Chapter 55
The King of the Knight Kingdom Solea, Ehur von Soleil.
Ever since he sent his son Erewon and daughter Lua to the empire, Ehur had been living every single day in a state of anxiety.
The wine he had never liked and rarely touched had grown more frequent.
Tonight, as well, he sat in a room high in the tower, gazing toward the empire while swirling his wine glass.
“Your Majesty, you have been drinking too much lately. I fear your health may suffer.”
Beside him, Queen Kirine filled his glass and spoke softly.
“My body is still sturdy. I’d rather it break than my heart.”
“And what about you? You’ve sent your two children into enemy territory and show no concern at all.”
“I do worry. It seems Your Majesty is needlessly concerned. The empire is a dignified nation. It would not dare mistreat the children of our allied kingdom, Solea.”
Watching Kirine speak so calmly, Ehur felt a pang of unease in his chest.
‘She mentioned it last time. Kirine already warned me she had told Lua about my question. And only to Lua, not Erewon.’
“Kirine.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“In your opinion, which of our two children should inherit the throne?”
Ehur noticed confusion flicker in Kirine’s eyes when he asked the question.
“Of course, it must be the child who pleases Your Majesty most.”
“The succession of the throne cannot be decided lightly. If I fall into my own stubbornness and make the wrong choice, Solea might fall into ruin under a misguided ruler.”
To show his resolve, Ehur pushed the wine glass away without even taking a sip.
“I am speaking to you, the queen of this country, as its king.”
Even though Ehur had spoken so firmly, Kirine still glanced at the wine bottles pushed aside.
“I’m not drunk. Had I been, you would have found me more beautiful.”
Kirine frowned.
Ehur and Kirine were not a loving couple at all.
Born from imperial nobles, Kirine had married Ehur through imperial arrangement to become the princess of Solea.
Yet the knight who spent most of his time on the battlefield and the gracefully raised Kirine were too different in personality to ignore.
Kirine’s beauty was undeniable, but her personality was so contrasting that it diminished her looks even further.
Having borne two children for the country, they no longer needed affection.
They were simply formal spouses.
“You are provoking my pride, Your Majesty. Asking for advice after saying such words.”
“I don’t apologize for what I said earlier. I only wanted to prove I wasn’t drunk. I went too far, though. Your advice is serious and sincere.”
Kirine’s expression remained wrinkled, but Ehur’s quick apology softened it a little.
“Then I shall speak. I believe Lua should become queen and succeed Your Majesty.”
The moment he heard it, Ehur’s brows furrowed slightly, but Kirine did not notice.
“Why do you think that?”
“Is it not obvious? Erewon is four years older than Lua, yet he has not learned even a fraction of the qualities a king should possess. He only obsesses over swordsmanship.”
“But when we captured the empire’s spies this time, Erewon earned great credit.”
“It was simply luck. The Erewon I know is foolish and uneducated. His laziness has crossed into sheer laziness. Moreover, capturing the empire’s spies seems suspicious. Were they simply pushing innocent people around and framing them?”
“Enough. I have heard enough.”
Ehur raised his hand to stop Kirine’s words.
“I understand why Erewon should not be king. Then why must Lua be?”
“Perhaps as a king of the Knight Kingdom, Erewon would suit being a strong king. But a king is not strong on his own. He must strengthen his own country. Lua is intelligent. Though she is only eleven, she is already proficient in all kinds of knowledge and will learn even more rapidly in the future.”
Kirine’s tone changed completely. When condemning Erewon, it was fierce. When praising Lua, it was reverent, as if worshiping something holy.
“I heard Your Majesty saw it as well. Lua has mastered imperial etiquette perfectly. They say it is far more complete than what Erewon did. Isn’t that right?”
“That is true. I was truly surprised. How could she be so perfect…”
“It is because she is Lua. Only Lua could do it. Therefore…”
Tap, tap.
Suddenly, the sound of knocking at the door stopped Kirine’s words.
“Your Majesty, was anyone scheduled to visit at this hour?”
“I didn’t make any such appointment.”
“Then who on earth…”
“Guards!”
Kirine called the guards, but there was no answer from outside.
The guards stationed outside the door should have announced any visitor immediately.
Ehur instinctively reached for the sword he had set aside.
“Who goes there? Reveal yourself!”
Kirine shouted sharply, and the door slowly opened.
A visitor entered with leisurely steps.
“What? You… how did you…”
“I should not be here. I cannot be here either. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty? No… Mother.”
The one who opened the door and walked in was Erewon.
He should have been in the empire right now.
*It was no wonder he was surprised.*
Ehur’s expression was impressive.
His father was just as surprised.
“I came to see both of you.”
“From the empire? How did you return? I hadn’t even heard the news!”
Kirine spoke as if Erewon had done something wrong.
“Your Majesty knows. Someone helped me.”
At his answer, Ehur nodded.
But Kirine sensed something she did not know and felt displeasure spread across her face.
“Who helped you?”
“I’m sorry, Mother. I cannot tell you. It concerns Solea’s safety.”
“You shouldn’t know about it? I am the queen of Solea. The mother of this country!”
“Kirine. You are raising your voice too much at our son who returned after a long time.”
Ehur’s words calmed the mother, who had been raising her voice.
“Fine. Welcome him back, then. You have returned safely.”
“Thank you for welcoming me. Still, Mother, I must ask you one thing.”
“Speak.”
“Please step aside for a moment.”
Kirine’s eyes widened.
“What?”
“There is an extremely important matter concerning Solea’s safety. It must be reported to Your Majesty immediately.”
“As I said, I am Solea’s queen. I must hear anything concerning the safety of this country.”
“It is impossible.”
“Prince!”
Kirine had spoken calmly for a moment, but her voice rose again.
*That’s my mother for you.*
“As queen, I command it. Report everything in detail.”
“Kirine.”
“Do not obstruct, Your Majesty! Right now this child has subtly insulted me, his own mother.”
“Then I cannot tell you everything, but I will tell you part of it.”
Erewon drew the sword from beneath his cloak and pulled it out before the two of them.
“What?! This damned thing!”
Kirine jumped back in shock.
“You mean to covet the throne and assassinate Your Majesty!”
“Of course not. I only wish to show you this sword.”
Erewon stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and offered the sword to his mother.
“See for yourself what kind of sword this is.”
Kirine snatched it from his hand and examined it closely.
“Is there some meaning behind this sword? I know it’s a fine blade, but… ah?”
Kirine’s gaze stopped at the center of the blade.
“T-this sword… Why is the emperor’s crest engraved on it?”
“It is a sword bearing the imperial crest of the empire’s emperor.”
To rub salt into the wound, he would boast once.
“I was given this sword as a gift, promising me the position of captain of the Imperial Knights.”
“What?! The… Imperial Knights?”
“Yes. Emperor Franz von Reichland personally offered it to me. He said he would spare no support.”
“Praise me for it, Mother.”