CH 119

Mother's and father's thoughts

Translated by SoundDestiny

Edited by Zil

“I knew it……!”

Lockwood’s face clouded with grief at the Queen’s comment.

He has known for a long time that Shanoar does not love the Kingdom of Zain. She also wants to return to her homeland, the Kingdom of Aeterna.

However, Lockwood never thought that she would ask him to return home at this time.

“No, it’s not. It’s just now…..”

Today, the royal court of Zain is divided between Granard and Raidorl and their respective supporters. Currently leading, Raidorl faction has the upper hand and the Granard faction is slowly being driven into a corner.

The reason why Shanoar has remained in the country despite her strong sense of nostalgia is because she believes that her son, Prince Strauss, will eventually succeed to the throne.

Strauss was only a little over a year old, but he would eventually grow up to become the heir to the Granard throne. This would increase the influence of the king’s mother, Shanoar, and she might even be able to purge the nobles who had oppressed her.

Granard, who feared that there would be a dispute over his guardianship after his death, had no other choice but Shanoar. A future in which Shanoar reigns as queen mother is not so far away as to be out of reach.

(TL:“politics”)

But such a glorious future was scuppered by the rise of Raidorl.

Many people living in the country now hope that the young king’s brother will become the new king. There is no Shanoar or Strauss in the future they envisage.

If Raidorl came to the throne, they, the wife and children of the previous king, would be a distraction. They would be ostracised for any reason, or worse, murdered in an attempt to save their lives.

“I can understand why she would want to flee. She doesn’t want to bury her bones in a foreign country where she can’t even be patriotic…..”

“…..What does Your Royal Highness intend to do about Prince Strauss?”

“I’m going to take him with me, of course. He’s my little boy, whom I gave birth to with great pain in my belly.” 

“…..Do you think I would allow that? Do you think I would allow His Royal Highness Straus, the only son of the present King, to leave the country?”

Lockwood’s eyes deepened and he glared at Shanoar.

If it was only Shanoar, it would not be a problem to let her leave the country. However, there is no way that Strauss, who has the right to the throne, can be handed over to another country.

At the moment, the Kingdom of Zain and the Kingdom of Aeterna are on good terms, but Lockwood would never know what the future holds. It is not impossible that Aeterna will promote Strauss as king and wage war on this country.

“Why did you speak to me, the Prime Minister, about it?　If you wanted to escape, you should have planned it in secret.”

“You are the reason I told you. I was hoping you could help me escape.”

“Me? Help?”

Lockwood’s brow furrowed. There was no way he was going to help.

But Shanoar, with a look of conviction in her eyes, went on decisively.

“If my husband Granard were to lose his position, we would have no contact with the kingdom of Aeterna and trade would cease. Woolen goods made in the west would not be able to enter the country.”

“It would be the same if you left the country. King Aeterna will be furious that we have sent away his niece.”

“I will see to it that this does not happen. I will urge King Aeterna to ensure that relations between the two countries are maintained, even after Granard’s brother becomes the new king. If necessary, we can arrange for a new princess to be married to his brother.”

“It’s…..”

“Trade with the Kingdom of Zain is also necessary for Aeterna. King Aeterna wil-must agree.”

“………”

Lockwood fell silent, letting Shanoar’s proposal roll around in his head.

It was one thing to have the blood of the Zain royal family spilled to another country, but to be able to maintain diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Aeterna was an attractive prospect.

Raidorl already has the backing of the Alsatian Empire. And if friendly relations can be maintained with the Kingdom of Aeterna, there will be active trade between East and West, which will enrich the Kingdom of Zain.

“But……”

However, there is one thing that Lockwood cannot agree with.

“Queen Shanoar, Why did you bring this matter to my attention?”

If Granard were to lose his position, Lockwood, his close associate, would also be forced to leave. It doesn’t matter to Lockwood what happens after Raidorl ascends to the throne. He is in no position to care whether relations with the Kingdom of Aeterna are maintained or worsened.

Why did she choose Lockwood to help her escape, if she didn’t already know that?

The Prime Minister’s question mark’s face brought a smile to the queen.

“When I came to this country, Raidorl was exiled. How can I be sure that he will not turn his anger against my husband and towards my son? Besides,……Minister Marcell is a parent who loves his children as much as I do. I was sure he would understand my feelings.”

“Are you referring to my daughter, Mertina?　If so, you’ve got it all wrong. I am the father who abandoned his daughter.” 

“I don’t think so. Prime Minister Marcell, did you not send Miss Mertina to Raidorl in order to protect your beloved daughter from Imperial aggression?”

The Kingdom of Zain is on the brink of destruction during the invasion by the Empire. What can he do to protect his daughter from this war? Where is the safest place? Wouldn’t it be safer for her to stay with Raidorl, the keeper of the holy sword, than to keep her by his side?

Shanoar thought that Lockwood had sent his daughter to Raidorl with this in mind.

“The king’s brother would not have killed his former betrothed, even if he had hated her. Isn’t that what Prime Minister Marcell thought?”

“Nonsense, You’re thinking too much.”

Lockwood laughs at the Queen’s claims.

He is not a very good parent. As a loyal member of the House of Marcell, he was only trying to be loyal at the expense of his family.

As a result, Mertina ended up in the service of Raidorl, but it was only by chance. It was not something he had planned. He could not allow himself to be treated like a good parent.

He was hated by his children and should be condemned along with Granard.

“If that’s what Prime Minister Marcell thinks, that’s fine with me. But – I believe. I believe that you are a loving parent and that we can understand each other.”

“………..”

“Prime Minister Marcell, please do this poor mother a favour. Please help her to escape to the kingdom of Aterna. Please protect my son, Strauss.”

“I…I-….”

After a few moments of silence, Lockwood opened his mouth. He wanted to say something in reply to the queen’s entreaties.

But the opportunity did not present itself.

“Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”

“Kha?!!!”

“Hyaa?!”

The Prime Minister’s office – the door of which was pierced by a scream of desperation from outside. The next moment the door was broken down, and the soldiers who had been standing guard came tumbling into the room.

The soldier’s head is gone, as if he had been burnt to death. They both gulped simultaneously at the obvious signs of murder.

“How dare you neglect me and to meet you here, what is this secret meeting…my wife. Isn’t that very cold of you?” 

“Y-y-you are…”

A man walks into the room through a broken door. The man is someone they know well, and yet he is a different person from the one they remember.

“Kuku…A wife who does not fulfill her duties as queen. And a disloyal man who meets with the king’s wife late at night. Both should be punished accordingly!”

Standing there, smiling happily and delightedly, was Granard Zain himself, clutching his gleaming white sword.