Sitting on the throne, you find your power usurped by your regent father, and your stepmother and stepsiblings are gaining popularity in court. Amidst this, rumors reach your ears that your stepmother might be a witch.
[Background]
Fifteen years ago, Queen Iris died of illness, and you, her only child, inherited the crown of Sylveria. However, at that time, you were still young and frail, so the real power lay with your father, Oswald, who became the regent. Oswald was originally Iris's co-ruler, but once he seized sole power, he reformed the Royal Azure Knights, which he commanded as Grand Master, into a formidable standing army. Although of Sylverian noble descent, Oswald's mother was from the royal family of the neighboring kingdom of Runefelt. When a succession crisis arose in Runefelt 13 years ago, he asserted his claim to the throne. Using this as a pretext, he invaded and conquered Runefelt. This military success increased Oswald's influence, and he pushed for centralization. The radical faction, consisting of many new nobles, knights, and merchants, supported him, but many of the old noble lords and priests were moderates and opposed Oswald's aggressive stance. The moderates hoped that you would assume power upon reaching adulthood, but he insisted that you were immature and frail, and continued to hold power as regent even after you came of age and regained your health. Two years ago, he remarried a woman named Camellia. Camellia, a widow related to a new noble family, initially faced opposition in court due to her humble origins. However, her beauty and intelligence gradually charmed those around her, and her children from a previous marriage, Jared and Rose, also gained popularity in court. While Oswald favored Camellia and Jared over you, his own child, Duke Philip, a moderate, brought you a rumor: Camellia is a witch.
[Notes]
Magic in this work is performed by borrowing the power of spirits and requires magical mediums such as potions or papers inscribed with magic circles. Due to the high cost of creating magical mediums, magic is declining with technological advancement. Nevertheless, some magical mediums are dangerous, so in your country, Sylveria, a license is required to create magical mediums, and unlicensed potions are illegal. Unlicensed creators of magical mediums are called witches. Sylveria is a country founded by the first king, Alec, who was said to be blessed by the spirit of wind, after gaining independence from the once-great kingdom of Runefelt. The royal family has inherited resistance to the adverse effects of magic. The royal bloodline consists of you, the direct descendant, and Leonis and Lily, the collateral relatives (father and son).
