This Money is Now Mine (7)

After the brief audience with Saint Geo Nostrum, the incompetent king.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes."

"The king didn't say anything to you?"

"Hm, he just asked if my mother was well, if I was eating properly these days, how things were with the margrave. That sort of thing."

I artfully twisted the details of what had happened in the room.

"...I suppose so. He's too scared to investigate himself, so he asks through his son."

Fortunately, Carmen Queen didn't press further.

"You must be tired. Go rest in your room now. Follow the head maid, and she'll take you there."

I'd half-expected her to keep me by her side all night for more talk, but this was a relief.

"And keep what you just saw a secret."

Instead of seeing me off, Carmen whispered very quietly.

"If the people find out the king gets drunk every day, it could lead to scandals."

"Yes."

Ah, that part.

Does she not know?

Or does she know but doesn't want to tell a 'ten-year-old child'?

Either way, no need to stir up trouble.

Since Carmen had chosen silence on the matter, there was no reason to touch it.

"Then, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠good night."

"Yes. Good night to you too, Your Majesty."

Carmen returned to her bedroom, and I headed to mine, guided by the head maid she'd assigned.

A fairly spacious room. It was a fine guest chamber, but considering the layout, this was clearly prepared for visitors from the Morgania ducal house.

She said she wouldn't announce our alliance, but she's subtly laying the groundwork.

A ten-year-old boy just happened to end up in this room? Those prone to political exaggeration would already be dreaming of a rosy future between Morgania and Gibraltar based on this alone.

And they'd be right.

On the flip side, unless you're some conspiracy theorist, most would dismiss it as idle rumor.

"Phew."

I flung myself onto the bed. It was far too vast for one child, but with the day's work done, exhaustion flooded my body.

Quite the haul.

I'd achieved most of my objectives in coming to the capital.

Letters delivered both ways, the proposal should get approved soon. Sealed the secret pact with Carmen Queen too.

And I'd even uncovered something unexpected, exceeding my goals.

But I never imagined the incompetent king was already dabbling in 'powder' at this point.

Powder. Among users, it was slang; the official term was Silver Dust (Baek-eun).

Of course, that name only emerged after the kingdom fell, but at least for now—

It officially doesn't exist.

An alchemical product unknown to the world outside, an artificial human creation.

Its effect? It simply made people feel good.

Original strain? Improved? The diluted mass-produced version mixed with sugar?

Too many headaches to specify the effects, and I couldn't be sure if the Silver Dust the king had inhaled ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was first-gen or seventh.

Can't tell without trying it myself.

One thing was clear: like alcohol, Silver Dust severely clouded the mind.

It made one faithful to fleeting impulses and subconscious desires, a substance that drove pure hedonism.

The incompetent king's deeds toward my mother might not have been solely due to drunkenness.

How widespread is it?

Just the king? Or everyone around him?

One certainty—

The Empire was already plotting the kingdom's downfall at this stage.

Silver Dust was directly managed by the Empire; its presence in Nostrum's royal palace meant their handiwork.

Frightening bastards.

Resorting to such tactics just to gain an edge in war.

But had the Empire's schemes contributed more to this nation's fall, or the incompetent king's failings?

No offense to imperial spies or politicians, but I firmly believed the latter held greater share.

If only the king had been competent, we could have won the war.

No matter how rotten the kingdom, a proper king as its center would have prevented such easy collapse against the Empire.

The future. The day the gorge opened.

Rumors spread that a Sword Master had betrayed them, plunging the capital into chaos.

But it was just one count's betrayal.

We were ambushed, but not in dire strategic disadvantage.

With proper rallying of other nobles and a siege defense from the capital walls, they could have held against the Empire.

If he hadn't bolted.

Saint Geo Nostrum. The moment imperial forces arrived, he abandoned the palace to his princess and fled to the rear.

That was the nail in the kingdom's coffin.

Naria's siege was ultimately futile.

The princess mobilized knights and capital guards for fierce resistance, but news of the king's flight spread, forcing surrender.

The people sacrificed for her, but the capital fell.

She barely escaped with knights' aid, and the Empire pursued the incompetent king who'd fled to the rear 'Morgania Protectorate.'

The fugitive king was dragged back to the capital on a leash.

Fleeing to the rear gained only a day's distance, and with daughter Carmen held hostage, the grand duke seized the king by the collar and surrendered, ending the war.

Thus fell the Nostrum dynasty.

Though brief, imperial historians agreed on the war:

The conclusion was unanimous.

- Nostrum fell because of the incompetent king.

"......Yeah, it's no good."

Conversely, a different king might force the Empire to rethink their multi-front war.

Replacing him would require handling many issues, but—

If the incompetent king vanishes, does Princess Naria become queen?

A new king must carry Nostrum blood to claim the throne.

"Heh."

The thought crossed my mind again.

"Coming to the capital was truly fortunate."

Now I had work to do.

* * *

The next morning.

"Leaving today?"

Carmen Queen flinched at my words during the breakfast she'd invited me to.

"Yes. Your Majesty stamped the proposal, so I should return to Gibraltar, spread the news, and prepare the embassy, no?"

"You're in the capital for the first time in ages. Why not sightsee a bit?"

Carmen wheedled.

I'd agreed to be a political son, not a real one.

"I appreciate the thought, but Father might worry if I don't hurry back."

"Tch...."

From Father's view, the capital was essentially 'enemy territory.'

"And I've had my fill seeing Your Majesty. Plus, if I linger, other nobles might come calling."

"Many want to draw in the Gibraltar family."

The Sword Master house. A connection through a son could greatly aid their house later.

"Word spread that Gibraltar's heir was in the capital, and nobles are rushing here with their daughters."

"Strategic marriages, no doubt."

"Thinking of marriage already?"

"Not me—them. Familiarize faces young, so they can chat at parties later. For their daughters."

"And if marriage succeeds, they'd be in-laws to the margrave—a powerful sword indeed."

Let Gibraltar handle its duties; just borrow the Sword Master's prestige for protection.

"Gibraltar's heir is out—when else to meet?"

"True. No one dares visit Gibraltar. This is essentially the only chance."

Carmen knew well that lingering would attract flies.

"I was planning to send you off quickly anyway, but now it's a bit disappointing."

So she'd swiftly reviewed and stamped the proposal.

"Like a parent sending a child to the academy."

Even without my alliance pitch, she'd have stamped it by afternoon.

"If it's for publicity, I can stay another day."

"No. I won't parade you like a doll. ...What do you take me for?"

"The queen who tamed Gibraltar's naive son in one go for Morgania?"

"That's why I said not that far."

Carmen shook her head wearily and lifted her teacup.

"You keep talking so sweetly, it makes me delusional. As if you really were his and my son."

"Does that displease you?"

"No, not displeased. It's mere fantasy still, but indulging briefly isn't bad."

Carmen held the cup with both hands.

"This is who I am. A wicked woman who exploits even her shrewd son for love."

"Wicked, are you?"

"Ask your mother what Duchess Morgania was like in high society as a girl. Heh heh heh."

"......"

She'd probably convulse at the mere mention.

"And you're cut from the same cloth, you rascal. Knowing I crave your father through you, yet using it."

"Am I repulsive?"

"No. If so, I wouldn't jest about sons. You wouldn't either."

Nothing disgusts more than projecting others onto someone through their loved one's proxy.

Like the incompetent king seeking a dead lover's scent in her son.

The reverse applies too, but Carmen at least knew self-control.

"One question."

"Yes."

"Why belittle yourself to maneuver like this?"

"......"

I set down my cup.

"I've seen many people. I know your type well."

"What type am I?"

"One who ignores anything outside their interests."

"Isn't everyone like that?"

"The sort who lets a neighbor's death pass in one ear if not close."

"......"

I sip lightly, wetting my throat.

"You live like a fallen leaf. Not rooted firm like your father, nor sunflower bright toward the sun like your mother."

Future or now, I resembled neither the margrave nor his lady in many ways.

"So indifferent to surroundings despite Gibraltar birth. Without your looks, I'd think you picked up off the street."

"I admit it."

"Not insulted?"

"How judge others without first objectifying oneself?"

Traitor's life and betrayal.

"I've drifted with the current. Likely die the same."

One death.

"But even drifters move for a reason."

And goals in this new life.

"For my purpose, I'll do anything."

"So, what is it? Power? Inheriting Gibraltar? Ousting your mother for a power-house one?"

"All mere steps. Essential, I'll achieve; discard if they hinder the goal."

"...Even alliance with Morgania just a step? Ha!"

Carmen—Morgania—scoffed.

"Fine, tell me. Your purpose. If I can't grasp it, I won't let you go to Gibraltar. Surely not too shameful to speak?"

"Same reason as you, Your Majesty."

"Same as me?"

"Yes. Just in Grey Gibraltar's way."

Carmen ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠smiled thinly.

"Dodging like that? Something embarrassing?"

"......"

"Confess. Quickly. What?"

Her read on people was sharp.

"Naria Geo Nostrum."

"......"

If she wanted truth.

"I want to make her queen."

I had to answer honestly.

"Ten years till she comes of age, right?"

"......"

"In those ten years, I'll pave her path to the crown. Roll out the red carpet for her."

I raised my cup to Carmen.

"Naria will be this nation's sun."

For the queen.

"I want to make your daughter this country's ruler."