Chapter 18 - The Decision of the Inspectors
◆ Verifying Answers and the Frontier Warrior.
Or perhaps, the desire of the third son of the knightly house.
Below, a farce was being performed. The participants in the act were noble individuals, and the audience consisted of those who had just come of age this year and their families. Among the audience, some sensed something ominous and had quickly exited the gratitude banquet. Those individuals were the real deal, capable of assessing the situation, observing, and making their own decisions.
I had been shown something rather interesting. Just then, a faint sound caught my ear. Instinctively, my attention shifted toward it, and I readied myself for action, preparing to draw my sword at any moment. Even in the dim light, I could tell that everyone’s gaze in the room was directed toward the source of the noise.
Could this be... an anticipated visit?
The door I had entered from opened slightly and then closed. A figure approached with a steady gait. While remaining cautious, I focused on their attire. It became clear that this was the person I had made the “coming-of-age oath” to...none other than the First Prince.
He walked straight, his gaze earnest, with an expression that seemed to have made some kind of decision. There was no malice or murderous intent. From his handsome face, what I could discern was only a strong, strong resolve. There was no ill intent toward the person I was guarding. I relaxed my stance. However, I could only follow his movements with my eyes.
The First Prince, walking deliberately slowly in front of the high-ranking officials, shifted his course toward the two individuals who were situated at a higher elevation. After advancing five steps, he knelt, placing his hand over his chest in a gesture of submission.
--- The King spoke quietly ---
"It has been decided."
"My brother... The concern with him is his narrow vision. And, having heard words that pleased his ears, his inability to listen to admonishments, I must say, he lacks the qualities of a king."
"The weight upon your shoulders, it is unfathomable, but can you bear it?"
"I shall support the foundation of this kingdom, even if I must break myself."
"Is it in his disgrace that you have made your resolution? ......Lady of the Grand Ducal House, though still a fledgling, can you support him?"
"To support... no, if it means walking the path together, I shall say I accept. Your Highness, as someone who has had similar experiences, there is but one thing I must tell you."
"...What is it, My Lady?"
"Let us cross our arms, overcome the challenges before us, and swear to walk together toward tomorrow, toward the future."
"......What a fervent yet cold confession and oath. You say that for a better future, you will stand with me."
"I swear it. Along with many good companions, I will walk alongside you, Your Highness, offering my reverence and protecting this kingdom. My heart is a sacred thing, untouched by others. With that resolve, I offer my heart to you."
"......Because we share the same pain, the weight of your words resonates deeply within me. I thank you. The burden of governance, as if climbing a steep slope, will weigh heavily upon you. But, let me offer you my oath: You are not alone. When times are difficult, look to your side. I will always be there."
"I am deeply... deeply grateful."
The Lady from the Grand Ducal House stood from her seat and walked toward the First Prince. I, her guard, followed five steps behind. On the way, I passed by the Minister of War's son, exchanging silent looks that spoke volumes of the gravity of the situation. When the Lady from the Grand Ducal House reached the First Prince, he took her right hand and placed a kiss on its back. The prince stood, took her hand, and advanced five more steps. At this point, I was relieved of my duty. According to protocol, once the Lady of the Grand Ducal House had made her oath and chosen to walk with him, I was not allowed to close the distance any further—more than ten steps would violate the formalities.
Moreover, the duty of guarding the Lady from the Grand Ducal House would now fall under the authority of the person to whom she had pledged her future. This effectively meant that the position of guard, which she had personally appointed me to, was dissolved at this moment. After all, in close proximity stood the genuine royal guard knights, seasoned through rigorous training—far more fitting than a mere third son of a frontier knightly family.
I quickly withdrew to the lower seat, retreating near the entrance. But even that seemed insufficient. The Chief Lady-in-Waiting of the harem smoothly slipped between the door and me.
"You must not retreat any further. It pertains to the dignity of those who have invited you to this room."
"Is that so? Then, I shall remain here. ...Chief Lady-in-Waiting."
"Yes, what is it?"
"I... how long must I stay in this room?"
"Huh? Uhm? Oh, my apologies. Just a little longer... a little longer."
I couldn't quite understand it, but the Chief Lady-in-Waiting of the harem showed great agitation, clearly uneasy about my leaving this place. It was highly questionable for the third son of a minor knightly house to be here in the first place, but it seemed I was needed. I couldn't quite make sense of it.
The First Prince, kneeling in loyal reverence before the throne, and the noble daughter of the Grand Duke were both before the King. From his seat on the throne, His Majesty rose, and as if proclaiming divine will, issued an imperial decree.
"First Prince, there are things that must be done if you are to be crowned heir. To gain the agreement of many noble houses, you shall be adopted by the Queen. The royal bloodline flows through your body, through my lineage. The Queen, chosen as the pinnacle of noble bloodlines, and the Secondary Consort, both possess incomparable qualities. However, the Queen, with slightly greater internal mana, was destined to become the mother of this kingdom. Therefore, your maternal lineage will be unified—the Secondary Consort, your birth mother, and the Queen, your adoptive parent. In doing so, the covenant of blood between the noble bloodlines will be fulfilled. Ministers, do you find this acceptable?"
"""Yes, Your Majesty"""
"How about the queen? I have obtained the consent of the absent Secondary Consort. Do you agree?"
"Yes. Now that it has come to this, we have no choice. Though he is my son by birth, his way of thinking and character cannot be corrected. I can only hope he will not lose his life."
"He shall be assigned to govern a small domain within the royal territory. He will be prohibited from entering the capital. Furthermore, a military facility will be established nearby, placing him under constant surveillance. As for his consort... As per his wish, that viscount's daughter will become his consort. Though measures to sterilize him and sealing his mana are necessary. My Queen, though it will be painful, please bear with it. What was intended as his test for his appointment as Crown Prince... has led to such... foolishness..."
"...Your Majesty. This is for his sake. You have graciously spared his life. I deeply thank you for your deep affection and compassion for my son."
"My Queen... he is my child as well... ugh... Ministers, the succession is now settled. The Second Prince, once considered the next heir, has lost his qualifications through his words and deeds. As for those who took pride in being his aides, each house may decide their fates. However, considering the Second Prince’s punishment of sterilization, magical-sealing, and lifetime confinement in a royal territory, I would ask the heads of each family to decide on the appropriate treatment. The royal family will not infringe on the independence of the noble houses. However, we will show no tolerance for actions that disrupt the balance between the noble families. Do you understand, Ministers? Consult with the Prime Minister, and let each house decide on the punishment for the foolish ones."
"""""Yes, Your Majesty. We, as one, accept your words with the pride befitting your protector."""""
Far off, I heard the low, distant voice of the King. The vow of the court ministers to serve as his protector. It was clear now—this kingdom was solid as a rock. And the First Prince would inherit it with that resolve. Mhm... this was a good thing. The viscount's daughter had also proven to be a useful pawn.
As for me, the former fiancé, though involved in the matter, I was mostly a bystander. Since that day at the Magic Academy, where I had focused first on my own training, I had intended to return to the frontier, using the knowledge and skills I had acquired to help sustain my harsh homeland. That was my...
--- Desire as the third son of a knightly house. ---
Yeah, that’s what it was.
I had seen what I needed to see in the capital. I had heard what I needed to hear. Now, I would return home proudly, with my head held high. In time, the way things were presented and the painful emotions of the high-ranking officials gathered here would eventually be resolved.
Though I expected the difficult days to continue, influenced by the King’s emotions, I knew the King and those steering the kingdom would not be overcome by those negative feelings. With that, I felt a sense of relief deep within.
I smiled broadly, imprinting the scene before me into my mind. Yes, I...
--- I saw the bright future of the kingdom there from that dark corridor. ---
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