Ch.336336. It’s not just for the time being, but something you should never have touched in the first place.

“In such a short time, you’ve grown even more splendid.”

“Oh my! Has it gotten bigger again?”

As I stepped into the bath naked, Ellaria and Miria showered me with compliments.

I casually immersed myself in the water, proudly displaying “that thing” attached to my lower body.

“Thanks to you, Mother, I’ve been able to possess such a magnificent specimen.”

When I first entered the bath with Ellaria and Miria, I was so embarrassed I didn’t know what to do, but I found it fascinating how frighteningly I had changed over time.

Of course, some things hadn’t changed at all.

“…Sister, that belongs to me.”

At my words, Miria, who had somehow moved closer, pouted.

“Our youngest is getting married now, so I won’t be able to touch it for a while…”

“Not just for a while—you shouldn’t have been touching it in the first place.”

“How stingy… What about bathing? Will we still bathe together even after you’re married?”

I was about to refuse firmly when I caught Ellaria’s sad gaze from across the bath.

With a short sigh, I lifted my head.

“Mother, I’ll continue bathing with you until you can bathe with your grandchildren.”

At that, Ellaria flinched in surprise.

“R-really?”

“Yes, bathing isn’t difficult, and if it makes you happy, I should do it.”

As I flashed a smile, Miria Alphonse peeked her head out of the water.

“Th-then what about me!?”

“Shouldn’t Sister Miria be bathing with the husband she’ll spend the rest of her life with?”

“You mean Derickson Ebert? I don’t like him much. Turns out he’s a mama’s boy who only cares about his mother!”

Would he be more of a mama’s boy than me, a grown adult who still bathes with his mother?

Clearing my throat, I spoke.

“Soon, you’ll have good news too, Sister.”

“Good news? Are you trying to introduce me to another strange man? I told you to stop doing that!”

“I’m about to get married, so what joy will you have in your life, Sister?”

“Can’t I just visit Lake Territory? I can get along well with the princesses!”

See, I knew this would happen.

After this conversation, I’m even more convinced that somehow getting Miria married would make my life much easier.

By the way.

Ellaria seems unusually quiet today.

Baron Byron mentioned that she hadn’t been sleeping well since I participated in the Western Continent War…

I felt I should apologize.

“Mother, I’m sorry for causing you worry. I was so preoccupied that I decided to join the Western Continent War without consulting you and Father.”

“…You’re a grown adult now, so I understand. However… I wish you would promise never to do anything dangerous again.”

“Yes, I promise I will absolutely stay away from dangerous situations from now on.”

Seeing the firmness in my eyes, Ellaria seemed relieved and settled into a more comfortable position in the water.

“…By the way, I’d like to hear how you ended up engaged to the princesses?”

Miria Alphonse, also curious, pressed herself slightly closer.

I pushed her forehead away with my fingertip and began my story.

I kept it simple without lengthy explanations.

I felt somewhat guilty for mixing in a few lies, but I couldn’t exactly be completely honest.

Ellaria nodded slowly.

“…So that’s what happened with the princesses.”

“I should have informed you and Father about the marriage first, but His Majesty Emperor Malius has such an impatient personality…”

“The Eastern Continent needed a justification to join the Western Continent War. Rather, I’m grateful to His Majesty for taking such good care of our son.”

“…As I told Father, once you decide on the date and location for the wedding, we’ll proceed accordingly.”

Ellaria smiled gently.

“When do you plan to return to Lake Territory?”

“I’ll need to leave tomorrow.”

“I see…?”

Looking disappointed that I wouldn’t be staying longer, I smiled at Ellaria.

“Mother, whenever you feel lonely, please visit Lake Territory anytime. I’ve been away for so long that work has piled up, so I can’t help it this time.”

“I understand. You’ll be busy preparing for your marriage now.”

It had already been an hour since we entered the bath.

As I was about to get up, Ellaria hesitated before adding one more thing.

“And thank you.”

“…Pardon?”

“Evander told me. That you helped him return to Alphonse Territory…”

Fortunately, he didn’t mention that I threatened him to take the family head position?

Indeed, unlike Leonard, Evander seems to keep things to himself.

Ellaria’s eyes grew moist with genuine gratitude.

Understandably so—after losing her second son Jason, she nearly lost her eldest son forever, even though she never showed it openly.

I slowly rose from the water.

Then I winked at Ellaria.

“Mother, we’re family, aren’t we? From now on, I’ll make sure you live without worries for the rest of your life.”

*

“Young master, you’re truly remarkable!”

As soon as I arrived at Lake Territory, Padericks greeted me with enthusiastic applause.

It continued even as I entered the study.

“Padericks.”

“Yes, sir?”

“You know, I have trauma associated with the word ‘remarkable’ because of my father. Could you tone it down a bit?”

“I’m just being honest. I was so worried because problems with either princess seemed inevitable. But… to resolve this predicament by marrying both princesses! I can’t help but be amazed.”

It’s clearly praise, but why does it feel sarcastic?

I narrowed my brows with a short sigh.

“How are the Lake Territory residents reacting?”

“Haha… they don’t believe it yet.”

“The Emperor himself made the announcement, and no one believes it?”

“Lake Territory is far from Lumestia, and how could anyone believe that you’re marrying both princesses? Everyone thinks it’s been exaggerated.”

“Hmm, I suppose that makes sense.”

Padericks straightened his back, his eyes gleaming.

“More importantly, we need to extensively renovate the mansion in Lake Territory.”

“It’s not like the wedding will be held here, right?”

“Won’t you be living here with both princesses from now on?”

Though I truly dream of living peacefully in a small house in the forest, for now, Lake Territory needs time to stabilize.

Until then, I would have to live here.

“I suppose so.”

“Naturally, we must decorate the interior and exterior lavishly, befitting a mansion housing two princesses. Additionally, noble visitors will increase, and we can’t let them experience any discomfort.”

“…Why are you so excited about this?”

“I’m not excited—it’s just necessary. We should also install protective magic circles throughout the mansion using the Guardian Corps. We can’t rule out another assassin intrusion like before.”

“Well… that’s reasonable.”

“And to match imperial standards, I’ve already contacted various master craftsmen to prepare the finest ceremonial attire.”

My mouth fell open at Padericks’ ceaseless stream of words.

“Wow… you’re already preparing ceremonial clothes?”

“Of course. How about a black coat embroidered with gold thread and a cape with red velvet embroidery?”

“I hate complicated things, so let’s keep it simple.”

“…Hmm, understood. I’ll prepare a design befitting your refined face.”

I looked at Padericks with some concern.

“But won’t this take too much time?”

At that, Padericks clenched his fists and raised his voice.

“Young master, you’re about to become a member of the imperial family! Moreover, it’s the day you take two princesses as wives—something unprecedented in Eastern Continent history!”

“W-well, that’s true, but…”

“Just this once, please follow my wishes. I will thoroughly prepare everything so that no noble can look down on you!”

Who would dare look down on me after I stopped the monster wave and ended the Western Continent War?

Looking at him more closely, Padericks seemed to have strange fixations.

Judging by his expression, he wouldn’t listen even if I tried to stop him, so I waved my hand dismissively.

“Fine, do as you see fit.”

“Thank you.”

Creeeeak—!

Just as Padericks was about to leave the study, Jawill Wilson rushed in urgently.

“Y-young master! We have an emergency!”

“What now?”

“Princess Etherian and Princess Sairin have arrived at Lake Territory.”

Coming without sending a letter first has become routine now.

I rose calmly with an expression that said “the inevitable has arrived,” causing Jawill Wilson to tilt his head in confusion.

“…You’re not surprised?”

I nodded at Jawill Wilson’s questioning look.

“They’re the people I’m going to marry—what’s there to be surprised about?”