“Th-th-that’s…!”
“It’s true that I haven’t been on the throne for long, but I don’t think I deserve to be called a fraud.”
One by one, they fell to their hands and knees. The kingdom’s people really do see the Sacred Swords as exalted. Seeing their defiance fade away, I dismissed the blade.
“Stay put until further notice.”
Having said that, I left their prison behind. I then looked at Gilbert, who had left the tower with me.
“Gilbert.”
“Yes?”
“With the return of the Radfords’ kin, the government should be able to resume its operations as usual, correct?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“For the next three days, have them get back to their regular duties. After that, we will resume our reforms.”
“Understood.”
I parted ways with Gilbert and headed to my room. After taking a moment to rest, I opened the hidden passage. Right, I have to use Heart Realm on the royal guards so they don’t enter the room.
Just then, a dizzy spell took hold of me. I crouched down, enduring the familiar sensation. Although I’d summoned a Sacred Sword, I hadn’t used any other magic. That was the only thing that lessened the episode.
“Coming in… Huh?! Your Majesty?!”
Alicia had just entered the room. What terrible timing.
Hearing Alicia’s shout, the royal guards posted outside stormed in. I immediately used Heart Realm to erase their memories.
“Forget everything you saw and leave the room. Do not let anyone in until I say so.”
Alicia watched, perplexed, as the guard’s eyes went vacant and they went right back the way they’d come. Although she couldn’t use her own magic anymore, mine still never worked on her.
Her eyes flicked back to me, and she dashed over to my side in a fluster. “A-are you okay, Your Majesty?!”
“I’m okay, Alicia. I just feel a little dizzy.”
“We can’t take any chances. I’ll call for a doctor right awa—”
“No, don’t. I just took the throne—if I show even the slightest sign of illness, everyone will worry.” She was reluctant to obey, so I kept my tone firm. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have let me be. Seeing how upset she was, I hurried to assure her. “I’m fine, really. I’m just tired.”
Eventually, she gave in. “Okay.”
“Anyway, what brings you here at this late hour?”
“Sorry about that. It’s quite dry, so I wanted to hang up a damp cloth to increase the humidity.”
Right, I asked her to do that once. It was a habit I brought with me from my past life—I had no tolerance for aridness. However, I couldn’t buy a humidifier in this world even if I wanted one, so I’d asked Alicia to hang up a damp cloth instead. I noticed that dryness didn’t really bother me these days, but I never imagined she would continue to do something I’d only requested once before.
“Oh, I see. Thank you.”
My dizziness ebbed as I talked with Alicia, so I stood up. Right then, I remembered something important: I’d left the secret door out in the open. Even though Alicia must’ve seen it, she didn’t ask about it. No doubt she was being considerate of me so I wouldn’t have to answer. It was remarkable that she didn’t even bat an eye in the face of something so unusual.
I supposed I could trust Alicia with the secret of the hidden door. In fact, she was the only one I could show it to. She was the one person I could trust, a maid who wore her heart on her sleeve with no need for my magic.
“Alicia. I know it’s late, but if you don’t mind, could you keep me company for a bit?”
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
Thus, we stood before the door.
“This is a hidden door made just for the monarch of this kingdom. It can only be opened with the power of the Sacred Swords.”
I took her down the dark and narrow path.
“Here we are.”
When we arrived at the door to the secret chamber, I got to summoning again. We entered the ordinary room, the one with all the furnishings necessary for everyday life.
“That’s…!”
Alicia’s voice hitched as her eyes fell upon the person lying in bed. Though she hadn’t been alarmed by the hidden doors, he had her reeling.
“Why is Master Wilhelm here?!”
“He’s alive. I can’t let the public know about it, though. That’s why I keep him protected here.”
I gently touched his hand, feeling the warmth of his skin.
“I knew it!” Alicia said, relieved.
I tilted my head in confusion. “You knew?”
“Well, um… I knew you wouldn’t harm anyone you held dear, so this makes sense.”
Hearing her tentative answer, I couldn’t help but laugh. I’m amazed she still trusts me even after witnessing my coronation, I thought.
“I see…”
I carefully took out a Sacred Sword—the one I’d stabbed him with. It emitted a crimson glow.
“I love him. And he loves me. That’s why he didn’t die by this sword.”
“In that case, why?!” she blurted, her words tumbling out. “Why did you…?”
A valid question. If I were in her shoes, I would struggle to comprehend it as well.
“By that, do you mean ‘Why did you stab him if you love him?’”
I chose to respond to her question with another question. She awkwardly averted her gaze.
“There was nothing I could do,” I said. “It was all too late the moment I realized it.”
Never before had I hated my own powerlessness since being born as Luxeria. Together with the marquess, I did everything in my power to hinder House Radford from the shadows…but it wasn’t enough. They still managed to secure the position of king consort.
“Lord Radford put up his son as future king consort in the hopes of getting rid of me. Even though I knew that, the Doll Princess had no power to challenge the decision. I lacked power—magical and political. I had no recourse but to bide my time.”
I’d been forced to wait until I acquired the crown and officially ascended the throne. Until then, no matter what happened, I couldn’t make a move. The Great Five were just too powerful.
“By the time House Radford sank its claws into my betrothal, it was far too late. The result was what happened at the wedding ceremony.”
I made up my mind the moment my marriage was arranged. Yet I never expected that the person I was engaged to was my first love—it exceeded even my wildest expectations.
“I’d like you to take care of him until he wakes up. Please keep the room tidy and attend to his needs. I can only place this responsibility in the hands of someone I trust. Please, Alicia.”
“You got it, Your Majesty! Leave it to me!”
“I’ll be counting on you.”
I held his hand once more, then left the room with Alicia.
“I’ll start tomorrow now that I know what to do. I assume it would be best to visit the room only when you’re present?”
“Yes, that’s right. I don’t open the secret door until I know the royal guard won’t enter.”
“Understood. In that case, I’ll go ahead and get going. Apologies again for the late visit.”
“It’s all right. Thank you, Alicia.”
Alone again, I let out a huge sigh. Unable to hold myself together a second more, I collapsed on the floor. Overwhelmed by intense dizziness, I couldn’t bring myself to stand up. I mustered my strength to move only my face. Thank goodness Alicia didn’t notice.
I hadn’t told anyone about my condition. Not Gilbert, not Tommy, and not even Alicia. I couldn’t let them know that the more I used magic, the more it broke me. Right now, I could only wield the Sacred Swords with the crown supporting me, and my body was already in shambles. I could almost hear the sands of my life falling through the hourglass.
How many more times could I summon the Sacred Swords? How much more magic could I use?
Despite the pain, I couldn’t stop. My revenge had only just begun. We were barely past the opening act.
“There are…three houses left…” I rasped as blood gushed from my lips.
Which would come first? Would I reach the end of the play…or would the sand run out? Scoffing at myself for being so volatile, I closed my eyes.