Taking my eyes off the report, a sigh escaped my mouth. Honestly, this was the first time that I felt so drained in all my years as King.

My eyes trailed to my family, who was silently waiting for me to explain why were they here.

If this was a normal day, it would delight me to have all of them here, since it was always hard to match our schedules. But today I only felt irritated.

"Albert, Cecile-chan came today... what happened?"

I prayed that my son wouldn't have p.i.s.sed off that little fox anymore. The parade speech that she gave was still giving me a headache now and I would much appreciate not having to handle anything more.

Hearing my question, Albert raised his head that he kept down since entering the room.

It was then that I saw the palm mark in my son's face. Instantly, I knew that the talks didn't go well. There were very few people who would dare to hit Albert in our country, and the Dubois siblings are on top of the list.

The more I looked, more glaring the mark became. I had to hold my urge to laugh of my son deserved a red face. Cecile-Chan really gave her upmost on this slap. Hopefully, it will the love-sick fool in front of me a lesson.

"We... we argued. Things got a little out of hand."

I raised an eyebrow at my son answer.

"A little? Don't try to fool me. I watched that la.s.s grow up and know perfectly well she won't lose her bearing if you did nothing outrageous. So I'll ask once more. What happened?"

Albert fidget a bit in his chair and averted his eyes, which were previously on me. These small behaviours shattered all the hope I had. This idiot for sure increased my workload once more.

"I may have downplayed the loss of lives of her knights"

"By saying...?"

"... that she shouldn't have to confront our family or bad mouth Julia because a few commoners lives"

...

GOOD WORK CECILE-CHAN!

I can't believe the heir I groomed so painfully turn out like that. If not for the fear of being expelled from sleeping with my wife tonight, Albert would feel my love with fists.

My face didn't betray any of the fury or indignation I felt inside. The smile has since the beginning of our talk stayed like it was glued on me.

"It seems you don't wish to be King anymore"

"Father, that's not it! I-"

"Enough. Anything else to report?"

"..."

"Blurt out"

"She said that didn't want to be a.s.sociated with anything related to the Royal Family"

A mighty roar came from my wife-son duo.

"WHAT ABOUT ME?!" "THIS IS ALL THAT WOMAN'S FAULT!"

Another sigh escaped with their reaction. 'Who cares about you! I want to know what about my nation!' Is all that I want to scream but reciting my mantra 'I'm a King with a n.o.ble bearing' until I calm down.

"William, if I'm not wrong, you told Cecile that you would monitor Lady Julia, was it not?"

My son only lowered his head with my comment. Haaa... with my two sons like this is near impossible to have Cecile as a daughter-in-law.

"And you, my Queen... do you really think Cecile is stupid to not notice your involvement on this matter?"

"D-does she knows? But how? I-"

"Please. You groomed her. It's obvious she would know you let Julia escape even when you easily prevent it"

I put the reports in front of her. These were already revised, and I highlighted the problems and troublesome news.

"Look at the results of your foolish action. Can you say that as a Queen, you made the right choice? Even if you achieved what you want, was it worth it?"

The consequences of being unable to stop Fournier alliance with Boudin (neighbour country) were drastic. Food market prices soured and there were fewer merchants visiting our country, and our population was panicking.

Things only got worse when the Royal Family was painted in a bad light by the most famous journal. Adding to the fact his family just insulted the most popular figure in the capital, you might as well say that his kingdom was doomed if he did nothing to reverse the situation.

"*sigh* The three of you should try to be in Cecile's grace for now. She's a famous figure heavily supported by commoners and n.o.bles. She's also controlling part of the economy in the capital. Most of the exported products from here comes from her stores. Plus, I just received a report that Louis is trying to secure most of the base material to all Cecile's products. Knowing him, he will make unnecessary big to sustain his sister. In the end, the Dubois will control part of our raw materials and finished products"

Sometimes I wonder if I can just exchange my children with Victor (Prime-Minister). The kingdom would surely flourish under the hands.

Looking at my sorry excuse of an heir. A sigh came, yet, again.

"I told you, you could have your engagement a year from the breakup and prove to me that Julia is capable in 3 years... I changed my mind. You have one more year to prove that Julia can become a pa.s.sable Queen and if she proves herself worthy of the throne, you can marry her, otherwise forget it. Also, she WILL be punished by her traitorous act. Stop. I don't care if she was deceived or not. She is 15 years old not a five-year brat for crying out loud! She should know you can't a.s.sociate with foes of your loved one. That was it... you are dismissed. The three of you have half a year to fix things with Cecile"

After seeing the three of them silently leaving, I told my aid to call the bringer of misfortune.

Fifteen minutes later a knock came from the door, and a girl with fluffy hair appeared in my study. Although she gave a very warm feeling to whoever looks at her, I only had the urge to strangle the la.s.s in front of me.

Refraining my thought, I smiled while I remembered what Victor told me when we talked about Miss Julia recently.

He said that she had a power capable of pulling a hidden part of people. I couldn't help but agree with his evaluation. Because of her, my family showed a rather shameful part of themselves and even me, when close to her, would perform un-kingly.

"Miss Julia, I'm glad you are here please sit down"

After she clumsy bowed and sat, I caught myself admiring how could she have not mastered even the basic etiquette after a year and a half inside the n.o.bles society.

"Do you know why I called you here?"