Chapter 31

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Joint Rule
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Honestly, she never concedes a single point.

Rutherford grumbled inwardly, shooting a sharp glare at Witten.

“Let us speak of something else. You are well aware there was discord between myself and Duke Kill. What do you suppose would have happened if Duke Kill’s rebellion had succeeded?”

“What do you mean? It would have been just like before…”

“How could things return to how they were, when he would have known I had sided with Her Majesty? Duke Kill would have likely purged me, annihilating my family, our vassals, and all the subjects connected to our businesses. Is that not the standard treatment for a traitor?”

Rutherford asked probingly, a subtle smile playing on her lips.

“Do you still believe, Duke, that I was toying with the lives of my people?”

Duke Witten, who had been opening his mouth to find fault, realized he had no rebuttal and sent her a chilling gaze.

“Hypotheticals… are meaningless. It is merely advice, offered in the hope that you will maintain your dignity as a lord.”

Rutherford concealed her anger and smiled with a composed expression.

“It seems you’re quite bitter that Her Majesty joined hands with me, leaving you out, Duke Witten.”

At the sarcastic remark, the corners of Duke Witten’s eyes shot up. Undaunted by his menacing glare, Rutherford met his gaze with a scoff.

After Duke Kill’s faction broke away, a strange wind had begun to blow through the Council.

Between Marquess Rutherford and Duke Witten, who had been the second-in-command, which of them would be the first to fill the void left by Kill?

Rutherford had acted quickly, taking the Queen’s hand and aiding her. But Witten, even in such a pressing time, chose to play it safe, cautiously observing the situation.

That was his downfall.

“Please, be seated. Her Majesty will be arriving shortly.”

Rutherford gestured to the opposite side with her fan.

Duke Witten, who had been glaring at her with a cold face, sat down with an irritated motion. Not to be outdone, Rutherford also clicked her tongue softly.

Foolish Bon Witten. You should have made it clear whether you were an ally or an enemy.

He was so fickle, it's no wonder the Queen couldn't trust him.

“The Duke seems jealous of you, Lady Rutherford.”

Viscount Comte, seated beside her, spoke up while fiddling with the ribbon on her bonnet. Rutherford covered her mouth with her fan to conceal their conversation and lowered her voice.

“What can be done? His only pleasure in life is being jealous of others or tearing them down. He was so insecure around Duke Kill, and now it seems he’s shifted his target to me.”

“He has always been wary of you, Lady Rutherford, so I suspected he would try to pick a fight… I’m a bit worried he might try to find fault with some nonsense in front of Her Majesty.”

“Worry not, Lady Comte. Am I one to be so easily defeated?”

The viscount smiled faintly at her confident tone. It was a smile born from the certainty that Rutherford’s confidence was not misplaced.

Vanessa Rutherford was the cornerstone of the new nobility and the leader of the reformist faction.

The radical marquess had not passed her position to an heir after her husband’s death but had instead thrown herself into the political arena. Duke Kill and Duke Witten, displeased with her formidable rise, had been busy ostracizing her.

Unwilling to be defeated, Rutherford held grand salons and lavished support on thinkers and artists.

Among the powerful who enjoyed intellectual pursuits, talk of the Rutherford salon became mainstream, and she naturally became a leading figure of reform.

Having become something of a godmother of culture, there was currently no one who could easily suppress her.

“Her Majesty is entering. Everyone, show your respects.”

At the Lord Chamberlain’s announcement, all the nobles rose from their seats. This time, unlike before, every lord bowed their head, paying respect to the new monarch.

Cutting through the heavy silence, the Queen entered the council chamber.

The lords, who had flinched at the sound of military boots, widened their eyes upon seeing Lucy’s attire. She was not in a dress, but a white uniform similar in style to the Grand General’s, differing only in color.

Glances flew across the room, a silent debate on whether her attire was appropriate.

Lucy paid them no mind, took her seat, and proceeded with the meeting. After a brief greeting, she moved straight to the main point.

“I believe you are all aware that a grave incident has occurred in the capital. It is utterly tragic that a loyal subject of the kingdom would plot such treason.”

Lucy gave a light cough and continued in a much lighter tone.

“But no matter how fierce the headwinds, water always flows in its proper course. Let those who may have harbored impure thoughts take this case as a lesson and deeply reflect on the duties of a subject.”

The atmosphere grew solemn. To ease the tension, Lucy turned her gaze to Rutherford.

“Lady Rutherford. It was with your help that we were able to punish the traitor. Though they are not here, I also wish to thank the house of Marquess Ras for their assistance. I shall arrange a separate occasion to commend you both soon.”

Rutherford bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment.

Envy and jealousy mingled in the unseen currents, pricking at Rutherford's skin. The sharpest of these, without a doubt, was the gaze of Duke Witten.

Lucy rested a hand on the armrest and straightened her shoulders. It was time to bring up the topic the lords had most anticipated.

“Now, we must consider what to do with Duke Kill’s domain…”

Gazes that had been drifting between the air and the table slowly converged on a single point.

Some were surprised by the unexpected topic, while others’ eyes sparkled as if they had known it was coming. Lucy rested her cheek on one hand, feigning a troubled expression.

“I am pondering what is best to be done. It is fertile land, so I considered annexing it as a royal domain for me to manage, but I lack the knowledge of estate management and do not feel confident.”

“Does that mean… you intend to entrust the duchy to someone rather than making it a royal domain?”

“That is correct. It would be absurd to carve up such fertile land, and the people would not welcome it. It would be best if someone else were to manage it.”

Witten and Rutherford simultaneously drew in a sharp breath.

Bringing up the matter of the duchy in the council must have meant that this ‘someone’ would be chosen from within this very room.

And among these lords, the two of them were the most influential figures.

I must be the first to lead the conversation.

Just as Rutherford was about to speak, Count Bubehol, the eldest of the senior lords, interjected.

“You said ‘manage.’ Does that mean Your Majesty wishes for the duchy to be managed as a subordinate territory under the crown, rather than bestowing it upon someone?”

“It does.”

“I surmise that you are considering Duke Witten and Lady Rutherford as candidates for governor… Am I correct?”

At the direct mention, Duke Witten’s eyes shot up and he glared at Rutherford. She pretended not to notice, averting his gaze and hiding her mouth with her fan.

Lucy nodded without answering, and Count Bubehol, fiddling with the back of his wrinkled hands, continued slowly.

“With all due respect, Your Majesty. Entrusting such a vast land to one person does not seem to be a fair course of action.”

“Why do you think so?”

“As Your Majesty just mentioned, the people of Duke Kill’s domain have a particularly strong affection for their land. I have no intention of defending a traitor, but the Kill family did their utmost as lords to care for their domain. The people were immensely proud of them.”

“And so?”

“If it were managed as a royal domain, they might accept it, but they will not easily embrace another lord ruling as a proxy. Furthermore, the sea can never be governed by the laws that rule the land. With the Duke’s control over the western sea gone, pirates will run rampant.”

Every word he spoke was reasonable. Lucy watched him with an interested expression, the corners of her lips turning up.

“So, what is the point you are trying to make, my lord?”

“I believe it would be best to manage it as a royal domain, but instead of appointing a single governor, the territory should be divided and jointly ruled by the two lords. Duke Witten and Lady Rutherford are both highly capable lords, so I believe they can manage the domain peacefully without major issues.”

Joint rule.

Murmurs of approval rippled through the room, calling it a fair proposal. The lords unanimously urged Lucy to accept, calling it a wise choice.

Lucy silently observed the faces of Rutherford and Witten.

As expected, neither of them looked pleased. In contrast, Count Bubehol, who had made the suggestion, looked greatly relieved.

Though it seemed plausible on the surface, Count Bubehol’s reason for such a proposal was surely to keep the two lords in check.

If either Rutherford or Witten were to take sole possession of Duke Kill’s domain, the power in the Council would become excessively skewed to one side.

But if the two of them were to manage it jointly, the glory would go to the Royal Family while they shouldered the responsibility, giving the Council a pretext to question them over even minor issues.

Count Bubehol…

I thought he was just a good-natured old man, but he clearly hasn't wasted his years.

After a moment of thought, Lucy realized the Count’s proposal aligned with her own plans and nodded readily.

“A fine suggestion. Very well. As you say, I will entrust the joint rule to the two lords. However, as the duchy’s territory is vast, I will divide the area and assign responsibility.”

Witten, who had been sitting with an annoyed expression, brightened at the mention of dividing the area. And at the words that followed, a wide grin spread across his face.

“And the revenue collected from the responsible territory shall be split, half for the Royal Family and half for the one in charge.”

Half the revenue.

This meant they could have half the crops from that vast plain, and also obtain half the income from Portmeier for free.