Franz could not figure out what Judith meant by saying such things, nor what convinced Iland to take such a risky gamble.
Judith's decision was the result of gathering and combining the memories of her previous life. In her previous life, Iland had also met with destruction due to his reckless southern conquest.
Half a year ago, after being humiliated and driven out after deploying troops near the border of Anne-Granade, Iland had once again turned his attention to the south, and of all places, to the Grand Duchy of Melgun. Judith was certain that this would be Iland’s last war. He was headed for destruction anyway. Even if left alone, Iland would probably not live to see the spring of the following year.
But this time, there was one variable that was different from the previous life: the presence of Krald in the South. Judith thought this was the perfect opportunity to corner Krald and Iland.
Currently, Tien's finances were so weak that he could never wage an independent war. Therefore, it was clear that Iland would persistently cling to Rotair's support this time. Franz could force him out, but that would only cause him more trouble. In that case, wouldn't it be better to use him here? That was Judith's calculation.
If he had let slip word that Krald was heading to the Southern Margraves, he could be sure that Iland would take advantage of it immediately.
He was already aware of the conflict between Queen Gilsis, Krald, and Franz, so he would surely try to exploit the gap. He would likely demand support for his invasion of the south and in return offer Krald help in defeating Franz.
"So send my brother to the south where the second Prince is. You don't have to tell him directly. You have to pass through southern Rotair to get to the duchy anyway. Just tell him that Krald is there. My brother will find him on his own."
"I understand what you are saying. And I also understand that the King of Tien is greedy enough to do such a thing. However..."
As Franz trailed off, Judith looked at him with a slightly anxious expression.
"Is there anything that is bothering you, Your Highness?"
"If your words come true, Tien will be destroyed. I agree that your brother is an unworthy King, but would you really be okay with your homeland being lost like that?"
Judith smiled bitterly.
"Even if we just leave it alone, the only thing waiting for Tien is the white flag of the ruined country. Rather than that, it would be better for us to strike first. If things go well, we can negotiate with the principality so that Tien's people will not suffer too much."
Even though she spoke of the destruction of her once homeland, there was no trace of pain or sorrow in Judith. Franz assumed that it was because Judith had a complicated childhood, and deliberately avoided asking her because he did not want to hurt her. He had no idea that she was indifferent because she had already experienced it once.
"Your Highness."
Franz, who had been lost in thought, came to his senses at the call of Duke Vergy.
“Yes, uncle.”
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
Franz didn't answer the question but smiled faintly.
“Uncle.”
“Why are you doing that?”
“The more deeply you loved someone, the more unforgivable it would be if they betrayed you, right?”
Duke Vergy's eyes blinked slowly once.
“That’s right. On the contrary, some say that they can forgive even betrayal because they loved someone. Why are you suddenly asking that?”
“No. I was just... thinking about it.”
Duke Vergy looked like he wanted to ask what on earth he was thinking to say something like that out of the blue, but Franz didn't give an answer this time either.
He was thinking about Judith. She hated him so much that she didn't care if her own brother Iland died, and she was indifferent to the destruction of her homeland. It wasn't a common-sense reaction, but if you think about what the Duke of Vergy said, you feel like you can understand it.
Could it be that she cannot forgive the betrayal because she once loved him so much and considered him her everything? If so, who could point a finger at her and say that she is a cold person even to her own blood relatives?
At that moment, the servant standing outside came in and announced that Iland had arrived. Franz exchanged a glance with Duke Vergy and stood up.
Next to the King's office was a spacious reception room that could be used when unexpected guests came. Iland, sitting on a luxurious sofa in the reception room, had his arms crossed arrogantly, clearly showing his displeasure.
“His Majesty the King of Tien.”
Duke Vergy greeted him formally. Iland felt a little nervous when he saw his face, which looked just like Franz's, but he pretended to snort in order not to show it.
“So you’re... the Duke of Vergy?”
Despite Iland's arrogant attitude, Duke Vergy did not blink an eye and slightly tilted his head.
“Yes. This is my first time greeting you.”
“I asked to see the King of Rotair, but why didn’t it go as I wish?”
As the petty anger finally burst out of Iland's mouth, a grin like a painting appeared on the Duke's lips. It was incomparably warmer than when he smiled naturally. That, combined with his excellent appearance that originally gave off a sharp aura, created a pressure that made it difficult to even speak to him.
“His Highness the Crown Prince is currently handling most of the state affairs on His Majesty’s behalf. His Majesty trusts His Highness more than anyone else in this palace and has entrusted him with the duties of regent. The King of Tien treats His Highness the Crown Prince no differently than he treats His Majesty the King.”
It was a polite pressure to treat Franz as the King himself, not just as a representative of King Jedercayer. Iland's lips twitched a few times. He wanted to argue, but he was already quite intimidated by seeing Duke Vergy up close.
Besides, since he had to keep talking from now on, it was a pity that he was in that position, and there was no good in causing a commotion here with the Duke, who was a relative of the royal family. Iland forced his stiff cheeks to fall apart. His lips moved sullenly.
“Now that I hear it, the Duke’s words are indeed correct. I understand.”
“Then let’s talk.”
Duke Vergy made his last polite and polite gesture and left the drawing room. Meanwhile, Franz sat opposite Iland, staring intently at him, and only smiled when the Duke left.
“As my Father is unwell, I have come to see Your Majesty in his stead, so I hope you will understand.”
“Oh, well... that’s right. Didn’t the Duke of Vergy just say that? He must be your uncle, right?”
“Yes. He is the younger brother of my deceased mother.”
“The two of you look so much alike? Amazingly so.”
“I look a lot like my mother. My mother and my uncle look a lot like me. So it’s only natural that my uncle and I look alike.”
Iland licked his lips and made a slurping sound. He tried to hide his embarrassment in front of Duke Vergy by talking nonsense, but it was not refreshing at all and left a bitter aftertaste. While he looked around anxiously, Franz took a sip of tea in a leisurely and indifferent manner.
“Would you mind if I asked why you wanted to see my father?”
Iland turned his head and looked at Franz. He was just rolling his eyes here and there as if he was worried about something, and then he cleared his throat and tilted his upper body slightly.
“I won’t change the subject since this is a topic that will have to be discussed at some point anyway.”
Franz nodded coolly and spread out both palms.
“I think it would be better for you to do that as well.”
“As you probably know, the internal situation in Tien is not very good right now. My... no, my home country and Judith’s home country are...day by day.”
“It is Your Majesty’s country, not my wife’s country.”
Iland's eyes blinked blankly.
“What did you say?”
“Judith told me that from the moment she left Tien, she had decided to forget the place. So I beg you to refrain from bringing my wife into this matter, even if only in words.”
“...”
“If Your Majesty loves his only sister so much, this wouldn’t be difficult, would it?”
Franz could see Iland's two fists trembling on his knees. However, Franz pretended not to see it. It wasn't because he knew that Iland would be in a position to say anything but regret. It was unpleasant to even mention Judith's name in such a dirty conversation.
“...I have a lot to say, but let’s skip it. It doesn’t seem like it’s an important part of the conversation we’re having anyway.”
“Thank you for understanding. Please continue speaking.”
Franz nodded. Then Iland, even more rambling than before, demanded that Rotair provide the funds Tien needed to wage war.
It was such an absurd plan. Franz had never experienced war firsthand, but if he had studied even a little bit of the tactics of Iland's plan, it would have been so reckless and unprepared that he would have laughed it off. It was astonishing that he tried to preach such a thing as if it were an eternal truth. His words were nothing but empty fantasy from beginning to end.
But Franz pretended to listen intently to Iland’s nonsense without interrupting him. Every time Franz nodded or made a meaningless reply like “Is that so?” Iland became even more excited and raised his voice, spitting out saliva.
In his delusions, Tien had already taken over the lands of the Grand Duchy of Melgan and had even acquired what had once been the territory of the Duchy of Catania but was now part of the Confederate Kingdom.
“What do you think? This time, we will definitely succeed. If Rotair only helps us, what is there to be afraid of? No, rather than just helping, let the two countries attack the south in order. If that happens, huh? Just think about it. The territory will expand tremendously. Even if we claim to be the Emperor, who will dare to refute it?”
Franz's lips went up crookedly. It was a laugh that escaped him because he couldn't hold back the absurdity, but Iland's eyes couldn't see the real meaning. His eyes were already far away from him, dreaming greedily as if he had a gold nugget right before his eyes.
Judith's decision was the result of gathering and combining the memories of her previous life. In her previous life, Iland had also met with destruction due to his reckless southern conquest.
Half a year ago, after being humiliated and driven out after deploying troops near the border of Anne-Granade, Iland had once again turned his attention to the south, and of all places, to the Grand Duchy of Melgun. Judith was certain that this would be Iland’s last war. He was headed for destruction anyway. Even if left alone, Iland would probably not live to see the spring of the following year.
But this time, there was one variable that was different from the previous life: the presence of Krald in the South. Judith thought this was the perfect opportunity to corner Krald and Iland.
Currently, Tien's finances were so weak that he could never wage an independent war. Therefore, it was clear that Iland would persistently cling to Rotair's support this time. Franz could force him out, but that would only cause him more trouble. In that case, wouldn't it be better to use him here? That was Judith's calculation.
If he had let slip word that Krald was heading to the Southern Margraves, he could be sure that Iland would take advantage of it immediately.
He was already aware of the conflict between Queen Gilsis, Krald, and Franz, so he would surely try to exploit the gap. He would likely demand support for his invasion of the south and in return offer Krald help in defeating Franz.
"So send my brother to the south where the second Prince is. You don't have to tell him directly. You have to pass through southern Rotair to get to the duchy anyway. Just tell him that Krald is there. My brother will find him on his own."
"I understand what you are saying. And I also understand that the King of Tien is greedy enough to do such a thing. However..."
As Franz trailed off, Judith looked at him with a slightly anxious expression.
"Is there anything that is bothering you, Your Highness?"
"If your words come true, Tien will be destroyed. I agree that your brother is an unworthy King, but would you really be okay with your homeland being lost like that?"
Judith smiled bitterly.
"Even if we just leave it alone, the only thing waiting for Tien is the white flag of the ruined country. Rather than that, it would be better for us to strike first. If things go well, we can negotiate with the principality so that Tien's people will not suffer too much."
Even though she spoke of the destruction of her once homeland, there was no trace of pain or sorrow in Judith. Franz assumed that it was because Judith had a complicated childhood, and deliberately avoided asking her because he did not want to hurt her. He had no idea that she was indifferent because she had already experienced it once.
***
"Your Highness."
Franz, who had been lost in thought, came to his senses at the call of Duke Vergy.
“Yes, uncle.”
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
Franz didn't answer the question but smiled faintly.
“Uncle.”
“Why are you doing that?”
“The more deeply you loved someone, the more unforgivable it would be if they betrayed you, right?”
Duke Vergy's eyes blinked slowly once.
“That’s right. On the contrary, some say that they can forgive even betrayal because they loved someone. Why are you suddenly asking that?”
“No. I was just... thinking about it.”
Duke Vergy looked like he wanted to ask what on earth he was thinking to say something like that out of the blue, but Franz didn't give an answer this time either.
He was thinking about Judith. She hated him so much that she didn't care if her own brother Iland died, and she was indifferent to the destruction of her homeland. It wasn't a common-sense reaction, but if you think about what the Duke of Vergy said, you feel like you can understand it.
Could it be that she cannot forgive the betrayal because she once loved him so much and considered him her everything? If so, who could point a finger at her and say that she is a cold person even to her own blood relatives?
At that moment, the servant standing outside came in and announced that Iland had arrived. Franz exchanged a glance with Duke Vergy and stood up.
Next to the King's office was a spacious reception room that could be used when unexpected guests came. Iland, sitting on a luxurious sofa in the reception room, had his arms crossed arrogantly, clearly showing his displeasure.
“His Majesty the King of Tien.”
Duke Vergy greeted him formally. Iland felt a little nervous when he saw his face, which looked just like Franz's, but he pretended to snort in order not to show it.
“So you’re... the Duke of Vergy?”
Despite Iland's arrogant attitude, Duke Vergy did not blink an eye and slightly tilted his head.
“Yes. This is my first time greeting you.”
“I asked to see the King of Rotair, but why didn’t it go as I wish?”
As the petty anger finally burst out of Iland's mouth, a grin like a painting appeared on the Duke's lips. It was incomparably warmer than when he smiled naturally. That, combined with his excellent appearance that originally gave off a sharp aura, created a pressure that made it difficult to even speak to him.
“His Highness the Crown Prince is currently handling most of the state affairs on His Majesty’s behalf. His Majesty trusts His Highness more than anyone else in this palace and has entrusted him with the duties of regent. The King of Tien treats His Highness the Crown Prince no differently than he treats His Majesty the King.”
It was a polite pressure to treat Franz as the King himself, not just as a representative of King Jedercayer. Iland's lips twitched a few times. He wanted to argue, but he was already quite intimidated by seeing Duke Vergy up close.
Besides, since he had to keep talking from now on, it was a pity that he was in that position, and there was no good in causing a commotion here with the Duke, who was a relative of the royal family. Iland forced his stiff cheeks to fall apart. His lips moved sullenly.
“Now that I hear it, the Duke’s words are indeed correct. I understand.”
“Then let’s talk.”
Duke Vergy made his last polite and polite gesture and left the drawing room. Meanwhile, Franz sat opposite Iland, staring intently at him, and only smiled when the Duke left.
“As my Father is unwell, I have come to see Your Majesty in his stead, so I hope you will understand.”
“Oh, well... that’s right. Didn’t the Duke of Vergy just say that? He must be your uncle, right?”
“Yes. He is the younger brother of my deceased mother.”
“The two of you look so much alike? Amazingly so.”
“I look a lot like my mother. My mother and my uncle look a lot like me. So it’s only natural that my uncle and I look alike.”
Iland licked his lips and made a slurping sound. He tried to hide his embarrassment in front of Duke Vergy by talking nonsense, but it was not refreshing at all and left a bitter aftertaste. While he looked around anxiously, Franz took a sip of tea in a leisurely and indifferent manner.
“Would you mind if I asked why you wanted to see my father?”
Iland turned his head and looked at Franz. He was just rolling his eyes here and there as if he was worried about something, and then he cleared his throat and tilted his upper body slightly.
“I won’t change the subject since this is a topic that will have to be discussed at some point anyway.”
Franz nodded coolly and spread out both palms.
“I think it would be better for you to do that as well.”
“As you probably know, the internal situation in Tien is not very good right now. My... no, my home country and Judith’s home country are...day by day.”
“It is Your Majesty’s country, not my wife’s country.”
Iland's eyes blinked blankly.
“What did you say?”
“Judith told me that from the moment she left Tien, she had decided to forget the place. So I beg you to refrain from bringing my wife into this matter, even if only in words.”
“...”
“If Your Majesty loves his only sister so much, this wouldn’t be difficult, would it?”
Franz could see Iland's two fists trembling on his knees. However, Franz pretended not to see it. It wasn't because he knew that Iland would be in a position to say anything but regret. It was unpleasant to even mention Judith's name in such a dirty conversation.
“...I have a lot to say, but let’s skip it. It doesn’t seem like it’s an important part of the conversation we’re having anyway.”
“Thank you for understanding. Please continue speaking.”
Franz nodded. Then Iland, even more rambling than before, demanded that Rotair provide the funds Tien needed to wage war.
It was such an absurd plan. Franz had never experienced war firsthand, but if he had studied even a little bit of the tactics of Iland's plan, it would have been so reckless and unprepared that he would have laughed it off. It was astonishing that he tried to preach such a thing as if it were an eternal truth. His words were nothing but empty fantasy from beginning to end.
But Franz pretended to listen intently to Iland’s nonsense without interrupting him. Every time Franz nodded or made a meaningless reply like “Is that so?” Iland became even more excited and raised his voice, spitting out saliva.
In his delusions, Tien had already taken over the lands of the Grand Duchy of Melgan and had even acquired what had once been the territory of the Duchy of Catania but was now part of the Confederate Kingdom.
“What do you think? This time, we will definitely succeed. If Rotair only helps us, what is there to be afraid of? No, rather than just helping, let the two countries attack the south in order. If that happens, huh? Just think about it. The territory will expand tremendously. Even if we claim to be the Emperor, who will dare to refute it?”
Franz's lips went up crookedly. It was a laugh that escaped him because he couldn't hold back the absurdity, but Iland's eyes couldn't see the real meaning. His eyes were already far away from him, dreaming greedily as if he had a gold nugget right before his eyes.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment