"My lady, please don’t worry. If we summon the court physicians and magicians, they’ll have you feeling better in no time.”

The speaker was none other than Georges Loire. Before him lay Helene Loire, the queen he so dearly loved. Helene knew she did not have much time left. Georges Loire, however, refused to accept it, even as he felt her grip weakening within his hands. Though he had fought to protect her from countless dangers, he could not save her from the ravages of tuberculosis.

“…I’m sorry, Georges. I never wanted to make you suffer like this.”

“If you just get well, any hardship I’ve endured will be worth it. So please, don’t say such things.”

The king’s hands endlessly stroked hers. He had dismissed the courtiers who warned him of contagion. Helene gazed at him with a bittersweet smile. When she had married him in an arranged marriage, she’d never imagined she could truly love him.

“Georges… I’ve known for a long time, you know.”

A deep shadow fell over the king’s face as he looked at her.

“What do you mean?”

“I know that Louis is not my child… and that Michelle is my daughter.”

Georges Loire’s eyes widened in shock. Helene continued slowly, her voice gentle but unwavering.

“Helene, that’s…”

“I probably knew from the very beginning. But what could I do? The children I bore, the children I raised… I think of them all as my own now.”

A faint smile crept onto her lips, a smile that felt like a dagger, piercing the king’s heart with agonizing clarity.

“Forgive me, Helene. I only did it because I wanted to protect you. Blame me, for it was my selfishness that drove me…”

Lying there, Helene shook her head softly.

“It’s all right. I already told you, I think of Louis as my own. Just because he’s Lady Mary’s son doesn’t mean he’s not mine, and just because Michelle wasn’t raised by me doesn’t mean she’s not my daughter.”

Her grip tightened slightly, and the king enclosed her hands within his, his gaze locked onto her face.

“Still… the children. Don’t keep this truth hidden from them forever.”

In her eyes, he saw his own reflection, desperately trying to hold onto the dwindling light within them.

“This is our mistake, so it’s up to us to see it through to the end.”

Can you promise me that?

He couldn’t refuse her request. He simply nodded, offering the assurance she sought.

“…I promise, Helene.”

Now, Helene was gone. All that remained for the king were the nobles, drunk on the taste of power, and his young prince and princess. And now he was paying the price for the truth he had revealed—or rather, for the truth he had twisted with his own power.

The hall was in an uproar, the noise surrounding him like vendors haggling at a marketplace, leaving him feeling like an outsider without a single item to buy.

Georges Loire opened his eyes, taking in the faces of the ministers lined before him. All of them seemed eager to speak, their eyes glinting with an unsettling fervor that grated on his nerves.

“We strongly urge Your Majesty to demote the First Prince to the position of Second Prince, and in turn, to elevate the Second Prince to First Prince!”

“Regardless of whether the rumors are true, they have undeniably damaged the royal family’s dignity.”

The court was in chaos as the ministers continued to insist, their demands more an indictment of the First Prince than anything else. The king chose not to defend himself. Directly rebuking them would only fan the flames further.

“How is it that you bring street gossip into the court, creating such an uproar, when Count Leon Bening has personally apprehended the culprit, and I have administered punishment myself?”

The king’s cold voice filled the hall. No one openly aligned themselves with the king—not that they could, with Leon Bening standing so close to the throne. Leon Bening remained silent, observing the scene. Those who might have been the king’s loyal subjects were, in reality, beholden to Leon Bening, continuously circling around his every word.

“Your Majesty, this is a matter concerning the very foundation of the royal family and our country’s roots. How could we not raise our voices?”

The king sighed, realizing this issue would not pass as smoothly as previous ones.

“I no longer wish to discuss this matter. Don’t you realize that it is your own words that are shaking the foundations of the royal family?”

Just then, Leon Bening, who had remained silent throughout the meeting, finally spoke.

“Your Majesty, why do you not honor the Second Prince’s great achievements?”

The king paused, his gaze resting on Leon Bening’s inscrutable eyes. There was no ambition in them, no blazing fire that usually accompanies someone with desires. Instead, there was only an endless blue void, cold and unfathomable.

Unsolvable. Whenever the king looked into those eyes, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was facing an enigma.

“…You’re right. I’ve been so distracted by senseless rumors that I’ve overlooked more important matters.”

Kyle.

The king thought of the child his late wife had left behind. Louis and Michelle were not the only ones who knew the truth. He could continue to deny the rumors for now, but if Kyle brought up the issue himself, could the king simply dismiss it as nonsense?

No, he knew he couldn’t. If Kyle came to him demanding accountability, he’d have no choice but to apologize. Perhaps he’d bound the Marquess of Aegon and the Count of Agon to Louis and Michelle’s sides simply because he didn’t want to dirty his own hands.

“Soon, I’ll hold an official ceremony to honor Kyle—the Second Prince. And henceforth, anyone who raises this issue again shall face severe punishment.”

The king spoke, his gaze fixed on Leon Bening. The count’s expression remained unchanged; he simply nodded in agreement, as if fully supporting the king’s decision.

“You have made the right choice, Your Majesty.”

The ministers who had rallied behind Leon Bening looked taken aback, casting nervous glances between the count and the king. The king restrained a bitter smile, instead closing his eyes and shaking his head.

“This session is adjourned. You may all leave now.”

The ministers exchanged discontented glances but, seeing Leon Bening exit the court first, reluctantly followed suit, their steps heavy with reluctance.

Those who remained in the hall were the ministers who had aligned themselves with the king. Knowing their influence was limited, they simply bowed their heads. The king did not blame them. Their lack of power was a reflection of his own inability to support them and of the fact that speaking out in court could cost them their lives.

“Raise your heads.”

“Forgive us, Your Majesty.”

Loyalty without power. Ministers without influence. The king looked at them.

“This is not your fault.”

Finally, the ministers left, a hint of relief visible on their faces.

Perhaps he had been too complacent after the martial tournament’s victory. Or had Leon Bening anticipated this scenario from the very beginning? The king could feel Hugo’s concerned gaze on him from behind. Turning, he saw the captain of his knights, looking at him with a worried expression.

“Why didn’t you summon Count Agon to the capital?”

“He is a powerful ally for Michelle. Just because I may be losing to Leon Bening now doesn’t mean I should weaken Michelle’s support.”

Hugo Bern’s brow furrowed.

“Your Majesty, one who rules must not discriminate between means and methods in war.”

“You sound just like my former royal tutor.”

The king gave a bitter smile, raising his head.

“Tomorrow, their pressure will only grow. They’ll use whatever pretext they can to press me. As things stand, those who side with the royal family are limited in their power. Merely withstanding their assault won’t be enough.”

Hugo’s open call to confront the opposition only made the king shake his head.

“I must buy more time for Louis and Michelle. Until they gain the strength to protect themselves, to secure the allegiance of nobles like the Marquess of Aegon and Count Agon as their vassals.”

Or was he simply pushing the burden onto his children? The king sighed deeply, looking up at the overcast sky.

 

The First Prince’s palace was darker than usual, with clouds blotting out the sun. Louis had shut himself away, declining all visitors. He needed time to think; the notice posted around the capital had had an even larger impact than he’d anticipated.

“Did anyone visit today?”

Louis asked his attendant, who hesitated before nodding slowly, unable to defy the prince’s stern gaze.

“Your Highness, you don’t need to pay any heed to their words.”

More and more nobles and ministers had been visiting the First Prince’s palace, though not with the intention of offering support. Most came to confirm the rumors or to criticize him while praising the Second Prince.

“Well, at least no one has openly insulted me in front of the palace like last time.”

Louis laughed bitterly. Previously, a noble had shouted, “First Prince, hand over your palace to the Second Prince!” That noble had since been stripped of his title and exiled to the frontier.

“Your Highness, His Majesty has not wavered. As long as he stands firm, so does your position. You must remain strong.”

The attendant’s worry was genuine.

“I always knew a day like this would come. So I’m not all that distraught.”

The view outside was bleak, with snow piling up and refusing to melt. Looking out at the orderly courtyard, Louis closed his eyes, recalling the times he practiced swordsmanship. There would be no time for that now. At the sound of a knock, he opened his eyes.

“Your Highness, Sir Maxim Apart has arrived.”

“He’s here.”

As Louis prepared himself, he rehearsed the request he had in mind.

“Let him in.”

When Maxim entered, his face was strained. The prince, noticing the grim look on his visitor’s face, gave a teasing smile.

“Why the face? You look like a man facing his doom.”

Maxim let out a short sigh at the prince’s attempt at levity. Louis’s face was paler than usual, with dark shadows under his eyes.

“You look tired, Your Highness. Have you not been sleeping well?”

Maxim’s concern for the prince’s well-being was apparent, but Louis raised his hands dismissively, assuring him he was fine.

“Of course, I’m concerned. But this was something I always knew would come, so it’s not as shocking as it might seem.”

Louis met Maxim’s gaze.

“Aren’t you curious about the truth?”

“If Your Highness does not wish to share it, then I wouldn’t presume to pry.”

As if he’d planned to reveal it all along, Louis looked up.

“Most of what’s in that notice is true.”

Maxim’s eyebrows shot up at the prince’s calm admission.

“His Majesty never hid the truth from me, Michelle, or Kyle. But we were too young to fully grasp it then.”

The First Prince closed his eyes, briefly lost in thought.

“No one blames the Second Prince… Kyle, because of this. Michelle might resent him a bit, but she has every right to.”

Louis opened his eyes again, now filled with a grave resolve.

“Maxim, I called you here to ask a difficult favor.”

He looked at Maxim as though searching for an answer. Maxim, recognizing the look, listened attentively.

“You once said you served me as your liege and would obey my commands.”

“Yes, I did, Your Highness.”

Louis took a deep breath, composing himself, then spoke with quiet determination.

“If something unexpected happens to me, become Michelle’s knight and protect her.”