I Became King by Following My Little Sister's Advice. Now the Princess I Forced to Marry Is Giving Me Death Stares, What Should I Do? - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Negotiating with Prince Lott (Little Sister Doing It)

Van Arlengs defeated the Zelos army led by Prince Lott of Zelos.

Lott, the commander-in-chief, was captured and brought to the royal castle. Later, Van was to meet Lott face-to-face.

“…”

“…It’s been a while, Crown Prince Lott.”

“…Yes, it has, King Van.”

The two met again in a room in the palace of the Kingdom of Arlengs. 

Despite being a prisoner, Lott was a prince and thus was not placed in a cell but rather stayed in a guest room under guard.

“How are you feeling? Is there anything you need?”

“…Are you mocking me? You have quite a persistent nature.”

Lott responded sarcastically without rising from the chair, his androgynous beauty and fiery red hair standing out. 

Although glaring at Van from his chair, today he was dressed differently than before. 

Lott wore a scarlet dress and heeled shoes.

Van later learned that Lott’s full name was “Charlotte Zelos.” 

As the first prince of the Kingdom of Zelos, Charlotte was first in line for the throne. 

The Kingdom of Zelos followed the principle of primogeniture, where the firstborn child, regardless of gender, inherited the throne. 

Anyone with a claim to the throne was referred to as “prince” and not “princess” unless they renounced their claim. 

Lott, being a woman, was no exception and had been chosen as the crown prince.

“Of course, I don’t feel well. Do you know how many days it’s been since you captured me and kept me confined? When will I be able to return to my country?”

It had already been two weeks since Lott was captured. 

There had been no discussion of Lott’s release, and she felt like a bird in a cage.

“You must be negotiating with my country about my release. What exactly are you demanding from Zelos?”

Lott glared at Van with fiery eyes, practically spitting out the words.

The fact that she hadn’t been executed outright meant that Arlengs was likely making some demands in exchange for her release. 

Being kept alive by someone she despised filled Lott with intense humiliation.

“Is it a ransom? Or perhaps territorial concessions? I’m very curious to know what a usurper like you is asking for. Please, do enlighten me.”

“Unfortunately, negotiations with the Kingdom of Zelos have been terminated, Prince Charlotte.”

“And you are…?”

Lott frowned. 

A girl with black hair stepped forward from behind Van—it was Moa, Van’s sister, consort, and advisor.

“Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Moa, the third consort of King Van.”

“Consort Moa. What do you mean by saying the negotiations have been terminated?”

“Prince Charlotte, it means that you have already been abandoned by the Kingdom of Zelos.”

“…”

Lott’s expression turned bitter. 

From the look on her face, it seemed she might have anticipated this possibility.

“Let me explain step by step… Recently, the Zelos army invaded our country and was defeated by my brother here.”

“…I know that already. That’s why I’m a prisoner now.”

“After that, except for a few commanders, the Zelos army retreated to their homeland… only to be annihilated at the border by their own forces.”

“What… What are you saying!?”

This unexpected news made Lott stand up, her voice rising in shock.

“My soldiers were annihilated? By the Zelos forces? That can’t be!”

“We investigated, and it was Prince Siegott’s forces, the second prince of Zelos, who ambushed your returning soldiers. It seems they were waiting for you to finish your campaign.”

“…!”

Lott gasped. 

The ambush was led by her brother, Prince Siegott Zelos, the second in line for the throne. 

With Lott out of the way, Siegott’s path to the throne would be clear, giving him a strong motive.

“Just because they were my soldiers… They were our own troops, our own citizens! No prince would commit such a heinous act…”

“Do you really believe that? Deep down?”

“…!”

Lott’s beautiful face twisted with anger at Moa’s pointed question. 

Beautiful people often look even more imposing when angry, and Van, standing behind Moa, trembled slightly at the sight.

“You can’t, can you? We know that political strife has been happening in the Kingdom of Zelos for the past year. Your position as the crown prince has been quite precarious, hasn’t it?”

Meanwhile, Moa maintained a fixed smile.

Her youthful face was hard to read, which only increased Lott’s frustration.

“You knew… about the internal situation in my country…!”

“Why wouldn’t we know? It’s predictable that a defeated royal would lose support.”

Moa spoke as if it were obvious. 

She was knowledgeable about history, both in this world and the one she previously lived in. 

Learning history is almost like predicting the future. 

By studying the past and referencing numerous examples, one can foresee potential future events.

“A year ago, Prince Charlotte, you were defeated by the Kingdom of Aidron at the Battle of Roicardan Plains. This loss weakened your once-certain claim to the throne, causing other princes to make their moves. Your invasion of our country was likely an attempt to restore your honor, wasn’t it?”

“How dare you say that! It’s because of your brother…!”

“The war a year ago was instigated by the crown prince of the Kingdom of Aidron. My brother did only what was necessary as a soldier. Isn’t it unreasonable to blame him for that?”

How could anyone blame a soldier for bravely fighting on the battlefield?

The one who should take responsibility is the commander, the crown prince of Aidron, and he has already faced the executioner. 

Van bears no responsibility in this matter. Moa strongly asserted this reasoning.

“With that in mind… what do you plan to do next?”

She smiled at Lott, speaking as if discussing the flowers in a garden, with a bright and cheerful tone.

“If things stay as they are, you will lose everything. You will never return to your homeland, you won’t be able to take revenge on your traitorous brother, and the lives of those you care about in the Zelos palace will also be at risk. Am I wrong?”

“…!”

Lott’s mouth opened and closed in shock. 

How much did she know? 

Did this black-haired girl even know her Achilles’ heel?

“Now, let’s negotiate.”

Her smile was sweet, but to Lott, it seemed as if a devil was offering him a wicked deal.