Ashia Koenig. In her twenty-third year of life, something snapped within the weak-willed Princess. She wanted great responsibility from King Archibald, even going as far as to demand that he give her the freedom to act on his behalf.
Many rulers might see this demand as troublesome, but the King saw this in a positive light. He knew his time was limited, as any man in their later years might; he could even sense the Princess’s intense desire. She had never demanded anything before, as if he would be the one to extinguish her spark.
But she took to the role of Crown Princess like a duck to water; she was far too natural at demanding control from the populace. It frightened the King, seeing his kind-hearted daughter turn into a tyrant overnight.
They say power corrupts all, and this was his greatest fear. To see his little lamb turn into himself.
His greatest fear was all but confirmed the morning following The Crimson Spring. The sun was reaching its peak, yet no servant or knight dared to wake him and share the news. It was for his own benefit, really; all knew the reaction he would have, so it would be for the best if the Queen could relay the news.
However, that plan backfired when a boy with no concern about politics decided to wake the sleeping beast…
“ASHIA!!! SOMEONE GET ME MY FUCKING DAUGHTER!!”
“Stop it, Father! This is far too funny! I’ll wet myself!”
Smash! Another cup is destroyed as the mixture of tea and blood pours all over the table. No matter how hard he tries to calm himself, even going as far as to try to enjoy breakfast, nothing will change till he speaks to the one responsible for this mess! Although his anger has calmed to the point where he no longer launches plates across the room, this madness cannot continue!
The King hasn’t even taken the time to get dressed yet! No servant dares to get close to him like this; all they can pray for is that the Queen will show up soon. Why does the youngest Prince continue to rile him up!?
“IS SHE TRULLY INSANE!?! DOES SHE REALLY WISH TO END UP AS A HEAD ON A PIKE!?! Does she underestimate those fucking nobles this much!?”
“Of course she does, Father! That’s what makes her so entertaining! You could always give me the throne if she causes too much stres—”
“Don’t talk utter nonsense, boy. How are you to manage a country when a light breeze causes you to collapse?”
The Prince has a reputation for being extremely feeble; even just a brief amount of laughter is capable of turning him pale.
“It’s still better than the alternative! At least you’ll know I won’t end up pissing off every noble tha—”
Knock knock! The Prince tries his hardest to convince his father, only to be interrupted by a knock at the doors to the dining hall.
Any servant who dares interrupt such a moment is bound to be filled with dread.
“WHO DARES TO INTERRUPT MY BOY!?!”
“Y-Your M-Majesty… the P-Princess is h-here.”
“Balderdash! That was fast! Did you use my name to send for her, boy?”
“Of course I did! I’ve been waiting for this moment all morning…”
[MIND'S EYE][First Name: Archibald][Family Name: Koenig][Affection: 20/100][Traits] [»][Gender: Male][Class: Royalty][Age: 69][Trait Rarity] [»][Paladin] [†][Pyromaniac] [ℑ][Dying] [Þ]
Spoiler
[TIER][Legendary] [5*][Excellent] [4*][Great] [3*] [Good] [2*] [Average] [1*] [TYPE][Combat: †][Magical: ℑ][Passive: Þ] [collapse]
[MIND'S EYE][First Name: Edan][Family Name: Koenig][Affection: -10/100][Traits] [»][Gender: Male][Class: Royalty][Age: 19][Trait Rarity] [»][Glass Cannon] [†][Feeble] [Þ][Electrician] [ℑ]
Spoiler
[TIER][Legendary] [5*][Excellent] [4*][Great] [3*] [Good] [2*] [Average] [1*] [TYPE][Combat: †][Magical: ℑ][Passive: Þ] [collapse]
‘At least the King’s illness hasn’t gotten worse… yet. Lord forbid we really are the two that push him over the edge.’
We finally arrive at the King’s palace, only to find a dining hall filled with broken crockery, a table full of food and blood, as well as a furious father and a sniggering brother.
…
...
...
‘Erm… do I take the time to curtsey? There is wisdom in knowing when use etiquette.’
I’d usually take this moment to use what I’ve learnt, but with the fiery atmosphere inside the room and the fact that this teenager looks like a cheeky brat, I think I’ll support my wife from the sidelines for now.
But regardless, Ashia takes a seat while I remain standing, providing a happy face in the background for her. A small tap on my knee shows she appreciates my support at least.
“Ashia… Ashia… Ashia. Please tell me there is something I’m missing. That what you’ve done isn’t as big as it sounds.”
There lies a great deal of compassion behind his words, yet her reaction only causes his intense pain.
“…”
All she does… is pick her ear and shrug at him.
“ASHIA!!!”
“Please. It’s far too early for such a racket, Father. Neither of us has slept all night.”
“THAT’S WHAT CONCERNS YOU IN THIS VERY MOMENT!?! SLEEEEEEP!?!”
The King looks close to collapsing, while the brat tries his very hardest not to blurt out laughing. Maybe I can find the humour in the King’s reaction, if our hands and hearts weren’t blackened by last night’s events.
“The fires were self-contained and kept in the districts where they can afford to rebuild. What’s the big deal?”
“Haha! This is insane, Ash! You knock out most of the capital’s nobility in a single night, then try to tax the rest simply for existing!? Your insanity is ridiculous!
“WHAT!?! YOU TOOK THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE A NEW TAX!?!”
This is new information I’m yet to hear. I know she’s always sending letters in and out of the palace, but one of them happened to be about introducing a new tax?
‘Are we really taking the time to piss off EVERY member of the nobility!? Welp, we’re so screwed…’
“Fraud. Corruption. Slavery. This is how you’ll be remembered, Father, alongside the nobility. This cit— no, this kingdom. It was made in the family’s flawed image.”
Getting caught up in her words, Ashia takes a stand, and the confidence that flows from her speech is truly inspiring.
“Everything is a temporary measure brought to buy time, from my generation all the way to your ancestors. Who decided this approach? That a select few get to trample on everyone? The flawed image of prosperity that relies on suffering?”
“No. If this were a story, we’d be presented as the villains.”
Even in the face of mockery and sheer rage, Ashia holds great strength I still can’t comprehend. She may appear unamused, but I can tell there’s huge meaning behind those words. Of course there is, we’re literally in a novel!
Her words are inspiring for sure, but all it does is cause the King to lose his anger, spiralling it into depression. I completely understand both sides; this is madness to those who don’t know everything.
“You know this has nothing to do with morality or titles! The kingdom doesn’t have the funds to surviv—”
“Of course we do, Father, this is why I’ve introduced the new tax. No more loopholes shall exist going forward. Not a single way they can avoid paying us huge amounts of gold.”
“I’m not a tyrant; those with immense wealth shall still remain wealthy. If someone can’t part with half their wealth for the sake of prosperity, then why should they remain a citizen?”
“I've already handled most of the more troublesome individuals. At least this time, I’m giving the rest a choice.”
‘This is seriously how much she’s taxing them? Fifty-percent!? No member of nobility will agree to this!
With a face as relaxed and a smile as careless as they come, anyone facing her would think she’s completely mad! I should be in the same boat as well; she could easily make the entire world turn against us!
But I’m always going to support her, even if this ends with an army of nobles chopping off our heads. Down with the nobility!
“Why do we bother scrounging around for coin, when the biggest nest egg is right in front of us?”
She even gives me a little wink there! I just know she’s thinking of scrambling my egg again!
“Whatever it is you’re thinking, Ashia, this will only work as a temporary measure. You’re making the same mistake I did; the only difference is that you target those with coffers equal to—"
“*Cough cough cough*”
The King stops himself when the Prince lets out a bellowing cough, only to follow it up with a great amount of blood spewing from his mouth.
Immediately, I’m questioning if my squeamishness has faded when the sight makes me feel fine. But of course, a moment or two later, my gag reflex betrays me.
I can manage to hold it back in the presence of others, but if I keep looking that way, my stomach will betray me.
Ashia immediately comforts me by placing out her hands, and I do take hold of them, yet it’s somewhat annoying. Considering the situation is far more stressful for her, I’d rather be the one comforting her!
When he’s finally settled down and given multiple handkerchiefs to ruin by the King, he finally finds a seat and nearly collapses on it. I’m not sure why this came on, but maybe it had something to do with the giggling?
“It’s always the good moments that cause the most pain.”
“My boy... you should rest on days like this. You barely have the strength to stand!”
“Rest!? Ha! I’d rather spend the day in constant misery than miss moments like this!”
The one thing I’ve learnt about this novel, there isn’t a single character who can be classified as normal. Everyone has their quirks, and it appears the Prince shares in some of this “insanity” that infects the Princess.
Unlike my wife’s madness, I don’t enjoy his. He appears more of the sort to enjoy chaos just for the sake of the chaos. That doesn’t make him a bad person; he clearly doesn’t have the strength for anything dangerous.
What’s weird is that Ashia refuses to look his way. It’s to the point where I can’t tell if this is extremely common or if she can’t stand her brother’s presence. I can usually tell what way her mind is swinging.
For him, I’m clueless.
In my distraction, I fail to notice that us four inside this room have become five. Another joins us in the “festivities”; I can only hope this brings our summoning to a conclusion.
[MIND'S EYE][First Name: Adelicia][Family Name: Rosalind][Affection: 35/100][Traits] [»][Gender: Female][Class: Royalty][Age: 46][Trait Rarity] [»][Stubborn] [Þ][Poisoner] [ℑ][Musician] [Þ]
Spoiler
[TIER][Legendary] [5*][Excellent] [4*][Great] [3*] [Good] [2*] [Average] [1*] [TYPE][Combat: †][Magical: ℑ][Passive: Þ] [collapse]
In a swift but brutal action, faster than one could blink, the Queen grabs her son by the ear and begins the motherly tradition of scolding.
“What are you doing here, Edan!? I told you to remain in bed!”
“How could I spend the day in bed when Ash is off her rocker!? These are the moments I live for!”
Not noticing us immediately, it takes a moment for Queen Adelicia to regain her composure and greet us as a Queen should. I’m not sure whether to smile, frown, or laugh.
“Greetings, my daughter. I presume you’ve been enjoying all this?”
“…”
Ashia completely blanks her mother, as if the motion of her enjoying this is insulting. I think Queen Adelicia has a point, though. It’s hard to deny there isn’t any enjoyment in this…
“I should’ve expected that. What about you, Frost? How are you faring?”
“I’m good, Your Majesty... all things considered.”
“Wonderful. I’d love for us to spend more time together, but as you can see, I have a husband who could have another stroke any day now.”
“You worry too much, darling. I’m perfectly fine!”
“You said the same thing after the first two! I’ve also a son who doesn’t realise puking up blood is a bad thing.”
“Must I live my entire life on soup and pureed food!? I knew eating that pie would slice up my throat, yet you don’t hear me complaining!”
I knew the Prince was sickly, but I didn’t realise he’d be that sensitive to food. If the shoe were on the other foot, I guess I’d be the same. Living on liquid food doesn’t sound like a heap of fun.
“*Sigh*… may I ask if you two could make your exit? It’s going to be a long day today.”
It’s obvious the Queen is itching to scold both father and son, but is holding herself drastically back until the moment we leave.
Both of us are more than happy to leave, but the King in particular isn’t having it.
“WHAT!?! NO!! I specifically requested Ashia’s presence!”
“Yes, and I specifically requested you take a day to reflect when your anger erupts like this! But no, you had to send for her the moment you woke!”
“Technically speaking… I wasn’t the one who sent for her.”
“You dare rat me out like this!? What is the matter with you!?”
The Queen can’t help but facepalm and look filled with embarrassment. I’ve clearly seen far too much today, so much so that I may have a real assassination attempt coming my way soon…
“You just can’t help yourselves! You knew Ashia’s presence would be toxic! So why call for her!?”
It’s clear I’m between a rock and a hard place here. Still holding hands, I try to sneak off with Ashia, but the moment the Queen finishes, her blood boils, and she cannot leave without a response.
“My presence is toxic? You’re the one who allows poison to fester, Mother. It’ll harm more than just Father before you realise it.”
“I’m not poisoning your blasted father, Ashia! Just leave already before we embarrass ourselves more in front of Frost!”
“*Sigh*... this will be a birthday I’m more than happy to forget…”
[Toxicity]
Spoiler
“It’s not my place to say, Ashia. But if she is poisoning him, wouldn’t it make sense to act sooner rather than later?”
Through the royal orchard, still holding hands as Ashia hasn’t given me the chance to let go, I can’t help but get involved.
Usually, the Princess is someone so cool and composed, yet her mother always causes her more grief than anyone else.
I want to help, but I’m not sure how.
Hey, it’s not like I’m directly suggesting we assassinate the Queen! I guess I’m somewhat indirectly suggesting it, only because the King’s illness plays a huge role in the story. I get that she helped me while I was sick, but if the Queen is poisoning him, then we may have no choice.
“She’s not poisoning him, Frost. It’s metaphorical.”
“Oh. So this is about personality then?”
“Yes. You’ve seen it firsthand, we’re stubborn in this family. Her stubbornness, however, is akin to poison. She loves who she likes, then despises anyone who isn’t an ally.”
“It’s a good thing I avoided that cliché then. The evil mother-in-law has been overdone to death.”
Getting a small chuckle, I’m only speaking sense. My luck regarding the “evilvillainess” has been sensational!
“Heh, true. Her decision regarding you has only made things harder.”
“Harder? But she likes me? You make it sound like she has to die?”
It pains me how emotionless Ashia is to all this, even after a slight giggle. A child killing a parent is another cliché that shouldn’t happen.
“It’s a possibility. She’s that inflexible, Frost. I’m trying my hardest to avoid it, but you don’t know how far she’ll go. I do.”
‘Eh… I think I’m done asking about this. It must be from experience, something her mother did that made Ashia distrust her so much…’
…
‘Oh great, this sounds exactly like a memory from a past life. You know, the ones I’m forced to live through. THOSE memories that always end in suffering. Such fun…’
[collapse]