Ch.67Love Letters from the Future

“A marriage proposal? As if such a fool would exist.”

There shouldn’t be. Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl.

Yes, I understand. I’m aware that my face falls into the category of handsome.

Whether due to Hersella’s infamy or my fierce gaze, fortunately, no one has shown that kind of interest in me.

Thanks to that, I’ve lived without much concern about it…

If what Frider says is true, things might get complicated from now on.

And in a way I absolutely don’t want.

My eyes look soft because I’m groaning from injuries, giving off no threatening impression?

No wonder that fourteen-year-old apprentice priest wasn’t afraid of me at all, which was strange.

At the time, I just thought he was too young to know about me and let it go…

But it turns out the intimidating pressure had already completely disappeared.

Tension rippled through my shoulders. It was different from battle tension, but still.

Certainly, considering my status, if things continue like this, some deranged fools might emerge drooling over me.

If they could just get their hands on me…

Ugh.

The image flashing through my mind momentarily made me retch.

It felt like a maggot crawling into my ear, constantly wriggling inside.

Suppressing the disgust, I continued my train of thought.

Yes. Just by forming a strategic relationship with me, it would be a groundbreaking opportunity for status elevation.

After all, they’d be bringing into their family a Master-level force with immense potential, someone who might become a bridgehead with the eastern Ka’har in the future.

Although the Ka’har are despised as barbarians, once the Empire recognized the agreement with Ka’har, that princess is officially treated as royalty of another country.

So her hus…band would also be recognized with a status equivalent to a royal consort of another country.

Some might even expect that Aishan-Gioro could someday become an Imperial Elector like Faelrun.

If that happens, they would be related to an Elector family, instantly becoming one of the Empire’s greatest nobles.

Foreign royal families are merely accorded royal courtesy, but the Electors are the Empire’s core power holders.

So rationally speaking, it’s a reasonable judgment.

Of course, I said I understand, not that I accept it.

I have no intention of returning to Ka’har, so being a bridgehead is impossible, and the peace agreement won’t even last three years, making it all a futile dream.

Marriage proposals, engagements, courtships—I have no intention of accepting any of it. It’s disgusting.

Anyway, once time passes and my body fully recovers, my gaze and presence will return to normal, so it should be fine.

Right?

“Who knows? It’s hard to say.”

My expression must have been quite amusing, as Frider kept laughing mischievously.

Come to think of it, this woman has changed a lot too. At first, she openly showed her hatred toward me.

Now she visits my hospital room to tease me and laugh.

No matter how much I could gain her favor by killing werebeasts, isn’t this change of attitude too quick?

Still, this is better than when she was being irritable about everything.

Yes. Laugh all you want.

Letting her laughter pass by like background noise, I opened the imperial invitation and took out the letter.

An extravagant piece of paper with gold leaf embellishments on each corner and the imperial emblem at the top decorated with gem powder.

Quite luxurious for a disposable piece of paper.

Well, that’s how all royalty is. People who need to prove their authority through luxury.

The content of the letter was excessively verbose with all sorts of flowery language.

Except for the beginning part expressing respect for my achievements, it was just about the award ceremony, as Frider had said.

Once the restoration work on the island is completed, they plan to hold a large funeral mass for the victims.

There, they will award honors to the academy students who fought off the werebeast warriors.

Although the exact details of the awards and timing weren’t finalized, it would likely take place in about 40 days.

“I don’t know how to prepare for an award ceremony given by the Imperial House.”

It was a bit overwhelming. I had no idea about the etiquette required for such an occasion.

“There’s nothing much to prepare. Just wear your academy uniform, kneel, and respond properly. They’ll rehearse the basic procedures beforehand, and the Imperial House won’t expect more elaborate etiquette from students anyway.”

Academy uniform. I think I stuffed it somewhere in my closet because it was uncomfortable. I’ll have to check later.

Since I only need to wear it for one day, I guess I can manage that much.

“After the ceremony, some nobles might come to greet you, but you can just treat them as you normally would.”

“As I normally would.” What an ambiguous phrase.

I suppose it means I don’t need to be particularly courteous?

…I’m not sure if I can trust that.

Well, I’ve openly growled at Lord Landenburg before, and most nobles would be below him in rank, so I guess it doesn’t matter.

—-

“Well, I’ll be going now, so get some rest. Maybe think about how to respond to the love letters that will be flying in.”

As I was taking out Lord Landenburg’s letter, Frider stood up.

Teasing me until the very end.

Considering her softened tone and attitude, I suppose this counts as her showing goodwill toward me…?

It felt like taming a prickly cat by feeding it jerky.

Yes. It’s a good thing, if you think about it. I need to keep building good relationships with the northern region anyway.

“Alright. See you.”

I casually responded to Frider as she left the room and opened the last envelope.

A letter from Lord Landenburg. And to me, not Nigel. I wonder what it’s about?

The letter paper I pulled out was plain and neat, just like the one from the Duke of Faelrun.

Is this the characteristic simplicity of border nobles?

Neat handwriting in the imperial language filled the white paper.

—-

Lady Haschal Aishan-Gioro,

I have heard about the tragedy caused by the werebeasts. It is truly appalling.

To think that the island’s defenses had become so lax.

That they couldn’t even notice the signs until a riot of such scale broke out.

I suppose it’s because peace has lasted too long.

All sorts of enemies are just waiting for the Empire to show weakness.

I express my respect for your struggle.

I heard you showed your loyalty by not sparing your life for the Empire. Has there been some change in your mindset?

News of your brilliant achievements has reached even this wall.

Due to the distance, the rumors have become quite interestingly distorted.

Some say a knight of the goddess descended to protect the island after hearing the screams of imperial citizens.

Others say a woman who appeared to be a half-werebeast killed all the other werebeasts.

There’s even talk that a Master secretly raised by the Imperial House finally revealed herself.

Amusing, isn’t it? That’s how rumors are.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurd rumor that a strangely shaped monster tore apart and ate the flesh and blood of werebeasts.

I’ll believe it’s just a rumor.

I’ve also heard about Lord Nigel.

They say he barely survived thanks to you and Lady Faelrun. I am grateful.

I owe a great debt to Faelrun as well.

Please continue to take care of Lord Nigel.

To get to the point.

It seems the Imperial House has taken great interest in you because of this incident.

For that reason, I also plan to visit the island soon.

I will visit you before the award ceremony.

There are many things you must know about the Imperial House.

And besides that, I have something to tell you. Something very important.

P.S.

I’ve also read Lord Nigel’s report.

I approve. You may freely use up to seventy gold per month from now on.

You have proven yourself with sufficient results.

And, though it’s not my place to say, cut down on the mana herbs.

Ludwig Wilhelm von Landenburg

—-

I put down the letter and stared at the ceiling of the hospital room.

A simple beige ceiling without any patterns, with only a crude mana lamp hanging from it.

Since it wasn’t dark yet, the light was off.

What ridiculous rumors.

Knight of the goddess, half-werebeast, the Imperial House’s secret weapon? People really come up with all sorts of stories.

Well, rumors tend to get distorted the further they travel.

Ironically, the last rumor, which he dismissed as absurd, was actually closest to the truth.

Someone must have seen that scene.

I couldn’t help but sigh.

Not content with being the Ka’har woman who eats children, now I’m a monster that devours werebeasts.

…Well, they’re just baseless rumors anyway, so these strange stories will eventually die down. Don’t worry about it.

I put the letters back in their envelopes and placed them back on the table.

By the way, what could the Lord want to tell me at this point that’s so important?

About the succession disputes among the royals? Or…

Well, this works out well. I also had something I wanted to ask.

It’s about time I learned about my mother, Imelia de Median.

I lay back down on the bed.

There were many things to worry about, like the nobles or the imperial family’s issues.

But right now, I just wanted to rest.

Perhaps Frider’s story was more shocking than I thought, as my head was spinning like I was drunk.

Yes. Recovering my body is the top priority anyway, so I should rest properly when it’s time to rest.

Once my body recovers, about half of the problems I’m worrying about will be automatically resolved.

Let’s sleep.

—-

I had a creepy nightmare.

A dream where dozens of slimy-looking men offered me praise and gifts.

Bouquets of roses, handkerchiefs with elaborate embroidery.

Even dresses that revealed more than they covered.

And in the midst of it all, a blond Dane in a tailcoat kneeling and offering an axe…

Knut, why are you appearing here?

I set fire to everything and burned it all.

—-

When I woke up, my whole body was drenched in cold sweat.

What kind of dream was that…

This is all Frider’s fault.

Even my patient gown and bed were damp, so I asked the apprentice priest to change them.