Apparently, He Has a Heart
“… So that’s why. We now need to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
That evening, I went outside accompanied by Sarasa and Kevin. Our destination was the terrace at the ranch where I had spoken with Lord Runken earlier that day.
Seated across from me was none other than Luca Runken himself.
I had arranged an appointment with him through Mary and called him here.
He, too, seemed surprised that His Majesty would be visiting Nympée. He frowned, then spoke.
“That is troublesome indeed.”
“You think so too?”
I replied with a sigh.
Lord Runken nodded to my words.
This is one of the things I like about him—he doesn’t seem to know the meaning of ‘beating around the bush.’
He then provided me with some information he’d gathered during the inquiry.
“Nympée Lake, you say?”
“Yes. The far side of Nympée Lake seems to be locally known as the ‘Spirit’s Bathing Ground.’ It’s a well-known place among the residents. It used to be off-limits, a forbidden area, but in recent years—”
“It’s been trespassed upon?”
I picked up his line, and Lord Runken nodded.
“It appears to be at the will of Count Belnett.”
“… So the rising temperature is because of that? Though I can’t believe there are actually spirits.”
As expected of a place famous for being the City of Spirits.
So there’s even a ‘Spirit’s Bathing Ground’? Impressive.
As I mulled over his story and speculated about the temperature increase, I muttered aloud—and he softly said:
“There are spirits.”
“… Excuse me?”
“Spirits exist. That’s why I intend to proceed based on that line of reasoning.”
(Oh?)
That was unexpected.
So he’s someone who believes in unseen things like spirits?
I was a bit surprised, but considering his background, it made sense.
The Runken ducal house is a line of clergy.
There’s even a legend that they once appeased the wrath of spirits after a dragon was slain.
“Then the spirits are angry that their forbidden land has been trespassed upon? And that’s why the temperature is rising?”
I decided to go along with his story and asked. He shook his head.
His silver hair swayed slightly.
Perhaps due to that hair color, he gives off a cold impression. He seems like someone who’d make the summer heat feel cooler just by being nearby. I’m honestly a little jealous.
“That much is unclear. We’ll have to investigate the site ourselves.”
I nodded at his words, then asked him the next question.
“What about the financial discrepancies—?”
“That’s the real issue. From here, this is purely my speculation.”
He prefaced, then said:
“Most likely, Count Belnett is turning the ‘Spirit’s Bathing Ground’ into a tourist attraction. The locals are deeply devoted to the spirits, so no one goes deep into the area, which made it hard to get detailed information… But it seems they’re charging rather exorbitant admission fees.”
“So regardless, it seems safe to say the count is the villain here…”
At my words, Lord Runken nodded.
“That’s a very likely possibility… You mentioned His Majesty is arriving in Nympée in ten days, correct? Then we should act quickly.”
He spoke almost to himself, and I nodded as well.
“From the time of departure, I estimate he’ll arrive in about ten days. But to be safe, we should assume one week. Once he’s here… there’ll be all sorts of trouble.”
I couldn’t exactly say, “He’ll stir up drama and cause collateral damage,” even if I was thinking it.
After all, I’m still technically the queen.
As I hesitated to say it outright, Lord Runken said it clearly instead:
“… Because His Majesty will side with Count Belnett?”
“You certainly don’t beat around the bush.”
“I feel the same way, after all.”
At that, I gave a wry smile.
Truly, this bluntness of his is a good quality.
The cold night wind swept past my newly shortened hair.
I was glad I’d brought my shawl.
Nympée nights are chilly.
“… His Majesty is close with Count Belnett, and he dotes on Veronica. It’s a strong possibility.”
At my words, Lord Runken fell silent for a moment.
He’s a difficult man to read.
If someone told me he was thinking about breakfast tomorrow, I might accidentally believe them.
He glanced sideways at me and asked:
“… If this goes well, we may be able to expel Veronica Belnett from high society altogether.”
“…………”
I was honestly surprised.
Especially since it was him who said it.
He must have his own feelings about my position.
What with my hair so conspicuously short now, maybe that played a part too.
I looked up and met Lord Runken’s eyes.
He stared straight at me, no trace of deceit or wordplay in his gaze.
So I answered honestly as well.
“If it becomes necessary, then yes.”
“Do you not resent Lady Veronica?”
“Do I look like I do?”
I countered his question with one of my own.
For the first time, Lord Runken looked slightly bewildered.
“… Hmm.”
After hesitating over his words a little, I decided to just speak frankly.
I’m a woman who will eventually step down from the queen’s seat.
And likely, Veronica will become the next queen.
Even if her upbringing was common, and her mother a commoner, Veronica is still the daughter of a count.
If His Majesty desires it, making her his queen isn’t impossible.
In fact, given the matter of succession, I think he should’ve done so already.
The only reason he hasn’t is—well, because he doesn’t want to let me go.
Not that I’m deluding myself. I’m fully aware he’s just keeping me for convenience.
I dropped my gaze to the table and began to put my feelings into words.
“Lord Runken. You’re right—I dislike her. Of course I do. She’s made me suffer a great deal. But that’s beside the point.”
He listened quietly as I spoke.
Why am I being so honest with this man?
I wondered for a moment, but I figured—this might be the last time we ever talk like this.
Once I leave Nympée, I might already be someone else’s wife the next time we meet.
If I step down from the queen’s seat, there’ll be no reason to speak again.
Thinking of it as a final conversation, I found myself loosening up.
“… As a private individual, I despise her. But as a public figure, I believe she has a duty to fulfill.”
“And that duty would be?”
“To bear the next generation’s king. She is beloved by His Majesty—that much is clear.
His Majesty has no siblings, and as you’re surely aware, the need for an heir is pressing.”
Perhaps out of politeness, he didn’t reply with “Exactly.”
Seeing that, I found myself thinking he was… an unexpectedly decent person.
He, in his own way, seems to have a heart.
What do you think about this chapter?
