Chapter 21 - Let's Get Engaged
Chapter 21 - Let's Get Engaged
The terrorist incident by the Northern Barbarians that almost plunged the North into terror was concluded by Edric, with the final tally being only two Northern Knights injured.
Natalia was safe, and most of the barbarians were captured alive.
For the captured barbarians, a torture service more terrifying than death awaited them in order to find the mastermind behind this incident. A few barbarians even caused a commotion trying to commit suicide, but all were suppressed.
The day after everything was resolved, in the Grand Duke's office at the Iron Gate.
Prince Leopold and Grand Duke Sergei were having a deep conversation in front of the roaring fireplace.
The Grand Duke let out a sigh mixed with admiration and said.
"To capture 10 elite barbarians with his wisdom, and then throw his own body to protect my daughter at the very last moment... Your Highness's words were correct."
"Hahaha, didn't I tell you? Edric is a gem that shines even more brilliantly amidst adversity."
The Prince smiled with satisfaction at the Grand Duke's words.
The barbarian intrusion incident could have easily derailed the diplomatic mission's goals.
Although not yet certain, it was an undeniable fact that the barbarians had moved with the intention of targeting the Prince's inspection.
If a central noble had been involved behind them, and on top of that, Lady Natalia had been seriously injured, the relationship between the North and the Center could have collapsed.
Edric had turned such an incident into the best possible outcome through his wisdom and self-sacrifice.
The Prince thought that his judgment had indeed not been wrong.
Edric was a loyal subject he could trust.
"Grand Duke, there are many in the Empire who do not want the relationship between the North and the Center to strengthen. But that is precisely why I believe the North and the Center must join forces."
"Your Highness..."
"From now on, the North will no longer be discriminated against. I swear it on the name of the Minerva Imperial Family."
At the Prince's words, the Grand Duke felt his eyes welling up.
How many years had the North been discriminated against?
The long, long winter was ending, and he felt that spring was finally coming to the North as well.
"To Your Highness's deep trust and the sincerity shown by Sir Edric, I, Sergei Lyudmila, swear my lifelong loyalty."
"I look forward to your continued support for the Empire."
"Yes! Your Highness!"
It was a moment where the long-standing resentment between the North and the Center was washed away, and they truly became one.
And at that moment, what was Edric, who had accomplished all this, doing...?
He was lying on a bed in the infirmary of the Northern fortress, staring at the ceiling.
After being rescued by the knights, I collapsed right there.
I had squeezed out my mana while using <The Bird That Drinks Poison> for a long time, and ended up with symptoms of mana deficiency.
The world turned yellow and I blacked out; I thought it was anemia from my past life.
Anyway, I was carried to the infirmary, injected with a ton of mana by white mages, and diagnosed with needing three days of rest.
I thought I could finally get some good rest, but...
"Edric, it's time to eat an apple. Say 'ah'."
"Ah..."
There was no time to rest yet.
Natalia was carefully peeling an apple in my hospital room.
She picked up a piece of apple shaped like a rabbit, which showed signs of considerable effort, with a fork and brought it to my mouth.
At her cool yet affectionate voice, I opened my mouth and ate the apple.
Crunch-!
"How is it? Is it good?"
"Yes, the apple is delicious."
"Northern apples store sugar in their bodies during the winter. Now is when they are most delicious."
"I see... wait, no. Um, Natalia. You don't have to go this far."
I said to Natalia, who was peeling apples next to me.
I was truly, truly grateful that a beauty like Natalia was taking care of me like this, but on the other hand, it was also burdensome.
Because I felt like the door would open at any moment and the Grand Duke would walk in and blast me with a shotgun.
"In the novel I read, when the husband was hospitalized, the wife peeled apples for him."
"Pardon? A novel?"
"Yes, it's a novel that's popular in the Capital. Was the title 'Man of the Imperial Family'?"
Ah... so romance fantasy novels were running wild here too...
As expected, novels are the root of all evil.
"And I wanted to try it once."
"Peeling apples?"
"I wanted to try peeling an apple and giving it to my husband."
"I see... but Natalia, so, that 'husband' thing is..."
"Obviously, it means you. Edric."
"So, I am..."
Natalia thought as she looked at the flustered Edric.
She had intended to use Edric to live freely without marrying the Prince, using the 'Oath of the North' as an excuse.
Edric had repaid her with devotion.
Even now, when Natalia closed her eyes, it came to mind.
At first, she thought Edric had betrayed her.
She thought he had knocked her out and sold her to the barbarians.
But the moment the barbarian's blade flew at her... the moment she thought everything was over...
Seeing Edric running to protect her, she realized.
That Edric had acted that way to save her.
Knowing that if they fought, she would die or be seriously injured, Edric had taken on the role of the villain and trapped the barbarian bastards with his wisdom.
And at the last moment, he threw his body to protect her.
In that moment in Edric's arms... Natalia felt Edric's warmth.
It was a warm heat that melted her heart, something Natalia had never felt before, and in that moment, Natalia made a sincere vow.
That she would serve him... Edric, as her husband.
"You protected my honor and you protected my life. Surely you did that because you like me. Is it different?"
"Hmm... that's not wrong."
Natalia is a beauty. A super beauty who looks like she came out of an ice kingdom...
There was no man who would dislike it when such a beauty liked him.
At my words, Natalia smiled and said.
"Then isn't that enough? I like you. Edric."
But my position and the situation of this Empire were the problem.
I couldn't leave the Prince's side yet, and I didn't know what kind of trouble I would get into if I became the Grand Duke's son-in-law.
Even if I got married, if I didn't deal with my father in the Capital before marrying, only catastrophe awaited me.
And...
"But... I even look like a snake."
"What does that matter? Northern women don't look at faces."
"Really?"
"...We look a little bit. And I like Edric's face."
"You like my face?"
"Yes, it's cute because it's like the Northern blue snake, the 'Karal'."
So there was a snake like that.
I'll have to look it up if I get a chance later.
"So, are you going to do it! Or not!?"
"Um... I like you too, Natalia, but isn't marriage too fast? I mean, we need realistic procedures and time to prepare."
"Hmm... that makes sense. There are Imperial laws, and we'd have to tell the family... Marriage right away would be impossible."
Natalia seemed to understand my words.
I sighed in relief.
But...
"However! ...We can get engaged right now."
"Wait... an engagement?"
"Yes, this is my best compromise. I will not accept a refusal."
Natalia came right up to my nose and said.
An immense pressure like a block of glacier crushed me.
If I refuse this, I feel like the Grand Duke will really crack my skull open.
Natalia held my hand and said.
"You don't have to worry too much, Edric. Northern women are broad-minded."
Natalia's hand... was trembling.
In her own way, she was worried, afraid, and scared.
Sigh... if I push away a woman who goes this far... that's really not something a man should do.
I accepted her proposal.
"...Alright. Let's do it. The engagement."
Natalia smiled the brightest I had ever seen.
It wasn't an ice goddess, but like a bright young girl whose dream had come true.
"I look forward to our future, my fiancé."
"Yes, I look forward to it too, Natalia."
Natalia's face came towards me just like that.
This time I responded, and we had our first kiss in the true sense in the infirmary.
My proper first kiss tasted like apples.
A week later, all schedules for the Northern inspection were finished.
The Prince and I boarded the carriage heading to the Capital, receiving a grand send-off from the Grand Duke.
The results of this inspection, officially summarized, were unconventional.
The North officially permitted the stationing of the Jeriel Knights, which they had previously indirectly refused, and the sluggish Northern development plan began to gain rapid momentum with the addition of the Central merchant guilds and the Imperial family's guarantee.
Although the initial goal of a marriage alliance between the Imperial family and the North fell through, the Emperor was satisfied because, in a way, they had achieved their goal while saving the card that was the Prince.
Princess Camilla, who received the news in the capital, Athena, waved her fan and muttered lowly.
"Edric Noel... to even stop the barbarian terror. As expected of someone aiming for bigger things. I will acknowledge this performance."
The Princess was surprised while looking at the report containing Edric's exploits.
She had expected him to demonstrate his abilities during the Northern inspection for the greater goal of the Empire, but she didn't expect him to risk his life to protect the Grand Duke's daughter.
Seeing his performance, the Princess also felt a little regret.
If someone as capable as him used his abilities properly for the Imperial family, so many people could be happy...
The Princess began to feel such regret.
And, Count Albert, who heard the news in his office, screamed and threw his precious high-end crystal glass against the wall, shattering it to pieces.
"Edric!!! How dare you ruin my plan...!"
The Northern terror plan was a very secret plan that no one knew about except for Albert's direct subordinates.
But his own son had stopped it.
And he had obtained the information in a way he couldn't understand.
At the fact that his son had grown into a monster tightening the noose around his neck, Albert trembled with anger mixed with fear.
And the person involved in the story, Edric... was hearing good news from the Prince in the carriage.
"A mansion... you say?"
"Yes, you have merit for this incident, and since you need to become independent to get married, I'm thinking of giving you a mansion that is one of the Imperial family's properties."
Although I was the Prince's aide, I was in a situation where I was still living with my parents.
So I had to walk on eggshells around my father every day at home.
To me, the Prince's offer to give me a house was truly a gift from heaven.
Oooooh... suddenly my loyalty is surging!
Long live the Prince!!
"Thank you! Leopold-nim!"
"It's nothing, compared to what I've received from you."
My eyes widened.
They say pleasure comes after hardship, and finally, the dawn of 'real estate' began to shine on my life.
I hummed, thinking about moving, and looked at the receding snowy mountains of the North.