kscans

Chapter 10 - The Boy Devises a Plan

The boy's pride would not allow him to wallow in sentimentality any longer. Before the girl’s lifeless body, his mind began to work with a speed and clarity he had never before experienced. The girl had died with the pride of a princess until the very end. Therefore, he, as a prince entrusted with the nation, had to act to ensure her death would not be in vain.

Laying the girl on the crude bed, the boy summoned the knights. At the sight of the girl lying on the bed instead of being beheaded, the knights initially scowled, but seeing her body utterly still, they quickly understood the situation.

"I gave the princess the royal poison. I felt it was the right thing to do."

At the boy’s words, the knights silently nodded their assent.

Then, the boy steeled himself and spoke.

"I am changing the plan. This will go against my father’s orders, but it will be better for the country in the long run. Before you object, hear me out."

There was almost nothing left in the girl’s room. The wardrobe was empty, as were the drawers. It was as if no girl had ever lived there at all; it was impeccably bare. Only her body remained.

The boy felt a slight resentment toward the girl’s cleverness. If only she had left something behind, it could have been useful for his new plan. He then picked up the one thing the girl had been unable to dispose of: her harp. It was a practice harp with no special design. Too simple for a princess to own, which was likely why she hadn't been able to part with it. The boy gently placed the harp in the arms of the girl, who lay in eternal slumber with a peaceful expression.

"I never got to tell you… that your performance was magnificent…"

The words he murmured were heard by no one and vanished into the air.

"Your Highness, we have gathered the survivors."

"Understood."

Nodding at the words that came with a knock, the boy left the room where the girl slept.

"Is there anyone among you who knew the princess personally?"

The survivors were gathered on the first floor of the village chief’s residence. There were only about three who seemed to be the girl’s age or older. The rest were all children.

Huddled together, not a few were crying. Some glared at him with hatred and anger, but most were simply terrified.

"Answer the question!" one of the knights bellowed when no one replied. The frightened children immediately began to wail louder.

The boy let out an involuntary tch and glared at the knight who had shouted.

"The rest of you, stay quiet. The princess has just taken her last breath. Is there anyone who wishes to attend her in the afterlife?"

When a royal died, those who had served them closely were permitted to commit suicide to continue their service after death, if they so wished. It was a custom that had fallen out of practice in recent years, but it was not uncommon for attendants and ladies-in-waiting who had devoted their lives to a royal to request it. The boy wanted to select someone who was loyal to the girl. If there was no one, so be it, but if he could find someone trustworthy, he could use them in his plan.

With that in mind, he asked. After a moment, a young woman stepped forward. She was a scrawny girl with a dark complexion and freckles, around seventeen or eighteen years of age.

"Your name?"

"My name is Milene."

"You knew the princess personally."

"Yes. I had the honor of serving as her handmaiden until about five years ago."

Milene clenched her hands as if to suppress her trembling, her tear-filled eyes looking back at him defiantly. The boy studied her in return. Her lips were pressed into a firm line that spoke of a strong will, and her posture was straight, conveying a resolve not to back down an inch. The boy gave a single nod.

"Good. Come with me."

One month later, the King officially announced the death of the princess, the last survivor of the former king. The news was delivered in a formal document to the neighboring country, with which she had a blood tie. It was accompanied by the tale of the First Prince’s tragic romance.