Chapter 8 – The Royal Family Cannot Marry Commoners (^o^) (Yuzuriha’s POV)
Yuzuriha bit her lip in disbelief at the Duke’s words.
“What!? Have you grown senile, Father? Even if Father doesn’t go into battle, Father could easily sense Suzuha-kun’s older brother’s strength!”
“Calm down, Yuzuriha.”
“How can I be calm!? If you mishandle the situation and Suzuha-kun’s older brother is taken by another noble—No, that would still be better! If he is taken by a hostile country, this country could even face extinction!”
“I know that. Just listen to me, Yuzuriha.”
Yuzuriha finally regained her composure in the dignified manner of the duke’s quiet admonition.
“I-I’m sorry, Father…”
“I agree that the man is outstanding. And that our duke family should absolutely be the one to take him in. But it must be done with extreme caution.”
“Why is that?”
“Because of your presence, Yuzuriha.”
The Duke sighed as he observed Yuzuriha blinking her eyes repeatedly, realizing that she did not understand.
“Your great achievements on the battlefield and your presence thereby are extremely significant in our country today. There are even a certain number of nobles who think that Yuzuriha should be the next queen after the current king, not someone from the royal family.”
“I know there are people who talk nonsense like that. But I have no intention of doing so.”
“The problem is not Yuzuriha’s will. The problem is that you have the recognition, the blood and the ability to make that happen.”
It would have been better if they were not a duke family, but a baron or other low-ranking noble.
“Currently, the royal family and our duke family are balanced on a very precarious balance of power. What would happen if, without thinking, we brought in a man who could be your equal—or even stronger—in the battlefield? And what if his sister comes along with him?”
“The balance will be lost…?”
“Yes. The aristocracy will be split in two and there will no doubt be a civil war for the next throne. Regardless of your will or that man’s will.”
“T-T-That’s no good!”
The first head of the Sakuragi Duke Family, the highest level of the aristocracy excluding the royal family, was the king’s brother, and thereafter the Dukes of Sakuragi had a continuous marriage relationship with the royal family and a mission to assist the royal family from generation to generation.
This education had been passed on to Yuzuriha.
It was natural to turn pale when she heard that the country would be divided because of her.
“…B-But doesn’t that mean…Father can’t incorporate Suzuha-kun’s older brother into our duke family…?”
“Don’t make that face and don’t look so down.”
“…But—”
“Of course, our family will get that man in the end.”
Yuzuriha looked up.
“But it requires careful preparation. Because one wrong step can lead to a civil war.”
“Y-Yes!”
“What’s crucial is to not make it seem like our house is hiding that man. It would be better to allow him to interact with the royal family to some extent and promote his name to a minimum level.”
“But wouldn’t that result in him being snatched away by another aristocrat family…?”
“What is the point of having power? We can simply crush any fool who tries to take him away from us.”
“I understand. I don’t like to use power over others, but I can’t say the same about this case.”
Immediately after nodding her head in agreement, Yuzuriha looked gloomy again.
“But with that man’s abilities, I think the royal family would definitely want him… Especially the first princess, Touko, who is very intelligent. I can’t imagine her just sitting back and doing nothing.”
“Of course we cannot destroy the royal family. But for once, the Royal Family has a fatal weakness.”
“A weakness?”
“It’s simple.”
“It’s…?”
“Don’t you understand?” said the Duke, putting his hand on his chin.
“The royal family can only marry other royalty or senior aristocrats. There have been no exceptions to this in the past.”
In this respect, there are only a few cases in the long history of duke families in which they have married commoners.
The Duke declared that this difference was very significant.
After all, it all came down to the very end. As the Duke family could make the final move, but not the royal family…
