Chapter 82
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
Chapter 82
“Hey, Karl. Did something happen yesterday?”
This is what they say first thing in the morning after a good night’s sleep.
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Well, Selena seems a bit off today.”
Off? How so? Where? I stared at Alexander as if urging him to say more, and he tilted his head for a moment before continuing.
“How should I put it? She’s unusually excited, I guess?”
“Wow, Alexander, you felt that too? So it wasn’t just me?”
Joachim, who was behind him, muttered as if he had noticed the same thing.
Listening to them talk, it seemed they had met her briefly in the morning, and unlike her usual self, she greeted them first with a broad smile.
“Well… maybe she had a good dream.”
“Is that so?”
“Could be. She must be happy to be on a break.”
A good dream, I bet. Well, I mean. Someone who got annoyed by a teasing kiss decided to show what a real kiss felt like, causing her to let out an alien-like giggle of “Hee-hee-hee!”
“By the way, Karl. When are you planning to go to the hot springs? Come with us.”
“What about Shulifen and Wilhelm?”
“They already went last night.”
“…Already? They couldn’t wait?”
“Yeah, they came back early this morning, bragging about it.”
“….”
They are really in sync, despite complaining about not wanting to share the same room.
It’s clear there’s a reason why they’re close despite bickering.
“Then, let’s try soaking in the morning.”
“Just in the morning? What are you planning for the afternoon? A date with Selena, perhaps?”
“Nothing like that, Alexander.”
“Jeez, Alexander. Don’t you have any tact? Just keep thoughts like that to yourself.”
“It’s not like that, Joachim.”
It’s not that. I really had somewhere to go in the afternoon.
A place I couldn’t quite tell Selena or Eloise about, let alone the quartet.
* * *
“…”
Meanwhile, Selena was already soaking in the hot springs.
The warm water made me feel like everything was floating away.
And thinking about last night’s somewhat sudden but ultimately wonderful kiss.
I felt it was the best decision to join this trip. So glad I did!
“…”
It would have been even better if it wasn’t for the elf sitting right across from me, staring intently.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Selena finally spoke up, unable to endure it any longer, and Eloise responded as if she had been waiting.
“Well, it’s just that you look a bit peculiar, Selena.”
“Peculiar? What do you mean?”
“Exactly, what I mean.”
“…”
Knowing full well, Eloise urged Selena to confess, while Selena, thinking there was nothing wrong, continued to stare back in silence.
“You were with Karl last night, weren’t you?”
Eloise broke the silence with a sly smile.
Selena paused for a moment to think about what to say before responding.
“Yes, I was with him.”
So? What’s the big deal? What’s wrong with a man and woman in a relationship being together at night?
Especially since Karl kissed me last night. I should be feeling confident, right?
I thought so and stared boldly at Eloise, flaunting a bit.
“Wow. I suspected, but it turns out to be true. Karl lied to me, then.”
“Judging by the way you say that, Eloise, did you also go looking for Karl?”
“…”
Eloise, who had been staring at Selena in silence, turned her gaze away with a huff.
‘Indeed. I must not let my guard down. It’s nerve-wracking enough with Lav.’
If Lavrenti shared the battlefield with Karl, Eloise possessed overwhelming beauty.
Either way, they were formidable rivals. I might even lose Karl entirely if I’m not careful!
‘I won’t let that happen.’
What started as an ordinary hot spring trip was now taking a strange turn.
The silent battle between the two women had just begun.
* * *
“…”
My throat is parched. I don’t know if I’ve ever been this nervous before.
“Your Highness, are you alright?”
I gestured to the servant that I was fine. In truth, I wasn’t fine at all.
Even during my coronation as Crown Prince, I wasn’t this nervous. Back then, it felt like the position was naturally mine, so I was less anxious.
Now, it was different. I desperately wanted something I couldn’t forcibly take. Giving up would haunt me forever.
“One more glass of water, please.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I don’t know how many glasses I’ve had already. As the appointment time approached, I kept gulping down water.
Thankfully, Karl, my brother-in-law, had given him some positive words. Without that, I might have downed several bottles of water by now.
“Try not to be too anxious or tense, Your Highness.”
“I’ve spoken to her well. My sister has a positive view, so just show her your usual self. Oh, and it would be good to show more affection too. My sister is surprisingly weak to that.”
Who would have thought that a Medal of Honor recipient would willingly play the role of a matchmaker?
It was surprising and yet deeply appreciated. It was Rika’s family, after all. And among them, the one Rika loved the most was Karl, which made his words all the more trustworthy.
“Your Highness, Lady Rika has just arrived at the palace.”
The moment had finally come. It was here. First, I need to take a deep breath. In, out. In, out.
It seemed almost ridiculous for a Crown Prince, the future leader of the Empire, to be so nervous in front of a woman.
But then again, this woman was the one I loved, so it was understandable.
So please, Ruprecht. Don’t make any mistakes. This is a heaven-sent opportunity. You know that, right?
[PR/N: Changed Rufreicht → Ruprecht]
A moment later, the door opened, and Rika entered.
“Rika Adelheit. I have come as summoned, Your Highness.”
“Welcome, Rika.”
I was slightly anxious, thinking I was the only one feeling nervous, but recalling Karl’s words helped calm my nerves.
He said Rika was positive about this. He definitely said that. So don’t rush. You might lose points if you do. I had to do well, especially considering Karl’s help.
“Would you like some tea?”
“I would be grateful, Your Highness.”
“Just a moment. We recently received some excellent tea—”
I decided to start with some light, casual conversation. Then I gradually shifted to talking about the Empire, and eventually, I subtly moved to the topic of Count Friedrich.
“How is the Count doing?”
I made a point to refer to the Count with full respect. As the Crown Prince, I didn’t have to be so formal, but if I was to become his son-in-law, it was a different story.
Fortunately, Rika didn’t react negatively. Great! That’s a good sign!
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“The Count must be very busy now, with the change of the heir.”
“My father has more to handle now, but I think it’s fortunate. The new successor is far more capable than I am.”
I almost blurted out, ‘But I think you’re much better, Rika.’
But I held back. From what I knew, Rika was the type who preferred to elevate her brother Karl, even at the expense of belittling herself.
‘The thing I need to say to Rika… is already decided.’
“Karl is certainly an outstanding young man. He will make an excellent Count.”
As expected, Rika beamed with a bright smile as soon as she heard my words.
Great. I made her smile. Not anyone else, but me! I made her smile!
“Rika.”
I called her by her nickname, signaling that I was getting to the main point.
[TL/N: So guys the name ‘Rika’ is apparently wrong and her original name is supposed to be ‘Rikata’ and Rika is actually the nickname (Technically this is not my fault completely because the raws for both Rika & Rikata are the same and can be TL-ed as either of them & I thought Rika to be more of a feminine name and there’s also the fact that the author failed to mention that it’s her nickname, not her actual name.)]
[PR/N: L author fr]
Rika put down her teacup and responded, ‘Yes, Your Highness.’
“I think it’s time we made things clear.”
“I see.”
“If you’re not ready, I can give you more time. What I mean is—”
“I am ready, Your Highness. I am prepared to stand by your side and serve the Empire.”
Wait. Wait. Wait. Wasn’t I supposed to be the one to say that?
Isn’t it customary for the man to propose first?
“Karl told me that you are a very good person, Your Highness. And I don’t think he was wrong. There is no greater honor than to stand by and witness how someone like you governs the Empire.”
“Rika….”
For a moment, I wondered if her decision was purely because of Karl’s persuasion.
But I quickly dismissed the thought. Regardless of the reason, the final decision was Rika’s.
“Thank you. Truly, thank you, Rika. I will not disappoint you—”
“But, there is one request I have, Your Highness.”
I waited quietly for Rika’s next words. I felt like I could smile and say, ‘I’ll try,’ even if she asked for the moon in the sky.
Of course, being who she was, she did not make such a request.
“I would like the wedding not to be too extravagant. Instead, I would appreciate it if the equivalent cost could be donated to the Karl Adelheit Veterans Pension Foundation.”
[PR/N: W Sister.]
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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