Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 187
Not all matters went smoothly. When Burt tried to step down from the throne, opposition was fierce. They managed to push through and appoint a child from a collateral line as the successor, but there were still many unresolved issues.
Though they couldn’t solve all the problems immediately, Burt wanted to tell Irene. He had already steeled himself, so she shouldn’t think of walking the lonely path alone.
Burt had no intention of letting Irene walk alone.
“Truly.”
Irene spoke with a smile she couldn’t hide from her face.
“You’re such a fool.”
“Indeed, but as long as it’s in front of you, I don’t mind being any kind of person.”
At last, Irene fully opened her heart and accepted Burt. Burt believed that and laughed with Irene.
Luna, wearing a fierce expression, questioned her father again.
“What do you mean by that? A new successor to the throne has been decided?”
“Yes, one of the children from a collateral line. You probably know the child as well. They’re a distant relative of ours. Milli.”
He was a boy with considerable swordsmanship skills. However, Luna didn’t seem interested in that right now.
“Whether I know him or not isn’t the issue! The real problem is something else. How could they decide a successor from a collateral line when the king is still alive and well?”
“It is the king’s order.”
Bang.
Her clenched fist slammed against the desk.
“Luna!”
Though she was praised outside for her perfect personality, in truth, she was quite hot-tempered. She could neither suppress her anger nor exercise patience.
Hansen, Luna’s father, had also worried a lot because of that in the past. Yet, as she grew older, she seemed to manage it well enough to prevent rumors from spreading.
“Why, why on earth?”
Hansen wondered whether he should tell his daughter Luna the truth. However, even if he didn’t tell her now, she would surely find out, being the persistent child she was. It was only a matter of when the information would reach her—sooner or later.
“You’re aware of the current situation in the capital, aren’t you?”
“You mean the story about the goddess falling asleep and the seal of the false goddess?”
It was information not yet known to the lower ranks, but most high-ranking nobles were aware. The fate of the world was at stake, so it couldn’t be kept secret from the leadership.
“Yes, though we’ve managed to stop the immediate threat, the heretic witch managed to escape.”
“You’re talking about that woman named Ramiel, right?”
“Exactly. Because of her, we can’t predict what might happen next.”
“Haven’t the paladins and priests begun tracking her?”
“Even so, she hasn’t been caught yet.”
“Alright, I understand that much. But why has the king given up on having a direct heir?”
“For the sake of the saintess.”
“Pardon?”
“Luna, the king is in love with the saintess.”
At those words, Luna bit her lip hard. But it only lasted a moment.
“I know that. But hasn’t there never been a case where a king and a saintess were together?”
“That’s true. But what if Burt is no longer the king? The situation changes. If he sheds the title of king, the chances of being with the saintess increase, and even if not, they can still be together.”
“Together, you say?”
“It means he can follow her even in death.”
Hansen had known Burt since he was young, having once served as his swordsmanship teacher. The king Hansen knew wouldn’t hesitate to lay down his life for the one he loved.
It became clear to him when the king ordered the search for a successor.
“Why the hell would he do that?”
“Luna! Haven’t I told you to watch your mouth?”
“But this is just absurd.”
“Why do you think that?”
Because the saintess was born under an ominous sign. Luna had never seen her in person, but others who had said that, while the saintess was a good person, her ominous aura sometimes made people flinch.
To truly love such a person and even be willing to die for her? Luna squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again.
“Father, I love Burt too.”
“I know.”
“I can’t just let Burt go like this.”
“But is there any other way?”
“I will try to persuade him.”
“You will?”
Luna had spent time with Burt when she was young. Though brief, they were childhood friends of sorts. Besides, as the daughter of his former teacher, she had some influence.
“I will somehow change Burt’s mind.”
