Chapter 137 – Negotiation (3)


    In a world like this, it was amon story.


    A person in a ce of absolute power could take anyone they desired as their lover. A wild era where strength alone could make one reign like a king.


    And if the person in question was an actual king, there was nothing more to be said.


    ‘Strangers might praise him as a benevolent king, but…… when he was young, Father was said to have a remarkable appetite for women.’


    Light always casts shadows, but there are exceptions.


    A woman who already had a partner.


    Even for a king, stealing a subject’s lover was a morally reprehensible act. However, perhaps that only fueled the king’s carnal desires?


    The king who could have everything he wanted fixated obsessively on the few things he couldn’t.


    Eventually, hemitted an unforgivable crime.


    ‘……They say he spiked Mother’s drink before their marriage.’


    Winley had discovered this fact by pure chance.


    “Princess! Please, save our poor Queen!”


    “D-Dwen? What in the world are you talking about?”


    “Sniff…… sniff…… His Majesty is a piece of trash! How could he exile her after everything, after what he did before their marriage?!”


    Dwen, the Queen’s loyal handmaid of over 20 years. She sought Winley just before her departure to the Empire, clutching at straws in desperation.


    Yes.


    Even Duke Herman, who was directly involved, likely doesn’t know the truth yet.


    Contrary to the rumors circting among the public, Winley’s father, the former king, Melio II, had married the third queen in this despicable manner.


    A powerless woman from a fallen noble house, she hadn’t even had the authority to refuse the king’s drink.


    When Winley eventually learned the truth, she suffered from a hatred toward her own family for a long time.


    She buried herself in swordsmanship. She poured sweat in ce of tears. Had she not found something to immerse herself in at that time……


    ‘I might have gone mad. Or ended up making the same choice as Mother.’


    That’s why Winley was curious.


    “Why did that half-elf, Erina, massacre humans?”


    Because every oue has a cause. There is no hatred without reason.


    “Why are you asking me?”


    “Because I thought you might know.”


    Despite his grumbling, Ancelot always satisfied Winley’s curiosity with clear answers.


    “If an elf—a being born to love peacemits ughter…… It’s usually driven by hatred.”


    “I expected as much. What I’m curious about are the details.”


    “To put it simply, the beauty of elves has always led to misfortune.”


    Ancelot began recounting what he knew. Erina’s father was human, and her mother was an elf.


    The issue was that her mother wasn’t his wife, but rather a form of sex ve. Much like…… Winley’s own mother.


    She was treated as a possession, rather than a partner, throughout her life. But it didn’t stop there.


    “That wretched man extended his vile desires to his own daughter.”


    “Ah……”


    Winley let out a sigh.


    There was no need to question its validity. Recalling the half-elf’s appearance, it was entirely believable.


    “She endured abuse from her father all her life. Then, through some incident, she gained power and massacred the humans in the area, including that bastard…… That’s all I know.”


    “I…… I’ve never heard anything like that before.”


    “Of course not. Humans covered up this story thoroughly. At the time, they needed any excuse to justify hunting elves.”


    Humans, the enemies of nature and root of all evil. Upon hearing this story, Winley couldn’t help but feel some sympathy for Erina.


    However,


    “A father assaulting his own wife…… And you speak of it so casually?”


    Erina, in turn, looked at Winley strangely. She had no way of knowing the detailed circumstances.


    “I think the truth should be known.”


    “……”


    Erina nced around her. Did they say that they were knights of a duke?


    Judging by their reactions—gaping mouths—they, too, were hearing this story for the first time.


    “A princess must be of the noblest rank in yournd…… Why, then, would you reveal such a secret to me in front of others, even at the cost of bringing shame to your family?”


    “I…… I don’t know, I just felt like it.”


    “You’re a strange woman.”


    “But even if the perpetrator is my father, I don’t think his crimes should fade from people’s memories, reced only by pity.”


    Royalty of tragedy were often remembered only for their sorrowful end, with their wicked deeds buried beneath sympathy.


    The victims of such actions, too, would inevitably be forgotten.


    Winley disliked that.


    Because one of those victims was none other than her mother.


    ‘Even if the world forgets, families will remember until their dying breath.’


    Winley’s mother had been forced apart from the one she loved and endured an unwanted marriage.


    Even death had note easily while her father’s obsession lingered.


    She had feared retribution against her family…… And most importantly, by then, she wasn’t alone anymore.


    ‘By that time, she must’ve been pregnant with me.’


    Her life had been entirely stolen from her. It would’ve been reasonable for her to curse Winley, the oue of it all.


    Yet, until her departure for a foreignnd, her mother had given Winley nothing but love and affection.


    “That’s why…… I understand you.”


    Perhaps it was the memory of the past, but Winley’s voice trembled as it escaped her lips.


    “……”


    Erina’s expression grew peculiar as she gazed at her.


    ‘What a strange princess.’


    Elves innately possessed the ability to distinguish between lies and truth. Although only a half-elf, Erina had inherited this talent.


    In other words, she could tell that the human princess’s words were sincere.


    ‘How odd.’


    Until now, humans had never tried to understand Erina. They had either been in a rush to flee based on the rumors they’d heard, or were busy branding her a demon.


    The asional human that didn’t recognize her tried to exploit her beauty.


    “……How refreshing.”


    Perhaps that’s why, for the first time, Erina found herself intrigued by Winley as a person.


    It was a curiosity different from the kind Count Kaiman disyed toward Ancelot.


    “Looks like the princess is just as mad as I am.”


    “How dare you……!”


    While the knights bristled at Erina’s remark, Winley only smiled brightly.


    “Bing this lunatic’s fiancée must’ve rubbed off on me.”


    The reaction of Prune, the elves’ representative in the negotiations, was one of utter shock.


    “Human child, are you saying you are the lord of this ck Swan territory?”


    “Yes.”


    “That’s impossible! Thisnd has long been a disputed zone between two nations.”


    “I’m a prince of the Meeke Principality and, at the same time, a noble of the Hart Kingdom—essentially a person with allegiances to both sides.”


    “……!”


    Prune’s pupils shook violently once more.


    She had eyes capable of discerning lies, and yet, they didn’t react a single bit.


    “That outrageous im…… Is true?”


    “It’s the absolute truth.”


    “E-Even if that’s the case, coexistence, you say? Are you asking us now to submit under the humans?”


    “Do the dwarves appear to you as though they’ve submitted under humans?”


    Prune shook her head without hesitation. The fiery dwarves would sooner die than live as ves under humans.


    “Since we’re on the topic, let me ask. Why did the elves betray the dwarves?”


    Ancelot asked openly.


    He didn’t trust half-elves but pure-blood elves were different. They were not called a race of virtue without reason.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    They would rather keep silent than speak lies.


    “You’ve always criticized humans for their infighting and betrayals. However, isn’t this precisely the kind of behavior you’ve condemned humans for?”


    Prune’s expression darkened immediately.


    In truth, she had always felt guilty over the matter.


    “That…… Was for the survival of our race. We had nowhere left to retreat.”


    “It was the n of the half-elf, wasn’t it?”


    Prune avoided answering directly.


    “It’s not just Erina’s fault. Besides, wasn’t it you humans who first made the proposal?”


    “What do you mean?”


    “Don’t y dumb. You im to be a prince and noble among humans, but surely you already know this?”


    “……?”


    Ancelot’s confusion only grew.


    “I truly have no idea what you’re talking about.”


    “The humans approached us first, suggesting we strike at the dwarves when their defenses were down. They promised to guarantee our territory regardless of the war’s oue.”


    Ancelot’s gaze sharpened.


    “Humans incited infighting among other races? Did you ept such a proposal? You risked making enemies of the dwarves for nothing.”


    “Do you think we were unaware of that risk?”


    Prune pulled two documents from her sleeve.


    “That’s why we kept evidence.”


    “……!”


    Stamped with the seals of both nations, the documents were irrefutable proof.


    Even the seal of the royal family of the Meeke Principality was present.


    ‘These bastards.’


    It seemed some shady dealings had taken ce without Ancelot’s knowledge.


    “They threatened that if we didn’tply, humans would unite and destroy us first. Although it wasn’t fear that drove us, Erina had her own thoughts.”


    “And what were those?”


    “She believed humans didn’t really want us to get involved in their war. So, we should give them what they want and let them fight each other, staying out of the conflict altogether.”


    That was certainly a bold and unconventional way of thinking.


    “How bold. What if it was all a human ploy?”


    “That’s why Erina added a safety measure. Humans asked us to fight the dwarves, but instead, she set fire to their armories and seized their materials and weapons. Without weapons, they couldn’t fight even if they wanted to, achieving the same oue.”


    “Clever. Although it left the dwarves defending their territory with few remaining weapons, constantly fearing a human invasion.”


    “……”


    Prune’s face turned somber once more.


    Meanwhile, Ancelot scrutinized the documents carefully.


    The name ‘Marquis Laksir’, amander of the Hart Kingdom’s northern forces, stood out in particr.


    ‘Looks like there’s one more person I need to meet when I return.’


    Ancelot noted the date on the document.


    It was written precisely one month before the two nations signed a ceasefire agreement.


    A strong sense of unease stirred in him.


    ‘At any rate, if she’s already made agreements with humans, this works in my favor.’


    Clearing his thoughts, Ancelot spoke again.


    “Things are always hardest the first time. Let me make this formal proposal; as the lord of ck Swan, I recognize the elves’ right to their territory. I have no intention of isting or alienating other races.”


    “You mean……?”


    “The elves’ highest value—harmony.”


    “……!”


    Prune flinch slightly.


    “I envision a ck Swan where all races live in harmony. Sharing resources and thriving together. I promise there’s no hidden agenda here.”


    “……”


    Prune thought carefully.


    A human city built so close was undoubtedly a risk.


    But,


    ‘We can’t remain isted forever.’


    The humans would inevitably march against them again withrger forces.


    Change was unavoidable.


    Prune wanted to confirm one more thing.


    “I’ve heard that Erinamitted atrocities in the human world, ughtering countless people.”


    “Yes.”


    “Can you forgive that child?”


    “……”


    Ancelot’s expression shifted slightly, as if he’d been expecting this. This was the crux of the negotiation.


    He had anticipated this exact question. After licking his lips thoughtfully, he spoke.


    “I will be honest. Sparing that lunatic is difficult.”


    “……”


    With those words, the air that had grown warm with hope turned frigid once more.


    * * *