Chapter 5 – The One Who Stole the Jewel

Adrian Derrick von Staerfix had just passed his first year on the throne.

After the attempted poisoning of the late Queen, the mastermind was caught, but ultimately, Queen Edna could not overcome the poison and died after a long illness, followed quickly by the King, who followed her in death.

The previous royal couple of Staerfix had lived only for each other, so the only royal children were Crown Prince Adrian and Princess Eileen.

With only one legitimate Crown Prince, most people thought it was good that there was no need for political strife, and so the peace of the Staerfix royal family seemed to be maintained. Thus, after a swift coronation, Adrian inherited the throne.

But not everything went smoothly.

On Monday morning, the atmosphere in the palace meeting room, where high-ranking officials and nobles gathered, was always unpredictable, but today it was especially tense.

The young King was clearly eager to make Staerfix Kingdom more prosperous than ever. Naturally, he increased trade with the Empire, and soon faced even greater issues.

That was the marriage alliance.

“The Empire’s official letter accepting the Princess’s marriage proposal has arrived. They said the Third Prince will arrive with the delegation about a month from today, so prepare accordingly without error.”

Adrian pressed his head, trying to suppress the oddly unpleasant tension he felt since morning. He had always planned, since long ago, to arrange the best match for Eileen once he became King.

Among all, the Third Prince of the Empire caught his attention.

Although the Prince was the Empress’s son, he was known for pursuing a very free life and had never competed for the Crown Prince position. Even so, rumors said the Empress cherished him dearly.

‘He isn’t interested in power, and he has noble blood, so surely he’ll be a strength to Eileen and the Kingdom.’

Of course, there were rumors he lived a little too freely with women, but any man with power would have such stories trailing behind him.

Perhaps he deliberately distanced himself from the Crown Prince contest, Adrian thought, as he sent the marriage proposal.

“Your Majesty, certainly the Princess’s marriage is a blessed event welcomed throughout Staerfix, but…”

“Yes?”

“I believe the timing is too soon. Why are you rushing this?”

The first to speak was Earl Kratis, the Minister of Finance. Since Adrian’s ascension, exchanges with the Empire had suddenly become active, opening many trade routes. That brought a flood of merchant work, tax management, and even trouble from lowly groups targeting those merchants.

There was already a mountain of urgent matters to handle, and none expected such a sudden marriage arrangement.

“So, are you saying you oppose this marriage?”

Earl Kratis swallowed hard under the King’s stern gaze.

“Of course not. Princess Eileen, the treasure of our Kingdom, deserves only the best. But with the trade routes newly opened and barbarians constantly targeting the merchants, shouldn’t we settle those first? Even considering the Princess’s dowry would be a heavy blow to our finances.”

“Is the Kingdom really so weak? If only the tax issues with the lords were resolved, nothing would be impossible.”

“Your Majesty, that’s…”

“I also ordered the knights to reinforce the borders and trade routes, and to mobilize private soldiers. Nothing is going right—are you all ignoring me?”

His open criticism of the nobles brought displeasure to many faces. But the young King did not flinch, raising his blue eyes to meet theirs.

A heavy tension filled the meeting room. Staerfix was a country with many royalists, but Adrian’s remarks were seen as infringing on the nobles’ authority, sparking murmurs and confusion. Duke Valtear stepped in to mediate.

“All those matters must be resolved in time, but there is a greater issue in the royal family that cannot be delayed.”

“A greater issue?”

“It is about your Queen, Your Majesty.”

At Duke Valtear’s words, the room fell silent. Except for Duke Leios Dreikan, no one in this room had as much authority. His deep, thick voice, as the eldest and a close friend of the late King, made even Earl Kratis fall silent and look at him.

“Why do you delay your own marriage? It’s been a year since your coronation, and the Queen’s seat remains vacant.”

“Ha, the Queen issue again.”

“If even the Princess marries, the royal palace will lack the noble presence needed to manage its affairs. Surely you know this.”

As Duke Valtear spoke, the elder nobles nodded in agreement. After the sudden coronation, the next major event was not the King’s wedding, but the Princess’s.

The royal family needed heirs for stability. It was clearly harmful for the King to remain single, especially with rumors that he avoided women and preferred men. Thus, the nobles’ requests for the King to marry were perfectly normal.

“The Princess will live in the palace even after marriage.”

At Adrian’s declaration, the nobles stirred.

“But how can she remain in Ruby Palace after marrying?”

“And the Empire won’t send the Prince to Staerfix, will they? How could a man follow a woman to her residence?”

“That’s not right. It would be uncomfortable for the future Queen. Ruby Palace is for the royal girls, isn’t it? What if the Princess bears a daughter later…”

Many voices murmured at once. Adrian’s forehead furrowed further as his headache worsened.

Leaving Princess Eileen in Ruby Palace had a definite reason. The nobles could not imagine it, but he had to do it.

“You speak as if Ruby Palace has always existed. It was clearly built by the late King solely for Princess Eileen. It cannot belong to anyone else.”

“But, Your Majesty…”

“Is there any reason for such opposition?”

When Adrian raised his voice, everyone fell silent to avoid upsetting him. Though newly crowned, Adrian had ruled since the late King fell ill. His influence and the power of the Staerfix royal family were significant.

Whenever barbarians appeared, Adrian, as Crown Prince, personally led campaigns to drive them out, earning the people’s strong support.

The beautiful royal Prince and Princess, and the King and Queen who lived only for them.

The many laws and officials created to prevent nobles from exploiting commoners.

No one inside dared openly oppose Adrian.

“The Princess’s marriage will proceed as planned. The Empire said they won’t take a dowry. In fact, the Prince requested to marry in Staerfix and stay in Ruby Palace.”

“How could that be…”

“The Empire’s affairs are complicated. Their Crown Prince contest isn’t even finished, and the Empress seems to care especially about the Third Prince’s safety. So prepare accordingly.”

As Adrian pressed his elegant fingers to his temple, everyone hesitated to answer.

How could things move so quickly? Besides, by law, the Princess’s consort would gain the rank of Grand Duke. No noble liked the idea of a foreign Prince acting as Grand Duke in their land.

“Understood. Let’s leave the Princess’s marriage at that. It’s decided, so why debate further?”

As the oldest, Duke Valtear spoke, and the nobles held back their opinions. The meeting seemed to end there, but the Duke was not one to be easily dismissed.

“But today, Your Majesty, I must have a proper answer regarding your own marriage.”

“Ha, you want me to give one, so you’ll give one in return?”

“How could you think that? A King cannot stand alone.”

To calm the angry Adrian, Earl Kratis added a word.

Adrian laughed dryly, then showed his cold face and spoke.

“Are you hoping to make your daughters Queen and become royal relatives?”

Adrian saw through their hidden intentions, and a few nobles coughed quietly.

“Of course not. But some matters are more urgent than others. You’ve delayed a year, and it cannot wait any longer.”

“Lie with a wet tongue.”

“Please accept our sincerity.”

Duke Valtear had taught Adrian swordsmanship since he was very young. With such a person speaking, Adrian could not get angrier. Their logic was sound.

“Haa.”

Marriage.

He hated his own marriage, but had reasons to hurry Eileen’s. And those reasons would become known as soon as the Queen arrived.

Finishing his thoughts, he swept back his golden hair, just like Eileen’s, and sighed deeply.

“…I’ll consider when to take a Queen. I’ll give an answer within this year. But since the Empire has already replied to the marriage proposal, I cannot delay the Princess’s wedding.”

“I understand, but please allow all the noble ladies to attend the banquet when the delegation arrives.”

In other words, let him choose among them. There was no way to refuse.

“So be it. In a month. Inspect all the streets until then, and make sure no troublemakers target the delegation. Duke Dreikan.”

Though the Empire and Staerfix had close ties, there were always groups holding grudges against those in power. Adrian’s gaze fell on Leios, who quietly bowed his head.