Chapter 10

The royal castle has several meeting rooms. Among them, there is a special meeting room that only a select few, those involved in the country's politics, know about. I was told that the meeting room we would be using this time was that very room.

"Here it is."

I was led to a small salon, an area within the royal castle that only the royal family could use. I entered and opened the door to what seemed to be the adjacent servants' waiting room.

"We have been waiting for you."

Inside were His Excellency the Prime Minister and two knights with swords. His Majesty the King nodded and proceeded to the door further inside. The Prime Minister, upon seeing me being led by His Majesty, smiled, but his eyes did not. Despite his usual grandfatherly demeanor, I could see a flame of anger in his eyes.

Beyond the inner door, there was a large rectangular table in the center of the room, capable of seating about twenty people. The roughly ten people gathered in this room were all familiar faces: His Majesty's uncle, the late king's brother, Kenneth; the former head of a marquis family, one of the wealthiest in the country; and two of the six ducal families, including my own, all prominent figures.

"I am relieved that you have responded to the emergency summons."

His Majesty raised his left hand, greeted them lightly, and took his seat. Each person sat with one seat between them, and I was instructed to sit between His Majesty and the Prime Minister.

"Why is the Duchess Leopoldi's daughter here?"

The one who spoke was His Majesty's uncle, Kenneth. He had renounced his right to the throne and devoted himself to importing various exotic items from foreign lands.

"Ah, my wish has been granted."

"Huh? What did you do?"

I remember that he and His Majesty were very close, being only eight years apart. They often talked at last night's dinner.

"Nicole, consider those gathered here as the 'Senate,' the king's advisors."

The Senate, whose existence I knew of, but whose members were completely confidential. These were the people before me. Some of them often clashed with His Majesty, but he was talking and laughing with them casually, so perhaps there was something different between the public and private spheres.

"Alright. I'll allow some light insults, but we don't have much time. Let's get to it."

Insults are allowed, it seems. Kenneth was laughing loudly on the other side of me.

"Wh-What...?"

"Finally, huh?"

The people who had heard the gist of what happened with the Crown Prince and his step-sister last night were filled with shock, understanding, and disappointment. And the same went for us. The conversation was more open than I expected, and my cheeks grew hot.

"Are you and your son monkeys?"

"I won't deny it. If what I want is right in front of me, I will take it."

Everyone laughed at Kenneth's sharp words and His Majesty's response.

"What about the wedding?"

"Well, about that—"

We will inform the kings, envoys, and citizens of other countries that the Crown Prince has fallen ill, and the wedding will be canceled. Since we can't immediately send the kings and envoys back, we will show them around famous places in the country, then invite them to Kenneth's mansion and hold a game of 'treasure hunt' for gifts as an apology and compensation. The funds will come from His Majesty's personal wealth, and we will reclaim it from my family later. This proposal seemed almost unbelievable.

I agree with reclaiming it from my family, but a 'treasure hunt game'?

And the wedding will proceed as planned, but in secret, for the Crown Prince and the three from my family. We will celebrate it grandly in front of the participants who know the full story, and at the end of the ceremony, they will be apprehended.

—Apprehended!?

The influential nobles within the country will be informed of the changes in advance, and they will be encouraged to witness this momentous change. Words can be powerful.

"Wait a minute!"

Kenneth stood up with a thud and slammed his hand on the table. That's understandable. The burden on Kenneth is too great.

"If we do that, I won't be able to attend the idiot's wedding!"

...

...I was wrong.

He was enjoying the moment.

His Majesty sighed, looking bothered by Kenneth's words.

"Just attend it. You can have Baldo or someone else—"

"I refuse."

The Prime Minister, who was suddenly called by name, immediately refused. Interrupting the king's words is generally considered disrespectful, but in the Senate, it is allowed.

The way His Majesty said "Eh?" when he was abruptly refused was a bit cute.