17. The Affectionate Hand of Fate

In these days of competing with Louise IV over who could be more sarcastic, I managed to glean from her words how the Great Yng Empire’s annual “Parliament Restructuring” actually operates.

The first round of voting involves those who wish to “participate in the parliament” campaigning for votes, snatching ballots from every resident of the Great Yng Empire, both domestic and foreign. This is very democratic, very free, exuding the noble aura of the Great Yng Empire. The number of votes each person receives at this stage is confidential and will not be disclosed.

Next, after the first round of voting concludes, the queen hosts a gala. Only a fool would indulge in gluttony; in reality, it provides a space for these candidates to interact, leading into the second stage: further screening and voting among those who received a significant number of votes, resulting in a second round of outcomes. The royal family can know this result, but it is evidently too late to do anything about it.

Then comes the third round—arguments; whoever has the most votes is the leader and can secure a seat as a member of parliament for the next year. What Louise IV aims to do is use my “prophecy” to know the results she wouldn’ t normally have access to in the first stage, and then eliminate the “opponents” in their cradle.

A true man can bend and stretch; I could only vaguely agree, then properly wear a long robe that looked no different from that of a real “charlatan,” helplessly following Louise’s lead.

What do they call this again? Generally, people like me are referred to as the “evil king’s wicked advisor,” right? The kind that is definitely doomed to die.

Looking around the familiar hall, there were indeed fewer people this time, and compared to last time, the atmosphere was even more “tense.” A glance at the script confirmed this.

【Everyone harbors their own concerns, unwilling to reveal their vote counts, eager to learn about others’ votes.】

This was nothing but a battle of wits; all the invited nobles and parliament members whispered among themselves, and even the queen’s appearance went unnoticed.

Not that it mattered; after all, Louise was currently attempting to link her arm with mine.

“Mr. Priest, I don’t mind at all~”

She even turned her head to give me a very innocent smile.

But I really mind!

“Don’t even talk about linking arms; just getting close makes people jealous enough to want to kill me.”

“Is this a prophecy?”

“Mm.”

This time, I truly didn’t lie.

“I see, well—it’s not wrong. If your identity isn’t gradually elevated, then indeed, there will be quite a few obstacles in marrying me~”

Louise nodded thoughtfully, “So I’ve arranged for you to take on the identity of a court priest.”

“But if I do that, the original owner will be jealous of me.”

“Don’t worry~ The priests who are replaced by you will never, ever be jealous of you~”

After saying something that, upon reflection, seemed quite dangerous with a radiant smile, in the next moment, Louise IV reined in her smile, confirming that no one was paying attention.

“From now on, your status will gradually rise, and I will also reinstate the ‘Chancellor’ system that I abolished at the beginning of my reign to prevent the division of power. Isn’t it a good feeling to be one person beneath me and ten thousand above? The only cost required is your ‘prophecy.’ Could it be that you actually have a bit of male chauvinism, refusing to be a pretty boy living off a woman? That’s fine~ In public, I can play the role of a weak queen who obeys her husband after marriage.”

I admit, I hesitated for a moment.

At that very moment, Louise maintained her smile and waved at the noble who had noticed her, while whispering emotionlessly, luring me in.

“If you agree, just tell me, how many votes does that nobleman who just greeted me have in his hands?”

Of course, I knew the answer to the question, but I certainly couldn’t say it. However, if I continued to refuse the queen’s “kindness,” the result would only be my identity as the villain O’Keefe being exposed, followed by my body drying in the sun for two hours.

It was indeed possible for me to make a run for it right now; the script had such a route—create chaos and then slip away! However, this impulsive thought froze in an instant as my gaze swept over!

I spotted Kephiel; she had indeed appeared here! Accompanied by a script that made me anxious, she was staring intently at me!

[Kephiel plans to rescue O’Keefe.]

Oh, my dear sister! You can’t be so reckless! Because your royal sister is far more ruthless than you think!

My contract with Kephiel had been sealed since the moment I was locked in the little black room, which meant that even if I wanted to tell her: the protagonist’s fortunes change every thirty years, don’t rush to save me, I had no opportunity to do so.

What was even worse was that in the next moment, Louise also noticed our “interaction” and revealed a cold smile.

[Louise IV decides to announce her engagement to O’Keefe in advance! To prevent O’Keefe from explaining himself in front of Kephiel!]

[Louise IV decides to expose the fact that Kephiel is harboring O’Keefe! To let Kephiel face public controversy!]

“O’Keefe, what are you looking at?”

No! I absolutely cannot let this queen’s plan succeed! Kephiel is so focused on saving me that she is unknowingly walking into danger, and I will have to resolve that!

“I’m watching that nobleman from earlier. Before he looks at his votes, let me tell you something—he seems to want to find an opportunity to invite you to dinner, and then drug you at the dinner table to secure you.”

I immediately found an excuse to block Louise’s thoughts, and it wasn’t a lie; just a glance at that nobleman revealed a new world. Although rumors about the queen were rampant in the Great Yng Empire, everyone was quite honest about Louise IV.

“That’s quite unexpected, thank you. I’ll handle it later. As for his votes, let’s not look at those anymore, um~ let me find another one for you… how about that one over there?”

“He has scandalous news; his life is debauched.”

“Ha~ I feel like Moriarty can be dismissed now; the next step is to make you the captain of the patrol.”

Although she praised me with a smile, Louise IV also sensed my intentions, “Also, don’t delay any longer; hurry up and tell me…”

Fortunately, at that moment, Kephiel had already taken action!

Perhaps she had finally calmed down from the surprise of seeing me safe and sound; Kephiel, who had been talking to others, suddenly threw away the cup in her hand!

[Smash]

This voice at the gala could certainly capture everyone’s attention!

Then, she quickly walked up to me and the queen, under the gaze of everyone…

【Smack】

She slapped me again, and the force of it made me stumble and fall to the ground. Fortunately, I had anticipated what Kephier was planning, so I wasn’t caught off guard.

【Kephier wants to save Oujili De.】

No kidding, I know! There’s no need for you to nag; I have never doubted Kephier’s attitude towards me, the thigh I’m clinging to.

Next, it all depends on what Kephier is going to do!

“Sister Wang, why hasn’t this person left yet!?”

With wide, furious eyes, Kephier looked at me, wishing she could chop me into pieces.