30. A Promise with the Council of Elders (1)
30. A Promise with the Council of Elders (1)
[Chapter 30] - Promise with the Council of Elders (1)
"Then, since everyone is here, let's begin the meeting."
The Dowager Queen raised her hand, declaring the start of the meeting, and after letting out a deep sigh, she scanned the faces of the people gathered in the conference hall. The nobles were busy bowing their heads whenever they made eye contact with the Dowager Queen.
"First, I deeply thank you, the ministers of each department, for your hard work over the past two years. Even though His Majesty has been in seclusion and not managing state affairs, I am grateful that you led the country without causing any major incidents or accidents."
First, the meeting began with the Dowager Queen's words of gratitude. Naturally, I had thought the cunning Council of Elders nobles would be villains who would click their tongues and pick fights or find fault with the Dowager Queen's words, but—
""No, it is not so!! Your Highness Dowager Queen Rosaria!! We have merely done our duty as key members of the kingdom!!""
The Council members I saw in person were completely different from what I had imagined.
The gray-haired old men were busy trembling in front of the Dowager Queen like new recruits with strict military discipline. If one of them was pointed out, they would immediately jump up from their chairs, raise their heads, and answer in a loud voice.
The Dowager Queen watched them and chuckled, then pointed her finger at the Minister of the Imperial Household. The moment she did, the Minister of the Imperial Household jumped up from his chair and listened to the Dowager Queen's words at attention.
"It is the royal family's fault for not looking after you for the past two years, so I will not speak at length. However, couldn't you have gone easy on him? Hasn't Vin Chaud's hairline receded by half a step?"
"Ah, no, why my hairline...!"
The old men laughed harmoniously at the Dowager Queen's joke and continued the conversation. Seeing the atmosphere of this meeting, which was somehow draining my energy, I couldn't quite adapt to it for some reason.
In the game, the members of the Council of Elders appeared with quite a cunning image. Like old raccoons who had dipped their feet into politics for decades. That was the image of the Council of Elders I had in mind.
However, the Council members standing in front of the Dowager Queen were like new recruits in front of a company commander, responding to every single one of the Dowager Queen's words with strict discipline and sharp posture.
Leaving behind the chatter of the Council members, who were like old men at a senior center, I poked the side of Vin Chaud, who was sitting next to me stroking his own hair. Then, I whispered in a voice only Vin Chaud could hear.
"W, Your Highness the Queen."
"Vin Chaud. I am very bewildered right now, could you explain?"
"What explanation are you asking for?"
"Why have the Council of Elders nobles become recruits with strict discipline in front of the Dowager Queen?"
"Ah. Your Highness the Queen must not know."
Vin Chaud, who was chuckling at my question, recalled the past and smiled. Then, watching the Dowager Queen still talking to other nobles, he continued to whisper to me.
"I don't know where to start, but— first of all, most of the ministers currently holding positions in the Council of Elders received the Dowager Queen's teachings in their youth. I am the same."
"Teachings?"
"Yes, it was around the time we first entered the royal castle and began learning public service. At that time, the late King had suffered greatly from an epidemic."
Vin Chaud continued his story, chuckling as if he missed those days. When I turned my head to look at the Dowager Queen, I could still see the Minister of the Imperial Household acting like a puppy in front of her.
"At that time, the person who handled state affairs on behalf of His Majesty was none other than Her Highness Dowager Queen Rosaria. But that was also, well... the methods were absurd, thinking back on it..."
Vin Chaud, who gave a bitter smile, stroked his stomach. Stroking his stomach gently as if touching a painful scar from the past, Vin Chaud glanced at the Dowager Queen and squeezed his eyes shut as if he didn't want to remember.
"...Anyway, it was not a normal method. Fists flew, kicks flew, it was a life of verbal abuse and violence. I realized that the Dowager Queen's family being a 'Knight family' was not for nothing."
"The Dowager Queen was a daughter of a Knight family?"
"Did you not know? Before Her Highness the Dowager Queen married the late King, she was a female knight. It is a famous story that the late King fell in love with her after seeing her wield a sword."
It was a story that didn't appear in the game. In the first place, the Dowager Queen was just an NPC helping the princess in the game, and there was no personal story about her. That aside, the Dowager Queen being a 'Knight'...
"...After marrying the late King, since she couldn't wield a sword, she swung her fists at us. We were young then and didn't have to participate in state meetings, but by the Dowager Queen's order, everyone had to attend."
"U, um..."
"Back then, if we made a slip of the tongue, or brought the wrong documents, or made any mistake at all, the Dowager Queen's fist would immediately be planted in our solar plexus. There was no mercy."
"Th, that is..."
"...To be honest, the fact that we could reach the position of minister is largely due to the Dowager Queen's teaching, but... the fists... the kicks..."
Vin Chaud, who recalled the trauma, trembled all over. The sight was quite pitiful, so I couldn't help but pat Vin Chaud's shoulder.
Then, I suddenly realized that the surroundings were quiet.
Perhaps because I was too absorbed in Vin Chaud's story, when I glanced at the Dowager Queen, the Dowager Queen and all the other nobles were staring intently at me and Vin Chaud.
Vin Chaud seemed to have noticed it too, as he turned pale and broke into a cold sweat while looking at the Dowager Queen.
"Is the reminiscing over, Vin Chaud?"
"I, I have committed a sin worthy of death. Your Highness Dowager Queen."
"If you know, that is enough. Then let us resume the meeting."
Vin Chaud, who let out a deep sigh of relief, stroked his chest and leaned back in his chair as if he had survived. I also felt exhausted for some reason, so I leaned back in my chair slightly and let out a small sigh.
*
The kingdom's administrative departments are divided into twelve departments.
Ministry of the Imperial Household, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education,
Ministry of Land, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of War.
The ministers of those administrative departments are the executives of the Council of Elders, and in the past, high-ranking nobles often just occupied the positions of ministers. A system where the higher-ups were just decorations, and only the people below worked their fingers to the bone.
The Dowager Queen, who didn't like that system, spent 5 years in charge of state affairs raising disciples with the idea of cultivating talent from the bottom up.
After several decades passed, a situation occurred where the iron-rice-bowl ministers in nine out of the twelve departments stepped down from their ministerial positions.
And, the ones who filled those vacancies were none other than the Dowager Queen's disciples, whom she had personally raised for 5 years. Those nine people took on the ministerial positions.
It wasn't even supported by the royal family. They were nine ministers who took the positions of ministers purely through their own ability, breaking through the walls of blood ties, regional ties, and school ties.
They are now—
"We agree with Her Highness the Dowager Queen conducting regency!"
""We agree!""
"I haven't even stated the agenda yet."
They were busy wagging their tails at the Dowager Queen.
Is this... the cunning Council of Elders I know?
In particular, the Minister of the Imperial Household was busy wagging his tail so hard that I could almost see a tail that wasn't there. I already knew that the Minister of the Imperial Household was the Dowager Queen's puppet, but the old man's tail-wagging was unsightly.
The Minister of the Imperial Household bowed his waist and pleaded with the Dowager Queen.
"Your Highness, the Princess, who is of royal blood, is still six years old. It is natural for the Princess to ascend to the throne, but since she is still young, please conduct regency, Your Highness Dowager Queen, and look after the Princess."
"Your Highness Dowager Queen! You must do so!"
"That is correct! It is for the sake of the country for Your Highness the Dowager Queen to conduct regency! Your Highness!"
The eight ministers, excluding Vin Chaud, begged in front of the Dowager Queen as if they were wailing. What on earth makes them like that?
When the Dowager Queen waved her hand as if annoyed, the ministers' mouths shut. And after letting out a deep sigh, the Dowager Queen slowly raised her head and looked at the ministers.
"...I understand. I understand, so shut up and let's end this agenda here. Then the next agenda is—"
...? Is it okay to just gloss over it like this?
However, without even a moment to worry about that, the next agenda choked me. The moment she said it was the next agenda, the ministers' eyes, which had been sparkling while looking at the Dowager Queen, turned sharp enough to tear a person apart.
"Regarding the treatment of the Second Queen 'Vivian Liliensole'."
"......"
The atmosphere of the ministers, who had been chatting happily just a moment ago, froze instantly. As if they were beasts, not animals tamed by humans. The ministers stared at me as if showing their sharp teeth.
Silence descended, but only for a moment.
The old man sitting in front of the sign that read Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised his hand and obtained the right to speak. When the Dowager Queen allowed him to speak, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who had stood up from his seat, stared at me as if to tear me to death.
"First, before we begin the discussion, those ministers who think the Second Queen should remain here, please raise your hands."
At the Minister of Foreign Affairs' words, a few ministers raised their hands. The Dowager Queen, Vin Chaud, and the Minister of the Imperial Household and the Minister of Education. There were four of them.
As if there was nothing more to see, the Minister of Foreign Affairs told the other ministers to lower their hands.
"As the Queen has seen, her standing in the Council of Elders is not high. To be honest, my wish is for you to leave this place right now."
"......"
Even though it was a remark that completely insulted the royal family, the Dowager Queen said nothing. As if telling me to handle this level of situation on my own, the Dowager Queen just stared at me silently.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs continued his story, as if he wasn't finished yet.
"For two years, the Queen has not received the King's 'affection'. You haven't even received the royal 'surname'. Now that His Majesty has passed, is there any reason for the Queen to be here?"
"......"
"In the first place, you must know why we welcomed the Queen as the 'Second Queen'. Before you became the Second Queen, we clearly asked. We wanted the 'little sun' of the kingdom."
It was a fair argument. I couldn't say anything to such a fair argument. The Minister of Foreign Affairs stared at me, as if waiting for my answer. Meeting that gaze, I raised my head.
"I... no, I am currently in charge of the Princess's 'education'. To help the Princess more—"
"We know. However, we can bring in an education manager with the Queen's skills at any time. No, in fact, there are plenty of noble ladies and noblewomen better than the Queen."
"E, eh...? That can't be..."
"Rather, there are many who worry about the Queen educating the Princess. Many are concerned that the Princess's personality will also become twisted by learning the Queen's personality."
"Th, that is..."
"There is even a suspicion that the Queen is a 'witch'. That negative influence could reach the level of affecting the Princess—"
I felt malice from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who cut off my words. Even after this, my excuses didn't work. The Minister of Foreign Affairs ignored all my excuses, as if picking at my words.
As if it were already decided that I would be kicked out.
"That—"
"I!"
The moment the Dowager Queen raised her hand to tell them to stop, unable to control the emotions boiling inside me, I stood up from my seat and slammed the round table with both hands.
No excuses worked. No matter how much I spoke, the Minister of Foreign Affairs had no intention of listening to my story. If so, I had no choice but to beg at the end.
"...I will give up everything a Queen can have, as the ministers wish. You can take the jewels in my room, and you don't have to give me the maintenance allowance anymore."
"......"
"If that is not enough, I will truly step down from the position of Queen. Instead, please give me a chance to work in the royal castle. I don't mind being the Princess's lady-in-waiting, or a maid doing chores."
The Minister of Foreign Affairs said nothing more. Instead, the Dowager Queen, who had only been watching me until now, asked me. As if asking if those words were true.
"What will you do if I really tell you to work as a maid?"
"Would I have said that without that much resolve? I am willing to lick the Dowager Queen's feet if it means staying here."
"How filthy..."
The Dowager Queen sighed as if she were dumbfounded, then rested her chin on her hand and covered her mouth with her fingers. Honestly, now it was a matter of whatever happens, happens.
If they were really going to kick me out, I was planning to grab the Dowager Queen's ankles and hang on. That was how much I absolutely could not leave the Princess like this.
The Dowager Queen, who frowned, asked me.
"...Why are you going that far. If you are afraid of the temple because of the rumor that you are a witch, I will personally send a letter to the temple. If I do that, the temple will not be able to touch you even if you leave the royal castle."
"...I am not doing this because I am afraid of the temple. Your Highness."
"Then..."
I just...
I raised my head, gave a faint smile, and looked at the Dowager Queen. Seeing my smile, the Dowager Queen opened her eyes wide as if slightly surprised and met my gaze.
"I just want to be someone the Princess can rely on. I want to help her by her side at least until that child grows up."
"......"
"That is really all I want."
After that, silence descended on the conference room for a while.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, as if he had nothing more to say, sat in his seat and waited for the Dowager Queen's choice. Is it impossible even if I beg like this? Should I really lick the Dowager Queen's feet?
Just as I was wondering how to break through this situation, something flashed through my mind. I immediately looked at the 'Minister of Education' sitting at the round table.
"Your Excellency, Minister of Education."
"Yes, yes. Your Highness the Queen."
"As I understand it, royals enter the 'Academy' where Your Excellency is the principal in the year they turn 15, am I correct?"
"Yes, yes... that is correct. The Princess will also enter the Academy when she turns 15. By entering the Academy and socializing with royals from other countries—"
I wouldn't be able to stay with the Princess until she becomes an adult... but if I kneel, wouldn't they let me stay until the Princess enters the Academy?
Until the entrance to the 'Academy', the main stage of 'Autumn' in the game.
If I could just see the Princess entering the Academy, I felt like I could leave the Princess's side with some peace of mind. Because there are many others there besides me who can help the Princess.
I immediately looked at the Dowager Queen and pleaded.
"Your Highness, could you please let me stay here until the Princess enters the Academy?"
"...Until the Princess is 15?"
"Yes, I heard that once you enter the 'Academy', you cannot leave for 3 years until graduation, no matter if you are a royal. So, I will leave the royal castle myself after the Princess enters the Academy."
The Dowager Queen stroked her chin as if in thought, then glanced at the ministers next to her. The ministers did not react to the Dowager Queen's gaze and just silently looked at the Dowager Queen.
Then, the Dowager Queen, who let out a deep sigh, gestured and called the scribe who was recording the meeting in front of the door. The scribe ran over quickly and took a seat next to the Dowager Queen.
"Scribe, write it down immediately."
"Yes. Your Highness."
"The Second Queen, 'Vivian Liliensole', will be stripped of her position after the Princess's Academy 'graduation ceremony'. After that, Vivian Liliensole is forbidden from entering the royal castle. Until then, she will faithfully attend to the Princess's education."
"...Thank you. Your Highness Dowager Queen."
"...This is a 'promise' between you and the kingdom, so you must faithfully keep this promise."