60. The King Consort Contemplates
“…What is the meaning of this, Gilbert?”
King Consort Albert was deeply troubled.
Yesterday, Gilbert had been in a state of utter disarray, and the severe weakness of his fiancée Marianne, whom he had gone to check on later, weighed heavily on him. Most troubling of all was Gilbert's sudden disappearance the next day.
Though he had publicly claimed it was a kidnapping, Albert was more concerned about Gilbert's potential breakdown. He had sent the castle staff to search for him, checking every conceivable location within the castle. Naturally, he had first come to this room. It was then, upon seeing Marianne gasping for breath, that a thought crossed his mind.
Had Gilbert perhaps gone off to find a way to save her, even if it meant abandoning everything he had?
Albert had discreetly informed his wife, the queen, about the situation. If it became a major issue, Gilbert, in his responsible position, would likely face severe punishment. He needed to be stopped before he could do anything irreversible. Though Gilbert was intelligent and capable, he was also extraordinarily pure, to the point of being dangerously naive. Most notably, his behavior yesterday had been anything but normal. It was partly his fault for not paying more attention to Gilbert's fragile state.
Gilbert might now be willing to make a deal with even the devil. For Marianne, he would risk his own life and even the safety of the country.
And when he finally regained his sanity, he would be the one to suffer the most and deeply regret it.
Gilbert was not in his right mind now. No, in fact, Albert had sensed something wrong with him for some time. He had advised Gilbert to take a break, but Gilbert insisted on not letting his work suffer and doing what he could for Marianne. Ironically, while his work as a Prime Minister was flawless, and there were no issues based on his performance alone, Albert had felt that forcing him to rest and take his mind off work might drive him to the brink of complete collapse. Perhaps the signs of Gilbert’s troubles were visible from the moment he began addressing Albert not as "Albert" but as "Your Highness" even outside of official duties.
Gilbert was one of the few friends Albert had. That was why he hadn’t stopped him. While Marianne, Gilbert’s fiancée, was also a dear friend to his wife, Rosa, she was, above all, the queen. If Gilbert had left his side without permission, he could be restrained, but if there were any illegal connections or dealings involved, Gilbert would be punished without hesitation.
In such a case, even Marianne, who was being protected in the castle as the Prime Minister's fiancée, would no longer be able to stay.
Albert had instructed the soldiers to search calmly but ensure they brought Gilbert back without fail.
Ideally, he would have liked to search the city himself on horseback, but he had to fulfill today’s official duties alone to avoid increasing Gilbert's punishment when he returned.
When he received word that Gilbert had returned to the castle, he was relieved. Whatever the cause, it was a relief that Gilbert was back safely.
Of course, he couldn't relax until he knew what Gilbert had been doing during his disappearance, so he ordered the soldiers to bring him to him and continued with his official duties while waiting in his room.
However, his concern grew when he later heard that Gilbert had vanished again, this time with his children, Pryde and Steele, within the castle. It seemed he had crossed a line.
Albert hurried to the hidden room where Marianne was.
If Gilbert had disappeared within the castle, it had to be the only place he could be.
And then—
“Gilbert!! Gilbert! Are you there?!”
He called out fiercely from outside the door.
Hastening to open the door, he rushed inside.
“Albert…”
As he entered the room, he saw Gilbert standing there, not sitting down or accompanying Marianne, but standing still. Gilbert turned to look at him with tears in his eyes.
Marianne, who had been barely able to breathe when Albert last saw her, was now sitting up in bed and gazing at him.
She had been suffering from a mysterious illness that had left her unable to move her limbs recently. Albert, forgetting to scold Gilbert, called out Marianne's name. She looked up at him with tears welling in her eyes and said, “Lord Albert,” in response. It was not a dream—his friend was truly there.
Albert pushed Gilbert aside and rushed to embrace Marianne.
Overwhelmed with emotion, he apologized repeatedly. Marianne, apologizing for the trouble she had caused, made Albert's eyes well up as well.
“…What is the meaning of this, Gilbert?”
After gently pulling away from Marianne and entrusting her to a maid, Albert turned slowly to face Gilbert.
“An elf came to help,” Gilbert said with a smile.
Albert shouted at Gilbert in anger. This was no time for jokes. It was truly a relief that Marianne had been healed, but the fact that she had been so close to death made it clear that her recovery was the result of something artificial.
He needed to know what kind of price Gilbert had paid for it.
“Gilbert, listen carefully. I’m truly glad for Marianne’s sake. You may blame me and my wife, Rosa, for not being able to help. But… please, tell me honestly. Where are my children, Pryde and Steele? And what price did you pay for this?”
He grabbed Gilbert by the shoulders, demanding answers.
If necessary, he would have to punish Gilbert. And in such a case, he too would deserve punishment, for failing to notice and support his friend and subordinate.
Gilbert did not lose his smile and shook his head.
“I apologized to Lord Pryde and Lord Steele as soon as they returned to the castle. They were worried about my disappearance and followed me to Marianne’s side. However, I couldn’t speak about her to others. Before coming here, I told them that Sir Arthur, a friend of the knights, was looking for them. Then they were teleported to the knights' training grounds by Lord Steele. They should have returned to Lord Pryde’s room by now.”
“Is that true?”
“I would stake my neck on it.”
Even when Albert pressed him relentlessly, Gilbert remained unflinching. It was likely true that the children were safe, judging by the look in Gilbert’s eyes.
“Then… what about Marianne’s illness?”
He wanted to make sure Gilbert was not claiming it was the work of elves again.
“A certain person… introduced us to a special healer,” Gilbert said.
“! There was one? Where is this healer now…?”
Albert found it hard to believe Gilbert’s words. Had Gilbert left the castle to meet or fetch this special healer? If that were the case, it made sense why he had forgotten to report to Albert and rushed out. It was indeed a problematic action for a Prime Minister.
Gilbert shook his head again in response to Albert’s question.
“That person did not wish to be known. Unless given permission, I cannot provide more details. I also cannot speak about the person who introduced us.”
Despite his soft tone, Gilbert's words carried a firm resolve.
He looked as though a burden had been lifted from him. What had happened in the past few hours?
“But you must have paid some kind of price! To that healer or the person who introduced them! What did you…”
“Nothing.”
Albert was left speechless by Gilbert’s unhesitating response.
“That person… appeared suddenly before me, healed Marianne and me, and left without asking for anything in return.”
“Gilbert! To claim such a thing at this point…”
Albert grabbed Gilbert’s collar, raising his voice.
It was understandable to hide valuable connections or abilities. But it was inconceivable for someone to appear suddenly, heal, and leave without asking for anything in return.
If a healer and their introducer had appeared, it would be reasonable to expect an exorbitant price. If the nation officially sought such a healer and treatment, an enormous reward would be necessary.
Yet, Gilbert never looked away from Albert.
He simply answered, “It’s true,” and then began speaking again.
“That person…”
It was the last time Gilbert could speak coherently. His once calm expression suddenly turned to trembling lips, and tears began to flow again.
Surprised, Albert loosened his grip as Gilbert collapsed to the floor, kneeling with his face covered, tears streaming down.
“That person… truly… appeared before me…”
Gilbert started crying as if a dam had burst.
“He reached out to me… bringing the healer I had searched for years…”
It was as though a taut thread had snapped. Albert knew this was not an act. He understood Gilbert well enough to recognize genuine emotion.
“He saved Marianne…!”
His voice echoed through the room, almost breaking.
“And… he showed mercy… to someone like me… without asking for anything…!”
Albert struggled to catch the last part through Gilbert’s sobs and questioned him further about the price he had paid.
Gilbert’s sobs grew more intense, making Albert worry he might have a seizure.
Finally, with a small, strained voice, Gilbert managed to answer.
“…For eternity… as long as the king wishes… to work for the people of this country… and continue as Prime Minister…!!”
Gilbert’s voice rose in a desperate shout. Albert was at a loss for words.
…It was unbelievable.
Could that even be considered a price?
After years of working with Gilbert, Albert understood what the role of Prime Minister meant to him.
And yet.
To resign from his position as Prime Minister would be one thing, but to continue working indefinitely was something else entirely.
…Yet, Gilbert, who continued to cry, did not seem to be lying or making excuses.
*******
But seeing him cry, his emotions spilling out after being held back for so long, it was clear his tears were genuine, not a facade.
“… Albert.”
After a long silence, he finally spoke my name. I rubbed his back, wondering what was wrong. It had been a while since he had called me by name, not since our argument the previous day.
“… I’m so sorry… I… I…!!”
I understood his words.
For years now, he had been increasingly harsh towards me and especially towards our eldest daughter. His criticisms were often voiced in official settings, and I had lost count of how many times I had tried to stop him from making irreversible statements. I was also aware of his efforts to find special abilities in various ways. I had tried to admonish him countless times when we were alone.
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