Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 140: Rodel’s Punishment
Prince Rodel Iwood, the third prince.
The flag bearer of the Queen Dowager’s faction. The nominal commander of the rebel forces.
The man who had dared to challenge the royal family now lay on the floor, covered in wounds.
“…”
“…”
“…”
The sight of the man dragged in by the knight left the three with complex, silent expressions. As a father, as a brother, as the man who was supposed to become his father-in-law… each looked down at Rodel with their own thoughts.
“What a sight. My own son.”
Spoke the king first.
Gazing at his battered son, he let out a heavy sigh. Rodel had been manipulated by the opposing faction for so long. Indulged and used by the Queen Dowager, who was also the king’s mother.
Yet… he was still his blood. There was no way not to love him.
If Rodel were to die, all problems would be solved… Yet, the king had hoped he would reform without resorting to assassination or murder. He wanted him to gain experience and become a decent human being.
After all, King David Iwood was just a father.
“Father…”
Rodel, wrapped in bandages all over his body, looked up at the king and muttered just that.
He wasn’t begging for his life. He wasn’t making excuses. He didn’t even utter a word of resentment.
The face of Rodel, once filled with arrogant pride, surprisingly showed no emotion.
“…?”
Richard frowned in confusion.
Despite being heavily bandaged, Rodel’s expression was strangely clear.
When was the last time he had seen his brother’s face like this?
Suppressing his curiosity, Richard spoke up.
“Rodel, we cannot simply overlook this incident because you are a prince… Do you have any defense?”
“Brother…”
Rodel slightly moved his head, turning to face Richard.
Once, Rodel had claimed that he alone was worthy of being the next king. For Rodel, Richard had only been an obstacle.
“…Do as you wish, Brother. Pass judgment however you see fit. Whether it’s a poisoned chalice or execution… however you please.”
Those noble words unexpectedly came from Rodel’s mouth.
He was willing to accept any punishment… to climb onto the executioner’s block, he said so.
“Rodel…!”
Richard’s expression twisted, his fists clenched.
He had expected Rodel to make a pathetic excuse. He had expected him to curse them for thwarting his ambitions.
Yet… why did he look so relieved?
Why…?
“Why won’t you just die as the scum you are…! I could have punished you without hesitation if you had remained a fool, scum…! Even then, why do you wear such a clear expression!? Why… are you accepting your own death!?”
“…”
“If you had died miserably as a traitor, I wouldn’t feel like this…!”
“Richard, that’s enough.”
The king intervened, tears almost welling in his eyes.
He couldn’t bear to hear his son’s agonizing cries any longer.
“Rodel… What you’ve done is not forgiven as a member of the royal family. Although your involvement with the rebel forces will be hidden from public view, you won’t be executed. Nevertheless… unless you die, we cannot restore order.”
“…”
“Your mother is a princess from a neighboring country. We will go through the motions of negotiating due to our alliance with the empire… but the outcome won’t change. Eventually, we’ll prepare a poisoned chalice for you. So, savor your final moments.”
With these words, the king pronounced death upon Rodel.
Killing Rodel would create numerous problems. Yet, now that matters had come to this point, it was unavoidable.
If he didn’t die, it wouldn’t satisfy the subjects and the soldiers who had sacrificed themselves.
“…”
Rodel looked up at his father and brother with eyes devoid of emotion. Eventually, his lips trembled, and he murmured quietly.
“I humbly accept my fate. I apologize for the trouble I’ve caused.”
The foolish prince, who had been manipulated into becoming a symbol of rebellion, accepted his death at the age of sixteen without resistance.