Super-dreadnought Villainess – Chapter 20

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Chapter 20 – The King, and Then…

This one was a bit long and a very difficult labor of love…

　

The door opened, and the King received the entering Dukes with an air of nonchalance.

There was no way he hadn’t noticed the anger.

And, for some reason, the Crown Prince and even the candidate for Crown Princess were there. Just that alone made me and Alicia furious.

I didn’t hide my anger, transforming it into murderous intent.

I glared mercilessly at Manna, directing murderous intent at her. Manna seemed to be desperately trying to use the power of the Saint to neutralize it.

“Utterly pointless,” I scoffed inwardly, before slowly turning my gaze to the King.

　

“Why are the Four Dukes so enraged?”

“… You can harbor a guess, right?”

　

Falitus took a step forward, his voice quiet yet heavy with anger.

　

“Oh dear, what could that be about?”

　

The King laughed with feigned innocence. No, he scoffed.

The Crown Prince was standing here with an expression of calm, almost triumphant satisfaction. He must have received some kind of advice from the King.

The four people here are neither kind nor gentle enough to forgive him.

　

“Lunaria! You should listen to what I have to say first!”

　

Ignoring Dale, who spoke with brimming confidence, not even acknowledging him, I faced only the King.

　

“H, hey!”

“… My one and only King.”

　

I addressed the King in a quiet, stiff, cold voice.

Startled by my demeanor, completely different from usual, the King straightened his posture before raising his hand to silence Dale.

　

“First of all, please celebrate the birth of the new Duke. After that… I wish for you to properly fulfill the contract with my late mother.”

　

A contract with my late mother.

Those words spoken at that place, words that had filled the King and Queen with regret, words that seemed almost prophetic from Lunaria’s mother. Words that the Crown Prince himself had brought about.

I could see the King’s hands gripping the armrest of his throne tightly, but that didn’t matter to me. I smiled secretly, knowing how frustrating it must be for him.

Then I gently pushed my childhood friend, the precious new Duke, on the back.

　

“Lord Mithos.”

　

Nodding, Mithos took a step forward and bowed as a vassal.

　

“I hereby declare to my King that I have inherited the rose, the symbol of proof, from my father. Here, with this sword, I swear that the House of Astoria will serve our King with sincerity and devotion. However— “

“…?”

“Please understand that our house serves only our King.”

　

Gatan! The King abruptly stood.

Mithos made a clear declaration.

He would not support the current Crown Prince. Meaning, the Crown Prince had lost one of his backers.

　

“You!”

“Oh my, Your Majesty, are you displeased?”

　

Next, Falitus stepped forward, his usual cheerful expression having suddenly appeared on his face.

　

“As a ruler, I too will respect and revere our King, and shall serve him to the best of my ability. However, please understand that the consensus of Curtus is the same as Astoria’s.”

“Mitzegard feels the same, my beloved King.”

　

Both declared cheerfully.

The Crown Prince rapidly lost his backers.

　

“Solfege shares that sentiment as well.”

　

Now, the Crown Prince, his face turning ashen, opened and closed his mouth as if trying to speak.

Judging by his expression, he likely never imagined things could turn out this way.

Given his usual overconfidence, perhaps the King had schemed to arrange a renewed engagement with me, feeding him various ideas and even preparing the words to weave.

　

“We four houses pledged loyalty to the current King, but we owe no allegiance to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”

　

The King stared blankly at me as I coldly declared this.

　

“My King, perhaps you wanted to show the people something by reeducating His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince… but it has backfired. We are receiving complaints from every conceivable quarter: ‘Do you still consider His Highness, who acts so recklessly, to be the Crown Prince?’ ‘How do you view the responsibilities of royalty? Does the Duke’s household intend to support him as King?’.”

“If you prioritize your role as a parent, then we too must change our stance.”

“It’s unthinkable that His Royal Highness would send a letter to Sister, who isn’t even his fiancée. The King stopped him, right? It was sent due to the Crown Prince’s own reckless actions, right?”

“That incident with the careless engagement annulment, where he forced upon Solfege a series of utterly selfish, one-sided false accusations… Isn’t that alone reason enough for His Royal Highness to no longer be Crown Prince?”

　

The four pairs of eyes stared coldly at Dale as we delivered the barrage in one breath.

Although he was raised as a Crown Prince, his sheltered upbringing in a greenhouse differed vastly from theirs—those who governed territories and constantly felt their subjects’ happiness on the front lines.

He had indeed felt his own re-education was only natural.

After all, he is the Queen’s firstborn.

　

“There are other princes, after all…”

　

As if reading his thoughts, Falitus muttered, his smile deepening.

　

“Do you all not understand a parent’s desire to see their beloved Queen’s child become King?”

“We do not.”

　

Alicia firmly rejected it.

　

“You demand so much of us nobles—to leave capable bloodlines, to achieve results—yet you seek to make your own child king simply because he is yours… this one is utterly disillusioned.”

　

Though she had used ‘I’ in public settings, Alicia now corrected herself to ‘this one’.

　

“The Four Houses swore to devote everything to the happiness of this nation and its people, and to its further prosperity… but consider that pledge ended with this generation.”

　

Falitus continued calmly, coldly.

　

“If the King has abandoned the principles and obligations of leading by example, we can only conclude there is no longer any value in serving from the next generation onward.”

　

Without the power of the Four Houses, without them in this country, the nation would easily fall.

The Sorcerers of Solfege.

The Knights of Astoria.

The Diplomats of Mitzegard.

The Administrators of Curtus.

If they were to carelessly utter something like “We are seeking asylum”, it is obvious that neighboring nations would use every means possible to welcome them with the highest honors.

Therefore, they could not be abandoned.

He happened to have a son of marriageable age, so he earnestly begged and pleaded for the engagement and finally got it arranged.

He desperately strove to be a “Good King” and had to demonstrate the strength and leadership necessary to earn the Four Houses’ service.

But just once, only that once.

　

“Was taking my son… such a deeply sinful act…!”

“You are the one and only King. If you wished to cherish His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, that alone would have sufficed. But with other princes available… why insist on His Royal Highness Dale specifically? Why have you been so obstinate in keeping His Highness as the ‘Crown Prince’?”

　

His Majesty the King has three consorts.

Yet the King loves his Queen with an unparalleled, single-minded devotion.

Out of royal duty, reluctantly, he took consorts and shared their beds. As a result, several princes and princesses were born.

Naturally, they all received a royal education regardless of gender. The princes are thoroughly taught the royal studies necessary to become the King’s successors. However, they did not receive the education of a Crown Prince. The groundwork is solidly laid, though.

Furthermore, being the children of consorts doesn’t mean they lack ability. On the contrary, their innate talent is more than sufficient.

But above all else, the King loved his Queen. With all his heart, as a woman, as the Mother of the Nation, as the one and only irreplaceable being.

　

“Th, that is—?”

“The replacement of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. That alone was sufficient.”

　

I spoke quietly, finally sheathing my murderous intent.

Dale supported Manna, who continued to pant heavily, her shoulders heaving. There was no way her Sacred Power could neutralize my murderous intent, so I sneered inwardly at her, “Thank you for your hard work,” and continued.

　

“It was my own act of mercy, you see, not proposing the Crown Prince’s replacement at that moment.”

　

Yes, at that moment, I only mentioned that Dale and Manna would be married.

The King, finally realizing this, clenched his teeth.

　

“Are you saying that my Queen’s judgment was also mistaken…!”

　

No matter how fiercely he glared, no matter how much killing intent he radiated, we Dukes remained unfazed.

We stood firm, our resolve unshaken.

As a mother, it may have been the right decision. But as a Queen Mother who should have the kingdom’s best interests at heart, it was a mistake. Anyone who witnessed that condemnation would agree.

　

“The fact that Your Majesty mentally disregards his consorts is common knowledge among the kingdom’s nobility. Precisely because of that, did you not understand that you must make His Highness Dale a more perfect Crown Prince?”

　

Falitus’ words startled him.

　

“A King must never make mistakes.”

　

He clenched his molars.

A crunching sound reverberated inside the mouth.

　

“When a proposal comes from the Royal Family, we cannot possibly refuse. Knowing this, how do you perceive the responsibility of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for staging that engagement-cancellation spectacle?”

“That’s —.”

“Father did nothing wrong! How dare you deny a father’s love for his child!”

“Denial? After you unilaterally broke off the engagement the Royal Family desired, kept a woman unfit to be Queen by your side, and then piled carelessly fabricated charges upon me? How could we possibly support you? Did it not occur to you that I had no choice but to use my ‘status’?”

　

Dale fell silent once again at the cold words.

　

“And Lady Manna. You know you’re now wildly popular in society as that utterly shameless young lady who stole my fiancé away from me, a duchess’s daughter, don’t you?”

“That… Ugh.”

“Do you truly believe such a person could ever become a Queen beloved by the people?”

　

The piercing truth left the two of them feeling even more depressed than they had been that day.

Perhaps the words pierced him all the more because they came from Lunaria, the one directly involved.

　

“My mother made agreements with the Royal Family, as if anticipating this very outcome.”

　

Turning to the King, I continued with a smile.

　

“My wishes are thus: ‘To serve only the current King, never to marry into the Royal Family no matter what happens, and to be permitted to take an heir to ensure the survival of the Solfege Duchy’. And also, ‘the marriage of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Saint‘.”

“D, don’t be ridiculous!”

“Then, having been betrayed by the Royal Family that broke its promise, I shall leave this kingdom.”

“Huh?”

“If my wishes cannot be granted, I will abandon this kingdom. My duchy need not remain within these borders.”

“Wait! We granted your wish at that time! You desired the marriage between Dale and that girl! That’s why we arranged Dale’s education as Crown Prince!!”

“Well…… Did my mother say, ‘only one wish’? Was that recorded in any documents? Surely not, eh?”

“………………?!”

　

“The Villainess Lunaria” is the sole heir to the country’s most prominent Duke House. In the first place, the brother, after being betrayed by his own step-sister, was deemed unfit as heir.

The game never revealed what became of her family after her execution.

But what happens when the heiress of the foremost Duke house dies? After pondering it and thinking it through, the woman who had “become” Lunaria came up with one answer.

　

The survival of the Duke of Solfege.

　

Lunaria Il von Solfeggio was a mass of effort and talent who strived to be loved by the Crown Prince and marry into the Royal Family, achieving perfection in everything she does.

I will not let the proof of her blood-stained studies and efforts, her very existence, be erased.

I will preserve the duchy, ensure its survival, and develop its lands to be more prosperous than ever before.

That’s how Lunaria will live from now on.

I will cooperate with the remaining three houses, supporting each other, and enjoying life together.

I resolved in my heart to protect the entire Solfege Duchy, every subject and all, and make them happy.

With determination in my eyes, I gazed straight at the King.

Three figures lined up beside Lunaria, who stood one step ahead.

　

“Consider us the same.”

“If the wishes of the Duke of Solfege cannot be granted, we have no further business here.”

“We stand here with our resolve. Now, what will you do?”

　

The three spoke in turn.

The magnitude of the anger contained within.

　

“You may do as you wish. You shall receive the punishment for disregarding ‘me’ once more, Your Royal Highness.”

　

I continued to speak slowly.

　

“I am, as Lady Manna says… the Villainess. I was reviled, called ‘villainess’, in front of many, over and over. I will no longer act as the Royal Family desires. If the King loves his child as a person, then I too, not as Duchess Solfege, but as a single human being, will act according to my emotions. That’s all. Since you do so, please understand that we too may do as we please.”

　

The Villainess smiled.

Gracefully, elegantly, and coldly.

　

I’ll say it again and again.

This is not a game, but the real world.

An absurdly meritocratic world where those who deliver results survive.

　

“You underestimated our duchy. You arrogantly believed everything would go your way, and the result is… this, isn’t it, Your Royal Highness?”

　

The Villainess sneered.

　

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess candidate may marry whenever they wish. Ah, and when the Second Prince reaches marriageable age, you should consider relinquishing the Crown Prince position to him.”

“That way, the pretext of redoing the Crown Prince’s education… well, it would barely hold water. As a stopgap until the Second Prince becomes Crown Prince… Well… You could say he wasn’t suited for it, or that the Second Prince showed greater talent as a ruler… Anything will do.”

“The Saint’s education as the Crown Princess will not go to waste either. After all, it’s the pinnacle of a lady’s education. There is no harm in acquiring it…… Oh yes, how about receiving an education alongside the Second Prince’s fiancée? … Well… The second prince’s fiancée is a Marquis’ daughter… the Saint may end up being the one receiving her instruction…”

　

The Villainess and the other three houses maintain exceptionally good relations, even in the game.

This moment once again proved their profound closeness, even in this world.

And although the Second Prince is still young, it’s not too late to educate him as the Crown Prince. Since the groundwork has been laid, he can attend Dale’s re-education and be properly raised from there on.

The Third Prince is Alicia’s fiancé and is younger than Alicia. Moreover, since he is joining the Mitzegard family as a son-in-law, he does not need to be educated as a Crown Prince. Mitzegard would not approve of a change in fiancé. After all, the relationship between the Third Prince and Alicia is very good.

　

“Now, hurry up and push through this unreasonable demand,” the Dukes urged. They knew it was absurd, but if they were to remove Dale from his position as Crown Prince, they had no choice but to push through the absurdity. Otherwise, the Four Houses will abandon this kingdom in an instant. The nation would fall into ruin.

But more than anything else, what the King detested was this.

　

“You want to make the child of the consort the King…”

　

The very thought of crowning anyone other than the child of his beloved Queen made him feel sick to his stomach.

Just imagining it.

　

“This is the result of his own actions.”

　

I said nonchalantly, then pulled an unopened letter from my pocket, made it float gently, and tossed it at the King’s feet.

　

“I don’t know what his intention was in sending the letter, but I will return it to you. There is no way I would ever aid His Highness Dale. Not unless a miracle occurred.”

　

“How unfortunate,” I murmured, fixing my gaze on the King.

　

“Had His Royal Highness the Crown Prince not acted in such a manner, I would not have been driven to such cruelty…”

　

Hah~, I sighed deliberately and continued.

　

“It was precisely because I held such deep respect and affection for Her Majesty the Queen that I strove so hard to become her daughter-in-law…”

　

The King was at a loss for words when I spoke with feigned humility. It was the expected reaction.

　

“But it was not to be. I desperately tried to take His Highness Dale’s hand, yet it was he who pushed me away.”

　

My clear statement left the royal chamber in utter silence. I then smiled faintly, appearing almost ethereal.

　

“My efforts had all been for nothing… I tasted despair for the first time. Then came the shameful family feud that disgraced our house, bringing a second despair… I was utterly exhausted. That is why I chose to end my life, yet here I am, still living. I believe that my mother kept me alive, that my ‘life’ must hold some meaning. The gentle Lunaria… is dead.”

　

As I continued to speak, Alicia gently snuggled up to me.

I returned a soft smile to the young girl and gently stroked Alicia’s head.

　

“And so, I took the position of Duchess. I knew that sooner or later, His Highness would call off our engagement, so I resolved myself…”

“Solfege…… my foolish son… I’m sorry… Allow me to apologize once more…”

“F, fa, ther…”

　

The King bowed to the Dukes.

A murmur spread among the knights, and some looked away, but Mithos looked around and glared.

Burn the image of the lord you serve into your mind.

Do not look away.

Do not flee.

As long as you stand here, you must not. His gaze alone disciplined them.

The knights gritted their teeth and straightened their backs.

　

“You… are right. I am both ‘Father’… and ‘King’.”

　

He clenched his fists so tightly they bled.

　

“The Dukes have spoken, and I have resolved myself. While continuing Dale’s re-education, starting tomorrow, the Second Prince… no, the Second Prince shall also receive Crown Prince education. Of course, any deficiencies will, of course, be addressed. I admit it… my son… the First Prince… is not ‘fit to be King’…”

　

With a voice strained as if wringing it out, the heads of the Four Houses knelt before the figure before them, who had fulfilled his duty as King, offering the bow of a subject.

Our bodies, our gazes, directed solely toward our ‘King’.

We had no reason to even glance at the Crown Prince.

We cannot accept someone with such a childish way of thinking as the next King.

Being human, he makes mistakes.

But will he correct them, or plunge forward in error and bring about the worst, irreversible catastrophe?

The Four Houses once again publicly asserted that a King must not decide on a successor based on personal sentiment.

Serving near the pinnacle of the nation, they simultaneously bear the necessity to heed the voices of the nobles who serve them.

Many mock their judgments as cold and unfeeling.

However, being born into a noble family, they cannot afford such indulgence. They bear a ‘duty’ they must fulfill, a ‘responsibility’.

　

“If the King has made his decision, we shall inform the nobles. To ensure the King is never reviled as our puppet, and to advance the people’s happiness further still. For the greater progress of our nation, the Four Houses shall gladly lend their strength.”

　

The discontent toward the King and Queen erupting from both the lower nobility and the upper nobility… though it must be said, it all stems from the First Prince’s actions.

Every student attending the academy witnessed it.

Everything the First Prince and his entourage did.

He became obsessed with a girl called the Saint, neglected his own fiancée, publicly berated her, and then that incident at the prestigious graduation party.

Added to that was the glimpse of parental emotion the King showed just once.

News spreads among the people faster than the Royal Family realizes.

You can’t stop people from talking.

By overwriting the topic with a larger concern, however, unease and discontent can be dispelled.

The heads of the Four Houses rose and bowed their heads to the King once again.

　

　

　

　

　

After they withdrew, the King let out a deep, deep sigh.

　

“Dale… what was it that displeased you?”

　

He asked quietly, turning to his son, who sat slumped.

　

“You saw them. That was the head of the most prominent Duke House in our realm, along with the heads of the other Duke Houses.”

　

Dale was dazed and speechless.

　

“I spoiled you. It is my fault. Forgive your inadequate father. But… for all your actions, the responsibility lies with you. Know this. As of this moment, you will no longer be treated as the Crown Prince.”

“…………… Yes.”

　

He had a dream.

A sweet, convenient dream where the gentle Lunaria would yield, saying, ‘If it is the King’s wish,’ and agree to remarry him.

He had been overconfident, thinking she would obey his father’s words.

　

“Even if I reflect on it now… it’s too late to undo what’s been done, isn’t it…”

“Indeed. They will not support you.”

“Without their backing… Ugh…”

“The Dukes and Marquises… from that moment onward, they would have backed the Second Prince, not you.”

“The result of my… pride… the accumulation of consequences.”

　

It was too late for regrets now.

The gentle Lunaria was, as she said, ‘dead’.

The King rose from his throne.

　

“Now then… prepare for the announcement of the new Duke… and convene a meeting regarding what comes next. Gather the subjects once more!”

　

The figure standing there was the ‘King’—the face of a parent was already gone.

　

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