Chapter 3

■ Prime Minister Marutsu侯爵's Perspective

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One week after the infamous evening party, at the royal palace.

"Your Majesty, what do you think about this recent commotion!!!???"

In the silent room, the loud voice of Baron Schönhardt echoed.

Seated around the oval table were the powerful nobles of the country. To the left of the king sat the prime minister, with the nobles of his faction seated beside him. On the right side, the nobles with pale faces sat uncomfortably.

Across from them, the muscular lords of the northern border, Schönhardt, and the southern border, Sauerland, sat side by side, tense and rigid.

The two families often skipped such meetings, so it was rare for both to be present. Thus, the space had not been considered for their attendance.

"…Let's acknowledge the fact that the First Princess caused the disturbance."

The king, looking somewhat exhausted, spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Did she not call your beloved daughter a 'bear girl'!? But she seemed delighted! Hahaha."

"Regarding that… it was… well, just a child's playful words…"

The king glanced at his faction, but they all averted their eyes. Despite their absolute assurance of success, their attitude was telling.

The king, sweating coldly, tried to muddle through his words.

"However, the topic of today's meeting… Your Majesty…"

The prime minister's calm voice fell into the chilly air of the meeting room. He adjusted the frame of his silver-rimmed glasses and then directed a sharp gaze at the king.

"The First Princess said that I, the prime minister, led the investigation into the recent embezzlement at the Treasury. And that I had punished Gilbert and annulled the engagement, including all the other charges."

He had nearly been blamed for the crime, but his son Gilbert's swift actions had uncovered the evidence of the false accusation and pursued the real culprit. The empty seat at the round table was due to that person currently being interrogated.

"That is…"

"I heard you said it was by royal command. I was unaware of this. Furthermore, you ordered her to marry into the Schönhardt family, and she mocked Claudia severely."

"…"

The king fell silent under the prime minister's questioning. His restless blue eyes seemed to be calculating how to get out of this situation.

"That was something Adelheid said on her own."

After a moment of silence, the king said this. It was typical of him to make such off-the-cuff remarks and leave the cleanup to others.

The conservative nobles, usually sly, were unusually quiet, perhaps intimidated by the overwhelming presence of the two border lords.

"If that is true, our Sauerland cannot recognize Princess Adelheid's qualifications as the crown prince."

The words of the Lord of Sauerland, a man of the sea, filled the meeting room with a tense atmosphere. It was a mystery why his jacket shoulders were torn, revealing his bulging biceps.

"Our Schönhardt also cannot let this insult go unpunished!!!"

"Ah!"

When the large man with ten golden bear badges on his chest spoke, the central, weak nobles naturally shrank back. It was extraordinary that the Lord of Schönhardt, who lived a month's journey away, had arrived in the capital in just a week.

(For my son and the connection with Schönhardt. I apologize, Princess Adelheid, but it is a fortunate offer.)

As the prime minister thought this, the king slowly spoke.

"…This time, it was Adelheid's own decision. I knew nothing about it."

"Our Marutsu family will accept the annulment of the engagement. And we request that the engagement to the Schönhardt family be officially recognized."

Gilbert's swift actions were all for this. To prevent the king from brushing off the princess's words, he had worked hard to uncover the truth. He had completed his preparations and was ready to depart.

"Aye! I agree with the prime minister!"

"Me too."

When the lords of Schönhardt and Sauerland spoke in quick succession, the conservative nobles were like frogs caught by a snake.

"…I will recognize it."

"Then, what do you intend to do with the princess?"

"Disinherit her."

The king casually disowned his daughter. He seemed to have already made up his mind, answering calmly without changing his expression. He must have concluded that disowning the princess was more beneficial than risking his throne.

"Furthermore, I will order her to leave the capital and reside in the western palace. That merchant should be stripped of his knighthood and exiled from the capital."

"Understood."

The prime minister, acknowledging the king's words, looked around. The conservative nobles, who had expected the king to protect the princess, were wide-eyed. After all, she had been his beloved daughter.

They had assumed that even if she failed, the king would protect her, but that was not the case.

(Apart from Princess Adelheid, there is only one legitimate princess: the Second Princess, whom the king has never paid attention to.)

After the infamous evening party, the prime minister had rushed troops to the western palace, but the Second Princess was not there. Instead, they captured suspicious knights wandering around the palace.

Upon interrogation, the knights revealed that they had been ordered by conservative nobles to kidnap the Second Princess. They intended to use her as insurance in case something happened to the First Princess, and to arrange a marriage with a suitable son from their faction to make her the queen.

"Changing the subject…"

The Lord of Sauerland, wearing a necklace with shark teeth, spoke. Sharks appeared in the southern sea, and defeating them was a true test of a "man of the sea."

"Actually, recently, one of my subjects discovered the Second Princess, Bianca, being attacked by unknown assailants. She is currently under my protection."

The conservative nobles exchanged glances at the Lord of Sauerland's words.

"What?!"

One of them, the Earl of Usain, spoke in a suspicious tone. He was also the name mentioned by the captured knights as the mastermind.

"It seems rough knights appeared at the western palace. Truly, what is the security like… For the safety of the princess, I would like her to recuperate at my residence for a while."

"Is that not presumptuous!?"

"Our Sauerland will take on the role of guardian for Princess Bianca. It is only right to protect her. We cannot leave her in a place with no proper staff."

(I see. Lord Sauerland has taken Princess Bianca under his protection.)

The round table buzzed with activity.

It seemed there would be more than one or two more upheavals to come.

"Before we conclude…"

The prime minister raised his hand and spoke again.

"Now that my son's engagement is settled, I would like to resign as prime minister. I will return the duties I have been handling to Your Majesty."

"Wait, hold on!"

"Didn't you say I was unnecessary? As you wish."

When the prime minister announced this, the king, who had always detested him, clung to him.

If his son was not to become the prince consort, there was no need to endure any longer.

"Then, Lord and Lady Marutsu, why don't you and your son-in-law come to Schönhardt!? I want to learn from you!!"

"Ah, that sounds good."

"I'll treat you to the best salmon from our territory!! Hahaha!!"

The prime minister's face naturally relaxed at the Lord of Schönhardt's invitation.

Thank you for reading.

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★ Regarding the use of "Crown Prince" and "Disinherited Prince" for females

I researched this before publishing, and while "Crown Princess" is sometimes used, I prefer to use "Crown Prince" regardless of gender. Thank you for your understanding.