“Three years after the Queen ascended the throne, things are finally starting to stink.”

The people’s dissatisfaction was ever-growing. Taxes continued to rise without any consideration.

“Lou claimed that the Queen never worked in the office. According to her, ‘That’s a man’s job, not a woman’s.’ She seemed to think the queen’s responsibility was no different than that of a noble lady.”

Duke Yanei was acting in the queen’s place. By giving free rein to such a greedy and ambitious man, she was basically shooting herself in the foot. Of course, anyone who could’ve advised her against such had already been banished.

There were no decent people left in the royal palace.

“Also, there was the revolution in Crete.”

“Didn’t that happen at the second half of last year? The kingdom’s aristocrats embezzled the national treasury, leading to mass death from starvation. The dissatisfaction sparked a riot, and in the end, the people took up arms and overthrew the royal family.”

Since the civil war only ended recently, Crete had yet to settle down. Nevertheless, from what I heard, they had abolished the hereditary nature of the royal family. They shifted to a democratic system where the next ruler was elected from among the people.

“I did some research, it seems some of our people were inspired by them.”

Although public dissatisfaction was increasing, it hadn’t yet reached the level of causing riots. Moreover, because of the social hierarchy of the kingdom, those of the lower class were afraid of opposing the royalty and nobility. In fact, that was the reason why despite their awful state of disarray, Crete didn’t immediately erupt into riots.

“Could it be, the exiled aristocrats…?”

“Indeed. At this rate, we’ll suffer the same fate as Crete. The banishment will sow discord and dissatisfaction. Those who were exiled are inciting the people, even leaking information to other countries.”

I’d rather hand over the authority of the kingdom to another country than let the queen do whatever she wanted.

If we became a vassal state, would that country leave our kingdom be?

Although they may have personal grudges, they’d probably act with the country in mind.

However, there was no knowing how they’d treat the people of Paides.

“We have no choice but to rely on other countries. How pathetic is that?”

The long-awaited peace that arrived after the war was about to be lost because of their so-called attempts to protect it.

How ironic.

“—By the way, even worse news.”

“There has hardly been any good news since the Queen ascended the throne.”

How much worse could it get?

Apparently, the Duke of Yanei family made a fortune by smuggling and trading weapons. If another war were to happen, their weapons would fly off the shelves. There was also a rumor that he secretly sold weapons to Elda as well. However, due to lack of evidence, the former king couldn’t punish the duke, and his arsenal of weapons wasn’t confiscated.

That’s probably why they want their relationship to remain amicable.

“Apparently, preparations to wage war against Elda have begun.”

“Did the Queen say that?”

“There’s no way to know. But recently, in the royal palace, Her Majesty has been lamenting about how Elda is monopolizing the magic ores, blaming them for the tax increase and inflation.”

Does she intend to direct the people’s dissatisfaction towards Elda?

Someone must’ve planted that thought in her head. After all, the queen was incapable of doing anything on her own.

Complaints about the rising prices and taxes probably reached her, and she went to Duke Yanei to ask for explanation. The duke must’ve blamed Elda, taking advantage of her prejudice against that kingdom. The queen would then paint Elda as the villain and follow up by waging a war against them for the sake of justice.

To the queen, the sacrifices made for the sake of justice were just numbers—a tool to condemn Elda.

I stared at the invitation that was addressed to me.

It was an invitation to the queen’s tea party.

“Are you going to participate?”

“I am.”

“Then, let’s get ready.”

“Of course.”

---

The final arc is upon us. Read ahead on Patreon~

***T/N: …Wait, a tea party!? We aren’t going to unalive her!? //hide all her weapons back//

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