Chapter 4

And the next day, Dilak Longstone, the son of the prime minister, suddenly burst in while I was enjoying afternoon tea.

I already knew that Allen, Nada, and Dilak were the fools who had condemned Laila.

"Princess Leticia, I heard that you made it impossible for Lila to have children? What have you done to such a saintly girl!"

Teti, who was serving me, looked shocked.

"Yes, I understand your surprise, Teti. In our country, it is considered impolite for someone of lower status to speak to someone of higher status. I experienced this for the first time since coming to this country. Who on earth is this person to come to the princess of Cremendel without even sending a messenger?"

I frowned as I spoke, and Teti nodded.

"Yes, exactly, Princess. This country is full of people without common sense. It's unthinkable for the castle guards to let an unknown man into the room where the princess is. I will report to Cremendel and have the guards who do their job properly called in."

The man who had burst in seemed to calm down a bit from our conversation, but his anger got the better of him, and he continued to shout.

"I came here in a fit of anger because of your heartless act. I am Dilak of the Longstone family, the prime minister of this country."

He made a perfunctory bow.

"Yes, I am Leticia Cremendel. Though I don't think there's a need for introductions."

"What have you done to Lila!"

"Oh my, I'm at a loss to answer that. When I came here to marry, it was stipulated that no concubines would be taken and that relations with anyone other than public courtesans were forbidden. And if it's a public courtesan, it's not uncommon in this country to take measures to prevent them from having children, to avoid future troubles. Allen decided to make her a public courtesan."

"Make her a public courtesan? There were other ways, surely."

"Of course, I told Allen and Lila about all the options, including breaking up and Allen giving up his right to the throne, and they decided together. I'm at a loss to answer that."

"But I heard that you arranged for her to be treated, Princess Leticia."

"Only foolish questions. Tell me, Lord Longstone, if one of your acquaintances was sentenced to death, would you blame the executioner? Or would you blame the person who gave the order or passed the sentence?"

I sighed, put the cup back on the table, and gave Teti a sideways glance. The clever girl understood and stepped back. She would surely call the prime minister. I have guards from my country, so there's no problem.

"Yes, that's right. Indeed, you stipulated that no one other than public courtesans would be allowed when you came here. However, the prince said he didn't intend to take measures to prevent her from having children, even if he made her a public courtesan. Because of your involvement, Lila has been hurt!"

I smiled on the surface while thoroughly mocking Dilak. This is what they mean by being speechless. Who in their right mind would complain about someone properly following an agreement they intended to break?

"Is that so? Then Allen didn't intend to take measures to prevent her from having children, even if he made her a public courtesan? Did the king know about this?"

"Of course. You are only a political marriage partner. You have no right to interfere with the prince's love for such a saintly girl! Thanks to you, they can't have children! It's a loss for this country! And if it affects their relationship, how do you intend to take responsibility?"

"Oh my, how unfortunate. But you say they can't have children because of me, but wasn't that a given once I decided to marry? And why should I care about their relationship?

Moreover, Lord Longstone, you're telling me that the country intended to break an agreement with another country. Are you seeking a position in my country by revealing such confidential information? Your information is very valuable, but we don't need someone who can't follow manners. I'm sorry.

In the future, I suggest you try to sell yourself after properly following manners?"

"Who would want a position in your country! Are you mocking me! I only did it for Lila! You're just like that Laila! You're the kind of wicked woman who always hurts Lila!"

"Oh my, is that so? But it was very valuable information. This country doesn't keep its promises with other countries, does it? I must inform my country. If such a simple condition of my marriage can be broken, they might easily break more important agreements, like trade, military alliances, or ceasefires.

If someone accidentally mentions this when other countries inquire about Cremendel breaking various agreements with this country, I'm sorry. I'll tell them to be careful, but there are always careless and foolish people around.

Hey, Prime Minister, Your Majesty, Her Highness."

Only then did Dilak realize his blunder and turn pale.

The prime minister and the royal couple, whom Teti had called, also stood there pale-faced.

"No, this is... different, Princess Leticia."

The foolish king, trying to cover up his mistake. Like father, like son, indeed.

"What's different, Your Majesty? I told him multiple times that there was no need to keep the promise, and he nodded repeatedly."

At my words, the prime minister prostrated himself before me, his voice trembling with tears.

"Please, please forgive us. If such a thing were to come out, this country would be in ruins. I will offer my life and my son's life. Please, can this be kept between us?"

"Well, if this leaks to other countries, this country will be finished. But why should I care?

It's all this country's own doing."

At my words, even the king prostrated himself at my feet, begging for forgiveness.

"Very well, I'll overlook this once. But I won't forgive you, Lord Longstone. You took advantage of my repeated leniency and dared to call Laila by her first name and call her a wicked woman.

Prime Minister, Your Majesty, didn't this country restore Laila's honor? Since the other day, I've only heard insults from the mouth of the one who should have been the next generation, right in front of me."

"No, her honor has been restored. We paid compensation to the duke's family and had it published in the newspaper."

The flustered prime minister spoke, and I smiled and replied.

"Is that so? Then what are these fools saying? It's all sighs.

Prime Minister, I won't allow you to die for the sake of the country. Now, decide the punishment for your foolish son who is in front of me."

The prime minister swallowed hard and spoke in a trembling voice.

"Disrespect to the royal family, betrayal of the state, and considering his actions towards Miss Elmund, the death penalty seems appropriate. As a father, I would like to give him a poisoned cup, but a public execution would be better."

"Yes, that's right. Prime Minister, it seems you are a capable politician. I'm relieved.

Very well, it should be a public execution, but in your honor, I will allow the poisoned cup. I will arrange a poison that will let him sleep without suffering. Of course, I will be present. Will you allow it?"

The prime minister bowed deeply, his face pale.

Then I went to the queen and whispered advice so that no one else could hear.

"Your Majesty, you must understand that the king is not trustworthy. Investigate the king's public courtesan. I'm sure you'll find something surprising."

The queen nodded repeatedly at my words.