episode_0106

Because I knew what that short sentence meant, I let out a dry cough and trembled.

First of all, let’s just assume that’s what happens.

If something like that really happened, how would the world view it?

It is not a matter that needs to be thought about for a long time.

Of course, everyone thought he was a crazy knight who married someone almost ten years younger than him.

‘-Should I really do it?’

Just as I was about to make a decision, my thoughts suddenly stopped as if caught on something. The identity of what tripped me up was my thinking as a modern person.

Something about ten years old. In today’s world, differences of even 20 or 30 years can be commonly found for political purposes.

There were cases where even clergymen had illegitimate children, knowingly or unknowingly, and when it comes to nobles, it is assumed that three out of ten have hidden children.

Right now, I was the living proof of that.

No, no, why am I discussing this seriously?

Since this is a barbaric medieval fantasy world, it is a dignity worth protecting, and it is a belief I have for myself. I was getting so far away that I barely managed to get my mind to stop going back and asked.

“… I guess it won’t work.”

“Why is that?”

“Anyway, is there any case in the world where a father and daughter get married?”

“Well, to be honest, he’s not my father.”

That hurts a bit.

Aren’t the children you embrace with your heart also children? How hard have I worked on raising you so far?

“… Don’t look shocked for no reason. It means that they are not related by blood. Above all, I don’t even know my biological father’s face anyway.”

As if my attempt to make a fuss was pointless, Lisia returned the topic of conversation to its original state.

Now that I think about it, I wonder if Lisia is also gradually going through puberty.

If so, it wasn’t completely incomprehensible. I have met more than one child while traveling to various places, and I have seen cases like this several times.

“There are many cases where the basic goodwill between parents and children is mistaken. Maybe I misunderstood that. Rather, issues like marriage should be decided more carefully.”

“Carefully, ramen… In what sense?”

“If you find someone you like, think about it later-”

“Who else could I meet?”

Lisia resolutely cut off the lengthy education that was about to continue.

And normally, it might have ended here, but he continued before I could even open my mouth, as if he had something he needed to say.

“I said earlier that I rejected all requests from Quinine.”

“That’s right.”

“Actually, I gave a lot of excuses. I already have someone I like, I have to leave soon, etc. But there’s one more reason I didn’t tell you.”

With those words, Lisia created a small ball at her fingertips that softly scattered blue light.

I had wrapped it with my hand so that it wouldn’t be visible to people around me, so that only I could see it, but for a moment I was worried that someone might see through it.

And that worry became evidence to support Lisia’s words.

“Is there anyone who sees something like this and doesn’t say anything? A person who won’t run to the Vatican every month and report it. But Raven. Do you know that?”

“What do you mean?”

“There is only one person who knows this secret and keeps quiet.”

I pushed Dulcinea closer and the girl who came towards me poked my chest.

Then he pulled his head back so that I could even hear his breathing and whispered in his ear.

“If I try to find someone like that again, it will take too long, and I may die of old age without ever getting married.”

There was only one breakthrough here.

After much thought, I came up with an excuse.

“There must be something I said earlier.”

“… Are you saying you have no thoughts unless you are an adult?”

“Okay, let’s talk about that again when we grow up.”

Lisia, who had been in my ear for a while, fell back, scratched her head, and said with an awkward laugh.

“Wouldn’t it affect me a lot because I’m not an adult yet?”

“Honestly, a little bit.”

“In that case, there isn’t much left. If only for about 2 years. At that time, you should listen seriously, right?”

It felt like something was blocking the debt and putting it off until later, but I nodded.

There may be a change of heart in the meantime, and only when she becomes an adult will she be able to clearly realize what her feelings are.

“Okay, let’s talk then.”

“I remembered it clearly. If you avoid it like this until then… Because I don’t know what to do with it.”

Lisia seemed to have gotten the answer she wanted for now, and ended the conversation obediently.

Yes, right now, you may be confused because you are not fully aware of your own emotions.

It will be a problem that will be resolved with time.

*****

At the end of a long day, there was a large vacant lot behind the inn where we arrived.

It seemed like a place usually used for chopping firewood or for festivals, but perhaps because it had been a long time since the sun had set, it was quiet.

In the middle of that desolate clearing, Heine took a long breath, then breathed it out again.

Every time that happened, a pebble flew through the air as a way to vent my anger. It was a night of deep worries.

Living as a member of the imperial family is inherently like that, but when I actually faced it like this, I couldn’t help but feel new emotions.

Of course, I received negative reviews.

My brother won’t go crazy and do harm to himself.

Doing so while my father was watching was no different from gambling with the emperor’s throne.

Rather than really planning something, it was more likely that it was some kind of warning about establishing a position.

Of course, the possibility was high, but I wasn’t sure, so it came out finely with quinine.

“Haaa… … .”

“Huuuu… … .”

“?”

And, before I knew it, there was another person sitting next to me with an expression of frustration at the world.

It was a lodging that would be well guarded by guards even deep into the night.

Unless he was someone who was openly trying to assassinate him, his true identity could only be a vaguely close companion.

“Licia.”

“Yes, Your Highness… … .”

There must have been a reason why he came out here in the middle of the night with his hair messy and his clothes disheveled.

Honestly, I was surprised. I thought Lisia wouldn’t have to worry about such complicated things.

As he observed, he was a child who seemed to be able to solve problems and overcome difficulties.

Even as he thought about that, he suddenly remembered that the girl was younger than him due to her head being slightly low.

In any case, wasn’t he originally a child who needed to be protected? Because he was so precocious and smart, it was a fact that didn’t usually seem like a big deal, but it was true.

Of course, I could have such concerns. What is called humanity could also exist in Lisia.

And it would be the job of those who have lived longer to resolve such concerns.

Although they were only a few years older, Heine asked with a sense of responsibility and friendship.

“Do you have any concerns?”

“Yes. Is it possible to have a consultation?”

“Tell me.”

“I found someone I like.”

“Kek, what? No, I understand the meaning of the words, but since when?”

“It’s been a while. But the problem is, even if I confess, they don’t accept me.”

Heine was busy organizing his thoughts due to a serious concern that came out of nowhere.

Looking back, I noticed some signs of that in college. Sometimes men ask me what I like or I blush for no reason.

It was rather strange not knowing. I was just surprised because it was my first time revealing it myself.

“Actually, it is not a consultation… It’s a complaint. I have my own plan as to what to do.”

The girl, who was thinking about something and looking at the twinkling sky filled with stars, soon blushed again, cleared her throat, and looked down.

And he spoke naturally, as if he wanted to change the subject.

“But doesn’t your highness, who says that, also have a concern?”

“How did you know?”

“Because I know very well the reason why you are out in such a difficult time at night.”

Lisia let out a sheepish laugh. If you think about it, it really was like that, and you ended up laughing too.

And, unlike an old person, she complained like Licia. I felt like saying that would make me feel a little more at ease.

“In a reality where you can’t run away, will it really be easier if you run away?”

“I’m not sure what the situation is, but wouldn’t it be better to try as hard as I can?”

“Why do you think that?”

“I’m too ambitious to leave regrets.”

His tone was full of confidence, as if he had thought about it at least once. Would he be able to have that kind of confidence when dealing with the imperial family?

I wish it could be that way, but right now it seems unlikely that it will change overnight.

As I was licking my lips from the bitterness, Lisia, who had glanced at me, glanced at me and asked.

“So, I’m going to try my best. In that sense, may I ask you a simple favor?”

“What is it?”

“You know that Raven is my guardian, not my biological father.”

“Yes, I definitely remember hearing it a few times. But why is that?”

“It’s nothing special, can you check that later? Even a simple word is good.”

Since it was simple, I didn’t think it would be a huge request, but it was so trivial that I never even thought about it.

It was definitely unexpected, but apart from that, it wasn’t difficult. It’s just a matter of adding a word to a clear fact.

“Okay, I don’t know why you’re asking me to do that, but… That’s probably okay.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Lisia smiled, wondering what was so good about it.

Unlike before, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, as if he was truly happy.

*****

As expected, should we use a little more harsh measures?

A thought occurred to Lisia in front of the room where Raven would be sleeping.