Queen of Revenge - Chapter 43

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 43
“As nobles, this is also an opportunity for them to re-examine the tribute they’ve brought. Take Count Leon, for instance—isn’t that precisely his situation? Of all those tea leaves, a single poisonous leaf caused this entire incident. It’s fortunate His Majesty didn’t consume it, but can we continue to rely on such fortune going forward?”
“You’re right. We’ve been negligent. Given the sacrifice Count Leon has made, we must ensure this never happens again.”
The atmosphere in the chamber shifted as opinions began to coalesce.
“Then I shall call for a vote. If you agree to the enactment of the Tribute Prohibition Law, please raise your right hand.”
Duke Valer, the chairman of the Royal Council, surveyed the table.
All eight elders, including himself, raised their hands.
The agenda passed.
Several nobles clicked their tongues in disappointment.
While it would take time to be formally added to the legal code, the atmosphere of offering tribute to the royal family in exchange for favors would be considerably dampened for some time.
The meeting was not yet over. After addressing several minor items, the Duke presented the final agenda.
“Finally, there is an agenda proposed directly by His Majesty. He intends to have the butler who saved his life in this incident adopted into one of the noble houses present here.”
The butler who had saved the King’s life was a Silent Boy named Ahil.
“I heard he was at death’s door—has he recovered?”
“The boy is quite resilient, so his recovery has been swift. I expected His Majesty to grant him a reward, but to have him adopted into a noble house… that’s surprising.”
The King had nearly thirty illegitimate children, yet none had ever been granted noble status.
“Didn’t His Majesty always show fondness for that boy? Even a father finds joy in his children from time to time.”
Count Sernan, who had been speaking carelessly, fell silent with a start. The nobles allied with the Crown Princess were glaring at him coldly.
The Crown Princess’s position had nearly been shaken just moments before, and now that the King had let slip a remark suggesting he favored another of his children, the atmosphere could hardly be pleasant.
Count Sernan fidgeted unnecessarily.
“If he enters another house as an adopted son, he’ll be removed from the royal genealogy anyway. Why be so sensitive about it? So then, is there anyone here willing to experience the joy a son can bring?”
Marquis Melshier, who had maintained silence throughout the meeting, slowly raised his hand. He was the eldest among the council members.
“House Melshier shall adopt him. I’ve been troubled by the lack of an heir at my age, and this works out well.”
The elders seated on the left exchanged meaningful glances.
It was surprising enough that House Melshier, as storied as House Valer itself, had stepped forward, but to make that boy—a silent illegitimate child—the heir to their house was extraordinary.
In a single moment, the fate of a Silent Boy who had lived his entire life as a butler had been completely overturned.
“Does anyone object?”
No one raised their hand.
“Then I shall convey Marquis Melshier’s intention to His Majesty. This concludes our meeting.”
With Duke Valer’s businesslike declaration, the meeting ended.
The elders rose one by one, rubbing their stiff backs.
* * *
Simon waited outside the Council Chamber for Marquis Perein.
Soon the door opened, and the elders filed out.
‘Their expressions are satisfied. The meeting went well.’
Marquis Perein’s expression was also bright as he exchanged greetings with the elders. Simon finally allowed himself to exhale.
At the same time, a chill ran through him.
‘The Crown Princess’s method actually worked. Perhaps I really did back the wrong horse…’
“It’s been a while, Simon.”
Someone interrupted Simon’s thoughts.
A strikingly handsome man with steel-blue hair stood before him. It was Duke Valer, the chairman of the Royal Council.
“Do you have a moment?”
“Yes, of course.”
Marquis Perein, glancing between his eldest brother and the Duke, gestured that he would head to the Crown Princess’s Palace first.
Like all children of the great nobility, Simon was acquainted with the Duke.
Before ascending to his dukedom, he had spent considerable time in the social circles of his peers, moving in close familiarity. He was a young man with few objectionable qualities, and his broad knowledge across various subjects made him excellent company.
“The council meeting ran long. You must be fatigued.”
“Always the case. I didn’t expect you to have entered the palace so soon.”
The Duke offered a warm smile.
Still the same.
Simon thought to himself.
Benedix Valer was the most aristocratic of the young nobles Simon knew.
Though courteous and gentle, he gave the impression of never revealing a weakness.
Even the smile at the corner of his lips and the goodwill hanging in his gaze seemed deliberately arranged.
Having received the same impression consistently over the past decade, perhaps that was the Duke’s truest self.
Yet that judgment would not last long.
“The meeting seems to have concluded well. What will be done regarding Count Leon?”
“His territory will be confiscated, and he’ll be barred from entering the Capital for the next ten years.”
“Had it gone to trial, it would have been execution without question. That’s a fortunate outcome. The Crown Princess must have been greatly relieved.”
The Duke did not answer.
When he suddenly stopped, Simon, who had stepped ahead, belatedly turned to look back.
A pair of cold gray eyes fixed upon him.
“Simon. I heard you’ve returned from the Northern Command Tower.”
“That’s right. It was truly far. Even changing horses day and night, it took ten days.”
“And upon your return, you requested an agenda change at the Royal Council.”
“…That was my father’s suggestion, not mine.”
The Duke’s tone differed from usual. Such a pressing, direct manner of speech was far removed from his typical way of speaking.
Simon forced a smile, wrinkling his brow slightly.
“That’s unlike you, being evasive. What are you curious about?”
“Did you meet with Iolet as well?”
So that was the real matter.
“Hmm, well. She’s been focused on her treatment, so I didn’t see her for long. Besides, I was more concerned with my brother’s wellbeing.”
“Ah, so Perein was on death’s door, was he?”
Benedix spoke with a face showing no real curiosity, as though merely asking out of courtesy.
“Is he well?”
“His injuries were as severe as I’d heard. His leg was damaged, so he can’t ride for some time. We considered bringing him back by carriage, but his external wounds were too serious.”
“A pity. Such knights are difficult to find.”
“As his brother, I’m simply grateful he’s alive.”
“I wish him a swift recovery. —So.”
The Duke coldly closed the topic that had nothing to do with him.
“How did she appear to you?”
“Her health did not seem particularly robust.”
“There has been no improvement, I hear? She did not look as though she were on death’s door, did she?”
“Well… She seemed capable of moving about. There appeared to be no particular difficulty in conversation either. It looked as though she was taking medicinal tea, but as I mentioned, I did not stay long enough to know more than that. What I can say with certainty is that she was not so gravely ill as to be departing soon.”
Even as Simon answered, a flicker of confusion crossed his mind.
‘Was not the engagement broken last year? Though, come to think of it, she was betrothed before the Princess was even born.’
Yet the Duke’s demeanor certainly carried an excess of something.
“I suspect you and the Princess exchanged more than mere pleasantries.”
The man’s eyes, having received no answer he desired, grew progressively dimmer.
“Should I ask more directly? I do not believe you would have conceived of changing the Council’s agenda on your own initiative.”
“…”
“Let me ask again. Did Princess Iolet suggest that agenda to you?”
“I fail to understand your intent in seeking confirmation when you already seem convinced, Simon. The Prohibition of Hereditary Succession may conceal Count Leon’s crimes, but it is hardly a law that benefits the Crown Princess. And it is precisely the sort of law ordinary nobles would never support.”
“…”
“It is the sort of idea only one who covets the throne would conceive.”
No one had spoken of it openly in the Council, yet the perceptive elders—particularly those old generals who insisted on neutrality—would surely have noticed.
Who the true target of the Prohibition of Hereditary Succession truly was.
If hereditary succession were forbidden, it would not be the nobility who suffered. It would be those who had enjoyed that privilege in full.
Save for the King himself, there was but one such person in this realm.
The Duke’s manner remained composed despite the adversarial content of his words. There was no anger in his expression, though he appeared somewhat anxious.
“I do not mean to blame Perein. I merely wish to know whose mind conceived this thought.”
“…It seems you already know the answer to that as well, Duke.”
A woman as transparent as glass beads flickered through Simon’s consciousness.
Throughout the ride to the Capital, what had remained mere suspicion crystallized into certainty by the Duke’s reaction.
That flower-like Princess, poised at the threshold between girl and woman.
She who did not even remain in the Capital, yet from this distant place—a journey of over a week even riding day and night—had precisely severed the power held in the Crown Princess’s hands.
The Duke did not ask further and passed Simon by.
Simon watched the man’s receding figure and felt a premonition settle upon him.
‘The balance of power in Elovis will soon shift dramatically.’
“Soon, the balance of power in Elovis will be greatly shaken.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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