BVS CH 24

Chapter 24

While Marquis Holm was still glaring at Babel with that twisted smirk, someone appeared—bringing with them a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

“Cloud family. Come in.”

It was Sir Stuart, the knight commander who had led us to the waiting room earlier.

I told Babel to wait here and began walking carefully toward the audience chamber.

From behind, I heard Holm cracking his neck and shifting his shoulders.

Sure enough—

“I-I’ll come with you, my lady!”

Knowing he’d be at a disadvantage if left alone with Holm, Babel trailed after me.

Leaving the marquis behind, we soon arrived at a massive door.

I was about to meet the male lead’s parents.

If I wanted to restore the Cloud family’s image with the royal family, this was the moment.

Sir Stuart opened the door for me. My steps felt heavy as I crossed the threshold.

The doors shut with a loud bang.

Glancing back, I saw Stuart hadn’t followed me inside. He must have blocked Babel as well.

Meaning—the only ones here were King Leonard, the queen, and…

…Oscar?

Why was Oscar here?

His golden hair shone softly over his forehead, and his striking features were unforgettable at first sight.

If only he didn’t look so tense and stiff right now, he’d be perfect.

Like the male lead he was, light seemed to radiate from behind him, drawing my eyes again and again.

“Ahem.”

A cough from the center of the room snapped me back to my senses.

I reminded myself—King Leonard’s weakness was Prince Oscar.

“Gemma Cloud, paying my respects to Your Majesties and His Highness the prince.”

But the voice that answered was less than pleased.

“…I called for the Duke of Cloud.”

On the massive throne opposite me sat King Leonard, his face heavy with displeasure and irritation.

So that’s King Leonard.

He looked very much like Oscar, sharing that dazzling golden hair.

Though his stout body sagged into the throne as if tired, his presence was still overwhelming.

Beside him, the queen sat with her hair pinned up elegantly, exposing a graceful neck.

“Mhm.”

“You’re always so hot-tempered,” she murmured lazily, fanning him.

It was true his energy seemed weaker now—his lips were cracked, and his voice had a raspy metallic edge.

“I very much wished to meet you, Your Majesty. Such an opportunity is rare.”

King Leonard, well-versed in politics, instantly sensed that half of what I’d said was false.

I had indeed wanted to meet him, but my reason for coming instead of Martin was not convincing—if it were just that, we could’ve attended together.

The king didn’t bother hiding his displeasure, and despite the phlegm in his throat, continued speaking.

“The Duke should have come himself.”

“…I apologize.”

How could I admit in front of him that Martin simply hadn’t wanted to?

Perhaps sensing the true reason, the king gave a dry smile before saying—

“I called each house here to ask something important.”

If it was important…

“You all know my days are numbered, so I won’t hide it.”

I already knew from his letter that his illness had worsened.

So today’s important matter had to be about succession.

I pulled my gaze from Oscar and bowed toward the king.

“Please command me freely.”

“Bring them in.”

At his order, the doors opened and two people entered, taking positions on either side of me.

When I saw who they were, I realized—

On my left was Marquis Holm, who had made those crude comments in the waiting room earlier.

On my right was the earl who had been with Holm at that time.

I hadn’t gotten a close look before, but now I recognized his name instantly, and chills ran down my spine.

“Boten Melion, paying respects to Your Majesty.”

Earl Boten Melion.

He was the father of the novel’s female lead, Catherine Melion.

Didn’t think I’d meet him here.

His hair was perfectly neat, not a strand out of place—already hinting at his upright personality.

As long as he didn’t mingle with people like Marquis Holm, that is.

“I wish to discuss the matter of my successor,” King Leonard said, leaning on one armrest.

His eyes landed first on Marquis Holm.

Well-trained in bowing to the strong, Holm quickly dropped to his knees.

“D-discuss the successor? That must never happen!”

Never happen? And in front of Oscar, no less.

The king didn’t look surprised—he must have expected this.

Oscar, too, kept a neutral face, though I saw his hands clenching slightly in his lap.

Holm, still kneeling, spoke passionately.

“I can imagine no other lord than Your Majesty. Not even if it were Prince Oscar.”

He glanced at Oscar before bowing low again.

“I do not doubt your loyalty,” the king replied.

Holm didn’t notice, but the king’s eyes had grown heavier with concern.

Earl Melion seemed to read the expression but not understand its full meaning, and quickly added his agreement.

“I support the marquis’s opinion. No offense, but Prince Oscar is still too young to govern properly.”

Hearing that, I couldn’t help sighing.

I recalled the rumor I’d read in Martin’s study the night before—

Despite King Leonard’s authority, some nobles quietly looked down on Prince Oscar.

In the original story, Oscar had no interest in politics—

But that’s not just because he was young.

The king should have been preparing him to take over, yet Oscar had remained in his father’s shadow because of sycophants like these, who only flattered Leonard.

Looking at him now, it didn’t seem like Oscar lacked will entirely—his clenched fist said otherwise.

“I think differently,” I said quietly, raising my right hand.

A faint spark of hope lit the king’s face, replacing his earlier gloom.

The queen even stopped fanning him. Everyone’s eyes turned to me.

In that moment, the one waiting most eagerly for my answer was Oscar himself.

“Speak,” the king commanded.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but regardless of your health, I believe Prince Oscar should already be receiving succession training.”

“And why is that?”

Holm, still kneeling, slowly rose, glancing at the king.

“With all due respect, he is undoubtedly a promising successor to Your Majesty.”

In the original story, Oscar never became king.

But now I could see it clearly—

He wanted to succeed his father, even if he couldn’t say so.

Winning Oscar’s trust might be my top priority.

If he was to avoid being manipulated by men like Holm later, he needed to learn how to judge people.

That ability—the ability to see people clearly—was the most basic requirement for a king.

If trained now, he wouldn’t fall for Holm’s tricks later, and I could protect him from those who wanted to control him.

The king waited for me to finish.

“I don’t even want to think of Your Majesty’s passing, but he can’t stay in your shadow forever. You should trust him now and start his training.”

“Hmph. Do you know where you are? This is no place for a duchess to speak up,” Holm snapped before I’d even finished.

It was clear he found my very presence here offensive.

The king, deciding Holm and Melion were no help, dismissed them.

They left, though Holm clicked his tongue in annoyance on the way out.

Once they were gone, the queen set her fan aside.

“Feeling cooler now?” she asked the king.

“Duchess of Cloud, your answer was unexpected. Does the duke share your opinion?”

The king seemed eager, almost unable to calm down, and even took the fan from the queen to fan himself.

Does Martin agree?

I honestly didn’t know—I’d never asked him.

But clearly the king had been worried about succession for a long time; otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent letters to select houses and brought this up now.

And since I was the only one who’d given the answer he wanted—and given the poor state of Cloud–royal relations—

I have one goal:

Improve the Cloud family’s image and prevent any rift that could spark rebellion.

“Yes. My husband thinks the same.”

The king’s eyes widened as if he’d been waiting to hear that all along.

Then he laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! We’ll see for ourselves soon enough.”

“…?”

“To know for sure, the duke must come with you next time.”

His raspy voice was followed by the queen’s warm chuckle.

“He means he likes you very much, my dear.”

“That will be all. You may go.”

The king rose, leaning on the queen’s arm, and left the chamber.

Only Oscar remained, looking at me with sad eyes.

“Duchess… I won’t be able to live up to expectations. I’ll never be able to match my father.”

“…”

“So when you come next time… please take back what you said.”

He wanted to follow his father, but the weight of it seemed crushing him.

I sighed lightly.

“Of course you can’t match him.”

“…What?”

“It’s your first time.”

“…?”

“Everyone is like that at first. Especially when they’ve had no training at all.”

Oscar’s clear blue eyes trembled.

“So… take back your retraction. I won’t be taking mine back.”

I gave him a small smile.

Perhaps no one had ever spoken to him like this before—his blue eyes welled up with tears.