Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Brother-in-Law
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I asked Lucia again.
What on earth did she mean by "final boss"?
Could it be that Lucia was a reincarnator like me? And she knew this world was from a romance fantasy novel?
Just as I was about to dive into those reasonable suspicions...
Lucia's follow-up words made me realize that wasn't the case.
What she—no, what the Emperor had sent her for was this.
"So, you want me to spar with the martial tournament winner as a finale event."
"Yes, exactly."
I had just misunderstood from hearing the words "final boss."
This is why you have to listen to people until the end.
"Anyway, that's the end of the imperial decree, Yujin."
"...I see."
The imperial decree ends here...
I thought about my schedule for the day.
'Nothing particular...'
Of course, it wasn't like I had absolutely nothing to do. As the head of a family, I had to manage the territory, oversee the family businesses, and handle various other tasks.
But those all wrapped up quickly. With secretaries and a butler I'd personally appointed, things ran on autopilot to a certain extent.
So, with things turning out this way, I figured I'd spend some time with Lucia and looked at her.
"Hehe. I'd love to spend time with you too, Yujin, but I have classes to attend."
"Classes?"
"Yes."
"What kind of classes?"
Was there anything for Lucia to learn?
Not imperial studies, for sure...
The empire's history or etiquette?
But Lucia was perfect in those areas. Just compare her to the Crown Prince, who rampaged around like he'd never been taught properly.
Magic, maybe...?
As I spun my imaginings,
"Bride classes."
"...Bride classes?"
"Yes. Hehe."
Ah.
"The engagement proposal from last time was rejected at first, but I'll be making it again soon. So, it's good to prepare in advance, right?"
She seemed convinced that I wouldn't reject her this time.
...Well, I had no intention of refusing, that's for sure.
"..."
"Even Irene is probably preparing around now."
Irene too?
"Of course, from the Arkabella Duke's perspective... it would be completely out of the blue."
Arkabella Duke.
Hearing that name made me think.
'Father-in-law?'
This was the real deal father-in-law (prospective). I'd taken Irene's purity, so I had to take responsibility, didn't I?
Then someday, I'd have to formally greet him...
'...Hmm.'
The fact that I'd had a one-night stand with her before marriage—when we weren't even together—felt like something to hide until the world ended.
"Hehe. Don't worry too much, Yujin. Lucia and Irene have our own plans. His Majesty has already given permission and is helping us."
"...I see."
With that, Lucia left for her bride classes.
As I tried to leave the reception room afterward, someone appeared before me.
"Greetings, Your Excellency the Marquis."
"...Who are you?"
"I am Ardell, the attendant serving Second Prince Your Highness."
"Second Prince Your Highness?"
The man who introduced himself as Ardell bowed his head.
'Second Prince.'
The very person I'd considered aligning with for the succession struggle after confirming the Crown Prince's inadequacies.
From what I'd learned through my secretary about his reputation in the capital, it wasn't bad.
His abilities were solidly basic, and his judgment was supposed to be decent...
'Well, since the Second Prince shares a mother with Lucia, unless someone stole his genes, the basics should be there.'
...The Crown Prince really was a defective product. Otherwise, it didn't make sense. I wanted to believe he'd just been lucky not to be dethroned yet.
But the reason the Second Prince was losing the succession race to that deficient Crown Prince was...
'Legitimacy.'
The Crown Prince was the son of the Empress from a high noble family, while Lucia and the Second Prince were from a consort.
It might seem minor, but it was a huge difference.
"...What does the Second Prince's attendant want?"
"His Highness wishes to meet with Your Excellency."
The Second Prince wants to meet...
I probed lightly.
"Is it urgent right now?"
"No, it's not. As the host inviting a guest, His Highness said to fully accommodate Your Excellency's circumstances. If you have urgent matters, then next time..."
"No, nothing urgent. Can I meet Second Prince Your Highness now?"
"Yes, of course."
'Perfect.'
I'd planned to meet the Second Prince eventually anyway. The empire's successor was a crucial issue.
In that context, for him to approach first—and so politely...
'A good sign.'
At least he wasn't the reckless type.
The empire's future looked a bit brighter.
Accepting the Second Prince's invitation, I followed the attendant into a garden.
The knights waiting there bowed to me.
Nod—
I acknowledged their greetings and proceeded further in, where I saw a man sitting in the garden.
A man with the same golden hair and red eyes as Lucia.
What was it... like the male version of Lucia, but with a more feral vibe?
His appearance immediately confirmed they were siblings.
The Second Prince stood from his seat with a welcoming smile toward me.
He approached and offered a handshake.
"Nice to meet you, brother-in-law."
"Nice to meet you... too?"
...
...Brother-in-law?
'Did I hear that right?'
I looked at the Second Prince's face with a rare flustered expression.
Of course, considering I'd eventually get engaged to Lucia, and we were practically fiancés already...
'...It's not wrong, technically.'
...Not wrong. Not wrong at all.
Just,
"Hm? What's wrong, brother-in-law?"
...too friendly. Way too friendly.
Unlike that deficient Crown Prince, our Second Prince had good social skills, apparently.
'Is that a good thing?'
Good was good.
"...No, nothing. Nice to meet you, Your Highness Russel."
The Second Prince, Russel, shook hands with the bowing me and patted my back familiarly.
"Haha, no need to bow like that."
"...Your Highness?"
Russel looked at me with a serious face.
"You're the hero who saved the lives of countless soldiers in our empire, aren't you? I should be the one bowing to you."
Russel truly bowed to me.
Watching him, I lifted his head.
"...Your Highness. You don't need to do this. I only did my duty as a subject of the empire."
"Hmm, even so, the fact that you led the empire to victory and minimized our soldiers' sacrifices by slaying the enemy doesn't change. You deserve respect as a hero, brother-in-law."
At the very least, I sensed no falsehood from Russel.
'...He's sincere.'
For some reason, my instincts told me Russel was a proper person compared to that blockhead Crown Prince.
Even if those words were lies...
'At least he expresses it outwardly. Plenty of people don't even do that.'
Whether imperial family, nobles, or commoners.
And if those feelings were fake, wouldn't that mean the Second Prince had fooled even a master's senses?
'The empire's future is bright in many ways.'
It felt like the dark clouds over the empire's future, dismal due to the successor issue, were finally clearing.
All that was left was to depose the current Crown Prince and put the Second Prince in his place.
"...Thank you, Your Highness."
"Haha! No need. It's enough that my brother-in-law recognizes my sincerity."
Russel flashed a hearty smile.
Yujin and Russel sat facing each other.
"Can we get straight to the point? I'd love to chat leisurely, but... I want to be honest with you."
"Of course, Your Highness."
Better to get to the main topic honestly.
Russel nodded slightly and got to it.
"Our empire is currently in a precarious situation."
"...Precarious?"
Precarious...?
Russel's unexpected statement stiffened my body.
This wasn't just a romance fantasy backdrop anymore—it was reality. And what kind of nation was the Argentus Empire?
The world's top military power, rich in resources, vast in territory.
Railroads spanned the entire empire with trains running, infantry had discarded cold weapons for guns.
Even special forces like mages and knights were top-notch...
'Precarious?'
As far as I knew, the economy wasn't bad either.
There had been some stagnation from the five-year war with the Eastern Alliance, but military industry growth should have filled the gaps...
"Your Highness, what do you...?"
"The empire has grown too big. Too big. Since its founding, it has expanded relentlessly without rest."
Grown too big?
'...No way.'
"...So it's surrounded on all sides by potential hostile nations."
"Sharp insight. Exactly right, brother-in-law."
The Holy Kingdom was the only true ally, perhaps—
Russel muttered softly.
He had a nearby attendant fetch a map.
Pointing at it, Russel said,
"The recent war with the Eastern Alliance was the same. The empire is surrounded by hostile nations on all sides. If we don't break through this, we'll eventually face invasions from every territory."
North, west, south, east.
Invasions from all directions. Every nation on the continent might point their guns at the empire to dismantle it.
A chilling sensation ran down my spine at that illusory yet true tale.