Chapter 76

Prince Alfonso, fully understanding his mother’s words, stood with a dazed expression, staring straight ahead. From his sky-blue, piercing, gray eyes, which were a perfect match to his mother’s, tears flowed endlessly.

“You are the future ruler. You have obligations to your people. Prudentia (prudence), temperantia (temperance).”

Prudence, courage, temperance, and justice were the virtues of the rulers who followed the Yezap religion of the central continent. Prudence, which commands one to act appropriately, and temperance, which demands self-restraint and not succumbing to desires. In this case, it meant not to be distracted by a mere woman and to dedicate oneself to the needs of the state.

But Alfonso could not help but argue with his mother.

“According to the philosopher Bonifacio of the Latin Empire, ‘the wife of a ruler is also a ruler.’”

From his tear-soaked, stormy gray eyes, a spark of passion leapt.

“The one who stands beside the ruler must possess wisdom and insight equal to the ruler’s, see the big picture, treat subordinates with tolerance and virtue, and support the ruler with courage and boldness.”

He clenched his fists.

“Ariadne is the most suitable person for that position. She has the potential to elevate the power of the Etruscan Kingdom to a new level.”

There were also things he could not bring himself to say. And, I, your son, want her.

The night before, upon hearing Count Cezare’s proposal, Alfonso felt a shock as if he had been hit on the head with a hammer.

Someday, Ariadne will be someone’s wife. She will stand by that man, prepare his meals, and bear his children. This was the future that would unfold if he did not extend his hand.

Alfonso continued without pausing.

“I have met the Grand Duchess Larissa of Valois. She may be an excellent person, but she is not the companion I seek.”

She was hasty, stubborn, and overly self-centered. She was not the kind of person who could govern Palazzo Carlo in peace and assist in the internal affairs of Etruria.

“The Queen of Etruria must be Ariadne.”

Only then can she stand by my side. Only then can I avoid seeing another man touch her hair, feel her skin, taste her lips, and share mornings with her.

With her son’s firm declaration, Queen Marguerite looked at him intently. Alfonso, feeling the tension in his mother’s unreadable expression, felt his mouth dry.

After a long silence, Queen Marguerite’s words were shocking.

“If Asaretto invades, we will fall within half a year without Gallic aid.”

Asaretto was a grand duchy on an island at the southern end of Etruria. Island nations are always behind the mainland in development, and Asaretto is not even half the size of Etruria, so the Etruscans did not consider Asaretto a rival.

The current situation of the Etruscan Kingdom is so serious that it could be threatened even by Asaretto.

“Etruria has no decent fleet. The peace of the sea is maintained by the Republic of Porto, at their own expense. If we are attacked by Asaretto, will the Republic of Porto come to our aid? It would be a miracle if they even clap for us.”

The queen looked sharply at her shocked son.

“Have you heard about the new galley fleet Asaretto is building? At this rate, the number of Asaretto’s galleys will double in five years. If Asaretto blockades just three of Etruria’s ports, we will be forced into a siege across the entire country.”

Queen Marguerite’s sharp predictions did not stop there.

“If Asaretto lands from the south, the army must stop them. That role was once solely performed by the Duke of Taranto. Now, he is dead, and his twelve-year-old daughter Bianca, without a mother, is left to defend Taranto alone.”

“What about the other southern nobles besides the Duke of Taranto?”

“The other nobles were personally disbanded by your suspicious father and brought to the capital.”

This referred to the policy of Leo III, who consistently reduced the power of the feudal lords and their right to maintain private armies. Under Leo III, the old nobles transformed from lords who directly governed their lands to court nobles serving in the capital, as subjects of the king.

“There are few feudal lords left who can mobilize military forces. Finding one loyal to the king is almost impossible. Is that all?”

Queen Marguerite did not spare even her homeland.

“The biggest problem is the Kingdom of Gallic. No one can deny it. Gallic has been pressuring us to return the Gaeta region for the past three years.”

Three years ago was when Queen Marguerite’s brother, Charles VII, passed away and her nephew, Philip IV, ascended the throne.

“That is the land you were granted.”

“I know Philip well. He believes that everything within the borders of Gallic at its peak is his. Philip will not hesitate to go to war to reclaim lost territory.”

A cold, clear assessment of her nephew, whom she had known since childhood.

“Fortunately, this time, Philip has sent a marriage envoy to the capital instead of a knightly force to the border.”

Queen Marguerite spoke in a steady voice.

“I am not the final decision-maker in this marriage negotiation. The decision lies with your father. But I think it will be very difficult for your father to reject this proposal.”

Her words were racing towards their conclusion.

“Asaretto gives us half a year, but if Gallic invades, San Carlo will fall within two months.”

The queen reminded her son.

“You have obligations, don’t you?”

A ruler’s primary duty, above prudence, temperance, courage, and justice, is to protect and feed their people. A ruler may sometimes neglect moral duties or be unfaithful. They may avoid challenges or be cruel. They may become a ‘cowardly ruler’ or a ‘cruel ruler.’ But the moment they fail to protect and feed their people, they are no longer a ruler.

“Luxury is for the strong.”

Queen Marguerite firmly held her son’s hand. Prince Alfonso bowed his head.

“I am sorry that my parents could not make a stronger country for you.”

Queen Marguerite’s final words were a decisive verdict. Prince Alfonso was silent. To fulfill his inherent duty, he had to give up his love. To fulfill his responsibility, he had to stop his heart here.

If he had to abandon his glory, honor, and everything he had to protect his love, Prince Alfonso would have chosen that path. But what he bore was a duty. A ruler must protect their people. Prince Alfonso, born as the eldest son of a ruler, had lived every moment of his life to become a ruler.

“Your Majesty.”

After a long pause, Prince Alfonso’s voice was hoarse.

“I understand your words, Your Majesty.”

He spoke very slowly, reluctantly, pronouncing each syllable.

“...Your son.”

Heavy vows fell one by one.

“As the future heir to the throne, I will fulfill my duty and not abandon my people.”

* * *

After the prince bowed his head and returned to his palace, Lady Carla entered the queen’s inner chamber, where the curtains were drawn. She handed a warm drink to the queen, who sat silently by the fireplace.

“Vinsao, I see.”

“Yes. The night is quite chilly, so I tried to make it taste like home.”

Queen Marguerite took a sip of the boiled wine and looked back at the dancing flames in the fireplace. Lady Carla comforted her.

“You must be in pain.”

“I feel sorry for my son. I feel so sorry.”

She held the warm cup with both hands, as if trying to ward off the rising cold.

“The thing I feel most sorry about is that I lectured my son on the people. I am not someone who has the right to talk about the people.”

Lady Carla, with a sympathetic expression, brought a wool shawl and draped it over Queen Marguerite’s shoulders.

“Everything you did was for the prince, wasn’t it?”

Queen Marguerite nodded.

“My husband is capricious and suspicious. Although Alfonso has only one choice, his path will not be easy or safe. My son needs the strength to protect himself. I have hidden it well in the Langbue orphanage. I hope it will be of help when the time comes.”

“A powerful father-in-law will be a great support to the prince.”

Queen Marguerite nodded. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she asked Lady Carla.

“Oh, by the way, did you hear about your family from the attendants who accompanied the Grand Duchess Larissa?”

Lady Carla bowed her head hastily.

“All thanks to Your Majesty. The warden of Fort Lesart delivered letters from my father and brothers to the attendants of the Grand Duchess.”

Lady Carla’s family, three years ago, was involved in a rebellion during the transition of power from her brother, Charles VII, to her nephew, Philip IV. They were stripped of their noble titles and imprisoned in the notorious Fort Lesart. This was because they had tried to install the king’s second son, Prince Louis, who was known for his virtue.

“I am sorry that I can only do this much for you.”

Queen Marguerite, too, had supported her second son, Louis, in the succession dispute, believing that Philip, with his capricious and cruel nature, would not be a good ruler. Although she, as a powerless queen in a foreign country, could not actively intervene, the victorious Philip IV never forgave his aunt. Queen Marguerite had no authority to ask for a pardon from her nephew.

“No, I am deeply grateful that you have not forgotten me.”

The fact that the Kingdom of Gallic had offered the daughter of the Duke of Valois to Alfonso for marriage was a gesture of reconciliation from Philip IV to his aunt. If Alfonso’s marriage went well, relations with her homeland might improve. Queen Marguerite handed a small pouch she had prepared to Lady Carla.

“It’s not a large sum, but I have saved a little. Send it with the attendants when the Grand Duchess returns.”

It was not a large sum, objectively. Just enough to bribe the warden of Fort Lesart and provide some food and fuel for the winter. It was not a sum that Lady Carla could not afford on her own. But Lady Carla, with tears in her eyes, took the pouch with trembling hands.

“What am I...”

She wiped her tears, repeating over and over.

“To think you would care so much for someone like me. I am humbled, Your Majesty. I am humbled.”

Queen Marguerite placed her hand on Lady Carla’s shoulder and patted it.

“You are not lowly. How could I have endured this lonely land without you?”

The queen smiled slightly.

“In a way, you are like my sister and family. Do not belittle yourself.”

When Queen Marguerite called her a sister, Lady Carla sobbed uncontrollably. The queen tried to comfort her, but Lady Carla’s choked sobs did not stop. The autumn night passed in this way.

* * *

The following week, the entire court of Leo III packed their bags and traveled to the southern palace in the Taranto territory. It was their annual winter trip.

The Grand Duchess Larissa, who should have returned to Gallic long ago, had stayed in San Carlo due to her deteriorating health. She now had the excuse of convalescing in a warmer place and would travel to the southern palace with Leo III’s court. This was something that did not happen in her previous life.

The invitation from Prince Alfonso to Ariadne, through Bianca of Taranto, to visit the southern palace together, never arrived.