Chapter 3
“The railway matter must be your idea, right?”
“No way.”
“There is no need to be modest. It is not an idea that could come out of His Majesty’s head.”
Despite it being a considerably sensitive remark, the Marquis did not hesitate. It was likely because he trusted Tristan, rather than because he had a deep friendship with the King.
“I merely stated my opinion because His Majesty asked.”
Tristan replied while pretending to be modest, but in truth, the King had not even thought about constructing a railway. When he asked why other countries were needlessly laying down tracks, Tristan explained it to him, and the King’s eyes had simply flipped since then.
“Anyway, it is amazing. To persuade the strict advisory committee members and realize the plan right away.”
“You flatter me.”
At the moment when the conversation with the Marquis was slowly becoming tedious, a small commotion arose from one side of the hallway. Four or five advisory committee members were talking while surrounding a man with a handsome face.
Aslan Campbell. He was the son of Lord Campbell, who died three years ago. He was the brother of the war hero Ibella Campbell and also a person highly expected to become the future King’s brother-in-law.
His deceased father, Lord Campbell, was a politician so famous that Aslan could not even be compared to him.
He was a figure whom King Philip followed closely, and along with Siegmund Hezelkaiser, he was a politician loved by the people of the kingdom.
When Siegmund raised a rebellion, he went as the King’s envoy to negotiate and died in an accident on his way back.
Thanks to the father and daughter of the Campbell family being greatly loved by the people of the kingdom, Aslan was able to quickly establish a place in politics. Of course, it was possible because his character and ability also supported it.
“They look like some kind of ticks.”
Marquis Harper, who was beside him, snorted and muttered.
Tristan pretended not to hear and did not agree. It was because he knew why the Marquis harbored resentment toward Lord Campbell.
When Lord Campbell was alive, he was always pushed aside by him and used to give up his position.
In terms of the King’s trust, the love of the people, and the trust of fellow politicians, he could not keep up with Campbell.
Furthermore, even his own son was being pushed aside by the current Lord Campbell, so his stomach must be turning.
Even though he possessed everything now, the inferiority complex he showed from time to time made a crack in his dignity.
“I heard Ibella rejected His Majesty’s proposal this time too, so his heartbreak must be great.”
“It cannot be helped.”
“I really don’t understand the Campbell family either. Not only did they let their daughter go to the battlefield, but they also allowed her to vulgarly nurse the soldiers. It is mind-boggling that he says he will follow his sister’s wishes even though the King is handing him the position of brother-in-law on a silver platter. He might be a good brother, but he is not a wise person.”
“Is that so?”
Although he roughly played along with Marquis Harper’s words, Tristan harbored goodwill toward Lord Campbell.
Though he had not met him many times, he was a gentle and honest man. One cannot believe a politician blindly, but the appearance he saw would not be entirely wrong.
Otherwise, would he have allowed his daughter to go to war as a nursing officer? Conflict with his daughter might not have been completely absent, but the broad-mindedness to respect his daughter’s wishes despite being pointed at by others was worthy of recognition.
“By the way, when will you drop by our house? Our Ronen is waiting for you a lot.”
When Tristan did not agree, Marquis Harper immediately changed the subject.
“I will visit sometime soon.”
“Please make sure to do so. Did you not even postpone the engagement because your circumstances were urgent? You wouldn’t know how much nagging I received from Ronen because of that matter.”
“I will.”
“You know, right? What kind of relationship your father and I have.”
“Of course.”
The pressure applied by bringing up his father. Tristan suppressed his rising annoyance and answered politely.
For a long time, an engagement with a woman he did not even know had been scheduled, without his own intentions being reflected in the slightest.
His father had merely delivered a notification rather than seeking understanding, saying that he needed Marquis Harper’s help for his own goals.
Lauren, whom he met for the first time after coming over to Estonia, fell completely for him. Setting aside the arranged marriage and looking only at the person, she was not a bad woman. Because she was pretty, quick-witted, and on the clever side.
At one time, since it didn’t matter whom he met, there was a time when he tried to accept the marriage with Ronen.
“I shall wait. Since I have good tea, let us drink it together.”
“Understood.”
Not now.
His world had changed.
☆☆☆
Before writing the report, Tristan headed to the King’s office first. The King, who was sensitive by nature, would be waiting for the results with his thin ears pricked up.
“Your Majesty.”
“Welcome, Tristan.”
“The railway construction matter was well—”
“Resolved, surely. Since you went out, there is no way it could fail.”
The ruler of the Kingdom of Estonia, Philip von Beringer, looked at Tristan while lowering the newspaper he was reading onto the desk.
His thin, pale face, sharp jawline, and pointed chin well represented his sensitive yet obsessive personality. Seeing that his voice was heavily mixed with annoyance, he seemed to be in a particularly bad mood today.
“Why are you reading something like that?”
Tristan, who approached close to Philip’s desk, only realized the reason for the King’s displeasure after seeing the headline of the newspaper.
[Countries That Chose a Republic]
The article with the provocative title belonged to the Libertas Newspaper Company.
Previously, it was an insignificant place that published weekly, but after the Delmore War, it changed to daily publication, winning the hearts of the citizens with fast and accurate news and expanding its power.
The problem was that this Libertas Newspaper Company frequently published editorials against the constitutional monarchy.
“Look at what these scoundrels have babbled. To dare compare me to Siegmund, should I wipe them all out?”
The King put his thumb to his mouth with an anxious face and then flicked it away roughly. The anger rising in his pupils clearly showed how unstable his mind was.
He was originally of a sensitive nature, but the King’s anxiety disorder worsened because of the betrayal of Duke Siegmund Hezelkaiser, whom he had trusted the most.
At such a time, since this newspaper company was constantly comparing the King and Siegmund on the same level, it was natural for the King to be angry.
“Leave it be. It is the newspaper most favored by the citizens, so it is dangerous to touch it carelessly. Even without that, trust in the royal family is hitting rock bottom, so moving in vain might lead to a setback.”
“Who on earth is the editorial writer of this damn newspaper company? How long has it been since I ordered to find that fellow, and you still haven’t found him?”
“We are searching, but it is not easy. Do not pay too much mind to it. At best, he is just a mere pen-pusher.”
Once, an editorial writer of the Libertas Newspaper Company had criticized the King.
The Inspection Bureau, which was keeping an eye on them, raided the newspaper company and arrested the president, but the mysterious editorial writer was never caught in the end.
Even then, due to a torrent of public outcry, they had to release the president. Since then, the Libertas Newspaper Company was subtly grating on the nerves of the royal family while continuing a tightrope walk so as not to violate the kingdom’s laws.
Through that incident, Tristan learned how powerful the strength of the pen was, but there was no need to tell that to the King.
“Tristan. You are truly a strange person.”
“I will take that as a compliment.”
“You are detached in any situation, just like a person who died and came back to life.”
“It is a born disposition.”
“Yes. That is why I trust and rely on you.”
“Thank you.”
At Tristan’s unwavering appearance, the King also seemed to gradually find stability. After the small habit of moving his body subsided, the King spoke with a much calmer attitude.
“By the way, there is something you need to do for me.”
“Speak, Your Majesty.”
“Go to Emmerville. Go and meet Ibella.”
“What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?”
“I have sent a message stating that I am sending someone to Ibella. I have also sought understanding from Lord Kevel.”
“I do not know what you are suddenly talking about. Why should I…”
Tristan asked in a tone as if he had not expected it at all.
He knew the King would act this way, but he did not know he would send a letter arbitrarily without consulting him.
Apparently, the shock of being rejected by Ibella once again must have been great.
“You said so yourself. To persuade her, choose a competent and trustworthy person and send them to her.”
“That was not meant to refer to me, however.”
“Is there anyone else who is competent and trustworthy besides you?”
“But if I go, by Your Majesty’s side…”
“Do not worry about such things. Do you think I am a fool?”
“That was not my meaning.”
Tristan, who had asked with a worried face, bowed his head as if embarrassed. However, the King would know that the scolding dropped from the King could not leave even a microscopic scratch on him.
“I’ve clung to this for several years, so now I can’t back down out of embarrassment. And if I marry Ibella, won’t the credit of the royal family, which is hitting rock bottom, also rise?”
“Are you trying to marry Lady Campbell for that kind of reason?”
“Of course, it is not only because of that. Ibella is a strong woman, and when I am with her, my mind becomes stable. Weighing it in various ways, I absolutely must marry Ibella, so somehow persuade her and make her accept my proposal.”
“Understood.”
As if he understood, Tristan bowed respectfully and answered.
Stepping back and turning around, a strange, peculiar gleam flashed across his eyes.
A fish that has starved for a long time will snap at the bait even if it isn’t delicious. The King was caught up in his trickery like this once again.
It was when Tristan had almost reached the doorway.
“Tristan.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Tristan turned around, skillfully changing his expression.
“Do not seduce Ibella.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Unlike usual, the King’s voice was low and subdued. Perhaps it sounded like a request, or perhaps like a plea.
“Since there is nothing you cannot do if you step forward, I am sending you, but just in case… Do not make her fall in love with you.”
“……”
“You can easily make it so if you put your mind to it, can’t you?”
“Your Majesty.”
“But not Ibella. I cannot forgive that.”
Philip was staring intently at Tristan, having completely stopped moving.
Although he did not know with what kind of heart the King had brought this up, Tristan could read the emotions wavering in his gaze.
A fear or wariness as great as his trust toward his subordinate. A doubt, having made a decision driven to the extreme, of whether this was truly his own will or his aide’s will. An unresolved conflict about whether sending Tristan to Ibella was right or wrong.
“…Do not worry, Your Majesty.”
Tristan dispelled Philip’s anxiety in a serious tone. Only then did the King, his face relaxing, wave his hand, signaling him to leave.
Leaving the King’s office, Tristan began to walk with regular strides. Stopping at a spot overlooking the garden, he put his hands behind his back and straightened his posture.
“Ibella Campbell.”
The moment he called the woman’s name, a faint smile that surfaced spread all over his face.
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