Ch.9090. Wouldn’t it be better if I became a member of the imperial family?

“Now that it’s just the two of us, I’d like to hear your story slowly.”

Baron Byron, seemingly understanding the gravity of the situation, asked for Baron René’s understanding.

And so, we were left alone in the reception room.

In truth, I had brought up the matter of the imperial princess out of fear that we might discuss my marriage to Seri Familia, but this wasn’t an easy topic to discuss either.

I adjusted my posture and began to speak.

“I came to know Her Highness, the Etherian Princess, by chance.”

“Knowing someone and becoming close are different things, aren’t they?”

“I believe we’ve become quite close. We’ve had tea together several times.”

“The Etherian Princess… Indeed, that’s better news than if it were Princess Sirin.”

“Is that so?”

“I don’t know how much you know about the imperial family, but the very idea of proceeding with Princess Sirin’s marriage is merely His Majesty’s greed.”

His somewhat aggressive tone made me swallow hard.

“Greed?”

“It’s unfortunate, but Princess Sirin’s future is bleak. Naturally, the same would apply to her future husband and his family.”

“…I’m somewhat aware of that.”

“As a father, it’s natural to want to see your daughter married, but what I mean by His Majesty’s greed is that he doesn’t consider the burden that Princess Sirin’s husband will have to bear.”

Indeed, I was reminded once again that this was a world within a novel.

In reality, as Baron Byron said, the Etherian Princess would never let go of her current advantage.

It was already too late to reverse the current situation.

However.

This is a world within a novel.

According to the original story, with the protagonist’s intervention, the advantage would shift from the Etherian Princess to Princess Sirin.

This meant that the history of this place could change at any moment, like flipping one’s palm.

“I merely conveyed His Majesty’s words to Father.”

“This father of yours was planning to discuss your marriage with Seri Familia today.”

Sigh…

See? This ominous feeling of mine is always disturbingly accurate.

Mentally reassuring myself that bringing up the princess was a hundred, no, a thousand times the right decision, I continued calmly.

“With Leonard still unmarried, it doesn’t seem right for me, the youngest, to go first.”

“According to Baron René, Seri Familia has taken a liking to you.”

“To me?”

“Anyway, since you still have half a year until your coming-of-age ceremony, there was no need to worry about Leonard. We could just arrange a marriage with someone from another family before that.”

“…I see.”

Baron Byron gazed into the distance and let out a deep sigh.

“Sigh… As a father, I don’t want you to become a member of the imperial family, be it with the Etherian Princess or Princess Sirin.”

“I feel the same, but I’d prefer if you didn’t proceed with my marriage arrangements at least until you meet with His Majesty.”

“By then, it will be too late. I don’t know which princess they’ll connect you with, but if His Majesty pushes for the marriage, there’s nothing this father can do.”

“It’s alright. This is a problem I can solve.”

“Are you saying you can defy His Majesty’s words?”

I smiled casually at Baron Byron, who was looking at me with incredulous eyes.

“I’ve already expressed my refusal.”

“W-what?”

“I didn’t reject it outright, but I told him I had things to do for the family.”

“For the family?”

“Yes, His Majesty seemed to want to speak with you because of my firm stance.”

Baron Byron’s mouth fell open, and with an expression that seemed to say, “What kind of person is this?” he leaned back against the plush sofa.

“Sigh… So His Majesty wants to meet me to persuade me?”

“It seems so. If His Majesty pressures you, you can simply shift the blame to me, your son.”

“How can a father shift blame to his son?”

“Isn’t that better than me becoming a member of the imperial family?”

Baron Byron, stroking his chin in thought, tilted his head as if something had occurred to him.

“But what did you mean by doing things for the family?”

“As I mentioned before, there are repairs to be done and many other matters to attend to.”

“Could it be that you’ve developed an interest in the position of family head?”

“Don’t I already have my first and second brothers?”

“I don’t mind. I intend to pass the position to the son with the most capability.”

It was the first time Baron Byron had brought up the topic of the family head so seriously.

However, not only did I have no interest, but I was actually dreaming of independence to live freely. How could someone like me desire the position of family head?

“I have absolutely no desire for the position of family head. I believe my brothers will handle it well.”

“…I see.”

“And I should mention this: Leonard has feelings for Lady Seri Familia. He kept asking me to support him during our carriage ride.”

“Leonard is interested in Seri Familia?”

Baron Byron’s eyes widened in surprise.

I smiled faintly.

“Yes, I’m telling you this because I don’t think it’s right for me to marry a woman my brother is interested in.”

“This has become complicated.”

“What’s so complicated? You can discuss it with Baron René about Leonard, and if an agreement can’t be reached, then that’s that.”

“Hmm…”

“The appearance isn’t bad either. We’re not rejecting outright; we have several legitimate reasons, including Leonard’s interest.”

Having given him much to think about, Baron Byron rose heavily from the sofa.

His expression showed a mix of various emotions.

“For now, I’ll handle it.”

*

“What did you talk about with Father?”

Leonard was already waiting in my room when the butler of the Familia family showed me to my bedroom.

Since he had provided me with a proper excuse today, I smiled, albeit with a touch of pretense.

“I told him that you have feelings for Lady Seri Familia.”

“S-so what did he say?”

“He said he’d handle it, but I think he’ll subtly inquire with Baron René.”

I expected him to be pleased, but Leonard still looked uneasy.

“But why did Father want to talk to you alone, leaving me out?”

This tactless fellow seemed to sense something was off.

Could he have realized that Baron Byron was trying to match me with Seri Familia?

Fearing that if I told the truth, his pride might lead him to oppose the marriage, I mixed in a little lie.

“He asked about my dealings with His Majesty. He already knew about our private audience.”

“Ah… But why did he exclude only me from the conversation?”

“Didn’t you know? After you left, Baron René and Lady Seri Familia also quickly left the reception room.”

Leonard’s face brightened a bit at that.

He was indeed a simple man.

“So it was about your audience with His Majesty, not about marriage!? I thought there was something strange going on between you and Seri Familia.”

“It was about His Majesty, but I also told Father about your feelings. Now that it’s come to this, it would be good to finalize things.”

“Absolutely. Did you see Seri Familia’s expression when I gave her the flower?”

She just looked dizzy to me, but what on earth did Leonard see in that?

I had much to say, but I curled my lips upward, trying not to reveal my inner thoughts.

“She seemed shy.”

“Since Father said he’d speak to Baron René, it’s as good as confirmed. Oh, wait, this isn’t the time for this!”

Leonard hurriedly prepared to leave my room.

I tilted my head and asked.

“Where are you rushing off to?”

“I want to buy some clothes in this territory. I think I got dirt on my clothes when I was picking flowers earlier. I need to look neat when meeting my future father-in-law, don’t I?”

“What about your other clothes?”

“This was the last one I prepared. The rest are packed away.”

“It’s getting dark. Why not go tomorrow?”

“What if they suddenly call for me in the morning? I need to go right now!!”

With those words, Leonard dashed out of the room.

Just as I was about to lie down on the bed, exhausted from the continuous demanding schedule, there was a knock at the door.

Knock knock-!

What now?

Had Leonard returned?

He wouldn’t have matured enough to knock, would he?

Creeeeak-!

As if confirming my ominous premonition, when I opened the door, it was Seri Familia.

Since I hadn’t been able to greet her properly after getting off the carriage due to Leonard, I immediately bowed.

“Oh? Lady Seri Familia, hello.”

“Um, I’m sorry, but could you come to my bedroom in about ten minutes?”

“Your bedroom?”

She pointed to the right of the corridor from the doorway.

“There’s a staircase at the end there. My room is the first one as soon as you go up.”

“If I may ask, what’s the matter?”

“There’s a bug in my room, and I was hoping you could catch it for me.”

“A b-bug?”

“Yes, my bedroom is a bit messy, so I’ll tidy it up quickly. Could you come up in about ten minutes?”

“Ah, I understand.”

I should have realized it clearly then.

A madwoman who dissects monsters and human corpses wouldn’t be afraid of mere bugs, and if she were truly that scared, she wouldn’t even think of tidying up.

And so.

When I came to my senses, I was lying on a soft bed in complete darkness, unable to see anything.