Chapter 397: Disgrace
King’s Side
If, as of yesterday, most of the ducal houses within the country had sided with the princesses,
Then he should seek cooperation from other nations with which they currently had good relations, the king thought, and that very day he sent a letter requesting a visit for an important matter.
The next day, today, he promptly set out by carriage for the Katiswear Empire.
The Katiswear Empire was the economic center of the surrounding region, a nation with which they had formed a cooperative relationship when Rezamiliana and Felisiana had previously visited.
“If I can bring the Katiswear Empire, the center of economic power, onto my side, then there’s a high chance that many other nations conducting trade there will also cooperate with me.”
And if he could gather funds from the ducal houses of other nations,
Then even if the princesses had secured most of the ducal houses within this country, they wouldn’t be able to surpass him in financial power, at the very least.
“Elizalina, because you possess a brilliant mind, you’ve grown arrogant, believing your predictions are everything. As a result, you’ll be caught off guard from an unexpected direction.”
With a smirk, the king muttered that as he entered the Katiswear Empire,
And headed straight for the royal castle.
Upon arriving, he stepped out of the carriage and spoke to the gate guard.
“Forgive the abruptness, but I sent a letter yesterday requesting a visit. How has the King of Katiswear received that?”
Given the timing of when the letter had been sent, no reply had yet been received.
Therefore, he asked for the other party’s stance here instead, and the guard responded.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I was instructed to first hear you out, so I will now escort you to a guest room reserved for royalty.”
“I see, then lead the way.”
He was guided through the royal castle of the Katiswear Empire by the guard,
And when he was brought before the guest room for royalty, the king entered.
Inside, seated on a sofa, was an elderly man with white hair.
It was the King of Katiswear, his expression bearing a calmness that only someone of advanced age could possess.
“King of Katiswear, I thank you for accepting this sudden request.”
Saying that, the king sat on the sofa facing him.
As a ruler, he rarely had the opportunity to use polite language,
But when the other party was a king of another nation holding the same position, he had no choice but to do so.
“Well now, when the king of an allied nation personally comes with an important matter, I cannot very well refuse. Now then, what is this important matter mentioned in your letter?”
“Regrettably, our nation is currently facing a serious issue… in truth, I am in conflict with my three daughters, the princesses. I view it generously as a mistake born of youth, but for the sake of maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship with the Katiswear Empire going forward, I ask that you lend me your strength.”
“I see, so it is that matter after all.”
“…After all?”
The king found those words concerning,
But the next words from the King of Katiswear blew away even that small doubt.
“I’m afraid I must decline that request.”
“Wha…!?”
Decline.
The king had never imagined such a word would arise in this conversation, and he was utterly shocked.
“The reason I decided to form an alliance with your country was because of the First Princess Rezamiliana-sama and the Third Princess Felisiana-sama. Furthermore, it seems you intend to build a nation lacking in love… I cannot lend my hand to such a thing. If that is all, then please take your leave.”
“D-don’t be ridiculous!!”
The king shouted as he stood up from the sofa.
“Love? To bring up something so trivial in a discussion about an alliance…”
Just as he was about to continue,
“Did you not hear him tell you to leave?”
“…!?”
From behind him came a strong, familiar voice.
The king instinctively turned around, and there…
“I can no longer overlook you continuing to disgrace yourself as a representative of our nation.”
Stood the First Princess, Rezamiliana.