I Will Not Accept It — Since He Said He Would Demote Me to Second Queen for the Sake of His Own Love, I Will Break the Engagement - Episode 13

“Though he had recovered enough to sit up temporarily, since last night his high fever has returned.”

The physician’s grave voice echoed through the conference room. The chief court physician, with his white beard, wore an expression more serious than any I had ever seen before.

I had witnessed the physician furrowing his brow and shaking his head many times before. Each time, my chest tightened with anxiety.

“I see.”

Lord Aldian’s voice held a calmness that suppressed his inner turmoil. As he listened to the report, he already carried the dignity befitting a king.

“Understood. Please continue treating him with all your efforts.”

“As you wish.”

The physicians bowed deeply and exited the conference room. When the door closed, a heavy silence dominated the chamber. We might be running out of time. That tense atmosphere enveloped the entire palace.

“This… what should we do?”

One of the ministers spoke in a trembling voice. Even the usually composed ministers showed clear signs of panic on their faces.

“If His Majesty’s condition worsens, how will the kingdom be governed?”

“What about the succession procedures?”

“If we start preparing for the succession now, will we make it in time?”

“What about notifying the nobles?”

“When should we announce it to the people?”

As questions flew back and forth, the conference room buzzed with agitation. What to do next, what to prioritize—looking at the ministers’ confused expressions, it was clear the kingdom was in a crisis.

“Calm down!”

Lord Aldian’s stern voice instantly returned the chaotic conference room to silence. Though he had previously acted with restraint, the resolve he showed now as he stepped onto the main stage seemed to rival even the king’s dignity. No, perhaps it surpassed it.

“First, let’s organize our priorities. We’ll handle this calmly.”

His tone was sharp, and he already fully embodied the bearing of a king. His innate qualities as a leader were shining through in this situation.

“Thoroughly confirm the preparations for the succession ceremony, ensuring no mistakes. Proceed meticulously with all legal procedures as well. Recheck the details of the succession laws.”

“Understood.”

“Contact the nobles. Also, begin preparations for announcements to the people and foreign nations.”

Watching Lord Aldian issue precise instructions one after another, I felt reaffirmed that he was the one truly meant to be king.

“Please allow me to help as well.”

My voice naturally rang out in the conference room. This was the moment when all the queenly education I had received would prove useful. As the future queen, I had to overcome this challenge alongside him.

“Lady Murina…”

The ministers looked at me with surprised expressions.

“Yes, I’m counting on you.”

Lord Aldian looked at me with trusting eyes and nodded firmly. His gaze held deep emotion.

“Then, let’s discuss the detailed plan.”

From then on, we worked as if racing through a storm. Document organization, meeting facilitation, coordination with ministers and influential nobles—everything progressed simultaneously.

Lord Aldian determined the overall flow, while I checked the finer details to ensure nothing was overlooked. The ceremony procedures, lists of necessary items, order of attendees. The knowledge I had acquired was put to use one after another.

“Perhaps this phrasing could be a bit more polite.”

“I see, you’re absolutely right.”

“Regarding this procedure, I think changing the order would be more efficient.”

“Let’s consider that proposal.”

If there was a problem, I would quietly inform Lord Aldian. He would listen seriously to my opinions and immediately implement them if he deemed them appropriate.

“What excellent coordination.”

“It’s as if they’re of one mind.”

“She is truly worthy of being queen.”

I could hear such words of praise from the ministers and nobles.

“With these two, the kingdom will be secure.”

“I can see hope for a new era.”

Seeing their relieved expressions warmed my heart with the realization that the abilities I had cultivated were actually proving useful. Lord Aldian too seemed impressed by my attention to detail and deep understanding of governance, looking at me with respectful eyes.

The workload was enormous, but we continued without showing any fatigue. Occasionally glancing out the window, I noticed dusk was approaching. We had been so absorbed in our work that I had lost track of time.

“You seem quite focused, but are you pushing yourself too hard?”

During a break, Lord Aldian expressed concern for me in a voice clearly different from the one he used with the ministers—much gentler. His expression was filled with deep compassion.

“Thank you for your concern, Lord Aldian. I’m fine. More importantly, how are you? You’ve been working nonstop for quite some time. It would be troubling if you were to collapse under these circumstances. Would you like to take a short rest?”

“If anyone should worry about collapsing, it’s you. Please don’t push yourself too hard.”

After exchanging such concerned words several times, I noticed the ministers smiling fondly at how we were worrying about each other. Finally, we decided to take a break together.

We sat down in a small parlor deep within the palace, warm tea before us. Through the window, we could see the beautiful courtyard, and my heart calmed in the momentary silence.

“How are you feeling? Is it too much?”

“No, rather, I feel fulfilled. I’m happy to see that what I’ve learned is actually proving useful.”

“That’s good to hear. Your abilities truly amaze me. I’m genuinely glad you’re here.”

“Thank you. I’m happy to be valued like that.”

As we rested while exchanging such trivial conversation, Lord Aldian looked at me with an expression filled with pure curiosity.

“There’s one thing I’d like to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Where does your strength come from? How can you work so hard? If you don’t mind, could you tell me?”

His question made me pause briefly. Memories I had kept buried deep in my heart. Precious recollections I rarely shared with anyone, resurfaced.

But perhaps it would be alright to tell him. Maybe it even concerned him somehow. That’s how I felt.

“There was a time when the strictness of my queenly education nearly broke my spirit.”

I began speaking slowly, tracing back through those memories.

“I was constantly expected to be perfect, with no one to share my true feelings with. I wasn’t allowed to complain or show weakness. I thought I couldn’t show my vulnerable side even to my fiancé at the time.”

The pressure and loneliness I had borne alone. Day after day, chasing the ideal image of a queen while suppressing my true self.

“There was a moment when the loneliness of feeling misunderstood made me think I might have reached my limit.”

Lord Aldian’s expression clouded with concern.

“That’s when an anonymous letter arrived.”

“…A letter?”

“Yes. The sender was simply written as ‘One Who Cares for the Kingdom’s Future.’ It said this:”

I spoke slowly, recalling that time. Those treasured words I had kept safe in the depths of my memory.

“‘Seeing how hard you work inspires me. I hold deep respect for you striving for perfection. I too will work hard for the kingdom’s future. Let’s do our best together.'”

I still remember clearly the moment those words slipped into my heart. It felt like a single ray of light piercing through darkness.

“Knowing there was someone else working hard the same way gave me comfort. That someone was watching over me. That someone understood me. That became my greatest encouragement, giving me the motivation to keep trying from then on.”

As I spoke, I noticed Lord Aldian’s expression shifting from surprise to confusion, then gradually to happiness. Watching that change, a certainty began to grow within me.

“You were the one who sent that letter, weren’t you?”

With a gentle smile, I asked with conviction.

“…You knew?”

Lord Aldian’s voice held surprise mixed with slight bewilderment.

“I had my suspicions. But seeing your expression now confirmed it.”

Lord Aldian looked somewhat embarrassed. That expression was so endearing that my chest tightened.

“Yes, that’s right. I apologize for sending such a letter while hiding my identity.”

“Please don’t apologize.”

I shook my head.

“That letter saved me. It encouraged me. Because of it, I am who I am today. Those words became my pillar of support, which is why I’ve been able to persevere through my queenly education until now.”

And now it was clear. The person who had become my pillar of support was, just as written in the letter, truly someone working hard for the kingdom’s future. And that person was now my fiancé.

The present connected to that moment from the past. How truly mysterious, I thought. And how deeply joyful.

“Since the time I sent that letter, I’ve been watching your diligent efforts, and my heart was deeply drawn to you. I wanted to convey that to you somehow, but it was difficult to speak with you when you were my brother’s fiancée, and I had no intention of stepping into the spotlight back then. That’s why I sent you the letter.”

Lord Aldian began speaking with a serious expression. His eyes held deep emotion.

“You encouraged me too. Seeing how hard you worked gave me the resolve to step onto the main stage. For many years, I could only watch over you from afar. But now I can support you by your side. And you can support me too.”

“Yes, of course.”

At my reply, Lord Aldian’s expression brightened instantly.

“From now on, please take care of me.”

“Yes!”

A new atmosphere flowed between us. A relationship much more intimate and warmer than before. The moment a bond was born between us as partners who understood and supported each other.

As our relationship deepened, our approach to governance accelerated even further. As if our hearts were connected, our coordination improved markedly, and work was processed rapidly.

“Truly in perfect sync.”

“Indeed, with these two, the kingdom will be secure.”

I could hear the ministers’ confident voices.

Gazing at Lord Aldian seriously checking documents beside me, I thought to myself: Back then, I never dreamed that anonymous letter would lead to such a wonderful future.

The words from the letter that supported me during difficult times had now become the bond connecting us. I realized how mysterious, and how wonderful, life truly is.