Queen of Revenge - Chapter 78

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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 78
“Your husband is willing to involve himself in the struggle for the throne?”
“He is not a man of great ambition by nature. However, to the princes’ eyes, he is a coveted prize.”
“And so, has he decided which side to support?”
“It did not appear certain. Since the First Prince was the one who drove Commander Winterbark to the border, he seemed reluctant to openly support the First Prince.”
“What is your assessment? What manner of man is the Second Prince of Kalande?”
The question probing Iolet seemed sharp and incisive.
It was not merely asking about his character. It was asking whether the Second Prince ascending to the throne would benefit or harm Elovis.
Catherine and Benedix’s gazes fixed upon Iolet.
Iolet slowly opened her eyes and looked toward Catherine.
“The Second Prince is a military warlord. He brought two companies under the Capital Defense Force to the Northern Fortress. Though he must receive the King of Kalande’s approval, in practice he controls most of the military forces in the capital and central regions. He is accustomed to commanding armies, and his temperament is decidedly aggressive. Should the Second Prince ascend to the throne, it would be no good omen for Elovis.”
The King’s face hardened with a terrible expression.
In the days when he earned his name as the Conqueror, Kalande was one of his prizes.
Currently, portions of the northern and western borders of Elovis were Kalande’s territory merely twenty years ago.
The armistice was concluded smoothly because the conquered lands bordered the Unregistered Territory, but the fact remains unchanged—that Elovis invaded Kalande merely one generation past.
Moreover, even after that, it was only until earlier this year that Elovis used guerrilla forces to lure the Demon Tribe toward Kalande.
“The reason Kalande has not dared to question the past until now is first, because the internal struggle for the throne within the royal family has been chaotic, and second, because the Conqueror, Mother, continues to firmly protect Elovis even now. However, circumstances can change in an instant.”
“Continue.”
“If Mother were to step back as the Retired Sovereign and the Second Prince of Kalande were to ascend to the throne, I cannot guarantee that his blade would not turn toward Elovis.”
The King let out a laugh as if impressed. It was a positive response.
“Therefore, Kairon must support the First Prince. It is directly connected to Elovis’s national interests.”
Thus far, events had unfolded according to Iolet’s plan. But what truly remained unpredictable was what came next.
The First Prince and the Queen were practically Kairon’s sworn enemies. They would not merely praise him. What stance they would take after drawing him into the capital, their domain, remained unknown.
So I had to go myself, and for that, I needed the credentials of an ambassador.
Not merely the authority to conduct diplomatic negotiations, but diplomatic authority itself. Only with that level of power could I stand against the First Prince on Kalande soil.
Iolet finally broached the main subject.
“If Mother permits, I shall go to Kalande to investigate the discord between the First and Second Princes and determine which would bring greater benefit to Elovis.”
The King’s smile vanished.
Silence descended upon the table.
For the first time in a long while, Iolet felt a chill run down her spine.
She could not read the expressions of Catherine and Benedix across from her, nor the King’s true thoughts.
Everyone in this room was a born and seasoned politician.
The slightest flaw in logic or opening in one’s position would invite immediate counterattack.
All the elaborate effort to bring the Second Prince under control was to construct perfect justification for going to Kalande.
Would it work?
“I do not think it necessary for you to take on that role, Iolet.”
Catherine, who had only listened until now, spoke for the first time.
“I commend your careful attention to Kalande’s circumstances. It is difficult to learn the internal affairs of the Kalande Royal House from the capital. However, sending you as an ambassador does not seem like a wise decision.”
Catherine, speaking as if coaxing a foolish child, turned her eyes toward the King.
“An ambassador is the face of Elovis, Mother. One must choose carefully. Iolet is still young and lacks experience. She is too inexperienced to entrust with such a grave responsibility. There are the Minister of Foreign Affairs and nobles who have handled delegation duties—it would be better to select from among them.”
The King raised his eyebrows, finding Catherine’s words reasonable even as displeasure flickered across his face.
Of course. It wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t right either.
Iolet smiled softly and accepted Catherine’s point.
“I trust that Mother will make the appropriate choice. As Elder Sister said, there are already those handling diplomatic affairs. However, if that’s the case, we’ll need more concrete justification for dispatching an ambassador. I can cross the border under the pretext of being Kairon’s wife, but a third party cannot.”
The most important thing in dispatching an ambassador is justification.
One selects qualified individuals who fit the justification, not the other way around—forcing qualified people into a justification that doesn’t suit them.
Currently, there was no national event significant enough to warrant sending an ambassador to Kalande, nor was there any pressing matter requiring close dialogue between the two nations.
The only development was the Third Prince’s death and the formation of a rivalry between the First and Second Princes over Kairon Winterbark. On what pretext could Elovis send its Foreign Minister?
“Duke, what do you think?”
When the King asked, Benedix, who had remained silent until now, answered calmly.
“We cannot dispatch a delegation without justification. If Commander Winterbark becomes a nobleman and receives a territory, the Princess will also become the territory’s owner. She could go to Kalande under the pretext of inspecting the territory. That would be more politically natural.”
At first glance, he seemed to be taking Iolet’s side. Yet Catherine’s composure remained unshaken.
The moment Iolet felt doubt, Benedix added his next words.
“However, the Crown Princess’s words are correct. The Princess has no experience attending official functions. Except for the last Founding Day Celebration, that is.”
His sharp, dry gaze swept over Iolet.
“Considering how the Princess disrupted the banquet on Founding Day, it’s difficult to guarantee that she has the qualifications to stand at an official function. As you may recall, the Princess caused considerable trouble for His Majesty and the Crown Princess that day.”
“…Yes. That’s certainly true.”
“One can judge the whole by a single part. Princess Iolet is still too young and far too naive to represent Elovis. Excessively so.”
Ah.
Iolet bit her lip where no one could see.
Damn Benedix. Now he wasn’t even bothering with pretense—just openly mocking her.
A pair of ash-gray eyes bore down on Iolet.
“Before that, I don’t believe this matter is significant enough to warrant dispatching an ambassador to investigate.”
“Not significant enough…”
“This problem can be addressed sufficiently after Kalande’s heir apparent is decided. Should Kairon Winterbark’s position become unstable due to involvement in the succession dispute, we need only notify him of divorce immediately.”
Benedix chuckled softly as he observed Iolet’s hardened expression and concluded his remarks.
“Elovis under His Majesty is not so weak as to feel threatened by such a trivial matter.”
“Ha. Now that’s a pleasant thing to hear.”
The King laughed aloud.
Iolet forced the corners of her mouth upward into a smile.
“The Crown Princess agrees with the Duke, doesn’t she?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Indeed. It seems the Crown Princess and the Duke see things differently than I do.”
It was an ambiguous statement—whether he was supporting their position or not remained unclear.
The King, stretching his back like a satisfied lion, turned to Iolet with a question.
“What do you think, Iolet? Tell me honestly what you’ve felt during your six months at the border.”
“I…”
Countless puzzle pieces swirled through my mind.
I found the piece most similar to the Late King and carefully shaped it. I needed to understand what he valued most as a ruler.
He valued his dignity as king above all else and was quite fond of flattering words meant to win his favor, but his true nature was that of a great schemer and opportunist.
That fiery spirit of his youth—the one that had chosen to take a gamble and accept losses rather than stand idle and merely observe—still burned within him.
‘I’m sorry, Benedix, but I know Father far better than you do.’
Iolet drew a short breath.
“I believed this was a good opportunity for Elovis. Not a crisis.”

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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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