Chapter : 04
Twelve years ago, the losses brought about by the war spared no one—not even the nobility.
When news arrived that Duke Abihi had died in battle, people thought the House of Abihi was finished.
All that remained were the former duke, an aging eighty-year-old man, and his sixteen-year-old grandson.
Yet, as if mocking the opinions of the world, the former duke paved a straight and spotless path for his only remaining grandson.
Whether it was a matter, a person, or even an animal, if he judged that it would interfere with his grandson’s future, he removed it without mercy.
Sixteen-year-old Alven Abihi naturally enjoyed the benefits of it, and he demonstrated abilities worthy of them.
As time passed, the young duke, left alone, eventually became a noble who stood above the king—a pillar supporting the kingdom itself.
Before her regression, Lethe had felt no particular regret about that fact.
If anything, she had even been grateful to him for making up for the royal family, which had been incapable of properly fulfilling its role.
But that was only how she had felt before entering the royal palace.
“You’re late, Duke.”
In the past, Alven Abihi had thoroughly excluded the queen who had returned after twelve years from all matters of state.
The Royal Army had long since become the duke’s private forces, and everyone in this palace was his eyes and ears.
Surrounded by Alven Abihi’s people, she had been forced to live under constant surveillance, with every move she made being watched.
And everyone in the kingdom considered it perfectly natural.
The throne.
Even though it was rightfully hers, people treated her as though she had stolen Alven’s position.
There was no place for her in the homeland she had longed for so desperately.
At Lethe’s pointed remark, Alven smiled smoothly, as though he did not care in the slightest.
“I apologize. I received the report that Your Majesty would be attending rather late, so I was unfortunately forced to be discourteous. I ask that you please forgive me.”
“I heard that all information in Arvei passes through the House of Abihi. I suppose that reputation is a lie as well.”
“Next time, I will make sure to live up to Your Majesty’s expectations.”
“Expectations… Then you don’t need to make any effort. I have absolutely no expectations of you.”
At Lethe’s blatant sarcasm, the sound of people drawing breath spread throughout the hall.
The nobles hurriedly glanced at Alven, gauging his reaction.
Who in this kingdom would dare speak to the Duke of Abihi like that?
Alven Abihi had been born noble and had stood above the king for his entire life.
Even the previous king had always been too busy worrying about the House of Abihi’s opinion.
And yet, a young queen who had only just ascended the throne dared to antagonize the ducal house.
If the duke showed even the slightest sign of displeasure, everyone present would rush to condemn the queen.
“Is that so? It is unfortunate that our thoughts differ.”
Contrary to the nobles’ concerns, however, Alven’s voice remained perfectly calm.
His indifferent response actually silenced Lethe.
Normally, Alven should not have let her rudeness pass.
He was a man who never forgave anyone for challenging his authority.
Yet Alven merely returned to his seat as though nothing had happened.
“It seems the meeting has been delayed too long because of me. I think we should begin.”
His natural manner of taking control of the meeting, and the smoothness of every word he spoke, were overwhelming.
Even the high-ranking officials who attended royal council meetings had long since been overawed by a young man who was only twenty-seven years old.
Following Alven’s lead, the nobles began presenting the matters they had prepared.
“First, I would like to report on the current state of taxation. Recently, tax revenue collected from each region has been declining significantly…”
Even as Lethe listened to the nobles, all her attention remained fixed on Alven.
Something about him was different from the Alven Abihi she knew.
Lethe’s gaze persistently studied him.
The slight twitch of his eyebrows whenever the nobles offered foolish opinions.
The way his throat moved now and then, as though swallowing a sigh.
The tone he occasionally used when admonishing the ignorant.
Even his relaxed expression.
Everything was exactly as she remembered.
What about when Alven entered?
His steps had seemed slightly slower than usual.
But there was no one in this kingdom reckless enough to point out the duke’s behavior merely because he was walking a little more slowly.
Unless he had suffered a permanent injury to his leg.
Come to think of it, I definitely hit him.
Before she died, Lethe had clearly heard Alven let out a short cry.
She did not know where she had hit him, but Lethe had prayed that the Alven from before her regression would remain crippled for the rest of his life.
As a consequence of the war, disabilities were no longer considered a major flaw in the kingdom—but that only applied to commoners.
To nobles, who considered perfection the greatest virtue, disability was simply unacceptable.
Physical or mental defects were beyond what conservative noble society could tolerate.
No matter how common injuries had become because of the war, society’s perception of something that had been regarded as a weakness for so long would not change easily.
That was why, to them, eliminating any weakness in the family was simply the natural thing to do.
Even if that weakness was a blood relative.
And Alven Abihi—there was no way that man would tolerate a flaw of his own.
This arrogant and fearless man was a noble among nobles.
Even if it meant ending his own life with his own hands, he would never endure the humiliation of being imperfect.
“And the next matter concerns which nations should be invited to the celebration of Her Majesty’s return…”
“There is no need.”
Lethe cut the noble off.
“Let me make this clear. I need neither a welcome-back ceremony nor a coronation celebration. Rather than spending money on such banquets, I believe it would be far more beneficial to use it for the reconstruction efforts after the war.”
“Ahem! Your Majesty, the welcome-back celebration is not merely a simple banquet. It is an occasion to demonstrate the continued strength of the royal family to the nobles of this kingdom and put their anxieties to rest.”
The words sounded grand, but in reality, it was simply an occasion for nobles to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves at the royal family’s expense.
Lethe stared at Count Bavelion, who had spoken.
Before her regression, he had been the man who got drunk at her welcome-back celebration and dared to make advances toward her despite her being the queen.
“It seems Your Majesty has spent so long living abroad that you are unfamiliar with the customs of the current kingdom.”
When Lethe did not respond, he continued arrogantly.
“Before concerning yourself with state affairs, perhaps you should first learn proper etiquette…”
“I see. I understand your point perfectly well.”
There was no need to hear another word.
“Then let us do this.”
Every noble’s gaze turned toward Lethe.
“How about bringing in a royal consort who can ease your concerns and make up for my shortcomings?”
The nobles were filled with shock and disbelief as Lethe’s gaze swept across them before settling on Alven.
At some point, Alven’s gaze had also turned toward her.
Neither of them avoided the other’s persistent stare.
Lethe spoke with a warning in her voice.
Anyone but you.
“There will be only one condition for the royal consort. Does he truly care for this kingdom?”
“……”
“Someone who is willing to sacrifice his family, pride, and honor for this country. That is the man I will choose.”
Alven Abihi.
You, who cannot give up a single one of those things.
You will never become my royal consort.
“I will abide by Your Majesty’s wishes. Do as you please.”
A low voice broke the silence.
It was Alven Abihi, who had been quietly watching her all this time.
At his obedient agreement, both Lethe and the nobles gathered there widened their eyes.
“However.”
Alven’s gaze landed on Count Bavelion.
“Count. Your rudeness toward Her Majesty the Queen has gone far beyond what is acceptable.”
Perhaps the count had never imagined that the duke would side with the queen.
He looked flustered and could not find the words to respond.
Then, as though suddenly coming to his senses, Count Bavelion bit his lip and bowed deeply.
“…Please forgive my rudeness, Your Majesty.”
The man who had stood proudly before her, insisting on the attitude of the powerful, bent at the waist at a single word from Alven Abihi.
“I will leave the count’s punishment entirely to Your Majesty. Please do as you see fit.”
Even though punishing a noble who had insulted the queen was her unquestionable right, the duke spoke as though he were graciously granting her permission.
“That is right. Please punish Count Bavelion.”
“You must demonstrate the dignity of the queen.”
At the Duke of Abihi’s words, the nobles who had remained silent until that moment all began demanding the count’s punishment.
Even during this brief council meeting, Lethe could clearly feel whom the nobles truly regarded as their king.
The humiliation she had thought she would never have to experience again once more engulfed her.
After the meeting ended, Lethe went to the shooting range inside the royal palace instead of returning to her office.
Bang!
The muzzle trembled.
Seeing the bullet miss the target, Lethe clicked her tongue.
Even this would not go the way she wanted.
Count Bavelion, who had insulted her, had been placed under disciplinary confinement, and she had been able to arrange for a royal consort with ease.
Bang!
But she was not pleased that all of it had been achieved with Alven Abihi’s help.
She could have dealt with Count Bavelion on her own.
Instead, because the duke had stepped in, it had become as though she had punished the count with the duke’s permission.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The bullets that normally would have hit the target without fail continued to miss one after another.
She had picked up the gun to calm herself down, but the bullets that cleanly missed the target only made Lethe even angrier.
Eventually, she lowered the gun and breathed heavily.
At that moment, she heard soft footsteps approaching from behind.
Out of habit, she turned and aimed the gun toward the sound.
“It seems the meeting did not satisfy you.”
“…Duke Abihi.”
Alven Abihi appeared with soft, measured footsteps, making Lethe’s already frayed nerves tense even further.
Even though her displeasure was plainly written across her face, he continued speaking as though he did not care.
“I believe I helped Your Majesty obtain everything you wanted.”
“I never needed your help.”
“Then I am disappointed.”
He walked toward her leisurely.
Handing his cane to the attendant who had been waiting nearby, Alven reached out his hand.
“I wanted to be of assistance to Your Majesty.”
The gun in Lethe’s hand was taken from her in an instant.
He expertly assumed a shooting stance and aimed at the target.
“Next time, I will strive even harder so that I may be of help to Your Majesty.”
Bang!
A direct hit.
Lethe pressed her lips tightly together.
Both in the past and in the present, Alven Abihi was an unpleasant man.
Unlike her, who was constantly anxious and struggling, he was relaxed about everything.
He maintained the attitude of someone calmly observing everything, as though mocking her as she desperately struggled with all her might.
There was no way she could possibly feel even the slightest bit of affection for him.
“I did not know Your Majesty was interested in shooting.”
“…It is an old hobby of mine.”
“That is hardly a beautiful object for Your Majesty’s delicate hands to hold.”
“You must be tired after making the long journey here. Why don’t you return to your residence for the day?”
She turned her back on him, making it clear that she had no intention of continuing the conversation.
As the Duke of Abihi placed great importance on noble etiquette, he had probably been quite offended by her rudeness.
Lethe took the gun from him and aimed at the target once more.
“Choose me.”
“For what?”
“The royal consort.”
Bang!
The gunshot rang out at the same moment as the Duke of Abihi’s words.
The bullet missed the target.
Lethe turned toward Alven in disbelief.
But he paid no attention to her stunned expression and drove the final nail into the coffin.
“Take me as your royal consort.”
