Chapter 171: Trial

In fact, the First Princess was busy preparing to support Cantum.

However, it wasn’t an easy task.

“What? Why can’t we deploy troops?”

“That’s… there are too many bandits, and we need to secure our territory.”

While there were many nobles who refused to listen, there were just as many who offered excuses.

Yet, most of this could be resolved with the First Princess’s resourcefulness.

The real problem was the man standing right next to her.

“What is this? Is this what you call tea?”

“This tea holds great significance within our royal family…”

“Don’t you know I only drink Braha’s Baos?”

T/N : 브라하의 바오스, I don’t know about this one. Probably his preference for a specific type of tea.

Leonic, the former crown prince of Cantum.

He was a constant source of headache, given to her by King Eloin.

While she often felt like pulling out her sword and shoving it down his throat in frustration, she reminded herself.

‘He is the crown prince…’

Moreover, the Second Princess was also a problem.

[I will not return.]

When she tried to entrust the logistics of the Cantum support army, the Second Princess sent a letter saying she would not return.

There was still work to be done in Bahara, so she couldn’t return yet.

That surprised her.

‘I can’t believe this child is rebelling.’

Additionally, the Third Prince seemed to be unreachable, while the Fourth Prince locked himself away as if to say not to disturb him.

It was honestly concerning how none of her siblings were of any help.

The Seventh Prince, Ian, seemed to be the only one who might be useful, but even that posed a problem.

Of course, it was unacceptable that he had disregarded royal protocols and arbitrarily threatened the council of elders.

‘Not only did Deputy Chairman Jarken insult me, but it would be difficult to let someone who insulted all the women of the royal family live.’

Because of this, she decided to handle the matter with Jarken herself.

If word got out, it would surely gain the support of the queen, who was the head of the inner court.

Understanding this, Ian might have easily yielded to the First Princess.

However, his current course of action seemed peculiar.

Just then, the First Princess intercepted him.

“This matter isn’t resolved. Where do you think you’re going?”

“I have business with the queen.”

“What?”

In that moment, the First Princess’s expression shifted.

She discerned his intentions from his gaze.

‘Is he planning to hold the queen accountable as well?’

Given that this involved not only her biological mother but also the head of the inner court, the First Princess spoke gravely.

“You’re referring to the queen. No matter how much I trust you, acting rashly is unacceptable.”

“Dear sister, your actions are what concern me.”

“What?”

Tension crackled between them in an instant. The First Princess narrowed her eyes and spoke sharply.

“Just because you yielded with Jarken doesn’t mean you can implicate the Queen. That’s going too far.”

“I cannot do that.”

“Are you serious? Are you aiming to target the Queen for your own benefit?”

It was only natural for the First Princess to suspect as much.

The queen had supported both the Second Prince and her throughout.

Therefore, she suspected Ian was leveraging this opportunity to eliminate their innocent mother. However, Ian shook his head in denial.

“That’s not the case.”

“What?”

“This is a legitimate execution.”

At that very moment, Ian pulled out another royal decree.

Not a mere blank or counterfeit decree, but one personally penned by King Eloin for this precise circumstance.

Confronting the shocked First Princess, Ian stated firmly.

“In the presence of His Majesty’s decree, you are to show reverence.”

“I acknowledge His Majesty’s decree.”

In an instant, the First Princess knelt down, offering the appropriate greeting before the royal decree.

It was a customary posture in the presence of such authority.

However, her eyes were clearly filled with shock and confusion.

‘How did he obtain a royal decree?’

More than that, her expression conveyed a curious eagerness to understand what kind of decree it was.

At that moment, Ian boldly began to read the decree aloud.

“Ian Kaistein is granted the right and power to punish all associated with the forged royal decree. Furthermore, all members of the royal family shall assist him in suppressing the traitors.”

“Yes!”

As the First Princess bowed her head to respond to the decree, Ian interjected firmly.

“This is the will of His Majesty, and it is the will of the Kaistein. Do not interfere, sister.”

“But… but my mother hasn’t done anything wrong…”

“The queen conspired with Jarken to fabricate the blank decree for personal gain. Regardless of her status as the nation’s mother, she cannot be pardoned.”

“!”

It was only natural for the First Princess’s complexion to turn pale.

‘Could Mother really be involved in this?’

She wanted to believe it was not true.

Yet, the First Princess made a cold, rational judgment.

‘Jarken wouldn’t act recklessly like this, even as Deputy Chairman. He must have had assistance, perhaps from his parents.’

Yet, King Eloin was personally out there capturing the traitors.

If the king were involved, such a significant uproar would likely not have occurred.

It appeared that Ian’s words might hold some truth. However…

‘Still, she is the mother of the nation. I cannot allow her to be treated this way.’

Therefore, she knew she had to protect her mother no matter what.

With a determined expression, the First Princess stood up.

“I will accompany you.”

“Very well.”

However, Ian readily permitted it, as if he had anticipated that the First Princess would say just that.

Yet, what truly mattered to her wasn’t that.

‘I must protect Mother at all costs.’

And so, the First Princess walked alongside Ian toward the queen’s palace.

***

The queen’s palace was quieter than usual.

In fact, it was so silent that not a single attendant could be seen.

Ian and the First Princess entered the corridor quietly.

“You’ve come.”

They found her, the queen, seated calmly and drinking tea, appearing just as she always did.

Ian stepped forward and presented a new decree.

“Accept this decree, for you have sinned.”

But the Queen didn’t move.

Instead, she smiled faintly at Ian.

“A sinner, you say. I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Do you truly not understand?”

Ian spoke sharply towards the queen.

At that moment, the First Princess stepped in front of him.

“We are in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen. Show respect.”

“Respect?”

Ian laughed as if it were absurd.

“Perhaps my humble origins have not taught me to be polite to sinners?”

“Who are you calling a sinner now? You are being disrespectful to the Queen.”

“Sister, I am currently carrying out His Majesty’s orders.”

“Ian Kaistein!”

At that moment, the gaze of the two clashed.

A strong tension arose as if a sword fight would break out at any moment.

But then, it happened.

“Enough.”

“Mother!”

The queen raised her hand to stop the First Princess.

She maintained a warm smile despite the tension in the air.

“If I am indeed a sinner, you would have brought evidence to support your claim.”

“Perhaps?”

“Surely… without any evidence, are you calling me, the Queen, a sinner?”

Ian found the queen’s smile to be utterly contemptible.

It was understandable; there was no evidence tying her to any wrongdoing, whether it was with Jarken or any other noble’s mansion.

‘There wasn’t a single document, nor a witness willing to implicate the queen.’

The evidence Ian possessed merely indicated a meeting between the queen and Jarken, insufficient to label her as a sinner.

Regardless of the decree’s validity, it lacked substance.

Accusations against the queen required substantial proof.

‘And yet, there is no evidence connecting her or Jarken to this forged decree.’

It was clear that the queen had been orchestrating events from the shadows.

Her seemingly calm demeanor was likely the result of having erased all traces of her involvement.

The queen seemed to know this as well.

“If you accuse me without evidence, I will be quite furious.”

“Is that so?”

“I truly do not understand what gives you the audacity to act this way.”

At that moment, the queen’s teacup slipped from her hand, and she rose from her seat.

“Tell me, do you really think your lowly origins matter? How rude of you. This matter will be addressed directly with His Majesty.”

The queen, who had seemed gentle until now, was nowhere to be found.

Her fierce presence was reminiscent of King Eloin, unmistakably showing that she was not one to be trifled with.

In an instant, Ian felt a powerful pressure bearing down on him.

‘As expected, her reputation is well-deserved.’

He recalled memories from his past life.

The queen, a princess from the Eastern Empire, was not only skilled in martial arts but also possessed profound strategic intelligence.

Though she appeared to be lurking in the shadows now, in his previous life, even Duke Garcia found himself at a loss when faced with her.

‘Her ability to manipulate the Second Prince and the First Princess from behind the scenes was no trivial matter. Moreover, her own martial prowess was not to be underestimated.’

She was the sole person recognized for strength by King Eloin.

And in this situation, there was no solid justification for arresting her.

Ian was overwhelmingly at a disadvantage.

The queen extended her hand towards the First Princess.

“Give me the sword.”

“Mother…”

“Do as I say.”

“This is not right. Let’s follow royal procedures if you are innocent…”

“If you won’t, I shall take it myself.”

The queen effortlessly lifted the sword beside her, as if it had been prepared in advance.

Swoosh.

“Even with His Majesty’s consent, I am the nation’s queen and head of the inner court. No one commands me in my palace.”

The Queen’s sword gleamed.

It seemed ready to strike at Ian at any moment.

On the other hand, Ian had left his sword at the entrance to the Queen’s palace.

Nonetheless, he remained calm.

“Surely you don’t intend to kill me right here?”

“Why wouldn’t I? Killing someone who insults me and plots against me would not draw His Majesty’s ire.”

The Queen’s sword gradually approached Ian’s neck.

She was the epitome of authority.

She held secrets even King Eloin might not know, but Ian remained unfazed, smiling.

Giggle.

“You find this amusing?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Now I see—you’re just a naive little brat. Do you not realize that there is no one here to protect you?”

“Are you sure? Black Lion Knights stand behind me.”

Ian gestured to the knights who had bravely fought at Jarken’s mansion.

Four Black Lion Knights stood guard.

The Queen, however, smirked in disbelief.

“Do you truly trust in them?”

She retrieved something from her bosom—a token.

“See this? A gift from His Majesty.”

“I’ve never seen it.”

“Exactly. This token shields me from even the Black Lion Knights or the Blood Lion Knights.”

It was akin to a royal pardon.

“Only His Majesty can judge me.”

“But there’s a decree…”

“Even that won’t suffice. His Majesty knows he must come in person to punish me.”

“!”

The Queen smiled triumphantly and pressed the sword towards Ian.

“Farewell.”

But Ian’s smile didn’t fade.

It didn’t matter anyway.

He never intended to defeat her with force in the first place.

And that was the moment.

“Enough.”

One of the Black Lion Knights stepped in front of the queen’s sword, blocking its path.

The queen frowned, clearly displeased by this interruption.

“How impudent! Do you not see this token?”

But her objection was short-lived.

As the knight removed his black cloth mask, her expression froze.

“You challenge me, Queen?”

“Y-Your Majesty?”

It was King Eloin himself.

The surprise didn’t end there.

Ian spoke firmly, “I will now begin the trial for the Queen, who tainted the royal family’s honor with a forged decree and disturbed the country.”

“!”

And there was more.

“Moreover, she faces charges of treason for selling Queen Lila Kaistein and Princess Elaira Kaistein to another country, supported by clear evidence. If she wishes to defend herself, she may speak.”

Ian smiled calmly.