Chapter 94

I'm terribly late. I'm sorry.

The audience chamber was deathly silent.

Despite the number of people gathered, not a sound could be heard.

The silence was so intense that I felt like laughing. It's strange how the more you think you shouldn't laugh, the more you want to. No, Shina. Laughing now would be fatal.

In front of me were His Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen.

Facing them were Director Said and the Marita royal siblings, Crown Prince Luna, Prince Rolf, Head Maid Maria, and Vanessa. Plus, me and Kiri.

Last night, Miss Lana of the Kolts family and her merry band were apprehended, causing a commotion that even involved the royal guards. Of course, the news reached His Majesty and Her Majesty, and everyone was summoned first thing in the morning. Apparently, Prince Said and Lady Luna had a late-night audience with His Majesty and Her Majesty to explain the situation. Being a director must be tough.

After the commotion last night, Kiri unceremoniously threw me into bed and made me sleep, so I have no idea what kind of discussions took place. I heard that Jin and his muscular guards were on duty in front of my room. I was sleeping soundly, completely unaware of the tense situation outside my door. I'm glad I was asleep.

The expressions of His Majesty and Her Majesty, who already knew the general situation, were... severe. They were looking at Prince Rolf as if to stab him.

It seemed that the explanation went well, as Director Said's expression was calm. Everyone except the Crown Prince and his wife (especially me) were ordered not to approach the Naris Kingdom members, but since we had set up a decoy operation and approached them anyway, and even got caught, I thought everyone would be in trouble. However, since we have solid evidence, I don't feel much anger from them.

But there are still issues to resolve.

With Prince Rolf's blunder and Miss Lana's actions, the diplomatic problems with the Naris Kingdom have become even more critical. His Majesty's trust in the Naris Kingdom is currently close to zero. How to turn things around from here. With the remaining stay period being short, if Prince Rolf returns home without resolving His Majesty's anger, the relationship between the two countries will become icy. We need to do something before that happens.

Feeling anxious, I looked at Prince Said, who had a poker face but seemed to be planning something. Is everything okay?

"Prince Rolf, what does your country intend to do from now on?"

His Majesty's cold voice broke the silence. Prince Rolf, with a tense expression, faced His Majesty's gaze head-on.

"One of your country's dukes drugged our royal family and guests and attempted a violent act. Is this how you repay the favor of healing your Crown Prince? Is the Naris Kingdom a group of ruffians who repay kindness with enmity?"

Leaning on the throne, His Majesty glared at Prince Rolf with a calm but intimidating tone. It's scary. The pressure is overwhelming, like a yakuza boss. I've never met a real one in my past life, but it's that level.

"All of this is my responsibility. I failed to control the Kolts family. Please punish me as you see fit."

Prince Rolf responded calmly, his posture that of a sinner awaiting judgment.

Prince Rolf had told me beforehand that I didn't need to protect him. All the responsibility for losing His Majesty's trust was his, and if his head could resolve the situation, so be it.

If Prince Rolf is the only one to suffer, it feels like he's getting what he deserves, and there's no obligation to save him. But it feels wrong to risk his life. My mood is also not good, and it might leave a grudge between the two countries. The King of Naris seems to dote on his younger brother, and Prince Kanan looks up to his uncle.

"Can you restore this blunder with just your life?"

His Majesty coldly dismissed the idea.

In my past life, where human life was considered more important than Earth, I agree that a life cannot make up for a blunder. But that's not what His Majesty means.

"Perhaps this blunder was your sole decision. But are you not aware that you represent your country here? Your blunder is your country's blunder."

His Majesty's cold, mechanical voice conveyed his anger more than anything.

"Are you saying that your country's king sent someone without the awareness of being a royal to our country? How much do you intend to mock us?"

"No! That's not it, Your Majesty! I am the true culprit. This blunder is all my fault. I am the great sinner who even plotted against my own brother and brought poison into this country! Please, let this head atone for it."

Prince Rolf prostrated himself, his forehead almost touching the ground. His Majesty, seemingly losing interest, turned away.

"I have already made my decision."

His Majesty looked around the room.

"This is a decision as a king. From now on, the diplomatic relations with the Naris Kingdom will be..."

"Please wait, Your Majesty."

Prince Said interrupted with an unusually calm voice.

"What is it, Said?"

His Majesty's gaze shifted to Prince Said, a gaze that would make a weak person faint, but Prince Said smiled and deflected it.

"Such a major decision should not be made lightly. Besides, a more noble person from the Naris Kingdom is fortunately staying in our country. We should hear their opinion as well."

"Said, what are you..."

"Please enter, Prince Kanan."

At Prince Said's signal, the door to the audience chamber opened.

A small figure appeared, alone, without attendants or guards.

Despite his young age, his face showed no tension, and his steady steps made him seem much larger.

His soft cheeks and sparkling eyes seemed unchanged, yet he exuded a presence that made him seem like a different person.

Prince Kanan walked forward calmly.

"King of Marita, I deeply apologize for the blunder of my country. This Kanan takes full responsibility."

With a high, childlike voice, Prince Kanan bowed slightly but did not lower his head, maintaining his position as a representative of his country.

"I have been given full authority by the king of my country. Please speak to me with that in mind."

"Kanan! That's not right! The responsibility is mine!"

"Be silent, Rolf of Naris."

Prince Kanan sharply cut off the flustered Prince Rolf.

"I am the Crown Prince of the Naris Kingdom. No matter how much you are my uncle, I will not allow you to override my words."

"..."

Prince Rolf, silenced and with his head bowed, ignored, Prince Kanan met His Majesty's gaze.

"What do you think, King of Marita?"

His Majesty, with unreadable eyes, thought for a moment before nodding.

"Very well. I believe a more constructive conversation can be had with this young man."

◇◇◇

The audience chamber was filled with an unusual tension. I already feel like fleeing. But I won't.

Still, Prince Kanan is impressive. My cute source of comfort (disrespectful) has grown so much. I feel like an aunt watching over his growth.

"First, I would like to apologize to Lady Shina."

"Huh?"

I let out a strange sound at the sudden call. Luckily, it was a small voice, so probably only Kiri, standing next to me, heard it.

Prince Kanan approached me and bowed slightly, as he did to His Majesty.

"Lady Shina, I cannot apologize enough for the harm my country's people intended to do to you, a great benefactor."

Seeing Prince Kanan's downcast face, I felt uncomfortable. Ah, I want to pat his head.

"I have no grudge against the Naris Kingdom."

Since I can't pat his head, I decided to share my honest feelings. After all, Prince Rolf's narcissistic, perverted, and foolish behavior is his own responsibility, not the fault of the Naris Kingdom or Prince Kanan.

"Thank you for your kind words. I am grateful, Lady Shina."

Prince Kanan's cheeks relaxed in relief. Seeing his face, I couldn't help but feel moved. You're doing your best, Prince Kanan. At only 8 years old, you're being made to clean up after adults. I'll say it again, you're still in second grade. You're still a child.

"But, mere words of apology are not enough to show sincerity. Words alone cannot restore trust."

That's not true. If Prince Kanan apologizes, I'm confident I would forgive him immediately!

Just as I was about to say that, Prince Said stopped me with a look. Hmm? Should I be quiet?

"King of Marita, as an apology from our Naris Kingdom to Lady Shina, I propose the following."

Prince Kanan turned to His Majesty and made a frightening proposal. In summary:

1. Transfer the rights to a ruby mine owned by the Naris Kingdom to me. This mine produces high-quality rubies.

2. Change the tariff rates between the Marita Kingdom and the Naris Kingdom to favor the Marita Kingdom.

3. Cede a portion of the Crown Prince's territory, near the border with the Marita Kingdom, to be used as the Holy Maiden's territory.

The explanation included more detailed and technical terms, but that was the gist of it.

I was speechless. Speechless.

I don't need a ruby mine. My favorite gem is sapphire, like Jin's eyes.

I don't know about tariffs. Prince Said didn't show it, but he seemed pleased, so the conditions must be good. But what does it have to do with me? Compensation for the Marita Kingdom? Hmm.

Most importantly, don't change the border. What's a Holy Maiden's territory? I quit being a Holy Maiden.

No one said anything about this proposal. No, no. Isn't this too much? In the Daido Kingdom, being hit, kicked, stabbed, or blown away by magic was a daily occurrence. Isn't this too much compensation for almost being drugged?

"What do you think?"

Prince Kanan looked up at His Majesty, his posture resembling a young hero facing a giant dragon in a fairy tale.

"... What about the punishment for that fool?"

But the giant dragon was not lenient. Unmoved by the excessive compensation, he directed a cold, unfeeling gaze at the prostrate Prince Rolf.

"Remove him from the royal family and strip him of his right to the throne."

Prince Kanan's words made His Majesty's lips curl.

"Originally, he intended to leave the royal family and renounce his right to the throne. Is this a punishment?"

"His uncle was supposed to be granted a dukedom after leaving the royal family. That plan is now canceled."

"Hmph. Are you trying to manipulate me with words? You intend to grant him a lower title. That is too light a punishment. He was originally a commoner. Even if he falls to the common people, he will not suffer much. It is not a punishment."

The young hero's hand was forced by the relentless dragon. The negotiation was already at a disadvantage, and it was between an adult and a child. There was no way he could win, especially against a king who doesn't show mercy even to children. But Prince Kanan continued to face the dragon without backing down. He's doing a great job!

By the way,

I had been feeling increasingly frustrated.

Because my greatest source of comfort, Prince Kanan, was working so hard, yet His Majesty remained cold and unyielding. No one else was speaking up, and the director seemed to be planning something.

It's unfair that a second-grader is working so hard for his country and no one is helping him. Just because he's a prince doesn't mean it's okay to treat him like this.

So,

Is it okay for me, the greatest victim, to start fighting back now?