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 19

In the dimly lit basement, I was holding the final meeting with my collaborators. This was the underground level of an abandoned building deep within an estate far from the royal capital. Though the air was damp and smelled of mold, it was the perfect hideout where no one would find us.

As the candle flames flickered, I puffed out my chest and looked around at the men gathered around the table. They were all nobles and merchants dissatisfied with Aldian’s rule. True patriots who understood my legitimacy.

“Gentlemen, the time has finally come,” I declared, putting strength into my voice. We had successfully completed the final review of the plan we had refined countless times. All that remained was to put it into action.

“The plan is perfect. We’ve examined it repeatedly. I’m certain it will succeed!”

At my words, the collaborators voiced their agreement one after another.

“Just as Lord Cariotte says.” “Exactly. Young Aldian’s rule has too many problems.” “Indeed, the throne should be inherited by Lord Cariotte, the legitimate successor.”

Hearing their words, I smiled with confidence. That’s right. I’m the one worthy of being the true king. The time had finally come to make my foolish younger brother Aldian understand he lacks the qualities of a king.

“As the firstborn son, I possess the legitimate right to the throne. Father’s judgment was the result of being deceived by him. Mistakes must be corrected.”

At my words, the collaborators nodded deeply multiple times. They too understood the truth.

“Everyone has the procedure for the royal capital assault memorized?” “Yes, perfectly.” “The first wave will infiltrate from the palace’s east gate, the second from the west gate simultaneously.” “Securing Aldian’s person won’t be a problem either. Everything will proceed according to plan.”

The plan had been meticulously crafted. We would assault the palace at dawn and capture Aldian. Then I would declare myself the legitimate successor to the throne. It was a perfect operation.

“Then we execute in one week at dawn.”

After announcing the date, I nodded with satisfaction. I exchanged confident glances with the collaborators. With them, this plan seemed likely to succeed. And upon success—

“We will definitely succeed. There’s no flaw whatsoever in this plan.”

Yes, there couldn’t possibly be any flaws. There’s no way the plan crafted by my intellect could have holes. I’m different from my shallow younger brother like Aldian. I’m a true strategist.

“Then we adjourn.”

BAM!

Suddenly, the door burst open violently. My heart leaped at the sound, and I reflexively looked toward the door. There stood armed soldiers bearing the kingdom military’s emblem. They flooded into the room all at once.

“W-who are you people?!”

One of the collaborators shouted angrily, but I similarly glared at the unfamiliar armed men. Who are they?

“We are the Kingdom Military Special Investigation Unit. We’re arresting you all for treason against the state and conspiracy against the royal family!”

The formal declaration from what appeared to be the soldier captain echoed through the basement.

“Resistance is futile. Come quietly.”

Along with the cold command, swords were pointed at us. The collaborators panicked, looking for escape routes, but this was a basement. Unless we went through the door, there was no escape from here. Soldiers stood before the door, weapons at the ready. By any measure, it was a hopeless situation.

“Im-impossible! There’s no way the plan could have leaked.”

I was bewildered. We’d been so careful…! Why? Why was it discovered? We should have kept it perfectly secret. Where did the information leak from?

“Cariotte Valheart. You are also guilty of the same crimes.”

“!”

The moment the soldier named me, a chill ran down my spine.

“W-wait! I’m a prince!”

The soldiers’ expressions didn’t change in the slightest. Their cold gazes were as if looking at common criminals.

This is bad.

A sense of crisis raced through my chest. The collaborators desperately tried to resist, but they were subdued one after another by the kingdom military. The overwhelming difference in power was made clear.

I had believed in the plan’s perfection, but reality mercilessly shattered that illusion. Not even being allowed to execute the plan—how ridiculous!

“N-no! I was just asked by Prince Cariotte to cooperate! I couldn’t refuse!”

One of the nobles who had been agreeing with me until moments ago suddenly screamed at the soldiers. His voice trembled, filled with pathetic pleading.

“We were deceived! The prince invited us, and we had no choice but to agree!” “We never intended to rebel against His Majesty Aldian!” “It’s a misunderstanding! We just complained a little about politics and were called collaborators.”

The collaborators began shifting blame in ugly fashion one after another. The same people who had been praising my plan moments before were now betraying me as easily as flipping their palms. Their desperate attempts to survive were disgustingly ugly to watch.

“The one at fault is Prince Cariotte over there! It was all his scheme!” “That’s right! We’re the victims! We only participated because we had no choice!”

Those who had been agreeing with me all along were now collectively pushing responsibility onto me. Their cowardice made my anger reach its boiling point.

“Wh-what?! You people were all agreeing with me until now!”

I shouted, trembling with rage.

“We have nothing to do with this!” “N-no, that’s not it!” “This is some kind of mistake!”

Hearing the collaborators’ pathetic excuses, my anger peaked.

“Who was it that kept saying ‘Lord Cariotte is the true king’ and ‘Aldian is still young, his rule has too many problems’?!”

“We never said that! You must be misremembering!”

The collaborators’ disgraceful pleading continued. Even the soldiers looked disgusted.

“Cowards! Shameless wretches!”

I spat the words. But my angry shouts echoed meaninglessly. How could this be? Was no one on my side?

Those who had promised cooperation were gone. I had become completely alone. My authority as a prince meant nothing. I was made painfully aware of my plan’s naivety and my inability to judge people.

“Damn…!”

“Get up.”

“Guh!”The soldier’s cold words echoed in the basement. Before I knew it, I had fallen to my knees and was forced to stand up.” Manacles were clamped around my wrists, confronting me with this humiliating reality.

The plan I thought was perfect had crumbled before execution. The collaborators I trusted had betrayed me when it mattered.

How did things come to this?

What… what did I do wrong?