Chapter 322: Warning
Elizalina’s Side
Several hours later.
Elizalina stood at the entrance to the hall where the inter-royal exchange gathering was being held.
Hiding in the shadows beside it.
Before long, perhaps the gathering had come to an end.
Royals and nobles from other countries began to exit the hall.
Since Rezamiliana, the central figure of this inter-royal exchange gathering, had left early,
Normally the foreign royals and nobles who participated would have found it natural to harbor dissatisfaction toward the gathering or toward Rezamiliana.
However.
“But the dignity Rezamiliana-dono carried was truly remarkable.”
“Indeed, to possess that dignity at such a young age is unbelievable… honestly, it sent chills down my spine.”
“It is well known that the three princesses of this country are exceptionally capable, but to think that was Rezamiliana-dono, the eldest… how frightening for the future.”
“I had hoped, if possible, for an engagement, but she is far beyond our reach…”
There was no particular hostility from the foreign royals and nobles leaving the hall.
If anything, the mood was favorable, as if to show the gathering had been a proper success.
“…”
Elizalina continued watching from the shadows as they left while chatting among themselves.
After confirming that everyone had exited except for one person,
She stepped into the hall, her footsteps echoing.
“Who…”
The one person remaining alone in the hall.
When the king turned toward the sound and tried to ask who was there, Elizalina cut him off.
“Father! Good work at the inter-royal exchange gathering!”
“…! …Elizalina.”
The king turned and saw her face.
His expression of surprise gradually darkened.
Hearing only her words, it might have sounded as though a daughter who adored her father had come to praise him.
But of course, Elizalina had not come to offer praise.
“Even after Rezamiliana-oneesama left, it seems things wrapped up more neatly than expected! As expected of Father’s skill as king of this country! It must have been a shock when Rezamiliana-oneesama suddenly disappeared, but if you managed to settle everything cleanly with your own ability, then the host’s honor was preserved, right?”
“…”
Facing the silent king, Elizalina continued, adding lightly that she was just joking.
“From what I saw, everyone was actually captivated by the royal dignity they felt from Rezamiliana-oneesama, so dissatisfaction barely even arose in the first place, which made it easy to wrap things up.”
In other words, it was not due to the king’s own skill.
“!!”
Perhaps she had struck a nerve.
The king let out a strained sound.
Elizalina went on.
“Rezamiliana-oneesama, or maybe Felisiana, might be able to do that too, but I cannot pull off that kind of truly royal presence, so I am honestly jealous! Father, after seeing Rezamiliana-oneesama today, didn’t you think so too?”
“Silence!!”
With that heavy shout, the king displayed his anger toward Elizalina.
“Because of that girl, I was humiliated, and even the recovery of the situation was largely due to her influence. Do you know how humiliating that was… I would punish her immediately if I could… but first, you!! Elizalina!!”
“Oh? And what do you plan to do?”
“It is obvious! I will make you give up on your engagement with the one you currently favor!”
“I see… Well, you can do whatever you want.”
Just one thing, she added.
Elizalina spoke with a serious expression.
“If you are going to make a move, you should target me… otherwise… it will no longer remain a game.”
Leaving those words behind as a warning, Elizalina turned her back on the king and quietly walked out of the hall.
And the king, left alone in the hall.
“Hmph, what nonsense… did she think words like that would shake me and change what I will do?”
He muttered with a twisted smile.
Then he spoke toward Elizalina’s back, now out of sight.
“What I will do will not change… I will begin with the man you favor, and depending on the situation, I will spill his blood.”
It would still take some time, but the preparations were steadily advancing.
Thinking that, the king curled his lip and said,
“The day you regret defying your great father and weep is not far off… Elizalina…”