Cosette Morin, daughter of Count Morin. The third of three children, she is the only girl among the three and also an illegitimate child. Count Morin could not marry Cosette's mother because she was a necromancer.
The Marithus Kingdom and the Senova Empire did border directly on the east of Marithus Kingdom to the south. However, in the south to the southeast of Marithus Kingdom, it borders the Garunam Kingdom, a kingdom with the Central Magic Tower of the entire Gigana Continent.
The land contested by the Senova Empire and the Marithus Kingdom was a form of peace treaty by the Garunam Kingdom during a war hundreds of years ago. The land was a forbidden area of the Garunam Kingdom which contained a human trafficking organization. So, the land was burned down by the Marithus Kingdom with bombs by the 3rd King Gladius, because the slaves sold were children kidnapped from the Marithus Kingdom. The war lasted a month with the Marithus Kingdom winning.
The alchemists and necromancers who were born as a result of the trials of human slaves by evil mages ran for their lives to the Garunam Kingdom and the Marithus Kingdom. Cosette Morin's mother is an example. The descendants of them lived until the time of King Michael, the 9th King of Gladius. Cosette Morin's mother was one of them. That's why Count Morin couldn't marry Cosette's mother because legally, the Gigana Continent considered necromancers taboo.
Hearing the Crown Prince's long explanation, Cosette Morin immediately sat down. She bowed her head to Taylor while thinking about regretting her life.
"Please forgive me, Your Higness. I do not deserve to live!" Cosette said bitterly. She tried not to make Taylor feel unhappy.
Taylor opened her mouth to say, "Hold your head up, Lady Cosette."
At the command, Cosette raised her head. She could see Taylor's handsome, kind face. The silvery hair looked soft and was neatly combed to the top of the head. His bright violet eyes contrasted with Cosette's dark violet.
Taylor was also a little surprised by Cosette's face. Compared to the gentle-looking Queen Gladias or the stern Marchioness Phellin, her first impression upon seeing Cosette's face in person was cute. She had a face that looked cute like a black rabbit with purple eyes.
Before saying anything, Taylor cleared her throat first. "Ehem ... please position yourself in an appropriate manner, Lady."
Taylor extended her hand, helping Cosette stand up politely. That woman looked a little touched, she thought she would be cornered as a descendant of a necromancer.
"I'm just amazed by your efforts as a descendant of necromancers to survive. You know, strong person is one who stays alive until the end. You're pretty strong." Taylor complimented Cosette as the woman returned his hand.
When she stood up, Taylor kissed the back of Cosette's hand in the manner of royalty. Though he was not royalty, but a member of the royal family.
"As far as I know, Count Morin is a rigid and idealistic person. Some distant relatives have long avoided him, but after you were born, you became close to your relatives. Even the relationships between your relatives became closer." Taylor spoke in a sweet tone, like sowing honey on his tongue.
He continued, "When you enter the academy and become a student council member, there are many friendship problems that you help with. Not only that, you also helped the professors of the magic department to create magic formulas."
"Cosette Morin, who are you? I mean, what do you want to become in the future?"
Cosette felt her heart stop beating. Somehow she felt like the Crown Prince in front of her was giving her two choices. It felt like if she continued to be a mage and ended up a full-fledged necromancer, she would be killed. However, if she passed on her father's title, she would be a favor to Taylor.
"I ... worked hard at the Marithus Kingdom National Academy to get into the Garunam Kingdom Magic Academy in order to remove the remnants of the necromancer in me. I want to become a normal human." Cosette said honestly.
Taylor, who heard that, nodded in understanding. "How about utilizing your abilities to mend the broken relationships of the royal family members and manage the palace within?"
Cosette who heard that became surprised. "Your Highness, I have no idea what are you talking about."
Taylor smiled. "I want you to be my future queen, Cosette Morin."
***
After years of civil war, there was finally a calm at the center. Viscount Hemlock who came out of nowhere managed to persuade the Garunam Kingdom to show a letter of land surrender to the Senova Empire, making the empire retreat. That letter contains the land ownership agreement handed over to the Marithus Kingdom as the first owner.
Viscount Hemlock was promoted to Marquis. In that time, Taylor Gladius managed to become king and proposed to Cosette Morin during his 10th term. They would later have children on their 5th year of marriage.
At the same time, Frederick married his lover, Irene Terra, a female knight in his knighthood. The wives of Taylor Gladius and Frederick Rudolf also became pregnant at the same time.
Taylor Gladius as king, visited Duchy Rudolf as an uncle, accompanied by the queen. They traveled in a horse-drawn carriage with no royal insignia. Because it was not an official visit.
Even so, Frederick welcomed his uncle happily. Especially with the queen who was his senior at the academy. Frederick was only 5 years younger than Cosette, while the gap between him and his uncle was 20 years. Yes, the meeting between Taylor and Cosette happened when Taylor was 35 years old and Cosette was 20 years old.
Gently, Frederick led the two inside. He had already prepared their rooms for them to stay for a few days and prepared lunch for them.
At the dining table, they ate solemnly. As per etiquette, no talking was allowed while eating. However, when they moved to the table to drink tea and relax, they talked quite a lot.
"Your Highness, do you know how my father has been contacting me lately? He's always grumbling 'You look too much like your uncle, you're either my son or his son. You should look like me and lalalala...' I'm tired of hearing it, really." Frederick joked a little.
Taylor replied, "Really? Hmm... should I make you my successor?"
They both laughed, followed by Irene, Frederick's wife. "Hey, don't be like that you men. Look at Her Majesty Queen Cosette looking depressed."
Due to her knightly upbringing, Irene was too humble and friendly, fortunately Taylor understood her nephew's wife. Irene still uses royal etiquette when other people are around. However, she is very free when no one around her.
Hearing Irene's words, Taylor immediately looked at his wife. However, when he saw the look on Cosette's face, Taylor's smile disappeared for a split second.
Prang!
Cosette slammed her glass down. She held her big belly. "P-pain!"
Quickly, Taylor picked up his wife. Seeing water flowing from Cosette's bottom, he realized that she was about to give birth.
"Frederick, call the healer who came with me!" Taylor called for help as he continued to carry Cosette to her room.
Irene helped him by calling the doctor in the castle. Irene was still young pregnant, so she wouldn't go into labor this close together.
Upon reaching the room, Cosette let out a loud wail. "S-sick! The smell of death is too close!"
Taylor halted his steps and continued to carry his wife to the bed. He asked in a whisper. "Honey, what do you mean?"
With difficulty, Cosette replied, "Irene Terra ... suddenly the smell of death emanated from her ... it was stronger than the late King Michael's."
Yes, Taylor's father Michael Gladius had already passed away, allowing him to ascend to the throne with ease. He was able to propose to Cosette as well because he was already king. Cosette felt safe around the king and her abilities could be used.
As a descendant of a necromancer and not a direct necromancer, she can only smell and see someone's death or misfortune. Ordinary necromancers might be able to more clearly sense it and create summon creatures from the recently dead. However, Cosette is only a descendant, not a direct necromancer, so her powers are limited. That's what allowed her to become queen and help Taylor with the relatives and take care of the affairs of the palace.
Now, she sensed the smell of death from Irene? Not misfortune but death? Of course it was a big question mark for her. However, Cosette's condition was more important.
"Your Highness, the healer is here!"
The healer and a doctor came inside. The day was filled with Taylor's murmured prayers. The day that made Taylor a father for the first time in his half-century.
Taylor and Cosette stayed there for a few months and left. Until Cosette's prophecy came true.
In the dim moonlight of a lunar eclipse, Irene breathed her last. Leaving Frederick with a newborn child, the boy was named Arthur in the hope that he would be as brave and adventurous as his mother.