Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 66

Not enough money.

Not enough time.

Government affairs are a pain.

Essentially, these are the three points.

“Queen Liesenlotte, your decision on the next issue is required.”

“Again?”

Within the confines of the political affairs office, nestled in a chamber of the royal castle, I — Liesenlotte by name — aired my grievances.

Standing beside the desk was a select, young, upper-class bureaucrat from among the officials.

I’m sleep-deprived.

The three points I’ve mentioned earlier have been causing me recent sleep deprivation and stress.

Firstly, there’s no money.

It’s causing problems with this year’s budget.

Our Kingdom of Anhalt does possess silver mines within its domain and is wealthy.

However, we’ve run into some budgetary issues with recent matters.

“Regarding Caroline’s insurrection, Lord Polydoro’s proposal for a decadal payment plan presents no issue.

“The peace talks with Virendorf bear great significance.”

Lord Faust von Polydoro, due to instigating the “Polydoro’s Geas Incident,” refused to accept his reward, but that’s a separate matter.

Rewards for achievements, punishments for crimes.

For this achievement, it’s impossible not to give a substantial reward.

Moreover, the royal family hasn’t suffered any loss this time.

The only benefit of Lord Polydoro’s appeal is that the royal family gained military rights over the nomads.

As a result, I rejected Faust’s offer and promised a substantial reward this time.

This year’s budget for the Kingdom of Anhalt is clearly overspent.

“I hope this is something more palatable for my stomach.”

“It’s a very kind story, Queen Liesenlotte. It’s about the disposal of those fools.”

“Ah.”

“Enter,” I command.

The one who entered through the door was the herald who recorded every word of Faust’s appeal.

She has a rare memory that matches all the nobles’ names and faces in the Kingdom of Anhalt.

I had one job for her.

To distinguish between “what’s needed” and “what’s not.”

“May Queen Liesenlotte be in a fine mood.”

“Flattery is unnecessary. Hand over the list. Bring it directly.”

“Yes.”

While interlocking my fingers on the desk.

I sighed in relief, finally seeing a case that could alleviate my stress.

Looking over the list handed to me.

“So, these are the “unnecessary” ones.”

“Shall we crush the entire house, or just the individual?”

The senior bureaucrat standing beside me raised her voice, seemingly a bit too eagerly.

“The entire house is fine. There’s no need for detailed consideration. It’s the fault of the house that made such a fool their head.”

“Understood. Should the Vesperman family handle the execution?”

“No, there’s no need to kill them. Dealing with corpses is a hassle.”

We’re neither bandits nor an assassination group.

Moreover, those to be crushed this time are the noble clerics, not the lord knights.

There’s no need for operatives.

Just crush them straightforwardly.

“I order by royal decree. All the houses on this “unnecessary” list will be stripped of their peerage. Make them all renounce it.”

“And if they refuse?”

“Ah, there might be some hopeless fools among them. Well, just smash their faces against a wall and break all their teeth, and they’ll nod in agreement, whether they like it or not. As for their life afterward, I don’t care.”

Without reading the names on the “unnecessary” list, I signed it offhand.

With this, the disposal of a dozen noble clerics is decided.

From here on, their families will become commoners.

Whether they manage to scrape by or starve to death is not my concern.

There was no need for relief measures.

They insulted Lord Faust von Polydoro, a hero of national salvation.

Their incompetence was a crime worthy of death.

Not beheading them on the spot was already a kindness, thought Liesenlotte.

“Will this save the budget?”

“Honestly, saving the salary of a dozen lower-ranked noble clerics won’t make a big difference. Though, if viewed over a span of several decades, it would be effective. However, a few years from now, we must make all 30 members of Princess Anastasia’s personal guard hereditary nobles.”

“Right, there was that. But that should already be accounted for in the budget, shouldn’t it? That’s enough for now. You’ve done well this time. I’ll remember your efforts.”

You may leave.

I command the competent herald who has performed her duties well.

If only everyone were as capable as her, I wouldn’t have to worry so much.

The herald bows gracefully and exits the room.

The sound of the door closing.

“I’m sleepy. May I take a rest?”

“It seems you have aged.”

“What would a youngster who has just found a husband know?”

I jest.

I don’t dislike this young, standing bureaucrat beside me.

Because she’s capable.

That was the best comfort for the current Liesenlotte.

I was utterly fed up with the incompetence of fools.

“If Robert were alive. Embracing a husband for just one night would have chased away any sleepiness.”

I let out a grumble, bordering on indecency.

“Shall I send a clever page to your bedroom?”

“No need. Now that Robert is dead, no one could replace him—”

“What about Lord Faust von Polydoro?”

I’m at a loss for words.

Lord Faust von Polydoro, huh?

That leaves me speechless.

My love for Robert was undoubtedly real.

But he’s gone.

Murdered.

He passed away alone in the rose garden five years ago.

The cause remains unknown.

Not arsenic or any other poison.

Silver didn’t react.

There were no external injuries.

Just a pale corpse lying there.

I requested the Vesperman family to investigate, but nothing came of it.

No results were found.

At that moment, I almost killed the former head of the Vesperman family myself.

It’s been five years.

The investigation has passed on to Marina’s generation but continues with the Vesperman family’s honor at stake.

But it’s likely hopeless now.

I should give up.

The investigation should be abandoned.

The current Kingdom of Anhalt can’t afford to waste precious budget and manpower on continuing it.

Faust’s plea and Geas.

Because of them, the country annihilated a northern nomadic tribe.

And—though I still find it hard to believe—

According to Faust, an invasion from the nomadic nation at the far east will likely occur within seven years.

We must devise a countermeasure against them.

But…

“Ah, it’s frustrating. Who killed Robert?”

I recall the image of Valiere, then 9 years old, clinging to the coffin and crying.

Everyone was crying.

He was a man loved by all.

Truly loved by everyone.

He was like the sun.

Even those who mocked his looks, deep down, held him dear.

Many, other than myself, mourned and lamented as if mad.

Most of them were lower-ranked noble clerics.

My husband, Robert, took on all complaints and appeals against my governance.

He never troubled me with anything.

If there truly were those in dire straits, he would cut from his own stipend, provide jobs and sustenance, and help them.

Everyone offered their cooperation to find the murderer of Robert.

I too exhausted all means at my disposal.

But still, we found nothing.

Ah.

“It’s too late now. There’s no way the culprit will be found. I’ll terminate the investigation into Robert’s assassination.”

“Queen Liesenlotte, I’ve thought of something.”

“What is it?”

Thinking about Robert makes me feel like crying. I relax my interlocked fingers on the desk, responding to the bureaucrat’s voice.

“Why don’t we ask Lord Faust von Polydoro to search for the culprit?”

“Why would that be?”

I don’t understand the reasoning. Why does Faust’s name come up here? Faust is not an operative. Though I was honestly surprised by the brilliance of his intellect in speech and military matters during the Geas incident, it doesn’t change the fact that he embodies the concept of “martial prowess” to an extreme. Investigating an assassination just doesn’t suit him.

“To be frank, I’d like Lord Polydoro to stay in the capital for a while longer. I’ve heard he’s already preparing to return home. I understand the peasants, but I especially want to keep Lord Polydoro here.”

“Hmm, for sorting out relationships?”

“Yes.”

It seems my impromptu suggestion hit the mark.

“Thanks to Lord Faust von Polydoro’s plea and Geas, everyone has come to know his character. That incident, along with Princess Anastasia and Duchess Astarte, unveiled the knightly virtues of Lord Polydoro that were shrouded in secrecy.”

“So, there will be more nobles wanting to tie bonds with Lord Polydoro. His territory will likely see a surge of envoys.”

“Yes. Basically, I see no issue. The engagement with Princess Valiere has already eliminated the possibility of any interference in marriage from the side. However, the bureaucratic corps is perplexed. To what extent should we allow Lord Polydoro’s relationships with other nobles to deepen? Depending on the circumstances, we may have to intervene. Please give us some time to decide.”

Power balance. The nobility, already united under the First Princess’ faction, won’t crumble.

I, too, generally see no problem. But the previous Lord Marianne von Polydoro was treated as a madman due to her actions, cutting off all bonds with surrounding nobles. I honestly want to improve that situation, which is why I approved the marriage with Valiere.

However, strengthening the ties with the superhuman Lord Polydoro and unifying the lord knights could pose a problem for the royalty.

What should Liesenlotte, as a public figure, do? I’ve thought about it a bit.

“To be honest, it’s a hassle. And by detaining Faust, I’ll just end up being disliked again.”

“That’s the queen’s job. Besides, isn’t it good?”

“What’s good?”

What’s so good about actions that would make Faust dislike me? I’ve already been forced to interrupt his return to his territory for peace negotiations and made him work outside his military duties.

He’s probably full of desires to return to his lands.

“Why not take a holiday around here? We, the bureaucrats, will handle everything except for the settlements. In the meantime, Queen Liesenlotte could take a stroll in the rose garden with Lord Polydoro.”

“What are you thinking?”

“What, I believe I understand Your Majesty’s heart. The First Princess and the Duchess are occupied with the military reorganization. Though military rights were temporarily transferred from the lord knights for the nomad countermeasures, how will you unify and reorganize the command structure? Both are preoccupied with these issues. Now is your chance!”

What chance? I want to ask, but I understood what she meant.

Anastasia and Astarte are not around.

If I miss this brief period, there might never be another chance for me and Faust to share a bed.

“But how do we keep Lord Polydoro here? Robert’s death has nothing to do with him. He might just say, ‘I have nothing to do with this’ and get really angry this time.”

“You have the right to be angry with him for the incident of Caroline’s rebellion where he went against the royal command, and also for stealing the roses.”

“I see.”

There’s the issue of going against the royal command and the matter of stealing the roses that Robert cherished.

Combining these, indeed, could lend some persuasive power to involve him in the investigation of Robert’s assassination.

He stole the roses of my deceased husband, cooperating in resolving my last regret shouldn’t invite divine punishment.

Faust would probably choose to repay his debt to me.

“Men and women walking alone in a rose garden is not unusual. I’ll ensure the area is cleared in advance. Anything could happen.”

“You’re really capable.”

Everything is perfectly arranged. But there’s one problem. I still love Robert.

“I love Robert. I’ve sworn my chastity to my deceased husband. Do you doubt my love for him?”

“Then you’re saying you’ll stop?”

“Don’t be silly! That’s a different matter entirely!”

Sorry, Robert. I truly love you. But you left me by dying.

It’s been lonely continuing to sleep alone for five years. I was really lonely.

I hope you can bless me from heaven as I try to live a little in a new love.

“If you’re going to do it, just say so from the start.”

The bureaucrat murmurs with an indifferent face. She’s got quite the character.

“What’s Lord Polydoro doing now?”

“As I mentioned earlier, he’s probably preparing to return to his estate in the lower mansion.”

“Understood. You’re a truly wicked woman, enjoying pushing people into corners.”

I’ll call Faust now. And let him spend some time with me. I wish to share a bed with him.

In my deceased husband’s rose garden, amidst the strong scent of damask, it might be nice to push Faust down as I’m lost in memories.

Of course, it’s impossible to physically overpower Faust, even for another superhuman. However, Faust, despite his large frame, is naive, innocent, and kind-hearted. If I cling to him, crying for a memory of one night, he might open up to me.

I might be able to take his virginity before Anastasia and Astarte.

Just the thought excites me, much like when I first saw Robert as a page 18 years ago, my heart leaps.

“Not bad at all, really not bad.”

“Then, I’ll send a messenger to Lord Faust von Polydoro, the second princess’ advisor, at the lower mansion. Is that alright?”

“Let’s do that.”

Ah, I’m truly looking forward to it.

Queen Liesenlotte of the Kingdom of Anhalt’s expression collapsed disgracefully and indecently over the desk in the office of political affairs.