Chapter 223: The Princess’s Mission
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“No! After all the hardships we went through to find our daughter, are you going to treat her like this?” The queen stood up and embraced Loya tightly.
Listening to the growing uproar outside the window, Loya trembled. She was a noble princess, and the idea of apologizing to the mermaids seemed unthinkable to her.
However, the king had always been a man of his word. He stared coldly at the trembling Loya. “As the princess of the Empire, you must fulfill your duty. You need to apologize and take responsibility for your actions.”
If she were to apologize, her standing in the eyes of the nobles might plummet. If the people no longer supported her and the nobles abandoned her, what would become of her in the end?
But in that moment, Loya summoned the courage to break free from the queen’s embrace and stand up.
“If I apologize, the mermaids will only see the royal family as weak and easy to exploit. The first step is to make the princess bow down and apologize. What will be the second step? Releasing the little mermaids? Have you considered what the third step will be, Father? Are you willing to relinquish the power of the royal family?”
Her voice still quivered, but her gaze was resolute. “Furthermore, Count Sam and others are responsible for the human scale fish business. Releasing the little mermaids would undoubtedly create animosity among the earls. It will only endanger the royal family’s position.”
She stared directly at the king, who grasped the unspoken implications. Count Sam provided substantial tributes to the royal family annually. How would they survive without such support?
However, as the clamor outside the window grew louder, the king understood the merfolk’s fighting prowess.
He inquired, “Do you have a viable solution?”
Loya took a deep breath and responded, “Suppression! Most of the merfolk have consumed loyalty potions, ensuring their loyalty to the royal family. However, the royal family needs to display its strength and make it clear that opposing the royal family will lead to dire consequences.”
Upon hearing this, her brothers regarded her with astonishment.
In the past, this younger sister had been lively and adorable. She had always been courteous to the palace servants, so it was unexpected for her to reveal such a ruthless side.
Upon hearing Loya’s suggestion, the king pondered for a moment before agreeing. “You’re right. The dignity of the royal family must be upheld.”
“Go, summon Ke Lang and have him bring a little mermaid. I want to demonstrate the might of the royal family to these mermaids.”
“Yes!” The servant promptly departed upon receiving the king’s command.
Just as Loya started to relax, she heard the king address her once again. “Since you proposed the idea, it falls upon you to carry it out. Extract the fish scales from the little mermaid’s body in front of the protesters, let them witness the consequences of their resistance.”
“What?” Loya’s voice trembled.
“Since this matter began because of you, it is your responsibility to resolve it. As a royal princess, you must uphold your dignity,” declared the king with a cold expression. “Later, on the grand platform of the castle, remove the scales from the little mermaid in full view of all the demonstrators. Let them see the futility of their defiance. If they persist, execute the little mermaid on the spot and capture their leader, who will also meet the same fate.”
The king’s voice remained steady, but Loya’s body continued to quiver.
“Father, you can’t do this!” objected the Third Prince immediately. “The little mermaid is innocent, and there is a ban on keeping mermaids. Such actions may backfire. ”
The other two princes nodded in agreement.
The mermaid army was the most formidable force in the empire. If the mermaids rebelled, the consequences would be unpredictable.
However, the king scoffed disdainfully. “They do not comprehend what is in their best interest. If they wish to showcase their audacity, then we must show them the repercussions!”
At this moment, the king no longer entertained any opposing viewpoints. He had initially attempted to win the people over with exquisite delicacies, but these individuals failed to recognize the benefits. Many of them had joined the rebel forces. Now that the merfolk had initiated another demonstration, he could not tolerate anyone challenging his authority.
“Are you not going to prepare? Put on the fish-scale dress you wore yesterday!” With those words, the king left the dining hall.
“Sister,” the Third Prince expressed concern. “Can you truly go through with it?
Shouldn’t I plead for mercy once more?”
However, Loya shook her head. Unless she renounced her position as a princess, the king would not rescind his command.
He intended to employ her as a deterrent against the mermaids. There was no escaping this fate..
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺