Chapter 286
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Amid the Fireworks (4)
A single declaration: she would give up the throne of Samad's ruler.
At those words, countless retainers turned their gazes toward the petite Third Imperial Princess of the Empire.
But soon enough, their eyes had no choice but to shift from her to me.
"I have a fox I need to look after, you see."
Fox.
They figured the person resembling that sly creature was me.
"Haha..."
I scratched the back of my head with an awkward look in my eyes.
Under their burdensome stares, I wanted nothing more than to slip away somehow.
Perhaps sensing my thoughts,
Lydia gripped my hand tightly.
"Veil, let's go now."
With a bright smile, she took the lead toward the streets.
"Now that the situation's sorted, we should finish patrolling the city, right?"
The Third Imperial Princess strode ahead into the splendid streets, her long twin tails swaying like tails behind her.
As I followed her forward, I offered the Grand Duke a light nod of respect.
"Heh heh... That's Lydia for you."
The Grand Duke didn't seem particularly fazed by the princess's bombshell statement.
He simply nodded, as if it was just par for the course with her.
"You can say that again..."
In contrast, Liam—who had strived all these years to inherit the throne—stared in stunned silence.
He realized that his sister, who had always possessed the sharpest charisma of anyone, had chosen to stay in the Empire over power... all for one man. His mouth fell open.
"..."
But soon, the Second Imperial Prince closed his lips and managed a smile.
The brightened expression on Lydia's face as she walked ahead.
Seeing her—so devoid of any human warmth after a lifetime mired in the fight for the throne—glow like a fresh twenty-year-old woman...
Even he shed his stoic mask, gazing at her with the fond look of an older brother.
"I'm glad for you, Lydia."
Liam fixed his eyes on the back of the one man walking beside her.
Then, as if deciding to set aside his worries about his little sister for good, he glanced up at the night sky and murmured,
"You've met a good man."
「――――――」
And so, we boldly passed through the barricade line and entered the glittering streets of Rubintsk.
The festival atmosphere was in full swing there, crowded with lavishly dressed ladies and gentlemen.
"Where are we headed...?"
When I asked, Lydia didn't speak until we were well away from the incident site.
The lights from the splendid shops bathed her face, tinting it red.
"This should be far enough."
Only then did the Third Imperial Princess finally release our sweat-sticky clasped hands.
With a deep sigh, she said,
"For now, I've just put some distance between us and my family and knights."
Lydia gazed toward the distant barricade line on the horizon.
"I didn't want them getting the wrong idea—that I was so bewitched by you that I gave up the throne."
The Third Imperial Princess crossed her arms, speaking with an annoyed glint in her eyes.
Then, casually brushing back one of her twin tails draped over her shoulder, she continued,
"I was just pretending to lead you so they wouldn't suspect anything."
She flashed a grin and pointed her thumb at herself.
"I see..."
No wonder her sudden urge to take the lead had felt so out of the blue.
The Third Imperial Princess had her reasons.
"Ahem. Well, since we're out here anyway, how about we patrol the area?"
The princess asked slyly, closing her eyes for a moment.
Seeing that, I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
Truth be told, the youngest princess had her sly, foxy moments now and then.
"Understood. Since I'm here as your escort today, it's only natural I'd accompany you."
Hands clasped behind my back, I began walking alongside Lydia.
Her dress was slightly dusted with dirt, but still neat and beautifully Eastern in style.
Passersby from Samad bowed their heads in respect at the sight of her.
Some of them must have recognized her as a noble lady of high standing.
Lydia gracefully raised her hand in greeting to each one, as if accustomed to such reactions.
Watching her, it was clear she had the bearing to match a queen.
"But why give up the Samad throne?"
Emboldened by the mood, I asked. Lydia's sharp red eyes flashed.
Her rounded gaze reminded me of a cute cub leopard.
"Well, no big reason."
The princess sighed deeply, hands behind her back.
She glanced at the shops and people lining the long Rubintsk streets and said flatly,
"I've been away from Samad for so long, I'm not familiar with the situation there."
Then, she shot me a quick upward glance.
With her signature impish gleam, she grinned and added,
"Besides, ruling the capital's eastern district all by myself is already overwhelming enough."
To be fair, the Empire's capital east district was about the size of all of Samad's capital...
But I decided to play along and pretend otherwise.
"My legs are starting to ache from all this walking."
"Shall we take a break?"
"Yes, yes—that sounds good."
Lydia patted her plump thighs and scanned the surroundings.
I, too, looked around for a resting spot.
At the same moment, a suitable bench caught both our eyes.
"How about over there?"
"Ahem... My throat's a bit parched too."
The princess dodged the bench we'd just spotted, pretending otherwise.
Without a second thought, I turned toward a nearby stall selling drinks.
"Something to drink..."
My eyes landed on a street vendor where children were gathered, buying fruit juices.
Especially the sweet watermelon juice.
"Then, shall I escort you that way?"
Lydia's face soured at the sight of the place swarming with kids her own height.
She quickly turned her head away.
"Hmm... Now that you mention it, I'm feeling a bit peckish—"
Lydia cautiously pointed to one spot with her finger.
It was none other than...
「Great Tiger Tavern」
A tavern packed full of adults.
Couples gathered, drinking and digging into steaming bowls of Eastern-style noodles.
'You wanted to drink, huh...'
"Ahem... Seems like that's the only decent place nearby, so no helping it—we'll go to the tavern."
"Understood. Let's head in."
Once I gave in, Lydia flashed a triumphant smile, as if she'd successfully led me as she pleased.
Convinced she was a full adult now, she sauntered in with hands on her hips.
Anyone seeing her would've mistaken her for a victorious general.
"Welcome, miss! Sir!!"
True to an Eastern eatery, a boisterous chef greeted us at the entrance.
Unusually, the kitchen was right up front, allowing everyone outside to see exactly what was being cooked.
As her bodyguard knight, I appreciated being able to check for any funny business with the food right away.
"A young couple! What can I get you?"
"I'll order! Me!"
Lydia shot her hand up confidently, as if she'd studied commoner life beforehand.
She looked innocently bold, like a schoolgirl on a field trip.
"Bring us some braised pork belly and kaoliang liquor!"
"Right away—"
For someone supposedly dragged in reluctantly, it was a perfectly natural order.
Seated at the table, she propped her elbows on it and steepled her fingers.
Resting her chin on the back of her hand, she hummed a tune from Eastern opera in delight.
She resembled a baby black panther, thrilled after being caged up forever and finally let out for a walk.
"How is it? Your first Eastern-style place, right?"
Unlike the quiet Western establishments, the tables here buzzed with lively chatter.
Their loud laughter and eating sounds tickled the ears, but it wasn't unpleasant.
This must be what they call cozy.
"Yes, the atmosphere's more fun than I expected."
"Hehe... Yeah, us Samad folk always eat with our lovers in rowdy spots like this during festivals."
Lydia's eyes sparkled at the glistening pork belly and potent liquor laid out on the table.
I'd pegged her for someone who only touched classy desserts like brownies.
But her tastes were surprisingly free-spirited, matching her personality.
"Come on, cheers first. Gotta down it quick before Grandpa sees and blows a fuse."
"Got it. Cheers."
We clinked our small glasses together.
Liquor splashed wildly, dripping down our hands.
But Lydia didn't care—she threw back her glass in one go.
"Gah— Delicious! So good!"
The Third Imperial Princess smiled so wide her eyes curved like crescent moons.
Her hearty display spurred me to down mine just as hard.
But in that moment—
"......！！"
My throat burned like I'd swallowed petroleum.
The alcohol scent was so intense, it felt like my mouth could ignite any second.
"Kuhuhu... You thought it'd be like that light beer from earlier today, huh?"
Lydia, clearly anticipating my reaction, teased me with a chuckle.
Her ruby-red eyes gleamed.
"No, what the hell is this stuff?"
"It's liquor brewed in the far-eastern countries beyond Samad. Super strong—"
Lydia refilled her glass as she spoke.
"Stuff like this will shorten your life!!"
"Nah, no it won't— Grandpa knocks back a glass every day and he's still spry as ever—"
Come to think of it, Lydia had rarely drunk in front of me.
Seeing her handle it so expertly now, I truly sensed she was Leonhardt's daughter through and through.
We passed the time eating the pork and drinking what Lydia offered.
About thirty minutes in, perhaps,
Lydia, mellowed out, rested her chin on her palm and stared straight at me.
Her usual sharp eyes softened into something more feminine.
"Sigh... Yeah, I've always wanted to come to a place like this someday, where everyone drinks and has fun freely..."
The princess bared her sharp canines as she spoke to me.
"And now my wish has come true."
"You went to that pizza place with me before, though."
When I refilled her glass with a casual smile, Lydia puffed her cheeks and shook her head.
"That didn't have delicious liquor like this."
"I had no idea you could hold your drink so well..."
Pleased by what wasn't quite praise, the emboldened youngest princess shrugged smugly.
"Hehe... I'm the best in the world at everything."
Her petite frame and bold words nearly made my lips twitch upward.
She slammed back her eighth glass and carelessly set it down.
"Haaa..."
Was it the alcohol?
Her fair skin began flushing redder by the second.
"By the way, Mikhail."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Noticing her slurred speech, I stopped pouring.
Lydia leaned in close and said,
"You're a marquis now, and you're twenty-one. How do you plan to live from here?"
How do I plan to live.
For such a serious question from someone drunk, I held off answering for a moment.
After some thought, I replied.
"Well... I don't want to keep living this busy life forever—"
I shrugged like a sly fox.
"I'd love to do absolutely nothing and just live off the steady stream of pensions."
"Hah, you're such a contrarian every time I see you—"
Lydia placed hands on her hips, her eyes a bit glazed.
"With that overwhelming power, and zero thirst for authority."
"A soldier's job is national defense, plain and simple. Getting into politics is a no-go—"
She couldn't argue with the logic, so the princess pouted.
"You're right, but... still, you're a marquis now."
"Ah, there is one thing."
When I held up a finger to mention it, Lydia perked up with interest.
"Oh? What's that?"
Captain of the Imperial Knights?
Next Imperial Council Chairman, buoyed by noble popularity?
Or surpassing it all... next Emperor even...?
Lydia's red eyes flashed with anticipation for my ambitions.
At that moment...
"I'm thinking of buying more land and growing melons this time, not just watermelons."
"..."
Melons.
At those two out-of-left-field words, Lydia's lip curled in a pout.
"I shouldn't have bothered asking you, you lazy fox..."
The princess let out a long sigh.
Then, she switched to a different question.
"Fine, then... tell me this."
Following up on my "ambitions," her next query delved even deeper.
Namely...
"Out of all of us, who do you plan to marry?"
The princess who had given up the throne for me asked cautiously.
Her sharp eyes softened into those of a mature woman.
"I..."