The Young Lady Whose Engagement Was Annulled Decided to Observe What Would Become of the Kingdom thereafter - Chapter 22

“How is the envoy to the Vermillion house coming along?”

I asked the chief secretary, whom I had summoned to the audience chamber. I had already given instructions, yet nothing had been set in motion.

“We are currently making preparations, Your Majesty. However—”

“However what? I said to hurry, didn’t I?”

Even though I, the king, had given a direct order, why were they dragging their feet? I could feel it again—that sensation of being looked down upon by the nobles. The hesitation in the chief secretary’s eyes only deepened my anxiety.

“My sincerest apologies. I will hasten the process immediately.”

Only after saying that did he finally leave. If he had simply obeyed from the beginning, this wouldn’t have been necessary. Why do they insist on obstructing me at every turn?

I stood by the window and surveyed the royal capital. The marketplace, usually bustling with life, was eerily quiet today. Few people were in sight, and a strange, uneasy atmosphere hung over the city.

No, I had more pressing matters to think about.

“Surely, Florence will accept my apology. But the process to get there…”

I am the king. If I, as king, personally apologize, surely it will be accepted. Restoring relations with the Vermillion family shouldn’t be too difficult. They’re still nobles of this kingdom. Continuing hostilities would not benefit them either. A compromise must be found. I am even willing to take the first step toward reconciliation.

As I sank into these thoughts, a sudden, violent knock shook the door to the chamber, jolting me back to reality.

“Enter.”

The door burst open and a nobleman stumbled in, clearly in a panic. His face was pale, sweat beading on his forehead, and in his hand was a tightly gripped piece of parchment.

“Your Majesty, it’s terrible!”

He shouted as he rushed up to me. His sheer panic made me furrow my brow.

“Calm down. What happened?”

“Please… please look at this!”

With trembling hands, he extended the parchment. I took it and began to read. What was written sent a chill through me.

“Zain Cardinal, the current king, is a usurper who seized the throne through illegitimate means. He forcibly expelled the former King Garland and stole the rightful claim from Prince Leon. Zain Cardinal will soon be executed as a traitor.”

I read it again. And again. Darkness crept into my vision.

“This… where did this come from?”

“It’s being circulated among the merchants. The rumor has already spread through the market, and now even the common folk are talking about it…”

“What!?”

I roared. My head was spinning. If this document were to spread further, the consequences would be dire. Even if it were lies, those who believed it could cause a serious uproar.

“Find the merchant spreading this! Arrest him and execute him!”

“But Your Majesty, identifying the culprit will be difficult, and such actions may only increase public resentment—”

“That is an order! Make it happen!”

The noble bowed deeply, trembling with fear. But in his eyes, I saw resignation—as if to say it was already too late.

“Understood…”

As he turned to leave, another frantic knock shook the door. A second nobleman rushed in, his face stricken with panic.

“Your Majesty! Urgent news!”

“What now!?”

Problem after problem. At a time when I should be focusing on reconciling with Florence and restoring ties with the Vermillion house—why must all of this interfere?

“A large force is approaching the capital!”

“What? A large force?”

His words struck like ice.

“Explain. Now!”

“Y-yes. Armies are approaching from the east, west, and north. From their banners, it appears to be the three great noble houses, led by the Vermillion family. Reports say they’ve seized control of the main roads and sealed off the outer port. And furthermore…”

He hesitated. Lowered his gaze. He was debating whether to say more.

“Furthermore what? Speak!”

“There are confirmed reports… that former King Garland is among them. Prince Leon is said to be accompanying him.”

My legs gave out. I sank into my chair. Garland… leading troops toward the capital? And even Prince Leon?

Combined with the earlier document, there was no doubt now—my father and brother were returning to reclaim the throne. After fleeing the capital, they now come crawling back!?

“How many soldiers do they have? What about our forces?”

My throat was parched, but I managed to force out the words.

“Altogether, more than ten thousand troops are approaching. And that’s not counting potential unconfirmed reinforcements. We currently have only about a thousand defenders in the capital.”

“A thousand!? Why so few?”

Ten thousand against one thousand? That’s impossible!

“After the execution of the prison warden, many soldiers deserted. The numbers have dwindled. In the past few days alone, numerous soldiers have vanished during the night. Rumor has it many have joined the Vermillion side.”

“What? Execution? I only dismissed him—I never ordered an execution…”

My head spun as I held it in my hands. I clearly only had him dismissed. Who gave the order to execute him?

“The execution was carried out nonetheless. It demoralized the troops. And the recent executions of royal guards further lowered morale.”

This isn’t my fault. Someone else ordered the execution. Someone else caused this crisis. And now we have no soldiers to defend the city?

“Your Majesty… the captain of the guards suggests we consider surrender. He believes resistance will only lead to needless bloodshed.”

“Surrender!? Don’t make me laugh! I am the king. Now they return, after abandoning the kingdom, and demand I hand over the capital!? I’ll never allow it!”

I had to act. I had to give orders. Despite my confusion, I had to find a way through this crisis.

“Seal the gates! Gather all available troops! Summon the absent nobles immediately! Recruit volunteers from within the city! Open the royal treasury—use gold to hire mercenaries!”

I issued order after order, but the nobles simply exchanged uneasy glances.

“What are you waiting for!? Move!”

“Your Majesty…”

They hesitated, then one of them spoke in a hushed tone:

“It may already be too late. We believe… it would be better to surrender and plead for leniency.”

“Traitors!”

They dragged me into this mess, and now they want me to surrender so easily? I clenched my fists. I never wanted things to turn out this way. This isn’t my fault. It’s theirs—the nobles who involved me.

I looked out the window and saw something on the distant hill. A red flag fluttering in the wind. It bore the Vermillion crest. They were already that close.

“This… this must be a nightmare.”

I whispered. It didn’t feel real. The throne I had sat upon for the past few months was now on the verge of crumbling.