episode_0191

Episode 191. Winter Solstice Festival (4)

****

The most important element in Norse mythology, no matter what anyone says, is Ragnarok, the final war in which all gods, monsters, and humans will die.

The inevitable ending of a beautiful world.

Well, I wasn’t worried about dying today, but in terms of the doom that was supposed to come as scheduled… … .

This is the Emperor’s audience room.

“Everyone get out except the crows.”

Crow. An expression referring to a plague doctor.

It is also called that because the beak-shaped mask on the black robe resembles a crow. It is similar to calling the police officers “snips.”

I lowered my head again.

This is the seat where the princess used to sit. This is where I told the princess that I was leaving for the academy… … .

Today, it wasn’t Mint, but the Emperor himself who was sitting there. He was Mint’s father. It’s obvious why he called me.

It wasn’t that it was obvious what he was going to say.

“How dare a lowly person dare to attack the Emperor of the Empire-”

“Okay. All the servants have left.”

“Yes.”

“Long time no see, Professor Asterix.”

“Thank you.”

“Ha. Mint praised you so much that it hurt my ears. I guess she’s worried that I’ll object.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No need to be sorry. I was against it.”

“I see… … .”

The emperor sighed deeply.

“My daughter was making a fuss. She said that only you can save the lives of the royal family, that she truly loves you, and that if we just build a royal charter company this time, it will bring us more wealth and honor than most noble families.”

“Does Your Majesty think so too?”

“I don’t know. I told you to fix my daughter, but now she’s getting married and causing a fuss. What the. I can’t believe it.”

It would be hard for the Emperor to think well of him. Even if he had a son-in-law who met all the conditions he expected, it wouldn’t be easy for him to please his father-in-law… … .

What’s more,

Well, let’s not necessarily list them.

“I’m sorry.”

“So, I told the princess. Think about it again. It doesn’t make sense. Can’t you think about it a little more?”

“What did Your Highness the Princess say?”

“You’re causing trouble again, what the heck.”

“I’m sorry.”

“There are many things to be sorry about.”

It really seemed like a lot. Honestly, I don’t think I would have anything to say even if I had ten mouths.

“You’ll do well, right?”

“I always do my best. If I don’t do my best, someone dies every day.”

“That guy who knows so well… … .”

“I’m sorry.”

I’ve already said I’m sorry four times today. I’m sure I’ll have to say it a few more times.

“I’m so upset. The country is in ruins because we have a shameless fox as our subject. Oh my.”

“The Empire is burning with the passion of enlightenment with the news of new developments that come every day. Every day, the ancient darkness is reported with victory-”

“Now you’ve decided to become a poet too?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Should I bring you a half-moon? It would be perfect if I worked as a court bard and made use of my talents.”

“If Your Majesty gives me a musical instrument as a gift, I will be grateful and practice it with all my heart.”

I brushed it off. I couldn’t refute it, and I wasn’t in a position to do so.

“I know you’re good at medicine, but Professor Asterix seems to be better at speaking than medicine… … .”

“I hear that kind of story often.”

“You go out too, now.”

“Uh… …. Still, shouldn’t we meet the princess at least once?”

“These days, shamelessness seems to be power.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know what you mean. I don’t want to see you again, but I’ll talk to Mint.”

“Thank you.”

“Can you be nice to the princess?”

“Of course.”

“Get out of my sight.”

“Thank you.”

I ran out of the audience room.

To be honest, the audience room wasn’t that scary. The royal family wasn’t that scary either. You see them all the time, princes and princesses.

But if you think of him as a craftsman… … .

That was another matter.

It’s scary, right? But I’m glad it went more smoothly than I expected. Honestly, I thought I’d be told no or get cursed at.

I leaned against the corridor outside the audience room and quietly sighed in relief. Mint would be happy to hear that I had been granted permission.

****

And. on the day of the winter solstice.

The shortest day of the year. The sun set quickly, and fireworks went off at the same time as the sun set. Before the sun had even set.

“I heard you met your dad.”

“Yes.”

“What did you say?”

“He didn’t say anything. He just told me to treat the princess well.”

I was looking at the sky with Mint. This was the rooftop of the palace. Mint was sitting with her blanket warmed by magic.

And he was hugging me next to him.

“I always had that dream.”

“What is it?”

“Because I’m completely cured of my illness. I can make a snowman without worrying about the cold. I can enjoy the festival with my loved ones.”

“It’s done?”

“Yeah.”

The princess leaned against me and held my hand tightly under the blanket. Firecrackers exploded in the sky. Mint leaned against me.

“Please be comfortable.”

“I say this every time.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for being with me. I know it’s annoying because I keep bugging you, but you’re always there, never irritating me. I don’t know what to say… … .”

Mint trailed off. After all, speaking in a coherent manner wasn’t the princess’s forte.

“I know even if you don’t say it.”

“Don’t you know?”

The princess held me and looked at the distant mountains for a moment, as if there was something I didn’t know.

“Can I be honest with you?”

“Please do it.”

It was a little scary though.

What kind of secret is it that you’re telling while trying to set the mood like this? But still… … .

I don’t know what it is, but it’s better than continuing to live in ignorance. I nodded.

A small chain-like thing moved in Mint’s hand. Something like a necklace or bracelet. Was she trying to bring a gift?

“Where should I start?”

“What’s going on?”

Now I’m starting to get a little worried. The princess hit her head against my forehead.

“First of all. You can teach magic to your teacher with the magic and artifacts of the royal family. It will take some time and resources, though.”

Is that what you were trying to say?

Of course, it was a huge piece of news. But it wasn’t hard to believe that such a secret existed deep within the palace. In a way, it was natural.

“Oh, isn’t that good?”

“That’s right.”

I didn’t think that bloodline was the only way magic could be passed down. There had to be something. Blood would eventually be diluted.

This must have been the method. A method of granting magical talent to others.

The princess hesitated again.

“I originally didn’t want to tell the teacher this. But I was too scared, so I thought I wouldn’t be able to talk if I didn’t bring it up.”

“Yes… … ?”

I had no idea what he was talking about.

The princess lifted me up. We got up from our seats. As I left the princess, the cold air rushed past me again.

Mint knelt on one knee in front of me.

“Marry me.”

****

Firecrackers exploded overhead.

I didn’t know you were already thinking that way.

I tried to get the princess up again, but Mint shook her head stubbornly. She said she wouldn’t get up until she heard the answer.

“Wouldn’t it be hasty, Your Highness? Your Highness is still young, and if you spend more time with me, I won’t be late-”

“I’ve never seen anyone but the teacher. No one who truly helped me, no one who could give me straight advice, no… no one. ”

It’s the first time Mint has heard this honorific.

“Get it quickly. My arm hurts.”

“Yes. The princess must join in.”

The princess put a ring on my left hand. It was the wrong finger, but she didn’t bother to say anything to ruin the mood.

I’ll put it back in later.

“Why the chain?”

“Necklace. I thought that Mr. Asterix might not be able to wear a ring while working… … .”

It can be annoying to wear a ring during surgery.

“Aha.”

“I’m such a petty person. If you don’t get engaged, I won’t teach you magic. No, for whatever reason, I want you to stay with me in the future.”

Mint’s eyes welled up with tears. Only then did I come to my senses. I couldn’t let Mint sit on her knees on this cold day.

“We should get married. Didn’t the princess and I both know that until now?”

“Yeah… … !”

I lifted Mint up. Mint sagged like a jellyfish, then I held her. I lifted Mint up as if I was supporting her.

“Come to your senses, Princess.”

“Hehe.”

“Because you’re so scared.”

Mint looked at me.

“Let’s go to my room.”

Mint, this time, grabbed me from the side as if tackling me. No, if I think about it carefully… … .

“Oh, are you serious?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

The princess held me tightly and headed to her room. I had seen her before.

I heard that since Mint entered the academy, it’s been gathering dust… … .

It was clean now, as if it had never been like that.

“Yes.”

On top of the pure white blanket, there was a single rose with all its thorns cut off. Mint looked at me with eyes full of anticipation.

ah.