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126 The
Princess Has Many Worries
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Translator : PolterGlast
▽▽▽ Side: Ermelda ▽▽▽
The knights who were
committing crimes in the territory I handed over to Viscount
Footscythel—Triange—have been captured. What a foolish thing to do, to hold a
grudge and attack Viscount Footscythel.
Viscount Footscythel
is a hero who reached the 10th floor of the royal capital dungeon. Everyone
knows that, but those people couldn't understand what a great achievement that
was? I wonder how they managed to be knights. Sigh...
A person who held a
knightly position should not have allied with bandits to attack a noble. A
slave sentence would not be a sufficient punishment, so I have sentenced the
former knights to death.
But Viscount
Footscythel is also formidable. Among those people was Count Parton's
nephew—Nishuru Ringer.
Count Parton was the
one who recommended Ringer to the Triange Knight Order and became his guardian.
If he had just recommended him, the repercussions wouldn't have been that
great, but as his guardian, he bears a great responsibility. He should have
disciplined Ringer properly.
Viscount Footscythel
must have the intention of having me punish Ringer to divert Count Parton's
grudge.
That Count Parton
would probably hold a grudge against both Viscount Footscythel and me. And
Triange is next to Count Parton's territory. I hope he doesn't do anything
foolish...
"Your Highness.
Viscount Footscythel has requested an audience."
"Viscount
Footscythel... Didn't he just go back to Triange?"
He just pushed Ringer
onto me about half a month ago. The distance between Triange and the royal
capital is an eight-day journey one way, and less than three days if you push
the horses. But a lord can't just go back and forth in half a month.
Perhaps Viscount
Footscythel has a way to travel between the royal capital and Triange faster
than usual. I can't say it's impossible that he obtained such an item in the
dungeon. It's not strange for a magic item from a dungeon to have any kind of
effect. After all, we know nothing about the dungeon, even though we think we
do.
"The reason for
his visit is..."
I have a bad feeling
about this. I don't want to hear it, but I must.
"It seems Count
Parton is harassing Viscount Footscythel."
"Huh? Harassment?
What kind of harassment?"
"Apparently, he's
raising the price of wheat only in Viscount Footscythel's territory, Triange.
And Viscount Footscythel seems to have evidence."
I wish you wouldn't
report such things with such a calm face. It's making me angry.
"What is Count
Parton... doing?"
For a moment, my mind
went blank. What a foolish thing to do.
Is Count Parton trying
to destroy his own house?
If Viscount
Footscythel were to declare war, no one could stop him. The Footscythel
viscount family has many people who are at a level that even the Royal Family
can't handle. The 10th floor of the royal capital dungeon is that kind of
place... how foolish.
"Let's meet him
immediately."
I'll rearrange my
schedule and allow Viscount Footscythel to enter.
I don't mind if the
Parton family is ruined. They should take responsibility for what they did.
However, a conflict
between the Parton family and the Footscythel viscount family spreading
throughout the kingdom would be a problem.
Marquis Tsukmandes,
who borders the Cup Empire, is a relative of Count Parton. Since he is a
Guardian Noble who protects our border, Marquis Tsukmandes' influence is not
something to be taken lightly.
If a conflict were to
arise between Count Parton and Viscount Footscythel, Marquis Tsukmandes would
probably get involved. That would make things complicated, and more
importantly, it would cause a huge commotion.
Viscount Footscythel
is a new noble, but his guardian is Duke Gardland. The Duke is a member of the
Royal Family and boasts power second only to the Royal Family, so it would be a
real hassle if he were to get involved. After all, Duke Gardland despises
Marquis Tsukmandes.
I also have my own
thoughts about Marquis Tsukmandes' actions and words, but I can't allow a conflict
between Guardian Nobles to occur within the country. A conflict would only
benefit the Cup Empire. Sigh, this is a headache.
Viscount Footscythel
has entered the room. He still has such a cute, feminine face. I've had to
apply thicker makeup to hide the dark circles under my eyes, but why does
Viscount Footscythel have such flawless skin? I wish he would tell me his
secret.
Oh, that's right. The
Footscythel viscount family has Sayaka. She probably makes good cosmetics. I
also use some of the cosmetics she's made. But Viscount Footscythel doesn't
seem to use any cosmetics. I wish I could go out in public with such a bare
face.
"Your business is
that Count Parton manipulated the price of wheat, causing it to soar in
Viscount Footscythel's territory, Triange, correct?"
I'll change my mindset
and handle this business.
"Yes. Here is the
evidence."
I checked the
documents he submitted. They showed the price fluctuations before and after the
former knights refused to show their record cards and resigned, defying
Viscount Footscythel's orders. This alone would be weak, so I checked the next
document, which was an order from Count Parton to the Wheat Wholesalers' Guild.
I wondered how he got
his hands on something like this, but asking him would probably only result in
him evading the question. The question is whether this is authentic or not.
"Have someone
verify if this is Count Parton's handwriting."
The appraiser Samdahl
was unfortunately absent, but his son John Samdahl was here. John is also an excellent
appraiser. Let's have him appraise it.
"This is
unmistakably the signature of Count Parton, Luminous Parton."
"Thank you for
your hard work."
This settles Count
Parton's fate. The question is how far we'll take it, but that's up to Count
Parton. If Viscount Footscythel is fine with compensation, it would be easy to
resolve. If he wants something else, things could get complicated.
I had some tea brewed
to calm myself. I didn't have the time to enjoy the aroma of the tea, but it
gave me a moment to relax.
"Count Parton's
hostile actions against the Footscythel viscount family have been confirmed.
What do you intend to do, Viscount Footscythel?"
He was also drinking
tea. I didn't feel any anger from him, but I wonder what he'll say. Depending
on his response, the Royal Family might have to be prepared to take action.
"I just hope this
kind of thing doesn't happen again."
His unexpected words
made me a little blank. To not wish for anything is unthinkable for a noble.
Ah, Viscount Footscythel came from an explorer background. But there's also the
saying that nothing is more expensive than a free gift. Depending on how Count
Parton responds, he might truly be ruined.
"Are you really
fine with just that?"
"Yes, I am."
I couldn't tell what
Viscount Footscythel was thinking from his beautiful face. He used to show his
emotions more, but perhaps he has also become a noble. I'm the one who made him
one, but I feel a little sad.
After Viscount
Footscythel left the room, I immediately issued a command to Count Parton to
appear in the royal capital at once.
Viscount Footscythel's
lack of demands is likely a test of how I will react.
If I handle this
situation incorrectly, I must deal with the possibility that Viscount
Footscythel will become an enemy.
I really want my
father to return to power soon.
His complexion has
gotten much better recently. However, he's not as active in matters of state as
he used to be. Perhaps he's thinking of retiring.
I'll head to my
father's room and consult him on what to do about Count Parton.
"You plan to
abandon him, Ermelda? Do as you wish."
"But Marquis
Tsukmandes is behind Count Parton."
"The Ouda Kingdom
was founded 500 years ago. This country has become full of fools. This is also
due to my lack of virtue."
"That's not true..."
The first king was a
person who rose from being an explorer and laid the foundation for the Ouda
Kingdom, which is called a great power. He was a ruthless person and would not
tolerate traitors or those who acted on their own whims. In the time of the
first king, Marquis Tsukmandes and Count Parton would have been the first to be
purged.
"If anything
happens, you can rely on Gardland. He is a man who is strict with himself. He
is probably not stained by corruption. And he is a member of the Royal Family.
He is a man you can rely on."
I also acknowledge
Duke Gardland's integrity. If I speak to him openly, he will not hesitate to
cooperate.
"Ermelda. I am
considering abdicating."
"Father!"
I expected this, but
his words still flustered me.
"I plan to
abdicate the throne to you."
"I am not fit to
be a king. Please make Shulavans the king."
My second younger
brother, Shulavans, is only five years old. My father must continue to be king
for at least ten more years.
"You have done
well, Ermelda. You have made difficult decisions and have a track record of
success. There is no one who would object to you."
The first king left
behind a decree that the most capable person should become king, so there have
been queens in the past. But I've always thought of myself as a temporary
replacement until my father returns or my brother becomes king.
"I am not
worthy..."
"Will you not
listen to your father's request, Ermelda?"
My father bowed his
head. His hair is thinner than before. He was afflicted with poison for almost
a year. How much suffering did he endure? I can no longer refuse my father
after he has said this much.
"I humbly
accept..."
"I see. I'm sorry
for burdening you. You can hate me. But in return, please govern for the sake
of the people."
"I would never
hate you, Father. I am your daughter, after all."
When I became regent,
I did think that this might happen. I would have preferred to marry a good man
and live a peaceful life surrounded by cute children, but this must be my
destiny as the first daughter of the king.
In any case, I must
deal with Count Parton.
To ensure that the
Ouda Kingdom does not fall during my reign, I will proceed cautiously yet
boldly.
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