Redemption of the Blue Rose Princess - Chapter 9.4
T/N: Sorry for the inactivity, I was busy. Here are three chapters to make up for it, also this is the end of chapter 9, the next chapter is a massive one, the author divided it into 16 parts, so look forward to it.
Chapter 9-4
The Sutherland was a prominent family that followed the Founding King, Esther, and directly served the Chester family. The current head of the Sutherland family, Lloyd was unveiling an astonishing truth.
“As you had guessed, that man is from Ealdar. He is a messenger, serving a certain personage in the Empire… He served as a link between me and that personage.”
“A certain personage… Could it be… Prince Fritz?”
When His Highness Prince Fritz reign comes…
That strange man had indeed said that. But in response to Riddhe’s speculation, his father only snorted at him mockingly.
“The Prince is only thirteen, he’s too green to scheme something like this.”
I see, Riddhe nodded deeply at his father’s words. However, he couldn’t help but compare the Prince to his kingdom’s own Princess, a ten-year-old girl.
“I can’t tell you the identity of that personage just yet. But he is a high-ranking noble from Ealdar.”
When Riddhe heard this, he clenched his palms so tightly that his nails dug in deep into his skin. Lloyd noticed this, but he ignored the state his son was in as he continued his explanation in a flat tone.
“You know that the Empress of Ealdar wishes to betroth their Prince with our Princess Alicia, no? The goal of that personage is to achieve that goal as soon as possible.”
“But, His Majesty the King didn’t want that to happen, did he?”
It was well known that King James had repeatedly refused the Empress’ offer to betroth the two of them.
At his son’s answer, Lloyd showed him a mocking smile.
“You have visited Ealdar before, haven’t you? It should be obvious that the current Heilland is not strong enough to resist the demands of the Empress for too long. The current Ealdar has become too powerful, no nation in this continent could match it.”
In other words, whether it was right now or ten years in the future, Prince Fritz and Princess Alicia would be betrothed eventually. Lloyd took this as something that will certainly happen in the future, so he prepared his moves accordingly.
Even after the Prince became the King of Heilland, he wouldn’t have the power to disregard the nobility of the Kingdom, and more importantly, the noble system, the very foundation of the Kingdom will remain intact.
The Privy Councill will still cooperate with the new King to govern the country, nothing would change.
“I started a cooperative relationship with them under that condition. I will also advise the King to quickly arrange a marriage between the Prince and the Princess. If there is any opposition from the rest of the Privy Council, I will suppress them. That’s all.”
“Is that really everything?”
Riddhe’s voice was trembling. His heart was in shambles, he wished that everything that came out from his father’s mouth was a lie.
“Father was talking to that man about that Trading Company, no…? The messenger said that for you to keep cooperating with them is to make the Kingdom reject the Princes’ proposal, right…? And since you couldn’t… you made everyone postpone their decision instead…”
His words faltered. He finally turned his gaze away. Normally, he would praise himself because of his sharp instinct, he could understand what truly was going on quickly, but right now, all he felt about himself was self-loathe.
Since when?
Since when did the father that I admired greatly become a dog of Ealdar?
“Why?!”
He screamed, his voice filled with sorrow.
“Why is a man of your stature conspiring with another country?! Who cares if Fritz would be succeeding the throne or not! As a Sutherland, you should stand tall and show your resolution to protect the country!!”
“Son, grow up.”
Lloyd’s eyes flashed coldly. He then sat down on the sofa while dismissing his son’s screams.
“Ideals alone wouldn’t move the people. If you keep talking such nonsense, what’s the difference between you and that Princess?”
Hearing the poisonous words coming from the mouth of his father, Riddhe’s heart was tainted with despair. He then grabbed his hair in frustration. His father though, ignored the state his son was in and continued.
“Face reality. We are running a country. It’s fine if you want to weave a glorious tale of heroism, but remember that if you mess up even slightly, the whole country could die. Can you bear that responsibility?”
“…No…”
Riddhe was not a little kid who couldn’t understand logic. He was aware that in this world, whoever had the most power, wins. To him, the Princess’ blind justice and her aide that kept fawning over her were both disturbing sights.
But…
“I understand, father.”
Riddhe’s voice was low and raspy and his eyes were dark and cloudy. With such eyes, he turned his gaze toward his father.
His father was the head of the Sutherland family, and he had never been wrong for following his father’s words. With such resolution, Riddhe convinced himself, or at least, tried to.
“To bring order and harmony to Heilland, I will follow father’s orders.”
“That’s how it should be, Riddhe.”
Lloyd’s hand rested on Riddhe’s shoulder. The weight of his hand almost made the young noble winced.
“In order to achieve your goals, sometimes you have to sully your own hands, you have to remember that, as the next heir of the Sutherland.”
* * *
—How long had it been?
Before he realized, his father had left the room, leaving him alone in his room. Riddhe crumpled down on the floor alone, the familiar room felt so stifling for him.
He cradled his head in his hands as his room echoed with muffled sobs.
TL: Iyo