His Majesty the Heath, who had watched the Princess leave the room, muttered emphatically.
"I think it would be better to have the poisoned cup, or else to commit suicide in a solemn manner.
"I am sorry for your sister, but execution is indeed not an acceptable option for a member of the royal family. As Prime Minister Gremont said, I think a poisoned cup or suicide would be more appropriate.
His Majesty the Heath closes his eyes and thinks steadily while wiggling his hands.
"I... I... I don't want to take Ricolet's life."
"I don't think so, brother. You rebelled against your brother. The empire will be disgraced if the traitor is left to die.
"Father told us to join hands with our brothers to lead the empire. It would be a disservice to him if blood is spilled between brothers so soon after his father's death. Was it not Lycorette herself who started the treason in the first place?"
"Not so fast, Your Majesty. Your Majesty. A vassal of Master Licourette's, a tutor in his own house, has plotted treason. I cannot absolve them of responsibility.
"Yes. Your sister's way of thinking is to deny the very structure of the empire. If such a person is allowed to continue, it will be a disaster for the future.
"That's true, but if we were to dispose of Ricolet here, his admirers might revolt, which would cause a civil war in the Empire, which would reduce the Empire's power by half, but we can't just leave Ricolet there, and yet, if we ignore Father's will, I'm not sure that I can..."
His Majesty started mumbling to himself again.
"...I'll think about it. Everyone, stand back."
"I am very sorry, but I hope you will make a decision as soon as possible."
The Prime Minister bows reverently and leaves the room. His Highness Weiras followed him and was about to leave the room. I follow behind him.
Wait! The warder will not allow me to leave my side! Stay with me!"
Oh, my God. I don't want to be with someone who is this mentally unstable. I look to the Prime Minister and to His Highness Weiras for help.
"Your Highness! But this Master of Warding is not a Palace Warder! Therefore, even by your order, he cannot be held in custody for no good reason. Therefore..."
"I know! Make a decision quickly, is what you are saying!
I agree with you, sir. I beg your pardon.
With that, they both left the room. He's getting away...
His Majesty the Heat looks up with his eyes closed, not moving a muscle. Only the sound of his breathing can be heard.
"You must have thought me a miserable man..."
Suddenly, His Majesty speaks without effort.
"No, I don't think so. On the contrary, you seem to me to be a very gentle man.
"Don't say it. Don't say it. I am a coward who is so frightened of being without you that I cannot punish those who have rebelled against me.
That may be true. However, I believe that cowardice is a necessary ability for those who stand on top of others. He listens to many people and thinks about many things. I think that's your talent.
"Humph, you talk like you know what you're talking about."
I know you don't mean any disrespect. You are the kindest of all. That's because the people around you brought you up that way and you yourself have the gift. I think it is very wonderful. I think it's fine that you are as you are. However, if you could acquire one thing, if I may be so presumptuous, I think it would be even better if you could acquire "strength".
"Strength? Do you want me to work even harder on my martial arts?"
No, it is not that. Your Majesty is gentle and can give thought to many things. On the other hand, you are tormented by various anxieties. This makes it difficult for you to make a decision, and you may be backed into a corner. Instead, it would be good for you to develop a mindset that does not allow you to be defeated by such anxieties.
Yes. You seem to be very kind, but on the other hand, you are unreliable and always seem to be timid.
"A warder..."
I know you don't mean any disrespect. If a person strongly believes in his heart that he must be strong, that he must not be defeated, then he can be strong. I am a slave by nature. I was tormented by anxiety and had no one to help me. Fortunately, I was taken in by a good family, but even there, I was afraid that I would be thrown out at any moment. Every day, I kept whispering to myself, "I will be strong" and "I must not let my anxiety get the better of me. Then, naturally, I stopped being tormented by anxiety. This is what my teacher told me.
"Muttering in your heart that you will be strong. Is this the first time you have heard of such a thing?
Yes, I don't think anyone will probably tell you. I have never heard this story from anyone other than my master.
Hmmm, I see," His Majesty the Heath began to mutter something again. I listened carefully,
"We must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose "We must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose, we must not lose..."
The words started repeating like an incantation. Seriously, this guy....
About an hour or so later. The Prime Minister and Prince Weiras arrived again. His Majesty is still mumbling and repeating the incantation. They looked at each other as if they were trying to see how His Majesty was looking at them.
"Your Majesty, have you made your decision?"
"Brother, the poison cup and the suicide dagger are already ready."
Hearing these words, His Majesty Heath's eyes slowly open. He looked at us three closely, exhaled, and said in a calm voice
"My brother Vilas, Prime Minister Gremont, and the warder, I have made up my mind. From now on, I will tell them of my life."
We hold our breath.
"We will not take Licorette's life. I have decided that."
Your Majesty!
"Brother!"
They both shout in surprise.
"Your Majesty! Are you out of your mind? I have never heard that a man who has committed treason against the empire should not be blamed for it, and that his life should be spared!"
"Even so, you must not take Ricolet's life."
"Brother! If you admit such a thing, there will be many cases in the future where a vassal commits a rebellion but the head of the family is acquitted because he did not know about it. This will only cause future disasters. After all, there is a saying, "One punishment is worth 100 commandments. This is the place..."
"No."
"Vizier Gremont! You don't know what you're talking about! Let's let my sister decide for herself whether to drink the poisoned cup or not!"
Yes, that's right.
The two men are leaving the room.
"Wait, you two!"
His Majesty's voice is calm and collected. The two men stopped and turned their faces to His Majesty in surprise.
This is my life!
"""...haha!"""
Overwhelmed by the completely different atmosphere of His Majesty Heet, the two men involuntarily bowed their heads.
It was the moment of the awakening of the 15th Emperor, Heedata Shua Heat, later called "Emperor Jin" and renowned for the most outstanding reign in the long history of the Heedata Empire.