221-Episode 45: OK



 The king of this country is named Rahardt-Edelheid, and he is Celes' father.

 I remember meeting him four years ago, and he called me "you" and Leila called him "uncle", which made me nervous.
 I remember I was on edge as I watched. People around me who seemed to be in charge looked at him, but the king himself didn't seem to be bothered by it.

 But now King Rahardt is speaking in front of the crowd gathered in the square in front of the palace.

 It seems that the King's speech is held periodically, but all of us students at the Royal Academy were forced to participate in it.

 It seems it was decided at a moment's notice, and just before the event, the teachers told the whole school that they were going to hold it.
 It seems that a big announcement will be made in this speech, and there will be something "just in case".

 They didn't tell us what it was all about, but

'Whatever it is, you must listen to it to the end in a manner befitting a student of the Royal Academy.

 We were dubious, but we had to obey.

''If you ask the upperclassmen, they've never done anything like this before. We're allowed to carry equipment, so seriously, what kind of announcements do you think they're going to make?
I'm the wrong person to ask...

 I'm not familiar with this country and I have no idea what to expect, although Ranta said it with a nervous look on his face.
 However, since we are strictly ordered to cooperate with the knights in case of emergency, we are probably expected to be an asset to the war effort.

 In other words, does that mean it could even lead to a riot if it's not done well?

 Looking around me, I saw that everyone's faces were as tense as Ranta's. But despite the tension, the speech that began seemed to be quite ordinary.

 But in spite of the tension, the speech that began seemed to be quite ordinary.
 The audience listened quietly.

What do you mean by that?
Nothing is going to happen, okay?

 The students of the Royal Academy now nodded their heads.

''Last but not least... I actually have some good news to announce to you all!

 Good news?
 We nodded our heads further.

 At this rate, it doesn't look like the danger we were expecting was going to happen.
 That's when most of the students in the academy relaxed and felt relieved.

 Then the king spoke those words, and the hall instantly fell silent.


'My daughter, Celestia, is now engaged to be married!


 What?

 At first, I couldn't understand what he was saying.

 Celes-san........you're only 15 years old.......right?

 At any rate, my feeling was that the topic of marriage would not come up until after 18 years of age at the earliest.
 Of course, my previous life has had an effect on me.
 In Japan, it was normal for people to get married much later than eighteen.

 But I wasn't the only one who was surprised.
 The audience was in an uproar.

''Oh, it's not true........the princess is.......?
Seriously....
But I'm okay with it if you're happy.
It's not OK!

 But what surprised us even more was the fiancée who followed.

"This is Prince Abdul, Crown Prince of our friendly nation, the Hanbalada Empire!
""What?"

 It was an old man for all intents and purposes.
 His age was estimated to be around forty at a young age.
 He was small but big and fat, and his hair was quite receding.

 Eh...?
 Celes, are you going to marry that guy...?

It's Abdul, who you entrusted with the introduction! I first met Princess Celestia when she was just a little girl, but I remember how beautiful she was back then, and I don't remember her being a child! And now you have a beauty that is unparalleled on the continent! It is a great honor to have her as my wife!

 That crown prince, whose name was Abdul, proudly spoke of Mr. Ceres.
 On the other hand, Mr. Celes, who appeared on the stage late, was standing behind Abdul with a languid expression on his face.

 The words "political marriage" pass through my head.

 No matter how you look at it, this is it.
 For some reason between countries, Ceres-san was forced to marry the crown prince even though she didn't like him.

 But even if I was convinced of that, it doesn't mean I could do anything about it.
 In Japan it would be a clear violation of human rights, but this is a different world.
 I suppose political marriages are not uncommon.

 Nevertheless, judging from the upset and indignation of the people around him, there are few people who are convinced of this disproportionate engagement.
 I think Ceres is popular, too.

 But due to the people of the monstrous Order looking around with their sharp eyes, no one can raise their voice.
 There was such an atmosphere that if they showed even the slightest opposition, they could be taken away immediately.




''Wait a minute!




 Suddenly, a loud voice roared out.
 Everyone's eyes turned to the owner of that voice.

 .........you mean, Leila!

It's still crazy!

 It was Leila who raised her voice.
 Although a little confused by the fact that the culprit was a student of the academy, the knights immediately began to move.

 But Leila didn't care about that and thrust her fingertips at the crown prince who was on the stage, and

Because being forced to marry that creepy, balding, old man is worse than being dead!

 It was so disrespectful.