NOVEL NEXT 0. Prologue
On a round table, two steaming cups of red tea, a vase filled with meticulously arranged beautiful flowers, and a young man and woman sitting opposite each other. Edwin Tride and Cordelia Mayor Rochester. They were both renowned figures in the capital, but considering they had no previous connections, it was not difficult to guess that this meeting was arranged for the sake of uniting their families. The nanny of the only princess of the Rochester royal family, Mrs. Lament, watched the scene with a worried heart.
***
All of this started a few months ago with a power struggle between the upper and lower houses of parliament.
“Nowadays, it seems many are approaching the crown prince.”
A wind of freedom, advocating liberation from ruling power and the strength of capital, swept through the land. Most royal families lost much of their unrestricted power.
In the land where the monarch’s power had faded, new opportunities arose constantly. Industrialization brought about new business forms, and new modes of transportation drastically reduced travel times compared to walking or using carriages.
“Why is it such a big deal just because someone has a slightly handsome face?”
While the world was changing, the Rochester royal family maintained its existence by selling an image of a harmonious royal family, even though they had lost some power. The royal family’s appearance contributed greatly to this image.
“When beautiful people meet, their children turn out splendidly too.”
The crown prince inherited fair skin and a pure appearance from the queen, while the princess inherited bold features and a bright smile from the king. Princess Cordelia, in particular, was nicknamed “Freesia Princess” because of her dazzling blonde hair.
“It’s not just because of their looks. There are still many who support the royal family. Isn’t that the case this time as well?”
One member of the lower house sighed, pointing to the front page of a weekly magazine that mentioned a slip of the tongue by Ronald Neville, the secretary of Crown Prince Lawrence and the head of the Neville County.
[Immersed in vulgar capitalism, the lower house plotting against the people]
[Monarchy is the most perfect political system]
The parliament was in turmoil. The lower house members shouted that the upper house, no different from the traditional aristocracy, knew nothing about reality. They also demanded the dismissal of Count Neville, claiming that if not, it could be assumed that Crown Prince Lawrence shared the same views.
“This is our chance to completely crush the Neville County’s spirit!”
Of course, the lower house hid their malice behind their arguments, wanting to take down the Neville County, which had been loyal to the royal family for a long time. The royal family, the upper house, and the lower house continued their ongoing conflicts.
Meanwhile, the weekly magazine recalled the time when the neighboring country, Limor, went through a transitional period. It mentioned that the Rochester royal family had supported Limor’s monarchy with an enormous amount of money, but Limor eventually chose a republic, leaving Rochester with nothing. Additionally, it was reported that the recent consideration of additional tax collection by the royal family was to cover the financial difficulties caused by not reducing their spending despite a decrease in royal assets. This led to criticism of the royal family’s outdated nature.
The world is changing, but the royal family is not. What is the value of their existence today? Such sentiments shook the foundation of the royal family.
Due to Count Neville’s gaffe, Crown Prince Lawrence faced severe criticism for not managing his subordinates properly. However, as time passed, public opinion shifted slightly. The shadow cast over the handsome face of the crown prince gained sympathy as it was reported in the media.
“I understand why the lower house is angry.”
Lawrence acknowledged his heavy responsibility to resolve this mess and apologized for not managing his subordinates properly in parliament. However, he insisted that the Neville County had been loyal to the royal family for a long time, and it was unreasonable to dismiss them without giving them a chance to reflect.
“The royal family recognizes that both the upper and lower houses are members of parliament and does not look down on or condescend to the common people.”
The lower house members did not believe the crown prince. The fact that he brought along people who could spread rumors and journalists made it clear that his purpose was to apologize.
However, the public, accustomed to the royal family, began to sympathize with the crown prince, who was being cornered even after his personal apology. The love for the royal family was close to inertia.
“But there isn’t a single commoner in the royal family, is there? We cannot believe your sincerity, so prove it.”
It was maddening not being able to criticize the people for their ignorance or to retreat without a solution. Eventually, the speaker of the lower house countered, saying that he could not find any sincerity in the crown prince’s words.
Then the upper house members jumped in, claiming that the royal family had already compromised enough. The stalemate continued, with neither side willing to concede.
“Cordelia is going to marry Edwin Tride, a commoner! The king has approved it!”
The royal family must not lose. But this situation couldn’t continue either. Cordelia’s skewed marriage began amid this unyielding conflict.
***
Even the constant mention of the issue was tiring. It wasn’t good news, and the longer the incident dragged on, the greater the public’s discontent with the current system. This could bring about the worst future for the Rochester royal family.
“Who am I marrying?”
It was unexpected that the victim of this would be Princess Cordelia.
Mrs. Lament clearly remembered the commotion in the princess’s palace about a week ago. The queen and crown prince brought news that made Cordelia gasp in shock.
“You’re saying I should marry a commoner?”
The decision was made that through the marriage between Princess Cordelia and the commoner Edwin Tride, the royal family would prove that they did not look down on the majority commoner lower house and regarded them as political partners.
In return, the Tride family would provide financial support to ensure the royal family maintained financial stability without additional tax collection.
At that moment, Mrs. Lament had to urgently support Cordelia, who was about to collapse in shock. The servants had been sent out to prevent gossip, so Mrs. Lament was the only one to support Cordelia.
“Why me? Why doesn’t my brother marry a commoner and prove it? Tell the Parkert family to provide the funds!”
Cordelia trembled with indignation and shouted, and the queen tried to soothe her daughter with a troubled expression. Lawrence’s face was also marked with embarrassment.
“I’m sorry, Cordelia. But I’ve been engaged to Lady Parkert for years, and I can’t abandon her out of human decency.”
Lawrence carefully explained, and Cordelia cried like a child.
Cordelia had been showered with endless affection from the king and queen since she wasn’t the heir. The lack of a proper betrothal for Cordelia until now was also due to that love. But who could have predicted that the same love would hold her back?
“Is that all? Is that really the only way?”
Cordelia clung to the queen and the crown prince, desperately seeking any other solution.
“You know, Cordelia, we are royalty, and we have a duty to resolve national turmoil as quickly as possible.”
But the response was that this was the only way and she just had to accept it.
“Besides, Aaron Tride is the wealthiest man in Rochester. His eldest son, Edwin Tride, will inherit everything.”
Of course, this was no consolation to Cordelia. After all, Edwin Tride was a commoner who had already experienced the death of his first wife.
“This is ridiculous. Isn’t that right, Mrs. Lament?”
Cordelia cried so sorrowfully that her beautiful face looked swollen like a puffy loaf of bread the next day. It was only natural. For Cordelia, this marriage was akin to losing her honor.
“…….”
And now, about a week later, Aaron Tride sent his son Edwin to the palace to proceed with the marriage. It was the first meeting between the soon-to-be couple, and under normal circumstances, it would have been a somewhat exciting event.
But for Mrs. Lament, it was an uneasy situation.
Cordelia had cried bitterly over this marriage just days ago, and Edwin Tride’s commoner status hadn’t changed.
“Make sure Cordelia doesn’t do anything foolish during the meeting, Mrs. Lament.”
The queen, equally concerned, had given Mrs. Lament special instructions. Mrs. Lament, remembering the queen’s orders, was tense like a porcupine with its quills raised.
Under the warm sunlight streaming into the glass greenhouse, Cordelia’s golden hair glistened sweetly like honey. And Cordelia…
“…is smiling?”
Despite her prim expression, she was indeed smiling. Mrs. Lament mumbled in disbelief at the sight.
Smiling? Really? She couldn’t believe her eyes.
“If you marry Edwin, giving him a title won’t be difficult, Cordelia.”
Indeed, if Edwin Tride received a title, Cordelia wouldn’t have to step down completely. Even so, Mrs. Lament hadn’t expected Cordelia to smile without any negative feelings. She had cried so bitterly, after all.
“How pleasant.”
But there she was, smiling.
Mrs. Lament was bewildered, feeling as if she were experiencing cognitive dissonance. Cordelia still smiled as Mrs. Lament had witnessed, and Edwin, sitting opposite her, also had a gentle smile.
“Ah.”
Mrs. Lament let out a small exclamation. Having raised Cordelia closely all her life, Mrs. Lament realized why Cordelia was smiling when she made eye contact with Edwin Tride.
Edwin Tride.
He was a man with a poignant story about joining the navy and fighting pirates, only to miss his first wife’s deathbed because of illness. But he was famous for a different reason.
“Quite the beauty.”
After losing his first wife and returning alone, he became the talk of the capital, an enchanting figure like summer greenery. Despite the advances and winks from numerous ladies, he remained an impeccable gentleman…
“Wouldn’t it have been better if you had married the second prince of Milton when you had the chance?”
The queen had once told Cordelia, who had vehemently opposed the idea, preferring only beautiful things.
“The second prince is ugly, ugly!”
“My goodness, child!”
Indeed, the reputation was well-deserved.