Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 71

I haven’t achieved any results.

When I heard the report about the Robert assassination case, the thought of crushing the Wesperman family crossed my mind.

But I barely managed to stop myself.

I couldn’t do it at that time.

Destroying the Wesperman family, the overseers of espionage, on a whim was not something I could do.

The hereditary nobility of the robe has significance in the continuity of their lineage.

The inheritance of this family’s skills and knowledge, the continuation of the relationships and ties they have built.

To discard the established spy network just to replace the overseer with another house was impossible.

But honestly, I’ve been caring less and less recently.

The Wesperman family has made too many mistakes.

It’s because Anastasia, my eldest daughter who is to succeed me, has her hopes set on Marina, the current head of the Wesperman family, that I have left it be.

The time for a change of generation is approaching, and I, Liesenlotte, am nearing the end of my duties as queen.

Thus, Anastasia should make the decisions from now on, and it’s not my place to interfere.

I’ve left the crucial peace negotiations with Virendorf primarily to Anastasia, merely providing Faust with some advice.

Everything is fine this way.

From now on, it will be Anastasia’s era, so I must step down from power so as not to get in the way.

That’s what I had been thinking until now.

Until Marina von Wesperman appeared before me in this royal palace’s rose garden, led by Faust.

Yes, I have failed.

I am filled with regret.

I should have seized the opportunity to replace this foolish woman.

“You, what are you here for?”

I muttered, my face likely twisted in anger.

Although I am usually stoic as a public figure, once I surpass my boiling point of anger, my expression changes to a smile.

My face is probably smiling very profoundly now.

I am thankful for this strange habit of mine at this moment.

Faust, unfamiliar with the royal family’s affairs, has not realized that I am furious.

“Liesenlotte, Her Majesty the Queen, you are in a splendid mood today! Today, I have assisted Sir Faust von Polydoro in investigating Lord Robert’s assassination!”

As a high-ranking noble of the robe, Marina naturally understands that my smile signifies intense anger.

Her voice is strained, and her usual martial demeanor is nowhere to be seen.

Seemingly desperate, she raises her voice and kneels, fixing her gaze on my face.

She’s got guts.

I’ll smash her head-on.

Do not underestimate this: Liesenlotte, the Anhalt Queen descends from a lineage of berserk superhumans.

I could break and tear off your neck with my bare hands if needed.

“You, what are you here for?”

I don’t want to hear Marina’s excuses.

Just spouting redundant words.

Why can’t you, the overseer of espionage, understand my affection for Faust?

The previous head of the Wesperman family could read the room a bit better.

Today, I came fully prepared.

I was dressed in my favorite open-back dress, with my proud family’s red hair well-brushed, and had bathed thoroughly with the soap Faust gave me.

Carrying the scent of chamomile, just like Faust, I came to the rose garden.

I’ll repeat it: I had planned to settle everything in this rose garden decisively.

I was supposed to cry.

I had planned to cry deeply from the bottom of my heart while remembering the deceased Robert.

With his enormous figure, Faust would have lent me his chest and comforted me.

And then, he would have spread his legs for me.

In my mind, it had already been decided.

By now, we were supposed to be in the rose garden, embroiled in something incredible.

“Your Majesty Queen Liesenlotte—excuse me, we had agreed to call you Liesenlotte simply. I believe we need the cooperation of the Wesperman family, the predecessors, for the investigation of King Consort Robert’s assassination. I would like to walk through the rose garden and ask about the circumstances at that time.”

As ever, my Faust is serious.

Chaste, innocent, pitiful, simple, and sincere.

His actions are without hesitation.

Ah, indeed, being as serious as you are, you would undoubtedly get the Wesperman family to cooperate in the investigation.

I placed my hand on my forehead and cooled the heated fervor with my somewhat cool hand.

This development was one of the possibilities I had considered.

But it’s all happening too soon.

This clueless young girl in front of me is desperately trying to create a connection for Faust, but making that possible, Anastasia is currently headed to the ducal domain—Ah, it must be Sabine.

The ousted captain of the Second Princess’s Royal Guard.

That chimpanzee is still around.

These young girls!

”Let me ask. Was it your sister Sabine who arranged this connection with Faust?”

“―Yes, that’s right.”

After some hesitation, Marianne nods.

These young girls! These young girls! These young girls!!

While outwardly smiling, inwardly, I curse incessantly.

Why do they obstruct me?

I had been genuinely looking forward to my date with Faust today.

The fruition of my and Faust’s love.

Even if the church rages, I thought the god who does not acknowledge us is wrong.

Yesterday, I reconsidered while bathing.

It’s not that God does not acknowledge us; rather, maybe He has bestowed a divine mission upon me.

God blesses me.

That’s the only way I can think of it.

Because Anastasia, Astarte, and Valiere are all conveniently not in the royal capital now.

This is a blessing from God.

God has given me the mission to pluck Faust’s first fruit!

Isn’t that obvious to anyone’s eyes!!

If I’m careless, it will be taken away.

After all, this world is determined by the survival of the fittest.

A ruler without power is nothing but harmful to the people.

Before I abdicate the throne as queen, I, Liesenlotte, the mother, will teach my daughters and nieces the harshness of this world.

This matter deserves gratitude, and it should be acknowledged as such. It’s also a fifty-fifty situation, where both parties are at fault, so forgiving one’s daughter or niece is the right thing to do.

In the first place, compared to those who committed incest with their sons, as mentioned in Genesis, this is a trivial matter.

What’s wrong with eating the meat presented right in front of you?!

What’s wrong with being involved with my daughter’s fiancé!

My thoughts could be more cohesive, and they continue to run wildly.

Of course, I keep smiling while spouting lies from my mouth.

“Indeed, what Faust says is sensible. But that aside, regarding today’s inspection of the rose garden, it should initially be just Faust and me—”

I speak of implementing the original plan in the rose garden to partake in the wine of victory by removing the fig leaves named ‘Faust’s embarrassment’ one by one.

“Liesenlotte, that’s not good. It won’t be an inspection but a pointless stroll instead. We should discuss the situation with the three of us first.”

Faust is so serious.

But what I really want to inspect is your body!!

“I think so too!”

Marina raises her voice here, truly unable to read the room.

Shut up, you little girl!

Go die with your head stuck in a whale’s ass!

While I curse her in my mind, I ponder.

What should I do?

How can I crush this annoying little girl?

Indeed, I can’t just forcefully make her disappear.

At least, not in front of Faust.

The force with which I clench my back teeth naturally intensifies.

Think, Liesenlotte.

Is there no way, no method at all?

“Liesenlotte. Give me your hand.”

Faust steps forward and takes my hand.

—Unlike my cold hand, his is rough with calluses from swords and spears, emanating warmth.

Huh, it crosses my mind about Robert.

This hand was the cause.

However, Robert’s hands were callused from hoes, swollen from agriculture and gardening.

My heart painfully tightens as if shrinking.

It becomes unbearably sad.

This one knight, Faust, in every one of his actions, reminds me of Robert.

They do not look alike.

Though Robert was tall and muscular, he certainly did not possess a body of steel like Faust.

What makes Robert and Faust resemble each other is just one thing.

The presence that exists there is like the sun.

I have once lost my sun.

But now, I am trying to possess it again.

I firmly grasp Faust’s hand in return.

“For now, let’s walk through the rose garden together. Hand in hand, please introduce me to the rose garden that King Consort Robert dedicated to Liesenlotte.”

“…Yes.”

I have no choice but to nod.

For now, I must give up on today.

While there are still smoking thoughts within me, it will suffice to walk hand in hand today.

I was almost coming to terms with it.

How Robert, when he was still a page boy, smiled at me as he outlined the yet-to-be-completed rose garden and explained what it would become.

Unlike the other pages, he had no malice or schemes towards me, a queen candidate, as he drew lines in the dirt with a stick.

He was truly happy from the bottom of his heart as he explained the rose garden to me.

Yes, I remember every single word.

Here is the central rose garden, where a garden table will be placed, and from there, a 100-meter path lined with roses—a walking trail to be created.

He was truly smiling happily.

Ah, truly.

“Why did he have to die, Robert?”

“…Let’s re-examine that now.”

“Faust, I want to share my heart with you again.”

Our fingers intertwined so they wouldn’t part, and we continued our conversation.

“I’m not seeking a resolution to this incident, although, of course, it would be better if it were resolved. It’s been five years. I want peace of mind. I want to say that I’ve done everything possible.”

“I understand.”

Faust begins to walk.

He instructs Marina to follow behind him with a word.

As Marina hurriedly stands up and follows, we step forward into the rose garden.

“I will devote myself as a knight and a fanatic, conducting as thorough an investigation as possible so that Her Majesty’s regrets may at least vanish. So that you may feel satisfied that everything that could be done has been done.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Faust is a slow man.

He doesn’t even notice the strong affection from Anastasia.

He sees Astarte merely as a lecherous beast obsessed with buttocks.

As for my affection, it is likely beyond his imagination.

But that clueless nature in matters of love was just endearing to me.

No choice. Let’s compromise for now.

“Marina, for now, I will listen to your story. You may leave after you finish talking about all the information handover and your role.”

Today, I just couldn’t bring myself to embrace Faust.

Let’s leave it for another time.

For now, let’s let Faust and Marina do as they think.

Let’s uphold the dignity of the Wesperman family.

Honestly, I’d like to annihilate their clan.

“Ah, thank you. This month, as Lord Polydoro’s limbs, the entire Wesperman family will undertake the reinvestigation!!”

Marina’s brisk voice.

Annoyingly so.

If Faust weren’t here, I would have already twisted her neck and made her a toy.

Even as an Elector, I must remain a lady before the man I love.

I look up at the sky.

Is Robert watching over me from heaven now?

No longer is there night, nor do I need the light of a lamp or the sun.

At that place illuminated by God, is he watching over me?

If he is watching, I hope my genuine desire is fulfilled.

To push down Faust in the rose garden you created and do something incredible after five years.

Freed from the public role of a queen and from daughters who feel no subtle respect for their mother, I will liberate everything after five years.

If I think you’re watching from heaven, that thought can excite me from the sense of transgression.

Even bland, salt-only bread would taste delicious.

So, keep watching over me, Robert.

While holding hands, we enter the rose garden.

I lead Faust through, surveying the entrance to the rose garden.

I recalled the taste of my first kiss with Robert in the rose garden on our date.