kscans

Chapter 79 - The Foreign Royal Palace and the Little One, Part Three

"Hah, now it’s the Crown Prince."

Before the Little One was a single envelope. The letter inside was an invitation to a banquet from the Crown Prince.

"Wasn’t the Crown Prince sick?"

"He is often bedridden, but he is not immobile. He can handle official duties and light walks."

I see. Of course. I hear his children are around our age, so he has to keep going as a father.

Prince Masahad was flying around to all corners. Moving energetically, he had managed to win over a considerable number of allies. The king’s funeral was just around the corner. He had to overturn the evil customs of the Donautil royal palace, no matter what it took. For that, he needed numbers.

"The second prince is doing his best, so maybe I’ll give him a little push."

The Little One chuckled.

Ah, it’s the usual. Once Chihiro-sama gets like this, there’s no stopping her. Her reasons and actions are a mystery, but we’ll understand what she was thinking a little later. Even if we ask…

Hmm? Just a feeling?

…is how it would end.

It had always been that way. It probably always would be.

Dorfen let out a resigned sigh, but his face broke into a smile.

"That was delicious."

"I am glad it was to your liking. It seems my mother was rude to you, and I am truly sorry."

Eating the arrayed dishes with her fingertips, the Little One was thoroughly satisfied. The banquet with the Crown Prince’s family proceeded with idle chatter. It seemed the Crown Prince had heard about the incident with the First Consort and had hastily arranged a meeting to apologize. The Little One, stating that she had also acted willfully, accepted his apology, and the Crown Prince issued an order forbidding his soldiers from interfering with the Frontier party. And then there was the food. Delicious food is innocent. This is a universal truth♪

In Donautil, meals were primarily eaten by hand. The dishes were cleverly prepared to keep one’s hands clean, and there were finger bowls and napkins.

The Little One’s cheeks puffed out, mochamocha, as she wore a blissful smile.

Many of the dishes had a sweet flavor, and she was surprised by things like grilled chicken coated in something like peanut butter.

But it’s quite delicious. A new discovery.

This isn’t bad at all. In Frontier, I’d probably be scolded for having bad manners.

Several large platters were placed on the floor with various small dishes. After eating until her stomach was full, ponpon, the Little One felt a little stuffed.

These sweet dates are delicious. I want to bring some for Nīni. These are honey-preserved, right? That old hag was just spouting nonsense.

A glance at the dishes revealed that most of the sweet seasonings were honey.

How could she say it was monster feed?

When the meal was over and drinks were served, the Crown Prince finally spoke.

His name was Dīvadatta. Needless to say, the Little One nearly burst out laughing.

From their conversation, the Crown Prince seemed to be a gentle and unambitious person. He had only one consort and already had three sons, so he said he needed no more wives.

At that, the Little One tilted her head slightly. What would happen to the inner palace then? The deceased former king had over a dozen concubines and up to a seventh wife. When she casually mentioned this, the Crown Prince furrowed his brow in a troubled manner and said he would dismantle it.

"As you can see, I am often ill. I do not have the stamina to keep many women."

Beside the consort were two children. The eldest son, Prince Tepia, was nine, and the second son, Prince Aristro, was seven. Here too, as in Frontier, it seemed children were not allowed to leave the inner palace until they were seven.

"Then Tepia-sama will not have to execute his brothers."

At the Little One’s nonchalant words, the faces of the Crown Prince and his consort froze.

"Envoy-dono, such topics are not for children…"

"Why not? Do you intend to raise them without telling them the reality?"

The Crown Prince was speechless at the Little One, who scattered poison with a soft smile.

Is this really a seven-year-old child? To come as an envoy of a nation with official documents, to toy with my mother, and to capture and pile up soldiers?

She didn’t look the same age as Aristro at all. She was far more composed than Tepia. Ignoring the stunned Crown Prince, the Little One spat out even more venom.

"You will be the one to kill them, won’t you? All your brothers, because it is the custom of the country. To protect the singular royal line. Without question or mercy."

"That is the rule! The royal line has been protected this way for generations!"

Staring at the Crown Prince, who shouted as if spitting out the words, the Little One glanced at Prince Tepia. The young children’s eyes were wide with curiosity.

"Then you should tell the princes with your chest held high. That you became king by slaughtering all your brothers."

A faint, dark smile spread across her face, and the Little One waited for the Crown Prince’s response. The Crown Prince, his grayish-silver hair swaying, looked at his consort.

"It couldn’t be helped… I don’t want to die either. But I don’t want to kill either. But if I don’t, my own children will be killed. …What am I supposed to do?!"

"Think."

The Little One stood up, walked over to Dīvadatta, and stared him straight in the face. Her deep, verdant eyes were like a calm water surface. Dīvadatta’s thoughts were ensnared by her unwavering, sincere gaze.

"Think. You will become king, will you not? You should have discretionary power. You will be able to do things you couldn’t as Crown Prince. So think. What you can do, and what you should do."

People must not stop thinking. Especially if they have status and position.

"On your shoulders rests every citizen of Donautil. Among them are your brothers. Think. What is the right thing to do?"

Unconsciously placing a hand on his own shoulder, Dīvadatta was dumbfounded.

The countless lives on his shoulders.

"Do you know why Marrow went to study in Frontier?"

The Crown Prince shook his head. He had been a temperamental and selfish younger brother. So the people in the palace had thought it was just a whim.

"He said it was to learn magic to protect the people from floods. He said he wanted to be of use to his brother who would become king."

The girl’s eyes narrowed challengingly. Her eyes told a story.

Marrow is trying to do what he should and can do as a royal.

What about you?

The eyes say more than the mouth.

Dīvadatta hung his head and looked at the floor. With a small nod, the Little One bid her farewell.

"Never forget. You will ascend the throne. There are things that only a king can do. Do not let the opportunities you can seize slip away."

What on earth was she trying to say?

Dīvadatta couldn’t understand what the Little One was getting at.

"Oh, that’s right. May I have some dates? The ones preserved in honey. They were delicious, so I’d like to bring them as souvenirs for everyone."

The Little One beamed, nipaa.

Snapping back to his senses, the Crown Prince had the dates wrapped. Watching the cheerful girl leave with them held by a lady-in-waiting, he pondered her cryptic words.

Things to do, things that can be done, things that should be done. Things only a king can do.

"Hmm…"

Can you tell the princes with your chest held high?

A shiver ran through him, and Dīvadatta continued to think.

The Little One’s riddle was not yet over.