Ch.295295. Why Are You Making Me So Anxious?

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty Emperor Malius.”

“Has it been ten years since I met with your late father, Emperor Western?”

“Yes. Have you been well?”

“I was doing fine until you suddenly brought your Imperial Knights to the Eastern Continent without permission.”

After everyone in the reception room was sent out, only I, Emperor Callian, and Emperor Malius remained.

This was undoubtedly the most uncomfortable moment since my possession.

To think that the emperors of two continents would meet at Lake Estate…

I could only silently listen to their conversation.

“Given the current chaotic situation of the Western Continent’s imperial family, there were circumstances.”

“I already know about your succession dispute with Prince Leonis, but what does that have to do with your visit to the Eastern Continent?”

Is it because this is the Eastern Continent?

Or perhaps because Emperor Callian’s father and Emperor Malius were acquainted? Either way, this didn’t feel like a conversation between equals.

Even Emperor Callian, who had been composed until now, looked flustered.

“My younger sister was at Lake Estate.”

“Joanna Lumiere?”

“Yes. Princess Joanna Lumiere was indebted to Selden Alphonse.”

No, saying she was “indebted” without context could cause misunderstandings!

As expected, Emperor Malius narrowed his eyes while looking at me.

“Explain it yourself.”

With a short sigh, I calmly explained the situation, omitting any conversation related to dragons.

Then, Emperor Malius stroked his beard and spoke.

“So you’re saying there’s nothing between you and Princess Joanna Lumiere?”

“Y-yes. I didn’t even know she was a princess until His Majesty Emperor Callian arrived.”

Only now did Emperor Malius show a benevolent smile.

This time, Emperor Callian tilted his head in confusion.

“By the way, what brings Your Majesty all the way here?”

For the first time, Emperor Malius showed a bewildered look.

“W-well, didn’t you invade the Eastern Continent without permission!?”

“Though I couldn’t visit the Eastern Imperial Palace directly, I should have sent a letter.”

“…A letter?”

“Did you come to Lake Estate in such haste that you didn’t even receive my letter?”

At Emperor Callian’s question, Emperor Malius hesitated before laughing heartily.

Then, out of nowhere, he patted my back vigorously.

“Haha!! I share a special friendship with Selden Alphonse.”

“…Pardon?”

“He was the first to stop a monster wave, and by sharing the defense array designs, he’s been a tremendous help to the Eastern Continent.”

“And that’s why Your Majesty personally came to Lake Estate…?”

Seeing Emperor Callian’s still confused expression, Emperor Malius cleared his throat unnecessarily.

“Ahem! Anyway, since you’re here, how about visiting the Imperial Palace?”

“I apologize, but I also have matters to resolve back in the Western Continent.”

“I see. Then you should go.”

“…Excuse me?”

“If you have urgent business, shouldn’t you return to the Western Continent as soon as possible?”

“That’s true, but…”

As Emperor Callian trailed off, Emperor Malius waved his hand in the air, as if urging him to leave.

“I can’t hold back someone in a hurry. I also plan to have a conversation with Selden Alphonse, so I can’t see you off too far.”

“…I understand.”

His Majesty Emperor Callian rose from the sofa.

Then, as if remembering something, Emperor Malius spoke with an urgent expression.

“Ah, right! And Princess Joanna Lumiere will be going to the Western Continent with you, correct?”

*

“Is the meal to your liking?”

A dinner with Emperor Malius, whom I thought would leave for Lumestia Estate immediately.

Today, I was so uncomfortable that I couldn’t tell if the food was going into my nose or mouth.

Though the incident was resolved, I had still caused trouble.

“My days are troubled because of my future son-in-law.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“By the way, why did you travel all the way to the Western Continent to meet someone named Kabla?”

Unable to bring up the dragon story, I put down my spoon and spoke, trying to gloss over it.

“Rupert, the current headmaster of Lake Academy, recommended his friend Kabla as a professor. That’s why I went to the Western Continent to meet him.”

“It doesn’t seem like you needed to go personally.”

“Isn’t it right for the one in need to make the first move?”

“Like how I came to Lake Estate today?”

See…

With comments like this throughout dinner, how could I have an appetite?

I sighed briefly and raised my head.

“I truly apologize.”

“Do you know what angers me?”

“As I’m now essentially a member of the imperial family, it’s natural for Your Majesty to be angry when friction arises with another continent.”

“…Do you really think you’ve become a member of the imperial family?”

“Y-yes. Even if I don’t live in the imperial palace after marriage, it’s an undeniable fact that I’m part of the imperial family, isn’t it?”

“Then why didn’t you promptly inform me of the situation?”

At Emperor Malius’s question, I drooped my shoulders.

“I apologize. I thought I could resolve it myself.”

“As you said, you might have resolved it. But if you considered me, couldn’t you have told me in advance?”

“My thinking was shortsighted.”

“When Emperor Callian crossed into the Eastern Continent with his Imperial Knights, I was surprised once, and when I learned his destination was Lake Estate, I was surprised again. Am I so untrustworthy to you?”

“T-that’s not it. I didn’t want to burden Your Majesty.”

“Do family members think like that?”

My usually talkative mouth remained shut.

I had nothing to say, even if I had ten mouths.

“I didn’t realize Your Majesty would feel hurt. From now on, I’ll consult with you first, regardless of the matter.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes, I’m certain.”

Emperor Malius then spoke with a somewhat calmer face.

“Was the lady I briefly encountered when entering the reception room Princess Joanna Lumiere?”

“…Yes.”

“Like Emperor Callian, I saw her when she was very young, but now she’s become quite the lady. Thinking about it, she’s the same age as my second daughter, Sairin.”

“Ah… I didn’t know her age since I barely conversed with her.”

“Are you sure?”

“…Pardon?”

“Are you certain you didn’t converse with Princess Joanna Lumiere?”

A chilling sensation pierced my chest.

Emperor Malius’s suspicious gaze.

I maintained a nonchalant expression and continued.

“Do you think I might have shown interest in Princess Joanna?”

“Even if not, couldn’t Princess Joanna have shown interest in you?”

“…As I mentioned earlier, I thought Princess Joanna Lumiere was an imperial attendant until His Majesty Emperor Callian arrived.”

“She seemed too beautiful to be just an imperial attendant…”

“Not as beautiful as Princess Etherian and Princess Sairin.”

Finally satisfied, Emperor Malius tapped the table with his palm and laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! I thought you weren’t satisfied with Etherian and Sairin and had set your sights on a princess from another continent!”

“Y-you keep saying I’ve set my sights, but I’ve never done such a thing.”

“Haha!! It’s a joke!”

Joke, my foot.

His earlier gaze was believable enough to be from a demon returned from hell.

Well, even I might go crazy if someone engaged to Lucien became involved with another woman.

Emperor Malius stopped laughing and spoke.

“By the way, can you really find the zombie in the Western Continent? It was a puzzle that even Emperor Western, Emperor Callian’s father, couldn’t solve.”

“I have a hunch, which is why I took on the case. I’m confident I can find the culprit.”

“Hmm, if you truly resolve this case, the Eastern Continent’s prestige will continue to rise.”

“…Pardon?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You’re now a member of the Eastern Imperial family, aren’t you?”

I spoke with a calm expression to Emperor Malius, who was tilting his head.

“I’ll gather information, but my colleagues will handle the direct resolution.”

“Colleagues?”

“I have colleagues who have gone on an adventure to hunt monsters. I’ll provide them with information to solve the case.”

“Haha! So, since you’re not directly solving the case, you want to give the glory to your colleagues?”

“Yes. I’m merely providing information.”

Emperor Malius, seemingly finished with his meal, rose from his chair, straightened his back, and smiled gently.

Then he came behind me and once again patted my back vigorously.

“Merely information? Don’t worry. I’ll make sure your glory is properly acknowledged.”

This man…

Why does he keep making me anxious?