In preparation for her audience with the king, Leticiel had done some preliminary research on him last night. After all, even if she didn’t have any memories of him, she couldn’t walk into their meeting knowing absolutely nothing.
Oswald was born as the first child of the second to last former king. He was confined in the north tower for a while, but about twenty years ago, the previous king, his own younger brother, passed away without leaving any children, and so he succeeded to the throne.
He had three wives, each of whom had given birth to a prince, but he hadn’t taken any new wives since the death of the queen. He cherished his queen consorts equally, but it was said that the late queen was the only woman he had ever truly loved.
Leticiel had learned a bit about Rocheford while looking into Oswald. For better or worse, he was simply mediocre and hadn’t acted out as a child. But after his mother’s death, his arrogant behavior began to make more of a prominent appearance. In most of what she’d read, Rocheford had been criticized for misusing the privilege he received being part of the royal family. But now, Leticiel could see that he may have had his own circumstances and emotions to deal with. Not that it changed her attitude toward him.
“Her Majesty passed away eleven years ago, correct?”
“Yes,” Oswald replied shortly. Leticiel could hear what went unsaid. Eleven years ago, the kingdom of Platina had been at war with its neighbor, the Lapis nation.
They had been battling over the kingdom’s northern border in the region of Sphylia. Oswald had been praised by his people as a good king because he had ended the war without its effects spreading to other regions and without unnecessary bloodshed. However, he had lost Queen Josephina in the very middle of the war.
“I was able to prevent the spark of war from spreading throughout the country, but there were still many casualties due to my lack of power. And…I couldn’t protect Josephina.” Oswald took something out of his pocket. It was a golden pendant. The king’s eyes were brimming with thick grief as he gazed at it. It was likely one of the queen’s keepsakes. Leticiel slowly lowered her eyes.
“Your feelings are understandable, Your Majesty. It’s only natural to feel that way, both as a king and as a father,” Leticiel spoke quietly and lightly squeezed his folded hands, showing her understanding for his personal feelings and his struggle as a king. “I’m sure Prince Rocheford didn’t mean to harm anyone. However, it is true that many of the academy’s teachers were injured, and students were involved. As a member of the royal family, he must bear that responsibility.”
Opening her monochromatic eyes, Leticiel stared straight at Oswald. The king curiously returned her piercing gaze, full of her strong will, with his own red eyes.
“You’re right. Please know that I deeply regret that my personal feelings led to this commotion and put you in danger.” Many of the teachers who had been present during the battle had witnessed Rocheford slashing at her with clear murderous intent. Oswald told Leticiel, “I want to respect your opinion. Drossell, what do you want to do?”
At his question, Leticiel blinked slowly and lowered her eyes in thought. “I’d like you to call off my engagement to Prince Rocheford. An engagement is something that is supposed to bind you to another and give you peace. However, our engagement is tormenting me. I’m not sure I can keep myself bound to His Highness any longer.”
Leticiel didn’t particularly wish to marry into the royal family. She would be happy as long as she could live a peaceful life. Also, to be perfectly honest, she couldn’t stand Rocheford’s personality. Christa would be a much better fiancée for him.
Oswald put his hand to his chin while thinking over Leticiel’s request. At long last, he slowly nodded. “Hmm, understood. I will call off your engagement to Rocheford. Sirius, bring that to me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Sirius, who had been waiting patiently at the king’s side, handed over a single document.
Accepting the engagement certificate with Drossell and Rocheford’s names on it, Oswald ripped it up in front of Leticiel and declared, “In the name of the king, I hereby dissolve the betrothal of Drossell Noa Filiaregis and Rocheford Bellarc Alesta Platina.”
When he was done, Leticiel mentally breathed a sigh of relief. Never again would she have to deal with Rocheford.
“By the way,” the king continued, “there’s something I’d like to ask you. What was that sword you used at the academy? It wasn’t magic…was it? I’ve heard that you have no magical power.”
Leticiel observed Oswald carefully, trying to guess the meaning behind his words. Why would he ask something like that? What was his goal?
Under her searching gaze, Oswald waited patiently for an answer. She saw neither greed nor ambition in his eyes, only a strong will that desired power for the sake of justice.
“As you said, Your Majesty, that was not magic.”
“Then what was the power you wielded? If you do not need magical power, what source did you use?”
“I used material that is available in the air.”
“Material that comes from the air? Hmm…” Oswald grew silent in thought. At this point, he was almost certain that she had a grip on a power similar to what he’d been searching for. “As you know, our country’s magic has come to a standstill. The Ministry of Magic researches the development and modifications of spell techniques on a daily basis, but the truth is they haven’t reported any new spells to me in the past few years.” He paused there, brow twisting into a complicated expression. “However, there is great potential in your magic formulas, which Lucas reported to me. Eleven years ago, I was unable to protect our army’s soldiers. Our enemy used a strange power and techniques. Our magic couldn’t compete with them at all. Thinking back, their power may have been something similar.”