It's okay. It's too late for that.
But I think that's all right.
I had a feeling this was going to happen, that I did.
It's nice to have more company.
'See, Fuyao-san. It's just as I said, isn't it?

　Huh? Why does everyone react like that!
　I was going to discuss Soo's marriage proposal with Yumina and the others, but when they heard Soo's declaration that he had come to marry her, they all looked masterful and readily accepted it.

''Well, well, let's put that topic aside for now,''

　I can't just walk away from this. That's not the point.

"The question is, how do I refuse to marry this Prince Zabun of the Kingdom of Linie?
So why don't you just say no, that you're marrying into the winter night?
''It could be a little troublesome for the Kingdom of Belfast. Prince Zabun has a vindictive nature. In the worst case scenario, when he becomes king, he may say he's going to cut off diplomatic relations with our country. If that happens, it will be a big blow to the country.

　Mr. Raym frowns and remarks that. I don't think she would go that far to spite herself for being rejected.
　But I've been spotted by an extraordinary person. I'm against giving Suu a marriage to such a stupid prince. There is no good way to do it.
　It would be nice if they would be unwilling to give Suu a wife.

I'm going to have to say no anyway. When it comes to the country, I'm not sure that we, as outsiders, are allowed to ask for the exit...

　Hmm, what's going on? Beside me, who crossed my arms and sighed, Sheska raised a small hand.

''If we can stop that prince from breathing, then all is well,'' she said.
That's a lot of noise!

　What are you talking about, you robo-maid? Sure, it might solve the problem, but it would make for a much messier problem!

An old, selfish, selfish prince can do no good and cause no harm. You can kill that annoying 30-year-old pedophile who plays with women in a hurry.
'Don't be absurd.... How are you going to kill it?

　As I looked at Sheska with jittery eyes at her dumbfounded statement, the other robotic children at my side opened their mouths one by one.

'We will make a sniper rifle.
Potassium cyanide.
A blow to the head with a pipe wrench.

　Shooting, poisoning and bludgeoning to death? I'm afraid they're going to do it for real...
　Well, leave those idiot kids alone.

Anyway, let's go to the Duke's first. We have to tell Suu how we feel about her and see what we can do to help her. Maybe there's something we can do to help.
...hmmm.

　Sue nodded quietly. Once you decide to do so, hurry up for good. He quickly opened the 'gate' to the Ortlinde mansion in Belfast's royal capital.




''I've got my head in the sand on this issue as well.

　Exhaling with a huff, the Duke sank deeper into the back of the sofa. There is only me and His Royal Highness in the reception room of the Duke's residence. I'm the king in case you're wondering, but there's no such thing as honorific language. I'm not sure if it's an official occasion, but it's too late for that.

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm a good person. You can't be so brazen! If I saw that idiot prince in front of me, I would definitely beat him up.

　I don't think I'd actually do it because it would be an international issue, as expected, but I feel angry enough that I could do it. Well, if I was in front of you, I'd hit you too.

By the way, it's not a bad thing, considering the relationship between our countries. On the contrary, it is an offer of great benefit to our country. A marriage of the nobility includes a political marriage. In this case, it's a perfect example.
'The rest of the world doesn't know that Yumina is engaged yet, does it? Don't these things usually come to Yumina?
You know, she's the best heir to the throne at the moment. The other side must have thought it was impossible for her to marry into another country. In fact, she might as well have married a long time ago.

　Indeed. Currently, the first in line of succession to the throne would be Umina, the second would be Duke Ortlinde, and the third would be Sue. However, depending on the baby that is born after this, Yumina will remain in second place if it's a male, and Yumina will remain in first place if it's a female, and the baby will be in second place.
　If they are aiming for a perfect political marriage, they would probably apply for it after the baby is born. And if that baby is a boy, then it would be possible to get Yumina as a wife.
　So that makes that story ring true........

''After all, I heard that you started seeing Su at Leafreth's party.......
d*mn it. I shouldn't have let you have this party.

　His Royal Highness crosses his arms and frowns as if he is unhappy. Well, I can understand. A 30-year-old man in love with a young girl is a nuisance to his parents.

I'm not sure if this is a thirty-year-old man or a well-behaved man, but there was still room for consideration. But the more I looked into it, the more I realized that this prince is an insurmountable problem. I don't think he's someone who can make Su happy.

　Although it is also a thing to catch an old man over 30 and call him a problem "child", I knew it.
　Apparently, this prince is quite selfish. He plays with noblemen's daughters and maids who catch his eye, and sends the knight who remonstrates with him to the countryside for some reason or other. He forcibly takes money from the merchant house, plays with it as much as he can, and then tramples it down. If they disobeyed, the merchant family would be demolished. The next day the husband committed suicide in a fit of rage. Whether it was suicide or not....

How is it that such a prince managed to stay out of illegitimacy?
"Vizier Vizier, Waldac's power. He's the one who holds most of the power in Linier. The king, they say, is a mere decoration.

　Waldac. Sounds like a devious name.

"Waldak and Prince Zabun's mother, Queen Dacia, are cousins. They've been using that as a cover. Queen Dacia doted on Prince Zabun and gave him everything he wanted. And the result is the birth of such a foolish prince.

　I see. It's a bad thing when one family gets so powerful. I wonder if the king can't bow to the queen. Well, we shall try not to be.

So, how would you like to handle this matchmaking?
"...what do you think I should do?

　Don't ask a question back with a question. Well, personally, I can't say I'm opposed to that. I can't marry Sue to a guy like that.

Do you wanna do it?
I know you're kidding, but you'll want to.
I know.

　I'm just kidding. I was poisoned by Sheska, too. I'm sorry, but what would happen to the Kingdom of Linie if the prince was elected king? Oh, if the prime minister is in power anyway, who cares who is king? It's a good idea to have a stupid prince as your puppet.

It's still possible to do that if Fuyao-dono married Suh.
What happens then?
All the hatred that Prince Stupid dumped me for goes to Brunhild.
That's a bad idea!

　It's true that we don't have any contact with the Kingdom of Linie, so I don't think we'll suffer too much, but that would be a bit too aggressive.

''No?''
'I mean no...Suu is like my sister, I can't have those feelings yet. Besides, even now I have five fiancées.
'Not yet, which means it's in the future, right? And if you're the king of a country, there's nothing wrong with having more than one wife. As long as he has the resources to provide for them properly. His Majesty the Beast King of Mismid and His Majesty the King of Lefreth have concubines, and the King of Sandra's kingdom in the south has 26 wives.

　Seriously! It's really a harem. But even the Tokugawa shogunate had an inner sanctum and a number of vassals.

On the other hand, if you don't have any concubines or concubines at all, you'll be in trouble in the next generation, just like our country.

　Hmm, maybe so.... On the other hand, I think too many of them might cause problems with the issue of succession to the throne or something.

''To squash the affair.......then.......well.......''

　After pondering for a while, His Highness gravely opened his mouth.

''It would be interfering internally in other countries with all our might, but there is a way to install the second prince on the throne.
'The Second Prince? Are there other princes besides the stupid prince?
The son of a concubine, though. I've heard that he's living in a separate room in the royal palace, and he's feeling a bit overwhelmed, but I've heard that he's quite a character. Well, compared to that foolish prince, any ordinary prince would look great.

　You have a different mother. So that means you don't have the blood of Waldak or some other family member of the Prime Minister. But if I may say so, I'm surprised he survived. If he's such a good prince, there might be some people who would say that the first prince should be abolished and a second prince installed. The first prince might be an obstacle to the first prince, don't you think?

'In fact, I heard there were some nobles who said so, but the vizier crushed them in his grip. The second prince's mother is ill and has been kept in isolation and has no support. It seems that the prince is almost tamed.

　That's also miserable. He's 22 years old and apparently not married yet. It's a rare thing for a royal family in this world, including the stupid prince, because they say you have to marry late after 20.

So, you want to put the second prince on the throne and force the first prince to abolish his marriage?
Well, that's one way to think about it.

　That's true. It's a complete conspiracy, isn't it? I don't know if it's right for people from other countries to interfere. And I'm the king of my own country, for one thing.
　I'm not saying that it's all good and bad, but is it necessary to think of such things in order to lead your country to victory?
　I can't abandon Suh anyway.

''What does His Majesty the King say?''
He told me to say no. I dared you to say no to this country and its interests without relying on it.

　The duke speaks of his brother with a wry smile, but proudly. As expected of His Majesty the King of Belfast. That's the way it should be. I don't know if they'll break off diplomatic relations yet, and even if they do, it will be after the stupid prince ascends the throne.
　The other side of the world also has the benefit of trade with Belfast, and if the Prime Minister is not an idiot, he would not go that far.

''So you're going to say no?''
Hmm. I'll do it after all. There are some noblemen who will say "no" to you, but then you should give them your daughter as a wife.

　That's for sure. Now Sue can feel at ease. As I was thinking this, there was a knock on the door and the butler, Mr. Raym, came in.

''Master. A messenger from Linie is here to wake you up.
Well, you're getting impatient. Just in time. I'm going to formally reject you. Let me come through.
I'm sorry, sir.

　I was about to leave, thinking that I shouldn't be here, but the duke stopped me and asked me to stay.
　Soon, a young man over 20 years old appeared in the reception room. His long chestnut-colored hair was tied back and he bent his tall body and bowed.

''Your Highness, Duke Ortlinde. I am sorry to dismiss you, but I would like to ask you to reply to my offer of marriage.
It's very kind of you to come. Let's take a look inside.

　We sit facing each other on another couch a little farther away from the couch I'm sitting on. From my position, with the Duke on my right and Linier's emissary on my left, I feel like a referee before the start of a football game or something.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

''I am truly honored to decline this match.
May I ask why?

　Hmm? It seemed like the young man who was the messenger smiled thinly now, though. Not a mockery or anything like that, but a wry smile, or something like that. It's as if he knew this was going to happen....

''Actually, I've decided on another person for my daughter to marry.

　What? What is he talking about? No way.....

...may I ask who I'm marrying?
Here he is, His Majesty Fuyao Mochizuki, the Duke of Brunhild.

　Wow, that's good! He used me for an arsehole! If you deny it in this situation, it means the engagement is a lie and you have to admit it! I've been set up!

This is His Majesty the Duke of Brunhild...?

　The messenger youth who had been rolling his eyes stood up and knelt on the floor. Oh, no, you don't have to do that. He even started to get down on his knees, you know!

'I never thought I'd see His Majesty the King here thank God!

　No, no, no. You're overreacting! Back off. What the hell is this?

''I've heard about His Majesty's activities from many sources. With all due respect, is it true that His Majesty the King can use transference magic?
'What? Oh, yeah, I could use it, though.
Oh ... then please save my mother!

　What? Wait, wait a minute, I don't see what you're talking about. Mom? I don't know why it's known that you can use transfer magic. Well, maybe it was leaked from the time of the imperial coup, or the purchase of goods, or because I've stopped hiding things lately.

Sorry. I'm sorry, can you talk about it from the beginning? What do you mean?
My name is Cloudzeph Linier. I am the Second Prince of the Kingdom of Linier.
"What?

　The Duke and I's voices hummed. The Second Prince? The one that's rumored to be a cold-blooded concubine? Why would a man like that be sent as an emissary... because he's being treated coldly?

If you're the second prince, your mother is sick in quarantine. You want me to get well?
'My mother is not sick and isolated. She is imprisoned. By the hand of Vizier Waldak!

　Looking up, Cloud-san, who called himself the Second Prince, had a look of anger in his eyes.
　Oya? It's getting kind of creaky, he said.