“…Franz Jedercayer?”
Iland's lips twisted strangely. Franz Jedercayer, he could not help but know who that name was. He also knew who that name was and what it meant in Rotair.
Asking for the name of a royal was a great insult, no matter what their status. It was not his intention, but Iland was momentarily overwhelmed by it, and his pride was greatly hurt. After asking, he realized that he had done it, but he was the kind of person who valued himself more than courtesy to others.
Franz, who had been staring blankly at Iland, who didn't even show an apology for his rudeness, smiled silently.
“I was trying to say hello, but I heard you were here, so I came to see you.”
“Oh... is that so? I see...”
“Please sit comfortably.”
When Franz offered the sofa, Iland reluctantly coughed and sat down. Franz called the servant and ordered him to put away the cold tea and bring out a new tea. While the servant immediately put away the teapot and cups, Franz leaned back on the sofa and looked at Iland in an unusually relaxed manner.
“Thank you for coming such a long way. I wanted to say hello to you since I don’t think we’ll have time to talk to each other after the ceremony starts.”
“My only sister is finally having an official wedding, but wouldn’t it be absurd if I, her older brother, didn’t attend?”
Iland made up a story with a calm and composed attitude. At the same time, he was constantly glancing at Franz from side to side.
He had no interest in the Prince of Rotair, whom Judith was to marry. However, from what he had heard a few years ago, he had been a shabby man who was always being pushed around by the Empress. But the Franz he saw before him now was far from the rumors he had heard back then.
There were rumors that he had gone to study abroad in a neighboring continent, that he had returned as a completely different person, and that he had eventually taken the position of Crown Prince, but these were not important topics to Illand.
Iland, who had ignored Judith his entire life, could not even imagine that his insignificant younger sister could have anything good. His attitude of looking down on Judith was so deeply ingrained that he consistently gave only insulting evaluations of Franz.
Franz could see through Iland’s thoughts, but he didn’t show it. He could clearly see that he was looking at him rudely and that he was even making a face of disdain, but he hadn’t come here to point out such petty behavior. Of course, he hadn’t come here to greet him politely, as he had said.
“Please drink.”
Franz, who had been offered the newly brought tea by the attendant, slightly moved his cup forward. Iland, who had been busy rolling his eyes like a thief who had come to steal something, answered or not, but only grabbed the handle of his cup and let it go without drinking the tea.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about you...”
As Iland quietly began to speak, Franz took a sip of tea and nodded quietly.
“Was that so?”
“You're a lot better than I’ve heard. You're manly and very handsome. Judith must have found a good husband.”
Franz's gaze became strange. But Iland did not notice it and continued speaking languidly.
“She is my only sister, so how worried must I have been? But seeing her so tall and beautiful...”
“I’m sure you have a lot of worries. But you seem to be very self-restrained...”
“Are you in moderation?”
“His Majesty the Reverend has never once asked about my wife’s well-being.”
The tone was as calm as ever, but it was an answer with a strong intention to reprimand. Iland showed a furious expression for a moment but then forced an awkward smile as he remembered the purpose of his visit to Rotair.
“Ah, that’s right... I’ve always been worried in my heart. But do you know how burdensome and troublesome it is to take care of state affairs from the throne? Well, you don’t know what kind of position the throne is, so you might misunderstand that I’ve been neglectful.”
If there had been a Duke of Vergy or Bartholomew, or even just one servant, they would have been astonished and said, “What nonsense is this?” However, Franz had no intention of dealing with Iland, who was openly trying to ignore him.
“Yes. It is as His Majesty the King said. The Crown Prince, who is the head of the state, has great responsibilities, but how can they compare to the suffering of the King?”
“You listen well. So, it is just a misunderstanding that I neglected that child.”
“If that’s the case, then that’s fortunate.”
When Franz answered like that, Iland's thoughts suddenly wandered to an unexpected place.
Even in his eyes as a man, Franz was a man without a single flaw. In the past, he was so miserable that he was lucky to be alive, but what about now?
No one disagreed that he would succeed King Jedercayer and rule Rotair. Didn't his half-brother, the second Prince whom Queen Gilsis had raised with great care, go to the south or something? If only Franz could be entangled, there would be many things he could get out of him in the future...
“Franz.”
A faint smile appeared on Iland's lips. Even though his name was called out so suddenly, Franz did not seem particularly surprised or upset. Iland even considered that indifferent reaction to be a positive response.
'I guess that's true.'
Even though he had studied in the Empire or somewhere, Franz still looked like a young lad who didn’t know much about the world. He was handsome enough to catch people’s eyes, but his expression seemed somehow innocent, which only added to the illusion. Iland wiggled his fingers like a gangster trying to lure an ignorant young man into a gambling den.
“I have a proposition for you. Would you like to hear it?”
"What is?"
“You know better than I do, but in Rotair, even Princes and princelings can openly have governments.”
Franz's hand, which was calmly putting down the teacup, stopped. Then, Iland's sinister smile became more blatant.
“It’s been a long time since I saw Judith, and she’s become quite pretty, but I know her personality well. I’ve known her since she was little, so isn’t that natural? She’s gotten a little thicker now, so she knows how to talk cheekily, but isn’t that boring to live with? Since ancient times, women have to have a gentle charm, and know how to please others with a certain amount of wit, and only then can they be useful anywhere, right?”
The corners of Franz's mouth turned up.
"...Is that so?"
“You may not know it yet, but a married woman and a government are different things. You’ll have a lot of troubles in the future, and having a pretty and cute woman by your side will be a comfort to you.”
“So?”
“If you wish, I will send you excellent young ladies. Women of good family and appearance. You may not know, but among my cousins and Judith’s cousins, many young ladies have just entered the marriageable age. I know it is a bit strange to say this, but they are much better than Judith. And won’t it be a comfort to Judith? They are her mother’s blood, and also from the same Tien.”
Iland thought that if he made his younger sister the Crown Princess and sent his cousins to the government, Tien's position in the Royal House of Rotair would be further strengthened.
If that happens, it will be easier for her to control Franz when he takes the throne. If they are second cousins, she will be easier to use than Judith, and if Franz becomes King, she will become the King's mistress, so it will be nice to show off...
"How is it?"
Iland's mouth opened wide. Franz, who had been staring at him silently, lowered his head slightly and laughed quietly.
“I’ve heard many suggestions made in the name of helping me, but this is a first for me.”
“Look, Franz. No, you married my sister, so you’re my brother-in-law. I’m telling you honestly what you need to know about life.”
“Your Majesty treats me with no formality, so I will also speak frankly.”
“Good. Good attitude. What is it? Tell me.”
Franz smiled broadly, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“Insult my wife one more time in front of me, and I will turn that helpless tongue into food for crows.”
The color drained from Iland’s face, who had been talking so slyly. A cold air settled like frost in the quiet room where even the sound of breathing could not be heard.
“Just now, just now, what did you say...”
“The reason I came here today is to advise you not to touch even a single hair on my wife. It is for my father to judge and expel you from the Royal House of Rotair and your order by making unreasonable demands, but it is not my place to deal with it yet. However, if you try to do anything unjust to my wife, or insult her as you did today, I will not remain silent.”
Iland was so shocked by Franz's sudden change in attitude that he couldn't say a word. He didn't feel any emotions like anger or shame. He just looked up at him with blank eyes, unable to understand or accept the situation.
A picturesque smile appeared on Franz's face as he rose from his seat. However, not a single trace of laughter could be found in his fiery golden eyes.
“The attendant will show you where you will stay for the next two days. Please leave now.”
“What, what kind of rudeness is this... Who am I, me!”
“Didn’t my wife tell you that she has no relation to Tien anymore? So, Your Majesty, you are just an invited guest. No guest can enter the Crown Prince’s palace of this country without permission, so please leave now.”
As soon as Franz finished speaking, the soldiers of the Combler guarding the Nation Palace, along with the attendant, approached Iland. Looking back and forth between the gleaming spear blades, the cold-looking soldiers, and Franz’s face, Iland stumbled backward and fell on his butt.
“Take him out.”
The soldiers grabbed Iland from both sides and lifted him up. Franz stood there motionless, staring at Iland until his stumbling, absentminded steps disappeared completely outside the door.
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