Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Engagement (3)
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The engagement proceeded much faster than expected.
The attendant who relayed the Emperor's will said that since I was already in the Imperial Palace, he wanted to handle it right away.
Who knew when I'd visit the palace again, so let's get it done quickly, he said.
I wondered if it was really that urgent.
He was probably anxious. From the Emperor's perspective, he'd want to secure firm control over Ariel—the strategic weapon—as soon as possible.
"The engagement ceremony will be held at the Lotus Palace."
My companions, whom I hadn't seen in a while.
Alfred and Cobson finally showed their faces.
"It's Her Highness Adelheit's residence. Plus, it's a favorite spot for the top ten noble families, so it's perfect for an engagement ceremony."
"It's a bit suspicious. Holding the ceremony this quickly means other nobles won't have time to attend properly. It feels like they intentionally don't want to draw attention from the others."
"Hmm. Well, I'm not entirely sure myself. But I heard there's still a lot of resentment toward you, Young Master. If you went ahead with a joyful engagement to the Princess in this situation, it could invite negative attention."
I see.
Come to think of it, I'm already under suspicious glares from the other nobles over the Blooded incident.
Showing off a flashy engagement with Adel right now could indeed backfire.
"By the way, Young Master."
After relaying the message, Alfred immediately frowned.
Ah, I get it.
These two have been away from me this whole time, so they've only heard about the circumstances secondhand.
They must be curious about the details I'd been holding back.
"What exactly happened? While I was off admiring the 'Eight Wings,' the Blooded Merchant Group's leader launches a terrorist attack. The Third Imperial Princess's life hangs in the balance, you save her, but end up in danger yourself. Please explain the situation."
"You must have been really worried, Alfred."
"Of course! The Family Head entrusted me with your safety. And then this happens the moment I leave...! I'm so ashamed, I don't know what to do!"
"Ah. Sorry about that."
Alfred was fuming, his anger boiling over.
No, I didn't do anything wrong, man.
I'm the knight who saved the Princess, after all.
But Alfred must have been through a lot mentally, so I should explain quickly.
I laid it all out: Blooded wasn't an ordinary human.
The Lotus Palace turned into a monster's guts because of it.
I dashed through it, rescued the Princess, and took down Blooded.
"......"
Alfred's eyebrows twitched as he listened.
There were parts that didn't make sense to him, understandably.
That's exactly where the suspicious looks directed at me were coming from—the unexplained bits.
"There are some inconsistencies that bother me... Did this engagement happen because of that?"
"Yes. You catch on quick."
"How could I not? This sudden engagement between you and the Third Imperial Princess... I was wondering what was going on. Is it something you have to keep quiet about?"
"Well, considering His Majesty is personally trying to cover it up, yeah, it should stay hushed."
Of course, I just didn't want to reveal that I'd awakened memories from my past life.
"Hmm... Understood. You're not quite an adult yet, Young Master, but you're a proper knight in your own right. Knights have their secrets."
"Thanks for understanding, Alfred."
"Got it for now. Then I'll attend the ceremony as the Family Head's proxy."
Engagement ceremonies usually have guardians or representatives from both sides present.
Adel will have the Emperor himself, and for me, Father should come, but that's unlikely.
If they're rushing a simple ceremony to avoid noble backlash, they can't wait for him.
Alfred's the Knights Captain of our house anyway, so he's fully qualified to stand in.
"Then let's go. The ceremony's about to start soon."
"Yes, let's."
"Haha! To be honest, I was flustered at first, but now that I think about it, this is wonderful news. Who would've thought our Young Master would get engaged to a Princess? I don't know how to celebrate this joyous occasion... I need to inform the Family Head right away."
The three of us headed to the Lotus Palace.
Once the ceremony's done, I'll head back home.
This social gathering has been a whirlwind, every day flying by in chaos.
I'd joined the Cluster of Stars originally to meet the prophet.
But instead, I ran into Blooded, the leader of the Crimson Blood Cult, and nearly faced life and death. What a mess.
Still, I overcame the trials and came out unscathed.
How far along the original story am I now?
'No, wait—this is the prequel, right?'
[Shardia Academy] starts much later than now.
Kline Leonhart's tale is way before the main story, so I've basically taken out one villain ahead of schedule.
If I keep this up, a happy ending might be possible.
"...and thus, we shall affirm the bond between the Imperial Family and the Ducal House here today."
Lost in thought, I suddenly realized the ceremony was nearly over.
It was simpler than I'd imagined. Quick and no-frills.
Hard to believe this was an engagement between a Princess and the heir of a ducal house—it was that stripped down.
But neither the Emperor nor I wanted anything extravagant anyway.
For him, securing Ariel mattered more than the ceremony; for me, Ariel's peace outweighed the engagement.
With both sides in agreement, it proceeded.
Though I was a little curious what Adel herself thought about it.
The venue was the hall from the previous ball, tidied up nicely for the rite.
The Emperor sat on his throne, looking down.
No one else presided.
The Emperor of the Empire personally blessed his daughter's engagement.
"Adelheit, third daughter of the Valdorian Imperial House. And Kline, eldest son of the Leonhart Ducal Family."
Called by name, I rose from my seat.
Alfred nodded encouragingly from behind.
Heavy footsteps echoed firmly.
My chest, which had never trembled before, began to thump faintly.
Why? Was I nervous?
No way.
Honestly? I was a little excited.
"......"
Adel approached from the opposite side.
She was a year older than me, but always stunning no matter when I saw her.
A mature figure beyond her years.
Beauty that even Blooded would envy.
She accentuated it further with a gorgeous ceremonial dress and quietly took her place beside me.
There were hardly any onlookers.
Just a handful of the Emperor's trusted retainers or nobles prestigious enough for such an event.
They watched our engagement.
"Kline Leonhart. Do you swear to one day take this Princess as your wife?"
The Emperor continued leisurely.
A simple affirmation.
It was just an engagement, not a wedding—no need for elaborate vows.
"I swear."
"Adelheit von Valdorian. Do you swear to one day accept this young man as your husband?"
"I swear."
"Good."
The Emperor smiled in satisfaction.
I still didn't know Adel's true feelings, but no need to ask.
Her response came without hesitation. She'd accepted without a second thought.
I'd half-expected it. She'd sent me friendly signals plenty of times.
I'd just ignored them amid everything else...
Now that things had come to this, she'd have to take responsibility too.
"The Empire shall remember this engagement. I, Magnus, present here, shall bear witness."
With the Emperor's words, the ceremony concluded.
Clap, clap, clap—
The onlookers applauded.
Alfred, standing on my side, clapped extra hard, as if moved to tears.
"We shall conclude with a handshake sealing their vows."
At least he didn't call for a kiss.
That would've been too fast.
At the Emperor's cue, Adel and I exchanged glances.
Now that there was a moment to breathe...
She took a step closer and moved her lips.
"Honestly, I was shocked."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I never thought Father would tell me to get engaged to you. And so suddenly. He sprang the preparations on me out of nowhere— you have no idea."
"Same here. I didn't expect His Majesty to push it through right after our private audience."
"Hmph... So, you're not against it? Getting engaged to me?"
"Would you prefer that?"
"Don't play word games. I'm being serious."
"Hm."
Adel's hand trembled slightly as she reached out.
Confidence that I couldn't possibly dislike it.
Yet a sliver of anxiety that maybe I did.
"You're the type who doesn't do things he hates. But if you must, you will. I know that about you. So I worried this engagement might be one of those 'musts.'"
"What pointless worry. I didn't know Your Highness had such a womanly side."
"It's not meddling. So, which is it? Like it? Hate it?"
Suddenly, Ariel's face came to mind.
My precious little sister, whom I wouldn't trade for the world.
So cute and worrisome, I wanted to protect her forever.
I planned to stay by her side until she grew into a fine woman.
But as a man, I had to live my own life too.
'Ariel would've thrown a fit if she heard this.'
That's why I'd sent her away on purpose.
Alfred and Cobson didn't even know she'd come here.
Better to avoid an awkward run-in.
For the record, Ariel looked utterly dejected at my firm refusal.
I'd always indulged her whims before. She never expected rejection.
So when I told her to stay away...
-Hmph.
She pouted and stormed off.
'A bit worried what she's up to...'
But she wouldn't get hurt out there.
If anything, I worried who she might hurt.
With Ariel's personality, she'd tail me home the moment I left anyway.
So here, I should be honest.
"Of course I like it."
I had no intention of getting engaged to a woman I disliked.
**
And so.
At the Lotus Palace, where the engagement ceremony was underway.
Nearby, on a tree.
A ornamental tree towering toward the sky.
Out of anyone's sight.
Right at the top.
"......"
Ariel Leonhart sat quietly.
Her posture looked bizarre at first glance.
Perched among the branches like it was her own home.
But her aura was anything but relaxed.
A dense, rising killing intent.
No, it was pure murderous rage, making the tree beneath her scream silently.
-Kline Leonhart. Do you swear to one day take this Princess as your wife?
Ariel heard everything.
The conversations inside the Lotus Palace.
The man called the Emperor spoke distasteful words to Kline with a leisurely expression.
-I swear.
And regrettably, her brother didn't refuse.
It wasn't just her ears that reached it.
Even walls couldn't block her sight.
She saw everything.
Her brother's expression. The wretched woman's beside him.
Kline merely lifted the corner of his mouth and nodded.
But Ariel knew.
He liked it. He was pleased.
Her brother didn't hate this engagement.
He was even leaning toward liking it.
-The Empire shall remember this engagement. I, Magnus, present here, shall bear witness.
And so, the engagement was sealed.
Something Ariel had recently learned from books.
When a man and woman loved each other, they got engaged.
She'd secretly hoped she and Kline would one day...
That fragile, sweet dream shattered.
By whom?
That pink-haired wench.
And her father, the Emperor.
"......"
Grind—
Ariel's teeth clenched.
Grind, grind, grind.
A chilling sound of gnashing teeth.
The killing intent took form, carving gashes into the tree.
'I want to kill them.'
Yes.
If Ariel Leonhart were truly honest, she wanted to charge in right now.
And slaughter everything in sight with her own hands.
Especially that damned woman and her father.
Kill them. Slash their throats. Rip out their hearts. Grind their faces so they could never flirt with her brother again. Sew their mouths shut so they could never spew filth again.
But she couldn't.
'Endure. Endure it, Ariel. Endure.'
Big brother said no.
It was the first time. The first time he'd refused her tantrums and pleas.
It shocked her. She never thought Kline would deny her wish.
But. But, but. Yes. Shockingly, Ariel understood.
'Big brother is kind.'
This engagement was ultimately for her sake too.
The Emperor had said it, and Kline himself had explained.
Yes. So he's different from the likes of you. Not like some bitch who spreads her legs for a scrap of his affection.
Big brother is doing this for me. He doesn't like trash like you. It's all for me. He'll stay with me forever, until death.
So.
-It's not meddling. So, which is it? Like it? Hate it?
-Of course I like it.
That's why her brother said that. All an act.
Not his real feelings.
Just to soothe that Adelheit bitch.
"Someday."
Someday, she'd take her brother back from that wench.
Ariel quietly vowed.
It was her own engagement ceremony.