1611 Fall

Westminster Palace, The top room in the clock tower.

'Sigh'

“But why are you still alive..."

Yes, the Lioness - my eldest daughter and former Queen Mother of France, who was exiled by her eldest son Louis XIII the moment he returned to Paris - wasn't dead, yet.

Since she had no other place to go, she returned to her home - Westminster Palace - after 20years (*She wed Henry IV - the former king of France and father of Louis XIII - in 1591 Summer.)

How was she like? She was in rags, and it didn't mean clothes! Since she was shot with several bullets all over her body, her body was covered with scars. Also, since she strained herself - with fighting to the death, even after falling from her horse - her waist was twisted. Adding insult to injury, her right feet were crushed by enemy's armor and on her left palm, there was a hole - which was a size of a golf ball - thanks to a bullet that pierced through it during the battle.

Even her pretty face became a mess. After being hit a face with a shield, her nasal bone was broken. Neither a bankrupt merchant nor a chivalrous knight wouldn't marry her, even if I give him a higher rank and plenty of money. Yeah, even if it was me, I would rather kiss a toad.

"Gee, I don't know. Blame the fools who tried to save my life at the cost of theirs, father!"

Elizabeth grunted. She was referring to her knights, who threw themselves at the last moment, sacrificing their lives to prevent the bullets from hitting her vital spot.

'Sigh'

What else could I say? Even I can't satire them.

"So...are you trying to kill me now, father?"

She casually asked me, just like the little girl in the normal family asking her parents what's the dish for dinner was.

'Okay, you've said it.'

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"...If you can choose your way of dying, which do you prefer?"

So, I casually answered back, just like normal father replying to his child that Well-done Steak is today's dish since today is payday.

It may seem cruel, but I can't let her live any longer. Even if she was in rags, there can be plenty of use for her - as a figurehead or whatever. I can't let my enemies take advantage of it.

"Well... I prefer wine, red wine, to be exact. It's my last filial piety to you, father. You can earn the reputation of the 'Ruthless father who has killed his daughter.'"

"Hmm...that's neat. But, no. You'll be suffocated to death with a pillow, just like the way you tried to kill your nephew Henry - the Duke of Cambridge."

Yeah, the dice is cast. As I failed to kill her in the battle, the assassination would leave a more lasting impression on the future. What kind of ending would be more dramatic than being assassinated by a father, who was a rival for her entire life?

'Ha...'

At my words, Elizabeth laughed in vain.

'Oh, is she annoyed at her way of dying?'

But, her reply was shocking.

"What the hell are you talking, father? Although I helped you assassinate Henry IV, I didn't try to kill my nephew!"

What? Y...you're kidding, right?

But she looked honest. And if I were in her shoes, at the deathbed, what's the point of lying. In short, she's speaking the truth.

No, it can't be.

"S...stop pulling my leg, my girl! You're so hungry for the crown of England, weren't you? If it wasn't you, then who was the culprit!"

"Y, you're so mean, even till the end, father! If it was me, I would have tried to seize it by force, not by those dirty tricks!"

"Aren't those dirty tricks - like assassination - your cup of tea? Wasn't killing my closest maiden was that trick as well?"

Oh, God. For a moment, I became speechless. Come to think of it, it was. If I look back on what she has done so far, as a Queen Mother and regent of France, she wouldn't send assassins first. On her mind, she only has one word 'War'.

If she was eager for the crown of England, she would have tried to crush the Royal Navy first, and after that, she would have landed at English soils with French Troops and killed the entire royal family. On the other hand, it was I who would have sent assassins and plan other kinds of plots.

Also, if she was smart enough to carry out those kinds of 'dirty tricks', she wouldn't be sitting here in rags.

'Then, was it a waste of time? It's not even funny!'

My head was aching. Anyway, since I was hungry for the crown of France as well, I had to fight with her in the end. But since the start was my mistake, my mind got blank.

"...W, Was it, Anna, then?"

If it wasn't Elizabeth, who was the culprit for Henry's assassination?

The first candidate that came in my mind was my first wife, the Irish Tomboy, Anna. Since she stayed in Westminster Palace for a long time, she might have had one or two maids who were loyal to her.

'...Fat chance!'

Even if I was a maid working at Westminster Palace, I wouldn't be loyal to that stubborn Irish bitch. She was isolated in this palace from the wedding to her death.

On the contrary, her closet aid was in fact, the assassin that I've sent to her. No maid would be loyal to the Queen, who was an outcast for her entire life.

"Huh? Anna? Why are you referring to my late stepmother suddenly...?"

Elizabeth looked at me, perplexed. She certainly has no clue why I'm talking about Anna at this moment. Since she was also aware that I and Anna were always fighting like cats and dogs, it was natural.

"I...I'll be off, Lisa."

I stood up from my chair and left the room. If I spent more time in this room, I had a feeling that I wouldn't be myself anymore.

"When will the pillow be delivered, pops?"

She answered back, just like the child asking her parents, when will the today's dinner main dish, Well-Done Steak, be ready.

"..."

I didn't reply at her words and stepped outside from the Clock Tower.

'Ding' 'Ding' 'Ding'

Even it was not high noon, the ringing sound of the Clock tower was rattled.

That day became Elizabeth, the late Princess Royal's memorial day.