The End of First Love - Chapter 16

“Hey, Duke Baker. What is the meaning of this letter?”

From the moment I was summoned to the audience chamber before His Majesty, I had steeled myself. The document I submitted a few days ago was undoubtedly something His Majesty would never approve. After all, it was a letter regarding the formalization of the engagement between Elizabeth of House Baker and Heinz of House Schwein.

Though it was not explicitly forbidden by law, marriages between ducal houses were an unspoken taboo in the Kingdom of Glutenburg. The reason was simple: the power of the four great ducal families was already immense, and should they become related by marriage, they would acquire influence rivaling that of the royal family itself.

Of course, I understood this better than anyone.

Yet, despite knowing this, I had still ended up submitting such a ridiculous letter of engagement. And the reason for this disaster was simple—because I had fallen into that man’s trap.

Heinz Schwein.

Everything started going wrong the moment I took his bait.

(I never expected Elizabeth to actually agree to the engagement…)

Duke Baker let out a quiet sigh as he gazed at the impeccably polished floor.

“Yes, Your Majesty. That would be the letter I submitted a few days ago. Is there an issue with it?”

“Are you playing dumb!?”

A bundle of documents was tossed onto the floor with a sharp rustle.

Duke Baker picked up the papers that had landed at his feet and pretended to scan through them.

“This is a letter informing of the engagement between Elizabeth of my ducal house and Lord Heinz of the Schwein ducal house. What exactly is the problem?”

“Are you seriously asking that? In this kingdom, marriages between ducal houses are not permitted. Don’t tell me you, as a duke, were unaware of this!”

“And where, in our nation’s law books, is that written? To my knowledge, no such provision exists. Am I mistaken?”

“You and your twisted logic… Then what about Duke Schwein? He can’t possibly claim ignorance of this letter!”

The man standing beside me flinched noticeably as the king’s anger shifted toward him.

The other person summoned to this audience—the head of House Schwein—visibly paled. Seeing this, I felt the urge to sigh.

(I never had high expectations, but this is worse than I thought. There’s no way to deflect this now.)

The Duke of Schwein had long since relinquished his authority to Heinz and now spent his days leisurely in his domain with his wife.

This summons must have come as a complete shock to him.

As a father, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity for him. Having a son as scheming as Heinz must have been exhausting.

(Compared to him, my own son is a hundred times easier to deal with.)

Between Crown Prince William and Heinz, my daughter certainly had a knack for attracting troublesome men.

For weeks after returning from our domain, Elizabeth had been more unstable than ever. I regretted allowing myself to be provoked by Heinz.

“Is House Schwein trying to overthrow the royal family?”

“W-What!? Perish the thought, Your Majesty! House Schwein remains ever loyal to the crown! Even my foolish son, Heinz, serves as the crown prince’s aide, assisting him from the shadows! We would never dare to oppose the royal family!”

“Then why is this letter in my hands?”

“………”

Duke Schwein could do nothing but tremble in silence.

(I suppose I have no choice but to step in now.)

“Your Majesty, there’s no need to be so enraged. It is merely a letter announcing an engagement. You are well aware that such a document holds no real authority. The royal family itself recently allowed Crown Prince William to unilaterally dissolve his engagement to Elizabeth. Surely, you understand this better than anyone.”

“That… but…”

“I understand Your Majesty’s concerns. However, even if it was Crown Prince William who acted on his own, the fact remains that a formal document was involved. The royal family cannot claim ignorance.”

“Enough, Duke Baker. Regarding that matter, I take full responsibility. Elizabeth suffered greatly because of it.”

“As you are aware, Your Majesty, Crown Prince William was someone very special to Elizabeth. To have her engagement broken off so unceremoniously left her in complete despair. She might have taken her own life had it not been for Milia’s devoted support.”

Without Milia’s tireless persuasion, Elizabeth might still be confined to her chambers, refusing to see anyone. That was how deeply she had devoted herself to William.

(Even as her father, I struggle to understand her obsession. Love makes fools of us all, it seems.)

“And it was Heinz who saved her, was it not? Since House Baker and House Schwein share a border, I assume Elizabeth and Heinz crossed paths while she was recuperating. Forgive me, Your Majesty, but as a doting father, I couldn’t refuse when my daughter pleaded with me. That is why I agreed to the engagement. This is merely a letter acknowledging their betrothal, not a marriage application. The engagement can still be annulled. It’s hardly something worth raising an uproar over.”

“At this stage, I cannot approve the marriage. You understand that, yes?”

“They are both still young. Who knows what the future holds? If we outright forbid their engagement, they may act recklessly in their youthful passion.”

“Very well.”

With a wave of his hand, the king dismissed the matter. It seemed I had managed to smooth things over—at least for now.

“Ah, Duke Baker, remain here. I have further business with you.”

Just as I turned away, sighing in relief, His Majesty’s words sent a chill down my spine.

(So I won’t be let off that easily. Since he dismissed Duke Schwein first, this must be something he wishes to discuss privately. I wonder what he has in mind…?)

I watched as Duke Schwein and the guards left the chamber before turning back toward the king.

“Now then, Your Majesty. What is it you wish to discuss?”

“Duke Baker, I have sent everyone away. Can you speak to me now, not as a vassal, but as a friend?”

“Of course, Your Majesty. From this point on, our conversation will remain between us.”

“Good. Let me be frank. Was Heinz the mastermind behind this engagement?”

“Hah. You were quite shaken by that letter, weren’t you?”

“Of course, I was! A marriage between ducal houses is unheard of! Heinz was the one who proposed it, wasn’t he?”

“Indeed. Right after Elizabeth’s engagement with William was broken off, he came to me and demanded to marry her. At first, I dismissed it as nonsense, but his determination won me over.”

“What!? That man seriously intends to marry Elizabeth?”

“So it would seem. He even went as far as to issue threats directly to me. But what truly surprised me was that he managed to obtain Elizabeth’s consent.”

“Is that true? I cannot believe Elizabeth would give her heart to anyone but William…”

“Your Majesty, let me be blunt. Crown Prince William has no value anymore. I only supported him because he was my daughter’s fiancé. Now that their engagement is broken, House Baker will remain neutral. However, if Heinz makes a move, I may have no choice but to reconsider my stance.”

If this engagement became widely known, the balance of noble factions would shift dramatically. The second prince’s faction might collapse entirely.

“Duke Baker… do I have no choice but to abandon William?”

“As a father, it is natural to hesitate. But as a king, you must put the nation first. If the second prince’s faction continues its tyranny, even the provincial lords may rise against them.”

“Do you think Heinz seeks to overthrow the royal family?”

“Who knows? But if that were his goal, he wouldn’t be using such roundabout methods. He would have acted already.”

The king fell silent, lost in thought.

(Now, Heinz… what are you truly planning?)