Ch.15918100428 (5)

Balkaros Lantana von Staufen.

The sun that reigns over the Empire.

He had one recent interest.

‘A son-in-law.’

None other than a royal marriage.

Since the princesses were approaching adulthood, it was natural for him to be interested in such matters.

Neither of them had even arranged marriages, which were common in noble society.

Compared to other noble children, they were rather late.

In this situation, looking for a son-in-law was the proper course of action for an emperor.

Yes. I had no particular objection to this.

The only problem was…

“So, Duke.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

That I was the designated target.

A sudden call.

I pause with the utensils in my hand.

At the end of my gaze was Balkaros, staring at me intensely.

Unable to continue eating, I force an awkward smile.

The Emperor speaks as if he had been waiting for our eyes to meet.

“When do you plan to give me an answer about our previous discussion?”

“By answer, you mean…”

“About the royal marriage. Didn’t I ask you whom you intend to marry?”

Of course I remembered.

Sharlotte and Elise.

It was a blunt question, with obvious pressure, about which one I would marry.

It was also a question that had been repeated to the point of being drilled into my ears for the past few days.

Balkaros holds an ominous smile on his lips.

“I’d like to hear your answer as soon as possible.”

“…”

“Are you still contemplating?”

“Regrettably…”

“There’s nothing to regret. You’ll soon be a member of the imperial family and my son-in-law, won’t you? You can be more forthright than you are now.”

“I’m grateful for your gracious words.”

It seemed the son-in-law matter was already decided.

I smile with complicated emotions.

How did it come to this?

Being pressured like this at every meal, I could barely tell which direction to put my food in.

I might end up shoving steak into my nose if I wasn’t careful.

Putting aside these frivolous thoughts, I compose myself.

“I will provide an answer as soon as possible.”

“You should. Otherwise, I might overturn the Snakus family.”

The Emperor casually drops these words.

However, the content of his words was nothing short of terrifying.

I feel my courage chill in real time.

‘This is complicated.’

Perhaps it might seem strange.

An Emperor who supposedly rules the Empire.

Yet such a person is insisting on a nobody like me as a son-in-law.

There must be better marriage prospects than the insignificant Snakus family…

I had asked about this a few days ago.

Because I was curious too.

-Isn’t our family from the borderlands?

-For a royal marriage… there must be many better matches among central nobles or ducal houses.

-I’m curious why you’re giving me this opportunity over those options.

A perfectly normal question.

But the answer I received was anything but.

-Even if it’s low, you’re still a count’s family, aren’t you?

-That’s more than sufficient.

-Few would deny that your family is prestigious, given its renowned alchemy since the empire’s founding.

-Though there’s a perception of being provincial due to your family’s mysticism…

-Who would dare object? To a decision I’ve made.

Whatever.

Balkaros dismissed it with a single word.

I gave up asking further questions.

Judging by his lack of hesitation, he must have taken quite a liking to me.

Thanks to that, I had to endure the same topic all week long.

Even now, it continues.

“Besides, lately you’ve been coming with strange marks on your neck, haven’t you?”

“This is…”

He was referring to the marking Elise had left.

Evidence refreshed just hours ago.

As a result, my nape still had a reddish tinge.

The clarity that only deepened with each passing day rather than fading.

I discreetly cover it with my palm.

Of course, even such an action only made Balkaros’s gaze more severe.

The Emperor speaks.

“I trust you haven’t just been playing around with a one-night stand.”

“There’s a slight misunderstanding about that…”

“If you’ve taken someone’s purity, you must take responsibility.”

“…I haven’t taken anyone’s purity, let alone anything else.”

“So you’re saying you dislike her?”

No.

Until just now he was coaxing me to be his son-in-law, but why is he glaring at me like he wants to kill me now?

I wished he would clearly decide on his stance.

So I could play along accordingly.

‘Though I don’t feel genuinely hated…’

At the very least, he seemed unwilling to back down regarding the marriage.

A troublesome situation in many ways.

I looked at the rose for help, but they were already in cahoots.

Perhaps she enjoyed seeing me flustered, which was rare.

The girl was wearing a subtle smile.

“Well… I want to hear the answer too. Who do you plan to choose?”

Seductively curved green eyes.

The mischievous curve resembled spring grass.

“You promised, didn’t you? That you’d make me happy.”

The rose looks at me with her chin resting on her hand.

A meaningful gaze.

It was like pouring oil on a fire.

Perhaps she herself was caught in that flame, as her face was quite flushed.

I wonder why she attacks me while being so embarrassed herself.

“Excuse me.”

As the standoff continued.

The one who intercepted Elise’s question was none other than Charlotte sitting beside me.

She was looking up at me with her characteristically clear eyes.

The next moment.

“Do you really have to choose?”

“Your Highness?”

“Can’t you just marry both of us?”

“…Pardon?”

A bombshell dropped on the dining table.

Those of us who had been conversing until just now were completely stunned.

We were checking if we had heard correctly.

As the surroundings fell silent, Charlotte tilted her head.

Her expression was blank, as if she didn’t understand why.

“Why is everyone acting like this?”

Where should I even begin to point out the issues?

As no one could grasp the situation and a brief silence continued, Charlotte suddenly grabbed my sleeve.

She alternated her gaze between Elise across from her and me beside her.

Then she added.

“It’s unfair for Elise to have you all to herself.”

“S-Sister…?”

“Conversely, it’s also unfair if I monopolize you. So if we both marry you, problem solved.”

“I understand what you’re saying… no, actually I don’t. No matter how you look at it, marrying both princesses seems impossible.”

“Why?”

A straightforward question.

Even Elise, who had been answering, was at a loss for words.

Charlotte speaks with a slightly sullen expression.

“I don’t want to be separated over something like this.”

“…”

“Elise and Judas… you’re both like the whole world to me. So just this once, I won’t back down.”

The short paragraph carried a special meaning.

The older sister who had always been devoted to her younger sister.

Such a precious person declared.

That just this once, she would not yield her will.

As someone who had witnessed her sister’s sacrifices, the younger sister had no way to shake her head at that voice.

She could only watch the situation with confused eyes.

Charlotte smiles with satisfaction.

“Judas.”

Swoosh-.

Blue eyes turn toward me.

The girl who had approached close before I knew it.

She suddenly spreads her arms to embrace me, then unexpectedly brings her face close to mine.

Her lips, which came in an instant, touch my cheek and then pull away.

Smooch-.

A brief death rattle.

If it had gone astray, our lips would have overlapped.

A lukewarm, sweet, and soft sensation spreads.

It happened so suddenly that no one could react.

Everyone around was frozen in shock.

“I succeeded.”

Whether she knew it or not.

The person in question was wearing a proud smile.

“Now I’ve taken your purity too. So you have to take responsibility for all of us.”

“…”

I couldn’t find words to respond.

Does she even know what purity means?

As far as I knew, Charlotte was completely ignorant about matters related to sex.

Whether it resembled the innocence of a young prince or not, she had shown no interest in relationships between men and women.

‘In other words.’

A blank canvas.

She probably doesn’t even know the process by which life is created.

The girl’s voice falls casually without any particular intention.

However.

“Hey, Elise.”

“Y-Yes…?”

“Don’t you think having about five children each would be good?”

“Puhuk! Cough, cough…!”

Elise finally chokes.

Her face was so heated that steam seemed about to rise from her forehead.

Charlotte tilts her head, not understanding her sister’s reaction.

It was truly chaotic.

“…”

I was keeping my head down.

It was because of the intense gaze piercing this way.

Balkaros smiles with a deep killing intent.

“To think you’ve captivated both of them.”

“…”

“Let’s see how you fare from now on, Duke.”

“Ha, haha…”

It seemed things wouldn’t be easy going forward.

***

A peaceful passing of everyday life.

Before we knew it, ten days had passed since we began staying at the imperial palace.

We were preparing to return to the academy.

“You’re leaving.”

“I plan to return to my original place.”

Balkaros speaks as if disappointed.

Of course, he didn’t try to hold us back.

He knew that I, and his daughters, had places to return to.

The father who would be left alone merely offered a brief farewell.

The Emperor speaks.

“I owe you many debts.”

The man’s eyes were calm.

As if reminiscing about some past.

“It was a life where I couldn’t save anything… my empress, my children, the empire, and in the end, even myself.”

“Your Majesty has always done your best.”

“I wonder.”

He smiles as if it doesn’t matter.

Balkaros pats my shoulder a few times with his heavy hand.

Some emotion was melted into the weight that settled on me.

What could it have been?

“I have much to say. Much that I should say.”

But I couldn’t ask.

I simply listened attentively to the monologue that continued solemnly.

“However, I’ll keep it brief. Such lamentations aren’t very interesting anyway.”

Thank you.

That single phrase fills the audience chamber.

Because it was a resonance worthy of value.

Beyond the clearly articulated sentences, only a faint smile is reflected.

The ending I once resolved upon must surely be something like this.

“You saved the princesses, saved the emperor, and furthermore, saved the empire. I express my gratitude for all the mercy you have shown.”

A shining moment.

“The imperial family will always stand by your side.”

Truly, greetings should carry vitality.

Whether it becomes regards, promises, or gratitude.

Sometimes, peace dwells even in shallow phrases.

I could feel such a moment right now.

“Please take care of my children.”

An outstretched hand.

I shake it without hesitation.

Reflecting an unwavering commitment.

“Gladly.”

Only then do I complete the greeting.

Afterwards.

Steps leading out of the audience chamber.

At that path, girls with red and platinum blonde hair were waiting.

They too had gentle smiles spread across their faces.

I speak.

“Shall we go back then?”

“Yes. I’ve been waiting.”

“It feels like it’s been a long time somehow.”

A home where everyone is waiting.

We took steps forward without hesitation.

[EP???. For Elise]

-A lonely nest, a rose withering in winter-

A new story.

A new tomorrow.

And, toward the academy.

***

Meanwhile.

Another evil is stirring behind the Empire.

A nightmare that has been holding its breath for a long time.

“To think… I never expected the academy would stop the four dragons.”

The mysterious shadow mutters while seated at the head of the table.

Surrounded by Demonic Energy, their face was not visible.

However, from the intense presence and the executives lined up nearby, one could tell this was the leader of the group.

Only a dark red banner symbolizing the cult was spread on the table.

The shadow laments.

“Our grandest plan has been foiled.”

“I am ashamed.”

“What responsibility could you bear? It’s all due to my lack of virtue.”

“How do you plan to fulfill the unaccomplished sacred task?”

“Well.”

The shadow conversing with their right-hand man.

After being lost in thought for a while, they eventually display a vile smile.

The Demonic Energy that instantly spread out sends chills down the spine with its sinister vibration.

A dangerous being.

“The cathedral and the academy… the collapse of these two places is essential for [His] resurrection.”

They had recorded a painful defeat previously.

Along with the failure of the long-cherished sacred task, even the death of the Puppeteer, one of their core forces.

However, shadows deepen as the shining light becomes clearer.

The shadow commands.

“We must prepare for a holy war.”

“But, Grand Master. The security of the faculty has become fierce due to the last attack. It seems difficult to infiltrate without special measures.”

“Don’t we have a method for that?”

“By method, you mean…”

“Those with whom we formed alliances in His name. Let’s move the pieces we’ve been saving.”

“O Caller, which individuals do you plan to draw into the game?”

“The businessman, and the Venatti ducal family would be appropriate.”

“I will send letters immediately.”

Bow-.

The executive bows in respect.

The shadow adds one more thing.

“And one more.”

“Please speak.”

“The Venatti ducal family. I heard twins from there are attending the academy.”

“That’s correct. The sister is Ameila Venatti, and the brother is Rusca Venatti.”

“Yes… now even the young sacrifices will have their use.”

“Which child will you establish as the agent of the sacred task?”

“The younger brother would be easier to use.”

“I will prepare the name Rusca for the elders.”

“Good.”

A story connecting like a puzzle.

The world was about to face genuine chaos.