Chapter 40

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The grand and splendid birthday party for King Wilson ended, and the next day,

Olivia and Silas were in the castle's salon, as promised, waiting for Wilson to show them the Chosen Sword.

It seemed that if they waited here, Wilson would bring the Chosen Sword from the treasury.

"Oh, you were called by Father too?"

As Olivia waited excitedly, it was not Wilson but Edward and Elizabeth who entered the salon.

Olivia and Silas exchanged glances, wondering if Edward and Elizabeth had also asked Wilson to see the Chosen Sword. Then, Eugenia and Enoch came in as well.

It seemed that Eugenia and Enoch had also been told to gather in the salon by Wilson.

"Your Highnesses, the Chosen Sword too?"

"Chosen Sword? What are you talking about?"

When Silas asked, Edward tilted his head in confusion.

"We are waiting here because King Wilson said he would show us the Chosen Sword."

When Olivia explained, Edward's face became even more puzzled.

Not only Edward, but Eugenia also looked bewildered.

"Father called us just to show us that thing?"

At this, Edward frowned.

"What thing? It's a national treasure. And an important sword that has been passed down through the coronation ceremonies of our kings for generations."

"Oh, I see, but isn't the Chosen Sword just that old short sword in the treasury? When you were a child, you used to play with it, pretending to be King Balthazar I, didn't you?"

"You used to play with Queen Antoinette's crown, didn't you?"

Hearing that the treasury was a playground, Olivia was stunned. The treasury houses many valuable national treasures. It should be locked securely, and people should not be allowed to enter casually. Yet, the princes and princesses could easily enter as children and even play with the national treasures. It was unbelievable, and she felt a dizzying sense of cultural difference.

(If they break something while playing, it would be terrible... King Wilson is so lenient...)

No wonder he could casually say, "I'll show it to you." Is such treatment appropriate?

Silas also seemed surprised, and his smile was strained. The treasury of the Brioll kingdom was a place that even adult Silas could not easily enter. Olivia had never been inside, and it was said that even the king and queen only opened it for ceremonies when they needed to use the accessories stored there.

"Well, we're so used to the Chosen Sword that it's not particularly special anymore. It's just overblown."

"Now, now, Eugenia. Perhaps the king has his reasons, don't you think?"

Enoch calmed the angry Eugenia with a gentle smile.

"Father's reasons are never good."

"Is that so? What do you think, Edward?"

When Enoch sought Edward's agreement, Edward, who seemed to have many thoughts, frowned and fell silent.

Olivia began to feel uncomfortable.

Perhaps Edward and the others were involved because Olivia wanted to see the Chosen Sword.

Silas patted Olivia's shoulder, who looked troubled, and said,

"Since the Chosen Sword is being brought, perhaps the king will talk about abdication. If that's the case, we should leave to avoid being in the way."

The word "abdication" made the atmosphere in the room freeze.

Elisabeth's face tensed, Edward's expression became even more serious, Eugenia's eyebrows furrowed, and Enoch's smile froze.

(Why...?)

King Wilson had already given Edward the title of Crown Prince. Unless something extraordinary happened, it was a given that Edward would be the next king. Yet, they all seemed to be saying that they did not want to hear about it.

"Father is still young. I think abdication is still a long way off."

When Edward said this, Eugenia nodded in agreement.

"At his age, retirement is out of the question. He must remain king for at least another ten years."

"Of course, it's out of the question."

"Yes, of course."

Unusually, the brother and sister were in agreement.

Indeed, King Wilson was fifty-eight, still a young age for a reigning king.

However, both Edward and Eugenia seemed to want to delay the abdication as much as possible, which puzzled Olivia. Wilson was still young, but Edward was twenty-nine this year, old enough to take the throne.

When the salon was filled with a subtle tension, the door opened with a carefree voice, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

It was King Wilson.

Olivia, who had been relieved, noticed that Wilson was not carrying anything and tilted her head in confusion.

Wilson had said he would bring the Chosen Sword. As she wondered why, Queen Rezabella appeared behind Wilson with an unusually stern expression and scolded her husband.

"Is this the time to be carefree? Edward, Eugenia, it's an emergency."

The word "emergency" made Edward and Eugenia's expressions tighten.

Elisabeth and Enoch also became serious.

Olivia instinctively straightened her back, and Silas patted her back. ...Right. This is the kingdom of Filarus, so Olivia didn't need to panic at the mention of an emergency.

"Since it seems there are complicated matters, we should leave."

As Silas said this and tried to stand with Olivia, Wilson stopped them with a hand.

"I want you to hear this too."

"Huh...?"

"But it's an emergency, isn't it?"

Olivia and Silas exchanged glances, and Rezabella sighed, placing a hand on her cheek.

"Yes, it is an emergency. ...However, since we need to act quickly, I would like to hear your opinions as well."

Olivia thought this was a strange request.

Olivia and Silas were from the Brioll kingdom, and it seemed they should not be involved in such matters.

"If that's the case, well..."

Silas nodded with a smile that was close to a wry one. His true feelings were probably that he wanted to escape because getting involved here would not be good for them. Olivia strongly agreed.

Wilson and Rezabella sat on the sofa, dismissed the maid who was preparing tea, and with serious expressions, said something unbelievable.

"The Chosen Sword is gone."