NTWBR 16

Chapter 16

There was resistance from fully armed knights.

Irene took a step forward, intending to pressure them. At that, the knights visibly flinched.

“Stand aside.”

“We cannot.”

“I said stand aside.”

“We cannot.”

“…Sir Clayton.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Thud thud thud!

Wham!

It was in the blink of an eye.

Though lightly armed, they were knights and guards equipped with armor and weapons.

Ernst subdued them in an instant with hand-to-hand combat and looked up at Irene.

And at Ernst’s actions, the other guard standing nearby had a bewildered expression.

*’What… this. He’s amazing!’*

She thought that since he graduated top of the academy, he wouldn’t be bad at hand-to-hand combat.

But she never imagined that Ernst, a civil official, would be skilled at the level of a decent knight.

*’I didn’t know he was this good!’*

Honestly, she was surprised.

The level of Ernst’s martial arts seen by Irene was superior to that of most knights.

The guard who was subdued in an instant by such an Ernst looked up at Irene.

Irene watched this for a moment, then stepped over the guard and opened the meeting room door.

Inside the meeting room, which she entered thanks to Ernst’s martial arts, sat Fern V, along with numerous nobles and high-ranking officials.

Among them was Fern V, and next to him was the Duke of Welbrun.

Seeing the Duke of Welbrun, she felt a secret relief.

*’At least I won’t be at a disadvantage!’*

“I hope I’m not too late, Your Majesty.”

“Madame Paylin! Y-y-you!”

“I have brought the answer to the conditions Your Majesty laid down last time.”

“……!”

At Irene’s words, Fern V’s expression changed.

Of course, the expressions of Prime Minister Marshal, Marquis Aberton, and the Duke of Welbrun also changed.

The looks in the eyes of Fern V, Prime Minister Marshal, and Marquis Aberton were not exactly friendly.

The only somewhat friendly gaze was that of the Duke of Welbrun.

“You brought an answer?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Then why come all the way to the State Council meeting instead of waiting quietly in the office? Do you think this seat is for you, just because I’ve indulged you?”

Fern V’s reaction as he looked at Irene was cold itself.

However, his eyes held a look of contempt. Along with contempt, there was not a single shred of expectation.

*’I expected this, but… actually facing it is quite something.’*

She couldn’t say it out loud, but her mood was very foul.

Even though Fern V’s words made her feel indescribably dirty, he was someone she had to confront.

“As it happens, we were about to discuss Madame’s marriage issue, and Madame arrives just in time, Your Majesty.”

Just as Irene was about to speak, the Duke of Welbrun stepped forward first.

“Duke.”

“Since she says she brought an answer, wouldn’t it be appropriate to hear it?”

“……”

At the Duke of Welbrun’s words, Fern V’s eyebrows twitched.

It was a sign that he didn’t like it.

Nevertheless, unable to simply tell Irene to leave, Fern V nodded.

“What are you all doing? Bring a chair for Madame to sit on!”

A seat was prepared for Irene directly opposite Fern V.

Irene sat on the chair brought by the attendant.

Then, Fern V’s expression came into clear view.

One eyebrow was raised, and the corners of his lips were turned down.

He was blatantly showing that he was very displeased with the current situation.

Irene looked straight at such a Fern V and smiled.

The only thing Irene had to do in this place right now was one thing.

To convince Fern V and everyone present of a legitimate, and at the same time, the most political reason for opposing her marriage to Franz. That was it.

“Now that Madame is seated, let’s hear it.”

It was the Duke of Welbrun’s words. Although his expression was beaming with smiles, the Duke’s eyes were not. Having read this far, Irene smiled brightly at the Duke.

*’I will not disappoint your expectations, Duke. No, Uncle.’*

“Very well. What is the answer you’ve brought, Madame Paylin?”

“The first is the reputation of Franz Mestia. And the second, and final, is a matter concerning the succession of our Estana, Your Majesty.”

The first was the same reason as a week ago.

However, since it was being brought up in the State Council, it carried more weight.

“The reputation of Crown Prince Franz and the succession issue?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

“The reputation of Crown Prince Franz…”

Fern V’s voice trailed off.

He was clearly recalling the rumors about Crown Prince Franz that Irene had mentioned in the office the previous week.

Prime Minister Marshal and Marquis Aberton, who had been in Fern V’s office, also wore serious expressions, as if recalling the same memory.

“First, I am a daughter of Estana and Madame Paylin. And according to the current laws concerning succession to the imperial throne, I hold the position of Heir Presumptive.”

Her position under inheritance law, as there were no male heirs.

Even this alone was reason enough that Irene’s marriage could not be decided carelessly.

“…That is correct, Madame.”

“The Prime Minister agrees with this as well.”

“I agree… because it’s a fact I cannot deny, Madame.”

“And my reputation is very favorable compared to Franz Mestia.”

“Hmph!”

Since Irene had been confined within the palace, there was nothing to criticize regarding her reputation.

Therefore, there was nothing for Prime Minister Marshal or Marquis Aberton to nitpick about.

Marquis Aberton, who didn’t like this, cleared his throat fake.

“Not Crown Prince Franz, though.”

Some of the bad rumors about him must have already reached Fern V’s ears.

It was only natural.

“If bad rumors about him have reached even my ears, confined to the palace, then it’s true that his reputation within Mestia is not very good.”

“Do you have grounds to speak so confidently about something unconfirmed, Madame?”

It was Marquis Aberton’s question.

Irene leisurely looked at Marquis Aberton and offered a light smile.

Irene’s smiling appearance looked very composed.

“Shasha Obolo.”

“Madame?”

“I heard that’s the name of the woman rumored to be Crown Prince Franz’s mistress. Wouldn’t it be more reliable for the Marquis to confirm whether the existence of Shasha Obolo is true or not?”

“……”

At the name Shasha Obolo, Marquis Aberton fell silent.

Shasha Obolo was a famous actress known throughout Estana, beyond Mestia.

She was famous for her glamorous looks and excellent singing skills.

And one of Shasha Obolo’s official patrons was none other than Marquis Aberton.

Irene pointed out Shasha Obolo as Crown Prince Franz’s mistress.

“To call a mere actress… the Crown Prince Franz’s mistress, that is going too far.”

“I suppose we should be thankful that the subject of the scandal is not a noble lady, but in any case.”

Irene paused for a moment and looked around.

Everyone who met Irene’s gaze avoided her.

The only one who didn’t avoid her gaze was the Duke of Welbrun.

“There is even talk that Shasha Obolo recently gave birth to Crown Prince Franz’s child. Isn’t this enough to tarnish his reputation, Marquis?”

“Hmm…”

Marquis Aberton’s reaction was unusual, as if he too knew that Shasha Obolo had given birth.

Having been one of her patrons, he probably knew.

“Since it reached even my ears here in the palace, others must have known about her childbirth as well.”

“……”

Other nobles and officials seemed to know as well, judging by how they avoided meeting Irene’s eyes.

“Even if the child Shasha Obolo gave birth to is not Crown Prince Franz’s, I believe the fact that someone embroiled in such rumors is a Crown Prince of a nation is grounds for disqualification.”

As Irene finished speaking, the gazes of everyone except Irene turned to Fern V.

Fern V’s expression was hardened, as if he was very displeased.

The hardened expression on Fern V’s face did not soften.

Rather, Fern V’s eyes coldly sank.

Meeting the cold eyes of the Emperor squarely, Irene straightened her back, tucked in her chin, and smiled.

“Linking a mere actress giving birth to Crown Prince Franz is quite imaginative, Madame Paylin.”

“I hope it’s merely a product of imagination, but I’ve heard the child has blue eyes and black hair, so I can’t help but suspect, Your Majesty.”

It was exactly as she said. Around this time, the child born between Franz and Shasha Obolo was notorious for being the most resembling Franz among his illegitimate children.

Because of the child’s appearance, this was an open secret in Mestian noble society.

Even Irene, who had seen the child in her past life, admitted he was the spitting image of Franz.

Given that, Marquis Aberton, who was also a patron, would know more than enough.

And the expression and eyes of Marquis Aberton that Irene saw clearly indicated he already knew this.

*’You knew, Marquis Aberton.’*

Irene’s beautiful blue-violet eyes were filled with composure and cool-headedness.

On the other hand, caution began to rise slowly in Fern V’s eyes.

Seeing this, Irene still maintained a confident posture.

“Regarding the reputation of Crown Prince Franz, which I mentioned first, I believe the example I gave of Shasha Obolo and her child is more than sufficient.”

“……”

No one’s mouth opened. With everyone’s mouths tightly shut, silence pervaded the meeting room. Even in the silence, Irene was smiling.

“Without me having to go out of my way to find evidence, the reaction of Marquis Aberton, who is also a patron of Shasha Obolo, is proof enough.”

“Ugh!”

Only muffled groans came from Marquis Aberton’s mouth.

Though he wasn’t openly speaking, Marquis Aberton already knew.

Knowing this, he had still played a part in promoting the marriage between Irene and Crown Prince Franz.

*’Judging by that reaction, he definitely knew and still did it.’*

Marquis Aberton, who met Irene’s gaze, deliberately averted his eyes.

With this, it became clear.

Irene turned her gaze towards Prime Minister Marshal. Prime Minister Marshal’s eyes were also wavering.

Prime Minister Marshal had at least heard the rumors as well.

*’So this is… why my marriage was decided so readily, as if I was being sold off, in my past life.’*

She had suspected it, but confirming it before her eyes left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Still, she couldn’t show it.

Covering the bitterness that threatened to surface with a cold smile, Irene slowly opened her mouth.

“Second is the issue of succession to the throne in our Estana.”

“The succession hasn’t even been finalized yet, so what are you trying to mention, Madame Paylin?”

“What do you mean the succession itself hasn’t been finalized, Prime Minister?”

“It means the Crown Prince has not been decided, Madame.”

“It’s just that there is no Crown Prince, but with me here, what a disappointing thing to say.”

“Madame!”

Prime Minister Marshal suddenly raised his voice towards Irene.

Seeing this, Irene did not remove the smile from her lips.

Rather, she smiled brightly, her eyes curving elegantly.

“Prime Minister Marshal.”

“Yes, Madame.”

“According to the laws of the Empire, if there is no male-line descendant, the eldest among the female-line descendants holds the right of succession.”

“……”

“According to that, it’s correct that I hold the right of succession, isn’t it? As the Heir Presumptive.”

Heir Presumptive, meaning the primary inheritor as a female-line descendant.

This was also another of Irene’s statuses.

The gazes directed at Irene, who was mentioning this in the State Council, were not favorable.

“……”

“Am I wrong, Sir Clayton?”

“You are not wrong, Madame Paylin.”

“Madame. Until now, succession has been by a male…”

Despite hearing Ernst’s answer, Prime Minister Marshal still made a remark as if denying Irene’s right of succession itself.

Ernst, as if to refute this loudly, tried to call out to Prime Minister Marshal.

However, sensing this, Irene made a gesture towards Ernst to calm down.

At this, Ernst, though his eyes were practically shooting sparks, clamped his mouth shut tightly.

“Since there is no legitimate male-line descendant, it is only right that I hold the right of succession, isn’t it? Am I wrong? Prime Minister? Duke of Welbrun?”