Chapter 20 - Prince Red Riding Hood

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Chapter 20

 

 

"Yes. It was mine," Lil replied firmly. "But if those who choose not to volunteer are seen as cowards or treated unfairly, people will still feel pressured into it. So I believe the identities of the volunteers should be kept hidden. And even if someone does volunteer, they should still have the right to withdraw. If they change their mind out of fear, then let them step back—quietly, without shame. We can draw again and again until someone accepts willingly. When that person is chosen, we should announce it to the nation and honor them. That way, we'll have someone to praise, but no one to punish."

 

He laid out his thoughts to the very end, and as he did, Klaus's face came to mind.

 

If Klaus were here now, would he praise Lil for speaking his mind so clearly?

 

It was true that the idea of a volunteer system had come from Lil, but it was Klaus who had shown him the pain of the people, who had opened his eyes. If Klaus hadn't saved him, the woodcutter brothers might have violated and killed him—and that would have been the end.

 

"Oh… my dear Lil… I stand now between despair and hope," the Queen murmured.

 

"Grandmother…"

 

"To think that the right to refuse, something that should be sacred to all regardless of birth, has become a source of torment… And to think I sent them to their fate under every full moon, never knowing… I am unworthy to call myself Queen."

 

"No, that's not true… You were born a princess and rose to the throne so young… You never had the chance to leave the castle, so it's only natural you couldn't hear the people's voices. I, on the other hand, had the freedom to go outside since I was a child. I should have served as your eyes and ears. I should have helped you in that way. But instead, I spent my days idly playing, never once stopping to listen to their pain. I'm ashamed."

 

"Lil… You're extraordinary. You've truly grown. You're like a different person than the boy I saw just two days ago. It moves me—to see how much someone can grow in a day or two. Above all, I'm proud… so proud to have you as my grandson."

 

"…Well, I suppose… sixteen is an adult, after all."

 

As he recalled the whirlwind of the last two days, Lil couldn't help but blush with embarrassment. But the sight of his grandmother dabbing the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief filled him with nothing but joy.

 

Even if it was a sinful love with a mysterious outsider that changed him, if it could help his grandmother and the people of Vallcent… could it not be a form of atonement?

 

He wished, from the depths of his heart, that this proposal would bring an end to the persecution, and that the method of choosing a sacrifice would change for good.

 

Yes, I want Klaus to recognize me… to praise me… maybe even to love me one day. Those feelings are real. But even apart from that… I want Vallcent to be a land of peace. Until the day a true Saint rises and defeats the Wolf King, we must continue to offer sacrifices with each full moon. At the very least, let us gather volunteers in a way that everyone can accept.

 

Before the Queen, who fought back tears as she whispered, "You're truly a wonderful child," Lil sat upright and waited in silence.

 

Now that he had said all he meant to say, there was nothing more he could do but await her decision.

 

If she promised change, what pride and happiness that would bring him.

 

Not only would he want to share the news with Klaus—but even with the woodcutter brothers.

 

"We'll begin a thorough investigation into the claims of persecution immediately. If there are families who've lost their homes or their livelihoods, we must extend a hand to them."

 

"Thank you, Grandmother."

 

"It's only what a Queen should do. What I regret is that I didn't know until now. But regarding the future… I'll need you to understand that a little more time will be required."

 

"…Time?"

 

"Yes. Your idea is truly excellent, but we must think carefully about how to recruit volunteers. The heart of the kingdom lies in the North, but I've heard it takes two full days on foot for those living in the South to reach the capital, even in summer. Do we make them come here? Or create a registry in each region? There is much to consider. As you said, if word gets out that someone didn't volunteer, and they're labeled a coward, we're no better off. We must design a system in which no outsider can know whether a person volunteered or not. That will require long discussions with trusted advisors. We won't be ready in time for the next full moon, but we'll make every effort to implement it by the one after. Before summer ends and travel grows difficult, we shall change to a volunteer system."

 

"Yes… yes, Grandmother… Thank you, truly."

 

Overcome with joy at her words, Lil could no longer hold back his tears.

 

Emotions he could not contain swelled within him and spilled over in warm, silent drops.

 

He felt a deep love and respect—not only for Klaus, who had inspired his growth, but for his grandmother, who had chosen to listen to her sixteen-year-old grandson and act upon his words.

 

"You may still appear young," the Queen said softly, "but you've grown into such a fine Crown Prince… I'm sure your mother would be proud, too. When I visit her tower, I'll be sure to tell her how far you've come."

 

"My mother… You'll tell her?" Lil blinked, his body leaning forward as the words struck him like lightning.

 

Never before had his grandmother brought up his mother of her own accord.

 

Maybe—just maybe—he would be allowed to see her.

 

The thought made his heart leap. If he gathered all his courage here and now, perhaps his long-held wish would be granted.

 

Maybe—within hours—he might finally stand before his mother.

 

"Um… Grandmother, could I—"

 

"Oh, yes," she interrupted gently. "Let's share these biscuits with my daughter. She's a mother, after all. If she hears that her son walked all the way to the edge of the northern forest on his own, she'll surely feel something stir within her. I hope that knowing how much you've grown—both in body and in spirit—might help her begin to heal from the sorrow of losing her husband. Lil… I hope the day you can meet her comes soon."

 

Those words halted the courage Lil had just summoned.

 

If Grandmother had decided that now was still not the time, then to push further would feel selfish.

 

He could say, "I'm an adult now, I can handle whatever state my mother is in"—but could he truly swear that nothing he saw or heard would ever wound him?

 

If he were to break down upon seeing her condition, his grandmother would be heartbroken too, regretting the decision to let them meet.

 

"I'd like to see her once she's feeling better," Lil said gently.

 

"Yes… If you can continue to carry yourself like the Crown Prince you are, and grow into the kind of man who devotes himself to his people and this kingdom… I believe her illness will heal. The loss of her beloved husband left her vulnerable. But once she sees the noble young man you've become, I'm sure she'll find the strength to step out of the darkness."

 

"I'll do my best to become a son my mother can be proud of. Please… please tell her that for me."

 

Though it saddened him that they could not meet just yet, Lil found hope in his grandmother's words.

 

He had fallen into a love that the world deemed sinful—but if, as Crown Prince and someday as King, he could dedicate himself to noble deeds… surely even the gods would forgive him.

 

Surely he could earn both Klaus's love, and his mother's.

 

 

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