I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 237

‘But he shouldn’t anger His Majesty the King.’

The King’s command is absolute. How could one possibly oppose the monarch who leads this nation? One might offer loyal counsel, but if he stubbornly refuses to bend his opinion, then there is nothing that can be done.

What in the world should be done about this?

‘He’s struggling quite earnestly in his own way.’

Watching Viren, Rufus let out a silent scoff.

It was laughable.

The pitiful sight of Viren trembling while watching the King’s mood was so insignificant that Rufus could only laugh.

Did I truly serve such a ridiculous royal family? A foolish King and a puppet Crown Prince who cannot oppose his father even once. Did I really serve a country led by these two?

Then again, why was Viren appointed Crown Prince in the first place? Wasn’t it because he was an obedient son who absolutely followed the King’s orders? In truth, Viren had accepted his father’s political schemes exactly as they were, and he obediently bowed his head and followed whatever the King commanded.

However, things are different now.

No, they will become different from this moment onward.

Because.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Turning his head toward Viren, Rufus whispered in a low voice that only he could hear.

“Please take a firm stance, Your Highness. Not a moment can be delayed. Even at this very moment, there are people suffering because they lack the herb.”

“……”

Viren’s mouth shut even tighter, like a nail hammered beneath a mallet. He looked as though he wanted to say something immediately, yet he couldn’t easily open his mouth.

But would he truly be able to keep it shut until the end?

People often believe that moving another person’s heart is difficult. But that belief is mistaken. To move someone’s heart, not much is actually required.

Only one thing is necessary.

You only need to find a gap that can move their heart, and relentlessly dig into that gap.

Therefore.

“Did Your Highness not say that you stand for the sake of the people?”

Rufus stared directly into Viren’s eyes.

“If you truly think of the people, how could you simply stand by and pretend not to see? Does it truly matter under whose name the Cytiro is distributed? Whether the great Hevania Royal Household, blessed by the sun, distributes the Cytiro, or whether the Inferna Baronial House buried in the border does it, what difference does it make?”

Humans are beings trapped in a contradiction. Even while knowing they can never be perfect, they endlessly strive toward perfection. Because of that, when their words contradict their actions, they feel a threat to their own existence.

However, words that have already been spoken cannot be taken back. In that case, one must change their actions.

Isn’t that right, Your Highness the Crown Prince?

“Since you said you stand for the people, shouldn’t you step forward?”

“Rufus Inferna…”

As Rufus’s whisper continued, strength tightened in Crown Prince Viren’s clenched fist.

“I believe you will make a wise decision for the sake of the people.”

Rufus’s voice grew firmer.

For the sake of the people.

Everything is for the sake of the people.

If you truly think of the people, everything must be for the sake of the people.

“…Your Majesty.”

At last.

“Please grant the request of this humble son.”

The Crown Prince stepped forward before the King once again.

Viren faced the King with his back to Rufus. Watching the Crown Prince’s back, Rufus thought,

Your Highness the Crown Prince.

You are moving exactly as I expected.

Now then, just look at the twisted expression on that King who looks down on you.

“Viren, that is enough.”

“Your Majesty, this isn’t the time to pursue personal gain.”

“I told you to stop.”

“Your Majesty, it isn’t too late yet. So we must send support to the Inferna Barony and help the people—”

“Viren!”

Blood surged into the King’s bulging veins. A red fury spread across his face as if it might burst at any moment.

“Do you dare defy my command? Why do you refuse to listen to your father and instead take that Inferna’s side?”

“I am not taking his side, Your Majesty!”

Overcome by the surge of emotion rising in his chest, Viren raised his voice without realizing it.

He couldn’t understand.

Even at this very moment, there are people trembling in the harsh cold as they travel toward the border where the Inferna Barony lies. And yet the King insists on moving the Cytiro to the capital. Has he even considered what will happen to those people heading toward the border if such an order is carried out?

Until now, he had been a father worthy of respect. But at this moment, Viren couldn’t follow his will.

The people. I resolved to become a benevolent king who stands for the people. Therefore I must make a decision for the people.

And so, I will.

“How long do you intend to chase after the royal family’s empty honor? Are you saying that such honor is more important than the safety of the people—”

Viren’s sentence never reached its period.

Bang!

In that instant, a deafening crash seized the room. At the same time, a lukewarm liquid trickled down along Viren’s cheek.