Bibliophile Princess: Volume 5, page 3
He paused, humming to himself. “Ah, I see. Yes, a girl who has only ever immersed herself in the world of books might be captivated by someone from an unfamiliar, foreign country. Let’s hope that’s not that case.”
The blind prince’s gentle expression was enough to solidify my evaluation of him.
This man is an enemy.
I also kept a smile plastered on my face, and the two of us exchanged pleasantries without ever really touching upon our true motives.
Two days later, before the sun had even risen, one of the royal family’s chamberlains came bursting into my room. “His Majesty has collapsed!”
That, coupled with the successive incidents that followed, had the blood draining from my face.
Now I see. Father was their target.
I gritted my teeth, vexed at how foolish I had been not to anticipate this. As my regret culminated, I muttered, “So that’s how far they’re willing to go...”
The anger I felt was directed more at my own naivety than at the culprit behind all of this.
~.~.~.~
“...and this is exactly why I was opposed to it!”
A very limited number of senior officials were gathered in the palace’s assembly room, where one of them was bellowing their opinion to the rest of us.
“Welcoming Maldura’s delegation here was unfathomable! They’re a bunch of brainless barbarians after Sauslind’s wealth. In fact, look at them—they’re already spreading the plague in our country. How do you plan to take responsibility for this scandal, Prince Christopher?!”
The man was, for all intents and purposes, a noble within the military aligned with the militaristic faction—or, more simply put, the pro-war faction.
It was still early morning here in the capital, but already the palace was in an uproar after the king’s condition was discovered. When he retired the night before, one of the chamberlains noticed something was amiss and tried to talk to His Majesty. That was when they discovered he had a high fever and was covered in a rash. As of now, he remained unconscious. The palace immediately sent for a court physician, who delivered a chilling diagnosis: the king had the Ashen Nightmare.
This plague had instilled the fear of death in the hearts of many the first time it appeared, and after sixteen years, it was back. Worse yet, the king was infected. The pro-war faction seemed to almost anticipate the news, because as soon as word broke, they immediately detained Maldura’s delegation. It was almost suspicious how well prepared they were. They managed to disarm the Malduran nobles and their bodyguards without coming to blows then promptly confined them.
Why had they done this? Because, as they were just now reporting, they had information that the strange illness spreading throughout Maldura was in fact the Ashen Nightmare. The pro-war faction claimed Maldura was targeting Sauslind and trying to spread the disease here. Another noble had also sent word that they’d been diagnosed with the plague as well, but that was only the beginning. Additional reports had since come in from the capital of other people who had caught the disease.
After sixteen years, the Ashen Nightmare was again resurfacing to devastate not only Sauslind but the entire Ars Continent.
“Prince Christopher! Do you even understand how grave this is?!”
His spit came flying at me despite how much distance separated us, and I drew my brows in displeasure. Personally, I found his blustering annoying. My mother, who sat beside me, seemed to have a different impression. Although she had taken the helm in my father’s place since he was unconscious, the criticism I was facing concerned her.
There’s no point in worrying, I thought, inwardly sighing to myself.
“His Majesty wasn’t infected by the Malduran delegation,” I said.
Surprised murmurs erupted in the room.
“What are you saying?!” bellowed one of the pro-war faction members.
I shot a glare at the man and silenced him, then I turned my gaze to another, prompting them to speak. “Court Physician Harvey, it seems there are still many here ignorant of how the Ashen Plague is transmitted. Please enlighten them.”
The old, gray-haired doctor spoke more gravely than he usually did. “The Ashen Nightmare’s symptoms don’t appear within a mere two- to three-day period. At first, it starts off as a normal cold before taking a sudden turn for the worst. The time it takes for the normal, cold-like symptoms to transition into the Ashen Nightmare differs from person to person. However, even if the incubation period were only one or two days, it would still take several days more for the rash to develop and the person affected to go into a coma.” After speaking those heavy words, he paused briefly to sigh, expression still grim. “His Majesty has been ill for the past ten days or so. We were deeply concerned about it, but conditions being what they were, there wasn’t much we could do.”
In other words, since Maldura’s delegation was already set to enter Sauslind, our border regions and subsequently our neighboring countries were restless. His Majesty was too preoccupied dealing with those matters to be able to adequately rest.
Hearing all of this was so vexing, but I couldn’t let it show, so I discreetly bit my lip instead. If this had happened within the inner palace, where my mother was in charge, information on my father’s condition wouldn’t have spread so rapidly and the situation wouldn’t have deteriorated as it had. Alas, nothing could be done about that now.
Doctor Harvey proceeded to talk about cold symptoms, warning those in power not to hold biases or mistaken beliefs about how the Ashen Nightmare is transferred from person to person.
“The Ashen Nightmare’s initial symptoms resemble a cold that simply won’t go away. Before the infected person realizes what is happening, the red rash covering their body will begin to change color. Their skin becomes pallid and ashen. It takes about ten to twelve days after the initial symptoms for this to begin, based on the cases we’ve seen up until now.”
Again, an uproar broke out. Maldura’s delegation had only entered the country a mere six days ago. They didn’t make it to the capital to meet with His Majesty until four days thereafter. The timeline for them to infect the king didn’t add up.
Consensus in the room suddenly changed as the other nobles began to criticize the pro-war faction, blaming them for the situation instead.
“In that case, the military’s claim that the Malduran delegation came here to infect the king and declare war on us is entirely unsubstantiated. Worse, their recklessness has brought tension to our borders. Apprehending the delegation only gives Maldura an excuse to make a move on us. How does the military intend to take responsibility for this?” Earl Casull pressed the opposition for answers, his voice solemn and dignified. His house was one of those most loyal to the royal family, putting him in direct opposition to the pro-war faction, which was originally established by Queen Amalia.
“But!” one of the pro-war members began to fiercely protest.
Their faction supported Prince Theodore, the current king’s younger brother (and my uncle). No doubt they viewed Maldura’s arrival as a golden opportunity. After Queen Amalia died, their faction lost the cohesive power that had held them together. Nonetheless, they opposed me for my lack of interest in using the military to subjugate our enemies and instead wanted to install Theodore as their puppet king. They thought they could blame Maldura’s delegation for the spread of the plague and thereby insist the royal faction and I take responsibility for welcoming them here. That would give them the opportunity to wrest the title of crown prince from me and bestow it on my uncle instead. Then they could use that as an excuse to start a war with Maldura, beat them, and proclaim Theodore a hero of the people.
That’s my guess, anyway.
Unfortunately for them, my uncle had left the capital at the same time as Elianna, under secret orders from the king. It was a bit exasperating to think they’d rushed headlong into this when the man they were supporting wasn’t even present. I sighed inwardly at whoever was responsible for pulling the strings here.
The voices of the pro-war members boomed throughout the room.
“They still entered Sauslind without disclosing the truth about how their country is infested with the plague! Obviously they want to spread it to our lands as well because they’re after our wealth!”
“And,” one of them continued, a hidden barb carried in their voice as they broached a forbidden topic, “if you claim he wasn’t infected by the Maldurans, then...” He turned his gaze toward Her Majesty, wearing a smug, malicious grin that was most unbecoming of a noble. “That means we should perhaps turn our suspicions toward those closest to him.”
The implication, albeit unspoken, was clear: Because he has someone right beside him who was previously infected by the plague.
Again, chaos erupted.
“Earl Evan! We should have you charged for slander, making such a remark of Her Majesty!” one of the royal faction members shrieked in protest, but there were few others who joined him. Most remembered the darkness that was the Ashen Nightmare, and having someone who’d once been infected by it represent the country was unsettling for them.
I let out a small sigh. This is exactly why old codgers like you are such a problem. I opened my mouth to say as much, but my mother intercepted me.
“True enough. If it wasn’t Maldura’s delegation who infected His Majesty, then...” Her voice trailed off into a profound silence as her auburn eyes quietly scanned the room. Even though she said nothing, her solemn gaze still seemed to admonish those critical of her. After a long pause, she broached the delicate topic. “Perhaps, after being infected myself sixteen years ago, I carried it with me and somehow managed to infect the king. No doubt that is what some of you suspect. Even though I managed to beat the disease and recover, there will still be some of you who feel apprehensive. Will His Majesty also follow the same route and recover from the illness? Or will the Ashen Nightmare take him from us and proceed to ravage our country once more?”
Her presence was so commanding that it demanded the attention of all those in the room, many of whom swallowed audibly, awed by the queen.
She paused, letting her words sink in, acting every part the monarch she was. “Or perhaps a different path exists for us. Right now, Sauslind has three options before it. Is there anyone who disagrees with my assessment?”
Queen Henrietta’s intensity overpowered them all. Whatever protest they had, they could only swallow it back and keep silent.
She surveyed them briefly, ensuring none would oppose her before she said, “If I were to lead you when there is still doubt amongst you, it would cause unnecessary anxiety not only for you but for the people of Sauslind as well. Thus, I would like to pass the right to lead...”
Everyone’s eyes simultaneously turned to me, just before my mother said my name.
“To Prince Christopher.”
Chapter 2: The Prince’s Showdown
The soft kiss of snow on my cheeks made me hesitate. I was in a corner of a garden near the innermost part of the palace. White powder coated the ground, quietly covering the footprints I’d left behind me.
It was early, an hour or so shy of dawn’s first light.
I always associated snow with howling winds and the like, so the way it peppered me now without a single sound was a surprise, one I basked in with a clear head. Feeling like a child once again, I walked in circles in the snow, trying to warm myself up. The area was only dimly illuminated, and when I glanced back, I was surprised to see the chaotic imprint of my feet in the snow. It looked as if I’d been training rather than innocently wandering.
My breath came out in puffs of white air that quickly melted into the darkness. The footprints I’d left behind were a visualization of what was to come. I checked my footing and repeated the process over and over. The weight of a sword hung heavy in my hand.
When I sensed his presence, I looked up. This wasn’t our first time coming face-to-face like this. We’d squared off against each other numerous times when we were children. He was three years older, but even though I was Sauslind’s prince, our abilities and statuses were perfectly suited to one another. Inwardly, I admired his fighting style for being instinctive, or perhaps intuitive, you might say. He could see right through feints and tactics. His sense of smell was like an animal’s, allowing him to suss out a person’s true nature. His heart was so pure and honest.
Silence stretched between us.
What kind of expression was I making right now? Was it the same one he wore on his face? Or did I have the proper, grave demeanor that a prince should in this situation?
We both quietly exhaled the cool morning air. I didn’t bother counting how many breaths it took before I finally managed to speak. The words came out as if they’d long ago been determined, as if my status as prince dictated them.
“You’re the one who infected my father.”
There were only a limited number of people who could approach the king, and all of them carefully screened before they could get close.
The inner garden, which only the royal family and a select few could enter, filled with tension. The early dawn air seemed to freeze over.
He unsheathed his sword, as if he’d been waiting for this moment.
~.~.~.~
The events leading to our confrontation originally started at the meeting with the other senior officials. Despite the nobles’ heated argument, Mother took into account what affects her leadership would have and temporarily passed the role to me, Prince Christopher.
As I took my seat in the sovereign’s chair, I felt the weight of it sink in. After expelling a quiet breath, I scanned the faces of those present.
Mother had already left the room, and in her wake, the main branch of the royal faction—Duke Odin’s faction—were left gritting their teeth in frustration. If Her Majesty had retained the right to lead, it would have given their words more weight. He already knew that I had no intention of pandering to his house. Having me take the lead was an unsavory development as far as they were concerned.
Now that the matter of who was leading them was settled, they resumed their same petty complaints.
“How utterly irresponsible.”
The pro-war faction wouldn’t be satisfied regardless of what the queen decided. They were the ones who had suggested Her Majesty might be responsible for the king falling ill, but when she actually acknowledged their suspicions and gracefully stepped down, they decided to blame her for passing off her responsibility to someone else. While I inwardly envied them for their simplicity, my thoughts were elsewhere.
“First,” I said, quieting the nervous atmosphere that now dominated the room. Even the pro-war faction steeled themselves to await the first words from their crown prince. “Our main priority should be to find a countermeasure for the Ashen Nightmare.”
“What ridiculous nonsense!” Unsurprisingly, one of the pro-war faction members immediately protested. This was a prime opportunity to retaliate against our long-standing enemy, Maldura. If we displayed the might and power of our military, we could dissuade neighboring countries from trying to come after us in the future.
A dangerous thought briefly crossed my mind. Instead of punishing them for their discourtesy toward the crown, I could send them right to the front lines of the battle they so desperately desire.
I sighed to myself and scrapped the idea. “Yes, you lot seem to think this is a perfect opportunity to put Maldura in its place. I’d like you to remember that the Ashen Nightmare didn’t merely devastate Sauslind in the past; it swept over the entire continent. You’re asking us to go to war with a plague-ridden nation that has come seeking our help. Not to mention we recently provided them with aid when a major cold wave hit. I understand we have a complicated history between us, but how do you think our neighboring countries will interpret our actions?”
Those who relied upon military force didn’t even bother thinking about the future. Say we did overwhelm Maldura with our armies, showing off our power to the other nations. What impact would that have on the rest of the continent? Yes, things would settle temporarily. They would realize defying us was unwise and keep up their guard with us. If Sauslind wanted to be a military power, then perhaps that was an option. But was that really in the best interest of the people and the nation?
Other countries had done the same in the past. They prioritized their own interests and rapidly expanded their military. Where had that led them? The answer was quite clear. One needn’t look any further than the fallen empire’s history or even Sauslind’s own to see where that would take us.
“However!” The pro-war faction wasn’t deterred by my rebuttal, remaining as self-assured as ever. “Do you really intend to fret over the opinions of our neighbors and let such a rare opportunity pass?” The man speaking on their group’s behalf was adamant that war should take precedence over dealing with the Ashen Nightmare. He tried to mask his sneering, but it was ineffective. In a low but audible voice, he mumbled, “But what can I expect from such a squeamish prince?”
“Heh.” My lips pulled into a catlike grin. Apparently, he was too ignorant to realize that such malicious rumors always made their way back to the person at the center of them.
Now, how shall I eviscerate you?
I glanced around at the prominent nobles gathered. Beside me was the person in charge of keeping the meeting in order—Sauslind’s prime minister. He was rather low-profile and wore a permanent grimace as if battling a stomachache. It was his duty to calmly consider the opinions of the royal faction and the pro-war faction while maintaining a position of neutrality.
This was part of Sauslind’s law, decided long ago during the age of the Hero King. The prime minister was supposed to work beside the king, playing a pivotal role in politics, and no one close in relation to the royal family could be selected for the post. This was to maintain balance. Historically, a royal family’s monopoly on positions of power had caused internal conflict, and this was intended to prevent that.
