Episode 119: The Princess’s Scheme

Rewinding time to the night when Siegfried and his party arrived at the royal capital, San Serodia.

Garfilia stood face-to-face with his trusted aide, Lazro, in the privacy of his chambers within the royal palace.

“…How are the preparations proceeding, Your Highness?”

“Everything is in order. I’ve spoken with Sylphirosé, and we have Father’s approval as well.”

The subject of their discussion was the marriage arrangement for Sylphirosé, Garfilia’s younger sister.

To have Sylphirosé wed Siegfried—this plan was conceived by Lazro and adopted by Garfilia.

“Still… what a bold idea, Lazro. To marry Sylphirosé to Siegfried.”

Lazro bowed his head, as if humbled by the praise.

“If this marriage comes to fruition… Siegfried will be bound to the Serodia royal family—specifically, to you, Your Highness—by an unbreakable tie. But that alone isn’t the true goal.”

“Exactly, Lazro. The real aim is to sow seeds of doubt in the mind of Luverios, the king of Kirchhen.”

Their eyes met, glinting with the dark spark of conspiracy.

“Siegfried, the hero who vanquished a traitor and brought peace between Kirchhen and Serodia. If he were to take Sylphirosé as his wife… his deep connection to Serodia would be undeniable in anyone’s eyes.”

“Indeed. From King Luverios’s perspective… Siegfried would become far too dangerous to keep as a mere vassal.”

“And so, Luverios will inevitably grow suspicious. He’ll wonder if Siegfried, allied with Serodia, might turn his blade against him. He’ll likely scheme to pin some crime on Siegfried and have him executed. But Siegfried isn’t the sort to go down quietly.”

“Most likely, he’ll sense the danger and attempt to flee. And where else would Count Kreving seek asylum but the Kingdom of Serodia?”

“Yes… straight to me.”

A smile, both fierce and cunning, curved Garfilia’s lips.

“It’s a roundabout way, but there’s no better strategy to bring that man under my control.”

“Even if Count Kreving’s escape fails and he’s killed by King Luverios… that wouldn’t be a bad outcome either. We could condemn Luverios as ‘the tyrant who executed the innocent husband of a Serodian princess.’ It might even provide just cause to wage war against Kirchhen.”

“In that case, justice would be on our side. We might even secure the cooperation of other nations.”

“The only concern is…”

Lazro’s voice dropped, his tone cautious.

“Whether Count Kreving will accept the marriage proposal.”

A man like Siegfried would surely sense the danger hidden in this arrangement.

But Garfilia, brimming with unshakable confidence, declared:

“That’s no issue. Marrying a princess, the daughter of the reigning king, is an honor typically reserved for the highest nobility. He’d have no reason to refuse such an offer. And with Sylphirosé’s unparalleled beauty in all of Serodia… Siegfried won’t turn this down.”

 

◇

 

The scene shifts back to the moment just after Garfilia proposed the marriage to Siegfried.

Siegfried addressed Garfilia with a question.

“This is a tremendous honor, and I’m deeply grateful. But are you truly certain? I am, after all, merely the head of a count’s family.”

“That’s no concern.”

Garfilia nodded solemnly.

“Your talents are exceptional. In Kirchhen, you’ll surely rise to a position of great influence, perhaps even shaping the nation’s future. For the Serodia royal family to form a marital bond with such a man is highly desirable.”

Lazro nodded silently, as if to reinforce Garfilia’s words.

Garfilia continued.

“That said, I understand you have your own plans, Count Kreving. A wedding right away might not be practical. So, I propose we start with an engagement between you and my sister, Sylphirosé. What do you think?”

Having said this, Garfilia quietly awaited Siegfried’s response.

“I accept.”

Without a hint of hesitation, Siegfried agreed readily.

Placing a hand over his chest, he bowed to Sylphirosé.

“Though I am unworthy of such an honor, I humbly accept.”

“Excellent!”

Garfilia’s lips curved into a smile.

He could barely contain his delight at how smoothly his plan was unfolding.

Sylphirosé, however, remained expressionless, as if suppressing all emotion.

“Since the opportunity is here, why don’t the two of you share a meal together?”

Paying no heed to his sister’s demeanor, Garfilia addressed her.

“It’s nearly time for lunch. I’ll have a meal sent to Count Kreving’s room. You may retire for now and visit his chambers at an appropriate time. And… be sure to mind your manners.”

“Understood, Brother.”

◇

With that, the group dispersed, and Siegfried’s party returned to their assigned guest rooms.

“You’re seriously going through with this marriage thing…?”

As they parted ways, Leon muttered to Siegfried, half in disbelief.

“I mean, it’s your personal business, so I ain’t tryin’ to stop you or anything… but you sure about this? All things considered?”

“I understand your concerns. I’ve made this decision after careful thought.”

“…? What exactly did you think about? Well, whatever… if you’ve got it figured out, that’s fine.”

Not wanting to pry too deeply, Leon said no more and headed to his own room.

◇

Meanwhile, Sylphirosé…

After returning to her chambers, she waited for the right moment and made her way to Siegfried’s room.

“Princess…”

A maid following behind her called out, her voice tinged with worry.

She was a young girl, slightly younger than Sylphirosé, with vibrant blue hair.

Beneath her maid’s cap, she hid beast-like ears resembling those of a dog.

She was a beastman of the Blue Canine clan.

“Don’t worry, Luana.”

Sylphirosé turned, addressing the maid by name.

She offered a smile to reassure her—a graceful, delicate smile, like a flower blooming.

“It’s true that Count Siegfried von Kreving… is the one who killed our brother Volfirio. He must be a ruthless man.”

Sylphirosé had never been particularly close to Volfirio.

In fact, her brother had kept her at a distance, even shunned her.

She, too, held no fondness for him.

Still, she could hardly feel at ease with someone who took another’s life so readily.

“That said, I doubt Count Kreving would attack me out of the blue. You don’t need to worry so much.”

“Y-Yes…”

“Hehe. So don’t make such a worried face. If I do find myself in danger, I’ll call your name. When that happens… come save me, alright?”

“O-Of course, Princess!”

Sylphirosé and Luana exchanged smiles.

Then, arriving at Siegfried’s door, Sylphirosé paused.

“I’ll be going in now.”

With those words to her trusted maid, Sylphirosé steeled herself and called out into the room.

◇

The door opened promptly in response to her call. Siegfried greeted her.

Sylphirosé glanced briefly at Luana standing behind her before stepping quietly into the room.

The door closed soundlessly behind her.

“Thank you for taking the trouble to visit, Princess Sylphirosé.”

“No need for concern.”

Hiding her inner unease with a prim demeanor, Sylphirosé spoke sharply and surveyed the room.

A meal was prepared on the table, but she made no move to sit.

“Count Kreving, there’s something I must tell you first.”

“I’m listening.”

Siegfried responded with a calm smile.

He’s… a beautiful man.

Sylphirosé couldn’t help but think so.

Even in all of Serodia, she doubted there was a man with such refined features.

But she had no intention of letting such thoughts sway her.

Her emerald-green eyes gleamed sharply as she fixed her gaze on him.

Within them burned a quiet but unwavering resolve.

“I despise the royal family of this kingdom with all my heart. My father is a puppet of his advisors. My brothers care only for their own power. I refuse to acknowledge such people as true royalty. A true royal should have conviction and lead this nation.”

Her voice was clear and resolute.

This belief was precisely why Sylphirosé had remained unwed for so long.

Though she rarely spoke so bluntly, her criticism of the royal family was no secret.

Naturally, no noble would want such a difficult princess as a wife.

Yet King Radophilias was indulgent with Sylphirosé and rarely reprimanded her behavior.

Moreover, Sylphirosé was devoted to charity work and enjoyed strong support from the people.

As a result, the Serodia royal family found her presence cumbersome but unavoidable.

But the real matter was yet to come.

(Now… what I’m about to say, I’ve never revealed to anyone but Luana. This is my true heart.)

She steadied her breath and declared:

“I wish to transform this kingdom. And to do so… I desire to become its king.”

To become king—that was the purest, most fervent wish Sylphirosé had kept buried deep within her heart.

In name, the Kingdom of Serodia allowed women to inherit the throne.

But every king in its history had been male. Her dream of ascending the throne was all but impossible.

Yet, if Garfilia and Volfirio were to clash and both fall, the throne might fall into her hands.

She had secretly bided her time, believing in that possibility.

But Volfirio’s death had shattered that hope.

Now, the throne was all but guaranteed to fall to Garfilia.

(That’s why… I’m placing my bet on this man!)

By laying bare her true intentions here, she hoped to win Siegfried to her side.

If Sylphirosé ascended the throne, he would gain the title of king consort.

In other words, he would wield authority nearly equal to that of a king as the queen’s husband.

It shouldn’t be a bad deal for Siegfried.

“I’ve heard much about you already. Despite being a mere captain with a few hundred men, you took command of the Eastern Army and swiftly crushed the Western Corps. With your valor and cunning, combined with my royal blood and the people’s trust, it’s not impossible for me to overthrow my brother Garfilia and become king.”

(*Even Brother前期

Brother… he has no idea I hold such resolve.*)

Garfilia’s greatest concern in the race for the throne had been Volfirio.

He never imagined his own sister, Sylphirosé, could harbor ambitions for the crown.

That was precisely why he chose her as Siegfried’s bride.

Marry Siegfried and live in Kirchhen, and her rebellious spirit will turn from the Serodia royal family to Kirchhen’s.

Garfilia must have calculated such a convenient outcome.

(But I… I’ll turn my brother’s plans against him!)

“Please… lend me your strength. In return, I’ll give you everything I have.”

Sylphirosé was keenly aware of her captivating beauty.

Without hesitation, she placed a hand on Siegfried’s arm, pressing her ample chest close as she leaned into him.

“…You can do anything to me. I’ll accept it all. So… please…”

“Anything, you say? A word of warning, Princess. I’m no saint. I stand in this world as a villain. Knowing that… you truly mean to accept everything?”

Siegfried’s icy gaze pierced through Sylphirosé.

Her body trembled involuntarily.

But she couldn’t afford to falter now.

“O-Of course…! I don’t care… what you do to me…!”

“Very well, then.”

Siegfried shook off her arm and stepped back.

Then, with a commanding voice, he declared:

“Sylphirosé Lucerina de Serodonia, I hereby call off our engagement.”

“Wha…”

Time seemed to freeze as Sylphirosé stood motionless.

“W-What did you just say…?”

“Exactly what I said. I’m breaking off our engagement.”

“Why!?”

“The reason is simple. I am a villain. And villains… break engagements.”

Sylphirosé had misjudged him. Siegfried cared nothing for the title of king consort, her beauty, her ideals, her determination, or her schemes.

His sole desire was to live as a villain, to shine as one—and nothing more.

“I… I don’t understand…”

Sylphirosé’s trembling lips barely managed the words.

“Are you… mad?”

“Oh? You’re only noticing now?”