I Never Wanted His Child - Chapter 159
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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The atmosphere in the council room was tense. Adrian scanned the attendees, as though he had expected this situation to unfold.
“Does everyone agree that we will not punish Duke Heinrich for ruining the royal banquet?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. We’ve heard that the Duke’s cousin was in poor health. Since there was no malice and no harm was done to others, we have decided to follow Your Majesty’s magnanimity.”
The Speaker answered Adrian’s question. Duke Heinrich remained seated, simply observing the situation.
“My magnanimity, huh?”
Adrian smirked. He found the pretended ignorance of the situation repulsive. They had already made their decisions, yet they acted as if they were unaware.
“What if I do not offer forgiveness?”
“That would be up to Your Majesty, of course. However, all things come with a price.”
Mikhail spoke in a calm tone. Adrian’s lip curled at his relaxed attitude. How openly provocative he was! The arrogance and hauteur of that neck made Adrian want to break it.
Adrian gripped the armrest of his chair tightly, his lip twitching with suppressed anger.
“I am indeed a magnanimous person. It is not difficult to forgive the faults of the people. But I don’t think I can do the same for the Duke.”
A murmur spread through the assembly as Adrian’s sudden statement took everyone by surprise.
“That doesn’t make sense, does it? I thought the discussion with His Majesty was concluded,” the vice chairman said, bewildered.
He too had not anticipated this reaction from Adrian.
Normally, the assembly would be divided between the ruling and opposition parties, with discussions and debates. But since Adrian had come to power, those boundaries had blurred.
The reason was simple. Those who had once opposed him were no longer present in the room. So, despite the nominal distinction between ruling and opposition parties, they were essentially one faction now.
“Isn’t that right? The people must love and show loyalty to their monarch. But does Duke Heinrich consider me his liege?”
The Duke had never truly seen him as a king. In fact, Adrian had always felt that the Duke viewed him as someone who could be easily dethroned. Therefore, the magnanimity they spoke of was something Adrian could never extend to him.
No matter who helped him rise to power, Adrian knew that his position was legitimate. He was the son of Konrad, and the blood of the king flowed through his veins. It was unthinkable for someone like Duke Heinrich, who had been used as a tool, to stand above the king.
Thus, Adrian believed Duke Heinrich owed him loyalty.
“Duke Heinrich, answer me. Do you swear your loyalty to me?”
“Your Majesty, I have walked by your side from the beginning. I have always been with you, and I have no reason not to consider you my liege.”
Mikhail replied without hesitation. It was a flawless response.
Mikhail was sincere in his intentions. He didn’t disregard Adrian as a king, but rather saw him as a monarch who could be replaced at any time. Moreover, he was a person who could fabricate loyalty if it suited his desires.
“I am the one who drew my sword and risked my life for Your Majesty. I believe that should be proof enough.”
“…If you did it not for me, but for the Duke himself, does that change things?”
Adrian did not want to be king. That had been his mother’s desire, not his own.
Duke Heinrich had fueled that ambition. If it hadn’t been for him, Adrian could have lived freely, following his own desires. He didn’t want to be a puppet anymore.
The tension between the two made the Speaker sweat profusely. Wiping his forehead with a handkerchief, he quickly adjusted his wig and cleared his throat.
“Ahem. Your Majesty, we cannot let small matters ruin the greater picture. Have you forgotten about the situation with the Kingdom of Eponsen?”
The Speaker cautiously addressed Adrian, and his sudden intervention caused Adrian’s frustration to rise.
“The matter with the Princess of Eponsen is for my mother to handle, not for me.”
Adrian believed that if he had caused the issue, he should be the one to take responsibility. He had no intention of covering for his mother’s mistakes.
She should have stopped the situation by any means necessary—maybe by traveling to the Kingdom of Eponsen and personally apologizing, ensuring that the issue wouldn’t be used against him.
She shouldn’t have waited for Duke Heinrich to calm things down. If Adrian had truly wanted the throne, it was his mother who should have taken action. But she hadn’t.
A bitter smile spread across Adrian’s face.
“That level of shame should have been endured.”
He clenched his fist tightly, and as his face twisted with frustration, those watching began to speak up.
“Your Majesty, it seems you are letting personal emotions cloud your judgment. Can we really overlook the suffering of one girl?”
A member pleaded earnestly.
Adrian sneered. The person was not afraid of war, but of the taxes it would affect. Besides, the nobles would flee to their estates or lock themselves in their castles during times of war.
Now, after a long civil war, the last thing Adrian wanted was a cold war with another country.
“Please, I sincerely ask that you make a wise decision for the peace of Bartsch.”
“This is funny. The proposal is already on the table, and everyone has agreed. What does my opinion even matter?”
