episode_0041

Following the man, I headed towards the room where Angju, 14 years old, was.

I’m not sure where Laurent went, but since His Majesty the King called, I decided to go.

“Marie de Loange, the lady-in-waiting, is here.”

“Yes, come in quickly.”

Beyond the door, I heard the voice of Angju, 14 years old.

“You’re the new adopted daughter of Minister Armand, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

I gently lifted the hem of my dress and bowed to Angju, 14 years old.

“Don’t be too formal. It’s suffocating.”

“Understood.”

“Please have a seat for now.”

I went to the sofa pointed out by Angju, 14 years old, and sat down gently.

“I know you’re aware, but this is not my queen’s chamber.”

“Nice to meet you, Your Majesty.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

I stood up again and bowed to Queen Anne.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

At Anne’s words, I sat back down on the sofa.

“Hmm…”

Angju, 14 years old, started to scrutinize me.

“…?”

I quietly sat and looked back at Angju, 14 years old, who was observing me.

“What do you think, Anne?”

“Why are you asking me that? You’re going to do whatever His Majesty wants anyway, aren’t you?”

“You’re still upset about that issue…”

Angju, 14 years old, scratched his head while looking at Anne, who turned her head in annoyance.

“What… what is going on…?”

I cautiously asked Angju, 14 years old, about the current situation.

“Well… I wanted to ask you directly because Minister Armand refused, and your thoughts might differ from Lady Armand’s…”

“Then, what do you think, Your Majesty?”

“…”

Anne glanced at me with a displeased expression before shaking her head.

“Even if I say something, it will be done according to His Majesty’s will. I’m just trying to save my words.”

“Anne…”

Angju, 14 years old, called out Anne’s name with a sigh.

“I’m just a foreigner from Ousterburg, right? Elangians should get along well with each other.”

Angju, 14 years old, looked flustered as he gazed at his visibly upset queen.

“Listen here, Anne. Entering the government doesn’t mean taking away the love I have for you, but rather redirecting the aggressive gaze of the Elangians towards the government…”

“If you say such things here, do you think Marie will govern?”

“Ah…!”

Angju, 14 years old, seemed to realize his mistake and slowly turned his head to look at me.

I smiled at him.

“Well, that’s true…”

I chuckled inwardly.

“Marie, listen. Entering my government doesn’t mean being called a government, but rather a queen, right?”

“On the contrary, isn’t being called a government a derogatory term?”

“Ugh…!”

Angju, 14 years old, couldn’t continue his words at my response.

“Think about it again. You can have all the money, jewels, fine swords, and guns you like.”

“I’m not attached to material things.”

Although completely unfounded, it seemed like pretending to be so was the way to handle the current situation.

“I am content with the possessions I currently have.”

“No…”

“The people who are eager to become Your Majesty’s government are already plentiful in the banquet hall, aren’t they? I simply wish to follow the words of the Yangbu.”

“I believe that strengthening my relationship with Armand Chugyeong will also solidify the bond within the royal faction.”

The young prince seemed to be pondering the topic quite seriously.

Even if you do not wish to become my government, consider it for the sake of the royal faction and your Yangbu.

“I think it would be more appropriate to persuade the leader of the noble faction, Rajurang Baekjang Yeongae, rather than me.”

“I have previously broached the subject with her as well, but she declined, stating that she does not wish for her honor to be tarnished by scandal.”

Indeed, Rajurang Baekjang Yeongae seemed to be quite sharp-witted.

“While I appreciate Your Majesty’s offer, I also value my honor and do not wish to be embroiled in scandal.”

“Ugh…”

“Above all, my Yangbu is not of the Chugyeong status. If I were to be implicated in a scandal and tarnish his name, where else would such a disgraceful incident occur but with the Chugyeong?”

“I understand.”

Upon my words, the 14-year-old prince let out a long sigh.

His expression seemed to relax upon my refusal to become his government.

“Your Majesty, even Queen Roang Yeongae has declined, so continuing to persuade her would not be proper etiquette.”

As Annu and I were left alone, her gaze softened considerably upon realizing that I had no intention of becoming the government.

The atmosphere in the room seemed to ease somewhat.

“I understand, I will look for another candidate.”

However, with the 14-year-old prince’s tactless remark, Annu’s expression turned cold again, and the atmosphere grew tense once more.

“Your Majesty…?”

“Why is it, Queen?”

“I would like to have a conversation with Roang Yeongae…”

“Understood, I will vacate my seat.”

The 14-year-old prince rose from his seat and left the room with his attendants.

Alone with Annu, she softened her previously cold expression.

“Ah… I apologize, my nerves have been on edge lately…”

“It’s alright.”

Annu sighed, touching her forehead.

“What is it that displeases you so much that you would consider making me your government?”

I observed Annu closely.

Her orange hair shimmered, her green eyes sparkled, and though her figure was not as imposing as mine, it was still quite impressive.

“Don’t nobles usually have governments? So even Queen Annu the 14th…”

“Nonsense!”

Annu snapped at my words.

“I apologize.”

“Hmph!”

Annu cleared her throat, perhaps realizing she had raised her voice.

“To marry into the Ousterburg family and still seek another woman is an act of betrayal.”

“Pardon?”

“Leaving aside Ousterburg’s direct lineage, Queen Annu von Ousterburg, and seeking another government is unacceptable.”

“Do they not have governments in Ousterburg?”

“No, even in Ousterburg, they have governments.”

“Then what is it that bothers you so much?”

“As I just said, the very thought of me marrying Queen Annu von Ousterburg and seeking another government angers me.”

Annu seemed to be a person with a strong sense of self-worth, or perhaps the Ousterburg family had a rule of not having concubines besides the main wife.

“Then why don’t you speak to her directly?”

“If a foreigner like me from Ousterburg opposes Queen Annu the 14th’s actions, how will others view me?”

Having married shortly after the end of the 30-year war, she knew that if she made even a slightly questionable move, others would not look kindly upon her.

“So, what do you think of Queen Annu the 14th?”

“What… I don’t think a strategic marriage is that bad…”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, but as they keep pushing the government issue, my disappointment keeps growing.”

“In that case, how about expressing your honest feelings?”

“No.”

He shook his head at my suggestion.

“Revealing your inner thoughts recklessly is something to be extremely cautious about.”

“Really…?”

“It seems like Roang Yeong-ae hasn’t experienced much social life.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Having cut ties with the family and gone out to the battlefield, what kind of social life could she have had?

“Remember, there’s nothing more dangerous than showing your true self to others.”

‘This little guy…’

A boy seven years younger than me was speaking as if he knew the truth of the world.

“Thank you.”

Even though it was surprising to hear Annu, who seemed like he had just become an adult, say he had something to tell me, I still thanked him to the end, as I had to maintain manners.

“That’s why revealing my true self in Elangs, where I have no one to rely on, is not a good choice.”

“Then why are you telling me this?”

“Well, you see…”

Annu took a long breath in response to my question.

“That’s right… I was originally going to refuse His Majesty’s advice and just say thank you, but unnecessary complications have arisen.”

“Is that so…”

“So, what I’m saying is…”

“I will take the words of the Queen to my grave.”

“Thank you.”

Annu stood up from his seat, bowed to me, and expressed his gratitude.

“Oh…! It’s not something to receive thanks for.”

“I enjoyed our conversation. I will call for you again next time.”

“Understood. I will gladly come if you call for me.”

“I should probably head to the banquet hall now. See you there.”

And so, we left the room and headed towards the banquet hall together.