“Your Majesty, the Duke of Belfort requests an audience...”
“Tsk.”
The King clicked his tongue in discomfort at the chamberlain's words. He crumpled the letter in his hand and gestured to the chamberlain. The letter was also sent by Randall.
“Tell him that I’m out of the office and send him back. Keep telling him that for the time being.”
"All right."
The chamberlain bowed his head and left the audience room. The King left alone, pressed his temples, thinking that his head had been hurting a lot lately.
'What a nuisance. This is a war that could have been won if you just went to war, and yet you keep nagging at me like a dog for not attending a meeting.'
The King glared at the door of the audience room with an uneasy look. To be exact, his gaze was directed at Randall, who was beyond the door. Randall had been staying in the capital for several days and had been requesting an audience with the King. The reason was that this expedition order was unjust.
'You're not trying to use this as an excuse to attack me, are you?'
The King ground his teeth. He was being put in the vanguard of a battle where victory was guaranteed if he just went out, so he should be grateful. He had received all sorts of privileges just for the reason of protecting the North, so how dare he refuse his duty? How dare he defy the burden?
“What’s going on?”
“Your Majesty, Count Florette requests an audience.”
“Tell him to come in.”
The King heard that it was Count Florette, not Randall, who was visiting, so he allowed him to enter, unlike before. Soon, the door opened, and Count Florette, with his hair neatly combed, strode across the audience room. He stopped in front of the King and bowed his head respectfully.
“Your Majesty.”
“Welcome. What brings you here?”
The King asked with a puzzled look. The King was usually very pleased with Count Florette, who was always polite to the royal family. So, even when he occasionally invited him to have a cup of tea, he often refused, saying that he had to go to the Academy.
The King’s face immediately distorted. No matter how much he cherished Count Florette, his words now were no different from giving orders to the King. Even if it was a dog he cherished, Ethel II had the personality to mercilessly twist its neck if it showed signs of crawling toward him. However, before the King could open his mouth, Count Florette, with his sharp eyes, spoke first.
“Your Majesty, I am a very narrow-minded person who values my family above all else in this world.”
“...”
“If you proceed with this rashly and my daughter and son-in-law die a violent death, will you be able to handle it?”
Count Florette let out a sharp laugh at the end of his words. He had just received a letter with tear stains.
“I trust that Your Majesty will make a wise decision.”
“...”
“Of course, the meeting with the Western peoples is coming up soon, and if I, the only person they can talk to, disappear, won’t it be difficult for them in many ways?”
“Hey, you...”
The King ground his teeth and gripped his armrests at Count Florette’s words. Count Florette was now threatening the King with his own life. The King coveted the excellent pharmaceutical technology of the Western peoples. So he tried to negotiate with them by any means necessary, but they insisted that they would not negotiate unless through Count Florette, with whom he had made a ‘brotherly oath’ long ago. If Count Florette volunteered, the King would not be able to obtain what he wanted.
“Then I will take my leave now, Your Majesty. I hope to hear your answer today.”
“...What? Are you going to hold another meeting and postpone the departure date? What kind of nonsense is that?”
On his way back to the palace, David heard the news that the King had announced that he would postpone the expedition, and his face distorted without mercy. As soon as he set foot in the palace, he headed straight to the audience room. There, the King, who had chosen to act merciful and prudent before Count Florette could incite the nobles, was. Although he was belatedly enraged by Count Florette's misdeeds after giving the royal order.
“Are you here?”
The King greeted David with a throbbing forehead. David spoke without even greeting him.
“What do you mean, postponing the departure date?”
“That was the opinion of the nobles, including Count Florette. There was nothing we could do. Let’s stop talking about that...”
“Fuck, do you think I came here to hear excuses like that? You’re asking me what the hell I’m doing!”
Clank!
“Tsk.”
The King clicked his tongue in discomfort at the chamberlain's words. He crumpled the letter in his hand and gestured to the chamberlain. The letter was also sent by Randall.
“Tell him that I’m out of the office and send him back. Keep telling him that for the time being.”
"All right."
The chamberlain bowed his head and left the audience room. The King left alone, pressed his temples, thinking that his head had been hurting a lot lately.
'What a nuisance. This is a war that could have been won if you just went to war, and yet you keep nagging at me like a dog for not attending a meeting.'
The King glared at the door of the audience room with an uneasy look. To be exact, his gaze was directed at Randall, who was beyond the door. Randall had been staying in the capital for several days and had been requesting an audience with the King. The reason was that this expedition order was unjust.
'You're not trying to use this as an excuse to attack me, are you?'
The King ground his teeth. He was being put in the vanguard of a battle where victory was guaranteed if he just went out, so he should be grateful. He had received all sorts of privileges just for the reason of protecting the North, so how dare he refuse his duty? How dare he defy the burden?
His eyes were filled with such terrible compulsion and suspicion. The current King, Ethel II, was thoroughly wary of Randall, the only person with the right to the throne other than David. It was no wonder because he was originally a person who would not even touch the crown. Ethel II, born as the third child of the previous King, had a perfect older brother and sister as his consolation. Originally, the older brother, who was the eldest, should have inherited the throne.
"I think I would be better suited for that position."
But Ethel II was jealous of the crown. He did not want anyone to be born above him. He wanted to be the highest in the kingdom. So he sent assassins to his brother, who he was on good terms with on the outside, pretending it was the work of Westerners. He also poured colorless and odorless poison into the water of his sister, who was grieving over her brother's death.
"I'm sorry, brothers. You should have been born later than me. If you had, you could have survived."
The wiser and more affectionate King suspected Ethel II as he grieved over the deaths of his children one after another, but in the end, there was no solid evidence. After the death of the King, who had been suffering from the sorrow of losing his children, Ethel II finally took the crown he had longed for. However, was it because he had taken it by force when he should have?
"I think I would be better suited for that position."
But Ethel II was jealous of the crown. He did not want anyone to be born above him. He wanted to be the highest in the kingdom. So he sent assassins to his brother, who he was on good terms with on the outside, pretending it was the work of Westerners. He also poured colorless and odorless poison into the water of his sister, who was grieving over her brother's death.
"I'm sorry, brothers. You should have been born later than me. If you had, you could have survived."
The wiser and more affectionate King suspected Ethel II as he grieved over the deaths of his children one after another, but in the end, there was no solid evidence. After the death of the King, who had been suffering from the sorrow of losing his children, Ethel II finally took the crown he had longed for. However, was it because he had taken it by force when he should have?
He always stayed up all night, worried that someone might appear to take what was his. The reason he was so wary of Randall was also because of this secret.
"Your Majesty."
"Yes, uncle."
"That's it."
"..."
"Be greedy only up to that point. Don't be greedy for anything more."
"..."
"Your Majesty."
"Yes, uncle."
"That's it."
"..."
"Be greedy only up to that point. Don't be greedy for anything more."
"..."
"Then I too will do nothing and remain a loyal shield of the kingdom."
At the funeral of the former King, the former Duke of Belfort had spoken as if he knew everything. Could Randall also know his secret? Could Randall, who had the right to the throne, try to take what belonged to him and David?
At the funeral of the former King, the former Duke of Belfort had spoken as if he knew everything. Could Randall also know his secret? Could Randall, who had the right to the throne, try to take what belonged to him and David?
The King, who was possessed by such suspicion and wariness, had been wary of the former Duke of Belfort and Randall ever since he ascended to the throne. If anyone else had defied his orders like this, he would have been quite annoyed. With Randall like this, his discomfort was doubled. The headache that had been increasing recently was also adding to his discomfort.
Knock.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. The King raised his head, his face wrinkled in annoyance.
“What’s going on?”
“Your Majesty, Count Florette requests an audience.”
“Tell him to come in.”
The King heard that it was Count Florette, not Randall, who was visiting, so he allowed him to enter, unlike before. Soon, the door opened, and Count Florette, with his hair neatly combed, strode across the audience room. He stopped in front of the King and bowed his head respectfully.
“Your Majesty.”
“Welcome. What brings you here?”
The King asked with a puzzled look. The King was usually very pleased with Count Florette, who was always polite to the royal family. So, even when he occasionally invited him to have a cup of tea, he often refused, saying that he had to go to the Academy.
Count Florette did not show up at the palace often except for the State Council. Nevertheless, his influence among the nobles was not negligible, which was his ability. Who would have thought that such a Count would come to visit like this without even making an appointment in advance?
"Your Majesty."
When the King greeted him, Count Florette raised his head. The moment the King saw his face, he instinctively flinched. It was no wonder because his usually gentle and deep golden eyes were half-open. The words that came out of the Count’s mouth immediately afterward were also excessively explicit and bold.
“Let me cut to the chase. I urge you to hold a State Council, attended by the Duke of Belfort, and reconsider this expedition.”
"...What?"
"Your Majesty."
When the King greeted him, Count Florette raised his head. The moment the King saw his face, he instinctively flinched. It was no wonder because his usually gentle and deep golden eyes were half-open. The words that came out of the Count’s mouth immediately afterward were also excessively explicit and bold.
“Let me cut to the chase. I urge you to hold a State Council, attended by the Duke of Belfort, and reconsider this expedition.”
"...What?"
The King’s face immediately distorted. No matter how much he cherished Count Florette, his words now were no different from giving orders to the King. Even if it was a dog he cherished, Ethel II had the personality to mercilessly twist its neck if it showed signs of crawling toward him. However, before the King could open his mouth, Count Florette, with his sharp eyes, spoke first.
“Your Majesty, I am a very narrow-minded person who values my family above all else in this world.”
“...”
“If you proceed with this rashly and my daughter and son-in-law die a violent death, will you be able to handle it?”
Count Florette let out a sharp laugh at the end of his words. He had just received a letter with tear stains.
<Father, it is me.>
It was a letter written by Sylvia herself. She said that Randall had not been able to sleep properly since the order to go on an expedition, and had been running around to meet His Majesty the King and the nobles of the capital. And she also couldn’t sleep because of her worries, she pleaded.
<...No matter how likely we are to win, war is war. If we were to be driven to the battlefield in this situation where the hearts of the North were not united with others, and my husband was to die...
Ah, I cannot live without Randall, Father. If Randall were to lose his life by any chance, I would gladly follow him.>
The moment he read that passage, Count Florette’s reason flew away. He also thought that it was unfair that the King and Crown Prince had issued the order to go on an expedition decided in a cabinet meeting without Randall present. But since their orders did not endanger the Kingdom of Elvares, he stood back and watched for the time being. His reason and composure evaporated in an instant at the words that his only daughter was fainting from worrying about her husband.
The King was so overwhelmed by the Count’s aura that he forgot to even scold him and cowered. Count Florette raised the corners of his lips affectionately as he watched the ridiculous sight. A smile that was even more creepy because it was affectionately hung on his lips.
“I trust that Your Majesty will make a wise decision.”
“...”
“Of course, the meeting with the Western peoples is coming up soon, and if I, the only person they can talk to, disappear, won’t it be difficult for them in many ways?”
“Hey, you...”
The King ground his teeth and gripped his armrests at Count Florette’s words. Count Florette was now threatening the King with his own life. The King coveted the excellent pharmaceutical technology of the Western peoples. So he tried to negotiate with them by any means necessary, but they insisted that they would not negotiate unless through Count Florette, with whom he had made a ‘brotherly oath’ long ago. If Count Florette volunteered, the King would not be able to obtain what he wanted.
Count Florette finished speaking and straightened his upper body that had been leaning toward the King. He straightened his disheveled appearance from running in a hurry and returned to the appearance of a polite gentleman as if he had never acted threateningly.
“Then I will take my leave now, Your Majesty. I hope to hear your answer today.”
***
“...What? Are you going to hold another meeting and postpone the departure date? What kind of nonsense is that?”
On his way back to the palace, David heard the news that the King had announced that he would postpone the expedition, and his face distorted without mercy. As soon as he set foot in the palace, he headed straight to the audience room. There, the King, who had chosen to act merciful and prudent before Count Florette could incite the nobles, was. Although he was belatedly enraged by Count Florette's misdeeds after giving the royal order.
“Are you here?”
The King greeted David with a throbbing forehead. David spoke without even greeting him.
“What do you mean, postponing the departure date?”
“That was the opinion of the nobles, including Count Florette. There was nothing we could do. Let’s stop talking about that...”
“Fuck, do you think I came here to hear excuses like that? You’re asking me what the hell I’m doing!”
Clank!
David cursed fiercely and threw the vase that was in the audience room. The King opened his mouth in shock at his behavior. He shouted with a menacing face.
“Are you really crazy? What the heck are you doing...!”
“You idiot, you ruined my plans, and how dare you say the word ‘dare’.”
“Ugh...!”
David strode toward the King and grabbed his chin tightly. The King, speechless, opened his eyes wide. David brought his face right up to his nose. From a distance where their eyelashes brushed against each other, David whispered a biting whisper.
“Listen carefully.”
The King's eyes slowly opened as a red aura swirled in the middle of his purple eyes. David continued to whisper to him in a strong tone as if he was hypnotizing him.
“This time it was Count Florette, that man who barged in without warning and there was no time to stop him.”
“...”
“Next time, if you mess up my work because of that little guy’s temper, I’ll cut off your own head first.”
David finished speaking and roughly slapped the King's chin.
“Are you really crazy? What the heck are you doing...!”
“You idiot, you ruined my plans, and how dare you say the word ‘dare’.”
“Ugh...!”
David strode toward the King and grabbed his chin tightly. The King, speechless, opened his eyes wide. David brought his face right up to his nose. From a distance where their eyelashes brushed against each other, David whispered a biting whisper.
“Listen carefully.”
The King's eyes slowly opened as a red aura swirled in the middle of his purple eyes. David continued to whisper to him in a strong tone as if he was hypnotizing him.
“This time it was Count Florette, that man who barged in without warning and there was no time to stop him.”
“...”
“Next time, if you mess up my work because of that little guy’s temper, I’ll cut off your own head first.”
David finished speaking and roughly slapped the King's chin.
Boom!
The King's head hit the chair in the audience room with that action, but the King just stared blankly into space with unfocused eyes like a puppet whose strings had snapped. David gasped in anger and ran one hand through his bangs. His eyes, visible through the gap between his fingers, had a cruel light.
“Yes. It’ll only take a few days... I’ll wait patiently. Even if you throw a tantrum, the result won’t change anyway.”
“Yes. It’ll only take a few days... I’ll wait patiently. Even if you throw a tantrum, the result won’t change anyway.”
***
<Your father spoke strongly to His Majesty. Fortunately, on the day I met His Majesty, He declared that he would hold a proper State Council meeting and postpone the departure date. So always take care of yourself, and never again say anything like... going with your husband.
Understood?>
Sylvia breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving Count Florette’s letter.
'I guess I've gained some time.'
But even that wasn't a leisurely time. The next State Council meeting was ten days away. If they couldn't find any evidence of the pacifist demons or clear evidence that David was colluding with the dark bugs to use humans, then war would be unstoppable. If war were to break out, then it was Randall who would have to take the lead.
“...”
Sylvia, who was looking out the window with pensive eyes, spotted something and jumped up from her seat. Then she kicked open the door and went out.
"Lady?"
“If you keep running like that, you’ll fall down!”
The servants were surprised at Sylvia's hasty running up to the first floor and tried to stop her. However, Sylvia did not hear them. She went down the stairs without thinking and suddenly her ankles started to hurt, causing her to stumble.
“Ugh...!”
Sylvia felt her body tilting and reflexively squeezed her eyes shut. But instead of the expected pain, what came was...
'I guess I've gained some time.'
But even that wasn't a leisurely time. The next State Council meeting was ten days away. If they couldn't find any evidence of the pacifist demons or clear evidence that David was colluding with the dark bugs to use humans, then war would be unstoppable. If war were to break out, then it was Randall who would have to take the lead.
“...”
Sylvia, who was looking out the window with pensive eyes, spotted something and jumped up from her seat. Then she kicked open the door and went out.
"Lady?"
“If you keep running like that, you’ll fall down!”
The servants were surprised at Sylvia's hasty running up to the first floor and tried to stop her. However, Sylvia did not hear them. She went down the stairs without thinking and suddenly her ankles started to hurt, causing her to stumble.
“Ugh...!”
Sylvia felt her body tilting and reflexively squeezed her eyes shut. But instead of the expected pain, what came was...
Thud-
“Sylvia! That was dangerous!”
It was a familiar heat, a body scent that made her heart feel at ease. Randall, who was on his way up to the second floor, hurriedly grabbed Sylvia, hugged her, and let out a worried voice. Sylvia opened her eyes at the voice. She stared blankly at Randall, who was wrapping his arms around her waist, and her eyes twisted into a longing look.
“Sylvia! That was dangerous!”
It was a familiar heat, a body scent that made her heart feel at ease. Randall, who was on his way up to the second floor, hurriedly grabbed Sylvia, hugged her, and let out a worried voice. Sylvia opened her eyes at the voice. She stared blankly at Randall, who was wrapping his arms around her waist, and her eyes twisted into a longing look.
Ah, as expected. Can’t help it.
“I missed you, Randall.”
“...”
“Welcome.”
Sylvia hugged Randall's neck, her voice dripping with moisture. Randall froze for a moment, then silently and firmly hugged her back.
Sylvia buried her face in Randall's shoulder and made up her mind. Her golden eyes were shining firmly.
'I should go to Kelvetia.'
If only she could protect this man, she would gladly step into the ever-boiling hell.
“I missed you, Randall.”
“...”
“Welcome.”
Sylvia hugged Randall's neck, her voice dripping with moisture. Randall froze for a moment, then silently and firmly hugged her back.
Sylvia buried her face in Randall's shoulder and made up her mind. Her golden eyes were shining firmly.
'I should go to Kelvetia.'
If only she could protect this man, she would gladly step into the ever-boiling hell.
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