Chapter 7

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

"Good for you, Your Majesty. It's fortunate that you have loyal attendants who are willing to take the blame for your own schemes to corrupt me."

"Ah, I see. You ignored the rules of royal succession set by the royal code and tried to exclude me, who am the first in line to the throne, out of personal motives. What do you intend to do about your attendants' rebellion, Your Majesty?"

In reality, even though the actual mastermind was the king, the attendants have taken the blame, making them the principal culprits.

Considering the gravity of their actions, it's not something that can be resolved with a mere suspension, yet here the king is, talking nonsense.

"Rebellion... It's not that serious, is it?"

Sure, you might think so as the king, but since the ones who acted were your subordinates, not you, it qualifies as a proper rebellion.

Or rather, it shows a lack of understanding, doesn't it?

"You lack resolve."

That's right, I'm sure.

In response to my words, the Prime Minister exerts a silent pressure, asking what I mean.

"Prince Ryugen, what do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what I said. Your Majesty doesn't seem to recognize that the crimes committed by your subordinates have harmed the royal family. You lack the resolve to accept that your subordinates have committed serious crimes."

In truth, because I am being treated as a member of the royal family, you haven't prepared for the consequences when the truth comes out, and you haven't prepared for the fact that a substitute will be punished for a serious crime.

"Huh?!"

And the one who really lost it was, of course, the Prime Minister.

"Your Majesty, do you understand the gravity of the situation? Do you realize that you are the king of this country? Your child, the first in line to the throne, the future king, has been harmed. Do you think you can pretend it didn't happen just because the one who harmed him is your close friend? Even if you forgive them, we will not. Do you understand that both Lord Hunt and Lord Voss have committed acts worthy of the death penalty? They will be beheaded."

The Prime Minister's words finally made the king's expression falter, and the flunky's face turned pale.

If you had just killed me and my mother outright, it would have been easier, even if it raised suspicions.

Perhaps you are too soft, or you didn't want to get your hands dirty. Or maybe the one who carried out the deed is someone who does the dirty work for the royal family.

Another possibility is that you didn't want any evidence to point to you as the one who gave the order.

Did you take such a roundabout method to avoid tarnishing your record as king? I don't know.

"Anyway, I understand that my treatment within the palace was due to the consideration of your pleasant companions. Your Majesty, were you unaware of this consideration?"

It's impossible that you didn't notice. The Prime Minister must also suspect that the real mastermind is the king, not the attendants.

The king, however, does not answer my question.

"I see. You were unaware of that, too. I understand your thoughts, Your Majesty. Therefore, as of today, I will renounce the name Ryugen and Aigle. Prime Minister, please arrange to remove my name from the royal succession list."

"Prince Ryugen!! What are you saying!!"

Realizing the volume of his voice, the Prime Minister cleared his throat and continued.

"Prince Ryugen, you have obligations as a member of the royal family."

"Don't give me that nonsense."

The old man, who had been silent until now, spoke in a low, growling voice.

"Obligations of the royal family? Then what has the palace, which manages the royal family, done for my daughter, the concubine, and the first prince? Let me tell you, all the expenses for the concubine and the prince have been covered by my family, the Marquess. We haven't received a single copper coin from the palace. Are you going to impose obligations without providing proper treatment?"

With that, the Prime Minister was speechless. It seemed he was hearing this for the first time.

"The concubine and Prince Ryugen haven't been given any funds? That's ridiculous..."

"Call the Minister of Finance and investigate until you're satisfied. I'm sure you'll find nothing but the palace's corruption and dust."

If the palace had treated the concubine and me according to the royal code, this wouldn't have happened. From the looks of it, the king might easily agree to our demands if pressed, but the problem is the stubborn Prime Minister.

No, I understand the Prime Minister's position and arguments.

If the king had treated me, the first prince, properly according to the royal code, without being swayed by personal motives, this wouldn't have happened. The Prime Minister sees me as the next king, so he can't let the old man's arguments prevail.

But among the people in this room, the only one who wants me to become king is the Prime Minister.

"Prime Minister, is your concern and worry about the future successor?"

My question draws his gaze.

"Indeed, the royal code stipulates that the firstborn should be the successor, but there have been cases in the past where the king was not the firstborn."

"That's a different matter. The problem is that Prince Ryugen is alive and without blemish, yet cannot ascend to the throne."

"The prince himself wishes to renounce his succession rights."

"…No adult would take the words of a six-year-old seriously."

Damn, you're tough, Prime Minister.

But what he says is true. Normally, if a six-year-old says they don't want to be king, most people would forget about it in five or ten years.

A six-year-old's words lack credibility.

I have the memories of my past life, and my mental age is that of an adult, not a six-year-old. I have no intention of retracting my statement about not becoming king, and I plan to take various actions to pursue a path other than that of king, but the Prime Minister doesn't know that.

"Then let's make a written agreement."

So, I played another card to cut ties with the royal family.

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