You want me to say that this child is Count Rotsilt's child?
Ayla's face sank coldly. It was so shocking that she even forgot to breathe. The dizziness that had clouded her vision gradually cleared, and she was forced to face the reality that was unfolding before her eyes. To her, reality and despair were synonymous. Ayla's gentle eyes flashed, and for the first time, she spoke out.
“Why are you saying such nonsense!”
"Until you even confront me. Now, I see nothing. Why did you want to be a good person like a saint? That's only respected and praised by the upper class. People like you will just be called stupid and become foolish clowns. The most disgusting thing is powerless justice."
“Even so, how could you possibly do such a terrible thing! You can’t!”
Even though Ayla, who was trembling and turning blue, let out a scream, the cruel and vicious Princess paid no attention at all.
"For the safety of you and your unborn child, you must say so. After that, I will even take care of you so you won't be disappointed. Isn't that a good thing for a child? You won't lose anything."
“Princess, please don’t do that. I don’t want to do that.”
Finally, Ayla fell to her knees, rubbed her hands together, and finally burst into tears. Erita, witnessing her desperate crying, couldn't hide her laughter, as if she were in complete delight. To Ayla's despairing eyes, the Princess's splendid chambers appeared as a hell engulfed in flames, and the Princess, adorned in jewels and a dress, looked like a laughing demon.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’ll do anything else, so please forgive me.”
Even though she had done nothing wrong, she begged for forgiveness out of habit. Lying prostrate on the floor, Ayla felt her insides burn, as if a fire had been lit that would never go out.
Ah, how foolish of me. I shouldn't have given the Princess a letter.
But it was too late. Erita called the maids and ordered them to catch Ayla, who was trying to escape from the room.
"Ayla. You can stop being a maid now. If you become mine, I'll reward you handsomely. And when I become Queen, I might even grant you a title of nobility. Don't you want that?"
"I don't want to hurt others because of my greed. I don't need any compensation. Please stop. This is a disaster for me!"
"Haha, disaster? Disaster has been upon you since the moment you were born. Now, you finally have a chance to escape this squalid life, but you're just being foolish for not taking it. You, kids? You've got a precious child, so take good care of him."
"Please... don't commit any more sins, Princess. How much more blood do you intend to shed on your noble hands? You are rich and have everything, lacking nothing. You have jewels and dresses I will never be able to touch, and you are loved by everyone. How much more must you take from me before you are satisfied?"
At Ayla's indignant words, Erita stopped laughing and tilted her head with a blank expression. She simply thought of Ayla's suffering as no different from stepping on a bug to death.
"Is this a sin? A legitimate effort to reclaim what was taken, an act of gaining what one desires, is not a sin. Why would anyone go to war?"
Ayla's parched lips slowly opened, as if torn apart. She muttered in front of Erita, who seemed completely emotionless.
“You are crazy.”
Erita was so excited she didn't even notice her own language barrier, and she was as drunk on alcohol as if she were drunk. If the Rotsilts' relationship cracked and ultimately fell apart, she wouldn't mind. All she wanted was to trample on and destroy all those who had hurt her.
“This world is crazy.”
Are you upset? If so, you shouldn't have been born precious like me.
The devil's voice sounded distant and distant.
On a quiet, dark night, Renier, who had secretly entered the Queen's bedroom, gazed at her with a pale face, having witnessed a desperate tragedy. Renier, working as a maid under the name Renier, had been secretly monitoring and observing Erita since her mission to investigate Diana.
“...She has gone too far.”
“Tell me.”
Renier barely managed to continue speaking, her expression on the verge of rage. She told of how Erita had abused and assaulted a maid named Ayla, sent her to Mastiff to have a child, and then tried to pass off the child as Noah's.
At the part where he threatened to kill Ayla and the unborn child, Renier finally wiped away the tears from her eyes, which were reddened. Clutching her chest, she pleaded with the Queen, almost vomiting blood.
"Your Majesty, I know it's presumptuous of me to do so, but I can't stand by and do this any longer. I hope you'll allow me to help."
The Queen, who had been resting her chin on a magnificent ivory chair, sighed with a furrowed brow.
"I want to give that maid a chance. If things continue this way, we won't be able to find those we're looking for, and she'll have plenty of material to cover up. There's even a chance she'll be murdered later."
“What kind of opportunity are you talking about?”
“If she tells the truth instead of lying as the Princess tells her, the royal family will have a reason to protect and rescue her.”
“Every minute and every second must be hell for her now, Your Majesty.”
"That's the ordeal of making the wrong choice. The price for ignorance is so harsh and pitiful."
“As I have said before, I am concerned that the Princess’s corruption and immoral behavior will tarnish the royal family’s honor and authority.”
"If this incident spreads abroad, the political powers will no longer stand idly by. The issue of succession will also be raised. That's why the illegitimate son is acting this way. With the intention of dethroning the Princess."
"Your majesty..."
She is a wicked person, unworthy of the throne. "She is wicked," Renier said, biting her lip to stifle her words.
"I understand your feelings. While the succession issue rages on, the Frogen side intends to strike first. Well, it would be the same even if the Princess inherited the throne. Ultimately, their goal is to thwart our plans."
"Yes. If that succeeds, the war will end, and peace will come. I hear Dr. Rugen is quite capable, but he's unwilling to cooperate. I think it'll take a while."
"What he needs is persuasion. Noah isn't the type to persuade people. Renier, we have a mission to end the tragedy of war. I intend to reign and rule in the name of peace. If it's for a greater good, you shouldn't act rashly, driven by emotion. Isn't that what you've been taught your whole life?"
The Queen of the United Kingdom of Medea is the coolest and most rational person in the country. While not a totalitarian who believes individuals should serve the nation, she believes that sacrifices of the few are inevitable for the greater good. Renier sighed habitually and rubbed the back of her head, which was covered in a red satin ribbon.
"Your Majesty, can she hold out? If that maid dies, I don't think I can bear it. Even if it's a fragmented individual problem, it will ultimately become a societal problem."
"It's a natural law that only the strong survive. It's impossible to embrace all the weak who are being eliminated and isolated. Not being able to overcome that can also be seen as a weakness."
“But the fact that I have to stand by and do nothing when I can help the weak is so unbearable.”
"Renier, instead of caring for children like your own, would you give all your wealth to the vagrants drifting in the canals beneath the highway and the poor in the slums? Those are misfortunes you are fully aware of."
Renier couldn't answer readily. The Queen's gaze sharpened for a moment. Her delicate, smooth fingers grasped Renier's chin. Her piercing green eyes stared intently, as if trying to force her to decide her stance.
"If that's your will, then help her. Freedom of conscience is a right for everyone, but it comes at a price. Can you bear the responsibility of disobeying my orders and exposing the shadowy presence? Put the safety of your countless younger siblings first. Or do you desire the freedom of your soul, forever enslaved to the state? If so, I will consider this nobility, not hypocrisy."
At the elegant and gentle threat, Renier's shoulders trembled, and she immediately lowered her head.
“...I was short-sighted. They are my precious family. Please forgive me, as they are not related.”
Renier felt a sense of despair, loathing herself for the contradiction of prioritizing her own safety over her own people. The Queen offered a kind smile.
"Let's trust the maid's choice. A half-hearted favor can push them further into the swamp. If we step forward to help this time, they'll just keep looking for another victim."
How could that be? It's so painful.
The words she could not bring herself to say simply flowed down from Renier's eyes as a single tear.
The commemorative festival was drawing to a close. Every day was a celebration in the streets, and people were rejoicing. The buildings in the square were covered in ornate banners bearing the Medea flag and the kingdom's coat of arms.
I even wondered if those gorgeous royal blue fabrics were blinding people's eyes.
The media and those in power reassured the public, claiming that a strong national power meant there was no need to worry about war. However, the privileged class already knew the possibility of war. They were completely unconcerned about the potential for casualties and damage, calculating how much profit and capital they could amass from the next war.
I once again attended a meaningless and uninteresting commemorative event. The nobles still whispered behind my back, but no one dared to openly quarrel with me. They were openly sympathetic to Noah. I sensed that the military was coveting his abilities.
As I gazed intently at the crimson wine in my glass, I suddenly realized something I'd forgotten. At the anniversary celebrations and banquets following the shooting competition, I hadn't seen Ayla at all. A vague sense of unease gripped me, and I looked around, but she was nowhere to be found. I tugged at Noah's sleeve and asked quietly.
“Noah, did Ayla quit? I can’t see her.”
“Of course. Because she said she was leaving.”
“She said she was leaving?”
"I heard she's leaving for the Federal Republic of Kappel. She'll have plenty of money to settle in."
Why didn't she say a word to me? I felt a bit resentful, but also relieved. It's a permanently neutral country that lends money to warring nations and maintains absolute neutrality, so there's no need to worry about getting caught up in war. And with a generous severance pay, it'll be a good start.
“That’s good.”
My tense shoulders slowly relaxed. Noah smiled faintly at my now more relaxed voice.
“Was that woman precious?”
"No."
“Because you always have a worried expression on your face whenever you see that woman.”
Was that so? At first, it was just a nuisance, but the discomfort grew worse and eventually morphed into a pain accompanied by heartburn. It was somewhat similar to the symptoms of gastritis. Just looking at her made me feel suffocated, and my stomach churned.
I was lost in thought in the car on the way home.
“Ugh...”
Boaz, sitting next to me, poked his head out and licked my cheek. Dogs, they say, can smell emotions. I looked into Boaz's oak-colored eyes and stroked the back of his neck.
Arriving at the mansion, I showered, and as I was looking around my room, I saw that one of the cat dolls Ayla had given me had fallen to the floor. I picked it up and shook it out, but for some reason, it couldn't stand properly. It kept tipping over, so I propped it up against another doll and sat down on the bed.
A cool, early summer night air filtered in through the slightly open window. The quiet chirping of insects filled the air, sounding like a gentle lullaby. As sleep gradually crept over me and I lay back on the bed sheets, there was a sudden, urgent knock on the door.
Molly, standing outside the door, had a look of confusion on her face that was different from her usual self.
“I think you should come down to the reception room.”
“At this late hour?”
Noah, who had been lying down to sleep, suddenly sat up and stretched while asking, and Molly, who had been hesitating, wiped her face as if drying it.
“...They say it’s urgent.”
Ayla's face sank coldly. It was so shocking that she even forgot to breathe. The dizziness that had clouded her vision gradually cleared, and she was forced to face the reality that was unfolding before her eyes. To her, reality and despair were synonymous. Ayla's gentle eyes flashed, and for the first time, she spoke out.
“Why are you saying such nonsense!”
"Until you even confront me. Now, I see nothing. Why did you want to be a good person like a saint? That's only respected and praised by the upper class. People like you will just be called stupid and become foolish clowns. The most disgusting thing is powerless justice."
“Even so, how could you possibly do such a terrible thing! You can’t!”
Even though Ayla, who was trembling and turning blue, let out a scream, the cruel and vicious Princess paid no attention at all.
"For the safety of you and your unborn child, you must say so. After that, I will even take care of you so you won't be disappointed. Isn't that a good thing for a child? You won't lose anything."
“Princess, please don’t do that. I don’t want to do that.”
Finally, Ayla fell to her knees, rubbed her hands together, and finally burst into tears. Erita, witnessing her desperate crying, couldn't hide her laughter, as if she were in complete delight. To Ayla's despairing eyes, the Princess's splendid chambers appeared as a hell engulfed in flames, and the Princess, adorned in jewels and a dress, looked like a laughing demon.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’ll do anything else, so please forgive me.”
Even though she had done nothing wrong, she begged for forgiveness out of habit. Lying prostrate on the floor, Ayla felt her insides burn, as if a fire had been lit that would never go out.
Ah, how foolish of me. I shouldn't have given the Princess a letter.
But it was too late. Erita called the maids and ordered them to catch Ayla, who was trying to escape from the room.
"Ayla. You can stop being a maid now. If you become mine, I'll reward you handsomely. And when I become Queen, I might even grant you a title of nobility. Don't you want that?"
"I don't want to hurt others because of my greed. I don't need any compensation. Please stop. This is a disaster for me!"
"Haha, disaster? Disaster has been upon you since the moment you were born. Now, you finally have a chance to escape this squalid life, but you're just being foolish for not taking it. You, kids? You've got a precious child, so take good care of him."
"Please... don't commit any more sins, Princess. How much more blood do you intend to shed on your noble hands? You are rich and have everything, lacking nothing. You have jewels and dresses I will never be able to touch, and you are loved by everyone. How much more must you take from me before you are satisfied?"
At Ayla's indignant words, Erita stopped laughing and tilted her head with a blank expression. She simply thought of Ayla's suffering as no different from stepping on a bug to death.
"Is this a sin? A legitimate effort to reclaim what was taken, an act of gaining what one desires, is not a sin. Why would anyone go to war?"
Ayla's parched lips slowly opened, as if torn apart. She muttered in front of Erita, who seemed completely emotionless.
“You are crazy.”
Erita was so excited she didn't even notice her own language barrier, and she was as drunk on alcohol as if she were drunk. If the Rotsilts' relationship cracked and ultimately fell apart, she wouldn't mind. All she wanted was to trample on and destroy all those who had hurt her.
“This world is crazy.”
Are you upset? If so, you shouldn't have been born precious like me.
The devil's voice sounded distant and distant.
***
On a quiet, dark night, Renier, who had secretly entered the Queen's bedroom, gazed at her with a pale face, having witnessed a desperate tragedy. Renier, working as a maid under the name Renier, had been secretly monitoring and observing Erita since her mission to investigate Diana.
“...She has gone too far.”
“Tell me.”
Renier barely managed to continue speaking, her expression on the verge of rage. She told of how Erita had abused and assaulted a maid named Ayla, sent her to Mastiff to have a child, and then tried to pass off the child as Noah's.
At the part where he threatened to kill Ayla and the unborn child, Renier finally wiped away the tears from her eyes, which were reddened. Clutching her chest, she pleaded with the Queen, almost vomiting blood.
"Your Majesty, I know it's presumptuous of me to do so, but I can't stand by and do this any longer. I hope you'll allow me to help."
The Queen, who had been resting her chin on a magnificent ivory chair, sighed with a furrowed brow.
"I want to give that maid a chance. If things continue this way, we won't be able to find those we're looking for, and she'll have plenty of material to cover up. There's even a chance she'll be murdered later."
“What kind of opportunity are you talking about?”
“If she tells the truth instead of lying as the Princess tells her, the royal family will have a reason to protect and rescue her.”
“Every minute and every second must be hell for her now, Your Majesty.”
"That's the ordeal of making the wrong choice. The price for ignorance is so harsh and pitiful."
“As I have said before, I am concerned that the Princess’s corruption and immoral behavior will tarnish the royal family’s honor and authority.”
"If this incident spreads abroad, the political powers will no longer stand idly by. The issue of succession will also be raised. That's why the illegitimate son is acting this way. With the intention of dethroning the Princess."
"Your majesty..."
She is a wicked person, unworthy of the throne. "She is wicked," Renier said, biting her lip to stifle her words.
"I understand your feelings. While the succession issue rages on, the Frogen side intends to strike first. Well, it would be the same even if the Princess inherited the throne. Ultimately, their goal is to thwart our plans."
"Yes. If that succeeds, the war will end, and peace will come. I hear Dr. Rugen is quite capable, but he's unwilling to cooperate. I think it'll take a while."
"What he needs is persuasion. Noah isn't the type to persuade people. Renier, we have a mission to end the tragedy of war. I intend to reign and rule in the name of peace. If it's for a greater good, you shouldn't act rashly, driven by emotion. Isn't that what you've been taught your whole life?"
The Queen of the United Kingdom of Medea is the coolest and most rational person in the country. While not a totalitarian who believes individuals should serve the nation, she believes that sacrifices of the few are inevitable for the greater good. Renier sighed habitually and rubbed the back of her head, which was covered in a red satin ribbon.
"Your Majesty, can she hold out? If that maid dies, I don't think I can bear it. Even if it's a fragmented individual problem, it will ultimately become a societal problem."
"It's a natural law that only the strong survive. It's impossible to embrace all the weak who are being eliminated and isolated. Not being able to overcome that can also be seen as a weakness."
“But the fact that I have to stand by and do nothing when I can help the weak is so unbearable.”
"Renier, instead of caring for children like your own, would you give all your wealth to the vagrants drifting in the canals beneath the highway and the poor in the slums? Those are misfortunes you are fully aware of."
Renier couldn't answer readily. The Queen's gaze sharpened for a moment. Her delicate, smooth fingers grasped Renier's chin. Her piercing green eyes stared intently, as if trying to force her to decide her stance.
"If that's your will, then help her. Freedom of conscience is a right for everyone, but it comes at a price. Can you bear the responsibility of disobeying my orders and exposing the shadowy presence? Put the safety of your countless younger siblings first. Or do you desire the freedom of your soul, forever enslaved to the state? If so, I will consider this nobility, not hypocrisy."
At the elegant and gentle threat, Renier's shoulders trembled, and she immediately lowered her head.
“...I was short-sighted. They are my precious family. Please forgive me, as they are not related.”
Renier felt a sense of despair, loathing herself for the contradiction of prioritizing her own safety over her own people. The Queen offered a kind smile.
"Let's trust the maid's choice. A half-hearted favor can push them further into the swamp. If we step forward to help this time, they'll just keep looking for another victim."
How could that be? It's so painful.
The words she could not bring herself to say simply flowed down from Renier's eyes as a single tear.
***
The commemorative festival was drawing to a close. Every day was a celebration in the streets, and people were rejoicing. The buildings in the square were covered in ornate banners bearing the Medea flag and the kingdom's coat of arms.
I even wondered if those gorgeous royal blue fabrics were blinding people's eyes.
The media and those in power reassured the public, claiming that a strong national power meant there was no need to worry about war. However, the privileged class already knew the possibility of war. They were completely unconcerned about the potential for casualties and damage, calculating how much profit and capital they could amass from the next war.
I once again attended a meaningless and uninteresting commemorative event. The nobles still whispered behind my back, but no one dared to openly quarrel with me. They were openly sympathetic to Noah. I sensed that the military was coveting his abilities.
As I gazed intently at the crimson wine in my glass, I suddenly realized something I'd forgotten. At the anniversary celebrations and banquets following the shooting competition, I hadn't seen Ayla at all. A vague sense of unease gripped me, and I looked around, but she was nowhere to be found. I tugged at Noah's sleeve and asked quietly.
“Noah, did Ayla quit? I can’t see her.”
“Of course. Because she said she was leaving.”
“She said she was leaving?”
"I heard she's leaving for the Federal Republic of Kappel. She'll have plenty of money to settle in."
Why didn't she say a word to me? I felt a bit resentful, but also relieved. It's a permanently neutral country that lends money to warring nations and maintains absolute neutrality, so there's no need to worry about getting caught up in war. And with a generous severance pay, it'll be a good start.
“That’s good.”
My tense shoulders slowly relaxed. Noah smiled faintly at my now more relaxed voice.
“Was that woman precious?”
"No."
“Because you always have a worried expression on your face whenever you see that woman.”
Was that so? At first, it was just a nuisance, but the discomfort grew worse and eventually morphed into a pain accompanied by heartburn. It was somewhat similar to the symptoms of gastritis. Just looking at her made me feel suffocated, and my stomach churned.
I was lost in thought in the car on the way home.
“Ugh...”
Boaz, sitting next to me, poked his head out and licked my cheek. Dogs, they say, can smell emotions. I looked into Boaz's oak-colored eyes and stroked the back of his neck.
Arriving at the mansion, I showered, and as I was looking around my room, I saw that one of the cat dolls Ayla had given me had fallen to the floor. I picked it up and shook it out, but for some reason, it couldn't stand properly. It kept tipping over, so I propped it up against another doll and sat down on the bed.
A cool, early summer night air filtered in through the slightly open window. The quiet chirping of insects filled the air, sounding like a gentle lullaby. As sleep gradually crept over me and I lay back on the bed sheets, there was a sudden, urgent knock on the door.
Molly, standing outside the door, had a look of confusion on her face that was different from her usual self.
“I think you should come down to the reception room.”
“At this late hour?”
Noah, who had been lying down to sleep, suddenly sat up and stretched while asking, and Molly, who had been hesitating, wiped her face as if drying it.
“...They say it’s urgent.”
Previous Next
Comments
Post a Comment