Capital, Imperial Palace.
Ryan, who was having lunch with the Crown Prince, was taken aback by the unexpected news.
“What, what did you say?”
"You don't have to be so shocked. Nothing is going to change."
With a composed expression, Bane picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth and added.
“His Imperial Majesty transferred most of the decision-making authority over imperial affairs to me seven years ago. The same goes for the matter of the royal marriage. Since the Crown Prince’s seal is no different from the national seal, His Imperial Majesty’s permission is not necessary.”
"You know that’s not the problem."
"Then what's the problem?"
“...”
Ryan swallowed a sigh.
It meant that he would not look at the prospective daughter-in-law's face, and it was a euphemistic way of expressing his opposition to the royal marriage.
“I thought it was a bit strange that His Majesty suddenly left the capital. Is it true that he fell ill since His Highness the Third Prince rejected the marriage alliance, packed his bags, and left for Belzer?”
“That’s right. But Nike refusing the arranged marriage wasn’t a big deal.”
“The problem must have been the social status of the woman whom he refused and insisted on marrying.”
“To be more precise, her status isn't an issue either...”
"Is it because it is Wassenberg?"
"Yes."
Ha. Ryan swallowed a heavy sigh. Just how long would that dreadful label hold him back?
Just because he is excommunicated and has a different surname, it does not mean he is no longer a Wassenberg.
He and Vania are still of the Wassenberg bloodline and are superpowered.
That is an absolutely immutable fact.
“Just in case, I told His Majesty a long time ago that you are not a criminal and that you have completely severed ties with the family. His Majesty is merely...”
“Yes, I know without you having to tell me. If His Majesty the Emperor were unaware of such facts, do you think he would have just stood by and watched Your Highness the Crown Prince raise me all this time?”
However, that is as far as it goes.
Only until the Emperor thought the Crown Prince was interacting with Ryan for political gain.
"Perhaps because I have never properly met His Majesty the Emperor, I failed to fathom his feelings."
“There is nothing to fathom. He has simply been tormented by it his entire life, to the point of being sick of it, so he just reacts pathologically at the mere mention of the name Wassenberg.”
Emperor, Alphonse Lord Valencier, and Duke, Edgar Wassenberg.
The two people of the same age were lifelong rivals. No, it is an exaggeration to call them rivals. It was simply a one-sided relationship where one side constantly tormented the other.
The Emperor has barely managed to protect this empire by bowing his head to the Duke immeasurably until now.
With what mindset did a man who had only been revered by everyone in a supreme position endure the humiliation of his entire life?
The Emperor will despise the Duke more than anyone else. Enough to shudder at the thought of him appearing in his dreams.
And Vania is the daughter of Duke Wassenberg.
“Pfft.”
Ryan burst out laughing.
"Putting myself in their shoes, it’s really absurd."
"What."
“Since she has severed ties with the family, Vania is no longer the Duke’s daughter! Therefore, she will marry His Majesty's son!”
“...”
“...that is what you heard, His Majesty the Emperor.”
“I told you that His Majesty’s permission is not needed. Since the promise is broken, let’s finish the paperwork quickly first. The grand undertaking is imminent, so let’s hold the ceremony later.”
“...”
"Ryan."
"Ha."
Ryan let out a sigh.
“I fully understand and thank Your Highness for taking care of it, but wouldn’t it be better to have a wedding that is blessed by everyone?”
“That’s tough. The depth of the rift Father has with Wassenberg isn’t just a matter of a year or two.”
“...”
Ryan felt conflicted.
He was thinking about how he should bring this up with Vania again.
"Dad!"
Vania, having returned from Bunsen, was extremely excited.
“You look good. Looks like you had a good conversation with your brother, whom you haven't seen in a while?”
"Alright then! I'll tell you what happened right now. Sit down."
“Take your time. What about His Royal Highness the Prince?”
"Ah."
For some reason, Vania rolled her eyes.
"He dropped me off and went back to Bunsen. Because he had to work."
"Work?"
“Yeah. He went there and happened to discover Elliott’s human trafficking ring operating in Bunsen. He's here to clean that up.”
“...”
Ryan paused and clenched his fist tightly.
It really is a wretched household.
A corrupt criminal family that, as if to make me suffer my whole life wasn't enough, forces my son-in-law to work day and night?
The daughter of that family has quite the nerve to say she wants to get married and ask you to happily accept her?
Even if he were to wreak havoc, it wouldn't be enough; the Emperor, whose only act was never showing his face, made Ryan think he was a saint.
“Daughter, I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?”
“Suddenly? Hmm, good news.”
“Right. You told me you were so nervous, worried, and scared about meeting His Majesty the Emperor, didn’t you?”
"...However?"
“Rejoice, His Majesty has extended his period of recuperation indefinitely. I hear there is no telling when he will return to the palace.”
“...”
Vania blinked.
You're not a fool, so you must have understood.
The Emperor hinted that he didn't want to see your face.
"It’s good news and bad news."
“That’s right. But you don’t have to worry about the marriage. I heard that His Majesty the Emperor’s permission isn’t necessary.”
“...”
“Of course, I know you must have wanted to get married while being congratulated by everyone, so I understand you must feel uncomfortable. But, Vania.”
Ryan placed his chin and hand on Vania's head.
“You know, don’t you? How His Imperial Majesty has lived. It is a terrible thing to force people to sincerely congratulate you.”
"Yes."
Vania nodded.
"... I know."
I couldn't fall asleep.
A night with a bright moon.
I went out onto the terrace and thought about the Emperor for quite a while.
The father of the person I love.
To be honest, I disliked the Emperor for being too weak. He wasn't baring his teeth at Wassenberg with the spirit of the Crown Prince, nor was he suffering by personally rolling around on the battlefield like Nike.
A person who acted servilely, easily handing over the vested interests that their children had tried so hard to protect to their family.
And the person who turned his child, the young Nike, into a test subject and a person with supernatural abilities.
"Have you never resented your father?"
“Never. Not even once.”
Well, the person involved didn't have a shred of regret, though.
"Father is the leader of the empire. A leader is bound to face a crossroads of choices requiring decisive action at every moment, and Father simply made choices for the country each time."
In fact, Nike was not wrong.
If you throw stones at the Emperor, asking how he could raise his own child to have supernatural abilities and send them to their death.
That would be the hypocritical behavior of those who are all talk.
To put it very frankly, if it weren't for the Emperor's decision that day, this empire would have long since rotted and festered, leaving no trace behind.
“Do you know why Father keeps going to the negotiation table with Wassenberg even though he has delegated all real power to my older brother?”
"Why?"
“He's trying to protect my older brother. So that his spirit doesn’t break like his.”
There is always a predetermined winner at negotiations with Wassenberg. After all, it is always a situation where two values are weighed against each other.
The lives of the imperial citizens.
Or.
The country's land, a few concessions.
They were in a position where they had to bow their heads to those with supernatural abilities, even if it was humiliating, in order to save the people.
The Emperor is a person who has been doing that his whole life and is already mentally broken.
So, he stepped forward to the negotiation table every time for the sake of the still spirited Crown Prince.
So that his son would not be broken like him.
Because he is used to it. Because it is what he has done his whole life. Just as always, he is mocked by my father, becomes miserable...
The Emperor must have wanted to kill my father.
Who wouldn't be like that?
A demonic enemy tormented you throughout your life.
And I am that very guy's daughter.
"Ha."
This is my original sin. Original sin.
"You've severed ties with the family, so it's fine, right?" What do you mean?
'Really, it couldn't have been a thought made solely from my own perspective.'
If it were my child, I would have pulled out every single hair to stop them.
With such feelings, it was truly shameless of me to ask the Emperor to look upon me favorably.
'Why is it so hard?'
Just when I think I've solved one problem, another one to worry about is waiting for me.
The surprising thing is that all those problems always stem from my roots, the bloodline called Wassenberg.
Now I'm having a hard time too.
I feel exhausted and helpless.
Besides, there is nothing I can do about the Emperor's festering heart...
'I miss you.'
And whenever this happened, I could only think of Nike.
Anyway, the biggest reason that brought me this far.
I saw a vision of Nike standing upright under the moonlight, gazing at me.
I stared at him blankly with a lump in my throat. I bit my lip tightly and forced a smile, afraid that I might cry.
"What's the matter?"
"Surprise!"
The apparition spoke. I was startled and sprang to my feet from where I had been leaning against the terrace railing.
“What? Are you really the Prince?”
"Then is it fake?"
“Oh, when did you arrive?”
"Entering the palace? An hour ago."
“...”
If he arrived an hour ago, it seemed he had spent quite a long time cleaning up the shit.
“...You’ve worked hard. But why are you here?”
Nike approached.
Since I had moved to a room on a lower floor where I could move around more comfortably after the pregnancy commotion, the terrace was only about 1.5 stories high.
We faced each other at close range, separated by the terrace railing.
"Patrol..."
“...?”
Does the Prince even patrol the palace himself?
“Ah, I see. But two hours? Has it already been that long?”
"Is something wrong?"
“...”
He was speechless. It seemed he hadn't heard any news about the Emperor yet.
“No. Nothing.”
For some reason, I didn't dare to say it out loud, so I swallowed it. Nike will find out everything by tomorrow anyway.
Even if the Emperor's opposition does not hinder the marriage, whether or not one receives joyful congratulations from their parents for such a momentous event in life is a separate matter.
What sin did this man commit to have to get married without even hearing a single word of well-wishing, when his father is still alive and well?
"Vania."
"Yes."
"Can I come in?"
"Yes?"
...Where?
"In my room?"
"Yes."
"Um, it doesn't matter to me..."
I turned my head slightly to check the firmly locked door. Naturally, guards were lined up outside.
“Tomorrow, the guards will spread the word that the Prince visited my room...”
The moment I turned my head again, I was startled and held my breath.
Nike, who had easily stepped over the terrace railing, was suddenly in front of me.
Ryan, who was having lunch with the Crown Prince, was taken aback by the unexpected news.
“What, what did you say?”
"You don't have to be so shocked. Nothing is going to change."
With a composed expression, Bane picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth and added.
“His Imperial Majesty transferred most of the decision-making authority over imperial affairs to me seven years ago. The same goes for the matter of the royal marriage. Since the Crown Prince’s seal is no different from the national seal, His Imperial Majesty’s permission is not necessary.”
"You know that’s not the problem."
"Then what's the problem?"
“...”
Ryan swallowed a sigh.
Two days later, the luncheon scheduled for when the emperor returned from his trip to rest was canceled.
This was because the Emperor had sent word from his retreat that he would not return to the palace.
“I thought it was a bit strange that His Majesty suddenly left the capital. Is it true that he fell ill since His Highness the Third Prince rejected the marriage alliance, packed his bags, and left for Belzer?”
“That’s right. But Nike refusing the arranged marriage wasn’t a big deal.”
“The problem must have been the social status of the woman whom he refused and insisted on marrying.”
“To be more precise, her status isn't an issue either...”
"Is it because it is Wassenberg?"
"Yes."
Ha. Ryan swallowed a heavy sigh. Just how long would that dreadful label hold him back?
Just because he is excommunicated and has a different surname, it does not mean he is no longer a Wassenberg.
He and Vania are still of the Wassenberg bloodline and are superpowered.
That is an absolutely immutable fact.
“Just in case, I told His Majesty a long time ago that you are not a criminal and that you have completely severed ties with the family. His Majesty is merely...”
“Yes, I know without you having to tell me. If His Majesty the Emperor were unaware of such facts, do you think he would have just stood by and watched Your Highness the Crown Prince raise me all this time?”
However, that is as far as it goes.
Only until the Emperor thought the Crown Prince was interacting with Ryan for political gain.
"Perhaps because I have never properly met His Majesty the Emperor, I failed to fathom his feelings."
“There is nothing to fathom. He has simply been tormented by it his entire life, to the point of being sick of it, so he just reacts pathologically at the mere mention of the name Wassenberg.”
Emperor, Alphonse Lord Valencier, and Duke, Edgar Wassenberg.
The two people of the same age were lifelong rivals. No, it is an exaggeration to call them rivals. It was simply a one-sided relationship where one side constantly tormented the other.
The Emperor has barely managed to protect this empire by bowing his head to the Duke immeasurably until now.
With what mindset did a man who had only been revered by everyone in a supreme position endure the humiliation of his entire life?
The Emperor will despise the Duke more than anyone else. Enough to shudder at the thought of him appearing in his dreams.
And Vania is the daughter of Duke Wassenberg.
“Pfft.”
Ryan burst out laughing.
"Putting myself in their shoes, it’s really absurd."
"What."
“Since she has severed ties with the family, Vania is no longer the Duke’s daughter! Therefore, she will marry His Majesty's son!”
“...”
“...that is what you heard, His Majesty the Emperor.”
“I told you that His Majesty’s permission is not needed. Since the promise is broken, let’s finish the paperwork quickly first. The grand undertaking is imminent, so let’s hold the ceremony later.”
“...”
"Ryan."
"Ha."
Ryan let out a sigh.
“I fully understand and thank Your Highness for taking care of it, but wouldn’t it be better to have a wedding that is blessed by everyone?”
“That’s tough. The depth of the rift Father has with Wassenberg isn’t just a matter of a year or two.”
“...”
Ryan felt conflicted.
He was thinking about how he should bring this up with Vania again.
***
"Dad!"
Vania, having returned from Bunsen, was extremely excited.
“You look good. Looks like you had a good conversation with your brother, whom you haven't seen in a while?”
"Alright then! I'll tell you what happened right now. Sit down."
“Take your time. What about His Royal Highness the Prince?”
"Ah."
For some reason, Vania rolled her eyes.
"He dropped me off and went back to Bunsen. Because he had to work."
"Work?"
“Yeah. He went there and happened to discover Elliott’s human trafficking ring operating in Bunsen. He's here to clean that up.”
“...”
Ryan paused and clenched his fist tightly.
It really is a wretched household.
A corrupt criminal family that, as if to make me suffer my whole life wasn't enough, forces my son-in-law to work day and night?
The daughter of that family has quite the nerve to say she wants to get married and ask you to happily accept her?
Even if he were to wreak havoc, it wouldn't be enough; the Emperor, whose only act was never showing his face, made Ryan think he was a saint.
“Daughter, I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?”
“Suddenly? Hmm, good news.”
“Right. You told me you were so nervous, worried, and scared about meeting His Majesty the Emperor, didn’t you?”
"...However?"
“Rejoice, His Majesty has extended his period of recuperation indefinitely. I hear there is no telling when he will return to the palace.”
“...”
Vania blinked.
You're not a fool, so you must have understood.
The Emperor hinted that he didn't want to see your face.
"It’s good news and bad news."
“That’s right. But you don’t have to worry about the marriage. I heard that His Majesty the Emperor’s permission isn’t necessary.”
“...”
“Of course, I know you must have wanted to get married while being congratulated by everyone, so I understand you must feel uncomfortable. But, Vania.”
Ryan placed his chin and hand on Vania's head.
“You know, don’t you? How His Imperial Majesty has lived. It is a terrible thing to force people to sincerely congratulate you.”
"Yes."
Vania nodded.
"... I know."
***
I couldn't fall asleep.
A night with a bright moon.
I went out onto the terrace and thought about the Emperor for quite a while.
The father of the person I love.
To be honest, I disliked the Emperor for being too weak. He wasn't baring his teeth at Wassenberg with the spirit of the Crown Prince, nor was he suffering by personally rolling around on the battlefield like Nike.
A person who acted servilely, easily handing over the vested interests that their children had tried so hard to protect to their family.
And the person who turned his child, the young Nike, into a test subject and a person with supernatural abilities.
"Have you never resented your father?"
“Never. Not even once.”
Well, the person involved didn't have a shred of regret, though.
"Father is the leader of the empire. A leader is bound to face a crossroads of choices requiring decisive action at every moment, and Father simply made choices for the country each time."
In fact, Nike was not wrong.
If you throw stones at the Emperor, asking how he could raise his own child to have supernatural abilities and send them to their death.
That would be the hypocritical behavior of those who are all talk.
To put it very frankly, if it weren't for the Emperor's decision that day, this empire would have long since rotted and festered, leaving no trace behind.
“Do you know why Father keeps going to the negotiation table with Wassenberg even though he has delegated all real power to my older brother?”
"Why?"
“He's trying to protect my older brother. So that his spirit doesn’t break like his.”
There is always a predetermined winner at negotiations with Wassenberg. After all, it is always a situation where two values are weighed against each other.
The lives of the imperial citizens.
Or.
The country's land, a few concessions.
They were in a position where they had to bow their heads to those with supernatural abilities, even if it was humiliating, in order to save the people.
The Emperor is a person who has been doing that his whole life and is already mentally broken.
So, he stepped forward to the negotiation table every time for the sake of the still spirited Crown Prince.
So that his son would not be broken like him.
Because he is used to it. Because it is what he has done his whole life. Just as always, he is mocked by my father, becomes miserable...
The Emperor must have wanted to kill my father.
Who wouldn't be like that?
A demonic enemy tormented you throughout your life.
And I am that very guy's daughter.
"Ha."
This is my original sin. Original sin.
"You've severed ties with the family, so it's fine, right?" What do you mean?
'Really, it couldn't have been a thought made solely from my own perspective.'
If it were my child, I would have pulled out every single hair to stop them.
With such feelings, it was truly shameless of me to ask the Emperor to look upon me favorably.
'Why is it so hard?'
Just when I think I've solved one problem, another one to worry about is waiting for me.
The surprising thing is that all those problems always stem from my roots, the bloodline called Wassenberg.
Now I'm having a hard time too.
I feel exhausted and helpless.
Besides, there is nothing I can do about the Emperor's festering heart...
'I miss you.'
And whenever this happened, I could only think of Nike.
Anyway, the biggest reason that brought me this far.
I saw a vision of Nike standing upright under the moonlight, gazing at me.
I stared at him blankly with a lump in my throat. I bit my lip tightly and forced a smile, afraid that I might cry.
"What's the matter?"
"Surprise!"
The apparition spoke. I was startled and sprang to my feet from where I had been leaning against the terrace railing.
“What? Are you really the Prince?”
"Then is it fake?"
“Oh, when did you arrive?”
"Entering the palace? An hour ago."
“...”
If he arrived an hour ago, it seemed he had spent quite a long time cleaning up the shit.
“...You’ve worked hard. But why are you here?”
Nike approached.
Since I had moved to a room on a lower floor where I could move around more comfortably after the pregnancy commotion, the terrace was only about 1.5 stories high.
We faced each other at close range, separated by the terrace railing.
"Patrol..."
“...?”
Does the Prince even patrol the palace himself?
"...I heard from someone that you’ve been out for two hours."
"Is something wrong?"
“...”
He was speechless. It seemed he hadn't heard any news about the Emperor yet.
“No. Nothing.”
For some reason, I didn't dare to say it out loud, so I swallowed it. Nike will find out everything by tomorrow anyway.
Even if the Emperor's opposition does not hinder the marriage, whether or not one receives joyful congratulations from their parents for such a momentous event in life is a separate matter.
What sin did this man commit to have to get married without even hearing a single word of well-wishing, when his father is still alive and well?
"Vania."
"Yes."
"Can I come in?"
"Yes?"
...Where?
"In my room?"
"Yes."
"Um, it doesn't matter to me..."
I turned my head slightly to check the firmly locked door. Naturally, guards were lined up outside.
“Tomorrow, the guards will spread the word that the Prince visited my room...”
The moment I turned my head again, I was startled and held my breath.
Nike, who had easily stepped over the terrace railing, was suddenly in front of me.
Previous Next
Comments
Post a Comment