Crown Prince Gueuze was the kings son.
Nothing else was more important than this fact.
What Crown Prince Gueuze looked like, what his voice sounded like, what kind of food he likednone of that really mattered.
And, even if he had the quaint hobby of killing people, its simply nothing of consequence compared to the fact that he was the kings son.
Of course, with his pedigree in mind, it also wasnt all that important what kind of woman he loved.
I am too old to welco a new queen.
The king said this when his vassals had suggested that he take in a new queen. And what he said was not wrong. Its true that he had lovers, but no new consorts.
He did not want to create any rivals for Crown Prince Gueuze.
However, Your Majesty, it is too dangerous to have just His Highness Gueuze alone. We dont know what might happen in the future.
Then, shouldnt there be a law properly enacted so that it wouldnt be dangerous? Wasnt it more dangerous to welco a new consort and sire more princes with her?
No matter how many heirs to the throne there could be, it would never be enough, Your Majesty. Besides that, public opinion is swaying due to Crown Prince Gueuzes predilection of neglecting his studies in favor of seeking carnal pleasures.
So then, I must create competition for him? Do you an to say that the next coronation will be after poison and swords are exchanged between brothersyet again?
No, sire. The re existence of brothers will be enough to refine His Highness actions.
Leave. I am done listening.
Be that as it may, the vassal who told the king all of this was a relative of the forr queen, who was the biological mother of Crown Prince Gueuze.
The king stroked his chin. Then, he had Crown Prince Gueuze summoned.
The future of this country rests in your hands. Always be mindful of your actions.
Who was it that spoke ill of to Your Majesty?
Gueuze, I listen to the advice given to by my vassals. The fact that such words had reached my ears ans that a problem has arisen regarding your actions.
Thats absurd.
Crown Prince Gueuze replied sardonically.
The king asked his son about it, but he didnt think that his own words would be refuted like this. Nevertheless, he was still more partial to disciplining Crown Prince Gueuze rather than siring new princes.
Instead of thinning it out across several princes, it was better to concentrate your all on one person and hand over all power to him when the ti cos.
If you continue to act that way, who will be there to trust and support you?
Im going to be king anyway, who would not support ?
The king glanced down at his son.
Silence stretched before them.
Taking notice of the kings thoughts, Crown Prince Gueuze knelt before him.
That was imprudent of . I will do my best.
And so, Crown Prince Gueuze grew up amid so anxiety and doubts about him. There were criticisms against his arrogance, but this arrogance of his was well warranted. Not anymore was he lacking when it ca to his studies, and besides that, he had a robust health. His outward appearance, too, was outstanding.
As he grew older, any ntions of welcoming a new queen naturally subsided. The king was getting old, and the only prince of the country was healthy, so there was really no choice.
The crown prince would sotis assault the servants, or sotis kill hounds for fun, but none of that was revealed to the public. He also knew how to control himself whenever he was in front of the king.
Just like that, Crown Prince Gueuzewho was a little cruel, and a little arroganteventually t a woman.
* * *
Your Highness, whats the matter?
Here, they were in the palace garden that was full of red roses.
As she had been called by Crown Prince Gueuze here, Catherine was sitting in a chair at that garden, wearing a white dress. And, as he was glancing down at her, he said
I love you, Catherine.
Crown Prince Gueuze thought that he loved Catherine. Well, thats probably what he thought. He didnt put much aning to peoples emotions, and he did not tend to share his feelings nor evaluate what they ant.
However, Crown Prince Gueuze was young, and he wanted Catherine to love him completely.
So, in this rose garden, Crown Prince Gueuze confessed straightforwardly to the woman he loved.
He loved her. This was the obvious truth.
But I cannot marry you.
She didnt seem to have expected this. Her violet eyes beca subtly unfocused.
Why is that?
Catherine bowed her head and quietly asked.
After seeing her eyes like that, Crown Prince Gueuze felt heartbroken.
Still, nevertheless, he could not marry her.
You know why.
Catherine, you must know it. I am a man destined to be king. And I have to marry soone of royal blood to consolidate my stake at the throne. Its true that your maternal grandmother was the late Grand Duchess Catryn, but your mother married only a count. I love you, but you do not match my rank.
Your Highness, be frank with .
Catherine raised her head again, begging with those wide, doe eyes that looked straight up at Crown Prince Gueuze. Her eyes seed to be hoping that its not the reason that she was thinking.
But as he would have to disappoint her, Crown Prince Gueuze pitied her a little.
There is soone else I have to marry. You know that. Even before I was five years old, Ive been promised to marry that person.
But you hadnt even held an engagent ceremony.
Im sorry.
Dont you love ?
Thats not the case. Crown Prince Gueuze had never felt the sa way towards any other woman as he did towards Catherine.
He could never bear the ferocity of all those other won, but he was able to be more patient for a longer ti in front of Catherine. She was special. Maybe. But that was a different matter altogether.
I love you. However, marriage is impossible. King Lethuos had pledged ten gold mines in the White Mountain Range and agreed to build a railway from our country to theiron the condition that I marry his daughter So many people can live better lives because of this, and thats whats on the line.
It was all because he was a man who was to be king. Thats why Catherine had to understand him.
Wasnt that a given?
Crown Prince Gueuze explained this to her eagerly, but Catherines expression did not brighten.
She looked like she could not bear to endure any longer.
I understand, Your Highness.
With tears in her eyes, Catherine rose from her seat.
Please be happy.
Catherine!
He caught her hand.
Your Highness, please let go.
I cant live without you. I need you.
There is no place for next to you.
Catherine!
Was she saying this on purpose? Couldnt she just give him the answer that he wanted to hear?
Crown Prince Gueuze lanted the womans cleverness, and this was what inevitably made him acquiesce first.
I love you, but we dont have to get married, do we? Marriage is just a formality.
Your Highness?
Catherines eyes went wide open, as if she wasnt expecting this at all. She was usually very tactful.
Crown Prince Gueuze inwardly suppressed his irritation and pleaded.
You are the only one that I truly love. You know this. Dont leave .
Your Highness Youre going to marry soone else. How can I remain by your side?
I cant go on without you, I really cant. I feel like Im going to die. Please Catherine.
Your Highness.
What should he give just to pacify her? What kind of present must he give her?
Ill give you a palace for you to stay in. I will always sleep there. Ill have my als there with you, too. But marriageit truly cannot be. I love you, but I carry such an enormous weight on my shoulders.
Without a word, Catherine looked down at their hands.
Crown Prince Gueuze had never seen her so quiet. She had always been a chattering woman, like a twittering bird.
But right now, its as if she had turned into a dollthe mind of which he couldnt read at all.
But Your Highness, I and my future child Will we continue to live as if we are the seed of sin?
Then let us go to hell together. If you are to sin, then it is my sin as well.
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