Three Conditions

“So, I have been waiting for someone. I hope that after my death, they will inherit my thoughts, prevent the world war, and let the kingdom’s prosperity continue.”

“And so, you found me?”

Yodel picked up the teapot and poured a cup for himself and Cecilia.

“Thank you.” Cecilia took the cup, took a small sip to moisten her throat, and then continued, “Yes, as you said, I chose you. In my view, you have ability and foresight. Although your foundation in the kingdom is still shallow, your potential is enormous…”

“Princess, may I ask you a question?”

Yodel interrupted her without waiting for her to finish. He had no interest in hearing Cecilia’s evaluation of himself; he was more concerned with her attitude toward the world war.

Cecilia frowned. This was the first time someone had interrupted her while she was speaking. Normally, even the Prime Minister and her father would listen quietly until she finished before speaking.

Though displeased, she still agreed to Yodel’s request: “Go ahead. I’ll try to answer.”

Yodel straightened up from the back of the sofa, sat upright, and his expression turned serious: “Thank you, Princess. My first question is: assuming you ascend the throne, how would you handle the world war?”

Their positions had reversed. Now it was Yodel testing whether this princess was capable of being his collaborator.

Cecilia was silent for a moment, as if organizing her words. After about a minute, she said, “I won’t spout empty promises about ‘definitely stopping the war’… Ahem… The outbreak of this great war is already an arrow on the string. I can only try to mitigate its impact.

“Ahem… The peace faction within the kingdom is quite powerful. Many are unwilling to participate in the conflict across the strait. Their strength can be utilized.

“Internationally, appropriate concessions can be made on non-critical colonies. This won’t avoid the war, but it can ease the situation… Ahem ahem…

“Moreover, the kingdom’s prestige still lingers. If we take a firm stance on the Carolin border issue or show a more positive attitude toward the Tsarist Empire, we can temporarily intimidate the Cross-Eagle Empire and the Habsburg Empire, buying time… Ahem… Ahem ahem ahem.”

As Cecilia spoke longer, her coughing became more frequent, but she still forced herself to finish the entire speech despite the discomfort.

Yodel nodded. He couldn’t say whether these measures could actually prevent the war, but at least he sensed the determination in Cecilia.

In other words, he acknowledged Cecilia’s desire to slow down or even stop the war.

Then, what came next was simple.

Yodel threw out the second question he had prepared long ago: “In that case, do you want to personally realize these plans you’ve described?”

“Hmm?”

Seeing that Cecilia hadn’t reacted immediately, Yodel put it more bluntly: “Are you willing to become the Queen of the Three Islands Kingdom?”

“Queen?” Cecilia repeated the word as if in a dream.

Becoming queen—this was an ideal she had once imagined but had to abandon when faced with reality.

Death was the mountain pressing down on her.

No matter how much ambition or how many ideals she had, they would all be crushed by this mountain.

So what if she was a genius? So what if she was beautiful? In the face of death, all of that would vanish in an instant.

Although the kingdom practiced equal inheritance between men and women, and although Cecilia was outstanding enough, no one would choose Cecilia, who could die of illness at any moment and was only the third heir.

Not to mention whether she was qualified to succeed; even if she were the sole heir, she might well die before the king.

If it were possible, Cecilia would certainly be willing to become queen… if it were possible…

But reality was so cruel. No one knew better than Cecilia that her chances of ascending the throne were zero.

At this moment, she even felt a bit resentful toward Yodel for digging up the dream she had buried with her own hands and placing it before her, only adding to her pain.

“Of course I am willing. But I must remind you, it’s impossible. Hoping for me to become queen to stop the world war is…”

“What if I could cure your illness?”

Cecilia was interrupted by Yodel again, but this time she was not angry. Yodel’s words echoed in her mind like a spell.

“How… is that possible? Are you joking?”

“Does Her Highness think this is the time for jokes? Since I said it, I am fully confident.”

Yodel revealed a smile of certain victory.

He pressed his fingertips together against his chest—a gesture he only made when supremely confident.

“If you don’t believe me, you can remove that veil and see if I’m afraid of being infected by you.”

Cecilia was speechless.

Since falling ill, she had seen countless doctors and priests, and every one of them could only shake their heads and sigh at her condition.

But now, Yodel claimed to have absolute confidence in curing her. Even if it were just a bluff, it was enough to excite Cecilia immensely.

Her chest heaved violently, and rapid breathing made her very uncomfortable, but she still maintained the last bit of rationality: “To cure my illness, what price must I pay?”

Yodel held up three fingers: “Agree to three requests from me, and I can cure you in an instant.”

“Three?”

Cecilia did the mental math.

She desperately wanted a healthy body. As long as Yodel didn’t propose something like sacrifice or patricide, she could agree.

Even if Yodel asked her to marry him…

No, if Yodel could truly cure her, he wouldn’t even need to make that request—Cecilia would willingly marry him.

“Go ahead. As long as I can fulfill them, I will agree.”

“First, from now on, use every means at your disposal to be crowned king.”

“Agreed. But I can only be crowned after my father’s death. You cannot ask me to commit patricide.”

“Second, whether you become queen or not, do everything possible to prevent or mitigate the world war.”

Cecilia rubbed her hands together and asked uncertainly, “Does that count as a request? Even if you didn’t say it, I would have done that.”

Yodel smiled, unconcerned: “Is that so? That just shows we share the same goal and are natural partners.”

“Then the third request is very simple: cooperate with me in secrecy. Even to your closest relatives, you must not reveal a single word.”

“Just what I had in mind. In fact, I was even planning to continue pretending to be sick after recovery.”

Cecilia’s fingers twisted unconsciously. The three requests had been made, and they aligned perfectly with her own interests. She could agree without any pressure.

The hope of recovery was right before her eyes!