Side Story 5 Why did the Archduke’s Household in the Breck Kingdom crumble? (1)

At the time when King Zed’s birthday celebration turned into a nightmare due to the Magic Bomb Terror Incident in the Roan Kingdom,

Something significant had also transpired in the Breck Kingdom.

You cannot find any trace of Rosalyn?

That is the case, Your Majesty!

The king clenched the hand gripping the throne as the head of the intelligence agency bowed his head with a grim expression.

Only the king and a few of his vassals were present in the meeting room. The king did not conceal his emotions.

How, how could this be?

Princess Rosalyn had left the Breck Kingdom and was heading towards the Magic Tower in the Whipper Kingdom.

She contacted the royal family at least once a day. However, that contact ceased at some point.

The last communication received from her was an emergency distress signal.

Roan.

That is the case, Your Majesty.

The coordinates of the last signal were within the Roan Kingdom.

To travel from the Breck Kingdom to the Whipper Kingdom, the quickest route, excluding the Empire, was through the Roan Kingdom.

Did the Roan Kingdom-?

The king momentarily pondered if the Roan Kingdom had attacked Rosalyn, but quickly dismissed the thought as futile.

The Roan Kingdom has no reason to interfere with a neighboring kingdom. It is a nation that seeks peace unless provoked.

He was aware of the nature of the continent’s oldest kingdom. It was a kingdom that remained quiet if left undisturbed, but a fiercely persistent kingdom that would relentlessly pursue anyone who dared to attack it.

The Breck Kingdom, being the oldest kingdom after Roan and the Jungle, was acutely aware of this.

Then what happened?

No, more importantly,

Only a few people knew that Rosalyn was headed towards the Whipper Kingdom’s Magic Tower.

There was no way a foreign kingdom could have deduced this, given that only a select few within the Breck Kingdom were privy to this information.

But that doesn’t mean there are no ways for them to find out.

If one of those few insiders leaked the information to a foreign kingdom,

Or if there are connections to a foreign kingdom,

Furthermore, the fact that Rosalyn stopped contacting them,

Someone within the Breck Kingdom, or perhaps a faction within the kingdom, must have attacked Rosalyn.

Your Majesty.

The head of the intelligence agency, noticing the king’s darkening countenance, cautiously began to speak.

It is possible that only her magic communication device was destroyed by a monster or a sudden, unforeseen event.

Do you truly mean that?

My apologies, Your Majesty.

Unlike the other vassals present, the head of the intelligence agency was reasonably well-versed in Rosalyn’s abilities. Moreover, the individuals who departed with Rosalyn were from the kingdom’s shadow brigade, skilled enough to even protect the king.

Were those individuals taken down by a monster, or unable to contact them due to an unforeseen event?

The likelihood of that was extremely low.

The king sat on the throne, gazing down at his vassals, who dared not meet his eyes, and eventually spoke in a low voice.

Send an official request for assistance to the Roan Kingdom.

Your Majesty, that!

The vassal from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urgently responded.

The entire continent might discover this if something goes wrong! If that happens, the kingdom’s dignity-

Enough!

Bang!

The king slammed his hand down on the throne.

“Do you think I would say such a thing without considering the potential fall of the kingdom’s dignity, or the diplomatic repercussions?

A kingdom’s likely heir, almost officially confirmed, has vanished. We are uncertain of her fate, and the kingdom doesn’t even know her whereabouts.

The kingdom’s dignity would undoubtedly suffer if others discovered this, and if things go wrong, some kingdoms might send forces to find this potential future queen, to negotiate or threaten the kingdom. It could even lead to far worse diplomatic complications.

However, it has been a long time since we have been unable to contact her.

Any longer,

The king could no longer tolerate this uncertainty.

Am I doing this only to find my child?

The vassal urgently lowered his head upon seeing the king’s cold gaze. The king looked at his vassals, his hands and feet, and asked.

Who is Rosalyn?

The Chief of Staff bowed and responded.

She is the future of the Breck Kingdom, Your Majesty.

“That is correct.”

No one present dared to contradict the Chief of Staff.

The king viewed Rosalyn not as his daughter, but as the future of the Breck Kingdom.

This king, the former king, and the queens before him… No, even tracing back several generations, there is no heir to the throne with Rosalyn’s level of abilities.

The king was well aware of his own lineage. He knew about the former king, his father, and the queen before him, his grandmother.

The royal family had lacked anyone with exceptional intellect or extraordinary abilities.

They had all possessed decent intelligence and average talents.

Of course, they had been sincere individuals who had worked tirelessly to maintain the kingdom within their limitations.

However, they had been unable to elevate the Breck Kingdom to a higher level.

However, Rosalyn…

That child…

That child possesses exceptional talent. I am certain she can elevate the Breck Kingdom to new heights.

The Rosalyn the king had observed displayed talent in the Disciplines of Kingship and administration, but her talents extended beyond that.

Military science, tactics, and magic.

The king contemplated the areas where Rosalyn’s talents shone brightly, as well as the Western continent, which had maintained peace for far too long.

A prolonged period of peace is bound to bring forth something ominous.

Of course, it would be fine if something ominous like war did not occur.

In fact, it would be even better if such situations did not arise.

The king felt this way because he knew.

As a father, he knew that Rosalyn was a warm person. That child would be able to add warmth to her wisdom, using it to maintain peace even longer.

The king organized his thoughts and spoke.

Are you all afraid of the Breck Kingdom’s dignity falling?

A temporary loss of dignity is nothing.

I fear the future of the Breck Kingdom disappearing.

The king feared the future disappearing.

Your Majesty.

The head of Administration calmly responded.

However, the kingdom’s citizens will descend into chaos if they learn of Her Highness’s disappearance.

Mm.

I believe we need to thoroughly consider that aspect, Your Majesty.

Yes, I understand.

The citizens of the Breck Kingdom called Rosalyn the sun’s rose, affectionately praising her talents and beauty.

A moment of silence ensued before the king issued his order to his vassals.

One day. We will search for her one more day and seek a new direction if there are no changes.

With that, another unproductive meeting concluded.

* * *

Screech.

The king, alone in his study, opened his mouth upon hearing the door creak open.

I said not to let anyone in-

Royal Father.

Oh, it’s you, John.

The king’s firstborn son, Prince John, Rosalyn’s younger brother. The king straightened his shoulders and raised his head. But his shoulders slumped again upon seeing the concern in his child’s eyes.

“Are you alright, Royal Father?”

The king weakly smiled at his son’s gaze, filled with warmth like his mother’s. He then shared some of his honest feelings.

It’s a bit difficult. But I guess I can’t let it show, right?

Royal Father.

If Rosalyn was like the sun, John was like the moon. He was someone who brought peace and a sense of reliance.

I’m sorry. I know you must be anxious as well, and I shouldn’t be showing this side to you.

It’s okay, Royal Father.

Prince John understood the king’s current state.

Perhaps he was the only one his father could lean on now that his sister Rosalyn was absent. He usually confided in his mother, seeking her counsel for typical issues, but only displayed his resolve in front of her regarding this matter.

John felt as if he could understand him a bit.

But, Royal Father.

Yes? Speak.

I have a slightly different thought.

John closed his eyes.

His struggling parents, his anxious siblings,

The chief executives at a loss for words,

The palace descending into chaos as news of Rosalyn’s disappearance spread despite their best efforts to contain it,

His thoughts culminated in his sister.

His sister Rosalyn’s face.

Royal Father. I am certain my sister is alive and well.

John.

We would have heard something about her by now if something had happened.

If it was his sister, his sister Rosalyn…

No news is good news. You know what my sister is like, Royal Father.

It was possible that John understood his older sister’s personality better than his Royal Father.

That’s why John spoke honestly, even if it might sound a bit cold.

Her body has not been found.

John, body?! How could you use such a word-?!

“That means she is alive, Royal Father.

John.

Royal Father. Sister is definitely alive. She is probably searching for it.

A gentle smile appeared on John’s face.

He continued speaking to the king.

Sister should be looking into the reason or the evil person responsible for her disappearance. And once she finds it…

He recalled how the kingdom’s citizens called his sister the sun’s rose.

She will definitely return.

However, John did not agree with that.

She is that kind of person.

She was fire.

His sister was like fire.

Fire symbolizes warmth to some, but fear to others. She was that kind of person. She was more like the sun itself than the sun’s rose.

Royal Father. So please don’t worry.

Yes, thank you.

John simply smiled, though he noticed the king seemed to take his words as hopeful consolation.

John. Please take good care of things while I am gone.

Please be safe, noonim.

Oh come on. Do you really think something would happen to me?

John recalled the moment he said goodbye to Rosalyn before she left for the Whipper Kingdom.

I’m sure there won’t be. Of course, it’s a different story if you cause some trouble.

John, you know me so well. It’s amazing.

How could he not know?

He was probably the person who looked at Rosalyn’s back the most and followed behind her.

Noonim.

That’s why John knew what his sister was thinking and what she wanted.

Huuuuuu.

He took a deep breath to calm himself. He walked out of the king’s study and headed towards his palace, thinking to himself.

No matter what happens, please come back soon, noonim. Please come back before a seed of doubt sprouts within me.

He had shown certainty in front of his Royal Father, but doubt also lurked within, seeking an opening to sprout.

Squeeze.

John pressed his hand against his chest before taking out his communication device.

He was waiting for Rosalyn’s call.

* * *

That night, the night the news of the Roan Kingdom’s Magic Bomb Terror Incident reached the Breck Kingdom and the entire Western continent,

John stealthily visited his mother and father in the middle of the night.

Royal Father, Royal Mother!

It was rare to hear John’s usually calm voice sound so urgent or excited.

John?

John pulled out a communication device from his pocket, even the Queen looking at him in astonishment. The device was already off but still warm, as if it had been used moments before.

Noonim called me!

What?

R, really?

John gestured to the Chief of Staff as the king and queen asked in shock. The king quickly regained his composure and signaled someone.

Chhh-

A thorough barrier was erected around the area. John grasped the king and queen’s hands as he spoke.

Noonim called from the Roan Kingdom.

Did she really?

What about her health? Did she seem okay?

John gently clenched his hands to calm the king and queen who bombarded him with questions.

I thought she looked healthy, Royal Mother. She said she met a good friend and is in a safe place now. However,

However?

The king’s heart sank at John’s last word, while the Queen’s heart sank at John’s now serious face.

John looked at his parents and calmly continued.

However, she asked me to keep her situation a secret.

Why would she?

“She also said she would be here soon. But she is going to travel in secret.

John paused before continuing.

She also asked if the Archduke was doing well.

The king and queen exchanged glances.

They understood the emotions behind each other’s gazes.

Quietly,

Extremely stealthily,

The king’s guards left the palace and began moving.

This was the first time something like this had happened since the current king ascended the throne.

* * *

Clunk.

The carriage gently swayed. The impact was slight, likely due to the high quality of the carriage.

Rosalyn.

Hmm?

Rosalyn looked up from the document towards the person seated across from her. Choi Han was gazing at the dark night sky as he spoke.

I agreed to come because you said you needed help. But I haven’t heard any details about our plan.

Mm. I guess that’s true.

Rosalyn nodded and smiled, noticing Lock timidly observing her.

Choi Han and Lock.

She was grateful that the two of them had readily agreed to accompany her to the Breck Kingdom.

Mm.

Rosalyn organized her thoughts and continued.

First, the Breck Kingdom has one Archduke’s household. It was granted the title about 200 years ago. We are going to destroy it.

And…

I’m also going to abdicate my position as princess.

Translator’s Comments

Rosalyn truly is the sun’s rose!

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