47: Some Lives were Indeed Saved
Closing the slums, building orphanages, abolishing the death penalty…
The queen proposed various things to Parliament, to the absolute dismay of her entourage.
When she was the princess, the queen had volunteered at various orphanages and her heart bled at everything she witnessed.
By ‘everything she witnessed,’ she was referring to how the orphans had to help the staff of the orphanage from an early age, before going out to work as apprentices at the age of ten. Not only that, the children were forced to share rooms without any servants to attend to their needs. They received no education and had poor diets.
In truth, the children of the orphanage ate just like the commoners, so the queen was just being opinionated.
Thus, the queen came up with the orphanage reformation, and appealed to all the aristocrats. However, her idea was met with reluctance, even from those who wanted to turn her into a puppet for their own gain.
Of the aristocrats who had shown disapproval, some were unlucky enough to be exiled from the royal capital. Then, a certain aristocrat made a proposal.
The queen shall be the role model.
Her proposal was too sudden, so the aristocrats were overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do. Therefore, the queen should lead by example, starting with an orphanage at the royal capital.
Most likely, the aristocrats were just buying time. Yet, the queen agreed to set an example, and began the construction of an orphanage in the middle of the royal capital.
Suffice to say, even the aristocrat who made that proposal was shocked. They truly believed that the queen would use a pre-existing orphanage. Regardless, as she was using the national treasury, they didn’t care. After all, they wouldn’t suffer any direct consequences.
Of course, there were also those who understood the action might lead to serious repercussions down the road. However, they kept their mouths shut, lest they too were banished.
Soon after, the Minister of Finance was frequently seen with a pale face and a hand on his stomach, complaining of pain. A month later, he was replaced.
Then, the abolition of the death penalty came.
Depriving one’s life was simply and utterly inhumane. For that reason, the queen abolished the death penalty. As a result, the prisons became overcrowded and multiple prisoners ended up being huddled in one cell. Furthermore, the cost of food increased, causing an even heavier strain on the national treasury.
Iris made a suggestion regarding that issue.
First, an uninhabited island owned by the royal family should be used as a prison for the criminals. As a side note, food would also be cultivated there.
Some aristocrats were dismayed, calling it disrespectful, to which Iris countered with:
“Before interrupting me, why don’t you listen to the full story first? By proceeding with my plan, we can display Her Majesty the Queen’s compassion both internally and externally. Furthermore, it’ll also become a testament to Her Majesty’s wonderful reign.”
Upon hearing Iris’ words, the queen accepted her proposal.
After learning the new queen’s policies, a certain foreign country ridiculed her, “The queen’s compassion will be the end of that kingdom.” Iris was making a reference to that.
Although the aristocrats noticed the sarcasm, but the queen did not. Therefore, the aristocrats couldn’t criticize Iris’ words.
These policies would then be passed down to future generations as, ‘The Merciful Queen’s Folly,’ which was based on the evaluations of foreign countries and Iris’ comments.
◇◇◇
Side: Lou
“Hey, hasn’t the price for alcohol gone up quite a bit recently?”
“It’s not just alcohol. The prices of wheat and salt are also rising.”
“Huh? What’s with that building? The castle of some nobleman?”
“It’s the orphanage built in the name of the Queen. Aren’t they going too far with it? I don’t think it can be called an orphanage anymore.”
“Looks like they are hiring.”
“Finally, after three years, the orphanage is completed.”
“Now that you mention it, it seems that they are hiring a doctor as well.”
“A doctor? Did they forget that we’re in the capital? Why would they go out of their way to hire one when there are so many available around them? They don’t need one to begin with.”
“I can’t help but wonder about what the Queen is going to do next. Apparently, any aristocrat who dares oppose her will be banished from the capital, including her aides.”
“Will this kingdom be all right?”
“I have no idea.”
Three years had passed since the queen ascended the throne.
I was 17 years old, and my friend, Ren, had turned 15. Iris was 21 years old, while the queen was 25.
I remained by the queen’s side to gather information for Iris. Meanwhile, Ren tasked the orphans and the young from the slums to gather and manipulate sensitive information.
I was having dinner with Ren at a bar in the capital. I was also reporting on my current situation. Alcohol loosened the mouths of adults, making that the perfect place to speak and hear everyone’s true thoughts on the current national policies.
All I heard was frustration and anxiety. For now, they were still able to get by with just a few drinks, but I wondered how long would that last.
“The construction of the orphanage cost a significant amount of money.”
“I can imagine.”
Ren listened to me while stuffing his face with freshly-cooked pasta.
“According to the queen, the orphanage will employ around 100 staff members, and take in around 50 children.”
“With such an ‘orphanage’ around, why stay at home even? Don’t tell me Her Majesty will be taking in the children of aristocrats as well?”
“…The national treasury has been depleted.”
Ren stopped eating and stared at me.
“But no one cares. Those who cared have been cut off by the queen herself. I truly wonder what will become of this kingdom.”
“Lou—”
“—I loathed that name. It sounds like the name of a pet. A rich person decided to pick me up on a whim. I was named and raised just like an animal. Yet, because of that whim, I was given a chance at life, instead of being doomed to die of starvation. I detested the princess. All talk, with nothing but sympathy. She did everything purely out of self-interest. But I never resented her. At the end of the day, she’s still my benefactor.”
I still remember it well.
Her pastel pink hair shone under the sunlight. Her blue eyes were as clear as the sky. She smiled kindly at me.
“Are you okay? Could you be hungry? Why don’t you come to my house?”
As she spoke, her silvery voice was akin to the chime of a bell.
She gave me a name when I didn’t have one.
If only she were a mere commoner. If only she wasn’t born into the royal family. That way, she’d just be a kind person.
Unfortunately, she was born as the sole heir to the royal family.
In reality, the former king was supposed to find a crown prince who’d support her reign. However, before he could prepare that, the king abruptly passed away and she had no choice but to ascend the throne.
Time waits for no one.
“Lou.”
“I don’t regret siding with Lady Iris. But sometimes, I just feel hopelessly sad. Was there no other way? Couldn’t this future have been avoided? Why am I still a kid?”
If I had been born earlier, if I hadn’t been a child, there might have been a lot I could have done before she became queen.
But it’s pointless to dwell on it.
It didn’t matter whether I was an adult or a child, I was just making excuses. My relationship with the princess itself was a mistake.
“Tell Lady Iris, if something happens, I’ll be sure to take care of it.”
“…Got it.”
Perhaps, my determination was conveyed. Ren nodded firmly.
He was probably closer to me than anyone else.
The final arc is upon us. Read ahead on Patreon~
***T/N: Holding an essay competition for you guys to write how the queen, despite only wanting to do good, messed up so badly with all these new policies in a few measly paragraphs.
My heart shatters reading Lou’s side cause it’s clear what he has for the princess isn’t just ‘hate.’
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anyway the gist of it was this:
lou put it perfectly when he said sheilas personality in a commoner would make that commoner a nice person.
“If only she were a mere commoner. If only she wasn’t born into the royal family. That way, she’d just be a kind person.”
sheilas issue is that shes short sighted and self centred. while she has a kind heart it doesnt work out when she tries putting her generosity and kindness into law because she doesnt see beyond the immediate impact that serves what she wants (like abolishing the death penalty — shes taken away the deaths but now the countrys funds are being used up on prisons) and then when someone tries to give her advice opposing what she wants she sees it as them being cruel. she also is unwilling to consider perspectives she finds personally unappealing , like the orphans in orphanages that wanted to keep working and whatnot.
i also think she doesnt want to be seen as stupid, she wants to be a good and popular ruler, but she cant take “criticism” and so she surrounds herself with people that will feed into this echo chamber of her telling them things and them agreeing that yes shes absolutely correct and she gets rid of anyone that challenges that environment. thats why iris is walking a thin line here.
sheila as a ruler is best off as a puppet ruler which is sort of happening with iris and some of the aristocrats that are manipulating her with false praises into doing what they want. which almost makes her pitiful. ALMOST.. but shes so unwilling to learn that really this is the best way to manage things. if only she was a normal commoner.
djdbc posted a comment earlier lamenting how i had an essay that deleted itself but i guess that didnt post before i rewrote said essay
100 full mark!! Gorgeous essay!!
i had an essay ready and then i x-ed out the tab and forgot to press post 🙁