After 3 days -
In the morning royal court,
The King: "Explain your actions, Crown Prince Albart."
Crown Prince: "I acted impulsively, Your Majesty. I await your judgment."
Me: "Your Majesty, the Nalthis soldiers behaved unlawfully. They attempted to apprehend us without any cause. Your Highness, the Crown Prince merely defended us."
The King: "He could have just disarmed them, captured them, or beaten them somewhat, but why kill them thoroughly? Not only did he kill them, but he also burned them to a crisp! He was there as a regular adventurer. If those soldiers had known you were members of the royal family, they wouldn't have acted inappropriately."
Me: "That's the problem, Your Majesty! They acted unscrupulously towards our kingdom's adventurers. They arrested them and tortured them without any cause. As their guardians, we should seek justice for them."
The King: "The Nalthis kingdom is always finding an excuse to wage war against us. If we demand justice now, they will inevitably resort to war."
Me: "Then we should respond accordingly. We will fight and teach them the might of a sleeping dragon."
The King: "How insolent! Princess, do you understand the devastating consequences of war upon a kingdom? How it renders the lives of the common people miserable?"
Me: "Your Majesty, let us not engage in conflict near our borders. Instead, we shall mobilize our army and advance upon their kingdom. By taking the initiative, we will demonstrate our strength and prevent them from perceiving us as vulnerable."
The King: "Princess Alexandra, your confidence is notable. Nalthis is known for its battle-hardened army. Have you considered the consequences for our kingdom if we were to lose?"
Me: "While they may be battle-hardened, we are not to be underestimated as well. With thorough preparation, victory is attainable. I humbly request your permission, Your Majesty."
The King: "Ministers, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
Diplomatic Minister: "Your Majesty, we have collected news that conveys the Chief Commander of Nalthis believes our adventurers were involved in that incident and has filed a complaint with their king. The King of Nalthis is now demanding an explanation. It concerns me that telling the truth could lead to further issues, while sharing false information will not resolve the situation. To avoid conflict, we should compromise by handing over the adventurers, which is not a viable option. Instead, I recommend honesty and waiting for their response."
Me: "Your Majesty, they'll just try to make things difficult for us. Why do we have to tolerate them to this degree? Please give the order to prepare for battle."
Chief Commander: "Your Majesty, we absolutely have the ability to win against Nalthis. We shouldn't compromise with that unscrupulous kingdom. Even if Your Majesty tries to negotiate with them, they may still wage war. They'll perceive our continuous tolerance as a sign of incapability."
Crown Prince: "I know I've done something wrong, but I don't regret my action of killing them. If any other adventurers from our kingdom had been present there instead of us, they would have been detained and tortured without any reason. We shouldn't tolerate this injustice anymore, Your Majesty."
The King: "Everyone present here should share your opinions. Then I'll announce my decision."
Most of the ministers express their dissatisfaction with the arrogant ways of Nalthis, voicing their concerns.
They discuss how Nalthis's attitude undermines diplomatic relations and creates tension among neighboring kingdoms.
However, when the question of war arises, a palpable hesitation fills the room. Each minister seems to weigh the potential consequences, torn between their desire for justice and the fear of conflict.
In light of this indecision, I take the initiative to propose a course of action to my father, the King himself. I suggest that he personally assess the progress of our army, believing that a firsthand evaluation will provide clarity and direction.
I emphasize the importance of understanding our military readiness and the morale of our troops, as well as the strategic advantages we might gain.
I hope that by engaging directly with our forces, the King can make a more informed decision.
Under my guidance, the army has undergone a transformation, emerging as a formidable force through a combination of rigorous training regimens and innovative strategies.
Now, our soldiers are more disciplined, confident, and cohesive than ever before. Reports indicate a marked improvement in morale, with troops expressing a renewed sense of pride in their capabilities.
The rigorous training has not only enhanced their combat skills but has also forged a deep-seated belief in their ability to protect our kingdom.
If the King himself assesses our military might, I am confident that he will see the fruits of our labor.
After morning court, at the lunch table -
Me: "Father, you were harsh this morning at the royal court. Why are you hesitating so much? Do you not believe in us, your children?"
The King: "My baby, I have to think about this whole kingdom and the common people. I can't just rush into decisions on such a large-scale matter. Please understand where I'm coming from."
Me: "I'll never do anything that endangers our kingdom or our people. I'll calculate everything perfectly. You have to believe in me, my royal brother, and our army."
The King: "I'll make a call after I check on the army. Impress me with your hard work, my precious."
Hehe…. I'm pretty confident in my abilities. Just you wait, my dear father.