𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝟏𝟎: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞
Prime Minister Duke Horsewood had been summoned to the royal palace by the second prince. The pretext was a desire to hear his views as Prime Minister on the current situation due to the King’s ill health and the chaos within the church.
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“I want to hear your candid opinion without the intervention of others. Please come without letting anyone know that I called for you.”
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Informed of this, Duke Horsewood rode in an anonymous carriage, not owned by the Duke’s house, intended for the House of Lords, and headed towards one of the royal villas designated as the meeting place within the palace grounds.
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In the carriage, Duke Horsewood pondered.
Why was he being called upon? Most likely, it’s about his daughter, Lulumia.
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“Why does that girl resemble me the most?”
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Duke Horsewood had three children with his wife.
Both the eldest and second sons, as well as the daughter, appeared to have taken after someone with weak ambition. They never went against their father, nor did they show excessive rivalry towards others. They were perceived by the Duke as opportunists who preferred not to disturb the peace.
The one most resembling the Duke was his 16-year-old daughter, Lulumia, born a bit later than the children of his wife.
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Her mother was a daughter who descended from a former Viscount family that lost their title several generations ago. Her blood had already mixed with commoners, and she worked as a maid in a manor that Duke Horsewood owned. The Duke had taken a fancy to her on a whim.
A few years later, Lulumia, who had been ignored without recognition, boldly walked into the Duke’s mansion one day.
She reported that her mother had fallen ill and was living in the royal city, spreading rumors about Duke Horsewood.
And then—she tilted her head with a seductive smile beyond her years and said:
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“Otou-sama already finished using it, haven’t you? I can still be useful.”
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Duke Horsewood considered. A beautiful daughter like her mother would indeed be convenient.
Recently, the world has been making a fuss about human rights and the freedom of commoners, and nobles who pander to these ideas are beginning to rise. To maintain his authority in the House of Lords, it wouldn’t be bad to have one convenient daughter.
No matter what kind of daughter she turns out to be, there’s no pain in abandoning her in the worst-case scenario.
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With her devilish charm, she became a flower by Duke Horsewood’s side, and after awakening to her saintly powers, she had a significant impact on the expansion of Duke Horsewood’s power.
But—in the end, she did not have the capacity to become the leading saint. Lulumia’s influence peaked just after her inauguration as the leading saint, and she could do no more than plunge the church into a whirlpool of confusion.
She served her purpose as a disruptive element that stirred up the situation.
All that’s left is to assign her a final destination and retire her from the public stage.
She is a piece that Duke Horsewood has already used up.
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“. . . . . . His Royal Highness, the second prince, has many connections. If there’s a convenient bride other than the one I’m planning to assign now, perhaps he could introduce her.”
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Dismounting from the carriage, Duke Horsewood advanced alone, without any attendants, deep into the royal villa. His back showed a leisurely confidence, completely unconcerned about what the future held.
This was the end of Duke Horsewood.
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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
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――An hour later.
In the room where Duke Horsewood had disappeared, Prince Keizen, the second prince, stood with a knight.
Keizen gazed down at something rolling in front of him.
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“Even one of the highest powers in the country appears feeble in front of a sword.”
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Duke Horsewood lay face down. The long-haired carpet beneath him slowly soaked with fresh blood.
Two knights in armor stood on either side of Keizen, holding blood-soaked swords.
Wiping the blood splatter off his face, Keizen narrowed his eyes in ecstasy.
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“If Duke Horsewood, who has held power in the council as a single force, falls, the House of Lords will likely become a crowd without a head for a while.”
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Ignoring the knight who stood still as a statue, Keizen wandered around the room alone, his face entranced.
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“I weakened my father, but I’ll keep him alive for now. If I killed him recklessly, I would have to take a few years off from studying abroad due to the succession of the throne, the nomination of the crown prince. . . Returning here, I can hardly bear it.”
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In a theatrical tone, Keizen clapped his hands with a snap.
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“Now, next is my brother. . . What should I do with my brother? He is a devout believer in the Land God Kai, he won’t listen to what I say. . . Let’s think about what to do in the future, after spending time with just the two of us.”
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Suddenly, as if he had noticed something, Keizen looked up into the void.
With a sly smile, Keizen spoke to someone who wasn’t present.
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“It seems to have started. Lulumia is indeed a good girl.”
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――How convenient.
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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
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At that time, High Priest Mauricio was releasing a spirit pigeon from the window of his office.
It was a pigeon carrying a response to the news of the saint’s recommendation received from the Margrave region where the queen resided.
The high priest appealed to the pigeon flying far away.
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“Please reach the queen as soon as possible, with utmost haste. . .!”
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