Resetting Lady - Chapter 101

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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06. Judgment – I

 

Prince Guiz was the King’s son.

 

Nothing was more important than that. What Prince Guiz looked like, what his voice sounded like, what food he preferred—none of that was particularly important. Even if he had a hobby of killing people, that too was not a very important matter in the face of the fact that he was the King’s son.

 

Of course, which woman he loved was also not very important compared to his birth.

 

“I am too old to welcome a new Queen.”

 

The King said this to the ministers who recommended a new Queen. His words were not wrong. He kept mistresses but did not take a new Queen. He did not want to create a competitor for Prince Guiz.

 

“Your Majesty, but having only Prince Guiz is dangerous. One never knows what might happen to a person.”

 

“Then we should make proper laws so it won’t be dangerous. Creating more princes by welcoming a new Queen would be more dangerous.”

 

“There can never be too many royal descendants. Moreover, there are open rumors that Prince Guiz neglects his studies and indulges in women.”

 

“So you want them to compete with each other? Are you telling me to have brothers send poison and daggers to each other over the throne again?”

 

“That is not what I mean. But just the existence of brothers could help refine his behavior.”

 

“Leave. I will not listen.”

 

However, the minister who spoke to him directly was also related by blood to the Queen who had been Prince Guiz’s birth mother. The King stroked his chin. Then he called Prince Guiz and spoke to him directly.

 

“The future of this country rests on your shoulders. Always act carefully.”

 

“Who has been speaking ill of me to Your Majesty?”

 

“Guiz, a king must listen carefully to loyal advice. The fact that such talk is going around means there are problems with your conduct as well.”

 

“That’s nonsense.”

 

Prince Guiz answered indifferently.

 

The King admonished his son, but he did not think his words would have much effect on him. But even so, disciplining Prince Guiz was better than creating new princes. It was better to focus on one rather than weeding out among multiple princes, and to pass all authority to him.

 

“If your behavior is like that, who will trust and support you?”

 

“I will be King, so who wouldn’t support me?”

 

The King looked down at his son.

 

“…”

 

Silence flowed.

 

Prince Guiz glanced at the King’s expression and then knelt down.

 

“I was reckless. I will strive to improve myself.”

 

Prince Guiz grew up with some anxiety and suspicion. Even though he was criticized for being arrogant, he was in a position to be so, his studies were not lacking, and his body was also strong. His appearance was also outstanding. As he grew up, talk of a new Queen naturally disappeared.

 

The King aged and the only prince was healthy, so there was nothing to be done. Sometimes he assaulted servants, sometimes he killed hunting dogs for entertainment, but he did not reveal madness beyond that. He knew how to restrain himself before the King.

 

Prince Guiz, who was somewhat cruel and somewhat arrogant, grew up like that and met a woman.

 

“Your Highness, what is the matter?”

 

It was in the palace garden full of red roses. Prince Guiz looked down at Catherine in her white dress and spoke. Catherine was sitting on a chair in the garden. Because he had summoned her.

 

“Catherine, I love you.”

 

Prince Guiz thinks he loved Catherine. Since he thinks so, it probably was so. There is little meaning in assigning significance to, dividing, and ranking human emotions one by one. But Prince Guiz at that time was young, and he wanted Catherine to love him completely.

 

So Prince Guiz spoke honestly to the woman he loved in his rose garden. He loves her. That is a clear fact.

 

“But I cannot marry you.”

 

She seems not to have expected those words. Her violet eyes grew slightly dim.

 

“…Why is that?”

 

Catherine quietly lowered her head and asked. Prince Guiz felt pain in his heart at those eyes. But even so, he could not marry her.

 

“You know too.”

 

Catherine, you know too. I am going to be King. And to solidify my throne, I must marry royalty. Your grandmother is Grand Duchess Catherine, but your mother merely married a count. I love you, but you are not of the right status for me.

 

“Your Highness, please tell me directly.”

 

Catherine raised her head again and pleaded while looking at Prince Guiz with those eyes, those big eyes. They were eyes that seemed to hope the reason was not what she was thinking. He felt some regret at crushing her expectations.

 

“I have someone to marry. You know too. Marriage talks have been going on since before I was even five years old.”

 

“But you haven’t even held an engagement ceremony.”

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“…Do you not love me?”

 

That was not it. Prince Guiz had never felt the same emotions toward any other woman as he did toward Catherine. He could never restrain some ferocity toward women, but in front of Catherine, he could exercise patience for a longer time. She was special. Probably. But this was a different matter.

 

“I love you. But marriage is impossible. King Ritheus agreed to let his daughter marry me on the condition of ten gold mines in the White Mountains and laying railways in his country… With that, countless people can live well-fed.”

 

He is a man who will be King. Catherine should understand him. Isn’t that natural? Prince Guiz earnestly explained to her, but Catherine’s face did not brighten.

 

Catherine looked like she could no longer endure.

 

“…I understand, Your Highness.”

 

Catherine stood up, tears streaming down her face.

 

“Be happy.”

 

“Catherine!”

 

Prince Guiz grabbed Catherine’s hand.

 

“Your Highness, please let me go.”

 

“I can’t do without you. I need you.”

 

“There is no place for me beside Your Highness.”

 

“Catherine!”

 

Is she saying this on purpose? Can’t she just give him the answer he wants? Prince Guiz lamented her cunning in making him speak first.

 

“We love each other, so we don’t necessarily have to marry, right? Marriage is just a formality.”

 

“…Your Highness?”

 

Catherine opens her eyes wide as if she heard unexpected words. When she was usually so perceptive. Prince Guiz suppressed his irritation inwardly and pleaded.

 

“The only one I truly love is you. You know that. Don’t leave me.”

 

“Your Highness… you will marry that person. How could I stay by your side?”

 

“I can’t do without you, I can’t. I’ll die right away. Please… Catherine.”

 

“Your Highness.”

 

What should he give her to satisfy her? What gift would convince her?

 

“I’ll give you a palace to stay in. I’ll always sleep only there. I’ll eat there too. But marriage, just that is impossible. I love you, but I carry too much burden.”

 

Catherine quietly looked down at that hand. Prince Guiz had never seen her so quiet before. Catherine was always like a chattering little bird. But now she was like a doll whose thoughts were unknowable.

 

“…Your Highness, will… my children and I… continue to be seeds of sin?”

 

“Let’s fall to hell together. If you have sin, then it’s my sin.”

 

Prince Guiz hoped his words sounded plausible. Catherine shed tears in silence. When Prince Guiz was getting angry from growing impatience, Catherine spoke.

 

“I understand, Your Highness. If Your Highness’s heart belongs only to me… that’s enough for me…”

 

As expected. Catherine loves him. Prince Guiz quickly stood up, embraced Catherine, and kissed her. She seemed to resist slightly, but soon she closed her eyes and accepted his lips.

 

“What? A mistress? I don’t think she would accept that. She is not a courtesan but the granddaughter of a Grand Duke, the daughter of a count.”

 

Count Fankair was wrong. Because she loves him, she willingly endures that much. Didn’t she agree in the end?

 

“Thank you for understanding, Catherine. I love you. I’ll do anything you want.”

 

Prince Guiz joyfully embraced Catherine. And he was slightly surprised at himself. To feel relief. He had been inwardly anxious that Catherine might refuse him with a stern face.

 

‘It was needless worry.’

 

But who would refuse his command? He is the man who will be King of this country.

 

‘Who would be good?’

 

Prince Guiz decided to say everything at once today since Catherine had accepted.

 

“If you want, yes. How about marrying Hyer? Marry that man and move your residence to the palace.”

 

The King’s mistress must be a married woman.

 

While law and religion permit only monogamy, those with money want to keep multiple women. It’s even more so when one becomes King. But legitimate heirs are only recognized from legitimate wives. It was impossible for illegitimate children to inherit titles. So mistresses had to be married women.

 

“Me…”

 

“Yes, I can’t just make your children illegitimate. You’ll need a fake husband.”

 

Choose an appropriate man and have her marry him. Even if the whole country knows she’s a mistress, if she was once married to that man, there’s no problem in declaring the children as his. There’s no way to accurately identify biological children anyway.

 

Dukes or counts are absolutely not allowed. Men with power in the capital are also not allowed. Appropriately, a powerless young man. A lower nobleman who cannot rebel against him.

 

“Mr. Hyer…”

 

“Don’t you like him? Then I’ll grant him a count title. But too powerful a force won’t do. I’ll choose the man, so pick from among them.”

 

“…I…”

 

Catherine tried to say something, but then smiled and said.

 

“I will marry the man Your Highness chooses for me.”

 

Prince Guiz kissed Catherine.

 

It was the perfect answer he wanted.

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