Redemption of the Blue Rose Princess - Chapter 8.6
Chapter 8-6
Lloyd’s words were like poison, thought Alicia.
Originally, with the objective evidence that was numerical data provided by various sources, and the ‘compromise’ that Jude himself prepared in advance, those should be enough for the members of the Privy Council to agree with her cause, at least from a logical standpoint.
But Lloyd, with his guile tongue, changed the topic of the discussion into something else entirely. He planted a vague fear among the members of the Privy Council, that their authority might be threatened by Alicia’s group in the future if they were to accept her proposal.
“Right, well… There’s no need to rush to get an answer from us.”
It was unknown who was the first person to say that sentence.
“Even though Dreyfus-dono and Otto-dono have looked over the matter, it’s still a fact that the ones who created the groundwork of the plan are those who had little involvement in our national politics.”
“Perhaps, the Privy Council should look through the content once again to ensure that the contents are suitable to be applied in our country.”
“Right. It won’t be a problem if we were to give out our answer afterward. After all, this is a matter of great importance to the future of the Kingdom.”
“Your Majesty, please leave this matter for us Privy Council to discuss.”
“Your Majesty.”
No way…
Alicia was dumbfounded as she looked at the nobles, who were begging the King to postpone the matter. Seeing this, Riddhe, made a nasty smile toward her, though the Princess failed to notice this.
Alicia wasn’t the only one who felt frustrated at this inside the room though.
Nearby, Dreyfus frowned unhappily as he opened his mouth and said…
“Postponing your answers to this matter while reconsidering it? Well, if that’s what it takes to convince everyone, so be it.”
“This matter is not as simple as that.”
The advisor, Nizel Otto, cut Dreyfus’ words off as he narrowed his indigo-colored eyes in anger.
“Those people, have lost sight of the original purpose of this meeting, and their minds are clouded by doubts that didn’t exist in the first place. How can they truly make decisions for the good of the people if their heads are trapped in such delusions?”
However, no matter how much Nizel hated this conclusion, the decision had been made. With the consensus of all but a few, the proposal for the establishment of the Mercurius Trading Company would be once again be looked over by the Privy Council.
In other words, the Privy Council would re-examine the proposal, under the approval of King James, and then decide whether or not to let it pass at a later date.
* * *
The nobles were leaving the meeting room one after another. Since the next meeting of the Privy Council was decided to be held in a week, most of them were going back to their private residences in the vicinity of the royal capital.
In the midst of all this, Alicia was still sitting in her seat with a clouded expression and a dejected look on her face. It had been a while since the meeting ended, but she still refused to leave the room.
Clovis, unable to watch this, stood in front of Alicia and bowed deeply.
“Please forgive me, Alicia-sama.”
“Huh…?”
The young girl was confused, wondering why did her aide even apologize to her. As Alicia stared at him, looking dumbfounded, Clovis raised his body slightly. His beautiful face, distorted by his regret, flashed into Alicia’s sight.
“The decision was postponed… Even though we were so close… We were almost there… I’ve been doing my best, but I still wasn’t strong enough…!”
“Enough, Clovis.”
Alicia rushed to her feet and grabbed Clovis’ hand. The latter was surprised when his hand was grabbed by her small hands. Instead of looking dejected, Alicia’s gaze toward her aide was that of gratitude.
“You’ve done a good job. I knew you are skilled, but I thought when you were trying to convince them it would take more effort for you to do it, but you did it marvelously.”
“But…”
“It was me who lost to him in that discussion.”
She told him, her voice was weak.
I’m merely blessed with great subordinates and friends. They’re the ones who were able to answer my anxiety about this kingdom’s future and guide me to the answer I need to erase that anxiety.
She answered that to Lloyd’s question. It was Alicia’s honest feelings, but because of that, Lloyd easily exploited it and turned the table against her.
In other words, she had unintentionally helped to deepen the negative impression that both Clovis Cromwell and Jude Nicole had in their names, planting the baseless accusation that they were trying to manipulate her so that they could turn the nation into their own playground.
Alicia had never been so ashamed of her lack of power and wisdom as she was today.
After all, if Alicia was an experienced adult instead of a ten-year-old girl, Clovis and Jude would have not been disgraced by such stupid accusation that Lloyd threw at them.
Or, if she were wiser, she would have predicted what Lloyd was going to say, answered his question accordingly, and maybe perfectly countered his moves.
“You’ve worked so hard… and I ruined everything because I’m not strong enough for you… I’m sorry!”
“Alicia-sama…”
Clovis shook his head in dismay as his beautiful black hair followed the motion of his head. I’m not here to make my beloved Princess show this kind of expression to me, he thought.
“Please stop, Princess… Please don’t apologize to me… I…”
“Please don’t make that expression, Princess. If there’s something that you should regret it’s your decision on who you should have been chosen as your aide. That’s all there’s to it.”
The Princess and her aide looked at the entrance of the room at the same time when they heard the intruder’s voice. And he was there, playing with his red hair, the heir of the Sutherland, Riddhe Sutherland.
TL: Iyo
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