#738 (Patreon)

Royal (2) 

Child of the Angel.  

Thump—!  

At the sound of those words, Albert's heart, sunk in sorrow, began to race.  

It meant he was hopeful.  

After all, it was the child of an angel.  

A being born by sacrificing all the Holy laws of the world to defeat the devil who descended during the reign of the great emperor.  

The being who reestablished the fallen authority of the Parter Church, having lost its Holy laws.  

In times when eschatology softly spread both in the dark and the light, the only hope awaited.  

Indeed, a remarkable being.  

This being, said to have come to heal his mother, the Queen of Victory who led the golden age of the United Kingdoms.  

How could he not be hopeful?  

Crushed by the pressures of princely duties, Albert, who matured early, unusually ran like a child unable to hide his emotions.  

To meet the child of the angel, who had come to help his mother.  

Believing she would offer some help, though what that help was or how it would be given, he didn't know. But surely, he thought, it would be more helpful than anything the royal physician or the chief priest could offer.  

Far more than those who could do nothing but make excuses.  

—I'm sorry. I'm not sure what the illness is. In my opinion, it just seems like she has run out of energy. A kind of nervous exhaustion. Her Majesty has been overseeing national affairs since her youth...

—I think so too. Her Majesty overexerted herself in her youth. Moreover, having given birth at an older age, it seems like her energy has finally depleted, manifesting as an illness.  

Before Albert was even born, the royal physician and the licensed chief priest, who had assisted his mother, said the same thing in different ways.  

It wasn't an illness, they claimed, just that she had aged and exhausted herself in her youth.  

Outwardly, Albert listened calmly, but inwardly, he cursed them.  

It sounded as though they were implying his mother had fallen ill because of him and his brother’s births.  

Yet he could do no more than curse internally.  

Albert did not have a medical license, but the royal physician and the chief priest did.  

And the renowned doctors and wizards secretly brought into the royal household had reached the same diagnosis.  

What could Albert possibly do? All he could do was stay out of his elder brother’s way as he prepared for the succession, and keep praying to God by his mother's side.  

And God answered Albert’s prayers.  

The child of the angel. Her arrival was proof of that.  

A being with miracles superior to all Holy laws that could heal any wound instantly.  

Thinking about it, it seemed rather foolish. He should have called her from the start. It was just that he had been too overwhelmed to think of it.  

But now everything was resolved.  

Thinking this, Albert went to meet the child of the angel, filled with anticipation, only to be disappointed soon after.  

"I'm sorry. It seems that it isn’t an illness after all."  

In the star palace bedroom, moved because of his mother’s illness, Joanna, the child of the angel, spoke there. It wasn’t an illness that had caused his mother to collapse.  

So, just like the royal physician and chief priest, and the external doctors and wizards, no results were produced.  

It wasn’t a treatable illness, but nervous exhaustion, they said.  

"..."  

Was it disappointment? Albert couldn’t say anything.  

No, the situation itself felt somewhat dreamlike. He didn’t even remember when he had met Joanna, nor did he remember when so many people had crowded into this place.  

He had just opened his eyes, and people had come in, examined his mother, and abruptly concluded.  

"Ah..."  

As fatigue overwhelmed him, Albert groaned.  

Then, suddenly, all eyes that had been on his mother turned to Albert.  

The royal physician and his assistant, the chief priest and priests, the prime minister, and parliament members, as well as the nobles friendly to the royal family.  

They looked at the boy who had heard the hopeless state of his mother with pity, but tired as he was, Albert did not feel it.  

Probably, it was just his feeling.  

At least Joanna, who was right beside his mother, seemed genuinely sympathetic, but honestly, it hardly mattered.  

What mattered to Albert now was not the feelings of others, but his own disappointment.  

Had he not had any expectations, he wouldn't have been so disappointed.  

The impact of his disappointment was greater than he expected, preventing Albert from responding as maturely as he usually would.  

Instead, Miller, the royal secretary standing behind Albert like a shadow, intervened.  

"Excuse me. It seems that the prince is very tired. If it's not too much trouble, may we step out for a moment?"  

The elderly man, who had assisted the royal family all his life, spoke, and the high-ranking adults in the room quickly nodded in agreement as if they understood.  

"Ah, of course..."  

"I understand."  

"We'll be here, so don't worry, Your Highness."  

"Your Highness."  

Miller, who had asked for understanding on Albert's behalf, gently urged him to leave with a comforting expression.  

Albert agreed. There was nothing good about staying here.  

With that thought, Albert politely greeted everyone and left the room as his shadow had suggested.  

"Haah..."  

Leaving the room filled with his disappointed mother and many people, it seemed like he could breathe again.  

However, it didn't completely improve.  

He sighed and caught his breath, but soon felt suffocated again, as if the air was thick with water.  

Normally, he would have asked the royal physician for a diagnosis, but Albert, not wanting to face him again, decided to leave the star palace and go to his own room in the main palace for a while.  

"That's a good idea."  

Miller seemed to agree, chiming in.  

Albert left the star palace and walked to the adjacent royal palace.  

"But..."  

"Please speak, Your Highness."  

"Why didn't my brother come?"  

As he exited the star palace, a somewhat calmer Albert suddenly remembered and asked. He hadn't seen his brother among the many people.  

It wasn't certain, but it seemed he had been there when he met Joanna.  

"He was too busy to come."  

"Not even for a moment to treat Mother?"  

There was a hint of accusation in his voice, and Miller bowed his head as if sorry.  

Albert felt a pang of guilt for snapping, but it was still hard to understand.  

What could be so busy that it was so hard to see his face? Upon reflection, his brother hadn't even been visiting their mother very often.  

Of course, he understood that he was busy. He would soon inherit the throne of the greatest nation in the world, so naturally, he had a lot to do, not to mention the emotional toll. But still.  

"Doesn't something seem odd?"  

"What do you mean?"  

"No, I mean my brother. He seems too anxious lately."  

His words were not just because of his disappointment and fatigue. Although he hadn't noticed while worrying about his mother, honestly, his brother Edward's behavior was strange.  

What to say? Anxious. No, more than anxious, it was as if he was being chased.  

His fundamental nature was optimistic, and one would expect him to be childishly happy about succeeding to the throne, but there was no such indication.  

It might be due to worrying about their mother, but even so, he hadn't even properly visited her. She was just a stone's throw away.  

He was just busy and anxious.  

"Ah... I'm not sure."  

Miller, who assisted Albert, tilted his head in confusion.  

Having such a lifelong assistant to the royal family say this made Albert feel awkward to say more.  

"No, don't worry about it... My brother must be overwhelmed too."  

Miller bowed his head apologetically, and the conversation ended.  

As the conversation ended, Albert and Miller entered the main palace.  

The heart of the royal palace of the United Kingdoms, where only the king and his direct family could stay.  

The heart of that kingdom was like a real heart, with red carpets seamlessly covering the floor, and beautiful golden chandeliers and ornaments embroidered on the white walls and ceiling.  

Albert walked through this scenery without being overwhelmed, as if it was familiar.  

That made sense, since he was born and raised here.  

But there was a discrepancy. Although he wasn't overwhelmed, that didn't mean he had become accustomed to the place.  

Being familiar meant being comfortable, but Albert didn't find the main palace particularly comfortable.  

It was too large, too lavish, and there were too many people for it to be comfortable.  

"When exactly does the succession ceremony start then?"  

"Well... there hasn't been any specific mention of that yet."  

"Succeeding to the throne during the king's lifetime is extremely unusual, so it needs to be handled with care. Especially given the current state of affairs."  

Inside the room, where guests had gathered for a visit, a calculating voice leaked out—not one of concern.  

Despite being there out of concern for the sick, they seemed too comfortable, sharing drinks and conversations among themselves—including nobles with long histories, politicians, and even businessmen.  

It might not be a princely thing to say, but that was why he could never be at ease here.  

Nevertheless, the reason Albert had returned to the main palace was to rest in his own room.  

It was the only place he could rest without being conscious of others' eyes.  

But soon he realized that it was a mistake.  

"Ah..."  

Sitting in his room, Albert let out an exasperated sigh. Miller asked worriedly,  

"Are you alright, Your Highness?"  

"No, I'm not okay. Even though I'm in here, I don't feel at ease."  

"You might be overdoing it. Perhaps if you took a nap—"  

"—No, sleeping won't solve it. I can't even sleep... Miller."  

"Yes, Your Highness."  

"Could we go for a walk for a while?"  

"A walk, Your Highness?"  

"Yes, just the two of us."  

Albert recalled a time when he had visited Landa in the past.  

Although it had been a tiring trip with various incidents, he had unforgettable memories, one of which was secretly sneaking out alone to wander the streets.  

During that time, Albert learned how refreshing a solitary walk could be.  

He would like to do that now, but knowing it wasn't the wisest choice, he suggested they go for a walk with just the two of them—himself and the royal secretary, Miller.  

"I'm sorry, Your Highness."  

Miller bowed his head, indicating a refusal.  

However, this time, Albert wasn't ready to back down easily.  

"I know it's not the appropriate behavior right now. Mother is unwell, and my brother is busy with the succession... But wouldn't a short walk be alright?"  

"I understand what you mean, Your Highness. However, the situation is not favorable right now. Are you not aware of the rumors that rebels are active in the capital?"  

"Ah..."  

It was as if Albert suddenly remembered.  

Although the rumors about the royal family and the mysterious circumstances had subsided after his mother's collapse, it was still a significant matter that the queen was unwell.  

The king is the center of the nation. If the center falls, the rest collapses as well.  

As if to prove this, regions and forces hostile to the United Kingdom were stirring for other reasons, and among them, the Kel rebels were no exception.  

According to intelligence, a considerable number of Kel rebel agents had entered the capital.  

These were people who would do anything to achieve independence for their impoverished lands, so caution was necessary.  

"If Your Highness steps outside the palace, we cannot be certain of what actions they might take. Therefore, I regret to say that it will be difficult to comply with your request."  

Miller gently but firmly stated that something might happen. Albert could say nothing.  

In these unstable times, exposing himself to danger could lead to predictable consequences.  

"I'm sorry, Your Highness."  

Miller apologized again.  

Albert shook his head.  

"No, it's my short-sightedness. Well... I'll try to get some rest for now—"  

Knock. Knock.  

Just as Albert, disheartened by his thoughts not going as planned, was about to try to sleep, there was a knocking at the door.  

It felt familiar.  

The voice of the royal secretary managing the guests was heard from beyond the door.  

"Your Highness. The child of the angel requests an audience."  

Porcelain-like clean skin, distinct facial features, brilliant blond hair.  

It might have been a cliché expression, but Joanna, the child of the angel, possessed a beauty that resembled a painting—an observation not lost on Albert, who, as a prince, had met other royals, nobles, and elites.  

Albert and the child of the angel, Joanna, had known each other from before.  

In the past, he had briefly met her in the New Continent.  

At that time, she was a paladin fulfilling her mission there, and her first impression had not been bad; over time, it even became admirable.  

A known paladin who had become the child of an angel, now subtly treated as a savior.  

However, the predominant feeling Albert experienced now was disappointment, a side effect of high expectations.  

"I'm sorry, Your Highness."  

The former paladin, now the child of the angel, apologized with the same decorum as when they first met.  

The reason for the apology was her inability to help.  

Though it was a thoughtful gesture, Albert, having been exposed to many such encounters recently, didn't feel particularly moved.  

"No, it's not necessary. My mother is weakening due to her age, why would you apologize for that? I'm fine."  

Albert's response was devoid of real emotion.  

But something seemed off. He sensed a hidden secret in Joanna's expression.  

"Do you have something to tell me?"  

Joanna paused for a moment.  

"There's one troubling thing."  

"What is it?"  

Albert tensed up without realizing.  

"The queen's life force is disappearing unnaturally."  

"Life force?"  

"Yes, life force—I mean, I know what life force is. Are you saying someone has taken my mother's life force? A warlock!?"  

Thump—!  

Albert's heart started racing for a reason different from before.  

If this was true, it was treason—an attempt to overthrow the greatest nation in the world.  

"It's not certain."  

"What do you mean by that?"  

Albert lost his temper at the ambiguous response.  

"I can't be sure either. All I can say for certain is that the queen's life force has been artificially diminished, as if someone took it."  

"Who...?"  

Albert asked again, this time more to himself than to Joanna.  

Who would dare do such a thing? Honestly, a few suspects came to mind.  

Although his mother was benevolent, the throne inevitably made enemies.  

"I'm sorry."  

Joanna, having dropped a bombshell, apologized again.  

This broke Albert's patience just a bit.  

"So, you, the child of the angel, are telling me this without any certainty, without knowing anything for sure?"  

"Yes."  

"Why?"  

"To warn you of the potential danger... In fact, my reason for coming here was not to bless the succession but to investigate something."  

The child of the angel officially admitted that her visit was for a reason other than the succession.  

"What specifically did you come to investigate?"  

Joanna remained silent.  

"Do you suspect someone in the palace has harmed my mother? Or the royal family?"  

Joanna stayed silent again.  

At that moment, Albert stood up abruptly.  

"Or—"  

"—We can't be sure of anything yet."  

Just as Albert was about to name someone specifically, the child of the angel cut him off.  

To her, Albert spoke in a low voice.  

"You're making dangerous statements. To entertain such suspicions about the future king of the United Kingdoms, especially when I'm barely holding my position. Or do you find me too young to be taken seriously?"  

"No, Your Highness. I—"  

"Leave."  

Albert pointed to the door.  

Unable to bear it any longer while his mother was ill, he could no longer contain his frustration.  

"Just leave and spout that nonsense to others. Or perhaps meet with the chief priests and paladins here. Since the Holy laws have disappeared, you barely hold your position by selling your faith. Either way, stay out of my sight. Otherwise, I will immediately inform others about what I've heard."  

Albert issued a warning, unable to suppress his anger.  

Reading Albert's emotions, Joanna no longer said anything and withdrew.  

She looked at Albert with a mix of concern and regret as she left the room, just as she had when diagnosing his mother.  

Creak... Click.  

As the door closed, Albert felt his anger not diminishing but intensifying.  

"Miller!"  

"Yes, Your Highness."  

Miller, who had been waiting outside at Joanna's request, entered.  

"I need to take a walk. Get it ready."  

"A walk, Your Highness? But—"  

"—It doesn't have to be outside; the garden will do! Prepare it!!"  

***

Albert walked in the garden within the palace grounds, specifically the one farthest from the main palace, as he had directed.  

Staying still seemed like it would only bring on an illness of frustration.  

'The child of an angel, huh... If she truly were, she would have cured the widespread disease during the great empire era by now.'  

Albert recalled the situation in the great empire through the news he had read while walking through the garden.  

The empire was currently grappling with an unknown disease that grotesquely disfigured people, so severe that neighboring countries had restricted travel to and from it.  

If Joanna truly were the child of an angel, such a disease should have been cured long ago.  

But she hadn't, and thus, there was only one conclusion.  

A fake idol created by the Parter Church, which had lost its authority since the Holy laws had vanished.  

It was entirely plausible, especially seeing the chief priests who had been ingratiating themselves everywhere recently.  

"Your Highness?"  

Lost in angry thoughts and stomping through the garden, Albert heard a voice behind him.  

It was Miller, who wore a kindly grandfatherly expression.  

"Excuse me for speaking out of turn, but if it’s not too intrusive, may I ask what's troubling you?"  

He genuinely seemed to be concerned about why Albert was so upset.  

In that moment, Albert felt moved.  

Despite his young age, he knew all too well the comfort of opening up, having always been under pressure to keep his feelings bottled up because of his princely status.  

However, speaking was not easy.  

It wasn't just about the charlatan Joanna. He couldn't ensure what chaos might ensue if her words leaked outside.  

While it was true that the authority of the Parter Church had declined, the existence of the "child of an angel" had been propping it up, and her words implied that she still held some power.  

And she was suggesting there was a conspiracy behind his mother's illness?  

He couldn't predict how that might impact him.  

That's why he had sent her away. He couldn't risk what might happen if her words got out.  

Albert pondered these complex thoughts as he looked at Miller.  

Perhaps it was safe to talk to him. After all, he wasn’t just any secretary; he had served the royal family loyally all his life.  

He felt it might be right to speak to him.  

"That’s—"  

"—Just a moment, Your Highness."  

Just as Albert began to speak, Miller suddenly stepped in front of him protectively.  

Then, from beyond the garden bushes, a figure appeared—a very large and corpulent figure.  

"Ah, Your Highness?!"  

"You are—"  

Albert faltered as he saw the man who had suddenly appeared.  

There were two reasons for his hesitation: first, because he wasn't sure who it was, and second, because the man was enormously fat.  

Not just fat—extremely so, to the point where his limbs appeared short in comparison to his girth.  

What was unusual was that, unlike typical obese people, he looked healthy and well-colored.  

"Edith Rock. A speculator from Landa here to visit the queen."  

Miller whispered to Albert, informing him about the identity of the fat man.  

"An investor?"  

"Yes, a self-made man somewhat famous in Landa. He’s known for marrying into nobility with his wealth and selling his Prometheus shares in the New Continent for three times their value."  

Albert remembered the man as Edith. He had never met him face-to-face, but he had heard of him through his secretary.  

To think he would meet him here—it truly showed how small the world was.  

Edith, like a self-made man from Landa, brazenly greeted him.  

"Good day, Your Highness. It’s an incredible honor to meet you here by chance, enough to tell my descendants."  

His tone was ambiguous, possibly sarcastic. Albert responded reflexively.  

"By chance?"  

"Yes, I was also taking a walk."  

"To think you enjoy walking... That’s unexpected."  

"The medicine I'm taking is working wonders; it’s become a hobby, though that might sound a bit appearance-discriminatory."  

"Show some respect to the prince!"  

Miller, standing by, shouted.  

Albert gestured that it was fine, more out of annoyance than genuine assurance.  

He just wanted to deal with him and move on. But then, Edith dropped an unexpected bombshell.  

"Fortunately, I have a matter to discuss with you, Your Highness."  

Edith spoke arrogantly, then suddenly approached.  

The abrupt and rude action was interpreted as a threat by Miller, who stepped forward and pushed Edith back by the chest.  

"Are you mad? To dare approach the prince."  

Stopped by the shove, Edith paused but was grinning widely.  

"Didn’t you hear what I said earlier?"  

"…?"  

"I said I got healthier after taking my medicine, right? Naturally, that means I’ve gotten stronger. Just like this!"  

As he finished speaking, Edith suddenly lifted a hammer he had been hiding behind his voluminous back and swung it vertically towards Miller’s head.  

It was a garden, indeed.