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 8

Deep within the castle, the king’s private chambers were enveloped in thick carpets and silence.

This place, which normally saw many courtiers and attendants coming and going, was now dominated by a special stillness. Sunlight filtered softly through the stained-glass windows, illuminating the luxurious bed placed at the center of the room.

“How are you feeling, Father?”

The one who spoke with concern was Second Prince Aldian Valheart. He was a young man with a calm demeanor, his deep green eyes filled with sincerity. His usually messy brown hair was neatly styled today, showing respect for his father. His expression revealed both the tenderness of a son worried about his ill father and the sense of responsibility befitting a member of the royal family.

“I’ve recovered quite a bit. Besides, I can’t just lie around in the current situation.”

The one who answered while sitting up in bed was King Valheart himself. The king’s face, once full of dignity, was now pale and deeply lined with wrinkles. His cheeks had hollowed from illness, and his former vigor had faded. Yet his eyes still held the strong will of a king, and he maintained a brave front, though his efforts only highlighted the seriousness of his condition.

Seeing his father like this made Aldian’s chest tighten. Watching his father shoulder the heavy responsibilities of kingship in such a state filled him with deep respect but also growing concern. If only he had acted sooner, perhaps his father wouldn’t be suffering like this. Such regrets dominated his heart.

“I failed to stop my brother. I’m deeply sorry.”

Aldian bowed deeply as he apologized. His voice was filled with genuine remorse and anger at himself. He had always been wary of his brother’s reckless behavior, believing he could prevent his brother’s excesses by controlling things from behind the scenes. But this incident had made him painfully aware of how naive that belief had been.

“This is not your fault.”

Though tired, the king answered firmly. Sensing his son’s self-reproach, he showed the kindness of a loving father.

“Ultimately, it was my indulgence that allowed him to run wild like this. I never imagined he would disrespect the duke’s daughter and act so selfishly.”

The king’s voice held a complex mixture of disappointment in his son and regret toward himself. He had placed his hopes in his firstborn, Cariotte, raising him as the future king. He never could have imagined that while he lay ill, Cariotte would engage in behavior that would bring the royal family’s prestige to the ground.

This betrayal seemed to cut particularly deep, both as a king and as a father.

“Father, you seem tired. Perhaps you should rest a while longer.”

When Aldian spoke with concern, the king shook his head.

“As I said earlier, now is not the time for rest. Due to Cariotte’s foolish actions, the royal family’s authority is on the verge of collapse. We must take appropriate measures as soon as possible.”

The two began discussing their next steps. The situation had reached a point where they had to fundamentally reconsider their original plans. The king had long envisioned a governance structure with Cariotte as the public-facing king and Aldian as the shadow advisor. But that ideal vision had now completely collapsed.

“If we allow my brother to inherit the throne as things stand, he’ll likely become even more arrogant and self-indulgent.”

Aldian analyzed calmly. His voice held no emotional anger, only objective judgment.

“Moreover, this incident has already earned us the distrust of many nobles. The trust of influential noble families, starting with the Rosewell ducal house, in the royal family must be at rock bottom.”

“Yes, you’re right. We cannot leave this unaddressed.”

The king agreed gravely.

“His treatment of Lady Mylenna is not merely a personal matter. It demonstrates a lack of royal dignity and political consideration. Entrusting the throne to such a person would endanger the kingdom itself.”

Stripping Cariotte of his right to succession had become an unavoidable decision. But the problem was the succession issue that would follow. Who should become the next king?

The other princes, third and fourth in line for the throne, were still young. Did they have enough time to raise them over many years? Considering the king’s health, there didn’t seem to be enough time to wait that long.

“It seems we have no choice but to ask you to step forward.”

The king spoke apologetically. Hearing these words, Aldian’s expression clouded with complexity.

Since childhood, he had found more joy in supporting from behind the scenes than standing in the spotlight. He had always preferred focusing on practical affairs and policy planning over political maneuvering and glamorous ceremonies. That approach suited him perfectly.

He had wished to avoid the pressure and attention of being the crown prince and contribute to the kingdom in his own way.

But he understood perfectly well what needed to be done in the current situation. The kingdom’s stability took precedence over personal desires. Emotionally refusing would be unbecoming of a responsible member of the royal family.

“…I understand.”

After a long silence, Aldian answered gravely. His voice held both resignation and determination.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t grant your wish.”

The king’s voice was tinged with deep affection for his son and regret.

“It can’t be helped. Someone has to do it.”

Though his tone was matter-of-fact, various emotions swirled within him.

The king understood Aldian’s character well. He excelled at supporting from behind the scenes and genuinely disliked being in the spotlight. He preferred formulating policies in his study or directly listening to the people’s voices over standing before crowds. That’s why he had wanted to prepare the position Aldian desired.

He had planned to leave the public stage to Cariotte while having Aldian provide wisdom and practical support from behind. He had been certain that if the brothers cooperated, the kingdom would enter an unprecedented era of glory. That ideal vision had been brutally shattered by Cariotte’s foolish choices. To the king, this was both deeply regrettable and frustrating.

“And then…”

The king coughed before broaching another important matter.

“There’s the issue of what to do about Lady Mylenna, who was engaged to First Prince Cariotte.”

“Her existence is indispensable to the royal family.”

Aldian answered immediately. His voice held an unusual certainty, as if he had been thinking about this issue all along.

“We absolutely should not let her go. Our political relationship with the Rosewell family is important, but above all, her own abilities are remarkable. Her qualities as queen are unparalleled.”

Aldian’s mind vividly recalled Mylenna’s profile as she received queenly education – her serious demeanor while studying politics and economics, her expression of concern for the kingdom’s future, her warm eyes full of compassion for the people. Though he had maintained an appropriate distance as his brother’s fiancée, her intelligence and grace had always captivated him.

Her figure reading difficult political texts alone in the library. Her gentle interactions with children during inspections of impoverished areas. Her impressive discussions with ministers despite her youth. Everything about her shone brightly in Aldian’s memories.

“If you feel that strongly, then you should take her.”

At the king’s proposal, Aldian’s heart leaped violently.

Entering an engagement with the brother of the man who had broken off their engagement. It wasn’t that he had never considered the possibility. But the momentary surge of expectation in his chest was quickly replaced by deep guilt.

Considering her feelings, he was filled with remorse. Hurt by his brother’s excesses, her impression of the royal family must be at its worst. In such circumstances, having his brother’s younger sibling propose marriage might feel like further humiliation to her. She would likely view him with the same disgust as his brother, thinking him equally presumptuous.

But considering political reality, they couldn’t completely sever ties with the Rosewell family. The ducal house’s influence and Mylenna’s own abilities were essential for the kingdom’s future.

“…I must strive to alleviate her discomfort as much as possible.”

Aldian murmured quietly. He deeply engraved in his heart that this was absolutely necessary.

Another question surfaced in the depths of his heart. Was he merely taking advantage of the current situation for his own convenience? Was this truly for the royal family and the country’s benefit? Was his insistence that Mylenna was indispensable to the royal family actually because he was in love with her?

But objectively speaking, considering Mylenna’s abilities and character, her becoming queen would undoubtedly benefit the kingdom. Finding another woman who could shoulder the heavy responsibilities of queenship as well as she could wouldn’t be easy.

Thus, the important discussion about the kingdom’s future came to an end.

As silence returned to the room, Aldian gazed out the window. Sunlight streaming through the clouds illuminated the castle town below, where many citizens he had to protect lived.

Though his anxiety and worries about the future remained, there was no turning back now. Aldian quietly resolved to step onto the public stage, something he had always avoided. To protect this country and its people as king.

And while keeping his feelings for Mylenna hidden in his heart, he vowed to begin with sincere treatment toward her. He renewed his determination to do everything in his power to regain her trust and build the kingdom’s future together.