Read Novel Full Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Three Wishes
“………Then, let’s do it this way. If you were to comply to three wishes of mine, I’ll hand the rat over to you.”
“Three……..asking a little too much, don’t you think?”
“Far from it. Here I am trying to comply to your wish at the cost of putting my own position and honour in jeopardy. I believe I’m making a very special exception just for your sake, Queen Alicia.”
“………………..”
Her smile didn’t break but, I could feel her gaze getting sharper.
To have to be so modest while talking to the “dirty pig”, I’m sure she must be seething deep inside.
“……..So, what are these three wishes of yours, Prince Rudolf?”
“Of course. Firstly, I’d like the rat to never show up at the Scorpio palace ever again, so you have to raise him outside the Imperial palace. Let’s see…….I believe the Imperial Academy Campus is a great place for raising. Ah, of course, if you attach a caretaker for it that is.”
In the first place, even though both Fredrik and Oscar went to the Academy properly. It was only Robin who was using his Imperial privileges to go to and fro from the Imperial Palace itself. It was quite an odd situation from the start.
I was simply telling her that he should have been obediently sent to the dorms from the start.
Well, from Robin’s perspective, after getting constantly compared to his to elder brothers at the school by other noble scions, he at least had the chance to maintain his mental balance by coming back here and bullying me in return, or something………..not that I actually know for sure.
“I understand the first demand. Like you said, that might be for the best.”
Queen Alicia nodded with an expression of understanding.
Looks like she herself agreed that Robin should have been sent to the Academy dorms as well.
“Then, the second one. To allow a rat to sneak into my palace so easily, is quite embarrassment on my part as well. If possible, I would like Queen Alicia to keep this fact a secret to yourself, and effectively pretend that none of this actually happened.”
“Ara, are you okay with just that?”
“Of course. Ah but, for my satisfaction’s sake, what I mean is that I want to make sure that everything remains exactly as it was yesterday. As such, the servants of the Taurus Palace that just happened to be here should also continue working as always, that’s all.”
“”””!!”””””
The moment they heard that, the servants and the attendants expressions all broke into a smile.
Basically, I just guaranteed that they get to continue on as if nothing has happened as well.
“ufufu……….that was a bit unexpected but, very well, I understand your second request as well.”
Queen Alicia showed a gentle smile as she gazed at the servants and the attendants.
From her point of view, not only did I make it so that the incident will be erased without her needing to do anything, I also made sure that she didn’t have to make any drastic decisions in regards to the servants thus also avoiding any problems or discord that may have been born from it. No wonder she instantly agreed.
“Which means, one more left. What would that be? If possible, I’d like it if it was as mutually beneficial like the last two of your wishes though.”
I’m sure she’s probably thinking that the third one won’t be too much of a bad deal for her like the previous two. Unlike her previous sharp glare, Queen Alicia was looking at me as if she was curious about me instead.
Yes of course, as you imagine, I don’t think the last one is that bad of an offer for you either, you know?
However………she might end up getting betrayed by her son that she just tried to save though.
“Then, my third wish. As you may already be aware your highness, I am often subject to a lot of shame while inside this palace.”
“…………………………”
As one of the root causes for said treatment of mine, I’m sure that was probably not a pleasant thing to hear. Queen Alicia frowned upon hearing that.
“Of course, I understand my position and my situation very well. A mere mistress, that is my mother, managed to give me, a mere illegitimate son the right to imperial succession pure by asking for it from the emperor, as if she was asking him to buy some precious gems or something. And that’s what has brought upon this ostracising that I face every day.”
When I openly said all that, Lizbeth who had appeared behind me while I was unaware, hid her face and grabbed on to my clothes.
With an expression that seemed genuinely sad.
You need not worry Lizbeth.
I’m not exactly trying to wallow in self-misery here or anything.
Above all else, I have you by my side after all. And that alone is irreplaceable.
“………..in the end, what is it that you want, Prince Rudolf.”
“Ahaha, I suppose that was a bit too roundabout. Basically, I’m saying that I fully understand my position. I personally have absolutely no interest in the succession, and neither do I think I could ever become the Emperor either. I simply, wish to live out my life in peace.”
My words were far too mature to be coming out of a 14 yr old’s mouth but, this was my true feelings on the matter so it couldn’t be helped.
As long as I can live a quiet life alongside Lizbeth, that alone is good enough for me.
“However, after getting engaged to her…….to Lizbeth, I have unexpectedly gained a backing from Lord Fahlcrantz of all people. And so, using this as a chance, I was thinking about deepening my relationship with my estranged elder brother.”
After all that I had said, someone smart like Queen Alicia would of course instantly get what I was implying.
That I wished to join hands with not Robin……..but with the First Prince, Fredrik.
And in that case, with the backing of the Fahlcrantz family behind me, I would seem a lot more valuable in her eyes I’m sure.
After all, this was her path to bring Fredrik the one thing he didn’t have. Military might.
“…………ufufu, who would have thought that wanting just one single rat would result in me owing such a great debt to you Prince Rudolf.”
Queen Alicia hid her lips with her folding, and seemed to be holding back her laughter.
“So………what do you think?”
“The Prince’s wishes, I accept all of them. Not to mention, that child has been interested in you for quite some time already.”
“……….is that so?”
That’s quite some lip service. I doubt Fredrik ever even thought about me.
He was a overly rational man, and only acted upon whatever helped him profit the most. That’s the kind of person Fredrik was.
“Then, may I leave the rest o you Queen Alicia?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Thank you very much. Then, allow me to take my leave here.”
I put my hand to my chest and bowed, and then took Lizbeth’s hand and began to leave the place when……….
“Prince Rudolf, if I may ask one last thing?”
“……….What is it?”
“What do you think of your mother……….of Beatrice……?”
Haha…….what do I think my mother?………of that woman? She asks?
The answer was quite simple.
“Nothing……….I simply think nothing at all of her. She is her. And I am me.”
“I see……….”
Queen Alicia seemed to make a somewhat lonely expression and then cast down her eyes.
And this time for certain, we finally left the place.