Ch.210Royal Family (6)

Why… why did I do that?

I should have just bowed my head and agreed with Her Majesty the Queen.

[“Well… Akitan, the background is certainly impressive. But Liliane, marriage requires more careful consideration.”]

[“Your Majesty.”]

[“Above all, using blood ties as a reason for alliance is something done only when there are no other options. Duke Akitan is in a position where he could never betray His Majesty, so there’s little need to establish blood relations.”]

But… how could I stay silent after hearing that?

One could argue that since they’re already firm allies, there’s no need to strengthen the alliance through blood relations. But interpreted more radically, it could mean they don’t want to complicate matters by establishing blood ties with my father, who is in a position they could discard at any time.

No, even without going that far, the statement itself that “father could never betray His Majesty” is problematic. What, is His Majesty allowed to betray my father?

Even for the Queen, that’s going too far. At the very least, she should say such things when I’m not present. Why say it right in front of me?

If Father heard about this, he would surely nod and understand my position.

[“…No.”]

[“Hmm?”]

[“Blood relations… aren’t just for alliances.”]

[“If not for alliance, then is it merely for Liliane’s position? There’s no need to dress it up. After all, don’t all men who approach Liliane have the same motive?”]

[“I just… think Princess Liliane is beautiful…”]

[“…What?”]

The problem is I don’t remember much after that.

The Queen, who had been speaking to me condescendingly with a composed expression, suddenly changed her attitude and urgently questioned me about various things. I answered in confusion, just saying whatever came to mind.

“…”

“Y-Your Majesty…”

And this is the result.

In response to my sincere answers, the Queen became increasingly agitated, and when His Majesty the King entered the dining hall, she—though the comparison is disrespectful—acted like a child throwing a tantrum as she told him what had happened between us.

And now His Majesty is showing the exact same reaction as the Queen.

Why is everyone acting like this…

“Good to see you. So, what’s this about Lili?”

“I… happiness… ugh.”

It’s no use; the atmosphere is too heavy for me to speak properly.

It feels like the air has turned to water, mercilessly pressing down on me.

I instinctively know that if I choose the wrong words, everything my father has built up will come crashing down. His Majesty’s gaze and my father’s gaze behind him are burning into me.

“Happiness… Well, let’s set that aside for now.”

His Majesty says this and takes a sip from the teacup on the table. Even though it’s the Queen’s cup, he doesn’t seem to mind at all, confirming that the rumors about the King and Queen’s excellent relationship weren’t false.

“Do you love Lili? No, that question is too obvious. Hmm… Tell me about your first meeting with Lili.”

“First meeting?”

“Whether you met by chance, or with purpose—there are many possibilities, aren’t there? Just tell me everything you can think of, like what you thought of Lili.”

By chance… no, not really.

Since I approached the Princess on my father’s orders to become close to her, it could be said I met her with a purpose.

‘…Should I say this outright?’

Even though relationships between nobles often revolve around political considerations, it seems too harsh to openly admit I met her on my father’s orders.

Especially since I’m in a position of seeking permission for marriage. If I answer like that, they’ll probably choose to speak with my father directly rather than me. After all, in an arranged marriage, there’s no need to hear the children’s opinions.

“Y-Your Majesty, if you could wait a moment—”

“Duke, remain silent. I am currently speaking with your son, am I not?”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

My father’s attempt to intervene is instantly blocked by His Majesty’s command.

It’s clear that answering incorrectly here would be disastrous.

What should I do… the sordid truth, or a clean lie?

“…The cause of our first meeting was my father’s order.”

…The truth it is.

I don’t have the talent for lying, so I’d be found out immediately.

Better to tell the truth than a lie with a high probability of being discovered.

“Order?”

“Yes, my father ordered me to approach the Princess and build a relationship with her, saying that becoming personally close to her would give us an advantage in the future process of finding her a spouse. I approached the Princess after receiving that order.”

My father’s face instantly changed color. Like a raisin.

Princess Liliane beside me is staring with wide eyes, shocked, and the Queen is glaring at me with even more hostility than before.

…It seems I gave the wrong answer.

But what could I do? It’s the truth.

“Hmm, as expected.”

“I’m… sorry…”

“No, I’m not blaming you. If anyone is to blame, it’s the Duke standing behind me. So, what did you think after meeting her?”

“What did I think?”

“How do you feel about Liliane?”

“Well—”

I love her.

“Oh… how bold.”

“…Ah.”

No, I made another mistake.

I was strictly taught by my father to always think before speaking, but I unconsciously blurted out what came to mind.

After just saying I approached the Princess on my father’s orders, now I’m saying something completely contradictory. From His Majesty’s perspective, it must seem like I’m playing games.

“Hmm… you pass.”

“…Pardon? Pass?”

But suddenly, words completely opposite to what I expected come from His Majesty’s mouth.

His Majesty ignores my confusion and looks at the Queen, who nods silently in response to the King’s gaze.

Pass? What exactly passed?

“Duke Akitan, what do you think about getting engaged for now and holding the wedding ceremony when you officially turn 17?”

“Th-Thank you, Your Majesty…!”

The atmosphere that seemed ready to devour me just moments ago has instantly changed to something as warm as a spring breeze.

Um… engagement?

Why?

I can’t follow the flow of this conversation.

“Aren’t all meetings between noble children like this? The vast majority of such meetings are arranged by parents behind the scenes.”

While I’m standing there confused about what’s happening, His Majesty suddenly addresses me.

He seems to have realized from a quick glance that I’m not grasping the situation properly.

“But just for something like that…”

“No, most importantly, you didn’t lie. Without a moment’s hesitation, you said you love my daughter as if it were the most natural thing. How could I view that negatively?”

“…What?”

Love?

No, I don’t think I said that. I just said I liked her…

“Are you too nervous? You don’t even remember what you said.”

“What?”

“Well, never mind. It’s decided, so spend time together and get closer during the Senate session. Lili seems to like you quite a bit too.”

Hearing that, I reflexively turn my head to the side… and there is the Princess, her face as red as an apple—though such a comparison is terribly disrespectful.

She’s looking at me with her face flushed, blinking her eyes… she’s cute, very much so.

……….

Wow.

How bold.

A mere 12-year-old, equivalent to a first-year middle school student in Korea, acting like this.

Or maybe it’s because he’s a middle schooler that he acts this way.

[“How do you feel about Liliane?”]

[“Well, I love her.”]

Despite the overwhelming difference in status and the possibility of irreversible consequences if he misspoke, he made such a statement so confidently.

What’s more impressive is that he didn’t tell a single lie during our conversation.

From honestly stating his purpose for meeting Lili to naturally declaring his love.

Wow, looking at him, he doesn’t seem to realize it himself, but we’ve found a good one.

‘That’s a relief.’

To be honest, although I had resolved to match my children with people they love as much as possible, I knew it would be very difficult.

After all, they are the children of none other than me, the King.

High status itself makes it difficult to form personal relationships.

It’s hard to imagine someone approaching the King’s child without any political motive, purely out of goodwill. And even if my children approach others with goodwill first, there’s a high chance the other party would retreat in fear.

Compared to that, Lili is truly fortunate. She’s found her soulmate at such a young age.

“It makes me sad to think that child will someday leave my embrace.”

“…Me too.”

I’ve heard other nobles leave their children with wet nurses and only see them on special occasions, but my wives and I never did that.

The reason I reduced my working hours in the first place was to spend more time with my family.

Now that Liliane is engaged… my feelings are quite mixed. Hmm.

Whenever I saw fathers-in-law jealous of their sons-in-law, I just laughed it off, but now that I’m in that position, I understand the feeling perfectly.

“Sigh… well, I have to let her go.”

“Let’s make another one.”

“Yes, let’s send her—what?”

“Lili is leaving us, right? We need one more.”

At that moment, Ines suddenly says something strange and approaches me. Her eyes look quite dangerous.

What’s going on?

“No… Ines, Lili won’t be leaving for another six years!”

“…Don’t you think having only three legitimate children is too few?”

“Your reason just changed! And the atmosphere was so emotional, why are you suddenly—aaack!”