115 Quiet Story Part 34 - When The Pledge Is Connected...




 After talking with Deanna in the dungeon and being assured that things would probably be moving soon, I returned to Juke's hiding place. Juke, who hadn't slept at all, should have been at the peak of his sleepiness, but he didn't feel tired due to his high spirits, and was restlessly tidying up the room.

"Juke, can I talk to you for a second? What are you doing at ......?
"Oh, Alford. Keith told me that I needed to be somewhat tidy. I thought I'd clean up a little.
I'd say get some rest, but ...... you're happy with the results?
What's good?
I just got a call. Three members of House Crester are on their way to the palace.

 Juke's hand suddenly stopped at the news he received. It was too sudden for him to catch up.

"What about ......? What, 'the three of you'?
"Master Dualis, Master Elizabeth, and the next head of the family, Edward. If you're here, may I take you straight to this room?
No, wait a minute! Of course, you can let them through, but are you going to move ...... the head of the family and the heir himself? Don't they usually send a messenger or something in such cases?
I'm sure there's no such thing as a waste of talent in that house. It's a house that can't even get enough servants because of its accumulated bad reputation. In the event that you've been in the house for a long time, you know that the bad reputation is just a rumor, but you still won't become a servant because you think it's better for the lord to cultivate the fields than work in the lord's house.
I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I've been so impressed with your work.
Oh, those types of servants have been few and far between in the three hundred years that the Crester family has been noble.

 It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. Juke's head was beginning to hurt.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.
That house is basically light on its feet. It's a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web, as well as the information on the internet. Duiris-sama isn't so bad, but both his predecessor and Edward have a disease that makes them want to go and check the truth of anything they hear that interests them, whether it's in their own territory or in another territory. It's like traveling around the kingdom half the year.
That's nothing like the 'nobility' I know. ......

 I'm sure you're aware of that, but I'm not. Nowadays, aristocrats who go out of their way to visit a territory and directly grasp the current state of the land would be the rarest of the rare. What nobleman would continue to do so for the entire duration of his cultivation, and make travel a fundamental part of his life?
 Then, Juke suddenly remembered Diana, who had been messing around at night while traveling for the Descent Festival.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
"Hmm? Yeah, of course she's a member of the Crester family. She's still young enough that she's unlikely to be thought of as a 'lord's daughter', so she must have been very busy with her annual unannounced visits.
I'm sure you've been busy every year with your unannounced visits.

 Suddenly, without warning, without even a hint of warning, a voice suddenly fell from above, and Juke's heart definitely stopped. It fell noiselessly through the icy air.

"Wow, you've been hiding in a crowded room like this? I'm sure you'll be able to find it in the next few days.
"Ed! The ceiling is not a doorway. Get in through the door!
Ed, you know the ceiling isn't a doorway. I gave you a heads-up. Did I miss you?
I was warned, but I'm in the middle of explaining to His Majesty about your usual recklessness!
Oh. I'm glad you understand it firsthand.

 I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one who's a little concerned about this. His chestnut brown hair is longer than his shoulders and is tied back in a single knot. The face line up to the chin is sharp, but the slightly drooping eyes and gently arched lips mitigate the sharpness, and when you add a high nose and s*xy flowing eyes,.......

I'm sure you're right. You're right, it's the kind of guy who makes women cry.
"Oh?
Your Majesty?
No, no, no!

 He and Juke were the same age. Naturally, he made his social debut the same year, and I've been watching him from afar at the palace's three annual soirées. Already as a debutante, he had a reputation for attracting ladies within three steps, but at the same time, he was also said to 'play with women and then discard them easily. Because he was not someone I wanted to talk to without being told to stay away from, I had never looked at him this closely before.
 But. That being said, it is not polite to look at someone you have just met for the first time, and have not even greeted yet, and immediately call him a 'nice guy who makes women cry'. I was so taken aback by the way he appeared that all the arrangements I had vaguely made were blown away. The current Juke is already in a ten percent bare state.

No, it's not. This is because the Red Rose told me about your face. It was a very accurate description, so I was impressed.
...... I'd like to know how you came up with that story, though. Anyway, notice how it's an explanation, but not an excuse?
"Oh, Ed, you're talking to His Majesty like that!
You're so annoying. You can't take it easy on a guy you've just met who's suddenly calling you 'the kind of guy who makes women cry'!
The Red Rose also said that the man inside is just a brawler and a brainiac!
"Huh. You're pretending to hit me right now, aren't you?


"Hey, Ed, Congress starts at ten today! We can't have His Majesty's face deformed!
Don't worry, I'll keep it out of sight.
I can't help but be worried!

 In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. He's Deanna's brother who's given her a lot of trouble, and she's prepared to take a beating, but...

...... I'd prefer it if you hit me after the council meeting.
"Hmm. Can I hit you after the congress?
After what I've done to your sister, I can't ask you to do anything without hitting her.
You can't just hit her and be done with it.
I know all about that. I know that. ...... We don't look alike, but we say the same things.

 It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this. You can find a lot of people who are looking for a way to make their lives easier.

It's nice to meet you, can I say? I've seen your face before, but this is the first time we've talked like this.
Yes, it is. It's a rule that we don't get involved with kings who don't know about Cresta. --We don't get involved with kings who don't know anything about Crestor. You want us to treat you as a vassal, as the next generation of the Count of Crestor?

 I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm not sure what to make of this. It's true that his essence is that he's a quick-tempered brainiac, but as a descendant of the Wise Men, he can't be anything more than that.
 Juke laughed rather bitterly at the air of aristocracy that he wore.

I'm not the one who decides, but you are. No matter how much I want you not to be my vassal, if you don't recognize me as worthy of an existence beyond my position, it will be meaningless at the core.
You're half right, half wrong. Our bond is not always a one-way street. If it is necessary for me to acknowledge you, it is equally necessary for you to acknowledge and seek me out. -- "Am I worthy of your recognition and seeking?
...... At least, as a vassal, I don't think you want us to be bland.

 In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. Even though his face looks like a bad guy who has made many women cry, we have understood in this short time that Edward Clester is a good-hearted person who looks people straight in the eye and expresses his feelings.
 Edward was not hiding his feelings, and Juke was not in the mood to make up for it. She just went straight to him with her heart.

I've only just met you, and to be honest, I can't just ask you to be my friend. I know that your opinion of me would be worse than the worst.
You know me better than I thought.
You know better than I thought." "May I ask you, for a start, not to build walls as a 'vassal'? ...... Edward Crester.
"If you don't want me as your vassal, don't bother calling me by my family name. If you don't want me as your vassal, don't bother calling me by my family name.
No one calls you by your full name, even if you're a vassal.
If you don't want to be called that, you should remove your family name.

 Edward cowered at Alford's teasing. I had expected this, but the two of them seem to be getting along quite well.
 Juke laughed, making a little noise.

"You don't mind if I call you Edward?
"I'd rather not have a family name. What do you want me to call you?
"Juke. I like your name too.
Okay.

 Edward nodded, and Alford nodded his head.

By the way, Ed. Where are Master Dualis and Master Elizabeth?
"Oh, they're coming in a carriage. There's no place in the palace where you can hide three horses. My Joy is smart enough to hide herself if she's about to be found, so she came ahead of me. I also wanted to know where the King was.
What's the point if you're the only one who knows?
What do you think we are? Once I find him, he'll be in the loop.
...... No, I don't think the children of noblemen search the ceiling for things.
Oh, it would be wise to give up on asking Ed for common sense in that area.
"I mean, Al, just because I'm here doesn't mean you have to go out of your way to use honorifics with Juke. It's too late for that now when you broke it down in front of Deanna.
I'm really afraid of you and your family. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
"How well does ...... Alford know the Cresta family?

 It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. Before Juke could react to the subtlety of the situation, Edward opened his mouth.

"What, Al? Didn't we talk about this yet?
You interrupted me before I could tell you. ......
No, because you were so blatantly explaining our family's situation. Normally, you'd think I'd have told him about myself first.
I explained to him that I'm Soo-woon and I know a lot about history and documents, like .......
That's a bit of a stretch. You only found out about us from Soo-won after you met me, right?
Oh, yeah. I'm shallow, anyway.



 It's rare for Alford to get flustered. Edward chuckled at Juke's eye roll.

I'll tell you one thing, Al didn't betray you and not tell you about his relationship with Clester.
"I didn't even think about it. I don't need to be told that Alford values me as a subject and as a friend. If it was something I could talk about, Alford would have told me. If it was something you could talk about, Alford would have told you. ...... So it was something you couldn't talk about with me, right?
To be precise, he couldn't tell you if you were unaware of the truth about Crester. If you had been told about our relationship with Al before you knew the truth about Crestor, you might have judged us to be less evil based on that alone. --But that's not good enough.

 Edward speaks quietly, a light of thoughtfulness in his jade eyes.

This is a natural part of the Elgrande arrangement since Crestor became a nobleman. A child born into a royal family must reach the truth of Crester on his own, relying only on the books and other materials left by his predecessors and the world as it exists before his eyes. No one should help you or provide you with arbitrary information that will help you.
...... I see. In other words, the fact that Alford was close to Crestor could help me reach Crestor if I trusted Alford?
If it was just to help you get to him, he probably feared that you would let your guard down after learning about Al's relationship with us, and that would lead you away from the truth about the Crestor.

 Edward's words startled me. It's true that if Alford had told me that he was actually friends with Edward and that the Cresters were good people back then, when I was accepting the world as it was told to me by the people around me and not even thinking for myself. If Alford had told me back then that he was actually friends with Edward and that the Cresta family were good people, I can assure you that my simple self would have simply believed him and would not have thought about the Cresta family in such a deep way.
 Juke sighed deeply.

'I didn't know that. ....... Alford was protecting me to the best of his ability by keeping his mouth shut, wasn't he?
"Hey. Hey, vassal!
Stop it, you creepy bastard. I was just doing what I'm supposed to do as a Kingsguard and as a man of Soo-won who watches over history.
But he's so committed to it that he misses the chance to confess the truth, isn't he?
So, that's it! That's because you're insane!
It's not the first time I've been insane.
It's not the first time I've been insane. You look like a fraud!

 Juke was unconsciously blown away by Alford's witticisms. Edward, with his handsome appearance and crazy behavior, is certainly nothing more than an 'appearance impostor'. In a way, it was even more shocking than Deanna's that Edward Crester was such a funny guy inside.
 Looking at Juke, who couldn't stop laughing, Alford said sincerely.

"See? Juke ......, even in the eyes of His Majesty, you look like a fraud.
I'm not the only one who uses looks to set traps.
No, ......, I know that, but... I know that, but for someone who looks like he's never had to deal with anything as rough as you have, his words and actions are definitely a scam.
That's right. Your Majesty, you know what you're doing! He kicked the shit out of me the first time we met.
What?
Don't mislead me! The first time I met Al was at a Knight Academy mock game. I met Al in a mock match at the knights' academy, where the older guys were supposed to teach the younger guys how to play.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
You've been using a long sword since then, and in order to make up for your reach, you're going to have to use your legs.
"Well, I'm really glad that the mock match was with swords. If it was a cross-species match with each of us using our own special weapons, I would have been killed in seconds.

 Unbelievable words came out from the leader of the Kingsguard.
 I couldn't help but shout out in a crazy voice.

"Oh, you think Alford is a second killer?
"Oh, Your Majesty, this guy's strength is nothing compared to mine, isn't it?
"So don't make the mistake of assuming. It's natural to excel with your best weapons. A knight basically uses a sword. Then Al is more familiar with it and can move better.
"You're right. If you were using two light swords, you'd have knocked out the active army in no time in a one-on-many mock battle.
That was a lot of carelessness on their part. If you try it again, they won't be so easy to defeat.
The whole thing is a weapon, isn't it, with all its tricky looks?
"...... Ah, so that's why you're a 'deceiver.

 I'm not sure what to say. I'm not sure that Edward, who looks like a bad guy who makes women cry, was ever a martial artist. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.
 Alford nodded profoundly.

That's right. I got hurt in a mock fight when I first met him. I was interested in Edward because I knew he was a man to be reckoned with, and I was amused by the gap between him and the rumors about Crester, so I decided to find out what was going on.
So I decided to find out what was going on.
How could I not be amused by that? He was supposed to be in a sword fight, but he jumped and kicked me because I wasn't in time. You can't help but be amused by the fact that the heir to the evil emperor is a guy who uses such wacky martial arts.

 Alford's argument was spot on. Juke laughed along with him.

"That's true. That's funny.


I'm sure. Fortunately, my family has no shortage of resources for researching such things. I did the same rough search as you did and came to the same conclusion. I was so surprised that I asked my father and brother to check .......
Why don't you go to ......?
Soo-won is one of the most eccentric noble families in the kingdom. I don't know if it's because they study history for a living, but they've always been able to recognize the Cresta and get along with them.
What? What? Then, the current head of the family is also ......
We're just friends. We don't want you to get mixed up in our bad reputation, so we're only sneaking around.

 I'm getting a headache. Krester is Krester, but Soo-won is Soo-won. As you would expect from the Old Ones, it's not a simple matter.
 Holding his forehead, Juke let out a breath.

There's so much I don't know about .......
"Well, there's nothing we can do about that. You'll learn as you go.
"Well, you've gotten to know each other pretty well in a short time.

 I was caught off guard by a low-pitched voice that sent a chill down my spine. In contrast to Juke, whose back arched reflexively, Edward seemed to have noticed. He called out lazily to the other side of the door.

"I was wondering how long you were going to eavesdrop, Father.
I couldn't let you in because you were having so much fun. It's his concern.
I'm afraid I don't have the nerve to be grateful for your concern, which is highly unlikely.
Ed has a point there.

 The rest of the Cresters - Dualis and his wife Elizabeth - came through the door neatly this time, wearing the easy, carefree atmosphere of home. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I forgot I was in the middle of cleaning up. ......
 I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I've heard of it. It's not the same as when you confronted her for a moment at the New Year's Eve party. --It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I don't like it.

 --Oh... Suddenly, Juke had a realization.
 At the plea of the united king Ast, Paulast was given the surname "Crester" and became a vassal. Technically, yes.
 But. In the Kingdom of Elgrand, they are the only ones who act out of friendship rather than loyalty to the royal family. They are, in effect, equal to the royal family.
 They are also "kings" called "Cresta", who bear the name of the land they have been protecting since ancient times.

 Juke's head dropped naturally.

I should have come to you first, but thank you for coming.
The situation is unpredictable. The situation is unpredictable. Now is not the time to be polite, but to be pragmatic. --If it's better for His Majesty's image to be hidden from the public, then so be it.
"Please, call me 'Juke'. Unlike my father, I'm not quite ready to be called 'King'.

 There was a whoosh of air. When I looked up, I met the eyes of Dualis, who was looking at me with something nostalgic. His face was still the same Demon Lord, but he didn't find those eyes frightening.

That's what he said as well.
"Oh, ......?
Until the moment of death. Until the moment of his death, he regretted that he was far from being called a king.

 Juke's eyes roll back. Dualis speaks, the man.

"My father, is it, ......?
Juke. Do you hold a grudge against your ...... father?

 What is he talking about all of a sudden? Juke rolled his eyes and shook his head rapidly.

Why should I have a grudge against my father? Even though I only saw him for a short time, he cared for me. He continued to show me what a king was with his appearance. ...... There are many, many more things I wish he could have taught me. To me, you are a great king and a respected father.
"...... I see.

 Quietly, Dualis lowered his eyes. You can't see what he's thinking through his closed eyes.
 Elizabeth stood by Dualis and gave Juke a gentle look.

"You've grown, haven't you? You can also call me Juke, if you like.
"...... Yes.
"Hmm. It seems like only yesterday that I was allowed to meet you in secret when you were a newborn. I'm sure Rifa and Aust are very proud of you for growing up so well.

 I almost stopped breathing. Rifa" was the nickname of Juke's mother, the current Queen Mother. Her mother never allowed her to be called by her nickname unless she was very close to her.
 She must have sensed what Juke was trying to say just by looking at him. Elizabeth nodded.



"Your mother, Rifania, and I have been friends for a long time. We were married and had a baby at the same time, and we encouraged each other, even though our statuses were far apart. I met you once, when you were a newborn, with Rifa's help. Just once.
I didn't know that. I've never heard of you.
Ed, it was right when you were in my belly. It was my first baby and I was worried. Then Rifa told me, 'Once you see how cute your baby is, your anxiety will disappear and you'll want to meet him soon. She invited me to come and meet my baby.
So I've met Juke once, through your mother.
Well, that's one way of putting it.

 It was the first time Edward had ever heard of this story, and yet he was so unfazed by it. Alford smiled resignedly.

"You're wasting your time trying to get a cute response out of the people in this house, Your Majesty.
Is that so?
"Well, they're the kind of family that tests 'fact is stranger than fiction' all year round. They're not surprised by the slightest thing, and they won't be swayed.
The Red Roses were a little more straightforward, I think. ......
Well, Deanna doesn't have enough experience in that area yet.
Is it a matter of experience?

 I think it's more of a personality issue. I'm sure you'll find a lot of people who'd like to have a look at it.
 ...... Yes. Speaking of Deanna.

"--Count Crester.

 Juke bowed deeply as he called out.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand. There is no way to apologize. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea. ...... This kind of treatment of the daughter of Crestor, who has supported the kingdom for a long time, even if she herself has suffered bad publicity. I know it's enough to make you give up on the kingdom, but I would like to ask you to please try to avoid any situation where innocent people are left to mourn their misfortune.

 A low, quiet voice descended.

A low, quiet voice descends. "It was the 'foolish unknowns' who tried to kill ...... Diana, not you. And yet you want the well-being of your people, not your own cooperation?
"Even if they are foolish and unintelligent, they are my people and my subjects, noblemen and servants of the court. The blame for their actions ultimately lies with me, the king. You can't be so shameless as to cut them off and let me live. ...... In the first place, I have no trump card with which to accuse them of their crimes. What do you want me to do in that situation?
I'm sure you're aware of that. Or is it not your will that the House should meet?
No, I decided to hold it. --With the House of Lords, anyone who is a noble can prove the innocence of the Red Rose and expose those who should truly be judged.
In other words, the House of Lords was prepared as a stage where we can move as we please?
That's right.

 I couldn't look up. I can't look up. In the silence, I can hear someone breathing.
 I can't look up, but I can hear someone breathing in between the silence, and then a long sigh, and then Dualis's voice, in a tone I've never heard before.

If we move as much as we want, the aftermath will naturally reverberate through you, the king, and the heart of the palace. So you're prepared for all that and still decide to hold the assembly?
...... "Rather than defending yourself as a king, your priority now should be to save the innocent and bring the truly guilty to justice. If I were to let the Red Rose or your daughter die in self-defense here, I would never be able to forgive myself. I'll never be able to stand as king anyway.

 Then there's no point in thinking about saving yourself. If you're a king and you're in danger no matter what happens, it's always better to at least be able to produce a fruitful result.
 I'm not sure what to make of this.

"Look up, Juke.
"Count Crestor.
I promised Aust in the first place. Even if you were to become a foolish king and have to be destroyed, you wouldn't be stupid enough to destroy the country with it. As long as the people are safe, the country will go on no matter what the name or shape. If I'm going to hit the palace, I'll at least think of a way to hit it.

 The tone was light, but the content was heavy. Juke nodded earnestly.
 Looking at Juke, Dualis smiled. --He looked relieved and relieved.

That's a shame. I didn't think you'd be able to turn the tables on me at the last minute.
"Count?
The priority is to prove your innocence and bring the guilty to justice. But the "guilty" are also your own people, and that's why you don't want to defend yourself. --How did you get to think like a king in such a short time?

 ...... Did I mishear that? I'm not sure if I'm hearing this right, but I'm pretty sure I'm hearing it right.
 Edward smiled radiantly.

In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do. Judging from the state of this room, they are simultaneously pursuing the truth about Cresta. --Is it not in keeping with the Old Covenant to give up on the King, who never gave up on us even though he was backed into a corner and believed in us to this point?
I'll admit it. ...... I admit it. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I've underestimated the seriousness of your youth.


"The trouble with growing old is that we forget what it was like to be young. Impossibility, recklessness, and recklessness are the privileges of youth. You have to work hard, and give the old people a crush like this once in a while.
You're still young, aren't you, Miss Elizabeth?
Oh my God, Al, you've gotten better at talking in a while.

 The conversation seems to be going on right in front of him, but Juke, who is paralyzed by his own thought processes, can't keep up with it.
 Edward gave him a firm pat on the back.

You should be more pleased, Juke. Your father, the current head of Crestor, has recognized you as King. I'm telling you that I'm going to try to put this one behind me while not destroying your reign.
"............ What? Oh, really?
I'm sorry, Juke. I'm sorry, Juke, but Dewar is a cynical, unreasonable man. It's hard to understand.
All right, all right. Enough about me. Let's get to the strategy meeting. Ed, Al, clear that desk.
Okay, Dad.
Oh, I'll help!

 Slowly, from a corner of my mind, I felt a surge of joy.

I had barely managed to capture the heart of Clester, the bond between us, before I lost it.
 That I can still aim for the King I want to be.

 No matter how many times you make a mistake, as long as you don't give up, you can start over. You can get up again and again.

 --The House of Lords was just a few hours away.