The Second Prince said indifferently, "I am the legitimate son of the Central Palace; the position of Crown Prince should rightfully be mine."
The Empress shook her head with a bitter smile, "Why don't you understand? In this world, there's no such thing as 'should or shouldn't.' Who can become the Crown Prince is half in your father's hands and half in the hands of the court officials."
"And Ruru's brother is the head of the civil servants! Consider the weight of that!"
The Second Prince pressed his lips together, "Even so, I'm a Prince; how can I bow and scrape to the daughter of an official?"
The Empress became anxious, "Who asked you to bow and scrape? I just want you to get along well with her. She's just a young girl; you can play with her and coax her a bit, can't you?"
The Second Prince kept his mouth shut, full of disapproval.
The Empress, troubled, turned to the Third Princess, "And you too."
