Koushaku Reijou no Tashinami - Ch 232

Brother and sister

(Dean and his sister, Letty)

The inside of the royal palace, which boasts a graceful appearance in the usual way, has become quite noisy now.

People come and go running around and there's people yelling out everywhere.

If you are a royal aristocrat who has the highest respect for elegance, you should have a wrinkle between the brows at the sight of this atmosphere. Or will you scramble?

"Oh ... did you came to such place to see how are going the matters for your older brother, not?"

While listening to the hustle and bustle in the royal palace, Letty came in while I was absorbed in the papers.

"Letty, I knew you would be here often now.."

"Well, I'll be occupying the place where my older brother is sooner or later."

"Really…"

A bitter smile floats in my face while she answers that.

"... It was quite noisy, was not it?"

"Oh, yeah ... quite ... ... I guessed it should be like that."

"So when will you depart?"

Where is the cheerful and light talk like last time ... She asks with a serious voice.

To such a sudden question, I was surprised and my reaction was delayed for a moment.

"... Mm, has someone told you something?"

With Letty, if you don't want to answer... every moment is fatal ... I give up on answering and inquire in reverse to deny.
But.. as I suspected, she didn't took the bait.

"Even if you do not go to the conference, there is something you must be wary of, because what happened is the result of a person's detachment. That's why the royal family must go to the conferences in person and not throw away the matters of the land. My older brother, you're the only one who can bring both the national army and the knight's team together, because the armed forces have a good relationship with you as "Dean" and the knights follow you because of their duty. Today, I'd want to give them as much strength as I can. But.. I'm not as qualified as you brother. When thinking about your safety at this campaign, the risk is truly high ... But If I think of the battlefield as a place to build up achievements as royalty, this is a great opportunity, so... I was thinking that if I were older, it would be my place to go. "

"That's right. ... But that's not why you have come here, is that not?"

"Before that, why is that official running towards here?"

"... .... A letter has arrived from the Duchess of Almeria !!!"

"Oh Dear……!"

At the mention of her name, happiness spread in Letty's face.

However, at the next moment, she regained the calm complexion.

"A variety of things must be happening in the Duke of Almeria... Does she seek reinforcements?"

"Yes, but ... unfortunately, we can not give them reinforcements in the situation we're right now."

"When you consider the urgency in the north, this case doesn't hold any importance, but then, the Duke of Almeria ... "

"There was a request in conjunction with hers to predict the advance of the troops and to allow cooperation from Marquis Anderson"

At my words... Letty calmed down.

"I am trembling when I think of the situation Iris must be in right now."

"Oh"

"... Well then, is it about the ships?"

"This is what you care about, not me."

I did not answer that question.

It is a definite refusal.

My dearest person... she.. Iris told me that she wanted reinforcements of the army. Or from the guards of Marquis Anderson.

This request is extremely proper, and the format of the petition doesn't matter.

Although aristocrats allegedly may come out later to find excuses to make trouble, it is inevitable if we consider the current situation of the Duke of Almeria.

I myself decided to fully accept this petition while acknowledging it.

...... There is no problem so far.

The problem would be later.

At the end this was not the answer from the king to the Duke of Almeria, but from "Dean" who worked there at her side.

... No, this shouldn't be an answer from Dean, "Dean" should not move for her.

The problem of the Duke of Almería is what the duchess should solve, and not be asking for help.

But, even though there are many relationships, it is unnecessary to help out if a territory is having a  tough time. That's the work of the lords.

Yes, this should the answer spelled from the king.

But.. I could never ignore that I'm being stupid ......

In fact, All I was thinking is how I would move until I read the last sentence.

...... and that's my response as "Dean".

Although it is clear that it is necessary to go to the northern region if I think this calmly though. Under such circumstances, I somehow can still manage to go to the Duke of Almeria to help her.

Yes, I had thought about it.

Thinking it calmly,  the actions I should take as king come to mind.

However, on the other hand, the impulse to save Iris wandered in the depths of my own heart, aiming take over me.

I am embarrassed by the existence of that part of myself, and it is frustrating.

"... If you don't want to answer, it can't be helped brother.."

Letty's word brings me back to reality from my thoughts.

"If so, why did you visit this brother of yours Letty?"

"My older brother, I thought about a plan, so I wanted to hear your thoughts about it."

"... What is it about...?"

" ...I want.... to raise.... a coup d'état"

I was stunned by Letty's words that sounded so competent.

"If you have read the history of this country... Repeated bloody conflicts between brothers have come over the throne succession rights over the years..."

But would anyone who wants to raise a coup d'état, talk to the other party before acting?

"... Well, what kind of joke is this Letty?"

My question is extremely serious.

"It's not a joke ... I've been dreaming of this for a long time."

A smiling face terribly adorable for a girl thinking of rising a coup d'état. Her words matching that face look frightening.

"I have been living protected by you brother for a long time. I am now healthy and grown up, thanks to you."

Like singing, Letty whispers.

"...... That's why brother I want to protect you and your feelings now. Unaware of your suffering I have been living well all these years. But now.. I want to help you brother like you helped me before. The burden that my brother has been carrying, is something I would like to take over from now on."

How does a coup d'état and the past of this country is related?... I still wonder what is she planning.

"Please answer me honestly, Is not just a burden the throne to you elder brother? are you really willing to abandon everything and your own feelings for the throne?"

"If I'm not willing then why, I am sitting here like this now"

"Because you brother, for us to survive, the only possibility was for you to take the throne... No, more like if you don't take the throne, the Queen would have murdered us. "

It strangely matched my idea.

That is why, for a moment I closed my mouth.

"......... Even though, I only imagine a future sitting here."

"That's a lie"

Confident, Letty smiled and affirmed.

"What you want is not this. Because, older brother ..... When you were working with Iris in the Duke of Almeria's territory, it was quite interesting for you? You were happy then. And as it is now, my older brother you're trying to keep weighing between your position as the next king and your own hopes? "

After saying that, Letty's expression changed from smart to serious.

"Older brother, you will be an excellent king for the throne if you wish so, whether talking about your good work as a gear to move the country or your intelligent decisions... but having the qualifications and this being the best for all are different things."

"... I think I'll not be able to be a gear to move the country and my work is not the best?"

"Yes, if you lose her and freeze your heart your work will be the best."

At her words, I sneered.

"... A heart, is it the most demanding quality for a king?"

She didn't answer my question.

She just gazed at me.

"Have you forgotten our father? he lost our mother and threw everything."

"That's why I have not met her anymore. Because I know that already. I'm completely capable of getting over her."

"I don't say that your heart must direct you, I also know that it is necessary to judge coldly at times, but your mind and heart must be in the same place... I think that it is human nature to deny our feelings sometimes and try to bury them. But.. the more you think that with your mind you'll be able to control your heart, the more everything goes wrong... On the contrary, even if it goes too well, people will feel fearful as if they are isolated from a cold king without a heart. And already this country's people has suffered enough. With a distant king, how will they feel secure?. And how will you manage to forget her without losing your heart? ... Do you realize now why I have thought of this plan? "

"... I see, I will remember this as a reference."

As soon as I said that, I try to get up to exit the room.

"Older brother ...! Please listen to the end!"

"Having supported and protected you from birth, did you think that I would allow you to carry so big burden Letty?"

"... I'm not alone."

"What???"

"Oh, no ... It's not yet time for you to know this."

To her who is upset while hiding her embarrassment, I stare at her as if asking what is her meaning.

"In any case, I would like to be king, whether alone or not and whether there's a way to achieve this or not... I am true to my ideals. If there's no way, I'll pave my way to it."

Just at that timing, I heard a knocking sound from the door.

It was Bern that entered the room.