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Chapter 89
Suspicious Talent (1)
Rebus’s eyes showed not only displeasure but a faint trace of curiosity—perhaps because he hadn’t expected such blatant flattery. Diana continued speaking calmly.
“I do not possess the intelligence and sharpness that Your Excellency has, and I had no idea what to do. I did not know how to gain the favor of the distinguished people of the Kingdom of Rodbrooke, nor how to behave toward them.”
“…….”
“Would Your Excellency teach me? What should I have done at that time?”
That was a question Rebus could not answer. Diana Brien’s position was at its worst, and he, too, was displeased. Whatever she had done, it would have been useless.
“Still, is it really right to act by throwing money around like that?”
“I see you don’t know. In that case, perhaps I would have received no favor there at all.”
“You should have tried other efforts.”
Diana smiled bitterly. This was how Rebus always was—mocking her for a lack of effort and will. Perhaps it seemed that way. Diana, unable even to properly fulfill her role as queen, must have appeared pathetic to him.
However, in Panborough, Diana had managed her household quite well, both in her past life and now. That was because her father had fully acknowledged her, and her status had been recognized by everyone.
But here, who was there to acknowledge her? Her status was not even recognized. And yet, she was being told not to even make such efforts? Even her own subordinates’ loyalty was uncertain. Every step she took felt like walking on thin ice.
Words are easy.
“Will you always throw money around to gain favor?”
“Unfortunately, I do not intend to. The budget is not that large.”
“How much is that!”
Rebus raised his voice. Diana narrowed her eyes and glared at him.
“Your Excellency! Do you realize how rude it is to yell at me like this?”
“…….”
For a moment, he fell silent at the sharpness of Diana’s voice. Seeing him made her angry, but she held back her frustration and spoke.
“I am not your subordinate! If you wish to criticize my extravagance, do so formally at the Council of Nobles. I will explain how I intend to manage this budget properly.”
“…….”
“You should apologize for your rudeness. Am I your subordinate administrator? How dare you come here and raise your voice as if scolding someone beneath you?”
He was truly someone she disliked. Previously, she had blamed it on Princess Levian, but Rebus got angry at her, saying, “Aren’t you the queen?” Of course, Diana acknowledged her own responsibility then. Princess Levian must have messed up the budget, but even so, he unfairly blamed Diana, leaving a lingering resentment.
“I apologize.”
“Huh?”
Diana was surprised to see Rebus suddenly bow. Was he really groveling? Just like that? She had never received an apology like this before. Was it really that easy for him to apologize?
“I have been so troubled by the holes in the royal budget that I must have briefly lost focus.”
“…….”
“I was rude.”
He continued bowing. Diana clicked her tongue—she disliked seeing such groveling apologies. She knew well it wasn’t sincere. Still, she decided to accept the apology.
“Since you apologize like that……”
“Why would you accept an apology!”
Princess Kragel shouted angrily.
“How dare a mere chancellor make such outrageous remarks to Her Majesty the Queen!”
Princess Kragel’s shouting made Rebus flinch.
“I am truly sorry. It is my fault.”
Diana stopped Princess Kragel. The situation could worsen. Kragel was raging uncontrollably.
“You mocked Her Majesty the Queen. How dare you criticize her in front of me just because of a few coins of budget! Should Her Majesty the King’s consort be humiliated by noblewomen?”
She shouted loudly. Her words were well-spoken, but since when had this woman been loyal to her… Diana felt a vague sense of foreboding.
“I realize my brief judgment and actions have caused displeasure to Her Majesty the Queen.”
Rebus stepped back. Kragel huffed. Diana held Kragel’s shoulder.
“The apology has been made, so it’s enough. Stop it.”
“Do you forgive me?”
Rebus asked, eyes shining. Diana nodded. She could not argue, as he had already apologized. Perhaps he intended this outcome. Even if he had, with the chancellor bowing so deeply, she could say nothing further. It was a perfect apology.
“You worried about the royal budget, so I cannot be angry at your concern for the country.”
Diana sighed. At that moment, Rebus placed a hand on his chest and said:
“Ah, I am relieved. Her Majesty the Queen shares the same concern as I do. May I understand that you worry about the same things?”
“Eh? Yes……”
What? Something feels off. Diana saw the glint in Rebus’s eyes—a predator’s gaze locking onto prey. He exaggeratedly raised the corners of his mouth.
“Ah, now I understand that Her Majesty the Queen intends to finally intervene in royal matters. I did not realize! I have wronged the Queen.”
“Just knowing is enough.”
Princess Kragel replied haughtily. Why was she answering now? And what did “intend to intervene” even mean?
“Traditionally, the allocation of the palace budget has been the Queen’s responsibility. I intended to manage it, but I am already overwhelmed handling the kingdom’s taxes, so I could not pay attention to it.”
“……Wait. I only want to save my own budget.”
“The country is overrun with monsters, and I struggle to prevent taxes from leaking. Please, Her Majesty, assist. I will no longer interfere with the Queen’s expenses.”
I knew it. Diana narrowed her eyes at Rebus, who was mocking cleverly.
You did not handle the Queen’s duties, and I was forced to take them on. You have the right to comment on the budget you spend—but apparently, Princess Kragel didn’t notice.
“Be grateful for Her Majesty the Queen’s generosity.”
Diana wanted to silence Kragel. She held her shoulder firmly, but Kragel’s eyes shone—her gaze said, Trust me.
“Then, understood. I will have the palace treasurer visit here immediately.”
“Wait, I……”
“Yes. If you respect the Queen, should this not have been arranged immediately upon her ascension?”
Please, please, be quiet. At Kragel’s words, Rebus lowered his head, trying not to laugh.
“Thank you for rebuking my foolish thoughts, Her Majesty.”
“…….”
“I shall now return to reflect upon my faults.”
Diana stared at the ceiling. Kragel’s eyes sparkled as she spoke to Diana:
“Usually, a lady-in-waiting expresses anger on behalf of her master, but this is rather interesting.”
“…….”
“Ah, I feel relieved now.”
“…….”
“And now that the Queen has authority over the budget, please raise my salary.”
Ah, she’s not as oblivious as I thought! Diana almost swore. This is a world where one can get one’s throat cut even with eyes open. In the end, Diana had to take on the work.
The next day…
“Y-Your Majesty, what are you doing?”
Princess Levian was surprised to see Diana working with documents. Diana hadn’t wished for this herself.
“I am managing the palace budget, Princess.”
Princess Kragel spoke proudly.
“But I—I offered to help…”
“The chancellor appointed her directly, what choice is there?”
Kragel sighed and shook her head. Diana focused on the documents as if hearing nothing.
Strangely, her calm demeanor was not out of place—it suited her too well. Kragel found it astonishing, and Princess Levian trembled.
No, this woman shouldn’t hold the “money strings.” Why is she suddenly acting up? She glared at Diana. She wanted to do something with the documents, but with Kragel present, she could not.
Soon, she reconsidered. What could she do? Could she even read the documents? How complex is the palace? How well could she do without knowledge of it?
Diana knew that she had intentionally given Levian the wrong dress code, but she never blamed her even once.
Her silence was terrifying.
But she could not do nothing. She had to interfere. Nervously, she bit her lip. Diana Brien made her anxious.
Reading and taking notes looked natural. Her relaxed demeanor suggested familiarity, and the questions she asked were clearly not ignorant.
Though their fates were intertwined negatively, why was she so uneasy? When Levian met Diana’s calm gaze, she felt a chilling foreboding. She had to drive her out. Sarubia Levian’s heart pounded.
