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Chapter 516
Chapter 516
Chapter 516: Danio
"What on earth happened...?"
Due to the Duke's collapse, the castle was in turmoil.
When Danio asked Finne, she answered honestly.
"The lady dancer concocted a certain drug to make His Majesty's consciousness hazy. I made tea to counteract it, but it seems I was not able to fully neutralize it..."
"Is my father in danger!?"
"I'm not a doctor, so I can't make a definite statement, but I think he's just asleep. After all, it's not a dangerous drug."
It's not harmful to the human body.
If you use it too much, you become like the current duke, but if you stop using it, you return to normal.
However, probably due to prolonged use, the Duke's body desired rest.
The Duke had fallen into a deep sleep.
"Where is the dancer?"
"She attacked Lady Finne and then escaped."
"Attacked!? An emissary of the empire, in front of my father!?"
"It was just to distract Sir Sebas for her escape. If she wanted to kill me, she would have done it differently. Also, there were no witnesses. His Majesty should have seen it, but given his condition, whether he remembers it or not...that may also have been calculated."
The throne room had been completely cleared out.
Because the dancer had arranged it that way.
If there were no witnesses, the only ones present when the king fell were Finne and Sebas.
Even if the two claim it was the dancer's doing, they could be accused of false charges, and suspicions could potentially fall on them unjustly.
"To think that the dancer could be so cunning..."
"From the way she moves, there's no doubt she received special training."
"The problem now is not that I was attacked. It's that His Majesty has fallen asleep. Rondine can't move in a state where we don't know when he will wake up."
The dancer's violent actions cannot be proven.
However, they succeeded in driving her away even if they couldn't prove it.
One could say that the objective has been achieved just by that.
But Finne and the others came seeking Rondine's aid. If the king remains asleep, the situation won't progress.
"Prince Danio, what about His Majesty's heir?"
"No, nothing..."
In other words, if the king doesn't wake up, nothing can be decided.
This is not a domestic issue, it's a matter involving the neighboring country, Albatro.
It also affects the future of the Empire and the Kingdom.
It would be unacceptable to decide while the king is asleep.
If the king remembers the incident with the dancer, he would likely side with the empire, but until he wakes up, it's unclear how much he remembers.
If he doesn't remember anything, he would likely prioritize relations with the Empire, but if he vaguely remembers favoring the dancer, things could get complicated.
As Finne was thinking about this, Eva burst into the room energetically.
"Danio!"
"Eva...what's wrong?"
"Send reinforcements immediately! I received a report that my brother and Duke Pastore's armies are on the brink of a clash!"
"Weren't they in a stalemate?"
Finne and the others were kept informed about the situation in the Duchy of Albatro.
They knew that Al and Julio had been driven out of the capital, but Duke Pastore had not moved from the capital, and both sides were in a standoff.
That's why Finne was in a hurry.
With the support of the Duke of Rondine, Al and the others could turn the tables.
"But... it seems Count Adornato, who was thought to side with Julio, has sided with the Duke... and the Duke, now emboldened, seems intent on striking from the capital..."
"If the enemy's power has increased, then it's a serious matter."
Finne nodded to Sebas' words.
But Rondine was in a state of dysfunction.
"...I don't have the authority to decide..."
"No way..."
Danio lowered his gaze apologetically.
Feeling as if he couldn't stay in the room any longer, he left.
He felt the expectations from Eva, and knew that he could not fulfill them.
He walked with his head down.
Then, a certain person stopped him.
"Prince Danio."
"You're... Lynfia, Lady Finne's guard?"
"Yes. Do you have a moment?"
"Sure... I'm free anyway."
Danio was a child who hadn't received much attention from the Duke.
In this situation, there were no vassals pushing him as a substitute for the king, and Danio himself had no such intentions.
However...
"Do you want to help Princess Eva?"
"...I would like to help. Of course, all of you as well. But I..."
"...It's a gamble, but there's something you could do, Prince Danio."
"What can I do...?"
"The drug the dancer gave to His Majesty makes him listless and induces sleep. Overuse seems to have caused some memory confusion. If his real-life memories are vague, there's no way he'll remember anything while he's asleep."
"Uh... I don't understand..."
"In simple terms, you can fabricate that you were temporarily appointed by His Majesty when you two were alone."
"Fabricate the King's words...?! It concerns the issue of the successor!"
Danio was taken aback and stepped back a bit.
That's because Lynfia, without changing her expression, had suggested something outrageous.
"It's a temporary measure. His Majesty is alive. However, we don't have time to wait when it comes to the problem with the neighboring country. If you can resolve it safely, I believe you won't be blamed."
"Even if I'm not blamed... for me to make a decision to intervene in another country's affairs..."
"You don't need to intervene. Just order a temporary retreat for the army at the border, that's all. Afterwards, Princess Eva will lead the troops to assist the prince."
"That would indeed be a domestic issue, but..."
Danio couldn't seem to get on board with the idea.
That's because he himself was not good at lying.
The fear of getting caught was the first thought that came to his mind.
Lynfia then bowed to Danio.
"I understand that it's an unreasonable request. It would be great if you could consider it. I will go talk to Lady Finne."
Saying that, Lynfia left.
Danio, left behind, sighed.
"Did Prince Danio accept the proposal?"
"No, he hasn't directly responded yet. Please forgive me for acting on my own."
"Even so, it's a fact that we have no other options than having Prince Danio act."
Finne nodded at Sebas' words, and indicated to Lynfia not to worry.
If the duke doesn't wake up, the problem won't be solved unless Danio takes command.
However, if he just starts claiming it, Danio might be accused of a crime.
Falsifying the king's words is problematic, but it's also a fact that the duke is unlikely to remember anything when he wakes up.
It's doubtful whether he remembers the incident with the dancer. He certainly wouldn't remember any words spoken while he was asleep.
In his confused state of mind, he might believe it if he was told he said it.
But...
"We can't force him to do it for the Empire..."
"However, if Rondine moves now, Rondine will be a benefactor to the Empire and Albatro. They can earn favor. It's not a bad choice for Rondine. There is no possibility of siding with the kingdom."
The Empire or the kingdom.
Out of two options, one has been eliminated.
The path that Rondine will choose by elimination is almost certain.
In that case, it would be better to earn favor with the Empire and Albatro.
"Even if there's a benefit, a problematic action can't be justified. If he acts, Prince Danio will have to carry a lie..."
Whether to stop him or not.
As Finne was seriously worrying, the door to the room opened.
"Excuse me! His Majesty the Duke has entrusted Prince Danio to take over temporarily! Prince Danio is seeking the support of the Empire!"
"...Understood. As the representative of the Empire, I will support Prince Danio."
After a brief silence, Finne declared her support.
That's because there was no other choice.
"Now Princess Eva can rush to the reinforcements. The overall situation has been decided, hasn't it?"
"No... the king is still in the capital, and as long as the Duchy's navy is still operational, the Duke won't give up. I've pushed Prince Danio to act. We cannot overlook the possibility of losing. I'm going to see Prince Danio."
Saying that, Finne stood up from her chair.
TL's Notes: New series announcement!! Here in November Updates
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