Have Courage, Your Majesty - 2
“Well, that’s good.”
Throwing a gamble with my life was a risk that couldn't be put into words, but I jumped in because it had value worth the risk.
And look at the result. It was solved well, wasn't it.
“That's right. It was solved well.”
Rubbing my nape, I muttered that.
I had planned to let Christine settle into the Sin of Pride appropriately by deceiving her a bit.
Why? A vampire queen who had risen to that position should be able to strut around with her shoulders back, shouldn't she?
Of course, I didn't expect the process to be this difficult, but as I thought earlier, since the result was good, I was rather satisfied with it.
“Moreover, Vivian was really unexpected.”
Even though lost life force can be recovered through blood or bloodsucking, honestly, I had no sharp countermeasures for how to resolve the curse I transferred to my body.
I was about to keep carrying something annoying, but Vivian boldly offered to erase the curse for me.
“No, it wasn't unexpected.”
The curse pattern was revealed to match the pattern of Envy in front of everyone.
It was Kiaru's shallow trick to cover up the sin with Vivian, but if I hadn't been there, Vivian would have been looked at with suspicious eyes from everyone for a while.
“Thinking about it that way, I just helped and assisted.”
Anyway, since the result was good, it was fine. The only thing I could appreciate was that.
All good. All good, but...
Happy Ending Rate
99%
Why was it just one percent short?
If it was ten percent, it would have been better. I could have chased after major events with weight.
“But one percent...”
It's something small but necessary.
It's like something essential was missing to complete the last one. I have no idea what that might be.
What exactly was missing?
I saw her appear in the capital and take Christine as her attendant, which boosted Christine's dignity. She even erased her death flag.
Even in the process, I survived. I should have done everything I needed to do and could do.
But then it was.
Creak—
The sound of the bedroom door opening. Naturally, my head turned.
What came into view was a noble woman. She stared at me blankly, then when our eyes met, she quickly looked away.
Tap— tap—
Her distinctive shoe sounds. After she entered the bedroom, she closed the door.
“Are you feeling better?”
Christine.
Now, the words fit her as the Sin of Pride. She walked close to my bed and asked that.
“What's the matter?”
She stared at me intensely.
“The coronation was successfully completed.”
“That's good. Congratulations.”
“Um...”
Christine paused for a moment, as if trying to say something.
“Thank you.”
I didn't react particularly.
Precisely, I was a bit unsure what reaction to show. I just did it to help the main scenario.
“Is there anything else you want to say?”
“Jekiel.”
“Speak.”
“I won't hold you responsible for acting on your own this time.”
“Hmm.”
“I acknowledge the help I received from you, and since the result was good, I'll forgive you.”
I let out a small laugh.
“Forgive is a bit inappropriate. You tolerated my weakness and resolved it from your side.”
Christine also lifted the corner of her mouth slightly.
“Since you tolerated it from your side, I tolerated it too. Perhaps.”
Somehow, the atmosphere was different from before.
Thinking about it, when I first met her, I was sitting on the bed like this. It was in the treatment room of Rahal Academy.
And what was Christine like back then?
I didn't need to think deeply. She hated Jekiel to the extreme and resented him. Didn't she remove the engagement ring right in front of me?
However, the current atmosphere was a bit different. Perhaps the killing intent unique to the top vampire entity had subsided.
Originally, there was a chill as if a sharp blade was being pressed to my neck if I were beside her, but now I didn't feel that. Even if I did, it was much weaker than before.
“However, it seems there's still something left to say.”
“Even if I am ignored for not being recognized as the Sin of Pride, I wouldn't care much. Resenting myself for being lacking is foolish, and I never wanted this position in the first place.”
Christine's expression became quite serious.
“Nevertheless, there's something in my heart that's troubling me.”
“What?”
“The words you said to me are troubling me. I can't tell if it's sincere or not.”
The atmosphere became heavy. I unconsciously adjusted my breathing.
“I don't know. The words I said to you aren't just a few.”
“It doesn't matter. I will remember the words I need to remember well from my side.”
“So?”
“I want to confirm if that word was sincere. Using my method.”
“I'm busy right now.”
Christine shook her head.
“It's not a request or demand. I decided to do it that way.”
Hmm. I organized my slightly disheveled hair from lying for a long time.
I thought we would only exchange a short greeting. After all, the situation was resolved well.
But did my words bother her so much? Of course, upon reflection, they were words spoken with hearts close to sincere rather than lies.
“However...”
I don't know yet if this will have a good or bad influence on the main scenario. That's why I'm hesitating.
“Truly audacious thoughts. Do you know?”
“Now that I'm the Sin of Pride, I can do as I please. This side is the Sin of Pride.”
“Do as you wish.”
When was this easy? It was always difficult. First, watch the progress and if something needs to be resolved in the middle, resolve it.
With that simple mindset, I eventually nodded.
“How much has your life force recovered?”
“It's still at the bottom.”
Hoo. Christine took a deep breath.
“Then be careful. Don't let that breath cut off.”
With those words, the vision flashed black.
Kwagh kwagh kwagh kwagh—
Nothing was visible. All I saw was pitch black darkness.
No, I was seeing everything as it was. It was just that the world had turned black.
I soon realized that I had been caught in illusion-type magic. I also knew the name of this technique.
Queen's Nest
“And this is...”
It was an instant death pattern. Definitely.
Christine focused all her nerves.
It's reckless, but because it's reckless, I can't make mistakes.
“It's tough.”
Queen's Nest is a technique that takes half of her life force as a price. It was a technique she almost never used, even in actual combat, let alone practice.
But she had to use it. For her, this was an extremely important matter.
“You don't even move a muscle.”
Jekiel, trapped in the darkness, did nothing.
Even if he had abandoned the throne of sin, he was still a legitimate vampire lord. If he tried to escape this domain with his own power, it wouldn't be impossible.
But he did nothing. He didn't even try. No, it seemed like he had no intention of leaving.
She held a red-tinted rapier in her hand.
This absurd domain that demands half her life force provides absurd abilities to Christine.
Within this domain, the effect Christine's rapier gains is 'certain hit'. No matter how she stabs, it will definitely hit and definitely penetrate.
In other words, if Jekiel doesn't leave this domain, his life is in Christine's grasp.
But why?
It was not easy to take even a step. Rather, from Christine's side.
“What are you afraid of, Christine.”
There was hesitation she had never felt before gripping her ankle.
The truth that the sun rises in the sky is natural. Christine's truth of hating Jekiel.
At the end of this confirmation, there might be a reversal of that truth. So, I have to admit that the thoughts I've held for over a thousand years were wrong.
That was too scary.
However, no matter how scared, it was something I had to confirm.
“I hope the Demon Realm and the Human Realm harmonize.”
Is that word really sincere?
Then, are you trying to keep that promise you made when you were engaged to me?
No, perhaps you have already kept it. Or perhaps you have already started keeping it.
“Jekiel.”
At the name, he finally turned around.
Jekiel, a man who had been in Christine's life for her entire life.
Whether good or bad fate, a man who will remain in her life for her entire life.
“I, Christine, will listen to your sincerity from now on.”
The queen gripped the handle of the rapier tightly.