“Iris, you won’t regret this?”

“I won’t, Your Highness Milan.”

“As the crown prince of Elda, I give you my word. Now, if what you said is true, I’ll have to take appropriate measures.”

“Of course.”

“You might be branded as a traitor.”

“I’m prepared.”

“Why do you go to such an extent? You could just close your eyes, or cover your ears. Didn’t you train people with potential in your territory? Aren’t you sheltering them for this exact purpose?”

“You understand me very well.”

I knew they had sent spies. Even after the peace treaty was signed, Elda didn’t trust us. They probably never would, not when the princess was like that.

As Prince Milan said, I could easily seclude myself in my territory and protect what was mine. After all, I had prepared for that much.

Yet, when it occurred to me that innocent citizens might have to bear the same pain as myself, I acted without thinking. Maybe it’s my ego. Maybe I’m being narrow-minded.

Still…

“We weren’t born to kill. Parents don’t raise their children to kill others. They just want their children to lead normal lives in a peaceful world. To get married, have children, and watch those children start their own families. To grow old before passing away while being looked after by their grandchildren. We just want to lead such a life.”

If they want to kill each other so badly, they should just do it themselves. Nobody will stop them.

Yet, to keep their hands clean, they force it upon us instead.

Oblivious to our pain and suffering, they order us to kill others. For the sake of the kingdom, they said.

—Don’t joke around!

“The people from the slums plow fields every day. I don’t want to make them drop their hoes in order to take up the swords and kill. People should live and die without realizing the weight of life. That alone is good. That alone is enough.”

They don’t need to know the weight of taking a life. They weren’t born for the sake of that.

I don’t want them to harbor any hatred.

“I’m prepared to shoulder the punishment of betraying my own kingdom. Your Highness Milan, I beg of you. The people of Paides are innocent, so I beg of you.”

“I understand. I understand, so please don’t cry.”

Prince Milan reached out to erase my tears. Before I knew it, I was crying.

Ah, so I can still cry?

“The people of Paides won’t be met with any unfairness. I promise you this.”

“Thank you.”

◇◆◇

Side: Sheila

At last, my orphanage was completed. I never thought it’d take three years when we recruited so many people.

“Now, we can finally reform the orphanages.”

I gathered as many children as I could from the orphanages in the royal capital into my own. The children were confused at first, but they soon began to look around with interest. Their curiosity must’ve been piqued.

The children explored the orphanage while having fun speaking to each other.

They seem to like it.

“Uhm, Your Majesty, does this orphanage have a library?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Children need to study, after all.”

The employees were also allowed to tour the place so that they could get acclimated with their new workplace.

“Everyone needs to work together so that the children can spend their time in peace.”

I have to wonder, though. Why do they look so confused?

Given that I chose elderly people, I was sure that they had experience parenting. Then, I asked them to treat the children of the orphanage as if they were their own.

“There’s a problem with the number of staff.”

“Are they not enough?”

“No, it’s the opposite. There are too many.”

“That shouldn’t be the case. Each child needs several caregivers.”

Why are they staring at each other? Didn’t I ask them to take care of a child during the interview? It’d be troublesome if they suddenly back off now.

“Pardon me, Your Majesty, but we’re taking care of the orphans, right?”

“Precisely.”

“They aren’t aristocrats, correct?”

“Of course not.”

Why would they be in the orphanage in the first place?

“—Your Majesty, it’s an emergency!”

Just as I was starting to feel skeptical towards the staffs, a civil official from the royal palace rushed to me, out of breath.

“Hurry and return to the royal palace.”

“What are you talking about? I’m busy with the orphanage right now.”

“Now isn’t the time for that!”

“How could you?”

Do you know how much heart and soul I’ve poured into this!?

“—It’s Elda! Elda is attacking!”

“Huh?”

“Hurry, to the royal palace—!”

“I-I understand.”

It’ll be fine. Even if Elda is attacking, they won’t reach the royal capital. To reach this place, they’d have to pass through the Lowenberg territory. Iris is there. Besides, even in the last war, the royal capital was safe.

I’m sure it’ll be okay this time, too.

I forced myself to quell my indescribable anxiety and left for the royal palace.

---

The final is coming up. Read ahead on Patreon~

***T/N: Gotta say though, this is real nice of the author. After all, it’d be hypocritical if Iris also makes people go to war despite hating war and all that.

LMAO SHEIIILAAAA DIEDIEDIEDIE

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