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 18

One week after the coronation, I was working on administrative duties in my office. The workload as the new king was more overwhelming than I had imagined, requiring careful attention to each matter.

“Your Majesty, regarding the tax reform proposal.”

A senior minister was reporting with documents in hand. The meetings had been ongoing since morning, and though it was already past noon, there remained a mountain of matters to address.

Just then, an aide rushed into the office in a fluster. Seeing his pale face, I instantly understood this was no ordinary situation.

“Your Majesty! Please hurry! The former king’s condition has taken a sudden turn for the worse!”

Upon hearing this report, I immediately halted my administrative duties. Placing the documents on the desk, I stood up.

“Understood. I’ll head there right away.”

Exchanging glances with the senior ministers, they nodded silently, and the meeting was suspended. I hurried off.

The sound of my footsteps echoing through the hallway seemed unusually loud. I noticed maids huddled at the edges of the corridor, watching me with worried expressions.

Opening the door, I found the court physicians already waiting. The head physician’s grave expression spoke volumes about the current situation.

“Your Majesty…”

The head physician turned around and shook his head quietly. It meant there was nothing more that could be done. In that moment, I was struck by a sensation as if the world had frozen.

My father lying on the bed was already barely conscious. His complexion was pale, his breathing faint.

“Father.”

“…”

Even when I called out, there was no response. Only his weak breathing echoed in the room.

“It’s me. Aldian. I’m doing well as king. Please rest assured.”

Holding my father’s hand, I spoke quietly. Memories of the past raced through my mind one after another.

Soon, his breathing stopped.

The room was enveloped in silence. My father had passed away peacefully and quietly. As if falling asleep, without any expression of pain.

Deep sorrow tightened my chest. My father was gone. From now on, I truly had to bear the weight of the kingdom alone.

But at the same time, I also felt relief. By completing the succession before his passing, I believed I had somewhat alleviated the former king’s anxieties about the future. I was glad we made it in time; that was my thought.

“Head Physician.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Was my father’s passing painful?”

The head physician shook his head quietly.

“No. It was very peaceful. I’m certain he heard Your Majesty’s voice.”

Those words gave me some small comfort.

Though problems still piled up like mountains, my gratitude to my father and my resolve to carry the kingdom were already complete. Without faltering, I would accept this reality.

Father, thank you. And rest well.

The night after my father’s funeral, I returned to my room with Mylenna.

Nobles from across the country coming to offer condolences, envoys from neighboring nations, and many commoners. It was a day that made me realize anew how deeply my father had been loved by so many people.

Having dismissed the butlers and maids, only silence filled the room. The day-long ceremonies and dealing with the many mourners had left me physically and mentally exhausted.

“Phew.”

Closing the door finally brought us time alone. It was a moment to remove the mask of kingship and relax completely.

“You’ve worked hard today, Lord Aldian.”

Mylenna offered words of comfort. Her dignified demeanor was tinged with a gentle concern for me. Dressed in a black dress, she remained beautiful and noble even in grief.

“Thank you. Having you here has been a great help.”

I told her honestly. Removing the king’s mask, I could be my true self. That was something I could only do in front of Mylenna in this world.

Taking her hand, I led her to the sofa before the fireplace. Her hand was warm, and just that warmth alone eased my heart.

Sitting side by side on the sofa, Mylenna wordlessly leaned gently against my shoulder. Her golden hair, illuminated by the fireplace, shone softly.

A period of silence continued for a while. Then she spoke.

“It’s been a difficult day for you.”

Her voice resonated with my heart more than any words of comfort could. So, I had been suffering after all.

Only now did I realize how much more fatigued my heart was than I had thought. Perhaps in my desperation to fulfill my role as king, I had suppressed my own emotions too much.

I gently drew her closer. Her warmth, her soft body temperature, soothed my weary heart.

“Mylenna. Because you’re here, I can overcome my father’s death. I can keep moving forward.”

“Not at all. But if that’s how you feel, then I will remain by your side forever.”

We simply stayed quietly close. Words weren’t necessary. Her very presence was the greatest comfort to me.

I wished this quiet time could last forever. Holding that thought, I felt genuine peace.

However, I couldn’t stay like this forever. I had to address the next problem. Though my heart felt heavy, there were things I had to do.

About two weeks after successfully completing my father’s funeral and fully embarking on my duties as king, I received an important report from an aide.

“Your Majesty, I have an important report regarding Lord Cariotte.”

This happened while I was reviewing documents in my office. The aide’s expression was more serious than usual, making it clear this was no ordinary matter.

“Let’s hear it.”

I looked up from the documents and turned toward him. Holding materials, the aide began his report in a cautious tone.

“Lord Cariotte is attempting to make contact with nobles and certain organizations opposed to Your Majesty.”

So, without even attending our father’s funeral, my brother was advancing his connections with opposition forces.

“Secret meetings with dissatisfied nobles and contact with certain merchant guilds critical of the monarchy have been confirmed. Recently, he has even been holding gatherings where he openly opposes Your Majesty’s policies.”

“I see.”

I calmly analyzed this information. While Cariotte was indeed taking dangerous actions, looking at it differently, he was gathering the opposition forces together. I considered this an opportunity to collect evidence of rebellion and capture them all at once.

“Continue surveillance. But do not act yet.”

“Understood.”

After the aide left, I pondered. How far did he intend to go?

If my brother were to reconsider along the way, I wouldn’t consider punishment. I wanted to give him every opportunity until the end. However, if he crossed the line, I would take firm measures as king. That was my conclusion.

The kingdom’s stability versus final mercy toward my brother.

On that scale, I decided to watch quietly a while longer. But when the time came to decide, I wouldn’t hesitate. Because that was my responsibility as king.