Later, it was reported that while imprisoned in the dungeon, the Marquis of Lagarea had committed suicide in contrition for his crimes.
The title of Marquis of Lagarea was annulled and his lands were returned to the kingdom. The leading nobleman’s betrayal that had shaken Fanoren to its core had come to an end.
The truth of the incident remained between those who had been in the king’s office that day, and was otherwise buried in darkness.
Only Gravis knew that the hair shaved from the corpse of the criminal was placed in a small bag and handed to King Joachim. The king received it with an indifferent expression on his face and showed no particular emotion.
Gravis did not know where the small bag had gone.
Shortly thereafter, the thirteenth King of Fanoren, Joachim, officially announced to his court his intention to abdicate before his death due to health problems. Following the incident with the Marquis of Lagarea, this came as a great shock to the royal court.
As the next king, Crown Prince Kyle began preparations for his accession to the throne. The coronation itself would be held the following year.
The reason for the delay was the need for him to choose his queen. There had been no precedent for a king of Fanoren to ascend the throne without a queen.
At the same time, Gravis, the king’s younger brother, was appointed to assist his reign.
The days passed by in a flurry of activity.
On an auspicious spring day, the private wedding of Gravis Adolphe Fanoren, the younger brother of the king, and Leorino Cassieux, the fourth son of the margrave of Brungwurt, was held in the great temple in the royal palace.
It had been a long time since the royal family had celebrated such an event, but since the war was still fresh in everyone’s minds and the king had just recently announced his abdication, there were no banquets or celebrations, only an exchanging of vows in the great temple.
After the ceremony, Leorino renounced his Cassieux surname and the noble status it carried and joined the royal family as Leorino Viola Maian Fanoren. From now on, Leorino would be addressed by the style of “Your Highness.”
“Uncle, how dare you. You’re the only one who gets to be happy with the love of your life.”
Sitting in his office, Kyle grumbled in frustration. Gravis deftly handled the documents Ginter gave him and handed only the necessary ones to his nephew.
“I should have the right to find my true love, just like you, Uncle. Oh, how I loathe a political marriage.”
“Kyle. I also hope you can find someone you like. By choosing Leorino, I set a precedent. If you fancy them, we can handle any difference in status.”
Kyle forced a smile as he accepted the documents.
“Do I amuse you?”
“No, I simply don’t know what difference in status you speak of. Leorino is of Brungwurt. Other than his gender, is there any issue at all? Given his bloodline, it’s like marrying a fellow royal.”
“I didn’t choose Leorino because he’s of Brungwurt.”
“I know.”
Kyle suddenly tossed the documents.
“Your Royal Highness! What are you doing?!” Chancellor Ginter uncharacteristically raised his voice.
“Why don’t you just take over the kingdom yourself, Uncle? You have the most beautiful spouse, a veritable angel, that one. You are a hero, the symbol of this country. Whatever’s the issue?”
“Your Royal Highness! What nonsense!” Ginter reprimanded him.
Gravis glared at Kyle with a stern expression on his face. “You are the heir to the throne of this country, and it’s high time you began to act like it, Kyle.”
“Hah. If you mean the rightful heir, I believe you’re most befitting of that title, Uncle.”
Gravis put down his documents and looked at Kyle. He assumed he must have been joking, but Kyle watched him with a serious gaze.
“I’m not sure I follow, Kyle.”
“I’ve told you countless times, haven’t I? I know who the throne should belong to.”
They glared at each other.
“…Are you suggesting it should be me? Because I’m the son of the queen dowager? That’s laughable. Whatever happened to firstborn succession?”
“You know that’s not the only reason, Uncle.”
“…Kyle.”
The crown prince, his face much like his uncle’s, offered a small smile.
“Uncle—I know. And on that basis, I say we make a deal.”
Gravis shot Ginter a look. Ginter bowed quietly and left the king’s office.
“My, how fearsome. A glance from you is enough to command even Ginter himself. I can see who is truly in control of this country. I’m no match for you.”
“Kyle…I’m in no mood for jokes.”
“Who said I was joking? I couldn’t be more serious about the future of this country.”
The face Kyle made as he sneered resembled Gravis’s.
“Let me be clear, Brother. It is not that I don’t want to inherit the throne.”
“…Kyle.”
“Oh, please. We’re alone…and this is the first time I’ve been able to call you that. Allow me this much.” Kyle rested his chin in his hands.
“…How?”
“Hm? You mean, how did I know? I’m a member of the royal family, so let’s just say I have a certain Power of my own.”
Saying this, Kyle waved his gloved hands. Realizing that his faint fear had been correct, Gravis’s eyes turned dark.
How long had he known? How did he learn?
But what would it matter if he asked about it now? Kyle already knew the secret of his birth. That was the most important part.
“But more importantly, when did you find out, Uncle?”
Gravis met Kyle’s sharp gaze, but did not answer. Kyle saw the look of pain on his uncle’s face and forced a smile.
“Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t understand it when I was little, but at my age, I’ve…come to terms with things, however reluctantly.”
“…Kyle.”
“Still, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m the crown prince. No one doubts my parentage. Then why do I want you to succeed to the throne… Do you know, Uncle?”
“Why?”
“If you ask me if I truly don’t want to ascend the throne, I’m honestly not sure. And I don’t know if you can relate to this feeling, but…I fear I will one day destroy this country with the anger that continues to seethe deep within my chest.”
Gravis would never forget the look on Kyle’s face at that moment.
“I can’t stand it. Sometimes I just want to start screaming… I want to…destroy anything and everything.”
Kyle gazed out the window, his chin in his hands.
“There’s a voice living inside me that whispers: ‘The blood that flows in you is tainted… Destroy all who possess it.’”
It was an impulse Gravis was familiar with. The urge to scream at the realization of everything wrong with his own blood, the rot that festered in his heart.
“I wanted you to inherit this country, Uncle. There’s so much I still want to do. I want Fanoren to be at peace… I don’t want to destroy it.”
“Kyle…I’m sorry.”
Kyle looked Gravis in the eye.
“So, Uncle, I propose a deal.”
“…Tell me your terms.”
“I will ascend the throne and produce an heir if necessary. For once, an heir with no victims. In return, after I have fulfilled all my duties, you will set me free.”
Gravis narrowed his eyes. “What does freedom mean to you?”
“I want to leave this country. I want to live without the name of Fanoren.”
“How will you succeed to the throne of this country if you leave it?”
Kyle sat up. “I will endure for a few years. I will marry whomever. I’ll give you an heir. But after that, I want to be free of this country.”
“But that will only make you and your spouse miserable in the meantime.”
Kyle laughed at his answer. “It’s a little late for that, don’t you think? For us, the concept of a happy marriage is a mere fantasy, is it not?”
Gravis clenched his fists.
“Oh, except for you and Leorino. You were made for each other, and it shows. Only the fact that you can’t have children is…truly regrettable.”
“…You hate me, Kyle. For choosing Leorino and deciding not to rule over this country.”
Hearing that, Kyle inclined his head and slowly shook it. The gesture was somewhat reminiscent of Joachim.