Night Talk 3

Translator: Cinder Translations

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Prince Jassim looked at his eldest son, his gaze containing a certain undeniable force, causing Gerd to involuntarily respond, "Yes, Father."

"If the Northwest Bay could stand on our side, it would be an important resource and a great support for us."

Gerd shook his head and said, "Father, I believe it's not the right time to discuss this given the current situation in the kingdom…"

"Our King…" The prince ignored his son and continued, "Fainted during today's court meeting; his health has…"

At this point, the prince shook his head, as he was speaking of his own brother.

Gerd was shocked. "Your Majesty, he…"

Prince Jassim continued, "In his youth, he loved adventure and traveled around the continent as an adventurer. This experience gave him rich insights, exceptional courage, and love from distant lands, but it also left him with hidden injuries that drained his vitality, causing various illnesses to flare up now, in what should be his golden age for politics… Fortunately, he has a promising daughter. But whether it's a blessing or a curse, my dear niece, your beloved sister, may cause some trouble for the succession of the throne."

"Father!" Realizing what the prince was about to say, Gerd's breathing became somewhat hurried.

"Recently, there's been a disturbing clamor among the nobility of Crystal Glare; some want Catherine to inherit the throne." At this point, a sinister look crossed the prince's face.

"It's absurd! A woman ruling a country? What are they thinking? Even the merciful Father above would not forgive such behavior—shameful, degenerate, they should go to hell."

Gerd's facial muscles stiffened as he said, "I believe Catherine has no such thoughts; she simply wishes for this country to be better. She… is very traditional in her beliefs."

"Oh, of course!" Prince Jassim suddenly changed his tone, becoming gentle. "I also believe in my lovely niece; she has always been charming since childhood, hasn't she? But…"

The prince's tone sharpened slightly, "What about the people around her? Those who depend on her, those who bind their futures to her—wouldn't they hope their loyal subject could advance to touch power that shouldn't be touched? If successful, these people could rise along with her, gaining titles and wealth; who would complain about that? Yes, Catherine may not have such intentions, but she cannot prevent her subordinates from harboring such thoughts. Human hearts are hard to gauge; if her subordinates truly reach a consensus in this regard, perhaps Catherine's own thoughts would be the least significant."

"Sigh!" Gerd sighed softly.

Prince Jassim leaned closer to his eldest son and gently patted his back. "The king's health is deteriorating day by day. We must plan ahead and guard against certain foolish individuals acting recklessly. We certainly do not want to see extreme situations arise, but if they do, we must face them. Let's not forget, there is an entire knight order loyal to Catherine."

"So now it's most important to strengthen our position; the Northwest Bay is a crucial card. You need to hold onto it tightly."

Gerd said with much hesitation, "Father, if… if the throne really falls into our hands, I hope you can treat Catherine and Eileen kindly. They are, after all, your nieces, bearing the blood of the Rodney family."

"Oh, of course." Prince Jassim answered readily, "Regardless, Catherine and Eileen are noble princesses of the Aldor Kingdom. To treat them harshly would be a disgrace to the entire Rodney family. Once everything settles down, we will find them worthy husbands to match their status and hold a grand wedding."

"I hope everything goes smoothly," Gerd said with some melancholy.

"Everything will go smoothly, my brother." Yuriko placed his hand on his brother's shoulder.

---

Inside the king's chamber, the candles flickered uncertainly, swaying in the gentle breeze, just like the life of its owner.

Catherine, Eileen, and their mother kept vigil by the king's bed, worry etched on the faces of the three women.

"Father!" Eileen exclaimed as she noticed the king's eyelids move slightly.

The queen and Catherine immediately leaned closer to the king, examining his face.

Indeed, after a while, the king struggled to open his eyes, and the three women wept for joy.

"My dear, you and Eileen go outside for a while; I have something to discuss privately with Catherine." The king spoke his first words after waking.

The queen said worriedly, "You need to rest now."

"Don't worry, it's just a few words; I won't tire myself out."

"Alright, Eileen, let's go for now." The queen led the still puzzled Eileen out of the bedroom.

"Father." After their mother and sister left, Catherine leaned closer to the king, who appeared very weak, making his words somewhat unclear.

"Catherine, my daughter, tell me, do you want to be king?"

"I…" Catherine never expected the king would ask her this.

"The ruler of the Aldor Kingdom is you, Father."

"Ha ha." The king managed a faint laugh, "Just look at me now; if a body as weak as mine were to rule the country, it would be a disaster."

Catherine couldn't help but start to sob.

"Don't cry, my daughter." The king tried to lift his hand to wipe away the tears on his daughter's face but failed, ultimately giving up.

"Tell me, do you want to be king? If you do, I can still manage it now… I assure you, I have no reservations; I will use any means…"

"No, my father…" Catherine knew that at such a moment, her father didn't wish to hear comforting words. Suppressing her inner grief, she gritted her teeth and said.

"I have never thought of this; all my positivity and efforts have been to assist you in governing this country. But I'm sorry, I still haven't managed…"

As she spoke, she suddenly couldn't contain her tears, and they gushed forth, forcing her to cover her face with both hands.

"It's not your fault, my daughter. The kingdom's problems have persisted for over a hundred years and cannot be changed in just one or two generations. You will always be my pride, and so will your sister. You are the most precious gifts the Father above has given me, far surpassing the crown on my head."

The king recalled the moments of his daughter's growth. After entering middle age, when Catherine began to understand things, his health started to decline, and his energy waned. He originally wanted to realize his ambitions, but his body held him back. His clever and understanding eldest daughter began to learn various knowledge to assist him and gradually grew capable of taking charge.

However, regarding Catherine saying she didn't want to be king, the king had no doubt at all. On one hand, he trusted his daughter's honesty in front of him; on the other hand, he also knew that his daughter was somewhat conservative in certain aspects—of course, it was hard to say if there had been female kings in Aldor's history.

"Father." With tears in her eyes, Catherine spoke with unwavering determination, "No matter who you designate as your successor, I will assist him just as I assisted you, protecting the country you left behind."

"Alright, my daughter. In that case, what do you think of your cousin Gerd?"

"Gerd… he would be a good candidate for the throne, but bypassing Uncle Jassim like this—wouldn't that…"

"Can't wait any longer… cough cough."

"Can't wait any longer?" Catherine was very confused.

"Yes," the king confirmed. "Since Gerd went to the Northwest Bay and brought back those things, combined with some things I've vaguely sensed over the past few years, I feel that certain changes seem to be quietly happening in the land northwest of the kingdom."

"However, new things brought about by change often conflict with the old. With my intellect, I still cannot deduce how it will develop next. If the change can happen gently, nurturing everything like a drizzle, avoiding the intensification of the contradictions between the old and the new, it could become a good remedy for the kingdom's current predicament. But if the change trends toward a violent storm, causing the contradictions between the old and the new to erupt, it could become the poison that sends the kingdom to its final demise."

The king's words made Catherine frown. Was her father talking about the Northwest Bay?

"The kingdom needs a leader with a broad vision, someone who is open-minded and at least not resistant to new things. This quality is exactly what young men like Gerd possess. After his trip to the Northwest Bay, he brought us pleasing results, and his attitude toward new things particularly reassures me, confirming that he has the qualities I expect. As for your uncle… he's grown old, his thinking has become rigid, filled with outdated ideas, and he will naturally stand on the side of the old. The outcome is predictable."

"Catherine…"

The daughter understood her father's meaning and grasped his hand.

"I hope you can work together with your brother, guiding and utilizing the upcoming changes wisely, mitigating the turmoil they bring, directing them toward beneficial development for the kingdom, and harmonizing the contradictions between the old and the new, allowing the country of Aldor to transition smoothly."

"I will, Father, I swear."

Catherine earnestly promised the king.

(End of the Chapter)

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