Beneath the Surviving Princess's Joyful Facade - Chapter 106

But Rakane, having successfully diverted their attention, shouted back confidently, “The new queen, consecrated in a sacred ceremony, has appointed me as the head of the Crispin Marquisate. Therefore, the command of the Central Defense Force belongs to me.”

Rakane couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret that she couldn’t clearly see her uncle’s face. She would have loved to witness his disdainful expression crumble.

Suppressing her regret, Rakane shouted toward the Central Defense Force, “The queen, guided by the goddess’s oracle, has ousted the tyrant and ushered in a new era. To draw your swords against her is the true act of treason!”

Her uncle blinked in confusion. During the brief shift change, someone had become queen, and the nobles remained silent, accepting this change.

“Central Defense Force, lay down your arms and pledge your loyalty to the new queen!” Rakane commanded.

The Central Defense Force and her uncle looked around in confusion. Though the platform was dimly lit, the nobles’ gestures and whispers indicated they were not just frightened but observing the scene with interest.

This scene was more like spectators watching a spectacle than fearful civilians seeking help, causing cold sweat to trickle down Hayel Crispin’s back. Could it be that Rakane’s claims were true? Hayel was perplexed. How could they suddenly swear loyalty when they didn’t even know who the new queen was?

“I will go and resolve this,” Rakane offered.

“Do so, Marquise,” Miesa permitted.

With Miesa’s permission granted, Rakane swiftly jumped down from the platform. The onlookers widened their eyes in astonishment. The Margravine, who had raved madly just moments ago, now exuded royal authority, and even Rakane Crispin, the young lady who always carried herself with neatly styled hair and gloved hands, now looked like a true knight.

Meanwhile, Eirik signaled Miesa, advising that they should end the day’s events due to the exhaustion from the numerous occurrences. However, Miesa shook her head in refusal.

Eirik persisted, and eventually, Miesa agreed, instructing Tilberg, “Let’s continue this at the royal palace.”

Tilberg waited for the commotion caused by the Central Defense Force to die down before shouting loudly, “We will shave the heads of the prisoners here and transport them to the capital for their punishment.”

The guards used daggers to cut the prisoners’ hair, reducing Vermel’s once-arrogant cronies to disheveled and pitiable figures in an instant.

***

The Captain of the Royal Guards announced the dispersal in a loud voice, and the new queen departed first with the Margrave. Then Rakane Crispin, as if she had been waiting for this day, took command of the Central Defense Force.

Rakane ordered her uncle’s treatment, who was still grinding his teeth, and assessed the injured personnel. As she swiftly gave instructions, Captain Tilberg approached to discuss the situation.

“Marquise Crispin. Her Majesty’s protection is our duty, but there are also parts you must handle,” he said.

Many were eager to return home out of unease. However, traveling at dawn with a procession of noble carriages was not safe, especially with a limited number of knights.

“I understand your point, Captain. I will send personnel to each family’s camp to confirm whether they will depart immediately or at dawn, and the Central Defense Force will escort the procession in sequence.”

Tilberg, momentarily impressed by her decisive answers, lowered his voice and asked, “But where are the previous marquis?”

“I don’t know. I won’t leave the mountain until I find my father,” Rakane responded without blinking.

Once the captain of the guard left, Rakane turned to the defense force members and asked, “When was the last time you saw the previous marquis?”

The confused guards exchanged glances. Though they suspected the new marquise, they had no proof and eventually began to answer.

“It was just before midnight, as we were coming down for the shift change.”

“He should have been at the intermediate base, but we didn’t see him on our way up,” another added.

Rakane issued orders, “Split the city guard in half. Infantry will search for my father, and cavalry will visit each noble to confirm their departure time.”

As she turned, Toven approached with a visibly uneasy expression.

“Miss– no, Marquise… I have something to tell you,” he said.

“What is it?” Rakane asked.

Toven gestured to a secluded area. “Please, over there…”

Once they had some privacy, Toven whispered, “When we find the previous marquis, who will you frame for it?”

“What are you talking about?” Rakane demanded.

“I mean, it’s certain the previous marquis didn’t see me. But since he was kidnapped, we need to blame someone for this,” Toven explained.

Rakane shouted as soon as Toven finished speaking, “Toven, how could you do such a thing!”

Toven’s face turned pale with surprise at her reaction. “Miss?”

“While I was aiding Her Majesty’s cause, you were deluding yourself and dared to kidnap my father,” Rakane snarled, as if looking at a mortal enemy. She gestured to the knights.

“Arrest him. Find out where the previous marquis is hidden.”

“M-Miss?” Toven stammered.

Ignoring Toven’s bewildered gaze, Rakane walked away briskly. Following their new marquise’s orders, the Crispin family knights restrained Toven.

“Wait, this is a misunderstanding!” Toven protested.

“We know. You’re innocent, but if you want to be buried whole when you die, keep quiet,” one knight remarked, shaking his head as if he had expected this outcome.

“Hold me.”

Miesa, sitting in the carriage, instinctively found her place in Eirik’s arms. He rubbed her cold hands and feet, chilled by the cool night air, while they remained silent.

By the time Miesa’s hands had warmed, Eirik whispered softly, “It will take three hours to reach the royal palace. I will wake you upon arrival, so try to get some rest.”

“…Vermel died too easily,” Miesa murmured absentmindedly, causing Eirik’s hands to pause.

“Of course, if we had prolonged it, we would have been in danger, so it was unavoidable. I understand that,” she continued, her voice weak.

“Still, it feels unsatisfactory. Should we hang him on the city walls and let people throw stones at him?”

Eirik pondered for a moment before speaking, “Making decisions in a tired state is unwise. Every word you speak now carries great weight, Your Majesty. Nothing should be decided hastily.”

“…Even hanging a man on the wall?” Miesa asked, her eyes wide.

Eirik sighed softly and stroked her back. It was a difficult thing to say, but someone had to.

“Though I don’t see it at all, people say you and Vermel resemble each other quite a bit,” he began carefully.

“…I suppose.”

“I believe displaying his body as we did today is sufficient. If people see that disfigured corpse and then see Your Majesty, they might associate you two.”

He chose his words even more cautiously. “It could undermine your authority.”

“Why would my authority be undermined? It’s Vermel’s mutilated body that would be disgraced,” Miesa argued.

Eirik rephrased his explanation, “People might superimpose that grotesque image onto you. It’s not beneficial in any sense.”

If a former king’s body could be displayed on the city wall, people might subconsciously believe the current king could face the same fate, especially if they looked alike.

“Furthermore, commoners know less about their rulers than nobles do. Seeing the corpse of a king hanging on the wall overnight could create unnecessary fear, even if he was a tyrant.”

Eirik explained slowly, ensuring Miesa understood, “Not many know exactly what Vermel did to you. Without understanding the circumstances, some might see it as excessive and misjudge your actions. And you don’t want to publicize your past experiences to everyone, do you?”

“But he committed many atrocities, and there were many victims,” Miesa countered.

“Even those directly harmed by Vermel will only find brief satisfaction in his punishment. If your rule doesn’t meet their expectations, they could turn against you, finding fault and attacking you.”

As Miesa listened intently, her eyes eventually closed. But the fluttering of her eyelids suggested she wasn’t asleep.

After contemplating for a while, she spoke, “Most of the nobles have already seen my grotesque state during the banquet and this hunting tournament. Do you think they will look down on me?”

It was a difficult question to answer. However, Eirik, having seen the shock and horror on the nobles’ faces up close, couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile that didn’t match the situation.

“Well, I don’t think someone blessed by the goddess’s oracle needs to worry about that.”

“Really?”

“But wait, where did such an idea come from? And declaring the marriage null and void? Suddenly becoming the ruler of the Cladnier state?”

“Ah…”

Seeing Miesa looking uncertain, Eirik tried to reassure her with a kiss on her forehead, sighing as he mumbled, “How did you know about the high priest’s affairs? I was quite nervous then.”

“…I overheard Vermel giving secret orders to someone. I was rolling around in the office,” Miesa replied.

Seeing her curled up in his arms, Eirik felt a pang in his heart.

Considering what she must have endured, he, too, felt that Vermel’s end had been too easy. So, he added, “My words are just one opinion. You should also hear others and then decide.”

“No, I think you’re right,” Miesa responded unexpectedly, shaking her head and speaking in a lighter tone.