Published: August 1, 2025
“Father… why… are you here?”
“Why? Why do you ask? Is it not natural for a father to attend his son’s wedding?”
At Lionel’s question, Father answered simply and immediately.
Behind his round glasses, his small eyes narrowed, and with a soothing voice like petting a cat, he wore the same warm smile that made everyone feel at ease.
“Is it that surprising? That the king freely walks this land. Even though you locked the door and imprisoned me in a tower reaching the heavens.”
Lionel froze on the spot.
Father did not stop walking. He passed by the eldest son and approached Anastasia and me. Then, eyes wide open, he spread his arms.
“Whoa, what a beauty!”
Suddenly shouting loudly, Anastasia jumped like a cat, subtly hiding behind me.
“...Th-thank you. It is an honor. His Majesty the King, may you be in good spirits…”
“Oh, don’t be so formal. Today’s protagonists are you all. Ah, I’ve heard about you, but you really are a wonderful girl. Ruifeng, how did you manage to win over such a cute lady? Good lad.”
“Haha… Father, you haven’t changed, have you?”
I couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Yes, this is my father… the King of Dilz. Always cheerful like this, kind without discrimination to any rank, and providing a sense of security.
The gentle and magnanimous Soft King—everyone in Dilz knows that this king is the reason for the kingdom’s peace. However…
With that gentle smile still on his face, Father turned to the Crown Prince.
“—Now, Lionel. Let’s have you answer my earlier question. When exactly did you ascend to the throne? I have no memory of abdicating.”
…Lionel remained silent.
His expression was no longer that of a ‘stone-faced’ man. He looked like a criminal facing interrogation.
This reaction surprised me. Father had been depressed since Mother’s death, handed over full power to the Crown Prince, and retired—at least that was the plan. I myself saw Father despondent at Mother’s funeral and entrusting politics to my brother. The seclusion in the tower was supposed to have been Father’s will.
But something was different? Father seemed much healthier than expected and appeared angry at Lionel.
“The letter brought by the ‘pigeon’… the report to me seems quite different, doesn’t it?”
Lionel clenched his fists. He knelt before the king, face down, and began to speak slowly.
In a voice barely audible.
“…As you instructed, I have devoted myself entirely to Dilz. I swear there is no lie in that.”
“Ah, I do recognize you as sincere and hardworking.”
“You yourself told me to govern in place of the king.”
“Hmm. Indeed, that is true.”
Father twisted his beard with his finger and tilted his head like a child.
“But, didn’t you mention other things? The policies I have advanced over decades of peace—technological reforms in agriculture and primary industries, promotion of industry and science, and generous investments in arts and traditional crafts, which are weak points.”
“Eh…!”
I couldn’t help but speak out. That was exactly what I had been thinking.
“And to distribute those, I told you strongly to build good relations with the Granado Family—the largest merchant house in the country.”
“I have been advancing that! By arranging the marriage between Cyrus Granado and Princess Reimia, we aimed to have the Granado Family under royal control—”
“Control is not a good match. Regardless of the engagement with Reimia, you cannot tear apart lovers. Even if the scheme succeeds, they will harbor deep resentment. I can’t sleep worrying that the princess might be betrayed by her fiancé inside the royal palace.”
Father’s tone grew stronger.
“Lionel, I told you to get along well with Cyrus, didn’t I? What good comes from fighting, fool!”
“…!”
Lionel closed his mouth again.
Ah, I see… so that was it.
I realized my brother had misunderstood Father’s words—
But we’re not naive enough to think that.
If the goal was to ally with the Granado trading company, there would be no reason to accuse me of kidnapping and imprisonment. Whether it was an arranged marriage or not, the effort was to incorporate Cyrus into the royal family, not to hand Reimia over to the Granado Family. I can only think Lionel wanted to ruin the Granado Family.