A Lesson in Obedience
"Whatever do you mean by that, Father?"
Pehart's dry eyes stared quietly at my face. His gaze was still thick with fear.
"Do, do you... resent me? Because of what we discussed last time... Is that why you did this...?"
Pehart was a fool, but he wasn't an idiot. A bizarre incident occurring right after he told me I was excluded from the succession—it was only natural that he would suspect me. But I replied with an innocent smile, acting as if I knew absolutely nothing.
"Oh, Father... I have no idea what you're talking about. However, I do wish you would cancel those Bride Lessons. With you so weakened, if even I am barred from participating in state affairs, wouldn't this kingdom be in grave danger?"
Pehart stared at me, his eyes widening to the size of fists in shock. Those were not the words of the Princess Sera he knew.
Sera Rustier, the First Princess. In the novel, she was the very embodiment of passivity, dragged along by her circumstances. She was an angelic princess who always wore a benevolent smile and never uttered a single harsh word. Especially when it came to the King's words, she never, ever said "no"—even if it was a ruinous command instigated by Carmel.
That she ultimately fell into Carmel's clutches and met a miserable end was largely due to her own personality. But now, that very daughter was refusing his will for the first time—and her method of expressing that refusal was none other than poisoning him. The shock Pehart felt must have been immense.
"Se-Sera... Stop playing innocent! It was you, you did all of this...!"
His hand, gripping the bedsheets tightly, trembled. Pehart was terrified right now. But what he feared was not the fact that he could have lost his life to poison.
King Pehart, the man in the highest position in this country. He was a man who desperately feared being abandoned by those he loved. In the novel, Carmel ruthlessly exploited this weakness of Pehart's. Even when it meant letting his daughter fall into miserable ruin, and even when he knew he himself was heading down a path of destruction, he could not refuse Carmel's words.
Truly, they were an incredibly frustrating father and daughter. Though, if the two of them had been a bit more strong-willed in the novel, it wouldn't have worked as an angst novel. So, in a sense, this was karma. Karma for standing by and even helping to bring about Princess Sera's downfall in the original novel.
Now that I had become Princess Sera, paying back Pehart—who had fueled Carmel's malice—in the exact same coin was entirely justified. I let out a sigh and confessed to the crime.
"*Sigh*, you're right, Father. I did it. I, Sera, put the black poison in your wine bottle."
He had been almost certain, but hearing it in reality seemed to shock him even more. Pehart's stiffened face looked like dry wood.
"Did you... intend to kill me?"
"No, of course not. I never had such a terrifying thought. As proof, aren't you alive and well like this? I only wanted you to learn a lesson, Father."
Pehart wore a truly foolish expression. "A... lesson?"
"Yes. Whether it was the wedding agenda during the regular meeting, or trying to dismiss me, who has served you so faithfully all this time—your judgment was far too clouded that day, Father. And the reason for that, of course... must be Lady Carmel."
"..."
Pehart seemed to feel a belated sense of shame. As the king of a nation, as the father of a child, what must it feel like to be pointed out for letting a woman cloud his judgment? And of all people, by his own daughter.
"...Even so, to do something so terrifying..."
"But you didn't listen to Zbaka's loyal advice at all, did you, Father? No matter who spoke, it probably wouldn't have made a difference."
"That is..."
Seeing Pehart's expression, which looked like a child being punished, I was certain I had taken control of the conversation. Pehart's way of thinking, his personality—everything was exactly as I had seen in the novel, and just as I had predicted. It seemed I could shelve the coup d'état plan I had prepared just in case.
I lightly placed my hand over Pehart's and said, "Father, I won't oppose your marriage to Lady Carmel. However, it would be best if you kept your distance from her to some extent. This is my advice as a princess, as a daughter, and as a citizen of Rustier."
"Mmm..."
Pehart closed his eyes and let out a sigh filled with deep anguish. Of course, I didn't expect a person to change overnight with just this. But if it worked properly, it would at least delay his ruin a little.
After closing his eyes and looking pained for a moment, Pehart opened them. He spoke weakly. "I understand, Sera... I will let this matter slide and do as you say... What should I do?"
"You've made a wise decision, Father. First..."
I squeezed Pehart's hand tightly, wearing a gentle smile.
Whew, things worked out somehow.
Leaving Pehart's bedchamber, I felt dizzy as the tension suddenly released all at once. It could have been a dangerous situation. Instead of reflecting on his behavior, Pehart could have been enraged by the attempt on his life and tried to execute me.
Of course, that would be completely out of character for the Pehart in the novel, but even for the same person, the human mind can swing between heaven and hell depending on their mood. If that had happened... I would have had to cross a truly dangerous bridge. I would have had to wage an all-out political war against Pehart, using all my influence and reputation in the palace, along with the information from the novel. Of course, even then, I had no intention of losing.
But I didn't want to become queen. If that were the case, I could have just actually poisoned Pehart. Currently, the legitimate heir to the throne was me. If Pehart disappeared, I would inherit the throne just like that.
The reason I didn't kill Pehart wasn't just because it would be patricide from Princess Sera's perspective. The problem was Carmel. If Pehart died before they even had their wedding, Carmel would have no reason to remain in Rustier. Even if I ascended the throne as queen, I couldn't take Carmel, another woman, as my partner. To keep Carmel by my side, we had to maintain the relationship of stepmother and daughter.
Therefore, although it carried significant risk... this could be considered quite successful. By pressuring Pehart, my room to intervene in future state affairs had grown, and for the time being, we wouldn't be dancing to Carmel's tune.
Besides... I recalled Carmel's naked body that I had seen last night. A pure white naked body standing there, radiating resentment and shame from every pore. The symbols of her womanhood resting upon it. Even thinking back on it now, it was an ecstatic experience. This alone could be considered a massive harvest.
Of course, I had no intention of stopping here. Until a light of obedience settled in Carmel's rebellious eyes, I wouldn't stop for even a moment. Extreme shame and humiliation beyond what she had experienced now. Just how would Carmel entertain me next? At that thought, a smile naturally formed on my lips. A dark smile, drenched in deep pleasure.
The next morning. Pehart, who had been lying in his sickbed until yesterday, was attending the meeting despite his ministers' protests. I was probably the only one here who knew the truth behind his expression, which looked as if he had just weathered a massive storm.
Carmel was not present. In fact, Carmel, who didn't even hold an official position, being here in the first place was an exception. This could be seen as a demonstration of Pehart's resolve.
"Then, let us begin today's regular meeting. First, regarding the matter of my wedding... Zbaka."
"Y-Yes..."
Zbaka's attitude was extremely shrunken compared to the first day. He had probably been thoroughly scolded here regarding the wedding on the day I went out for inspection.
"I shall entrust this entire matter to Princess Sera. Zbaka, discuss it with the Princess and prepare well."
"Pardon? Ah, yes!"
Zbaka looked at the King with a surprised face, and then at me. His expression brightened considerably, as if relieved by the King's changed attitude. I smiled and nodded at him.
After that, various agendas were brought up. Pehart shed his previous foolish demeanor and showed a fairly sensible side. If he hadn't met Carmel, he probably would have left his name as a decent monarch.
After the regular meeting ended, I met with Zbaka separately to discuss the wedding.
"So, you are saying the ceremony should proceed in the traditional manner. What should we do about the scale? Perhaps somewhat downsized compared to the late Queen..."
Saying so, Zbaka peeked at my reaction. I chuckled softly and shook my head.
"No, it doesn't matter if it's even grander. Father's happiness comes first."
"Mmm, as expected of the Princess. My apologies for my oversight... Understood. Then, next is the attire... Shall we entrust this to the Seler family as per tradition? I believe Lady Carmel's opinion would be important for this part..."
Attire... The moment I pictured Carmel in a pure white dress, a wonderful idea flashed through my mind.
"Hmm... I will ask Lady Carmel about that myself. Let's proceed with the other parts first."
"Oh, the Princess herself... It seems the two of you have grown close. Then, I leave it to you, Princess."
At Zbaka's words, I nodded elegantly. Even as we went through various other discussions, my mind was filled with thoughts of Carmel's attire. To suit that exquisite body... the outfit couldn't be anything ordinary.