Chapter 42: The King’s Arrangement
《Edward’s Side》
The sound of footsteps advancing down the Royal Castle’s corridor echoed unusually loudly. My own feet felt incredibly heavy.
I was walking with Raul and Gard to report to Father.
To inform him of my defeat in the Duel and to announce my Disinheritance.
I keenly felt my own wretchedness. Having been disgracefully defeated in front of the populace, I had no intention of hiding the outcome.
Standing before the door, I took a deep breath and knocked.
“Enter.”
At the low, resonant voice of my father, the King, I straightened my back and entered.
It was a spacious Office.
The King, seated behind a long desk, showed no particular change in expression even as I approached. Prime Minister Alberto and Marshal Reinhardt were also present, assisting with official duties.
“Your Majesty, there is something I must report to you.”
The King nodded silently.
“I shall listen. Speak.”
I bowed my head and, choosing my words carefully, explained the circumstances of the Duel: how I had involved Claris and the others in an attempt to pass Judgment on Serios, how I had accepted the Duel, and how I had been defeated.
“…As a result of this, I have lost the Duel against Margrave Serios. In accordance with his demand, I am prepared to accept Disinheritance.”
Having finished speaking, Edward lowered his gaze to the floor. The King’s long silence added further pressure.
♢
《Glen von Leclair’s Side》
While glaring at my foolish son, I wasn’t surprised by Edward’s defeat itself. However, I felt a sliver of relief that my son acknowledged his own mistakes and was prepared for Disinheritance.
However, now that Serios has been disinherited, if Edward were also to be disinherited, my bloodline would end. More than anything, the Queen would not permit it.
“Edward.”
I called his name quietly. When he looked up, his eyes were filled with frustration and resolve.
“I understand that you lost the Duel. I have no intention of overturning that. However, I also have no intention of disinheriting you.”
“Wha—! This was a formal Duel. Other nobles were watching as well.”
Edward’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Your actions were rash. I don’t intend to deny that. However, this country is in turmoil. Those who carry the blood of the Royal Family cannot be allowed to create internal strife and division. Above all, this was mere child’s play between students. It can be managed.”
I stood up and, with a stern demeanor, continued to speak.
“But—!”
“It is true that you are still immature. I believe that immaturity should be nurtured, not condemned with Judgment.”
“…Father…”
Tears welled up in Edward’s eyes as he lowered his head.
“More than anything, Edward. Originally, as your Fiancée, Lady Claris should have been in a position to protect you. Yet, what was she doing?”
“…That is…”
“Bring Lady Claris here.”
I ordered a soldier to send for Lady Claris to come to the castle.
“She should not have proven your actions foolish by winning over the crowd.”
Edward was at a loss for words, merely looking up at his father.
After a while, Lady Claris appeared, having been summoned by the King. She was prepared for the responsibility for the aftermath of the Duel to fall upon her.
“Enter.”
“At your summons, I, Claris von Everett, have arrived.”
“Mm. Lady Claris, regarding this incident, it’s possible that Edward’s misjudgment was triggered by your testimony. In noble society, for a Fiancée to publicly denounce the man who will be her husband is unprecedented.”
“That is—!”
The moment Lady Claris tried to protest, I raised my hand to silence her.
“I understand. I know your actions stemmed from a sense of justice. However, justice alone cannot run a country.”
I offered Claris a smile.
“I am aware that Edward is at fault in this matter. However, for the future of this country, Edward must retain his right to the throne. Of course, if a son were to be born from now on, I would consider Disinheritance. But right now, I cannot.”
“Then, Lord Serios—!”
“Impossible. I will not reinstate one who has been disinherited once. Due to his blunder, I have lost a child, after all.”
“That has nothing to do with Lord Serios—!”
“Silence!”
What does a mere slip of a girl like her know? She is dangerous.
“I want you to withdraw from being Edward’s Fiancée. I believe a formal judgment will be passed down later, but you will likely be disinherited from the Everett House.”
“Me?!”
“Mm. Choose whether to enter a convent or become a commoner. The judgment has been conveyed.”
Lady Claris departed, looking as though she were grinding her back teeth.
“Now then, Chancellor Alberto. Regarding your son, I shall leave the matter to you.”
“Are you sure, Your Majesty?”
“There is no reason for me to protect my own child and not protect yours.”
“In that case, please allow my House, like Lord Edward, to have the matter put on hold. He is a foolish son, but he is my only heir. Please allow us to postpone it until another child is born.”
“Then, so be it.”
I thus made the decision to also put Raul’s Disinheritance on hold.
“The Chancellor is crucial to the kingdom’s administration. It is natural to question his responsibility for his son’s misconduct, but if Raul were disinherited, the impact would be immeasurable. Raul will be given time to reflect. That is my conclusion.”
“Your gracious words!”
I turned my gaze to Marshal Reinhardt, who stood beside Chancellor Alberto.
“What will you do about your son?”
However, Marshal Reinhardt showed no mercy towards Gard.
“For the son of the Marshal of the Army to lose a Duel is fatal for the military. The army is the pillar of the country; if a soldier condones defeat, the country itself will waver. Above all, I have three sons. Gard was an incompetent son. However, with his martial skills, he should be able to make a living somewhere.”
“Are you sure?”
“I do not mind. Someone must take responsibility. More than anything, my House Reinhardt cannot accept a coward who interfered in a Duel. Gard will be disinherited. That is for his own sake, and for the sake of the country.”
“I am sorry.”
I bowed my head to Marshal Reinhardt.
With all judgments delivered, the Duel was settled.
Edward would walk the path of re-education. Claris, for being removed as Fiancée and for demeaning the prince, would be formally ordered disinherited by the Duke.
Furthermore, it was declared that Gard had interfered with the Duel, and therefore, Edward had not been defeated.
Therefore, the responsibility for the “defeat” would be borne by Gald Reinhardt through his Disinheritance.
He would walk a new life as a commoner.
The Leclair Royal Family, House Alberto, and House Reinhardt, as an apology for the trouble caused, would send reparations for their incompetent sons to Margrave Aegrid, settling the matter.
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Afterword
Hello, this is the author, Iko!!!
Reached 100,000 characters!
I’ve met the submission requirements.
So, I’ll take a short break here, and for the next chapter, I’ll post character introductions!
I’ll say this in advance: I’m writing this story on impulse, so there’s absolutely no plot outline lol.
Therefore, I’ll just leave you with a hook.
Chapter 2, Preview!
《I Received a Reward Payment, So I Tried Buying a Villainess with the Power of Gold.》
Please look forward to it.
If possible, I want to increase the sweet, fluffy developments lol.