Chapter 56

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: An Early Retirement Gift
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Tossing the wax stopper he had been rolling in his hand onto the floor with a flick, Kill took another swig of wine.

“She told me to try being king since I wanted it so badly. Said she'd take the responsibility, and all I had to do was rule, so how great is that? Told me to work hard.”

“...Was that encouragement?”

“Does that sound like encouragement to you? Of course she was being sarcastic! My lord, you are far too good-natured.”

With a thud, Kill set the wine bottle on the floor. Though he was seething with anger, the hand that took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth and the bottle was remarkably elegant.

Bubehol, who was sitting across from them, watched the scene and lowered his head, letting out a dry laugh. When Kill glared at him, Bubehol found it even funnier and clutched his stomach, cackling.

“Yesterday’s enemy is tomorrow’s ally, they say. I never thought I’d see it in person. Well, it wasn't exactly a foolish move for Her Majesty, with her weak political base, to appoint you as Chancellor. Why are you so upset?”

Bubehol rose from his seat and picked up the bottle that had been placed next to Kill. Then, without hesitation, he tilted the bottle and took a sip of the wine.

A complex flavor, neither sweet nor bitter, seeped out and coated every corner of his mouth.

Bubehol’s eyes flew open at the surprisingly luxurious taste.

“What is this wine? Why does it have such a fine aroma?”

Staring at the bottle with a look of astonishment, Bubehol smacked his lips and tilted it again. He tried to have another taste, but Duke Kill had drunk so much that only a few drops trickled onto his tongue.

He checked the label and saw a name he had never seen before in his life.

Odelnos We Predéang.

Do grapevines even grow in a cold place like Odelnos? Bubehol traced the engraved name with his finger, smacking his lips.

“Anyway, even if Her Majesty tried to intervene in domestic affairs right now, would the lords obediently listen? But they’ll listen to you. With a cautionary tale right before their eyes—one who suffered severely for defying Her Majesty—threatening them to obey, who would dare refuse?”

“Good heavens… It won’t be that simple.”

Kill waved his hand in dismissal, refuting him.

“Entrusting a traitor with such a high position is unheard of. What will she do if I start another rebellion… She’s truly an inscrutable woman.”

“Haha. As if you would do such a thing again.”

Though the tone was probing, Kill remained silent instead of getting angry.

Her promise not to interfere in domestic affairs, and her appointment of Kill to the position of Chancellor—the highest authority responsible for national administration—was tantamount to delegating the practical authority of a king to him, just as Lucy had said.

The only difference between a king and a chancellor was the presence of a crown and scepter. No fool in the world would start a rebellion over such a minor distinction.

“That’s why Her Majesty is so shrewd. Some might say things have just come full circle, but in the end, she has preserved both your authority and her own. Furthermore, entrusting you with the chancellorship was because she saw through to your true nature.”

“And what is my true nature that you say such things?”

“What else? You are not a man who navigates politics for personal gain. Since we're on the topic, let's be honest, Chancellor Kill. You may find Her Majesty disagreeable, but you were worried about Parnas, weren't you? Isn't that why you decided to join hands with her?”

Kill pouted and averted his gaze. The fact that he couldn't bring himself to deny it was amusing, and Bubehol let out a hearty laugh.

“The Wise and Virtuous King… There truly is no title that suits her better. I find myself wondering just how far Her Majesty can see. These days, every day is a delight.”

“The man who was so tense at the military tribunal… I can’t for the life of me understand what you find so delightful now.”

“Oh! That! You have no idea how dumbfounded I was that day! She said we were going fishing, so I thought we were going to catch red-spotted groupers, but I never imagined we were going to 'fish' for Duke Witten!”

Ignoring the sarcastic tone, Bubehol’s eyes widened with delight.

“Truly, in my sixty-odd years in politics, I've never had such interesting days. My heart pounds just wondering what that brilliant Wise and Virtuous King will say to turn the Council on its head today. I feel ten years younger.”

“As ever, Lord Bubehol, you can’t resist a bit of fun.”

“I've spent my whole life worrying about saving face; I need some fun like this to live a long life! Chancellor Kill, when you're a little older, you'll understand how I feel.”

A little older?

Kill, already over sixty, found it funny to be treated like a child and let out a hollow laugh.

Still, the man was over eighty, so he decided to let it pass. Just as he noticed the bottle was empty and was about to call a servant, another wine bottle suddenly descended from above.

“What are you all talking about that’s so amusing?”

At the clear voice, Kill frowned and looked up. Above him, a woman with a striking appearance was looking down at him.

Instead of the layered ceremonial dress she had been wearing, she was in a much simpler dress, appearing to have changed before coming back.

Kill glanced back and forth between Lucy and the wine bottle, then clicked his tongue and took the bottle.

“We were having a drink, with gossip about Your Majesty as our side dish. This damned wine has blinded me…”

“Isn't it a good strategy? As they say, know your enemy and know yourself, and you will win a hundred battles. Your reputation as a wine connoisseur is so renowned, I was certain I could win you over with this.”

Again, always like this.

If only she weren't so silver-tongued, she wouldn't be so detestable. Looking at her eloquent mouth, he couldn't help but sigh.

He tried to drive the king away with a sour expression, but Lucy nonchalantly plopped down beside Kill.

“Alright, then. I've kept my promise of one hundred cases, so work hard from now on.”

“Good heavens… I've only had one bottle. Where is the rest of the wine?”

“I had it sent to the ducal castle, of course. And I'll return your domain when you retire later, so don't worry.”

“Return it when I retire later? What is that supposed to mean…?”

What was she talking about?

If she wasn't going to return his domain, why send the wine to his estate?

Kill stared at her blankly, mouth agape and at a loss for words. Lucy just shrugged as if to ask what was wrong.

“Well, even if I returned your domain, you'd be too busy with your duties as Chancellor to manage it properly, wouldn't you? Ah, your heir has been returned to the family, so rest assured. The Kill duchy is being well-governed by Rutherford, so leave that to him and focus on domestic affairs. As it happens, since I am not married, the inner palace is quite empty. I'll give you a room, so you can live and eat there as well.”

Kill, who had been listening quietly to the stream of words, spoke with a dazed expression.

“Are you telling me to be confined to the royal palace and do nothing but work?”

“Hey, who said anything about confinement? I'm just saying you might as well stay here.”

“But… then… why on earth did you give me the wine?”

“It's an early retirement gift. Wine gets better with age, after all.”

Kill clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to regain his composure.

He’d thought he had mastered patience in his life, but that didn't seem to be the case whenever he faced Lucy. Even now, he couldn't tell if the brightly smiling young woman before him, young enough to be his granddaughter, was teasing him or not.

He was about to lose his temper, but then he looked at the wine bottle Lucy had given him and decided to endure. Odelnos We Predéang. The name engraved on the label could quell a thousand years of anger every time he saw it.

In any case, she said there were ninety-nine cases at his estate, so she had kept her promise. Kill tapped the wax on the top of the bottle and spoke.

“Your Majesty. I ask this emboldened by the wine, but please speak frankly.”

“About what?”

“You're not twenty, are you? No woman so young could be this skilled at politics.”

At the sudden, impertinent question, Rutherford and Bubehol flinched and stiffened. Lucy, however, just stared at him with wide eyes before bursting into loud laughter.

“As expected, you are a man worthy of being Chancellor. To uncover a secret of mine that no one knew… That's right. In truth, I am older than you. You may call me ‘Big Sister’.”

“...”

“You asked, so I answered honestly. Why are you looking at me like that?”

I'd rather die.

Cursing inwardly, Kill replied gruffly.

“Never mind. In any case, I don't understand what you mean about stepping away from politics. Even as Chancellor, don't important matters still require Your Majesty's approval? Weren't you just posturing in front of the lords, pretending to be at ease?”

“That's not it. I will entrust all domestic affairs to you. I intend to focus my efforts on foreign matters.”

“Foreign matters?”

Lucy stretched out her legs, propped her hands on the steps, and looked up at the ceiling.

Perhaps because she was taller than most women, her rather languid posture was not unseemly; instead, it exuded a natural ease.

“I heard an official dispatch arrived a few days ago. The war between Dopein and Antevasila—who was the victor?”

“Dopein, they say. I heard it was a landslide victory.”

Contrary to public opinion that the war between the two nations would be a long one, it ended in less than a month.

Antevasila had the upper hand in the battles on the plains, but after its supply lines were cut, it lost most of its forces and ceded victory to Dopein.

It was all as expected. With her eyes closed, Lucy asked in a soft voice.

“Then, do you remember who I said was backing Dopein?”

The three men exchanged glances and fell silent at the same time.

A heavy silence descended, made heavier not by ignorance, but by knowing the answer.