Seirei Gensouki's
Chapter 132: Underground Discussion
After entering the dining room, Rio took the initiative to come use the service and head for the kitchen. He constantly took on the third party's stance.
Nevertheless, since the simple kitchen and dining room were in the same room, he was still able to hear their conversation.
「Sensei, if you want to meet your father above, you have to wait because he will go to this basement tomorrow morning. It seems that everyone from the search group is staying at this house, that's why it's difficult to move 」
So Christina told the information Celia wanted to hear the most.
"I saw . Fortunately I felt that visiting the royal capital would end up as the duty of a fool. In that case, dad is waiting for me to come to my house 」
"Yes nih . Since we have a lot of time until he comes down, please fill my story until that time is 」
After the conversation reached this point, the two of them looked at each other.
「B-May I ask what kind of discussion is it?」
Celia said that to investigate Christina's reaction.
"Religion . Perhaps the problem we both worry about the most is how do we both sneak out of the castle exactly？ As far as I know, there are rumors saying that sensei was kidnapped inside the castle 」
「I was not kidnapped. I left the castle by my own will 」
「Can I beg for a reason?」
Christina who asked that question looked directly into Celia's eyes.
The moment their line of sight met, Celia's eyes became gloomy.
「………. . Although it is embarrassing, the reason why I left the castle is because I want to escape from the duties charged at me as a noble 」
「It was supposed to be from a political marriage with Charles Albo right?」
"Yes nih . Sometimes we have to marry someone we don't love. That was the mission charged at the woman from the noble family. But then, I can't agree to a political marriage with her 」
Looking down, Celia said those words in an emotional voice.
「Yes, that's natural. I think you made the correct assessment 」
Christina is ready to support Celia's choice.
Celia's eyes opened wide as if she had only heard unexpected words. Christina unintentionally let out a chuckling sound as she continued her words.
「Of course, we are in a position where we cannot choose our own husband. But, it was not only for the house, it was also for the kingdom. Such political marriage is not justified―― No, political marriage that will only cause harm is not worth 」 at all
「Your Majesty, will my marriage with her harm the kingdom?」
Celia asked that question in hearing Christina say that her political marriage is dangerous for the kingdom.
「Depending on the situation, the man is an existence that is currently endangering the kingdom. The reason sensei left the castle is also because you thought the same thing right？ 」
「…………. Yeah, no doubt about it. I go is the result is their way too pushy to do things 」
「You are not confident.?」
「The person who decides whether I do the right thing or not is not me」
Celia showed an ambiguous expression.
「Then, do you regret your actions？ leaving castle」
「No, my only regret is if I don't do it」
Now, Celia shook her head to show her the answer. After that, Christina smiled at him.
「In that case, it's okay kan」
So he said.
「Naturally the people who rejected Celia-sensei's decision were also among the nobility. But, I feel that the way duke Albo did things is wrong. I think leaving the castle was the right choice. Still will it. And don't regret it 」
Saying so, Christina's deep purple eyes looked straight into Celia's eyes.
Celia also looked back at Christina.
「In that case, whether your decision is correct will be decided after this. And, the one who decides is us who lives in this kingdom ... At least I support your decision 」.
「I'm really happy if someone says it but …………. 」
Celia showed a slightly troubled smile.
「In other words, the most important thing is what does Celia-sensei want to do after this right？ It means that you are returning to this house because you cannot leave it as our royal lord right?」
「Am I currently …………. . Have such qualifications ………. . 」
Celia answered thus to Christina with a troubled face.
「Ups, I think you have that qualification, you know. My future was also hidden with my escape, but I never thought to ignore my problems as a noble. Everything that will happen to this kingdom or what will be left of it―― I've thought of everything that might happen 」
「…………. I see"
Celia groaned in a low voice when she heard Christina say those words with a firm tone.
Although Celia thought the same thing as him, she did not have Christina's confidence.
He could feel a strong determination when he saw Christina.
That doesn't mean that he might not be worried. It was impossible for her, who had slipped out of the castle even when fully aware she was standing as a princess not to worry about anything.
As someone who knew nothing about the world, perhaps he would only be a carefree and almost reckless person if he did not worry about anything.
And, Celia knew that Christina was not that type of person.
Therefore, Celia wants to know— Why Christina escaped from the palace.
「Can I ask, Christina-sama?」
"Yes, please"
Christina readily agreed to Celia's request.
「I want to know why Your Majesty escaped from the palace?」
「Because I became a hindrance to the duke Albo―― No, it was because I lost my utility value. I slipped out of the castle because I felt my life was in danger 」
Celia's face stiffened slightly hearing her not-so-quiet voice.
「Don't say, duke Albo will throw you you」
「Yes, he's currently probably doing it. He wins over the summoned hero while losing the constraint against 」 royalties
「But, the only reason for duke Albo to aim for your noble life is ……. 」
「The man is full of ambition. Except for the current royalties, he had to plan to make the next king come from the Duke Albo family 」
「Is that why he plans to kill His Majesty？ Doesn't he know that doing such a thing won't mean anything?」
Bertram kingdom throne passed down by descendants.
There is a qualification for the right to inherit the throne from the highest person, the direct descendant of the king is an absolute requirement, he said, legitimate births and male offspring are decided by national law with a higher order ordering that takes priority.
When the rightful heir is lost for reasons such as revocation of status, renunciation or death, as long as there are no legitimate male heirs born in a situation where no one but the rightful female heir is left, the order of inheritance of the rightful throne cannot be reversed
Currently, the rightful heir to the throne is the 1st daughter of Christina and the 2nd daughter of Flora who was born between the legitimate wife of Beatrice and the 3rd king Phillip, and the children born concubines swept under them.
Although the youngest daughter of the duke Albo was also married to the 3rd king Phillip, the order of inheritance rights of the throne for children born between them was very low.
Even so, as long as someone with a higher order for inheritance rights had a new child, a lower order of inheritance rights of the throne would have to retreat, instead, so killing just one or two people of a higher level was meaningless.
Although that doesn't mean that the assassination attempt never happened in the past, the people who directly increased their orders from the murder must have been suspects, it was a double-edged sword that would sow more trouble later on.
No matter how much real power they had, as well as for the sake of guaranteeing the legitimacy of the government, they had no choice but to ignore social appearances and show minimum decency.
That's why duke Albo ―― Despite having a high background as a military officer ―― must adopt a peaceful method of transferring real power from the 3rd king Phillip, going by seizing the throne is no, no.
However, here the situation was, duke Albo would go so far as to step over the line when things turned out unfavorable to him, not at all a calming story, either,
「Ya, as Celia-sensei said. Hard to realize the ambition of the man until now 」
Christina said that while sighing deeply.
「But, what happened to cause such a change?」
As Celia gulped, Christina nodded at him.
「It was annoying but, the summoned hero made the man's ambition possible. The man tried to make his granddaughter marry the hero as his legal wife. By doing so he plans to support the child born among them as the next king of Bertram kingdom 」
When Christina said so, Celia's face showed a huge change.
「The grandson of duke Albo is, Loris-sama right？ Of course such things may happen …………. But the kingdom will split in two. For him to cancel the order of inheritance of the throne by ignoring the national law 」
Honestly speaking, the right path should make princess 1 Christina or princess 2 Flora as in-line second to marry a hero to increase the authority of the royal family even higher.
The hero was the Envoy of the six sage gods, which was why they had more or equal authority with the king, even when they accidentally married someone who had a lower throne inheritance, children born between the couple can fight for the throne for the next king with the first row.
There will be no harm if they marry someone without any status or authority, but another story goes when they are engaged to someone who has status and authority, it would turn into an unbelievable messy situation.
And then, if as Christina said, then, the current duke of Albo did not mind to consider such a situation and was in full support of engaging his grandson to the hero and supporting the child born among them as the next king—
In that case, even saying that she was really an existence that would harm the country would not interfere with her intentions— So, Celia thought in that instant.
「The Kingdom of Bertram is divided. That's why Duke Albo didn't dare let me approach the hero. That's why I barely have the freedom to act after the hero is called 」
A smile mixed between anger and surprise appeared on Christina's face as she said those words.
「The situation has progressed so far while I am on the right run. Staying in the dark makes me more ashamed of myself 」
Celia's face frowned in embarrassment to herself.
「My deepest apologies for interrupting in the middle of a conversation. I prepared a warm drink. Here it is 」
After that, Rio returned from the simple kitchen.
The sweet and fragrant aroma that drifts from 4 cups of porcelain tea on the tray is―― Orange aroma tachibana variety.
Celia took a deep breath and managed to calm her mind.
「Thank you, Haruto. It's…………"
Lemon Hot lemon. I also mix grated apples and honey in it 」
"Very delicious . My deepest thanks for this drink 」
Celia showed a gentle smile to him. A soothing smile that will heal anyone who sees it.
「Sama-sama, please be careful not to burn your tongue due to hot」
Rio smiled back at her as he started placing the teacups for everyone.
"Thank you very much . If you agree, please sit down too. Mr. Amakawa 」
Christina said those words to Rio.
"Excuse me"
After saying those words, Rio then sat down on the chair next to Celia.
「I can assure you that there is no poison in it but, feel free to taste the poison first. I will not consider it a violation of 」
Plus, Rio asked Christina and Vanessa who were sitting in front of him if they wanted to do a poison test first.
The need to do a poison test inside the tea made by Rio whom they met for the first time for Christina whose royalty took the highest priority.
Although Christina-tachi did not even think to consider that poison would be put into the tea, perhaps because such an action was so cliche to the point that it was almost like a formal ceremony.
Therefore, with such a proposal coming from himself, Rio decided to create an atmosphere to reduce the taste of poison.
「I'm totally obligated with your consideration. In that case, allow me to— ――
"No problem . Let me drink it 」
Christina was drinking tea without any type of hestitation while ignoring Vanessa who was about to do a poison test.
「Ara, this luscious」
Christina told her impression with a surprised face.
「Y-Your Majesty!」
Vanessa who was shocked by his actions protested to her master in a panicked voice.
「I don't mind. If he really wanted to kill us, he'd have done it a long time ago. He could do that during the battle when we first met him 」
「You …………. True about it 」
Vanessa who was suppressing Christina who spoke in such a calm tone was at a loss for words.
「I trust Celia-sensei. I also trust someone who gets his trust 」
Perhaps because she was tolerant, or she was simply giving up on her fate, Christina was ready to say those words.
「........
Vanessa gave up while sighing. After she took a sip of her tea, an unexpected sweetness spread in her mouth leaving her perplexed.
「By the way, Mr. Amakawa. May I ask you some questions？ 」
Christina looked at Rio as she asked that.
「Naturally. But, only within the scope that I can answer 」
Rio was ready to give his approval while shrugging his shoulders.
「Thank you for me. Well then, first is about your relationship with Celia-sensei. You drove her all the way to this place, could it be that Celia-sensei's escape from the royal palace has something to do with you？ 」
「Ya, Celia-sama is my benefactor. I helped him escape from the royal palace to repay my gratitude 」
「I'm the one who asked Haruto to do it. Christina-sama 」
When Rio spoke as if he was the one responsible for letting Celia escape from the royal palace, Celia added adding her own words to her explanation. Maybe because he wanted to shoulder the responsibility of escaping from the royal palace to be himself.
"…… I see . Then is Galwark kingdom not involved in Celia-sensei's escape problem？ 」
Christina asked that question with her eyes locked on her face.
"Yes nih . Or rather they are completely unrelated to the matter, because my investment as honorary knight of Galwark kingdom happened just a few days ago 」
Rio was ready to answer his question.
「You became a knight of honor just a few days ago?」
Christina showed a slightly confused face. But, she was even more surprised to hear Rio's next words.
「Yes, just a few days ago. Before that I was just a traveler, and a commoner on top of that 」[TL: This IS A BIG FAT LIE !!!] [ED: There is not much difference between a prince who is hiding that he is a prince and an ordinary person really]
「................... Ordinary person？ But with respect to that, your actions are full of very refined elegance. Not at all inferior to young nobles at all 」