Chapter 37

I Wish for His Majesty to Abdicate
“Control yourself. Do you even understand the current situation?”

“Her Majesty’s hair has been turned into an absolute disgrace! Is there anything more atrocious than this!?”

Several nobles, watching Count Belnett dramatically lean back in outrage, couldn’t help but chuckle. I glanced at them out of the corner of my eye, making a note of their faces and names.

This haircut of mine was certainly worthy of ridicule, but I was not a person anyone could mock so easily.

In other words… quite the nerve they have.

I turned my calm gaze upon them. They quickly realized and tried to cover it up in a fluster. I ignored it, letting it slide, and got to the main point.

“Veronica’s matter aside, what I wish to ask you concerns something else. Count Belnett, you are suspected of tax evasion. There is unreported income in your accounts, isn’t there?”

Count Belnett’s expression shifted at my words, clearly recognizing the issue.

Perhaps thinking the situation was bad, he forced a smile to his lips.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Your Majesty! I am innocent! The Queen is simply taking out her frustrations on me for failing to gain your love!”

“In that case, explain this.”

At that moment, Lord Runken rose from his seat, holding up the receipts.

“This is a ticket. Apparently, Count Belnett was running a little side business without reporting it to me, the Minister of Finance.”

“──”

Count Belnett’s eyes widened in shock as Lord Runken continued without a hint of emotion.

“The other day, during my visit to Nympée, I heard that certain lands, once restricted, had been opened to the public. Up to that point, fine. It’s not something that needs to be reported to me each time. The problem came afterward.”

Perhaps as a dragon it was absolutely unacceptable, but as Minister of Finance, he could only state it plainly.

“The entrance fee—five pounds. How do you explain that?”

The hefty sum caused another stir in the chamber. Count Belnett’s face turned red—whether from anger or shame, it was hard to tell.

“I know nothing of it. Nympée is managed by a deputy lord. He must have acted on his own.”

Ah, evasion of responsibility—mirroring His Majesty’s own tactics perfectly.

I couldn’t help but smile faintly. Count Belnett noticed my smile and bristled like an angry beast.

“What’s so funny!? And to humiliate me in public over nothing but a mere suspicion—what is the meaning of this, Your Majesty!? I understand all too well how jealous you are of my daughter’s affection from His Majesty! But let me tell you—when women take jealousy too far—”

I had heard enough of his nonsense and firmly cut him off.

“Know your place. That’s your second warning.”

“Wha—”

Being reprimanded by a young woman, Count Belnett’s face darkened even further—past crimson to something like the reddish black of a sunset, though nowhere near as beautiful.

Honestly, I worried if a blood vessel might burst.

Before Count Belnett could open his mouth again, I directed my gaze to His Majesty.

“Your Majesty. Count Belnett’s household bears the shame of his daughter stealing a national treasure, and the head of the house stands accused of tax evasion. What action will you take?”

“That is…”

“Surely you’re not going to simply let this go, are you? If you show leniency, other nobles will surely start believing that similar offenses will be overlooked.”

Meaning, if this went unpunished, it would encourage others to follow suit.

His Majesty’s complexion had turned pale. Despite his pompous attitude when he first entered, perhaps Count Belnett had been his last pillar of support.

After a brief silence, His Majesty finally spoke.

“Count Belnett shall be placed under house arrest… for a while.”

… Unbelievable.

After all this, he thought mere house arrest was enough?

That was too lenient—sickeningly sweet—sweeter than syrup-boiled strawberries.

Suppressing a wry smile, I asked His Majesty,

“Then, will Your Majesty take responsibility?”

“And how exactly would you have me take responsibility?”

Irritated by my tone, His Majesty stood up as well.

(How should I know!? It’s your job to figure that out!)

Why throw everything back at me?

What if I said he should abdicate—would he actually do it?

As I looked at him, thoroughly disillusioned, the Chancellor raised his hand.

“Forgive me. May I speak?”

“… Permission granted.”

His Majesty replied, and the Chancellor rose to his feet.

Perhaps His Majesty expected him to throw a lifeline.

But what the Chancellor said was—

“We wish for Your Majesty to abdicate.”

He stated, clearly and firmly, that they wanted His Majesty to step down.

What do you think about this chapter?