CH 29

6. It will disappear like foam

All contact with the Imperial southern fleet was lost, and the pirates disappeared at sea.

At first, the aristocrats of Ortega, who were confused because they didn't know what was going on, soon learned that the commander of the southern fleet was secretly repatriated to the Empire due to corruption.

The Marquis of Marjoram was bewildered, enraged, and soon, very anxious.

He did not respond to the King's call to resolve the issue related to Shatrin and Vasily, but remained in his office and agonized over the situation for a long time.

It felt like there was an invisible enemy hidden in his shadow who was sharpening their sword.

The Marquis hid the ledgers he had collected so far in a secret safe, and began to destroy evidence that he was colluding with his enemies. It was a suspicious and cautious decision, which was very much like him.

It was such a waste to have his slush fund cut off, but he somehow had a hunch that's what he should do.

Several of his subordinates, who secretly acted as the Marquis' limbs, were killed in order to remain silent. One of the vassal families that assisted in money laundering was also forced out of the country.

In order to solve the problem, the Marquis of Marjoram refrained from entering the palace for a while, and laid low.

In the meantime, Yulia succeeded in planting people all over the palace with Coco's advice and Maxwell's help.

After the first contest, news of the second contest were delivered to the palace, where the atmosphere was bad due to Princess Shatrin's broken engagement. It was good news for the young nobles who had not been to the palace in a while.

Yulia didn't intend to tell Lewicia in advance what the second contest would be about. If he started to get suspicious of her, it would only do her a disservice.

But one day, Lewicia, who had returned to the palace with a bitter expression, called Yulia and Coco, and said.

"In honor of the upcoming birthday of the King, the winner will be the one who brings the present he likes the most."

Coco was bewildered, and uttered a few curses. The palace contest is not a child's play, so who would use the sort of test where it is obvious that the results will be influenced by the King's mood or close relationships.

Lewicia had the same thoughts as Coco.

"But the sister of the guy who told me this information is one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting."

"Is this information reliable?"

"There is nothing wrong with thinking about it in advance. He told me to sincerely participate in the royal palace contest."

"Anyway, it’s strange. No matter what Kristin Marjoram or the first Prince bring, the King will choose it. Even if they bring him their own poop, he will praise them for being healthy."

"That's what I'm thinking too... It's so dirty."

However, something wasn't quite right. It's not only Lewicia and Coco, everyone who participates in the contest will feel the same.

What were the King's intentions?

"Yulia, what do you think?"

Lewicia turned to Yulia this time. She had been silently struggling alone since earlier.

"It's probably true."

"What? Why?"

"And the real recipient of the gift won't be the King."

Originally, in her previous lives, the second contest was an equestrian competition.

It was not simply a competition where the goal was to run fast on horseback, but where obstacles and rules were set, and the participants competed to see who communicated best with their horse and who was good at technical horseback riding.

It was a contest for Princess Shatrin. When the Princess, who was a master at horseback riding, was depressed ahead of her marriage to Vasily, the King forcibly organized it to appease her daughter.

But this time, the Princess wasn't just depressed, she broke off the engagement and even declared war on Marjoram. Even after the Marquis imprisoned Vasily, the Princess' mood would not have been relieved.

"It's for Princess Shatrin."

Realizing the situation, Coco said with a sneer.

"He can't put pressure on the Marquis of Marjoram to relieve the Princess' mood, so he is using the contest instead. It’s a funny and clever method."

"So, that's what it is. Since Shatrin likes contests."

It looked like a birthday present for the King, but it had to be a gift that would restore Princess Shatrin's honor.

It was difficult. Lewicia groaned, and slouched over the table. He couldn't figure out what the correct answer was.

Coco and Yulia gave Prince Lewicia enough time to think about it, but belatedly opened their mouths.

Coco started first.

"It will be one of these two things."

"What?"

"Give the King something that Princess Shatrin likes, or propose to Princess Shatrin.”

"What? That... what? Really?"

Upon hearing Coco's words, Lewicia was even more confused.

"Either giving Shatrin a bribe through the King... or proposing to her, in order to restore her honor? Are they really doing such a childish thing?"

"She was dumped by Vasily Marjoram. So, it will either be one of the two. A bribe announces the consolidation of the Princess' power while a proposal announces the consolidation of the Princess' charm."

Of course, that won't lead to a real marriage. This is just a social trick to make each other feel good.

"I can do neither. I can't bribe nor propose to a blood relative."

"So come up with a better way quickly. Did you sell off everything you've ever studied?"

"What does this have to do with studying?"

The two people, who had been arguing with each other, naturally turned to Yulia. That clever maid of honor would have the answer anyway, so it was pointless for the two to keep fighting.

"Your Highness."

Yulia stood in front of Lewicia, and put her hands together. Her eyes darkened deeply.

Lewicia asked with a confused face.

"What's the problem? What are you going to say?"

"Please, don’t get angry and listen.”

"Great, I'm nervous now."

"Support Princess Shatrin in front of the King."

Lewicia didn't answer.

All emotion disappeared from the Prince's face who always wore a mischievous smile. He seemed so bewildered that he forgot how to react.

"Support Shatrin?"

Lewicia asked back. He looked at the silent Coco with resentment, as if asking what the hell was going on.

Coco did not take Lewicia's side.

"Ha... explain."

Lewicia sighed deeply. He got up and opened the window, saying he had a headache.

Yulia brought him a cold cup of water, and said.

"What does Princess Shatrin want the most right now?"

"Vasily's head?"

"She wants Marjoram to suffer."

It was a simple matter. People will struggle to understand the King's heart, but from Yulia's point of view, this was a problem that couldn't be more simple.

"What will the King think if Your Highness, who has hated power and always lived like a vagabond until now, suddenly supports the Princess?"

"He will ask me if I'm crazy."

Yulia lightly smiled.

"The structure of the succession will be shaken."

"Are you saying that's what my father wants?"

"The first Prince is the candidate that Marjoram openly supports. So, there have been no competitors so far. If Her Highness Shatrin, who has declared war on Marjoram, takes a step forward in this fight with the support of Your Highness the second Prince..."

"The Marquis of Marjoram will start to lose sleep for sure."

"The King will be pleased."

Lewicia thought that would be the case too. The relationship between the King and Marjoram used to be strong and intricate, like a married couple holding each other's hearts.

However, there was one thing he was overlooking, which was that the Marquis of Marjoram had been continously refusing the King's calls lately.

"The King is upset because of what happened to Shatrin. In the meantime, if Your Highness Lewicia holds Princess Shatrin's hand, saying that Marjoram's enemy is your friend, the King will be happy to the point of clapping his hands alone in an empty place."

"...I see. Besides, no one will be suspicious. Since I have always despised Marjoram."

"You don't have to win the contest. But Your Highness will gain a great ally, the King's beloved daughter."

Lewicia muttered that he didn't know what to do. Supporting Shatrin was something he had never done, even in his dreams. Even though they had never fought while holding each other by the collar, they had been indifferent to each other their entire lives.

"Then, what if Shatrin ascends to the throne? Marjoram is more than enough to start a civil war."

"Such a thing won't happen."

Yulia smiled softly, and pushed the cup of cold water to the prince.

"Your Highness just has to become King."

Lewicia, who naturally raised the cup to his mouth and was about to drink, threw it away and pointed at Yulia with his finger. Then, he shouted towards Coco.

"Mom! This child is trying to have me killed!"

On this day, Coco finally cursed with her voice.

Lewicia was a pessimistic person. Coco habitually called the Prince an immature child, but in fact, the problem was that he grew up too quickly.

After his childhood, when his mother's love was everything, Lewicia came to think that all humans in this world are selfish and pretentious.

More specifically, he believed that the higher the position, the more one lives to be seen by others. There was no such thing as sincerity, love, or sacrifice to such people.

He lived his life expecting nothing and relying on no one.

Although he treated Coco like family, he also gave her the freedom to return home at any time. That was why he didn't hire more maids of honor.

Because he didn't want to get close to anyone in this damn lonely palace.

But then, Yulia Arte appeared.