Queen Sheila’s first parliament.

A parliament was a place for discussing a country’s policies and solutions to current affairs. For that purpose, the ruler had to be equipped with the necessary information and knowledge in advance.

Therefore, it could be said that everything that’d be discussed during a parliamentary session would have been settled ahead of time, unless it were something urgent.

“…Closure of the slums?”

That day, Ignaz was supposed to lead the council as the queen acclimated herself to the atmosphere and methods of the council. At the same time, Ignaz was also serve as the queen’s spokesperson.

But suddenly, the queen proposed the closure of the slums.

The aristocrats of the council, including Ignaz, were rendered speechless.

I wasn’t too shocked as I had already heard it from Lou, but everyone else was too stunned to react.

“If the slums were suddenly closed down, public safety in the capital might deteriorate.”

Regaining his composure, Ignaz rebuked her mildly, but the queen’s response was immediate.

“Isn’t that why we have knights?”

“—If I may.”

Graniza, the captain of the Royal Guards, who was standing behind the queen, took a step forward and spoke.

“Certainly, it is a knight’s role to maintain public order in the capital and protect the weak. Still, I recommend that Her Majesty refrain from being the reason for the decline in security.”

“I’m not trying to worsen the security. The slums shouldn’t have existed to begin with. Look around you; everyone is working and paying taxes to sustain their livelihoods. We’re contributing to making our country a better place. Why should those of the slum be an exception? I don’t endorse special treatment of any kind.”

Graniza was left shocked while the rest of the aristocrats scoffed at the words of the naïve princess.

“—I agree with Her Majesty’s opinion. Her Majesty truly cares about the country. Surely, as she has just taken over the position of queen, she must be filled with anxiety, yet her attitude is nothing but admirable. As feeble as I am, I swear to do my utmost for Her Majesty’s reign.”

Oh, there it is.

Some would be more than eager to entertain the foolish queen’s whims regardless of the repercussions. After all, as long as they got to fatten their purses, the decline of security or the fate of the people were of no concern to them.

Therefore, to improve the queen’s standing, that particular noble swoop in to express his approval. The queen nodded along, seemingly in a jovial mood.

Upon seeing that, shrewd nobles immediately followed suit.

Only those with common sense remained silent, watching the situation unfold. As they didn’t know what kind of individual the queen was, they were carefully trying to avoid a misstep.

If any of us disobeyed the queen and were stripped of our rights to participate in parliament, who’d be there to help or prevent the inexperienced queen from enacting absurd policies?

“If we close down the slums, what will happen to the people who live there? They won’t be able to find a place to live or work right away.”

I’d been waiting for Ignaz to say that.

“Lowenberg will take them in.”

“The duchess?”

Ignaz must’ve perceived a distinct kind of fear, different from the fear experienced by soldiers who ran on the battlefield.

“As you know, our territory still bears the scars of war, so we need manpower to rebuild it. However, I’m ashamed to admit that we lack the funds to cover maintenance for everything. Therefore, it’d be helpful if we could receive a small subsidy or support from the government.”

“I see.” Ignaz seemed ready to reconsider, but the queen shot it down. “We can’t do that.”

Nobody wanted to draw the poor lottery.

The aristocrats who wanted to impose the burden on my territory so they wouldn’t have to deal with them turned their gazes to the queen all at once.

“Would you please tell me the reason?”

I already know why, though.

“You were abusing orphans, weren’t you?”

“That is unfounded. Your Majesty the Queen, please refrain from making such vilifying comments.”

“Are you saying that I’m lying? It’s just a matter of time until I get my hands on evidence!”

“There’s none because it never happened in the first place. Or does Her Majesty judge others without proper evidence?”

“Tch—!”

Of course, she could say nothing back. Otherwise, it’d be akin to saying there was no meaning behind the court of law.

As foolish as she was, the queen seemed to understand that she shouldn’t make an enemy of the judiciary.

“Do you intend to exploit those of the slums so you can profit off them? That’s called human trafficking.”

And here I was wondering what she was going to say.

“But I’m simply following the state’s obligations? You were the one who directed that they should live like the rest of us. Life is not free, but I also can’t let them starve to death, not after they are being left nowhere to go after having their homes taken from them. Of course, I’m not asking you to cover all of their expenses.”

“I agree with the duchess.”

“Me too.”

“Me too.”

“Me too.”

Until a few seconds ago, they were desperately trying to butter the queen up, but this time they were agreeing with me. Nobody wanted to shelter those from the slums in their territory.

“I see. I’d like to confirm the number residents from the slums and discuss the amount to pay you at a later date.”

“Understood.”

---

***T/N: It was as catastrophic as I expected.

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