CH 3

"The railway was your idea, wasn’t it?"

"How could it be."

"There is no reason to be humble. It’s not an idea that the King would come up with."

Although it was a very sensitive statement, the Marquis spoke without a qualm. It wasn’t because he was close to the King but rather that he trusted Tristan. 

"I just voiced my opinion to the King when he asked me about it."

Tristan answered while feigning a humble attitude, but in fact, the King didn’t even think of building a railway. To his question about why other countries unnecessarily built railways, Tristan explained and since then, he had changed his mind. 

"In any case, it’s impressive. That you managed to convince the inflexible Privy Council advisors and achieved your plan right away."

"I’m flattered." 

The moment he was getting tired of talking to the Marquis, a small commotion broke out on one side of the hallway. Four or five advisors were talking with a good-looking man in the center.

Aslan Campbell was the son of Lord Campbell who had died three years ago. He was also the older brother of the war hero Ibella Campbell and the prospective brother-in-law of the King.

His late father, Lord Campbell, was a famous politician to whom Aslan could not be compared. He was a figure that the King Philip was very much fond of, and a politician loved by the people of the Kingdom alongside Sigmund Hazelkaiser. When Sigmund Hazelkaiser rose in rebellion, he went to negotiate as the King’s envoy and died in an accident on his way back. Thanks to the love that the father and daughter from the Campbell family received, Aslan was able to quickly settle down in politics. Of course, this was also possible because of his character and own ability.

"Look at those ticks...."

Marquis Harper, who was next to him, snorted and muttered.

Tristan didn’t respond and pretended not to hear. He knew why the Marquis harbored ill feelings against Lord Campbell. When Lord Campbell was alive, he would always be pushed aside by him. He couldn’t catch up with Campbell in terms of the King’s trust, the love of the people as well as the faith of his fellow politicians. Moreover, his own son was now being pushed aside by the current Lord Campbell, so he must have felt displeased. Even though he possessed everything now, his inferiority complex made a crack in his dignity from time to time.

"I heard that Ibella rejected His Highness’s proposal again. He must be devastated."

"It can’t be helped."

"I really don’t understand the Campbell family. How can you allow your daughter to go to the battlefield and vulgarly tend to soldiers? It’s also remarkable that the brother follows the wishes of his younger sister even though he is given the opportunity to become the King’s brother-in-law. He might be a good brother, but he is not a wise man."

"Is that so?"

Although he roughly humoured Marquis Harper, Tristan was quite fond of Lord Campbell. He hadn’t met him often, but he knew him as a gentle and honest man. Although you shouldn’t trust a politician based on appearances, he knew that his judgment was not wrong. Otherwise, would he have allowed his daughter to go to war as a nurse officer? Though there must have been conflicts between the two, he respected his daughter’s wishes while being pointed at by others, which was commendable. 

"By the way, when are you going to stop by my house? My Ronen has been waiting for you."

When Tristan didn’t agree with him, Marquis Harper immediately changed the subject.

"I will visit soon."

"Please, do so. Wasn’t the engagement delayed due to your urgent situation? You have no idea how much I’ve been nagged at by Ronen about it."

"I will."

"You are aware of the relationship between me and your father, right?"

"Of course." 

When the Marquis mentioned his father as a means of pressure, Tristan replied politely while suppressing his irritation. From a long time ago, an engagement with a woman he didn’t know had been arranged without any consideration for what he wanted. His father told him that the help of Marquis Harper was required in order to attain his goal. He only informed him of the engagement but didn’t ask for his consent.  Ronen, whom he had met for the first time after coming to Estonia, fell completely in love with him. Despite the fact that it was an arranged marriage, she wasn’t a bad woman. She was pretty, quick-witted and clever.

There was a time when he was ready to accept the marriage with Ronen as he didn’t care about who he would get married to.

"I’ll be waiting. Let’s have a nice cup of tea together."

"Yes".

But not now.

His world had changed.

*****

Before writing the report, Tristan headed to the King’s office. The King, who was sensitive by nature, would be impatiently waiting for the outcome.

"Your Highness."

"Come in, Tristan."

"The matter of the railway construction went well."

"It must have been resolved. There was no way it would fail since you were the one to take care of it."

Philip von Beringer, the ruler of the Kingdom of Estonia, put down the newspaper he was reading on his desk and looked at Tristan. His thin and pale face, sharp jawline and strong chin portrayed his sensitive yet obsessive personality. Seeing as how his voice was filled with annoyance, he must be in a particularly bad mood today.

"Why are you reading that?"

As he approached Philip’s desk and read the newspaper’s headlines, Tristan finally realized why the King was upset.

[The countries that chose the Republic]

The article with the provocative title belonged to the Libertas newspaper. As nothing much was happening in the Kingdom, it used to be released on a weekly basis, but after the Delmore War, it was changed into a daily release. It was also winning the hearts of the people due to its fast and accurate news. The problem was that the Libertas newspaper often published articles opposing the constitutional monarchy.

"Look at what these bastards are babbling about. How dare they compare me to Sigmund. Should I wipe it out?"

With a nervous expression on his face, the King bit his thumb before flicking it out in a rough manner. The anger in his eyes clearly showed how unstable his mind was. He had a sensitive personality to begin with, but his anxiety worsened after the Duke Sigmund Hazelkaiser, whom he had trusted the most, betrayed him. As a result, it was natural for the King to get angry when the newspaper compared him and Sigmund on the same axis.

"Leave it be. It’s the favourite newspaper of the people, so it’s dangerous to mess with it recklessly. The trust in the royal family has hit rock bottom so it might backfire if we intervene."

"Who the hell is the editor of this damn newspaper? I ordered you to look for him a while ago, haven’t you found him yet?"

"I’m looking for him but it’s not easy. Don’t worry too much. It’s just someone who’s passionate about writing."

The Libertas newspaper once released an article criticizing the King. The Public Prosecutor’s Office, which was watching them, seized and searched the newspaper before arresting the president, but they couldn’t catch the editor in the end. Furthermore, they had to release the president due to the public outcry. Since then, the Libertas newspaper has been continuing a close tug-of-war without violating the laws of the Kingdom, while stealthily scratching the nerves of the royal family.

"Tristan. You are a very strange person."

"I’ll take it as a compliment."

"You remain aloof in any situation as though you’ve died and come back alive."

"I was born like that."

"Yes. That’s why I trust you and rely on you."

"Thank you."

At Tristan’s unwavering attitude, the King seemed to gradually relax. After his small habit of fidgetting subsided, the King opened his mouth with a much calmer attitude.

"By the way, there is something you have to do for me."

"Tell me, Your Highness."

"Go to Emmerville and meet with Ibella."

"What do you mean, Your Highness?"

"I informed Ibella that I would send someone. I asked Lord Campbell for his understanding as well."

"I don’t know what you are talking about all of a sudden. Why do I…" 

Tristan asked as if he had not expected this at all. Although he knew that the King wouldn’t give up, he didn’t know that he would arbitrarily send a letter without consulting him. It seemed that it was a big shock to be rejected by Ibella once again.

"You told me yourself. That in order to persuade her, I have to choose a competent and trustworthy person to go talk to her."

"I wasn’t referring to myself when I said that."

"Is there a more competent and trustworthy man than you?"

“However, if I go, I can’t by Your Highness’s side…"

"Don’t worry about that. Do you take me for an idiot?"

"That’s not what I meant."

Tristan, who asked with a worried expression, lowered his head as if embarrassed. However, the King knew that the scolding given to Tristan wouldn’t leave him any scratches.

"I have been hanging on for years, but now I am too embarrassed to step back. And if I get married to Ibella, the bottoming credibility of the royal family will also rise."

"Is that why you want to get married to Lady Campbell?"

"Of course it’s not just because of that. Ibella is a strong woman and I feel comfortable when I’m with here. There are many reasons to get married to Ibella, so persuade her to accept my proposal at all costs."

"I will."

Tristan answered and politely bowed his head to indicate that he had understood. As he took a step back and turned around, a strange glimmer passed through his eyes. Even if the food given to the fish is not delicious, if it has starved for a long time, it will take the bait quickly. That’s how the King got entangled in his scheme.

It was when Tristan was almost at the door.

"Tristan."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Tristan turned around, skillfully switching his expression.

"Don't seduce Ibella." 

"What do you mean?"

The King’s voice was lower than usual. Somehow, it sounded like a request and a plea at the same time.

"I know that there is nothing that you can’t do, that’s why I am sending you but, just in case… Don’t make her fall in love with you."

“…….”

"As long as you make up your mind, it’s something that you are sufficiently capable of."

“Your Highness."

"But not Ibella. I can’t forgive that."

Philip, who had stopped all movements, stared at Tristan. He didn’t know with what intentions the King brought this up, but he could read the wavering emotions in his eyes. Fear or vigilance as great as the faith he had for his subordinate. Although he made the decision because he was driven into a corner, he was not sure whether it was his own will or the will of his aide. There was also unresolved conflict as to whether it was right or wrong to send Tristan to see Ibella.

“……Don’t worry, Your Highness.”

Tristan dispelled Philip's anxiety in a solemn tone. Only then did the King’s expression relax, then he waved his hand to tell him to leave. 

Tristan left the King’s office and started walking with regular steps. Stopping at the place overlooking the garden, he straightened his posture and clasped his hands behind his back.

"Ibella Campbell."

As soon as the woman's name came out of his mouth, a faint smile spread widely across his face.