Even Though I Defeated the Demon Lord, My Wife and Daughter Treat Me Like Trash ~ I Found Out My Wife's Child Isn't Mine, and When I Confronted Her, She Got Mad and I Was Exiled. The Country's in Trouble Because the Demon Lord Came Back? Sorry, I'm Getting Remarried to a Princess, So I Can't Help. - Chapter 33: A Bitter Truth

Chapter 33: A Bitter Truth

Albert, his face flushed red, was about to say something when the king stepped on his foot to stop him.

“Enough. Calm down.”

“But, Father—”

“Setting an example through your actions is important. Everyone is watching how you behave. Flaunting your title without that behavior only reveals insecurity, just as Emilia said. And getting angry when called out on it only proves the point.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Albert apologized, but it was hard to tell how much he actually understood. He may have been thinking, What’s wrong with being proud of being born into royalty?

“Emilia, do you have any other complaints?”

“I do, but I’m afraid if I say too much, the prince might get upset.”

Emilia glanced briefly at Albert.

“You don’t need to worry, Emilia. I won’t let anything happen. Albert, learn to accept criticism with grace.”

“Yes, Father. Emilia, you don’t need to hold back for my sake. I’m not so narrow-minded.”

“Alright, then, I’ll be honest. Even setting aside the fact that he raised me, Mr. Van is an exceptional person. Exiling him over a personal dispute was, frankly, a foolish move for a ruler. Also, over the past year, you’ve constantly spoken ill of Mr. Van. You had an illegitimate child with someone else, didn’t raise her yourself, and then suddenly showed up acting like her father, while badmouthing the person who actually raised her. To be honest, having you as my biological father is… well, it’s the worst. And the worst part of all is how you think you’ve somehow won by complaining about him behind his back. You can’t face Mr. Van directly, so you resort to sneaky insults. Isn’t that just pathetic?”

“You—you—”

“Albert!”

“Y-Yes… Well said, Emilia. That’s my grand-daughter speaking… Hahaha…”

As the king tried to calm Albert, Emilia spoke up again.

“And one more thing.”

“What is it?”

“…This is not where I belong. I want to go home.”

“That’s not possible.”

“Then at least allow me to leave this room. I’m sorry, but it will take me time to think of Prince Albert as my father.”

“…”

“To be completely honest, I can’t even stand breathing the same air in this room.”

“Very well. I’ll have another room prepared for you.”

With a clap of his hands, the king summoned the butler, who entered the room.

The king relayed the instructions to prepare a room for Emilia.

“Thank you.”

Emilia said, not waiting for a response as she quickly left the room.

“Be glad, Albert. Your child is quite sharp.”

“Yes… it seems she’s been hiding her true self all this time…”

Albert, clearly disheartened, was consoled by the king before the conversation shifted to the real issue.

“Camilla has headed for the Demon Lord’s castle.”

Albert’s expression immediately changed.

“Surely not… for what purpose…?”

“It was after I told her I wouldn’t approve of her marriage to you. Whatever her motives, they can’t be good.”

“…I see.”

Albert appeared to be deep in thought.

But there wasn’t time to sit idly by. 

If the situation escalated to the point where the Demon Lord was resurrected, neither Albert nor the kingdom’s forces would be able to handle it alone.

“We may have no choice but to rely on Van. Of course, there’s no guarantee he’ll respond to our request… but the threat of the Demon Lord concerns all of humanity. Perhaps Van might agree to help.”

“No, that would be… difficult.”

Still concerned with his pride, are you? the king thought, feeling the urge to act out.

But he restrained his anger and spoke in a calm, reasoning tone.

“I understand how you feel, but now isn’t the time for foolish pride. If Van responds to our request and comes, you must swallow your pride and bow your head.”

“Well, about that… it’s complicated.”

“Why is that?”

“I… I’m sorry… but Van can’t come.”

Albert’s evasive words made the king realize something immediately.

“You didn’t… You didn’t use the Contract of Oath without permission, did you?”

“…I’m sorry.”

The king felt a sudden wave of dizziness, as if he were about to faint from shock. 

Despite the flush of anger rising in him, he felt utterly drained.

Unlike larger nations, the Contract of Oath was a rare and valuable asset for their kingdom.

It could even be used as collateral to secure significant loans from other countries. 

The king felt a surge of rage toward his foolish son but somehow managed to restrain himself.

“What did you vow!? Tell me now!”

“I—I declared Van’s crimes would not be announced publicly, in exchange for… for banning him from entering the kingdom! The price was each of our lives!”

“Y-YOU FOOL—!”

──By the time the king realized what he was doing, he was already choking Albert.

His son had rolled his eyes back and had lost control of his bladder.