Happy Friday!
Here’s the last part of the chapter, I hope you enjoy it.
So for the readers who do not already know this, I had announced at the beginning of this week that this would be the final week of updates for this year and after this week, I would be taking a two-week break. For those who did not know until now, I apologize for being so sudden. I will try to give you an earlier heads-up next time. As I will be taking a break, I will not be posting any new chapters until the week of January 14th.
Since I will not see you until then, I hope you all have a happy new year. I hope you have a great weekend and I’ll see you in two weeks.
「Next, Your Highness Prince Gilbert. Your Highness is truly a wise person. Even though you are young, you are highly ambitious, you focus on the future, you love the country, you love the citizens, and it seems that you have also discovered many important things during your time as a student.」
Not declaring the rank of succession, Ryan-sama turned his gaze towards Yurii-sama.
「However, Your Highness Prince Yuriel's growth is also remarkable. Although young, you worked hard to acquire the skills and knowledge you have now through self-study. Above all, you know well what compassion is at this age. You forgive those you ought to hate, you hate immorality and not people.」
That scared me.
Yurii-sama cautiously looked at Ryan-sama as well.
He knew about, Melissa's matter…? That's all I could think of from his words and actions.
「Frankly, I'm quite troubled. Both of you have the perfect qualities to be king. Therefore, let me ask the two people just one question. Your Highness Prince Gilbert. Why does Your Highness want, to be king?」
His Highness Prince Gilbert who was asked this question, straightforwardly looked at Ryan-sama and answered.
「So that I can protect people who are important, to the people who are important to me. The important person that I met at school, and the school friends that accepted me, not as royalty, but as a friend. The teachers. The people who work at the castle. The people in town who I've gotten to know. I want to protect them all, and all of the people who are important to them.」
Nodding in satisfaction at His Highness Prince Gilbert's answer, Ryan-sama turned towards Yurii-sama next.
「Now, Your Highness Prince Yuriel. Why does Your Highness want to be king?」
「…I don't need the throne.」
Yurii-sama too, straightforwardly looked at Ryan-sama.
「If I am not as ambitious as Gilbert, then I won't be able to do it. I don't have the desire to become king. If Gilbert becomes king, the country will be peaceful. Because I believe that, I'm also not worried that a foolish king would be born. I will chase after my own dreams and be what I want to be. 」
As expected, Ryan-sama nodded in satisfaction.
「A king that doesn't have high aspirations is not a bad thing. Your Highness Prince Yuriel. The path that Your Highness chose, may it be a bright one. Your Highness will be the second in line for succession.」
Yuriel-sama too, smiled in satisfaction.
If this was the result that Yurii-sama wanted, there was nothing more splendid than this. A six year old boy who no longer hesitated. I feel like it's still too early for this child to discover what he wanted to do, but perhaps he found something.
「Then, Your Highness Prince Gilbert. The crown prince of our country, will be you.」
「R…eal…ly…?」
Perhaps he knew of the queen's dishonest deeds, His Highness Prince Gilbert widened his eyes in astonishment.
Ascertaining that everything was over, His Majesty the King gently smiled.
Next to him, the queen gave an ill-natured smile and surveyed the other Highnesses.
「Gilbert. From now on, you will be more involved in the government than before. Okay?」
The dazed His Highness Prince Gilbert gave a reply to His Majesty's words in a fluster.
Seeing the queen who said「Congratulations」with a profound smile, the look on His Highness Prince Gilbert's face suddenly turned gloomy.
「Your Majesty…. Your Majesty should judge if, I should be the crown prince. Take a look at how I do from now on, and then, if you still say that….」
Rising, His Highness Prince Gilbert, called out to his friend from the Lucas House, and the son of the Lucas House took out a letter from his breast pocket and read it aloud.
That was, the various crimes that the queen had committed. The matter of serving His Majesty poison was not included, but even the names of the accomplices that hinted at it were given.
The queen's face visibly turned pale, His Majesty's facial expression did not change, he didn't even seem surprised, and was listening seriously.
「I, propose to Your Majesty, the deportation of the queen, Selena.」
Closing his eyes, His Majesty the King, slowly nodded.
「Acknowledged.」
「Your Majesty!!」
The queen implored His Majesty in a high-pitched voice.
「That…this…nonsense! Gilbert! Why did you do that kind of thing to Mother….」
「Hahaue, His Majesty is…, chichiue is being merciful. To hahaue, and me….」
With a serious look on his face, His Highness Prince Gilbert, firmly clenched his fist, his quiet voice was filled with anger. There was also a hint of sadness.
「Hahaue loved chichiue, don't you. Hahaue just, wanted chichiue to reciprocate that love. However…chichiue's heart, will always belong to another woman.」
The current queen was not the first queen. She was not the maid who was loved regardless of social status either. The queen, who was now in the position that she had because of her social status, was not the number one woman in His Majesty's heart.
「I know. That hahaue is just pure, and because of that, does not realize what you made a mistake. Hahaue, you can not hurt people, you know. Beauty was replaced with hatred, you also bore a grudge against chichiue, right. However, what hahaue should've done was, sit down face to face with chichiue, not hurt chichiue, aniues, and Yuriel. You should not have murdered, the maid.」
Who that maid was, everyone vaguely realized it. Even so, they didn't say anything and listened.
「Please escape, hahaue. Your son loves you. My mother will only be you. Therefore, please. You have given rise to many people who want revenge. This is the last thing that His Majesty and I can do for you. We can not let you stay in the castle. Please live happily, somewhere that is not within this country.」
I may not be able to see you ever again though.
His Highness Prince Gilbert said that in a small voice, and the queen had withdrawn due to His Majesty's instructions. With a sad look on his face, His Majesty's gaze was fixed on the queen who had been taken away.
This was just my guess.
His Majesty was sad. And, was feeling regretful. That he was not able to love, the queen.
「Your Majesty. If you still permit me who trapped my own mother to be named crown prince, then I will do my best. 」
His Majesty the King , as if it was natural, nodded his head.
「Ryan Macey!!」
Calling out to Ryan-sama who was about to leave the room that His Majesty had left from in order to stop him, Yurii-sama rushed over and glared at Ryan-sama.
「The matter with Melissa…how did you find out.」
Ryan-sama gently smiled, and tilted his head in confusion.
「My lover is a well-informed person. Aah, however, please do not worry. When I was offered the information, if something happened to Miss Everett and I wasn't aware of it, I would be given a warning, so I don't intend on sticking my nose into it. What I needed was information on Your Highness Prince Yuriel, so I don't have the intention of progressively fighting against crime like an ally of justice.」
I too went to stand next to Yurii-sama, and turning to look at me, Yurii-sama's eyes were filled with questions.
「The only people who knew should've been the people who were there.」
The picnic, right.
Ryan-sama gave a small chuckle, and turned on his heel.
As if a sharp parting remark, he dropped the bomb and left.
「There's no need for me to tell others about Miss Everett. I will do what I said, please don't worry. My Mati is scary when she's angry, so I won't break my promise.」
Crash. A few seconds after Ryan-sama left. Yurii-sama and I looked at each other, and we tried repeating Ryan-sama's words just now one half at a time.
「My….」
「Mati….」
「My Mati!?」
「That guy, definitely said 'My Mati'!!」