Trash of the Count's Family (401-600)

Chapter 488 - Peeling layer after layer (5)

"...Bud is being held hostage by the dethroned princess?"
– That is correct, young master-nim.

Ron's benign smile didn't register correctly in Cale's mind.
Alberu confirmed that the underground stone chamber was not visible to Raon and Ron as they were in the middle of the staircase before starting to speak toward Cale who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Elisneh the First, the current monarch of the Molden Kingdom, rose to the throne in her early thirties. She is said to have used her amazing leadership to turn the Molden Kingdom into the strong kingdom it is today."
– That is correct, your highness.

Ron respectfully agreed with Alberu.
Alberu leaned on the wall as he continued to speak.

"There are many people in the Eastern continent who consider the Roan Kingdom to be the second Molden Kingdom."

There were talks about the Roan Kingdom being similar to the Molden Kingdom as both nations had a young person coming into power and developing their nation into a strong kingdom.

"But there is one thing that was different."
– It was the issue of successorship."

Alberu smiled and casually commented toward Ron.

"Looks like you're quite knowledgeable about the Eastern continent's situation."
– It isn't much, your highness.

Ron feigned ignorance and stopped talking.
Alberu quietly watched him for a moment before continuing to speak. He continued his explanation for Cale.

"Originally, there were two monarch candidates who fought viciously for the Molden Kingdom's throne."
– It wasn't much of a fight because Elisneh the First was superior in every category.
"Correct."

Intelligence, strength, background of maternal relatives, number of followers, and capital. Elisneh was superior in every category.

"Elisneh the First from the beginning to the end... Showed superiority in all aspects and ascended to the throne. However, there was a moment when her younger sister, Princess Jopis, threatened Elisneh the First's hold on the throne."
"...Jopis."

Cale mumbled that name.

"Yes. Princess Jopis. Unlike the others, she aggressively tried to defeat Elisneh the First. However, she is said to be living quietly after losing the battle. Well, she can only live quietly as she has been exiled."

Unless the heir to the throne is determined early as it was with Alberu, there were only two options left for the others who fought until the end.
Death or exile. Should they choose exile, they had to live the rest of their lives as quiet as a rat under surveillance.

"...Honestly speaking, I still don't know why Jopis tried to go up against Elisneh the First."

This was because Elisneh the First's victory was almost guaranteed.

"Furthermore, the two of them are blood-related siblings. They aren't even half-siblings."
"Siblings?"
"Yes, that is why Jopis couldn't even get support from her maternal relatives. They all supported Elisneh."

Alberu tilted his head to the side.
He had been gathering information about the Molden Kingdom after Cale told him about the Molden Kingdom and the Illusionist last time.

"Furthermore, the two of them were said to have a very good relationship with each other until Jopis suddenly started to fight for the throne. Jopis and Elisneh's maternal relatives still don't know why Jopis suddenly started to rebel against her older sister."
"...Really?"

Cale's eyes clouded over. Alberu looked toward Cale and responded.

"I guess you felt the same thing I felt while telling you about it."