Chapter 63

Chapter 63

I Proposed While Drunk and Now the Princesses are Obsessed.

Episode 63: Would You Marry Me If I Ripped You Limb From Limb? (3).

Marriage.

A contract where a man and a woman formally enter a marital relationship.

Marriage creates the smallest unit of society, the family, and through childbirth, it brings forth the workforce that would lead the future.

However.

Marriage was never considered important solely for these reasons. The fact that it was the most important event in a person’s life? That wasn’t it either.

Monopoly.

The fact that you could monopolize the one you love was important.

Emotional exchange between people was similar to raising a flower pot. It was two-way communication, you couldn’t distribute love fairly, and everyone had a different way of handling it.

Marriage simplified all these things.

It eliminates many human relationships and makes you share love with only one person for life.

“…”

Therefore, Solana and Hedera couldn’t help but react sensitively. Because marriage was mentioned.

The two princesses thought simultaneously.

‘She’s not in her right mind.’

They couldn’t bring themselves to say it.

They had doubted it, but never expected her to come out with such a headstrong and straightforward attitude. It was unexpected.

They had to stop her first.

There were many headstrong people in the world, but Ether was a woman who made it happen. It meant she didn’t just think of absurd things but made them a reality.

‘…Isn’t she going to kidnap him and take him to the north?’

They couldn’t be reassured just because they received a letter, as they couldn’t predict what kind of bizarre actions she might take. Naturally, Hedera and Solana’s minds were spinning fast.

“May the Sun God’s grace be with us…”

In the end, it was Solana who broke the silence this time too.

“Two people with the same heart forming a family—what a beautiful blessing that is! But an unwanted marriage can rather become a seed of disaster. It’s hard to fully support it.”

Then Ether slightly frowned.

“Of course, I will do my best. The seed of disaster you mentioned… Don’t worry. I am very confident in being faithful to my family.”

“Well, that also becomes a problem.”

Solana looked straight at Ether.

“The 1st Princess, who is practically the greatest power of the empire, declaring to be faithful only to her family, isn’t that saying she will stand by idly no matter what crisis arises on the continent?”

“You, your pronunciation is accurate at times like this. Even though there seemed to be quite a few difficult words.”

“…Don’t change the subject. Anyway, being faithful to your family means that, right? Aren’t you using marriage as an excuse to neglect your duties as the 1st Princess?”

After saying that, Solana clasped her hands and offered a short prayer. And then she smiled kindly again.

“The reason the princesses of the empire can do their best is that they grow with the belief that they will be faithful to their roles. It seems the 1st Princess has made a bad judgment, so I dare to stop you.”

“…”

“Isn’t that sisterly love? We should be able to stop each other when we do wrong.”

Then Ether grinned.

“You guys, you’re acting really cute today.”

“The problem isn’t just that.”

Then Hedera agreed and intervened.

“Order, once it breaks, shatters in an instant. As the 1st Princess who commands many soldiers in the north, you must understand that very well.”

“So?”

“The other princesses, at first, may not think much of it. But eventually, they might start thinking they want to get married too, don’t you think? By then, the power loss would be significant.”

“Hmm.”

Ether quietly rubbed her chin.

“There are only five princesses in the empire. You know that, right?”

“Strictly speaking, there are six… No. It’s five now. Yes, let’s say it’s five.”

“Set an example as the leading princess.”

A brief silence fell in the reception room.

Hedera and Solana looked at Ether blankly. They wanted to hear her response.

But unexpectedly, Ether laughed once more.

“First of all, you don’t need to worry so much.”

“…Why?”

A confident expression filled Ether’s face.

“From what I hear, what you’re worried about is… That I, once I would become a man’s wife, can’t fulfill my duties as the 1st Princess.”

The 1st Princess slightly lifted her chin arrogantly.

“It seems you are mistaken due to your limited abilities, but I am a woman who can take care of my family and fulfill my duties as the 1st Princess. You underestimate me.”

“What are you…?”

Solana and Hedera’s eyebrows twitched.

“1st Princess, you’re going too far.”

“Going too far? Me?”

Ether snorted.

“So it’s not too much for you to gang up on me while hiding your true intentions, but if I point out something about you, it’s too much?”

Ether laughed and exuded a sinister aura.

“Won’t you answer? Either of you.”

“Hmm.”

Solana cleared her throat.

“And what? The continent’s power will weaken?”

A sneer appeared at the corner of Ether’s mouth.

“No, no. The continent’s power will strengthen. I’ll give birth to about twenty children and raise them into a legion.”

“…”

Hedera and Solana thought simultaneously.

‘She’s serious. She really plans to have them.’

‘…Does she think of childbirth as hunting?’

That’s when Ether shrugged her shoulders.

“When did we ever have a good enough relationship to worry about each other? What does it matter who marries whom? We have zero interest in each other’s lives.”

The corner of Ether’s mouth twisted.

“If you’re unhappy with my marriage, the other princesses can find their own partners and get married too. Despite knowing this clearly, you are changing the subject…”

The woman lightly slapped the table with her palm.

“…Aha, you also have the Teacher as your goal.”

“…”

In fact, logic was not very important in such power struggles. What mattered was that Ether was the only one who directly mentioned marriage and pushed forward.

Hedera used the management of the Tower as an excuse.

Solana used the peace of the continent as an excuse.

Since they had put forward false reasons, it was somewhat difficult to fully refute and confront her.

─It’s definitely not because of Jaekiel.

They couldn’t confidently say this. It was a lie from the start, and saying it could come back to haunt them later.

“I am not a woman who cares much about principles or laws. The only thing I learned in the north is to hunt and obtain what you want.”

It was practically a declaration of her intent to capture Jaekiel.

“Don’t forget that I’ve never failed in a hunt. Even if the target is the Teacher, if it becomes a competition, I will surely win.”

But no one could easily refute that.

Hedera and Solana quietly exchanged glances.

‘You made a slip of the tongue.’

‘It happened because you spoke frustratingly.’

Since their attitude started with lies, there was no way to blame Ether for coming out so confidently. Soon, Solana and Hedera both frowned.

There was only one way.

…Break off the meeting today and discuss it again later.

Hmm… Yes, there was no other way.

“May the Sun God’s grace be with us.”

Solana steadied her breathing and chanted the slogan.

“It seems the 1st Princess is somewhat agitated. Since the infirmary is nearby, let’s all calm down.”

“When did you start biting, and now you want to stop because it’s disadvantageous~?”

Ether shrugged.

“You bared your teeth like a hunting dog to scare me, and now you want to roll over like a pet dog~?”

“I have never bitten, but if the 1st Princess was displeased, I apologize. Please forgive my rudeness with the broad generosity of the northern snowfields.”

I would never admit to the charge of biting you, but such a kind me will go ahead and acknowledge it first and apologize. Be grateful.

…Was it a misunderstanding? That’s how it sounded to Ether.

“Still, let’s lower our voices first. The Teacher is resting, isn’t he? It’s not good for the patient.”

Hedera quickly seized the moment.

“Agreed. The patient’s safety comes first.”

“I can clearly see these scoundrels’ tricks. Now that it’s disadvantageous, you take the patient’s health as a hostage? How cute.”

“…I don’t know what you’re saying. Anyway.”

Hedera, with a mask hanging on her chin, elegantly took a sip of tea.

“Let’s not have direct contact until the Auditor wakes up and gets his bearings. It’s a matter that can be discussed after he regains consciousness.”

“Of course. The person’s intention is important. Meeting him immediately after he wakes up is dangerous. He should be given at least three days.”

Solana nodded desperately.

Then Ether laughed loudly and heartily.

“You’re really struggling. Fine, I’ll give you everything you want. Just know that he will end up marrying me anyway. Let’s meet again three days after the Teacher wakes up.”

Ether stood up, and the conversation in the reception room ended.

Each with irreconcilable differences of opinion.

So many different thoughts.

Lives lived so differently.

But.

At this moment, just once, all their opinions converged.

‘I even received a proposal letter, you uncivilized brats.’

‘I’m the one who got the proposal. If it goes long, I’ll win.’

‘Anyway, I received a proposal letter~’

The three women smiled confidently.

The sleeping Jaekiel knew nothing at all.

That an entirely unexpected storm, one that no one could have foreseen, was approaching him.