Chapter 313: The Kingdom of Teres(3)
Chapter 313: The Kingdom of Teres(3)
I had criticized King Friedrich for being stubbornly rooted to his throne, but in truth, his reaction was perfectly normal.
When the announcement was first made, Descal and Arwen had attended from Helium and Albenheim, respectively, but one had to consider that they were a Demon and an Elf. They possessed the strength to protect themselves, allowing them to move about freely. If things went south, they could simply cast Teleport and make a quick escape.
In contrast, human kings are generally lacking in martial prowess, and unlike other races, their shorter lifespans mean that aging catches up to them quickly. Consequently, they must travel with a massive escort of elite guards, the sheer strength of which goes without saying.
If a physical conflict were to break out, the King’s royal personage would be in grave danger. Thus, it was rare for a king to ever lift his backside from the throne.
This reality remained unchanged even if the person they were visiting was Xenon. If anything, a mishap could lead to the worst possible rumors—that the King had threatened Xenon.
In fact, the mere act of sending the Queen could be considered quite radical. Queen Maria held significant power, especially since King Friedrich was famous for being a devoted husband.
Her name was Maria Ducard von Kerchers. Though theirs was a political marriage, the couple’s affection for one another was well-known throughout the kingdom. The fact that Friedrich had never taken a concubine aside from Maria was a testament to his devotion. Then, of course, there were their four children.
Despite the clear evidence, the most likely reason Friedrich continued to deny Adelia’s existence until the very end was his love for Maria.
"Queen Maria didn't bully you too, did she, Big Sister?"
I asked Adelia this question before we faced the Ters royalty who had arrived at our mansion.
Adelia, who had been neatly tidying my hair, paused the moment I asked. Her expression, visible through the mirror in front of us, was ambiguous—the face of someone wondering how to explain a complex situation.
After a moment, she seemed to organize her thoughts. She resumed combing my long hair and spoke.
"She didn't exactly bully me. Instead, she made me very conscious of my position. I'm sure my stepmother went through a lot of heartache herself."
It was a characteristically kind, almost foolishly sweet answer from Adelia. I pondered her words for a moment, then asked again as something caught my attention.
"By the way, stepmother? Do you call the Queen 'Stepmother'?"
"Yes. She told me it was fine to call her that. She never directly mistreated me; in fact, she was the one who oversaw my education."
"Hmm..."
Step-parents often carry a negative image regardless of time or place. It’s unavoidable—who could truly love another person's child as their own? Furthermore, with inheritance issues involved, it’s naturally uncomfortable to be close. If someone truly loves such a child, they could be called a person of immense magnanimity.
And what if the illegitimate child outshines the biological ones? Human emotions are often ugly, and such a situation usually leads to harassment. The fact that Maria didn't directly mistreat Adelia spoke volumes about her character.
"Did she know you wanted to become a royal?"
"Yes. But she warned me against it if possible. She advised me that even if we became one family, it would only make things harder for me. She suggested that it might be better to become a knight—that even if we couldn't be family, I could live a better life than most."
"She sounds like a woman of great virtue."
"She is. To be honest, our relationship was closer to that of a teacher and student than a mother and child. That’s how I treated her as well."
Adelia smiled softly in the mirror, seemingly cheered by the conversation.
Come to think of it, if Queen Maria had a poor personality, children with consciences like Olivia or Lara wouldn't have been born. In a way, while Adelia suffered, Maria might be the biggest victim of all. Her only sin was loving her husband.
Friedrich was certainly a good husband, but he was currently digging his heels in and refusing to acknowledge his past mistakes. As a result, the embers of revolution were smoldering in the Ters Kingdom.
If he had just admitted it and acknowledged Adelia even a little, things wouldn't have come to this. I didn't understand why he was clinging so desperately to that thing called 'honor.'
Was honor truly more important than the country? Even if he was an exemplary king, his lack of personal integrity was a great disappointment.
"Then you'll come with me, right, Sister?"
"...Is it okay if I go too?"
"Of course. The conversation will only move forward if you're there. Mari isn't here right now, so it's a bit burdensome for me to go alone."
Mari had currently returned to the Academy. Although she could have stayed at the mansion as Xenon's fiancée, she chose to go back. Apparently, she wanted to save the 'newlywed life' for after the wedding. She said that while she loved waking up and seeing my face every morning, she wanted to cherish that experience for later.
If she had heard the news about the Ters royalty visiting sooner, she probably would have stayed. Unfortunately, the news arrived the very day after she left.
"There's no need to be nervous. You just need to answer when spoken to."
"Weren't you the one who was nervous?"
"I've already given King Friedrich a piece of my mind. Why would I be nervous?"
I meant it. Now that I had revealed myself as Xenon, I feared nothing.
...Except for my mother, who would likely go ballistic after seeing the ending. And it wasn't just my mother; countless fans would probably cause an uproar.
If there was a literal funeral procession to our territory when Kair died, imagine what would happen with Jin. Even if I could quell the chaos with a single letter, it would be hard to mend the fans' broken hearts.
I should probably write a side story, just in case.
Unlike the Kair and Jin side stories, this would be a parallel world tale. Meaning, it wouldn't be canon. This definitely wasn't because I was afraid of my mother. Even though there was that incident where she personally flew to Helium during Jin's rampage! I wasn't scared at all.
"Isaac."
"Yeah?"
"You're shaking. Are you nervous?"
"No?"
Honestly, I was a little scared.
While Adelia was helping me get ready, the Ters royalty arrived at the mansion. Since they were earlier than scheduled, Adelia had to move busily.
In the current situation, I technically held the upper hand, but the opponent wasn't just any noble—it was the Queen. A Queen who held power second only to the King.
The most important thing when meeting someone for the first time is, without a doubt, the first impression. I had no desire to leave a bad one, so I acted quickly.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Maria Ducard von Kerchers, Queen of the Ters Kingdom and consort to His Majesty Friedrich. It is an honor to meet the illustrious Xenon."
As soon as I entered the drawing room, a woman rose from her seat and greeted me. Elegance and nobility radiated from her very gesture, and her voice carried a refined grace.
Her long, brown hair was a much deeper shade than Adelia's, and her blue eyes sparkled with keen intelligence. As expected of a queen, she boasted a beautiful appearance without a single wrinkle, likely due to constant care, yet every movement exuded a sense of mature dignity.
The woman was, as I had heard, Maria, the Queen of Ters. Normally, a queen would be adorned in extravagant dresses and jewelry, but Maria was different. She displayed her nobility through a simple dress of blended blue and navy.
"A-Ah, hello! I am Lara Ducard von Kerchers, the Third Princess of the Ters Kingdom! It is an honor to meet Xenon!"
Beside her, Princess Lara, whom I had met before, greeted me hurriedly. Her actions and expression made it clear she was quite flustered. It made sense; the person who had visited the palace last time turned out to be Xenon. I offered a polite smile.
"Thank you for traveling such a long way. As you may know, my name is Isaac Ducard Maishal. I am Xenon, the author of the Xenon Biography. It is an honor to meet you all. And this is..."
I trailed off slightly, looking at Adelia standing behind me. The others' gazes shifted toward her. Adelia exchanged looks with each of them, then bowed her head and greeted them in her characteristically husky voice.
"I am Adelia Cross, Sir Isaac's exclusive maid. It is an honor to meet the Light of the Ters Kingdom."
At her greeting, Maria gave a graceful smile and nodded. Lara, after glancing at Maria, tentatively raised her hand and gave a small wave. To Lara, Adelia must have been like a close older sister, so the situation was likely complicated for her. It wasn't just because Lara was young; the circumstances were simply like that. Maria seemed to understand this, as she didn't scold her and let it slide.
"I haven't prepared much, but I hope you can rest comfortably."
"Not at all. On the contrary, this kind of atmosphere puts one's mind at ease."
Maria replied to my invitation with a tone that suggested she truly meant it. Hearing that, I couldn't help but give a bitter smile inwardly. Our mansion's drawing room was by no means inferior to others, but Maria and Lara were royalty. They must have visited places far more lavish and brilliant than this.
Ideally, I would have preferred to speak in the drawing room of the Imperial Palace rather than my mansion, but they were the ones who had suggested this arrangement.
"Is the tea to your liking?"
"It is not at all inferior to what we drink in the royal palace. Is this Water Droplet Tea?"
"Yes. Our territory may be humble, but we cultivate high-quality Water Droplets."
"You are too modest to call it humble."
At first, the conversation was light and trivial. It would be improper to jump straight into the main point when we knew so little about each other. Thus, we discussed various topics to build a good first impression.
The main issue was grave—it was directly linked to the survival of a nation—so lightening the mood was essential. Even now, Queen Maria’s heart was likely burning with anxiety. I felt a sense of sympathy for her.
"But, Sister Adelia. When did you become Xenon's exclusive maid?"
As we were chatting and laughing, Lara, who had been staring at Adelia, tossed out a question. As her clear voice cut through the air, the conversation between the Queen and me naturally stopped, and our gazes turned toward her.
Adelia flinched slightly at the question and looked at me for cues. I nodded to show it was fine.
"It has only been a few months since I became Sir Isaac's exclusive maid."
"Didn't you say you were going to become a knight?"
"I also serve as his guard knight. An exclusive maid's primary duty is to assist her master. Naturally, that includes protection."
"Then when can you visit our palace—"
"Lara."
Just as Lara was about to ask another question, Queen Maria cut her off. She only spoke her name, but that single word carried a weight of sternness. Lara immediately shut her mouth at Maria's reprimand. She then began to shift her eyes around, looking for a reaction.
It was a sight so fitting for her age that a fatherly smile almost formed on my face. Queen Maria, however, didn't seem to feel the same.
"I apologize on behalf of my daughter. I am truly sorry."
"It's quite alright. At her age, it's only natural to have many questions."
I had heard from Adelia that as the youngest child, Lara had grown up receiving a lot of love. Because of that, she could sometimes be a bit oblivious. Still, it wasn't to a problematic degree, and it just showed how much she liked Adelia.
I looked warmly at the dejected Lara before bringing up another topic—about Hiriya, who had provided the initial spark.
"By the way, how are the others, especially Princess Hiriya? She didn't look well when I saw her last."
"......Hiriya's condition has improved compared to before. You need not worry, Sir Xenon."
Given the pause, it seemed her condition was either the same or had worsened. I nodded at the answer. Now that the embers of revolution were beginning to flare up again, the pressure on Hiriya must be unimaginable.
That was the result I wanted, but I wanted to prevent her from making any extreme choices. That was also why I had hoped she would be here. I wanted to slap her one more time. Even if I slapped her, the pressure would remain, so it was meant to be a small form of 'consolation.'
"......Speaking of Hiriya, Sir Xenon."
"Yes?"
While I was lost in thought, Queen Maria called out to me. I looked up to see her wearing a serious expression. Was it finally time for the main point? I adjusted my posture to show I was listening intently. Lara also seemed to realize the gravity of the situation, as she kept her mouth shut and only let her eyes wander.
Just as a heavy silence began to settle, Queen Maria’s firmly closed lips parted.
"Do you have any intention of forgiving Hiriya's sins—"
"I do not."
It was an expected question, so I could answer firmly. Cutting her off before she finished was technically rude, but it was a way to state my position resolutely, and I was the one holding the cards. Maria seemed to have expected this answer as well, as she didn't shrink back and maintained a calm expression.
"......I see. Then I shall move on to another question."
"I will answer any question to the best of my ability."
"Thank you. Then I shall speak plainly."
Queen Maria looked me straight in the eye.
"Sir Xenon. You must be aware of the situation our kingdom is currently facing. It would not be an exaggeration to call it the greatest crisis since the Jayros Revolution."
"I am aware."
"While this is all a result of your choices, Sir Xenon... we are the ones who provided the cause. I will not deny that. However, I wonder if you have any intention of showing mercy."
"Mercy..."
I pondered her request for mercy, rather than just leniency. These were words coming from the mouth of a Queen. Even if the words seemed similar, the meaning and power behind them were entirely different.
Queen Maria was humbling herself. She had reason to, but she could have clung to her pride as a Queen; yet, she didn't. Her attitude was worlds apart from Friedrich, who had ruined everything by chasing only honor.
"I am sorry."
"..."
"This matter is already out of my hands."
Despite her attitude, I had no intention of reversing my choice. As I said, the situation was already beyond my control. If the Ters royalty had revealed the whole truth, they might have succeeded in extinguishing the fire. The problem was that they hadn't.
The deadline mentioned by the commoner representative was one week. And now, only three days remained.
"...I understand your choice, Sir Xenon. Then, may I ask one favor?"
Recognizing my resolve, Queen Maria didn't press further and stepped back gracefully. She seemed to have anticipated this outcome. Regardless, I had to hear her favor. When I nodded to show it was okay, Maria placed a hand on Lara's shoulder.
As Lara looked at Maria with a puzzled expression, Maria made a rather surprising request.
"I would like you to take care of Lara until this matter is resolved."
"Pardon?"
"Mother?"
Not only I, but Lara as well, looked at Maria with a shocked expression. Adelia was the same. As everyone reeled from the sudden request, Maria spoke with a complicated smile.
"This is not a request with political intent. As you know, Sir Xenon, the Ters Kingdom is currently in crisis, and Lara is still young. So, could you please look after her until the situation stabilizes?"
"..."
"Since Adelia is here, I believe Lara will feel at ease. That is why I am asking."
Certainly, if a revolution were to break out, the royalty, including her, would be in great danger. It was a situation where they might vanish like dew on a guillotine, just like in the French Revolution. Since nothing could be predicted, she was entrusting Lara to me for her safety. Moreover, with Adelia, whom Lara was close to, she wouldn't be lonely.
Was this why she had brought only Lara and no one else? That might be part of it, but Queen Maria had foreseen this situation.
"...Your Majesty Maria."
"Yes. Please, speak."
"What do you intend to do, Your Majesty?"
Maria's goal wasn't to seek forgiveness from me. She had come simply to entrust Lara to my care. Then what was her true purpose? What did she plan to do while the survival of the Ters Kingdom hung in the balance?
As the situation became increasingly mysterious, Queen Maria curled the corners of her lips and spoke in a gentle voice.
"I must go back and do what needs to be done."
"..."
"If the embers grow into a great fire, only ashes will remain. But if it can be extinguished even a little sooner, those ashes can be used as fertilizer. The same goes for people; people grow through their mistakes. I hope my husband will realize his mistakes and grow."
"What if His Majesty Friedrich does not change?"
"If I cannot change the person I love, then that is simply the limit of my capacity. I have no intention of blaming anyone else."
This person should have been the ruler. Hearing Queen Maria's words, I felt a deep sense of regret. But perhaps because such a person was the Queen, King Friedrich might still be able to change. If he didn't, it meant he was simply a lost cause as a human being.
"I understand your words, Queen Maria. I will accept your request."
"Thank you for your mercy."
"Is there anything else you wish to say?"
At my question, Queen Maria's gaze shifted. Not toward me, but toward Adelia. She looked at Adelia with a profound gaze for a long moment before turning back to me. Then, she spoke.
"There is nothing."
Three days remained.
"What could I, a mere bystander, possibly have to say?"
A new guest—or rather, a refugee—had joined our mansion.