Kidnapped By The Crazy Duke - Chapter 57

“Your Majesty, the United Kingdom of Medea has informed us that it is not possible to provide any more troops because of the high number of casualties on the North Front. I think it’s a sign that Medea is going to break up the alliance with us and the Western Union.”

 

Sitting on a glamorous sofa in the Imperial Palace Conference Hall, the Progen emperor, Meyer III, smiled as he stroked his chin at the foreign minister’s words.

 

Previously, the Progen Empire, the United Kingdom of Medea, and the Duchy of Julius had formed a coalition alliance in terms of offering their advantages and cooperation. The allies of the three countries had also joined the war, sending troops and supporting supplies as allied forces.

 

“This is what I had expected since they didn’t respond to my order for the wanted traitor.” (*wanted traitor= Noah)

 

The emperor, who was speaking, put down the crystal glass filled with brandy. The Brigadier General of the Operational Staff present at the meeting coughed several times before continuing his words.

 

“Now that the Queen has covered Noah Rothsilde, it is safe to assume that she has turned her back on Progen.”

 

“She must think that young man got something great. Because all the plans and secrets of this place must have been leaked by Noah Rothsilde, who betrayed his motherland.”

 

The emperor sneered boldly. The Brigadier general pointed to a map on the wall and began to explain.

 

‘Currently, we are seeing Belford’s attempts to embrace the surrounding federal states and neutrals. The main focus is on the states that have broken the peace agreement with Plogen.

 

“It’s all because Mark Rothsilde did something useless. It was a place to conquer anyway but he wanted a peace treaty.”

 

Emperor Meyer expressed his displeasure, recalling Noah’s grandfather, former Prime Minister Mark Rothsilde, who also served as chancellor of the empire, once used his superior international diplomatic skills to forge numerous alliances, treaties, and negotiated relationships that resulted in peace agreements.

 

His successful alliances with powerful countries p, including Medea, were later regarded as a historic achievement that united the Progen Empire.

 

After his accession to the throne, however, Meyer III began his relentless ousting, removing and leaving behind many of the ministers and military commanders who had spoken of peace. Peace was the most unhelpful element in his militaristic politics, a policy centered on force and subjugation.

 

Mark’s son, former agent Noel Rothsilde (Noah’s father), also had a history of secretly hiding and sending the remaining Esatians who opposed his genocidal policies to the Medea territory, the Cynthia Empire.

 

The emperor, who was reminiscing, let out an unpleasant “tsk”. Crown Prince Sebastian, who had been sitting quietly in the hall, cautiously opened his mouth. Although he did not express it outwardly, he had great respect for Noel Rothsilde.

 

“Your Majesty, it was an attempt to prevent the whole world against us, Progen, and I think it was for the good of the country. A powerful empire broke international law and committed genocide against a weak national tribe……..”

 

The emperor’s face contorted viciously and a loud, angry shout erupted.

 

“Shut up, you incompetent! You are still as short thinking as ever. If you are overwhelmed with strong military might and force, any action you take will be replaced by awe and authority. Helplessness and meekness are the reasons for being dominated. Irrationality is another word for truth.”

 

The emperor considered the crown prince useless because he was weak.

 

The war between the two empires had now reached a lull in which a favorable armistice could be negotiated, and Meyer III had the far-reaching goal of acquiring the Beria Peninsula, occupying the continent of Guiana, and rising to the top of the world.

 

The madness of the war madman, who could not forget the pleasure of victory achieved with blood and iron, despite the fact that he had already exhausted much of his national strength, was something that could not be stopped.

 

“If things continue as they are, it is highly likely that all the countries in the order of their neutrality will turn against us.”

 

The emperor, roused, rose to his feet and struck the Crown Prince on the face. The ministers and generals in the conference hall all went silent in unison. There was a chill in the room.

 

The angry emperor’s eyes were bloodshot.

 

“Are you against your father’s words? I don’t need the opinions of those incompetents who have failed to achieve any accomplishments or results.”

 

The Crown Prince patted his swollen cheek, recalling the words of the former Duke of Noel Rothsilde, which he had heard as a child.

 

“Crown Prince. It is up to you to decide whether you will remain a war criminal or become a great man who has achieved peace. Isn’t it a little horrifying that our children will have to live in a war-tainted world for the rest of their lives? When you have children, you will understand.”

 

Sebastian didn’t know it at the time, but as an adult, after he married, and when the Crown Princess became pregnant, it was when the Duke’s words were more deeply felt. A deep crease on the brow of Emperor Meyer as he gazed at his own son.

 

Rather, if Noah Rothsilde had been his son, he would have taken Beria Peninsula long ago. Noah was his favorite of all the Rothsildes.

 

Thinking of Noah, whom he had thought a perfect leader with his competence and emotionlessness, the emperor, who had an unpleasant expression on his face, opened his mouth again.

 

“Keep in mind that all of this is a fine diplomatic move.”

 

“…… It’s ruthless violence, it is nothing but a crime.”

 

“I am administering that violence appropriately. Only a world that works under the leadership of a powerful nation that shows off its strength is the way to achieve complete peace.”

 

“….”

 

“The Emperor’s will is the will of the Empire, and I’m sure the Crown Prince will understand in the future.”

 

One of the ministers agreed with the emperor’s words and the Crown Prince’s face turned white.

 

‘What should I do, General Rothsilde? My father went mad with war and even took advantage of your death. Everyone in Progen has gone crazy.’

 

After the emperor faked the murder of the Duke and Duchess of Rothsilde as an accident, he declared war using their deaths, claiming that it was the work of Belford’s federal kingdom of Elvia.

 

The Belford issued a general mobilization decree to help the kingdom, while Progen issued a notification that they intended to regard this as a war between two empires. The couple’s deaths became the catalyst for a world war that has continued to this day.

 

The emperor smiled happily as he sat down again, leaning back comfortably on the sofa.

 

“Let the war planning begin. Our next opponent will be Medea. We will have to rest for a while for that. I will accept negotiations with Belford up to paragraph 5 so that we can reach a cease-fire agreement.”

 

At 7:00 a.m. on February 23, Belford and Progen, the two empires entered into a truce.

 

***

 

Logan Field Square, where I went with two men, was in a festive mood.

 

The streets were filled with people and flags and a city march commemorating the victory of the Western Alliance Confederates and the cease-fire.

 

Colorful confetti scattered about as the military band’s marching music echoed joyously. Fashionably dressed men and women across the square’s large fountain, soldiers in military uniforms danced with the ladies.

 

“Lady, would you like to dance?”

 

Daniel bowed toward me and escorted me like a gentleman. Of course Noah would not remain silent.

 

“Diana has decided to dance only with me. It’s a non-aggression pact that no one can violate.”

 

“There’s no such thing as that.”

 

“Here we go.”

 

I was already tired of their fierce battle. I was left with a blank look on my face, sandwiched between the two men, my hands clutched in their hands.

 

“We should just hold hands like this and dance together, the three of us.”

 

The two men glanced at each other, uncomfortable at my nonchalant suggestion. A big cat and a kitten seemed to be facing each other and growling.

 

“Oh my, you look like a married couple. Your little boy is really cute.”

 

A middle-aged woman who was selling white flowers approached and smiled as she looked at Daniel. She looked kind, with a hood on her head and an apron. She handed Daniel a basket of flowers.

 

“Boy, your mother will be pleased if you give them to her.”

 

“How much are they?”

 

“I’ll just give them to you. It’s a good day.”

 

I quickly waved my hand and pulled out my coin purse.

 

“No, I will pay the price.”

 

“Because it made me think of the old days. When my husband, who was a soldier, was alive, he went out like this with our son. I give it to you because I feel happy that the war is finally over.”

 

I felt sad to see the sad smile on the woman’s face. It was not the end of the war with a peace agreement, but an armistice. This was just a brief moment of peace.

 

If the history that flows is similar to the world I lived in, we will not see the end of this war until the next generation.

 

“Thank you.”

 

A woman with a basket full of flowers smiled kindly at Daniel’s cute greeting and got up from her seat. Daniel, who had offered the flowers to me, has a reddened, embarrassed look on his face. The way his nose wrinkled when he smiled was beautiful.

 

“Please take it.”

 

Why is he so cute? I can smile like a beaming mother, even though I don’t like children very much.

 

“Thank you, Young Master.

 

Daniel was embarrassed as he rubbed his pitch black hair. Noah opened his eyes wide when he saw me kiss Daniel’s red cheek.

 

He quickly approached the woman selling flowers and seemed to be talking about something, but then handed her money and brought the basket of flowers from her.

 

Noah, who was looking at Daniel with a look of triumph, handed the basket of flowers to me and chuckled.

 

“Hurry up and do it to me, too.”

 

“This is too much! Thank you. But, why are you so fast?”

 

He gave me an expectant look and pointed to his cheek with his finger. Does he want me to kiss him?

 

“Kiss me as many flowers as I gave you.”

 

I don’t even know how many there were. Noah nodded his head in satisfaction as I lightly kissed him on the lips instead of his cheek.

 

“That should do it for the units.”

 

Noah gave Daniel a “you can’t beat me, little boy” look, and Daniel snorted snidely.

 

We made our way to a restaurant in the center of the plaza. Daniel, even at his young age, not only ate alone, but his dining manners were impeccable.

 

He used the cutlery in the correct order and wrapped his napkin neatly around himself. The way he tapped on the glass with a spoon to call the employees showed that he was a noble young master.

 

“Give me a glass of warm milk. One sugar cube, please.”

 

It was an educated and polite tone. I thought he was a wonder child, both mature and childlike.

 

I asked Daniel.

 

“Young Master, did you ask me out on a date because I look like the Duchess?”

 

“I have long vowed to marry someone like my mother. Diana is the most beautiful person in the world because my mother is no longer in this world.”

 

He was only 6 years old now so when did he make that vow? And I was just amazed at how he could make such a good comment.

 

Noah, holding his wine glass, said with a grim look on his face.

 

“You’re too late. She’s already engaged to me.”

 

“You don’t know until you walk down the aisle.”

 

“Where did you learn to say that? Kids these days don’t know.”

 

While I thought Noah’s childhood was even worse than that one, he continued.

 

“We were promised to marry before she was born.”

 

“Before she was born?”

 

“Yes. I got Diana before she was born. So give it up like a man.”

 

Daniel bit his lips.

 

“I’m confident I can do better than that. I will give you flowers and kiss you every day.”

 

“Diana already likes me. Also, she has to wait 10 years to marry you, isn’t it too much? Listen to me if you want a car.”

 

I couldn’t believe he would try to capitalize on a six year old child. I was taken aback, as if he were trying to force me to leave him while handing me a check.

 

“Then, let’s be friends, Diana.”

 

What? Did he give up on me right away because Noah said he would give him a car? It was a little disappointing that he changed  his mind so easily.

 

I asked, pretending to be sad, as six-year-old Daniel smiled sadly at the material temptation.

 

“Oh, Young Master. Did you give up on me because of the car?”

 

“No, not at all! Let’s start with being friends.”

 

“Hahaha, just kidding. That’s fine.”

 

“Be friends with me, Diana.”

 

Noah, elbows on the table, interlocked our fingers, looked displeased. Daniel and Noah looked at each other silently, exchanging a piquant glance.

 

“Brother, it’s okay to have a friend, right?”

 

“Brother what, I’m 24 years old. There’s not much age difference with your father.”

 

“My father does not speak rudely like brother.”

 

They were still bickering.

 

When we entered the café Noah had mentioned earlier, the female employee really broke all the serving cups as soon as she saw us.

 

The employee mumbled with a disappointed look on her face, then put away the broken cups and quickly brought the new ones.

 

Daniel, who was sipping warm milk tea, held my finger and gave me a gentle rabbit-like expression.

 

“I think I’ll stay at the Tempshire Palace for a while. My father is stopping by the palace next week.”

 

He stopped speaking and lowered his head sadly.

 

“My father hasn’t wanted to see me since my mother died. He seems to hate me. When he comes next week, I’ll try to sneak a look at him.”

 

“That can’t be true. How can he hate you when you are so kind and gentle? He will be pleased to see you.”

 

Daniel’s long eyelashes raised my words. A wistful glint in his red eyes, a look that at the age of six already knew sorrow.

 

“I will take you to see the Duke of Hessen.”

 

For some reason, Noah, Daniel’s rival, willingly offered to help Daniel.