Chapter 214: What Have You Done?
"You said that my presence is a bad influence on the Crown Prince, but what exactly is the problem? From my perspective, I thought I had improved quite a lot compared to before."
When he looked at Brat as if to say, "Right?", Brat smiled brightly and nodded happily.
Even for the princess, the one she had become so attached to was not the Brat from the past, but the Brat who had changed recently.
If that was the case, then Qiong Xing did not think their meeting or spending time together like this was a bad thing.
"Even so, you are a mere commoner, and my brother is a prince! Someone like you being with him is nothing but a problem!"
She should choose her words more carefully.
Every time the princess spoke, the sharpness in Brat’s eyes only grew stronger.
"Isn’t it because those commoners work that this country is able to function? Saying things like ’mere commoners’ is not a very appropriate way for royalty to speak, is it?"
"You’re so annoying! Of course commoners should serve us! They can live the way they do because of us!"
Perhaps because of her anger, her tone began to break down.
At her words, not only the prime minister but everyone else was left speechless in disbelief.
"Then, what have you done for those commoners, Princess?"
"Huh? W-what have I..."
"You said that commoners can live thanks to you, didn’t you? Then what have you done for them? Not the king, not the Crown Prince—but you. What have you personally done for the lives of those ’mere commoners’?"
"... "
Judging from the way she spoke, it was hard to believe she had done anything at all.
She had likely lived thinking it was natural to receive everything, to have whatever she wanted.
In that world of "of course," what had she done for the people living in the town?
As the girl fell silent, Qiong Xing spoke to her gently.
...
Noisy, noisy, noisy!!
"You said that commoners can live thanks to you, didn’t you? Then what have you done for them? Not the king, not the Crown Prince—but you. What have you personally done for the lives of those ’mere commoners’?"
Though his tone was not harsh, it was clear and it made her angry.
She was also angry at herself for not being able to say anything in return.
For the commoners? Me? Why should I do anything for people like them?
Even as those thoughts filled her mind, she could not say them out loud.
Because if she did, she would have to admit that what she had said earlier was wrong.
"I-I am the king’s daughter. If that is the case, then what my father has done should also count as something I have done. You are able to live in this country thanks to my father. So just as you serve him, it is only natural that you listen to me as well."
Yes, that’s right!
Going against me is the same as going against my father.
"Let me make one thing clear. I do not live in this country. I may be in the care of the Adventurers’ Guild here, but I was not born in this country, nor does I have a home here. Therefore, I have no obligation or responsibility to serve you."
"W-what!?"
She was left speechless by the calm reply.
She did not know why Qiong Xing lived outside the country, but someone who lived elsewhere had no reason to devote themselves to this nation.
"Let me say one more thing. If what your father, the king, has done counts as something you have done, then wouldn’t that mean you hold authority equal to the king himself? Not only above the Crown Prince, who is supposed to be the next king, but equal to the current king as well. If that is the case, then this country already has two kings. In that case, isn’t there no need for your older brother anymore?"
"... "
That’s not it.
She... she didn’t mean that...
She no longer knew what to say.
She looked at her brother as if asking for help, but his expression had not changed—he was still glaring at her, making her feel like she might cry.
Then she turned to the prime minister, whom she had called here, but he only looked at her with exasperation.
It seemed she could not expect help from him either.
What should she do? What could she possibly say...?
"Well, I have said many things, but I’m not saying that everything is your fault."
"...Huh?"
"Whether it is your brother or you, a child is always influenced by their parents while growing up. You were raised to believe that such things were natural, weren’t you?"
Yes... she had been told that.
That they were special.
That they were royalty.
That it was natural for others to obey them.
That they were always right.
"Even so, you were the one who chose to grow up that way. The prince, on the other hand, thought for himself and chose his own path, which is why he is the way he is now. What is right, and what one should seek. The brother you knew in the past, and the brother he is now— which one do you respect, and which one do you truly like?"
She...
In the past, he had been someone she did not care about at all.
Perhaps because of his appearance, she had simply followed her parents’ words to ignore him.
Whenever they met, she would act as if telling him not to come near and throwing sarcastic remarks at him.
Then one day, after several years had passed, her older brother suddenly disappeared and later returned.
When he came back, it was as if he had become a completely different person.
He no longer shouted at those around him like before and he began to seriously apply himself to studies he had always avoided.