At the time, she thought it was just a child's meaningless babbling. There's a popular myth that children can even guess the sex of a fetus in the womb. He even predicted it was a girl. Could it have been the child's intuition, constantly speaking to and interacting with her during prenatal care? It's scientifically inexplicable, though. The Queen, lost in thought, asked.
“How did you know what the Admiral was carrying?”
"Before my father died, he sent a spy to Belford to keep an eye on the newly crowned Queen and Princess, to ensure they wouldn't harm her. The spy reported that Admiral Claire had brought home a black-haired newborn baby."
Noah added, taking his time with the words.
"I heard that, as a special note, she has a butterfly-patterned spot on her back. It's a genetic condition found in the Spencer lineage, a lineage of nobles who intermarried with Medea. It usually appears in direct descendants, right? So, as soon as I brought Diana to Frogen, I had the maid check it out, and she confirmed it. Of course, as her husband, I confirmed it with my own eyes."
She assumed the Duchess of Groenendael, a distant descendant of the Harrison family, had a low probability of appearing. Reflecting on Noah's past actions, his incomprehensible behavior, and the sense of deja vu she felt whenever she saw Diana, the Queen became convinced she was the real deal. Diana, the moon goddess from the Evening Primrose legend. A pang of joy filled her heart at the thought of that name.
"You knew it from the beginning, but you hid her and even married her. You deceived me."
“It was the Queen who told me to become a knight, protect her, and marry her, wasn’t it?”
“The heir to the throne is different. Don’t you know the long-standing custom of not marrying anyone who isn’t a Medean?”
The Queen, sitting upright with her back straight, held her dignified demeanor undisturbed, not a hint of a shift in expression. Yet, her green eyes gleamed with a murderous glint. Seeing the mixture of resentment, anger, and bewilderment within, Noah covered his mouth and let out a guttural laugh.
“The heir to the throne should be Elita Spencer Grace.”
"What?"
"Bloodline, blood type, and genetic information aren't important, right? Background and birth are. Rather than a mixed-race illegitimate child who would threaten the Queen's position and title, Erita, known to have been born to a noble family, is more suitable as the heir to the throne."
"That's why you hid her identity. As a Medea, she deserves the protection of the state, and you thought I would kill my own daughter to hide my shame."
“Yes. That is the way it is with all monarchs.”
At the unvarnished reply, the Queen pressed her hand to her temple. Her eyes, now staring straight ahead, became chilling, and she stared directly at Noah. Her once jade-colored pupils had turned a chilling blue, completely exposed.
"So, why did the development of the release take so long? To remain in Medea as 'someone the nation needs.' That's the typical ideology of the Frogens."
“Well, well, I just haven’t been able to find Dr. Rugen’s grandson, who has the last research materials.”
“I heard that two maids from your mansion went missing before Dr. Rugen died.”
Those who were sent by me, too. The Queen's voice, which had been filled with a mocking smile, cooled as her red lips, one corner of which was raised, moved slowly.
“Have you already found Benedict Rugen?”
Queen Grace II, known as the "Saint Queen," had the air of an apex predator, fangs bared and scenting blood. Her ferocious gaze was fixed on Noah, who was leisurely adjusting his tie.
Ah, now I see it clearly. Noah Rotsilt, your incomprehensible antics so far. You truly intended to use the Princess as a weapon to shake the Medea United Kingdom and the world.
"Did you plan to depose Queen Erita and install Diana as Queen? You were just setting her up as a puppet. You probably planned to complete the release development plan when Diana became Queen."
Noah was not at all intimidated by the Queen's icy gaze and only smiled playfully.
“Half right and half wrong.”
His slender fingers traced gently across the ivory table between him and the Queen as he sat on the sofa.
"I indeed intended to make Diana Queen, but I didn't intend to make her a puppet. I wanted to establish this country at the pinnacle of the world, and then grant her overwhelming power and authority, which would have plagued her with questions about her eligibility. And so, I intended to give the world to my Queen."
Noah's cloudy blue eyes narrowed and curved as he stopped talking.
“She doesn’t like it because it’s annoying. So I decided not to do it.”
"What...?"
The Queen's air of a ferocious beast, once soaring with nerves on edge, now sank to a halt. Her spirits sapped, she let out a long, bewildered sigh.
"As you've probably seen, Diana is apathetic and indolent, and has no interest in inheriting the throne. She simply wants to live an ordinary life. Even if she were offered the throne, there's a good chance she'd be relegated to second in line. So, I decided to leave Erita as the heir, and after I helped Medea, who had a high chance of victory, end the World War, we'd leave together for an island in the New World."
The Queen furrowed her brow in confusion, unsure whether the words were true or a bluff. Noah grinned and shrugged.
“We decided to be a normal couple.”
“Are you saying that it wasn’t you who intervened to have Erita collude with Frogen’s illegitimate son?”
"Yes. There's no way I'd join the Frogen faction. I wouldn't return to Frogen without Diana. My grandfather and parents were killed by Meyer III, so there's no way I'd feel patriotic."
The Duke of Rotsilt had been working closely with the Spencer royal family since the time of Prime Minister Mark Rotsilt. Indeed, they benefited greatly from competing with royals of the same lineage for the throne of the United Kingdom of Medea. Even the slightest flaw would trigger a question about her eligibility, which is why the previous King secretly sent her, pregnant with Officer Belford's child, to the Duke of Rotsilt in Frogen. Noah lowered his eyes and picked up his teacup.
"Let me add that, regardless of whether they develop an atomic bomb or not, the Frogen Empire is likely to lose this war. Afterwards, they'll be forced to pay massive reparations and suffer a devastating loss of national power, ultimately leading to their downfall. Even if they stay, they'll likely be executed as war criminals, right?"
Noah made a gun shape with his hand and held it to his head, grinning. The Queen still looked displeased.
"Yes, but this isn't a situation that can be resolved just because I alone believe in you. There's such a thing as majority opinion. Diana won't be recognized as the successor."
“So, I tried to end the war during Your Majesty’s time without revealing the true identity of the Princess.”
The Queen, who had been slouching and anxious, sat up straight and smiled elegantly. Unlike just now, her air was more gentle. She knew that if she were to confront Noah Rotsilt, who knew everything, she would inevitably end up in trouble.
"Yes, then let's make a deal. You will cooperate with Medea as before, and Erita will inherit the throne as planned under the Spencer royal family's name. On that condition, you two will be able to live together."
“Good. That’s what I was going to do anyway.”
The Queen decided to pass the throne to Elita instead of her biological daughter, Diana. Fortunately, Diana had no desire for the throne, and her marriage to Noah was unsustainable. Rather than living in such distress, she felt better. Noah, resting his chin on the armrest of the sofa, smiled.
“How far does cooperation go?”
"That will depend on my orders. At least I won't give you an impossible order."
“I will do that.”
“Noah, do you truly love Diana?”
Noah answered the Queen's serious question with an extremely expressionless face.
“No. I got married because I wanted to know what love was.”
Noah and I continue to stay in the palace.
The Royal Family of Medea sent a request for confirmation to the Belford Groenendaal family, and with the cooperation of the Harrison family, requested a handwriting analysis of a letter written by Duchess Agnes Harrison. The Groenendaal family stated that the report was completely groundless and provided evidence of the Duchess's past entry dates, and an expert reported that the handwriting did not match. Furthermore, during the investigation, it was discovered that Janet was of noble descent from Frogen, leading to the conclusion that she was someone sent by the Frogen side to infiltrate the country and instigate conflict, and everything was proven to be false.
I was deeply disturbed when I heard the news that Janet was imprisoned. If things continued this way, she might lose her life. It was I who suggested we, as strangers, not interfere with each other. I wonder if she'll think I've framed her and resent me.
“Noah, she's been helping you for a long time. Is she about to be executed?”
I asked Noah with a puzzled expression. "He must have struck some kind of deal with the Queen, so even if my identity was revealed, it wouldn't be a problem." Noah, sitting next to me, reading the newspaper, answered as if it were a natural consequence.
“She betrayed you and me, didn’t she? Even though my father saved her life in the past.”
"Is it so?"
I obediently agreed without much objection. On the other hand, I questioned whether this was right. The thought of Celine, whom I hated, dying so horribly horrified me. Even if I revealed my identity, how would I feel if the nanny who had saved me by asking Noah for help was executed? For some reason, it felt like only people around me were dying, and I felt suffocated and worn away.
Noah and I were relatively safe and relaxed, so I felt guilt and remorse. Ultimately, I knew I wouldn't do anything about it. I shuddered at my own humanity and baseness, but I didn't show any outward expression of emotion.
"I'd like to submit a petition asking to be spared execution. It was thanks to my nanny that I was saved by you just before I died, and we were reunited."
“If you want, then do so.”
He added monotonously, turning the next page of the newspaper in his hand as he pondered what that meant.
“It might be useless, though.”
“Are you saying she has to die to keep her mouth shut?”
He turned his head to look at me, perhaps sensing that my tone and expression were somewhat agitated, and smiled faintly.
“Honey, I don’t think you’re feeling well.”
“I feel sorry for her.”
"Yeah, guilt. I know what that is."
His handsome jawline, which had been turned toward me, tilted slightly. He was still smiling, but a chilling, chilling air hung around him.
"Because of that, many people die foolishly. What exactly is that? It's not like they offered to die in their place and successfully saved the other person's life, but in the end, they often ended up dying together."
“Is that a war story?”
"Yeah, right now. Life is a war."
"Now..."
I looked out the window, bathed in warm sunlight. Beyond the beautiful gardens and the ornate buildings of Tempshire Palace lay a sophisticated cityscape, the densely built buildings of Loganfield, Medea's largest town.
Although it may seem peaceful on the outside, it is a time when a great war has broken out.
I couldn't say I was completely free of anxiety and fear, but because everything I saw seemed so ordinary, I hadn't really felt the war imminent. Even when I heard that Celine, who had lived like a Princess and seemed so detached from war, had died in a bombing, it felt like I'd just heard the news of her gruesome death, since I hadn't witnessed the tragedy firsthand. Noah, who had neatly folded the newspaper and placed it on the table, tangled my jet-black hair between his fingers.
"If most people had simply died, doing nothing in situations where they had to kill each other to survive, there would have been no World War. Following the natural order of eating and being eaten, humanity would have long since vanished. You and I survived by preying on others, and that's how we're now together."
It was sharp advice from a man who viewed everything with a realistic perspective. He judged me as the only exception and anomaly he could find.
"I'll do anything for my wife. So I'll do everything badly. So you won't be stained with guilt."
No, we're sinning for each other. With nothing more to say, I lowered my eyes and stared at the glass vase on the table. He brushed his lips against my chilled cheek and smiled, his eyes bright red. A voice filled with a strange joy filled my ears.
“Diana, I will always be by your side.”
That innocent, boyish smile is anything but normal. Could this be the pure evil of a child tearing off a butterfly's wings for someone? If it were a fully grown adult, it would be a misguided desire and blatant madness. It's as if he's grown up in a shell, emotionally immature, and a strangely twisted emptiness has taken root, coiling within him.
“Yes, let’s do that.”
From now on, he'll do it his way, and I'll do it mine. Because that's how we've survived so far.
I desperately yearn for that man, so inexhaustibly empty. He is my deepest abyss, and we remain there, hand in hand. In this black-and-white era where people kill each other, he and I are the only ones with color.
“How did you know what the Admiral was carrying?”
"Before my father died, he sent a spy to Belford to keep an eye on the newly crowned Queen and Princess, to ensure they wouldn't harm her. The spy reported that Admiral Claire had brought home a black-haired newborn baby."
Noah added, taking his time with the words.
"I heard that, as a special note, she has a butterfly-patterned spot on her back. It's a genetic condition found in the Spencer lineage, a lineage of nobles who intermarried with Medea. It usually appears in direct descendants, right? So, as soon as I brought Diana to Frogen, I had the maid check it out, and she confirmed it. Of course, as her husband, I confirmed it with my own eyes."
She assumed the Duchess of Groenendael, a distant descendant of the Harrison family, had a low probability of appearing. Reflecting on Noah's past actions, his incomprehensible behavior, and the sense of deja vu she felt whenever she saw Diana, the Queen became convinced she was the real deal. Diana, the moon goddess from the Evening Primrose legend. A pang of joy filled her heart at the thought of that name.
"You knew it from the beginning, but you hid her and even married her. You deceived me."
“It was the Queen who told me to become a knight, protect her, and marry her, wasn’t it?”
“The heir to the throne is different. Don’t you know the long-standing custom of not marrying anyone who isn’t a Medean?”
The Queen, sitting upright with her back straight, held her dignified demeanor undisturbed, not a hint of a shift in expression. Yet, her green eyes gleamed with a murderous glint. Seeing the mixture of resentment, anger, and bewilderment within, Noah covered his mouth and let out a guttural laugh.
“The heir to the throne should be Elita Spencer Grace.”
"What?"
"Bloodline, blood type, and genetic information aren't important, right? Background and birth are. Rather than a mixed-race illegitimate child who would threaten the Queen's position and title, Erita, known to have been born to a noble family, is more suitable as the heir to the throne."
"That's why you hid her identity. As a Medea, she deserves the protection of the state, and you thought I would kill my own daughter to hide my shame."
“Yes. That is the way it is with all monarchs.”
At the unvarnished reply, the Queen pressed her hand to her temple. Her eyes, now staring straight ahead, became chilling, and she stared directly at Noah. Her once jade-colored pupils had turned a chilling blue, completely exposed.
"So, why did the development of the release take so long? To remain in Medea as 'someone the nation needs.' That's the typical ideology of the Frogens."
“Well, well, I just haven’t been able to find Dr. Rugen’s grandson, who has the last research materials.”
“I heard that two maids from your mansion went missing before Dr. Rugen died.”
Those who were sent by me, too. The Queen's voice, which had been filled with a mocking smile, cooled as her red lips, one corner of which was raised, moved slowly.
“Have you already found Benedict Rugen?”
Queen Grace II, known as the "Saint Queen," had the air of an apex predator, fangs bared and scenting blood. Her ferocious gaze was fixed on Noah, who was leisurely adjusting his tie.
Ah, now I see it clearly. Noah Rotsilt, your incomprehensible antics so far. You truly intended to use the Princess as a weapon to shake the Medea United Kingdom and the world.
"Did you plan to depose Queen Erita and install Diana as Queen? You were just setting her up as a puppet. You probably planned to complete the release development plan when Diana became Queen."
Noah was not at all intimidated by the Queen's icy gaze and only smiled playfully.
“Half right and half wrong.”
His slender fingers traced gently across the ivory table between him and the Queen as he sat on the sofa.
"I indeed intended to make Diana Queen, but I didn't intend to make her a puppet. I wanted to establish this country at the pinnacle of the world, and then grant her overwhelming power and authority, which would have plagued her with questions about her eligibility. And so, I intended to give the world to my Queen."
Noah's cloudy blue eyes narrowed and curved as he stopped talking.
“She doesn’t like it because it’s annoying. So I decided not to do it.”
"What...?"
The Queen's air of a ferocious beast, once soaring with nerves on edge, now sank to a halt. Her spirits sapped, she let out a long, bewildered sigh.
"As you've probably seen, Diana is apathetic and indolent, and has no interest in inheriting the throne. She simply wants to live an ordinary life. Even if she were offered the throne, there's a good chance she'd be relegated to second in line. So, I decided to leave Erita as the heir, and after I helped Medea, who had a high chance of victory, end the World War, we'd leave together for an island in the New World."
The Queen furrowed her brow in confusion, unsure whether the words were true or a bluff. Noah grinned and shrugged.
“We decided to be a normal couple.”
“Are you saying that it wasn’t you who intervened to have Erita collude with Frogen’s illegitimate son?”
"Yes. There's no way I'd join the Frogen faction. I wouldn't return to Frogen without Diana. My grandfather and parents were killed by Meyer III, so there's no way I'd feel patriotic."
The Duke of Rotsilt had been working closely with the Spencer royal family since the time of Prime Minister Mark Rotsilt. Indeed, they benefited greatly from competing with royals of the same lineage for the throne of the United Kingdom of Medea. Even the slightest flaw would trigger a question about her eligibility, which is why the previous King secretly sent her, pregnant with Officer Belford's child, to the Duke of Rotsilt in Frogen. Noah lowered his eyes and picked up his teacup.
"Let me add that, regardless of whether they develop an atomic bomb or not, the Frogen Empire is likely to lose this war. Afterwards, they'll be forced to pay massive reparations and suffer a devastating loss of national power, ultimately leading to their downfall. Even if they stay, they'll likely be executed as war criminals, right?"
Noah made a gun shape with his hand and held it to his head, grinning. The Queen still looked displeased.
"Yes, but this isn't a situation that can be resolved just because I alone believe in you. There's such a thing as majority opinion. Diana won't be recognized as the successor."
“So, I tried to end the war during Your Majesty’s time without revealing the true identity of the Princess.”
The Queen, who had been slouching and anxious, sat up straight and smiled elegantly. Unlike just now, her air was more gentle. She knew that if she were to confront Noah Rotsilt, who knew everything, she would inevitably end up in trouble.
"Yes, then let's make a deal. You will cooperate with Medea as before, and Erita will inherit the throne as planned under the Spencer royal family's name. On that condition, you two will be able to live together."
“Good. That’s what I was going to do anyway.”
The Queen decided to pass the throne to Elita instead of her biological daughter, Diana. Fortunately, Diana had no desire for the throne, and her marriage to Noah was unsustainable. Rather than living in such distress, she felt better. Noah, resting his chin on the armrest of the sofa, smiled.
“How far does cooperation go?”
"That will depend on my orders. At least I won't give you an impossible order."
“I will do that.”
“Noah, do you truly love Diana?”
Noah answered the Queen's serious question with an extremely expressionless face.
“No. I got married because I wanted to know what love was.”
***
Noah and I continue to stay in the palace.
The Royal Family of Medea sent a request for confirmation to the Belford Groenendaal family, and with the cooperation of the Harrison family, requested a handwriting analysis of a letter written by Duchess Agnes Harrison. The Groenendaal family stated that the report was completely groundless and provided evidence of the Duchess's past entry dates, and an expert reported that the handwriting did not match. Furthermore, during the investigation, it was discovered that Janet was of noble descent from Frogen, leading to the conclusion that she was someone sent by the Frogen side to infiltrate the country and instigate conflict, and everything was proven to be false.
I was deeply disturbed when I heard the news that Janet was imprisoned. If things continued this way, she might lose her life. It was I who suggested we, as strangers, not interfere with each other. I wonder if she'll think I've framed her and resent me.
“Noah, she's been helping you for a long time. Is she about to be executed?”
I asked Noah with a puzzled expression. "He must have struck some kind of deal with the Queen, so even if my identity was revealed, it wouldn't be a problem." Noah, sitting next to me, reading the newspaper, answered as if it were a natural consequence.
“She betrayed you and me, didn’t she? Even though my father saved her life in the past.”
"Is it so?"
I obediently agreed without much objection. On the other hand, I questioned whether this was right. The thought of Celine, whom I hated, dying so horribly horrified me. Even if I revealed my identity, how would I feel if the nanny who had saved me by asking Noah for help was executed? For some reason, it felt like only people around me were dying, and I felt suffocated and worn away.
Noah and I were relatively safe and relaxed, so I felt guilt and remorse. Ultimately, I knew I wouldn't do anything about it. I shuddered at my own humanity and baseness, but I didn't show any outward expression of emotion.
"I'd like to submit a petition asking to be spared execution. It was thanks to my nanny that I was saved by you just before I died, and we were reunited."
“If you want, then do so.”
He added monotonously, turning the next page of the newspaper in his hand as he pondered what that meant.
“It might be useless, though.”
“Are you saying she has to die to keep her mouth shut?”
He turned his head to look at me, perhaps sensing that my tone and expression were somewhat agitated, and smiled faintly.
“Honey, I don’t think you’re feeling well.”
“I feel sorry for her.”
"Yeah, guilt. I know what that is."
His handsome jawline, which had been turned toward me, tilted slightly. He was still smiling, but a chilling, chilling air hung around him.
"Because of that, many people die foolishly. What exactly is that? It's not like they offered to die in their place and successfully saved the other person's life, but in the end, they often ended up dying together."
“Is that a war story?”
"Yeah, right now. Life is a war."
"Now..."
I looked out the window, bathed in warm sunlight. Beyond the beautiful gardens and the ornate buildings of Tempshire Palace lay a sophisticated cityscape, the densely built buildings of Loganfield, Medea's largest town.
Although it may seem peaceful on the outside, it is a time when a great war has broken out.
I couldn't say I was completely free of anxiety and fear, but because everything I saw seemed so ordinary, I hadn't really felt the war imminent. Even when I heard that Celine, who had lived like a Princess and seemed so detached from war, had died in a bombing, it felt like I'd just heard the news of her gruesome death, since I hadn't witnessed the tragedy firsthand. Noah, who had neatly folded the newspaper and placed it on the table, tangled my jet-black hair between his fingers.
"If most people had simply died, doing nothing in situations where they had to kill each other to survive, there would have been no World War. Following the natural order of eating and being eaten, humanity would have long since vanished. You and I survived by preying on others, and that's how we're now together."
It was sharp advice from a man who viewed everything with a realistic perspective. He judged me as the only exception and anomaly he could find.
"I'll do anything for my wife. So I'll do everything badly. So you won't be stained with guilt."
No, we're sinning for each other. With nothing more to say, I lowered my eyes and stared at the glass vase on the table. He brushed his lips against my chilled cheek and smiled, his eyes bright red. A voice filled with a strange joy filled my ears.
“Diana, I will always be by your side.”
That innocent, boyish smile is anything but normal. Could this be the pure evil of a child tearing off a butterfly's wings for someone? If it were a fully grown adult, it would be a misguided desire and blatant madness. It's as if he's grown up in a shell, emotionally immature, and a strangely twisted emptiness has taken root, coiling within him.
“Yes, let’s do that.”
From now on, he'll do it his way, and I'll do it mine. Because that's how we've survived so far.
I desperately yearn for that man, so inexhaustibly empty. He is my deepest abyss, and we remain there, hand in hand. In this black-and-white era where people kill each other, he and I are the only ones with color.
Comments
Post a Comment