Read Novel Full Chapter 41
Chapter 41
My Worth.
And so, me, Lizbeth, and Marquis Fahlcrantz sat down around the table in the garden…….but.
“…………………”
“…………………”
“…………………”
………yep, this is awkward.
But it was only natural that the mood would turn out like this.
After all, this time around during my talk with Queen Alicia, I suggested the fact that they can gain the cooperation of Marquis Fahlcrantz, the symbol of military might of the Empire, and used it as a negotiation chip but in reality, I had never even bothered to gain the agreement from the Marquis himself and had decided all this on my own.
Especially, the entire reason why the Marquis had remained neutral and had not picked a side with any of the princes was because if the Fahlcrantz family who possess the Empire’s strongest military were to align themselves to any of the princes, the strangely equal equilibrium and status quo between the different camps would completely collapse.
And I………had ruined all of that.
“………..Father, in regards to the situation with Prince Robin, the moment Queen Alicia herself showed up, the option of not handing him back to her was simply nonexistent. If anything, for both me and Prince Rudolf, I don’t think we could have pulled any other conditions in our favour than what we got in my personal opinion.”
“Master. It is as Lady Lizbeth says. If he had handed over Prince Robin without any conditions, that would have resulted in our side being completely underestimated and Lady Lizbeth would have come into further danger in the future. And if our side hadn’t set out the conditions clearly ourselves in advance, it would have only sown further discord between Queen Alicia and us.”
Both Lizbeth and Maya followed up adeptly by bringing up all the info from earlier this morning to try and back my decision.
Speaking of, I’m shocked both of them had read so well into my own thinking as well……..it made me really happy though.
“You need not explain to me something so basic. And I do not care that the Prince used my name as a negotiation chip either.”
“In that case, why have you been making such a difficult expression for all this while, Father?”
Faced against the Marquis who folded his arms and glared, Lizbeth too sent a deathly cold stare right back at him.
These two, even though they get along so well, they’re both really awkward and obstinate on top which results in them constantly clashing with each other huh……..
That said, most of it was because of me so I could only feel sorry for it all.
On the other hand, Maya seemed to be enjoying their exchange though. Seriously, this personal attendant of mine is bit weird in the head, I swear.
“………By the way, your highness, I wanted to ask you but, do you really have no interest in the seat of the crown prince……….the throne of the Emperor?”
Huh? I don’t recall talking about this with the Marquis and only Lizbeth and Maya should know of this but………
Finding it a bit strange, I glanced at them and………ah, they both averted their eyes. I see, that’s how it is.
Well, I planned on explaining it the Marquis sooner or later anyway so, if anything, this’ll make it go faster.
“It is exactly as you say. The throne of the Emperor………no, The Imperial Family in its entirety is something that I have absolutely no interest in.”
Looking into his similar pale blue eyes like his daughter Lizbeth’s, I spoke very clearly.
Perhaps the Marquis had plans of his own based on the fact that I had Imperial blood in me but, unfortunately I could not live up to such expectations.
Even though, this imperial blood of mine was perhaps the only way I could ever reward the Marquis.
“………..truly, forgive me for that.”
I put my hands on my knees, and gave a deep bow.
When I did that…
“kukuku…………Well, that’s just splendid.”
For some reason, the Marquis laughed happily instead.
Just what’s that supposed to mean then?
I had thrown away the one and only worthwhile thing I had to my name and yet, Marquis Fahlcrantz was happy that I had chosen to abandon the fight for the throne?
“u-umm……….”
“I do not know if you already know Prince Rudolf but, our Fahlcrantz family has no other heirs beside Lizbeth. And so, upon her engagement to you, I was considering taking in and adopted child from one of our branch families instead.”
When I timidly questioned about his reaction, Marquis Fahlcrantz took a sip from his tea as he began to explain.
But……….I see……..
The Marquis was thinking of adopting me into his family as a son-in-law instead now.
“Also, over this last half year or so, you have also received training directly from me your highness, and have been properly drilled in the way of the sword. Thanks to that, while you may not be as good as Lizbeth, you are still already a much better swordsman than most noble kids of your age.”
“Eh………….?”
Hearing the unexpected appraisal of my skills from the Marquis, I was perplexed.
I mean, I could barely keep up with the Marquis during our training, and not to mention, I was just a villager in my previous life. I always thought that I didn’t really have any talent when it comes to swordsmanship.
“Prince Rudolf, it is indeed as father says. One day, you will become a swordsman that can surpass even father. I’m genuinely confident of that.”
Lizbeth too, put a hand to her chest, and gazed at me with her aquamarine eyes as she spoke.
A,ahaha……….these two, aren’t they overestimating me a bit too much…….?
“Also, you even managed to successfully negotiate when faced against that Queen Alicia of all people as well. Your humble servant Maya had the honour of fully witnessing that feat.”
“Yes, it is as she says.”
“kuku………Then, there are to be no objections to it.”
Maya further complimented me, and all three of them smiled while looking at me.
………..I always knew, that my life had no worth to it.
Even Queen Alicia only accepted to negotiate with me because she knew I had Marquis Fahlcrantz backing me.
And yet………….and yet…………!
“Prince Rudolf…….”
Lizbeth leaned closer and gently wiped my cheeks with her handkerchief.
“a,ahaha……….thank you so much………..”
“No, it’s fine…………however, I want you to understand, that to me, your worth is far greater than anyone else in the world………that you are an utterly irreplaceable partner of mine. Please carve these facts into your heart.”
“yeah………”
That’s right………from the very start, Lizbeth was always watching me.
That’s why, I can’t keep denying myself like this.
All for the sake of Lizbeth, who trusts and believes in me more than anyone else in the world.
“………..then, my Prince, I will take my leave now.”
“Ah………y-your Excellency, forgive me for not being able to provide better hospitality.”
As Marquis Fahlcrantz got up from his chair to take his leave, I also quickly stood up in a panic, and gave a deep bow.
It was then.
“Prince, continue to work hard as you have.”
“Ah…………..”
The Marquis, patted my head and gently rubbed it.
His hand was large, rough and rugged, but I absolutely loved it regardless.