Chapter 66 [part 2] (1/2)
Chapter 66 [part 2]
(2)
TN: Gong is a title.
Kwiz was overflowing with enthusiasm for the upcoming coronation. From the crack of dawn till late at night, he was continuously working on something, painting the image of himself governing the kingdom.
He called his noble supporters, discussed with them, and gathered the opinion of officials. He also did not forget to hold a small banquet to benefit his relationship with the nobles and to strengthen the loyalty of the knights.
Even when he was alone, he was engrossed in thought and unaware of the passage of time. There were a few influential figures that Kwiz payed particular attention to but the representative figure was the Duke of Taran. He held onto Hugo tenaciously and didn’t let him go, both publicly and privately.
Hugo had lunch with Kwiz if he had nothing special to do. Within this, it was also included to discuss for a while after the meal.
“I heard the Duchess is in the Capital, when did one arrive?” (Kwiz)
“It has been a while.” (Hugo)
“Hoh. Why do I keep hearing news about Gong from someone else’s mouth? Don’t we see often?”
“Do I need to inform Your Majesty with news about my wife?”
Kwiz was currently at the stage of receiving the nobility’s request to ascend the throne but refusing according to customs. So, he was not crowned yet, but was treated as a king.
“Although one is Gong’s wife, one is also my sister. One should come to the palace sometime. I should at least know the face of my sister.”
“Since one became my wife before being known by Your Majesty as a sister, one should be treated as the Duchess.”
It was a roundabout refusal. Hugo had no intention of letting his wife meet the King in a private unofficial meeting. Kwiz was a very experienced politician. He was especially excellent in acting like a honest person that didn’t hide their feelings. Rather than being proficient in telling lies, his was a talent that hid little things under a majority of truths. His innocent wife could not deal with a jaded politician.
Hugo was yet to trust Kwiz. He did not believe Kwiz completely. He had taken a step back but he had also made it clear that he would not turn away unless he was stabbed in the back first.
The clever Kwiz could understand Hugo’s meaning. Their relationship wasn’t that of one-sided obedience but that of an alliance. But Kwiz wanted to draw closer to the distancing mentality of the other. Kwiz was checking to see if he could tackle the Duchess rather than the Duke of Taran that had no gap in his defenses. But Hugo had easily seen through Kwiz’s intentions.
When Hugo was asking his wife one thing or the other in order to get her to say her childhood name, he became aware of her loneliness. Her expression when she recollected the memories about her mother was vague as if she was dreaming. Not long ago, she was shocked to hear about her father’s death and fell very ill.
She was missing her family. If Kwiz were to assert family affection and claim that he would become a reliable brother, her heart would be swayed. If his wife were to form affection towards her brother, she couldn’t help but to be exploited. Just like Hugo was used by the late Duke.
There was no sincere relationship between those that had power in the royal family and even between those outside the royal family. Hugo wished for her not to know anything rather than wake up to the cold reality.
“Gong is too heartless. What does one have planned for the afternoon? There are some issues I would like to exchange views on with Gong.”
Hugo knew that Kwiz would cleanly withdraw on the matter.
“If it is not urgent, I will hear it next time. I already informed you several times that I will be returning early in the afternoon today.”
There was a mountain of work that Hugo was unable to finish from the territory. He couldn’t ignore other things and stick to matters concerning the throne.
“Is that so.”
Kwiz smacked his lips, feigning ignorance.
“Then, how about a drink tomorrow night?”
Kwiz first made a proposal that Hugo couldn’t help but refuse then finally, he brought out what he really wanted. Although Hugo knew Kwiz’s clever trick, he acted like he couldn’t resist and gave in. In any case, if one holds hands with the king, it was better to get along.
“Day after tomorrow is okay.”
“Day after tomorrow, huh. That is good too. But, does Gong have days set for drinking? One doesn’t know why one day is good and the other isn’t.”
Well, that was because tomorrow night was the fifth day and next tomorrow was day after the fifth. It was Hugo’s standard for setting up his evening schedules, although no one knew.
On the way back, Hugo came across the Queen, Beth. David was together with the Queen. Beth was on the way to send off her visiting brother after a pleasant chat.
Hugo gave his greetings and tried to pass by but Beth spoke to him.
“It has been a long time, Gong. Are you returning from seeing His Majesty?”
“Yes. It has been a long time since I offered my greetings. Your Royal Highness.” (1)