep the topic on the level of generalities. The sharp-witted Princess Lydia held a flicker of interest and suspicion in her eyes, but what she said of was something else entirely.

“In that case, I shall write to ask how Bal is faring. I hope he is well.”

“If you get some news about him, please let me know as well.”

Princess Lydia looked up at Jouslain, then skipped forward about three steps along the polished, wide corridor.

“My fees are quite high.”

“Tytania is not known for being stingy, Princess.”

“That is true. As long as it remains generous, Tytania shall continue to enjoy the support of many.”

Had an adult spoken in a sombre tone, such a remark might have been perceived as nothing more than an expression of malice. However, when Princess Lydia uttered those words with such a spirited tone, it sounded like a clear and precise observation regarding the very nature of Tytania. Jouslain could not help but nod in sincere agreement, along with a wry smile. Truly, who could ever desire or find joy in a stingy Tytania?…

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