Chapter 84

Finally, the awakening has come.

"Your Majesty, Rauzes, there is an urgent message."

"Proceed."

"The princess of Vayu's summer palace has awakened."

At these words, the atmosphere around changed abruptly.

It was a meeting where the king and the elders had gathered. The room was filled with distinguished figures.

Since Grail's death, problems had piled up. The most influential of the elders, who had been coldly and almost ruthlessly handling the work, was gone, and the processing had gradually fallen behind. Even if they tried to assign other nobles, considering the seat competition and their abilities, it was impossible to fill the gap.

Before the expedition, Grail had dragged out Zephir. He could barely manage, but the way dissatisfaction was expressed differed when the name on the approval was a duke versus a count. Moreover, the reactions of those around them changed with Grail, who was like a walking terror, and Zephir, who was gentle. As a result, Zephir had to go out of his way to maintain harmony.

Zephir was an exceptionally talented magician and one of the few users of holy magic. He was also involved in the current research on monsters. He had deep knowledge of both magic and magical artifacts. Additionally, he had a good understanding of medicine and, being closely related to Albertina, was one of the few who could be granted an audience.

As a result, those who tried to contact Albertina through Zephir were endless, further increasing Zephir's workload.

Zephir was aware of this and prioritized consultations with Vania and Latitche's attending physician. He also limited interactions to correspondence as much as possible.

He managed to maintain a neutral stance amidst his heavy workload.

He could not be given any more work.

Ideally, he would be a good choice for a foreign affairs official due to his excellent negotiation skills.

Grail's death had not only unsettled the domestic situation but also the neighboring countries. It was only a matter of time before suspicious movements began.

Naturally, the discussions were dark and gloomy.

Everyone suddenly became lively, and a sense of relief spread. King Rauzes, too, relaxed his eyes and smiled.

Trying to get more details, he left the meeting—by now, the people in that meeting room must have been in no state to focus.

"However, when I informed Duke Latitche of his death, he became quite disheartened. Currently, his stepbrother, Kistaria, is comforting him."

"Already informed?"

"Yes, he asked about it first..."

Rauzes lowered his eyes in sorrow.

From the state of Albertina in the audience chamber, he had already guessed that they were a very close father and daughter.

It wasn't just Grail's one-sided doting; Albertina had also accepted his love.

Grail was a pillar of support for Albertina, and it was easy to imagine that Grail was an absolute father to her.

Rauzes, often mocked as a puppet of the Demon King, believed he was not fit to be a king. But Grail, one of the few who supported such a Rauzes, he did not want to throw into the political struggle. However, with Albertina's appearance now exposed, it was difficult.

A noble lady secluded in her chambers could not possibly handle politics—Rauzes, born into the royal family, was originally supposed to marry into the Olcott family, where his wife Ophelia came from.

He ended up wearing the crown that had rolled to him.

Even Rauzes, a royal and a male, felt the lack of power. A noble lady, protected in the Demon King's birdcage, would not be able to wield power. She would be used as a vessel to bear children, confined in the palace.

It would be a good outcome if a child with the royal family's eyes was born and freed. It was easy to imagine that a man infatuated with her beauty would continue to desire her. Like Sistina and Christina, many men had remained passionately infatuated even after marriage. Their husbands, Gandalf and Grail, had ruthlessly crushed them, preventing any serious issues.

Every time Albertina appeared, the number of people who became excited increased.

Her eyes, a symbol of the royal family, and her rare beauty, a presence that was destined to be pampered from birth. Her every gesture and manner were elegant and refined.

It would be better if they were just captivated. Some reignited their past admiration, and many, despite having fiancés or partners, let their emotions flare up.

It would be chaotic. Undoubtedly chaotic.

Yes, it was the same with Sistina and Christina.

Men who heated up on their own, like teenagers in the throes of first love, took reckless actions, creating various battlefields.

Incidentally, the W-Tina mother and daughter always remained loyal to their husbands. Even if they tried to take advantage of Gandalf or Grail's vulnerabilities, they were cut off by their beloved. Despite their inner feelings, they maintained their dignity as nobles.

Sistina's type of man was not the elegant and refined dandy that nobles often praised. She preferred a rugged hunter or a tough knight—Gandalf. Despite the age difference, she was determined to marry him, and she made him cry and agree.

Even the rock-like Gandalf was weak for Sistina. Her beautiful face twisted in sorrow, sometimes crying like a child, sometimes raging like a fire, and sometimes smiling like a blooming flower, she overwhelmed him with passion.

On the other hand, Christina, who seemed like a gentle princess, was quite bold.

She was an innocent and unpredictable lady who, with her fearless nature, dared to provoke Grail.

Even though Grail already had a hint of the Demon King, for some reason, he liked Christina. She thought it was love at first sight, but it was more like he found her curious and interesting. Her beauty was secondary; he was attracted to her innocent and charming personality.

Looking back, she might have been one of the few, if not the first, to confront Grail, who was often kept at a distance.

Not only was her appearance remarkable, but her abilities were also formidable, though her senses were different from the norm. The only one who accepted Grail, who was so harsh, as "clumsy and cute" was Christina.

Incidentally, calling her husband "clumsy and cute" was also true for Sistina.

The sudden and severe loss left Grail deeply depressed. Despite his continued competence, his eyes held a darkness as if he was staring into an abyss. He seemed to have truly become a Demon King, his emotions condensed.

When Grail was truly hurt, Rauzes could do nothing. He could not do anything for the sorrow of Sandis, his friend and subject who had saved Rauzes many times.

Then, he wanted to do as much as possible for his remaining beloved daughter.

As a form of recompense and gratitude, he wanted to give back as much as possible.

But it would also benefit the country.

The elders looked down on him, the nobles were not united, and the only thing keeping them in line was the charisma and fear of the Demon King—this was the evaluation of Rauzes as a king.

However, he was a calm and patient man. He was gentle and had a broad perspective. Therefore, if things continued as they were, the kingdom of Sandis would decay and collapse.

With Grail, the guardian of the country, gone, it would be disastrous if the nobles, who would act as they pleased, were allowed to wield the king's power. Fortunately, Albertina did not seek honor or glory. She was not a lady who would buy up jewels and dresses. If a competent regent like Zephir were appointed, good governance would be possible. Even if he had a poor relationship with the Latitche family, Gandalf and Zephir would not strongly oppose. However, it was not possible at the moment. Zephir was barely managing the gap left by Grail. With Grail gone, those who had been restrained were already acting out. Gandalf was keeping a close eye on the military. Cliftof was dealing with those who tried to contact Albertina forcefully and was holding meetings to prevent unnecessary people from being placed around her. The Latitche duchess and her son were engaged in intense battles with those who sought to become the next duke.

Now, with Albertina's awakening, the situation would undoubtedly shift even more. He glanced at Prime Minister Daren, who had a slight frown on his face amidst the commotion.

He sighed, feeling distant.

He had been betrayed by a minister who was supposed to be his confidant. A double-edged sword had died. How long had the prime minister, standing next to him, been turning against him and harboring ill intentions?

There were few he could rely on. But he had to keep moving forward.

Because he was the king.

It's a lie, a lie, a lie.

My strong father couldn't have passed away so easily.

It must have been a bad dream. Such a thing shouldn't have happened. It was a scary dream.

I want to think that, but Kistaria only says terrible things.

Why are you so mean?

Father hasn't come to fetch me yet?

I can't go home yet?

With hands that had turned white from gripping, I pounded on Kistaria's chest as if pleading. The only sound was the soft rustle of his clothes, and my hands fell weakly.

Kistaria's clothes were all black, from his jacket to his tie, vest, and trousers. Only his shirt was pure white, standing out brightly.

"The funeral is already over. Father's body is now placed in the Latitche family's mausoleum.

The curse of the monster is probably lifted, but a special flame is needed to cremate Father's body.

Considering the strength and nature of the curse, a very powerful flame must be prepared, so the final funeral will be held on the first anniversary next year."

Father has already been given a state funeral.

His body is placed in its proper place, sealed in a coffin—his appearance will not be seen again until a year later.

"In a year, the mourning will be over. Albert, I will definitely take you there. I will show you Father.

I will definitely succeed the Latitche family. I won't let anyone from the side branches or other nobles do as they please with the Latitche family or you."

"Even without Father?"

I was brought to the palace and was reading books in the Vayu palace. Going outside was terrifying, and I was searching for any possible way out.

I learned that the royal family of this country had a strong bloodline system. There was a period when they had many close marriages, but it led to an increase in deaths from illness or accidents, so they had to bring in people from outside.

With this foundation, the higher the status, the more the elderly upper nobles valued bloodline.

Kistaria, a distant relative and the son of a mistress, would be an easy target without the strong backing of Father.

"I am a foster child, but legally, I am in a position similar to the heir. My abilities are also outstanding among my peers."

"Without Father, there's a possibility they might judge by blood..."

Kistaria must understand this. No, Kistaria understands it better than I do.

His aqua-blue eyes, which always looked beautiful, met mine. My heart calmed a little at the clear blue. Kistaria nodded quietly and gently wiped the tears from my cheeks.

"If those people become your guardians, they will confine you in the palace to use your royal blood to increase their power. Even if you can't bear children anymore, it might continue."

My body shuddered at these words.

Kistaria had avoided such topics. It was because I was afraid. He would smile and say, "It's okay, it won't happen."

"Albert, you don't want to hear it, but I have to tell you because it's dangerous.

The side branches... it's a dirty thing to say, but they are hoping to replace the current wife or fiancée with you. They are gathering people who match your age.

Marriage is one of the easiest ways to achieve this.

So, you must not meet them. You don't know what they might do.

Some are even targeting you personally, not just your connection to the royal family or the Latitche family. Listen to Anna's warnings and don't leave her side."

His tone was gentle, but the content was harsh.

In the back of my mind, I saw the fate of Albertina after her condemnation. Chained like a slave, raped, forced to bear unwanted children, and still being used by men.

Could this happen even without intentional malice?

"Why... why should I not exist...

If I hadn't been born, if I hadn't existed, Father would still be alive, right?"

"No. That's not true, Albert. Father loved you more than anyone.

I don't know Lady Christina, but even from my perspective, Albert was important to Father.

Don't think such things. Don't waste Father's love and wishes."

I felt deeply guilty for my existence.

Sensing my mental fragility, Kistaria spoke sternly. Do I have the right to exist? Is it worth existing, even at the cost of a great person like Father?

Father is gone. Accepting his death is difficult and has left a hole in my heart, dripping with pain.

"A year is manageable. I will definitely resolve it by then.

We must maintain appearances, so no celebrations are possible. Celebrating openly would be considered disrespectful.

According to the customs of the Kingdom of Sandis, involving the Latitche family and the royal family, Albertina's mourning period will last a year, especially for the death of the head of one of the four great ducal families and her biological father."

It was a clear deadline.

Kistaria must have been dealing with various events while I was asleep.

My reflection in his aqua-blue eyes looked terrible. I was at a loss, overwhelmed by grief. Kistaria, seeing my weakness, smiled wryly and gently touched his forehead to mine.

"Don't look so down—after all, I've been treated as the next duke. I won't be so easily defeated."

Words that usually made me feel reassured and strong. But today, they did not bring warmth or relief to my heart, and I felt a void.

Thank you for reading.

Kistaria has a long history of supporting clumsy people, so he is very reliable.

He undoubtedly inherited the strength of the Demon King and Latitche. And he is also very resilient.