I Would Like You to Reflect on Your Own Conduct, Even Just a Little
“Wha—”
His Majesty was rendered speechless by the shock. The chamber fell silent, as though a bucket of cold water had been thrown over everyone. Yet the absence of any opposition made the meaning perfectly clear.
(Just when did they set all this up…?)
I had known the Chancellor struggled with His Majesty. It felt like the camaraderie of coworkers enduring a troublesome boss.
Looking down at the stunned king, the Chancellor calmly, as if delivering a death sentence, continued.
“We recommend the first in line to the throne, Lord Runken, as the next king.”
“You… You mean to rebel?”
His Majesty finally found his breath to speak, but his voice was thin and trembling.
The Chancellor frowned, speaking clearly and firmly as if accusing His Majesty.
“We want you to take responsibility for this incident.”
“──”
His Majesty’s face stiffened, and his lips twisted into a crooked smile. Then, as though he found something humorous, he began chuckling. Lifting his head, his bloodshot eyes glared fiercely at the Chancellor.
“This is outright treason! Royal Guards, arrest that insolent traitor and throw him in the dungeon!!”
His Majesty roared and gave the order to the knights—but no one moved. I was surprised, but it was His Majesty who appeared the most shocked.
Shaking with rage, he shouted again.
“What are you waiting for!? Quickly—!”
“It’s useless, Your Majesty… or should I say, Former Majesty?”
“You…!!”
“The political struggle is over. The new faction has won. Do you understand? You are no longer king. The traitorous nobles who backed you have already been thrown into the dungeons. They were the easiest of prey—dig a little and filth kept surfacing.”
The Chancellor’s gaze shifted briefly to me, and he smiled faintly.
“We were most fortunate to have Your Majesty the Queen away from the castle.”
His voice, relaxed and theatrical, continued.
“You, for all your flaws, are fair. You oppose unjust means, even if it’s to bring down a political enemy. To us, that was extremely frustrating.”
“…………”
“Your Majesty, you have remarkably little personal greed for someone in power. That’s not a fault. Compared to a foolish king who loses himself in selfish desire and neglects his duties, you are far superior. But, reforms sometimes require a degree of ruthlessness.”
“… So you’re saying I’ve been a queen too inflexible to serve the times.”
“The way you pursue the ideal form of a queen is beautiful—something to be cherished. You were a flawless queen. But… sometimes you must let the river carry you. That’s what this old veteran of the political world believes.”
Shrugging his shoulders, the Chancellor let out a cheerful laugh, utterly unfitting for the room.
“… Don’t… don’t joke with me…”
The words, ground out from deep within, interrupted the Chancellor.
It was His Majesty.
The Kingdom of Leviathan was a monarchy, but far from a united one. Struggles for the throne happened in every country, and ours had reached a boiling point.
One side was the old faction—nobles devoted to defending His Majesty’s rule.
The other, led by the Chancellor and my father, Duke Clausenitzer, was the new faction, pushing for Lord Luca Runken, first in line for succession, to become the next king.
(… Though honestly, most of His Majesty’s supporters were motivated by personal gain, only thinking to use him as their puppet king.)
That’s why the Chancellor and his faction had to crush them. Had the old faction remained in power, the country would have been bled dry. Any respectable noble wouldn’t have aligned with them.
The Chancellor turned his eyes from me back to His Majesty and declared,
“Everyone here desires Lord Runken to be the next king. Let us end this peacefully, Your Majesty. Surely you don’t want to suffer the shame of being stripped of your title and tossed into solitary confinement on charges of treason.”
In short—this was how it would be.
His Majesty was being forced to abdicate. No, abdication was already decided. The eyes of the assembly said it all—he wouldn’t be allowed to refuse.
There was only one option left for him.
“…………”
His Majesty hung his head, defeated.
With a glance, the Chancellor signaled the knights. As they seized His Majesty by the arms, he suddenly began to struggle.
“Wait!! Clementina!! Clementina!!”
Startled at suddenly hearing my name, I looked at His Majesty.
Desperately, like a madman, he tried to shake off the knights, but against overwhelming strength, he was powerless.
His Majesty’s wild, bloodshot eyes fixed on me.
“It wasn’t me! It wasn’t my fault!!”
“So disgraceful, Your Majesty.”
Ignoring the Chancellor’s sigh, His Majesty howled,
“It’s all that woman’s fault!! I was tricked by her! Veronica deceived me! If someone should be jailed, it’s Clementina! Do you even know who I am!? Let me go!!”
His words were barely coherent, but it was clear—he wanted to shift all responsibility onto me and escape punishment.
“It’s all that woman’s fault! It’s Queen Clementina who should be held accountable! Right!?”
His shrieking voice echoed through the chamber—until—
“Enough.”
The one who stood up was my father, Duke Clausenitzer.
(Father…)
All eyes turned to him.
My father glared down at the still struggling former king, his voice as sharp and cold as a blade.
“My daughter has spent the past three years shouldering the duties Your Majesty abandoned. Slandered in high society, labeled a villainess, she still supported your reign. And this is how you repay her?”
“Clausenitzer…! You—this was your scheme all along, wasn’t it!? Since when!? How long have you and Runken been conspiring!?”
“What nonsense. I would suggest you reflect on your own behavior, even just a little.”
My father snorted in disgust before continuing.
“… I was forced to agree to your marriage with Clementina because the late king personally begged me. But I do despise you, Your Majesty. Clementina was far too good for you.”
What do you think about this chapter?
