And Thus… It All Comes to an End - Chapter 37

After the grand coronation concluded, I followed my guides to a private chamber to face the reality of appointing officials for the new nation.

The heavy, ornate doors closed with a low thud.

In that instant, the celebratory applause and music from outside were cut off, and the festive afterglow vanished. This was no longer a place for banquets; it was a place to discuss the future of the kingdom.

Marcel stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“Before we decide on the appointments, I have one report to make.”

“What is it?”

“It concerns the whereabouts of the King and Queen.”

I let out a soft sigh and leaned back into my chair. On that day, the two of them had fled, leaving the Crown Prince behind. As a sovereign and as a parent, it was the worst possible choice. One that shouldn’t have been imaginable.

Rather than anger, what welled up inside me first was an irrepressible sense of disappointment.

“We still have not found them. His Highness the Crown Prince claims to have no idea where they might be… however, he appears quite frail. I am told he spends every day offering prayers at the temple’s altar.”

“…I imagine so.”

A dry smile touched my lips.

“He likely believed that he, at least, would never be abandoned.”

The silence that followed felt like an affirmation. The King and Queen had cast aside their responsibilities. If they had truly expected their son to be protected as a matter of course while they fled, their arrogance was staggering.

Without the protection of the castle or the loyalty of their subjects, the moment they removed their crowns, they were nothing more than helpless humans.

“There is no trace of them stopping at the Queen’s family home; the trail has gone completely cold. However—”

“However?”

Marcel’s voice faltered slightly, and the air grew tense.

“A royal signet ring was discovered near the Spring of Legend, the place where the ‘Goddess from another world’ is said to have appeared.”

I narrowed my eyes slowly.

The spring rumored to connect to another world. I wondered how sweet that path must have looked to them, a convenient escape route. Did they really think things would work out for them on the other side? There isn’t even a record of anyone from this world ever successfully crossing over.

“I wonder if they sought salvation in another world. Or perhaps…”

I continued flatly.

“…they were set upon by bandits at that very spot and lost everything.”

Either way, I had no reason to feel sympathy. It was the retribution for those who abandoned what they were meant to protect while believing they alone deserved safety.

“We will continue the search.”

“Yes, please do.”

I spoke with cold finality. But in truth, the conclusion had already been reached.

“O Goddess, shine a light upon the shadows of the lost.”

“In the name of the Goddess, reveal their forms.”

“Expose the shadows of the fugitives and bring everything into the light—”

No matter how many prayers were layered together, there had been no response.

Lately, however, a new and mysterious phenomenon had been occurring at that spring. The sight was so ethereal that people whispered about it constantly.

“The Goddess is blessing this land.”

“This is truly a sacred place.”

As if timed to the moment a visitor finished their prayer, light would suddenly pour down. A faint radiance would rise, and shimmering particles would dance in the air.

The King and Queen were likely no longer among the living. Whether they were pushed in by bandits or threw themselves into the water hoping for another world, there was no longer any point in knowing.

Just as the silence began to settle like a judgment, a bright voice rang through the room, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

“May I say something as well?”

Emilia spoke with a suggestive smile.

“It’s about Anne. In the end, you didn’t publicly announce that she is an Apostle of the Goddess.”

“Are we on that again? Lady Emilia, no matter how many times you ask, I will not go public,” Anne replied, pouting slightly. The flush on her cheeks looked somewhat childish and endearing.

“Well, that’s fine. But you know, there’s no guarantee it won’t be discovered later. It’s a bit dangerous for Anne to have no status or backing. Therefore—”

Emilia gave a bright smile.

“I’ve decided to make Anne my daughter.”

“Eh?”

Anne’s eyes went wide. The air in the room froze for a second, and in the next, Anne’s eyes grew misty.

“Anne… what do you mean ‘Eh?’ Do you hate the idea?”

“N-no! Really? Are you truly sure it’s alright?”

“Of course.”

Emilia smiled softly, her gaze filled with a motherly warmth. Anne had looked up to her like a mother for a long time.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I was just waiting for the right time to bring it up. If you refuse, today’s training will be doubled.”

“Hehe, I won’t refuse. I’m so happy.”

Anne laughed while wiping the corners of her eyes. I suddenly spoke up, teasing her.

“How wonderful, Anne. Now there’s no longer a status gap between you and your beloved.”

“Lady Luciana!!”

Anne screamed, her face turning bright red. She pressed her hands to her cheeks, looking as though she might jump out of her skin.

“Oh? Was it a secret? But almost everyone knows, you know?”

Laughter broke out from various corners of the room. Only a few people were still out of the loop, fidgeting and looking at each other. Anne’s cheeks turned even redder as she dropped her gaze to the floor, trembling slightly.

Seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but smile myself.

“Shall we proceed then, Marcel?”

“Eh? Ah, yes! Right, let’s move on. First, Lady Luciana will speak regarding the respective appointments.”

I went through the list of positions I had decided on in advance after consulting with my grandfather. As expected, Rutherford laughed and shook his head, saying, “A stubborn old man like me isn’t needed in a new country.”

“Next is Julius. I’m going to have Julius choose between two roles.”

“Choosing between two?”

“Yes. I want you to choose whether to be the Prime Minister of this country, or the King Consort.”

“Prime Minister, or King Consort…”

After a look of surprise, Julius suddenly glanced toward Marcel. Then, after a pause, he looked back at me.

“Lady Luciana… no, my King. Which do you desire?”

“The King Consort.”

When I answered without hesitation, Julius nodded immediately.

“I understand. Then, I accept the position of King Consort.”

“Thank you. Now, as for Marcel’s position…”

At that moment, Gareth hurriedly spoke up.

“W-wait. I mean, please wait a moment.”

“What is it? Do you object to the King Consort?” I turned to Gareth, feeling a bit huffy.

“No, that’s not it. Uh—I agree. I’m all for it, but… well… right?”

I tilted my head as Gareth looked around at everyone, fumbling for words. He seemed to be searching for a way to say something, but I had no idea what it was.

“Yes, well, it’s more like… you know?”

“True, it was a bit blunt, I suppose.”

“It wasn’t quite what I expected…”

Whispers and a small commotion spread through the hall. Everyone seemed a bit bewildered.

“Ah, right… Luciana, how about we take a break for a moment?” my grandfather muttered, looking exasperated.

We were almost finished; I didn’t see why we needed a break now.

“I agree, let’s take a temporary break,” even Marcel seconded the motion.

“Oh, that’s right, Julius. Why don’t you take a walk with the King while we’re at it?”

Urged by everyone, we left the room. My eyes met Julius’s. He seemed to understand exactly why we had been kicked out, as he was wearing an ambiguous smile.

“Since we’re here, shall we go for a walk?”

At my words, he quietly reached out his hand. Without hesitation, I took it.