It was as if the old events were being repeated. Judith felt very similar to when she had noticed something was wrong with the King's body and brought him back to life without anyone knowing.
“It will happen sometime soon, even if it is late, to bestow the title of Grand Duke upon Krald. However, I cannot understand her request to designate the Duke of Laetian as the first in line of succession. Sending Krald to the southern territory to serve as a Margrave is also absurd. Krald is my son. I also know his limitations well, so why does she demand such presumptuous duties and positions for him?”
“I am not unaware of your concerns, Your Majesty. Not only will His Highness be unable to defend the southern regions, but he may even seek to take advantage of the chaos to gain a greater position. Furthermore, as an adviser, the Duke of Laetian will likely condone or encourage such actions rather than speak out to Your Majesty.”
“Does a child who knows that make such a request to me? Go away. I will pretend not to have heard it.”
“It is necessary for His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Judith showed no intention of moving even an inch from where she was kneeling. The King felt even more tired at the thought that it was necessary for the Prince more than anything else.
She was worried that Franz would continue to be threatened if she left the Duke of Laetian and Krald in the castle. The King was also worried about this, but there was virtually no fundamental solution. If she wanted to make sure that they could no longer threaten Franz, she had no choice but to kill them. But that was impossible, wasn't it?
So Judith's scheme was bound to dishearten King Jedercayer. She must have been mindful that Krald and the Duke of Laetian would inevitably rebel if they gained a higher position and were allowed to move more freely outside the palace.
The chaos in the southern regions was not over yet, and the conflict area was expanding daily. If someone like Krald were sent as a Margrave at this time, it would not only fail to quell the chaos and defend the kingdom but would also open the gates to the enemies to achieve his own goals.
Judith's intention was to open the door for them to rebel, to make them dare to aspire for the throne, and then to add some practical elements to it so that in the end they would be driven to rebel.
“But we cannot allow Rotair to be caught up in the chaos.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“Let’s use His Highness the Prince. The Prince once told me that His Majesty the Emperor has long wished to establish a new port and trading post in the southern part of this continent. In the name of the Empire, of course.”
“Are you saying we should bring in the imperial army?”
“Your Majesty, we don’t need to come forward and ask the Empire for allies. If we show some movement and change as a clue, the Emperor will not miss it.”
“Your words are absurd. It is right to protect Franz as my eldest son, as the next heir to the throne, and as the only Crown Prince of this country. But should I incite my other sons to rebellion for that purpose?”
“Are you the King or the father, Your Majesty?”
"...What?"
King Jedecayer looked at Judith with astonishment. It was the first time since he had known her that he had seen her look like that. But Judith did not give in. She did not even look intimidated.
“If Your Majesty wishes to be a father, then what I have said today will be of no use and will be treated as the slander of a sinner who is causing division in the royal family. However, Your Majesty, if Your Majesty wishes to be King, then this is an unavoidable matter.”
“Judith.”
“His Highness Krald will always seize the opportunity to harm His Highness the Crown Prince. Duke Laetian will of course help him. Your Majesty, this is not my personal opinion. It is not a word that comes from malice to bring bloodshed upon the Royal House of Rotair. I know His Highness. Your Majesty knows it too. It is just that he is reluctant to make a decision.”
The King was silent for a long time. Judith's words were not wrong. He knew well the cruelty of Queen Gilsis, as well as the mean and promiscuous nature of her son, Krald. However, he could not drive them out with his own hands. It was because he felt a deep sense of guilt for the things he had done to Queen Gilsis, the things he had done to her, and the things he had done to her as a human being, apart from their relationship as a couple.
He thought it was all his fault that the Queen had become so vicious. Nevertheless, he could not help but turn away and remain silent, as the human heart was incapable of doing anything about it. The consequences were now coming back to his son.
“Judith, step aside. I know very well why you said such things to me.”
"Your Majesty."
“Go away. I am tired and want to rest.”
The King's answer was the last. Judith could not endure it any longer and left Magnus's palace. She had not expected things to go well from the beginning. She thought that the fact that the King was not angry was enough to give her hope.
The King, who had been silent as he recalled the conversation he had had with Judith, lifted his gaze. He looked at the Duke of Vergy, who was still grumbling without saying a word and then asked.
“What will you do if Bartholomew commits a sin that cannot be washed away?”
A more puzzled expression appeared on Duke Vergy's face. King Jedecayer saw his expression, which was completely unfathomable, and let out a faint laugh. It was the laughter of a sad and regretful old man.
"Your Majesty."
The Duke reached out to the King's shoulder. The King coughed a couple of times and waved his hand to indicate that he was okay. But the sound of his exhalation was sharp and unsteady, like the wind seeping through a torn cloth.
“I’m fine. Just answer.”
“What if Bartholomew commits a sin?”
King Jedekayer nodded. Duke Vergy looked at him with a complicated expression for a moment, then straightened his posture and said.
“It depends on what the crime is. However, if that guy commits an unforgivable offense against Rotair, the royal family, and the honor of the family, I will never forgive him.”
“Would you... be able to condemn your own blood relatives with your own hands? If Bartholomew were to commit such a crime, would you accept it, even if the child were to die?”
The Duke's expression darkened even more. He knew better than anyone that the King was not asking such questions for fun. He was certain that Krald had done something to Judith. It was a conclusion he had reached only through conjecture, but it turned out to be correct.
“...I will accept it.”
The King bowed his head for a moment. His ragged breathing was followed by a hollow laugh.
“Yes, the Vergy are that kind of family. Isn’t it because they are such a strict and firm family that your ancestors trusted you and kept you by their side?”
The King's body, which had been leaning against the chair, leaned back slightly. The dark purple blanket hanging from the armrest slid down to the floor.
“Your Majesty, what on earth is the matter? If you have any concerns, please let me know.”
There was no answer. King Jedecayer stared blankly at the ceiling. The elegant and graceful patterns seemed to be tangled and writhing among themselves as if under some evil spell. His vision was dizzy and his head felt heavy.
Judith did not tell the King all the details of Krald's brutal tyranny. However, when she mentioned his name, her eyes trembled helplessly and her face turned pale, and it was easy to guess what Krald had done.
He was like the Duke of Vergy, and he was also Krald's father, as he said. He was never unaware of his second son's wild temper, which he could not possibly reveal to anyone.
Didn't that kind of personality eventually lead even the second Princess to that state? Although he didn't say it out loud to Cold or Queen Gilsis, King Jedecayer thought that Flavia was largely to blame for her wicked actions. It was absurd and unforgivable that she took her anger out on Judith and the Prince, but he still couldn't blame Flavia alone.
However, he still kept Krald and Queen Gilsis under his protection as members of the royal family. He could not give them personal affection or love. No matter how hard he tried, it was only distant. He reproached himself for that feeling many times. He always thought that if he could not cherish and love them as blood relatives, he should at least acknowledge the name of royalty.
“Was it all in vain?”
King Jedecayer muttered softly.
“Your Majesty, what are you saying?”
The Duke of Vergy carefully examined his complexion. The King's wrinkled eyes were faintly filled with tears. Countless sorrows, deep regrets, and the helplessness that came from realizing that he could no longer restore what he had ruined were wearing him down.
“There is nothing I can do now. It is all my fault. In the end, I have failed as a King, as a father, and as a husband.”
“Why do you say such things? Your Majesty has not failed in anything.”
“No, Duke. Ever since Emerea died, I have only failed. No, I have made mistakes. If I had known that I would see such a miserable day, I would not have done it. However, I cannot turn back the time that has passed, nor stop the time that is coming, so that is a pity...”
King Jedecayer slowly closed his eyes, leaving behind a sorrowful soliloquy. Tears flowed down his trembling eyelids. But now was the only time he could cry.
"Are you the King or the father?"
Judith's question was a poignant one. It brought out exactly the weaknesses that he had always been unable to find the answer to, or perhaps that he had been avoiding even though he knew the answer.
He had to be a King for one successor rather than a father to two sons. For the future of the kingdom that his predecessors had led and nurtured, there was no longer any choice.
“It will happen sometime soon, even if it is late, to bestow the title of Grand Duke upon Krald. However, I cannot understand her request to designate the Duke of Laetian as the first in line of succession. Sending Krald to the southern territory to serve as a Margrave is also absurd. Krald is my son. I also know his limitations well, so why does she demand such presumptuous duties and positions for him?”
“I am not unaware of your concerns, Your Majesty. Not only will His Highness be unable to defend the southern regions, but he may even seek to take advantage of the chaos to gain a greater position. Furthermore, as an adviser, the Duke of Laetian will likely condone or encourage such actions rather than speak out to Your Majesty.”
“Does a child who knows that make such a request to me? Go away. I will pretend not to have heard it.”
“It is necessary for His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Judith showed no intention of moving even an inch from where she was kneeling. The King felt even more tired at the thought that it was necessary for the Prince more than anything else.
She was worried that Franz would continue to be threatened if she left the Duke of Laetian and Krald in the castle. The King was also worried about this, but there was virtually no fundamental solution. If she wanted to make sure that they could no longer threaten Franz, she had no choice but to kill them. But that was impossible, wasn't it?
So Judith's scheme was bound to dishearten King Jedercayer. She must have been mindful that Krald and the Duke of Laetian would inevitably rebel if they gained a higher position and were allowed to move more freely outside the palace.
The chaos in the southern regions was not over yet, and the conflict area was expanding daily. If someone like Krald were sent as a Margrave at this time, it would not only fail to quell the chaos and defend the kingdom but would also open the gates to the enemies to achieve his own goals.
Judith's intention was to open the door for them to rebel, to make them dare to aspire for the throne, and then to add some practical elements to it so that in the end they would be driven to rebel.
“But we cannot allow Rotair to be caught up in the chaos.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“Let’s use His Highness the Prince. The Prince once told me that His Majesty the Emperor has long wished to establish a new port and trading post in the southern part of this continent. In the name of the Empire, of course.”
“Are you saying we should bring in the imperial army?”
“Your Majesty, we don’t need to come forward and ask the Empire for allies. If we show some movement and change as a clue, the Emperor will not miss it.”
“Your words are absurd. It is right to protect Franz as my eldest son, as the next heir to the throne, and as the only Crown Prince of this country. But should I incite my other sons to rebellion for that purpose?”
“Are you the King or the father, Your Majesty?”
"...What?"
King Jedecayer looked at Judith with astonishment. It was the first time since he had known her that he had seen her look like that. But Judith did not give in. She did not even look intimidated.
“If Your Majesty wishes to be a father, then what I have said today will be of no use and will be treated as the slander of a sinner who is causing division in the royal family. However, Your Majesty, if Your Majesty wishes to be King, then this is an unavoidable matter.”
“Judith.”
“His Highness Krald will always seize the opportunity to harm His Highness the Crown Prince. Duke Laetian will of course help him. Your Majesty, this is not my personal opinion. It is not a word that comes from malice to bring bloodshed upon the Royal House of Rotair. I know His Highness. Your Majesty knows it too. It is just that he is reluctant to make a decision.”
The King was silent for a long time. Judith's words were not wrong. He knew well the cruelty of Queen Gilsis, as well as the mean and promiscuous nature of her son, Krald. However, he could not drive them out with his own hands. It was because he felt a deep sense of guilt for the things he had done to Queen Gilsis, the things he had done to her, and the things he had done to her as a human being, apart from their relationship as a couple.
He thought it was all his fault that the Queen had become so vicious. Nevertheless, he could not help but turn away and remain silent, as the human heart was incapable of doing anything about it. The consequences were now coming back to his son.
“Judith, step aside. I know very well why you said such things to me.”
"Your Majesty."
“Go away. I am tired and want to rest.”
The King's answer was the last. Judith could not endure it any longer and left Magnus's palace. She had not expected things to go well from the beginning. She thought that the fact that the King was not angry was enough to give her hope.
***
The King, who had been silent as he recalled the conversation he had had with Judith, lifted his gaze. He looked at the Duke of Vergy, who was still grumbling without saying a word and then asked.
“What will you do if Bartholomew commits a sin that cannot be washed away?”
A more puzzled expression appeared on Duke Vergy's face. King Jedecayer saw his expression, which was completely unfathomable, and let out a faint laugh. It was the laughter of a sad and regretful old man.
"Your Majesty."
The Duke reached out to the King's shoulder. The King coughed a couple of times and waved his hand to indicate that he was okay. But the sound of his exhalation was sharp and unsteady, like the wind seeping through a torn cloth.
“I’m fine. Just answer.”
“What if Bartholomew commits a sin?”
King Jedekayer nodded. Duke Vergy looked at him with a complicated expression for a moment, then straightened his posture and said.
“It depends on what the crime is. However, if that guy commits an unforgivable offense against Rotair, the royal family, and the honor of the family, I will never forgive him.”
“Would you... be able to condemn your own blood relatives with your own hands? If Bartholomew were to commit such a crime, would you accept it, even if the child were to die?”
The Duke's expression darkened even more. He knew better than anyone that the King was not asking such questions for fun. He was certain that Krald had done something to Judith. It was a conclusion he had reached only through conjecture, but it turned out to be correct.
“...I will accept it.”
The King bowed his head for a moment. His ragged breathing was followed by a hollow laugh.
“Yes, the Vergy are that kind of family. Isn’t it because they are such a strict and firm family that your ancestors trusted you and kept you by their side?”
The King's body, which had been leaning against the chair, leaned back slightly. The dark purple blanket hanging from the armrest slid down to the floor.
“Your Majesty, what on earth is the matter? If you have any concerns, please let me know.”
There was no answer. King Jedecayer stared blankly at the ceiling. The elegant and graceful patterns seemed to be tangled and writhing among themselves as if under some evil spell. His vision was dizzy and his head felt heavy.
Judith did not tell the King all the details of Krald's brutal tyranny. However, when she mentioned his name, her eyes trembled helplessly and her face turned pale, and it was easy to guess what Krald had done.
He was like the Duke of Vergy, and he was also Krald's father, as he said. He was never unaware of his second son's wild temper, which he could not possibly reveal to anyone.
Didn't that kind of personality eventually lead even the second Princess to that state? Although he didn't say it out loud to Cold or Queen Gilsis, King Jedecayer thought that Flavia was largely to blame for her wicked actions. It was absurd and unforgivable that she took her anger out on Judith and the Prince, but he still couldn't blame Flavia alone.
However, he still kept Krald and Queen Gilsis under his protection as members of the royal family. He could not give them personal affection or love. No matter how hard he tried, it was only distant. He reproached himself for that feeling many times. He always thought that if he could not cherish and love them as blood relatives, he should at least acknowledge the name of royalty.
“Was it all in vain?”
King Jedecayer muttered softly.
“Your Majesty, what are you saying?”
The Duke of Vergy carefully examined his complexion. The King's wrinkled eyes were faintly filled with tears. Countless sorrows, deep regrets, and the helplessness that came from realizing that he could no longer restore what he had ruined were wearing him down.
“There is nothing I can do now. It is all my fault. In the end, I have failed as a King, as a father, and as a husband.”
“Why do you say such things? Your Majesty has not failed in anything.”
“No, Duke. Ever since Emerea died, I have only failed. No, I have made mistakes. If I had known that I would see such a miserable day, I would not have done it. However, I cannot turn back the time that has passed, nor stop the time that is coming, so that is a pity...”
King Jedecayer slowly closed his eyes, leaving behind a sorrowful soliloquy. Tears flowed down his trembling eyelids. But now was the only time he could cry.
"Are you the King or the father?"
Judith's question was a poignant one. It brought out exactly the weaknesses that he had always been unable to find the answer to, or perhaps that he had been avoiding even though he knew the answer.
He had to be a King for one successor rather than a father to two sons. For the future of the kingdom that his predecessors had led and nurtured, there was no longer any choice.
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