Chapter 50 – The Princess Will Be Killed
Martial law is imposed in the capital, restricting access to the outside area.
In the midst of that, Yuzuriha-san, who secretly visited my house, had a complexion that went beyond pale and turned ashen.
“…I’m really sorry, you gave me advice but here we are. I tried to stop the coup somehow, but…”
“No, you don’t have to apologize to me.”
Although I predicted the coup by one of the princes’ factions, there was no way I, a commoner, could have any idea how it would actually be carried out.
In the first place, commoners are basically irrelevant to the power struggles of the aristocrats, much less who the next king will be.
If a fool were to become king, the country would likely fall into ruin. However, if it were to actually happen, there would also be the option of moving to a foreign country with Suzuha.
Though the village where Suzuha and I were born and raised, and the fields that used to be there, are gone.
“So…what do you think will happen in the future?”
“What do you mean?”
“Currently, the king and queen, along with the princess, are being held captive.”
The serious-eyed Yuzuriha-san was not looking for a comforting response.
So I answered frankly.
“The princess will be killed.”
“———!!!”
“The reputation of the current reign is not necessarily that bad, and there is also the matter of public image. The current king is likely to remain imprisoned until the coronation, and afterwards, options could include exile, lifelong captivity, or even assassination. However, there is no reason to keep the princess alive. Above all, she poses too much of a danger.”
“Danger…”
“If the princess’ faction was also planning a coup, wasn’t they? Then it’s only natural that keeping the princess, who is rumored to be sharp-witted, alive would pose a high risk of being stabbed in the back, whether or not they are aware of it. To silence the noble members of the princess’ faction, I believe the princess would be killed.”
Well, that’s just what I, a commoner, thinks, but I have no idea what will really happen.
However, Yuzuriha-san, who heard my words, was deeply troubled and pondered for a while.
Eventually, she looked up and turned her head straight at me.
“I have a request for you”
“Yes.”
“I am very aware that I have no right to ask you to do something like this. So I’m begging you. You have the right to refuse, but if you can, please don’t. I’ll do whatever I can to help you, so…”
When Yuzuriha-san gulped and cleared her throat…
“Will you—join me and help the princess?”
“Okay.”
“……Eh?”
As soon as I answered, Yuzuriha-san’s eyes lit up.
＊＊＊＊
Once we had decided that, time is of the essence.
As Yuzuriha, with a vacant expression, dragged herself onto the carriage and headed towards the Duke’s residence, her thought process suddenly rebooted, and she lashed out at me.
“W-Wait a minute! Aren’t you being too easy right now!?”
“What’s wrong?”
“You should know! Storming into the Royal Castle to retrieve the princess now, that’s suicide by any stretch of the imagination!”
“It was Yuzuriha who asked me to commit that suicide, wasn’t it?”
“W-Well, that’s true, but!”
Well, I understand what Yuzuriha-san wants to say.
If you think about it normally, it would be natural to refuse such a request, which is like telling me to go die. She’s wondering why I agreed in response to that.
But my answer to that is very simple.
“Well it’s obvious, isn’t it?”
“…Huh?”
“If my friends are in trouble, I help them. That’s all.”
“T-That’s…!”
“Or perhaps my thinking of Yuzuriha-san as a comrade was just a one-sided thought? If that’s the case, I’m a little sad—”
“Of course not!!”
Yuzuriha-san denied it so loudly that the Duke’s carriage shuddered.
“You are the best comrade to me, the only one I can entrust my back to! I won’t allow anyone, not even you, to belittle yourself!
“Eh? That’s too much of a compliment—”
“No way! You have helped me countless times before, and even now, you effortlessly provide me with answers that surpass my expectations… How far do you have to go to make me fall madly in love with you, you big idiot!”
“W-Well… A-Anyway…”
I feel like I was unjustly accused of a baseless crime, and there may have been some unsettling remarks as well, but right now, I don’t have time to pursue that.
In any case, it’s really good to have Yuzuriha-san back on her feet.
After all, we are on our way to our deaths.
Because if we’re not in our full spirit, we won’t make it back alive.
…Let’s consider what to do even if it seems that there is no viable solution.
