Robin’s Betrayal
“……….in the end, just what did that man want from us……”
“who knows………..”
Me and Lizbeth looked at each other and tilted our heads in confusion.
He was an annoyance as always but, before leaving he seemed to actually be in some kind of deep thought, a rare occurrence for him.
“Regardless, this garden is a precious place of my memories with you my Prince. I don’t want that man to sully it.”
“I wholeheartedly agree.”
Hearing Lizbeth’s cold statement, I could only chuckle and nod with a smile.
But, that only made her expression grow even worse.
“a, ah, wait, you’re misunderstanding things again, okay? I just thought that even that expression of yours was very adorable and I ended up laughing, that’s all.”
It’d be a problem if she continued to misunderstand things is I quickly explained myself.
“muu…….I’m quite angry right now, you know? But if you say things like that, I can’t help but break into a smile as well……..”
Still grabbing on to my clothes, Lizbeth glared at me with upturned eyes.
But, her lips were shaking, unable to maintain a serious expression. How cute.
“That aside, let’s go back to our rooms already. I’m sure Maya is eagerly waiting for our return as well.”
“Fufu, that’s true.”
I took Lizbeth’s hand yet again, and then we made our way back to our rooms.
But………we should have paid more heed to Robin’s warning back then. A rare regretful decision on my part.
And that’s because.
“haah………….”
“”…………………………””
The morning of next day, upon receiving the call from Queen Alicia, I was in the reception room of the Cancer Palace.
Queen Alicia was pressing down on her forehead and breathed a deep sigh for I think, the 17th time now.
Just what had happened?
Well, that fool Robin had just done something completely crazy.
“………..to think Brother Robin would change allegiances to Brother Oscar’s camp.”
“Please, don’t even say it…………..”
Hearing me, Queen Alicia shook her head. I mean, I get her feelings.
Her own son had decided to switch to the enemy camp.
I won’t deny it, by joining hands with Fredrik I was expecting a dispute to arise between Fredrik and Robin…….and Queen Alicia by extension, and in fact I’d say that it was something I was directly aiming for to happen even.
But, even so, would anyone normally decided to switch directly to the enemy’s side instantly?
“Truth be told………”
For now, I decided to explain all that happened last evening to Queen Alicia as well.
I think that was the last straw that made Robin jump to Oscar’s side in my opinion.
“How pathetic……….even though he already has ‘Sheila’ with him……….”
This Sheila that queen Alicia was talking about was in fact Robin’s fiancée, the noble daughter of the Andersen family, an Earl household from the remote regions.
Her household, the Andersens, were located on the western border of the Empire, a decorated and respected family that were tasked with being the first wall of defence against the neighbouring Nordia Kingdom for many generations now.
And so, they of course, also possessed military might………or so you’d assume but, in truth the Andersen family maintained the peace at the border with their incredible wealth and diplomatic ability instead.
Thanks to them, currently Baldyk Empire and Nordia Kingdom maintained cordial relations, and trade between the two was flourishing. All thanks to the great work of the Andersen family.
Basically, the Andersen family was also an important ally needed to become the next Emperor, and normally, their daughter would not be wed to the third prince who had no chance of becoming the Emperor.
Not to mention, while not as bad as myself, Robin’s reputation among the nobles wasn’t exactly very high either.
But in spite of all that, the reason why Lady Sheila was engaged to him was all thanks to the hard work of Queen Alicia who was currently sitting in front of me.
And yet, Robin had thrown that fiancée of his to the side and instead had fallen for Lizbeth, and now had even gone as far as betraying Fredrik and joining hands with his direct rival in the succession war, Oscar, instead.
Thanks to that, even I had my jaw on the floor from shock……..
“So……..what will you do? This must be a blow to even Brother Fredrik as well I imagine……..”
That said, considering how honourless and impertinent Robin consistently was, I wouldn’t be shocked if all the noble families backing him would instantly drop support for him as soon as news spreads.
Also, Robin’s camp was made up of nobles that had been arranged for by Queen Alicia as well.
“Firstly, I’ll have to start by apologizing to Lord Andersen. Worst case, I might even have to talk about annulling the engagement with Robin as well……..”
“G-good luck, I suppose………”
Those words were all that I could offer her right now.
“And I must ask for your apologies as well, for all the trouble caused yet again……..even though I quite literally swore on my own name just yesterday that I won’t let Robin get close to you two, and yet……..”
“Queen Alicia, please you need to worry about that. However, the next time Robin does show up in front of my Prince again, we may go a little overboard with how we deal with him as well, I must warn you.”
Hearing that, Queen Alicia was even further at her wits’ ends.
But, now that Robin had completely detached himself from Queen Alicia’s hands, he was most certainly going cause havoc I’m sure.
Which means, we’ll have to deal with even more annoyances in the future so even we will not be in any position to show any further consideration or restraint, even if it was for Queen Alicia’s sake.
Then, we need to start thinking beforehand on how to eliminate Robin for good.
“In any case, we will continue to support brother Fredrik. So, you need not fret over us for now.”
“Thank you………”
After giving one last glance at Queen Alicia who was hanging her head, me and Lizbeth left the reception room.