Happy Friday!
Here’s the first part of chapter 40. I hope you enjoy and have a great weekend. See you next week.
After that, I was scolded by Yurii-sama a lot, but he did not look too deeply into it. Even when His Highness Prince Alan asked if he wanted to know more about it in detail, he said that he didn't need to know if we didn't want him to know.
Perhaps most of it was sympathy, but it was that child's way of being considerate.
And so, the usual peaceful days (Dia and His Highness Prince Alan were discreetly dealing with and disposing the assassins, so they're busy though) returned once again, and now, today.
Their Highnesses were summoned to the castle, and the heir to the throne would be announced.
Yesterday was His Highness Prince Alan and Dia's graduation ceremony, but the both of them were anxious about today rather than the graduation ceremony and were absent-minded the entire time. They didn't seem like they were going to cry, they were distracted, it's not like I didn't understand how they feel, but it was impolite to the other graduates.
Right now, Their Highnesses were in front of the throne, each person had children of Houses from various pedigrees waiting behind them, on their knees bowing their heads.
His Highness Prince Alan had Dia. His Highness Prince Romeo had Cain. His Highness Prince Gilbert had the son of Count Lucas who seemed pretty friendly. It's good that he had friends. Moreover, according to Dahlia, it seems that he's a rather good kid. I glanced towards His Highness Prince Gilbert.
The people waiting right now, there was a high possibility that they would be given important positions.
How strange, how strange, how strange.
Why was I in this kind of place. It was because Yurii-sama told me to go with him, but even if that's the case, there's also the fact that I'm a woman, but I'm the daughter of a fallen Count House. And I didn't even have any presence. And I didn't even have an aura. I'm sticking out like a sore thumb! I'm extremely out of place!!
Both Dia and His Highness Prince Alan said that, it's because I'll be duchess someday, but His Highness Prince Romeo and His Highness Prince Gilbert whom I met directly showed it in their expressions. When I met His Highness Prince Romeo, he even said 「There's a limit to sticking out like a sore thumb as well」out loud. It's as you said.
His Majesty had not come yet.
Haa, my stomach hurts. I don't want to stay here anymore, I want to go home.
It's Yurii-sama's request, so I won't go home though.
Aah, mou. For Yurii-sama to wait so long in that kind of posture, how admirable. Cutecutecutecutecutecute. He's so cute, I can't think about anything anymore.
「It had been a long time, my sons.」
A threatening voice suddenly be heard and I was surprised. Not good, Yurii-sama was staring blankly. I did not realize it. His Majesty, came together with the queen, and told everyone, to raise their heads.
Ah…no way, this was the first time I've seen him in person. He's much more wonderful than in the paintings I've seen. And so young. Lies. For him to be the same age as my father, lies.
「Especially, Yuriel. In the time that I haven't seen you, you've become quite splendid.」
Yurii-sama quietly replied to His Majesty who had a relaxed look in his eyes with a「Yes….」.his eyes that were quietly looking downward was very adult-like. Who was this. Who was this, this quiet, beautiful boy. It was so very different from the normal energetic Yurii-sama. Every kind of Yurii-sama was adorable. The unusual Yurii-sama right now was also wonderful.
Aah…! I want to hug him…! Otherwise, it's too heart-wrenching and I would feel like I'm going crazy. Ah, I can't control my emotions, my tears were coming out…!
「Lady Mirabell. I have also received a report about you. It seems that you've been a good influence, on my son. I thank you.」
「Ye…, n…o….」
The subject was suddenly brought up, what should I do. Yurii-sama, Dia, Cain, as well as His Highness Prince Gilbert put their hands against their foreheads because I had let out a strange voice.
It couldn't be helped! For me to personally meet His Majesty, I'm from that kind of house, so it's obviously my first time! It would've been good if I had prepared beforehand, but I didn't think that even I would end up coming along today!!
The kind His Majesty narrowed his eyes and smiled happily. How kind.
And, I was glared at by the queen who was next to His Majesty the King for an instant. It was for an instant, but I was definitely glared at. I wasn't particularly flattering him. Please stop. Due to the situation, I won't say anything though.
Nevertheless, I strangely understood. The queen was certainly beautiful, but she looked strong-willed. Was this something like her personality showing on her face.
She seemed full of energy.
「Gilbert. You too, in a place Mother didn't know, you've become strong.」
Was it antagonism towards Yurii-sama, the queen started talking to His Highness Prince Gilbert with a beautiful and confident smile, but because His Highness Prince Gilbert's response was vague, she frowned in displeasure, and successively glared at the other Highnesses.
His Majesty the King gave a cough, and looked at the faces of all of the princes with a gentle smile.
And, after that, shifted his focus towards the entrance of the room.
「Excuse me. Ryan Macey, had just arrived. It's been a long time, Your Majesty. I've met Their Highnesses yesterday. It seems that there have been no changes.」
There wouldn't be any changes in one day, right.
Setting aside the tsukkomi, when I thought that Ryan-sama who suddenly appeared would be prompted by His Majesty the King and he would quickly go to the back, he gave a bow to His Majesty and the queen. Immediately after, he gave a bow to Their Highnesses. The place where he was standing was in between His Majesty and the queen and Their Highnesses.
His Majesty and the queen were sitting on the thrones that were on the platform, so it was a regal scene! That wasn't it, but in terms of etiquette, wouldn't it be, more or less, better to go down on your knees…?
It seems that the queen also thought that, she was frowning in displeasure at Ryan-sama. However, His Majesty the King did not think that, he was still smiling.
「Well then, allow me to announce the succession rights.」
The person was considerate, not to mention he was the son of a duke, and there was no way he didn't know any etiquette. However, eh? Succession rights? From Ryan-sama? I tilted my head in confusion.
And, the queen forcefully stood up and raised her voice.
「Sir Ryan. what right do you have to say that sort of thing? Know your place. Not to mention, you, are not qualified to be in this place, right now. The princes are allowed one attendant each.」
Then, following her and standing up, His Majesty the King held her hand and interrupted the queen, he had her sit down. And, he simply explained the gist of it.
In our country, there were two Duke Houses that held the most power. Roderick Duke House and Macey Duke House. Generation after generation, the official positions of the two major Duke Houses did not fluctuate. Even the king, was not allowed to forcibly touch the official positions of the two major Duke Houses.
The Roderick Duke House served as the king's advisor. The prime minister.
And the Macey Duke House served as the king's inspector. They determined who was fit to be king, sometimes guiding them.
A few years after the founding of the nation, there was once a huge rebellion in our country where the despotic doctrine was cruel. The rebellion threatened the peace, but this time, so that the same thing won't happen again, it was decided that a role that monitored those who were not royalty was established.
That was the Macey Duke House.
As this was a state secret, only a few people knew of this. Of course, until the successor of the throne was decided, the princes were also not permitted to know this.
Because if it was known, it was likely that they would all feign friendliness around the those of Macey House.
Smiling, Ryan-sama said, 'That's how it is,' while looking back at the queen.
Even if you actively and skillfully deceived His Majesty, it would be known to him. Even if you kept up appearances in front of His Majesty, it's useless. That's how it was.
He glanced at Dia and then turned away.
You knew, huh. Maa, you knew. They were the only sons of the two major Duke Houses that were mentioned.
State secrets….
Heavy….
It was a secret that was too heavy for the daughter of a disappointing count to bear. Even if I will marry into a Duke House someday!!
「Furthermore, if it was revealed, one would find themselves dying an unnatural death, regardless of social status, so everyone, I'm sorry.」
Ryan-sama said, without hesitation. Something terrifying.
Everyone knew that the Macey Duke House excelled in gathering intelligence. The people here were not so foolish as to turn that Macey House into an enemy.
The Ryan-sama who was not the head of the family at the moment was entrusted with a duty because, Ryan-sama who was a student also had many instances where he would be able to observe Their Highnesses, and if it were the intelligent Ryan-sama, the job would be done perfectly, was what His Majesty the King and Duke Macey thought, it seems.
However, given the situation, my fiance was also clever.
Dia tried not to have much contact with Ryan-sama. I simply thought that perhaps they didn't get along, but he did it for His Highness Prince Alan. Even if it looked like he carelessly provided disadvantageous information, and conversely flattered him, it wasn't likely. For His Highness Prince Alan, he didn't do anything particularly unusual, and didn't do anything excessive to maintain fairness. That's probably, so.
The future of this country was secured, I would like it if you observed other people.
「…something like that….」
Looking on as the trembling queen bit her lips, Ryan-sama narrowed his eyes and smiled at her. It was an unusually ill-natured facial expression.
「Is there some objection?」
While saying something like that, Ryan-sama's eyes read『Maa, I know everything though』. So scary, so scary.
Yurii-sama looked tired. So adorable, so adorable.
「Well then, may I? Your Majesty.」
「Aah, begin.」
Bowing once again, Ryan-sama looked at every single person, and focused on His Highness Prince Alan.
「Firstly, Your Highness Prince Alan…. Unfortunately, you're fourth in line for succession, was what I have judged.」
『Eh』
The ones whose voices spilled out were, Yurii-sama and His Highness Prince Gilbert.
To be honest, I was quite surprised as well. His Highness Prince Alan, as well as Dia, looked like they expected it.
「Doing something like absorbing a small country, and granting the sovereignty to the royal family of the small country is outrageous.」
At Ryan-sama's words, His Highness Prince Alan, who was roguishly smiling, muttered this.
TN: the author actually put 'His Highness Prince Ryan' here, instead of 'Ryan-sama'. I took the liberty of fixing it.
「It was exposed, huh.」
By that, was he saying that His Highness Prince Alan intended to abolish this country…? Even though it was startling, because those around me were calm, I obediently calmed down.
「Next is Your Highness Prince Romeo. I have judged that Your Highness is the third in line for the succession of the throne.」
『Eh』
Once again, only Yurii-sama and His Highness Prince Gilbert's voices leaked out. It would've been better if I did it as well.
「The abolition of the monarchical system, may, seem good, but it is not the right time for it. Besides, my task is to select an excellent king, so inevitably, the option of selecting Your Highness Prince Romeo disappeared.」
Abolition of the monarchy…!? It was not something that royalty would do themselves.
「As expected of Macey House.」
He too, with a roguish smile that looked exactly like His Highness Prince Alan's, said this in affirmation.