Chapter 424: Meeting Between the Queen and the Prime Minister

Although he had left it to the Duke of Vélez, the Duke of Vélez had virtually no practical experience, and being a court noble without territory due to his status as Duke, he had almost no subordinates. That was also why, when Robbie confronted him, he had no subordinates who could boast of martial prowess and ended up making a disgrace of himself.

If he lacked proper subordinates, he would have to rely on someone. In that case, the movements would naturally reach the Prime Minister and the Queen. Even while saying not to speak of it, leaving it to others meant it would naturally spread.

No matter the time or place, in any era, leaving things to others is what leads to failure.

Two days after the secret talk between Prince Green and the Duke of Vélez, the Queen and the Prime Minister were meeting.

"Your Majesty, thank you for taking the time despite your busy schedule."

"What is it, Prime Minister? Suddenly requesting an audience with me. Has some serious problem arisen?"

The Queen felt gloomy, wondering if the Prime Minister had once again brought some worthless matter.

"It is not that it has arisen, but that a problem is about to arise."

"About to arise? What would that be?"

The Queen disliked this roundabout way of speaking from the Prime Minister.

"Yes. It concerns that summoned woman."

"Takamoto Konoka? Has there been some change with her?"

If it was about her, the Queen held more than ordinary interest.

"No. I have heard that the woman herself has not changed at all. What has changed is the thinking of those surrounding her."

"Those surrounding her? ...Has Prince Green done something?"

"As expected of Your Majesty. That is correct."

This is exactly the kind of phrasing that makes me dislike you, though she did not say it.

"Stop the flattery. Are you saying Prince Green is about to do something?"

"Yes. That is so. It seems Prince Green has decided to discard that woman."

"Discard means?"

"As I said, to discard her."

"I do not understand what discard means. That girl is one of those summoned after expending enormous cost and effort, is she not? Is it acceptable for a single prince’s idea to discard her?"

"Of course it is not."

"Then you stop him! You are the Prime Minister, are you not? Stopping him should be easy."

"If it were done publicly it would be possible, but Prince Green intends to carry it out in secret. It seems he plans to dispose of her by making it appear that the woman has gone missing."

"That is absurd. There is no way such a thing can be done."

"Anyone with ordinary sensibilities would think so. However, that is where Prince Green differs. He believes he will do it, and the one he has ordered to do so is the Duke of Vélez, which is why it becomes a matter of it being possible."

"Unbelievable."

"Yes. When I first heard it, I also could not believe it. However, it seems to be true. And they are planning it."

The Queen pressed a hand to her forehead and shook her head.

"Just what is he thinking?"

"Probably the idea that if a troublesome matter is removed from before one’s eyes, that is enough."

"If that were sufficient, the world would be wonderfully simple. Haa."

The Queen let out a sigh without meaning to.

"Specifically, it seems to mean exiling that woman from the Royal Capital and being done with it."

"I do not quite understand the meaning of exile?"

"I have not fully grasped it either, but it seems to mean driving her out through the gate of the Royal Capital and ending it there."

"Then she will die, will she not?"

"Yes. It seems he does not wish to dirty his own hands, but once he drives her out, he does not care what becomes of her afterward."

The Queen was left speechless by the extremity of it.

"I also understood that Prince Green was having difficulty handling that girl. That is why I offered to look after her, but it seems it grated on his nerves and he would not listen."

"That would be the incident in which Your Majesty had a major quarrel with Prince Green. You made such a proposal?"

"A major quarrel? Is that what is being said? Prince Green burst into the room in a fury, so I merely brushed him off a little."

"A little? Brushed him off? Was it something that mild? What is being said around is not that. It is reported that the people of the mansion felt Your Majesty’s anger so strongly they were trembling."

The Queen thought that was too exaggerated, while the Prime Minister thought that what had been conveyed was likely what had occurred.

Suddenly she noticed that the air in the room had grown cold. The Queen was looking at the Prime Minister. Her face was smiling, but her eyes glowed purple, and once he thought that, he could see nothing but her eyes. Only the outline of her face was visible. Sweat burst from his entire body.

"Prime Minister, you were not thinking something rude, were you?"

"No, no, no, no, perish the thought."

"Then that is fine." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

Cromwell thought, for the umpteenth time he could no longer remember, that continuing alongside this person was difficult, but turning her into an enemy would be even more so.

"Returning to the topic, I cannot bear to let that girl die. I would like to secure her on our side somehow."

"I understand the sentiment, but I believe that will be quite difficult. It seems the Duke of Vélez is arranging someone to carry it out, but whether they will be found or not. Even if found, when it will be executed, how she will be taken from the mansion, from where she will be taken outside the Royal Capital—there are too many unknown parts to say anything definite."

"I see. When it is explained that way, I think so as well."

"If someone accustomed to such things were doing it, it could roughly be read, but the Duke of Vélez is an amateur after all, so there is no predicting what he will do or how. I intend to gather information, but unexpected things tend to occur."

"Then shall I go once to the Duchess of Vélez’s place and observe the situation?"

The Prime Minister shook his head.

"That would be impossible. Recently the Duke of Vélez has been refusing all visitors to his wife. He also permits no outings for her at all. It seems he is thinking to prevent his wife from contacting the outside and information from leaking."

"He is going that far?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"In that case, it seems the only option is to station someone near that girl?"

"It is as you say."

Neither of them spoke of how to station someone, and the meeting ended.