Chapter 14

"Rize's divorce has finally been decided, hasn't it? I want to introduce my new marriage to the public."

"Eh? Mother and His Majesty the King, you weren't divorced yet?"

After all, Mother has been staying in the Fultvall territory for four years now, and she hasn't set foot in the castle even once during that time. I thought they had already been divorced long ago, but they hadn't?

Grandfather seemed to understand what I was thinking and said with a bitter expression, "Since you are still the first prince, your mother should still be a queen, they said."

"That's a rude thing to say, Grandfather."

"I'm sorry."

Grandfather didn't say who made that statement, but I know it was that person, the one who neglected and ignored Mother and me.

I see. So they weren't divorced yet. Why not?

I thought that since His Majesty the King preferred the Queen over Mother, the divorce would have been finalized quickly.

The Queen is a strong and assertive beauty, so beautiful that no one can touch her, like a rare and unattainable flower. Mother, on the other hand, is a gentle and vulnerable beauty, someone who seems to need protection and can't survive on her own. Both are beautiful, but in different ways.

If His Majesty prefers a type like the Queen, he probably finds a type like Mother annoying. Her silent obedience might seem to lack initiative, and her need for protection might seem like a weakness.

That's why I thought His Majesty ignored and neglected Mother. But if that's the case, why didn't he finalize the divorce sooner? I don't understand. Seeing my confusion, Grandfather smiled wryly.

"Perhaps he felt regret when it came to letting her go."

"Even after neglecting her so much?"

"He has no complaints about discarding her, but he doesn't like being discarded."

What is that? After treating her so poorly, he still thinks like that.

"Rize, though I say it as her father, is a girl so beautiful that she has a nickname. Her heart is entirely focused on him. As a man, he probably doesn't mind that."

"Even if he has someone he likes?"

"Even if he claims to be devoted to his beloved, he has been admired by her for a long time. Doesn't he feel proud?"

No matter how he treats her or who he likes, Mother's feelings are always directed towards him?

Love is often said to be eternal, but Mother's feelings towards His Majesty are more like infatuation. And infatuation isn't eternal; it withers if not properly cared for. His Majesty doesn't understand that, does he?

If he thinks she's unnecessary, he should be happy when she says she's stepping back, but he doesn't like that either...

"Troublesome."

I said it without thinking, but Grandfather also seemed to be growing more bitter.

"Indeed. It's truly ridiculous."

"But, it's decided, right? The divorce?"

"Yes, the Great Claw Bear in the 'Forest of No Return,' which borders the Fultvall territory, has been abnormally proliferating. The knights who eliminated them will be rewarded. If someone single-handedly eliminated twenty Great Claw Bears, the country should reward them, shouldn't it?"

A thousand-to-one. Does the Marquess Marcossius family have such a strong knight?

"Yes. ...Is that fine with you, Grandfather? Your beloved daughter is going to marry again?"

Grandfather's expression softened as he looked at me.

"My successor is already here. There's no need to involve political implications in Rize's marriage. I want her to be with the person she loves."

"Will you grant it?"

"Formally, it's the best way to avoid trouble."

So that's how it is. Someone who likes Mother must have worked hard.

"What about Mother's feelings?"

"She has been watching over him for a long time. When she was here, he didn't show his feelings, but I think they had a mutual understanding."

I got it. There was such a person. There was!

A muscular, tough-looking guard knight who carried me on his shoulders and went for walks with Mother! Four years ago, he returned to the territory with Mother and that old butler.

Oh, so that's how it was! I didn't notice at all.

"So, Rize and her partner will come to the capital soon to complete the divorce and remarriage procedures. They will stay at the townhouse for a while, and I want to hold a tea party to announce their remarriage."

A tea party, not a ball. Since Mother is remarrying and will return to the Fultvall territory, that makes sense, right?

"That's good."

If we go that far, there won't be any last-minute fuss, and most importantly, I'm happy that Mother will be happy.

"Albert, attend the tea party."

"Huh?"

"You haven't seen Rize in four years. Can't you show her that you're doing well?"

We wrote letters frequently, but it's quite difficult for me to travel, since I still have the right of succession.

Even without being named the crown prince, the first in line for the throne is treated differently from others. There are many more procedures and restrictions on what I can do compared to others with the right of succession.

But if the destination is within the capital, and it's the townhouse owned by the Marquess family, it should be fine.

"Ah, yes. That's fine, but..."

I haven't seen Mother in four years, and I don't mind that, but why do I have to attend the tea party?

"The tea party is to announce Rize's remarriage, but I will also invite many children of your age."

Ah, so that's where this is going.

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