episode_0040

Episode 40

A room of the knights.

Pilgret was writing something while sitting on a chair that looked too uncomfortable for a patient. I could see a clean bandage wrapped around his injured side.

Philgret saw me coming in and quickly tried to get up. I gestured with my hand to keep him sitting.

“8 to 2 was also an act of humility, wasn’t it?”

Pilgret said it was 8 to 2, but the result of the match was overwhelming. Those who argued for the equality of Philgret and Wilter, or the supremacy of Wilter, would have probably lost their minds.

“No, that’s not true. If Walter had fought back with all his might yesterday, I could have lost. I didn’t expect you to run away like that.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

I don’t have any sword skills, so I don’t know if his words are humble or sincere. Well, since guts is also a skill, it is clear that Pilgret will win by a landslide.

I sat across from Philgret.

“Anyway… it was a great performance. Thanks to you, I think one big problem will be solved.”

“That’s too much praise. I’m glad it helped.”

“Is there something you wish for? As a princess, I will do as much as I can.”

Philgret seemed a little worried. Considering his accomplishments, I was determined to give him whatever he wanted, whether it was gold, a famous sword, or a woman.

But those were not the words that came out of Pilgret’s mouth.

“If so, can you tell me? Who is Princess Sera hostile to?”

Philgret’s expression was even more serious.

“Why do you want to know that?”

“Isn’t it natural to want to know where the sword will be aimed?”

Even if I don’t tell you, Pilgret will already have an idea to some extent. The fact that the person I’m fighting against is Queen Carmel.

Still, the reason you ask me that may be because you want to get evidence of trust. Or maybe you just need some reassurance.

Pilgret’s performance in the Battle of the Sword was worthy of that level of trust. In fact, I could have told you much earlier.

But there is one subtle problem with that.

Carmel and I are not just enemies. No, Carmel may still think of me simply as an enemy to be defeated, but I want this relationship with Carmel to continue.

I was hesitating about how to convey that delicate point to Philgret. However, I can’t honestly say that I have a lust for my mother.

But I said it clearly with my own mouth just now. If it’s a request I can grant, I’ll grant it. It is not right to disobey a knight who risked his life to fight for me.

I made up my mind and spoke out.

“Yes. As you may have already guessed, the person I am waging a secret struggle with is none other than Carmel.”

There is no agitation. Pilgret nodded as if confirming that the answer was correct.

“I see. All right. Thank you for letting me know, princess.”

“Wait a minute. I’m not finished talking yet. It is clear that Carmel is my enemy, but I do not want her to be completely destroyed. Please keep that in mind.”

“Can I ask why?”

“Carmel is bait.”

“Bait?”

“Yes. You said it before too, right? The power of the nobility is too strong in this country. In fact, as soon as the catalyst called Carmel came in, the nobles began to move immediately. To satisfy their greed.”

Pilgret was listening intently to what I said. What he wants is a strong king who can show off his dignity in front of the nobles. If there was a reason he could understand, it would be something like this.

“I will use Carmel to root out the corrupt nobles of this country. Carmel is clearly my enemy, but her own ambition helps me hunt down my kind. Carmel has value. The value I absolutely need.”

“Hmm, definitely, definitely. To bring out nobles like foxes hiding in their burrows… I was amazed.”

Phew, it seems like it went well somehow.

Pilgret is giving me a respectful look, as if he was deeply moved by my words. It seems that it was an excuse that suited his ideology well.

Well, I didn’t lie. In the novel, I plan to purge the nobles who colluded with Carmel and persecuted Princess Sera at every opportunity.

It is also true that Carmel is of great value to me. Carmel’s appearance, personality, and sexy body are the very values I pursue in this world.

But sometimes this thought comes to mind.

Philgret Ostana. Will this loyal knight remain loyal to me even after he knows all I have in mind?

A perverse desire to make Carmel, my father’s wife and stepmother, my own with a woman’s body. Depending on one’s values, it may be seen as more immoral than Carmel’s tyranny.

‘Maybe that excellent swordsmanship I saw yesterday will be aimed at me…’

I stood up, hiding those bitter thoughts with a bright smile.

“Then I’ll leave. Take care of yourself, Philgret.”

“Yes, princess.”

I stopped him from getting up again and approached the door. At that time, Philgret’s voice was heard.

* * *

Even after leaving the Knights, I still had places to go. Before the shock of the sword festival wore off, there were still issues that had to be resolved.

The Grave family welcomed me calmly, as if they had been anticipating my visit.

In the drawing room where I was guided, I sat down with Allen Grave, who had a wrinkled face.

“This is my second time seeing you up close, Princess Sera.”

His expression is difficult to read. Perhaps it was a quite unusual event for Allen to show such strong emotions yesterday.

“I’m sure you can guess the reason for my visit, General Allen.”

According to what I found out today, Walter Graves did not show up at his headquarters today. Absenteeism is unauthorized.

Since they are already married and all, it can be said that Walter’s mentality is a complete mess.

A kid who was hailed as a prodigy but never learned the taste of defeat was humiliated on the stage that garnered the most attention. The higher you fly, the more painful you fall.

Allen closed his eyes tightly and said as if he was in pain.

“Yes. I know. You must have come to cancel the marriage talks and hold Walter accountable for his actions.”

In the royal family, the direct corps plays an equally important role as the bodyguard. Today, the vice-captain took over as acting captain on behalf of Walter and seems to have handled the work without a hitch, but that doesn’t mean he can overlook Walter’s actions.

“For reference, what is Walter’s condition?”

“I just sit in my room blankly, as if I’ve lost my mind. I tried yelling at him and throwing him out on the training ground, but to no avail…”

A shadow falls on Allen’s wrinkled face. At that moment, he seemed like a father rather than a general of a kingdom.

“It’s a shame. In fact, although my mother strongly pushed for it, I always had reservations about marriage talks. Now that this has happened, I would appreciate it if you could treat it as something that never happened.”

“Yes. I knew that it was an honor beyond measure. I will do as the princess wishes.”

It worked out just as I expected. Considering Walter’s condition and yesterday’s disgrace, it is only natural.

“Good. If so, the problem is the direct command… Walter’s current condition should be seen as difficult for him to fulfill his duties as commander, right?”

“I’m sorry, but that’s true.”

“I understand. In that case, I have no choice but to suggest to your father that Walter Grave be dismissed. In this case… can we consider that Grave owes a great debt to the royal family?”

Allen Grave did not dare to sigh. He took a deep breath and answered calmly and clearly, as if accepting the gravity of the grave mistake committed by his own flesh and blood.

“Yes. I will pay for Grave’s mistake with Grave’s life.”

It’s tragic. I spoke to Allen with a gentle smile.

“The Lustier royal family always relies on the loyalty of the Grave family. I do not believe that a small shake-up of this magnitude could break the bond between the royal family and the Graves. My father probably thinks so too.”

“Thank you very, very much for saying that, princess…”

Allen bowed his head deeply to me. I just think that they are going through a lot of hardships because they left a wrong child. It’s a bit ironic for me to think this, though.

I left the Grave Street mansion with Allen seeing me off.

Things at Grave Street went better than expected. If Allen Grave had been more stubborn, it probably would have taken longer.

Thanks to this, there was still quite a bit of time left to move.

Where I am now is east of Luli. Chang Gwan, who was in charge of Rika’s personal affairs, was not far from here.

The imprint of Hypnosis is not something that can be easily removed. However, it is necessary to periodically check the condition and engrave the imprint more deeply.

I ordered the driver to change the destination. The carriage changed direction and started running. Outside Lulie East Gate, toward the small window.