Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Hegemony
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Finally, the signing ceremony for the negotiations took place.
The signing ceremony held in the garden of the Grand Duke's Palace.
Today's ceremony wasn't just a simple matter of signing and calling it done.
"How about it? Any women who catch your eye?"
At my question, Ferdinand scanned the female elves.
Each one was a refined and beautiful high elf.
Before the ceremony, I'd instructed each representative to bring noble and beautiful women from their races.
At first, they didn't understand why, claiming it was a human custom and seeking understanding, but in the end, noble women from each race visited the Grand Duke's Palace.
"Hmm... They're all beautiful, but something's missing."
I inwardly sighed at the crown prince's words.
Luna's the heroine of the novel... There's no way any woman could be more beautiful than her, right?
Of course, I couldn't say that out loud.
I had to work hard to make him give up on Luna, even if it meant taking some flak myself.
As the ceremony officially began, each representative took a seat at the table placed in the center of the garden.
Luna as the representative for the humans, along with the representatives from the elves, dwarves, and orcs, sat at the table.
-Scritch... scratch!
Luna finished signing the negotiation document with her elegant handwriting, and I picked it up, collecting signatures from each representative one by one.
-Scritch, scratch.
Once even the last orc had signed, I addressed everyone.
"With this, the Grand Duchy and the Other Races Alliance have ceased war and become friends who will aid one another."
-Waaah!
The crowd cheered at my declaration.
The treaty to end the war with the other races and seek the path of peace.
The Grand Duchy and the Other Races agreed to begin exchanges, promising economic and cultural interactions through the Grand Duchy rather than other nations.
After that, the festival proper began.
It was a festival to exchange cultures among the races.
The elves brought fruits and fruit wine; we brought bread, beer, ham, and meat; the dwarves brought ornaments and artworks to decorate the festival; and the orcs came bare-handed.
Anyway... orcs are only good for booze.
Honestly, the booze was the most important thing, but wasn't it rude to show up empty-handed to an event like this?
Well... that wasn't the important thing right now.
I stood beside Ferdinand, gazing out at the banquet hall.
They were still awkward around each other by race, forming three distinct groups.
The group of elves, the group of dwarves, and the group of orcs.
Ignoring the orc tribe, which no one could call beautiful by any stretch, and assuming the cute-style dwarf women weren't to Ferdinand's taste,
I rubbed my hands together as I eyed the group of elves.
Time to seriously start selecting a crown princess candidate?
I'd specifically asked for only high-ranking women to participate.
Those must be high elves.
That green-haired woman over there isn't bad.
I nodded toward a short-haired woman with sharp features like Luna's.
"Ferdinand, what about that green-haired girl over there?"
"Hmm, she seems a bit weak somehow."
"Weak?"
I was puzzled by his cryptic remark, but if he didn't like her,
I quickly turned to a sky-blue-haired elf woman.
An elf with long straight hair, simple yet noble-looking eyes.
Anyone could see she was an incredible beauty.
"What about that sky-blue one?"
"Her ears are bigger than the other elves'. Not my type."
"Panties thief with high standards."
The crown prince looked flustered at my mutter.
"Pardon? That... that's a misunderstanding..."
"Misunderstanding my ass... Anyway, what about that blonde?"
An elf woman with long blonde hair neatly braided atop her head.
Radiant golden locks and flawless skin.
Plus emerald eyes.
She had to be an unbelievable beauty.
"Hmm... Pretty, but her ears still bother me no matter how I look."
-Thwack!
"Hey! Are you even serious about this?"
He turned to me with a pitiful expression.
"Honestly, I have no interest. It has to be Luna for me."
"That's called stalking in professional terms."
The crown prince's face filled with question marks.
"What's stalking?"
Really... They don't even have the concept of stalkers here?
Is this isekai world okay?
"People who chase after women who hate them and bother them are called stalkers."
"Ah... You mean from the Eastern Continent?"
"Something like that. Let's go talk to them first."
"Ah... I'm not really... How about Uncle finds a match this time instead?"
Something sharp stabbed my skin at Ferdinand's words.
"Huh?"
When I turned, Luna was glaring at me with murderous eyes, honing her refined killing intent just for me to feel.
-Is something bothering you, Grand Duke?
-No big deal. Just a fly trying to steal my food.
-It's still... winter.
Luna, conversing with the elf delegation's representative.
She shot me a savage glare.
As if... she'd kill me like swatting a fly if I made something happen over there.
"Come on, what are you saying? I have no intention of getting married yet! And how am I like you? You're the crown prince of this empire! My one and only nephew! You should be rushing to marry and secure an heir..."
"Haah, I get it. Enough, Uncle."
I spoke to the deeply sighing crown prince.
"Alright, follow me."
I led the way toward the group of elf women, who looked at me curiously.
"Greetings. I am Aiden, the emperor's younger brother. This is the empire's crown prince, Ferdinand."
"Ah? Hello."
Pleasant elven voices.
They just blinked at each other.
"His Highness the crown prince is very interested in you all, so he's come over."
Only then did the female high elves look at the crown prince's face.
And... soon enough.
Their faces flushed red.
Ferdinand really was a cheat in terms of looks.
I figured the airheaded elves would fall easily.
"Ah..."
"An honor to meet such nobility."
"Pleased to meet you. Ferdinand de Savoy."
"I'm Carmen Rosemary."
"My name is Aria Ekid."
As they began introducing themselves one by one, I quietly slipped away.
Luna's killing intent was stabbing my skin so sharply it tingled.
Now it's up to you guys.
I'm busy too, you know.
I glanced back at Ferdinand and the high elves before heading to Luna's side.
"Oh? Secretary Aiden—no, should I call you Sir Aiden now?"
I responded humbly to Yalta, the orc representative.
"Call me whatever's comfortable."
Only now did Luna stop sending her sharp killing intent.
Her eyes brushed past me briefly before she resumed conversing with the high officials.
"To think the Grand Duchy will no longer recklessly expand and will live in peace with us. It's like a dream."
"Indeed. Our history has been stained with blood until now."
And so the banquet began.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A few days later.
"Uncle."
The crown prince brought along a petite young woman.
Petite didn't even begin to cover it.
A tiny woman, maybe 140cm tall if that.
Seeing her long red straight hair and cute eyes, an uneasy feeling gripped my heart.
"No way..."
"Yes, that's right. She's a dwarf."
Phew... Good, not a pedo thing.
Or maybe he is a pedo, which is why he's with someone like her?
Wait... hold on?
"Pardon, but how old are you?"
Dwarves live longer than humans. Not as long as elves, but age was still a big issue.
"I'll be forty this year."
"Ah..."
She looks like she could pass for elementary school age, but she's in her forties...
I didn't know how to take this girl with her youthful appearance.
Legal, right?
Her face screams illegal, but since she's over forty, it's legal... but.
Still.
"You're unmarried, correct?"
Aren't most in their forties already married?
"Uncle, don't insult my lady."
I felt dizzy seeing my nephew already calling a woman he'd met just days ago "my lady."
"Hey! How long has it even been since you met..."
The crown prince stated firmly.
"We're getting married."
"Huh?"
"We consummated last night."
I was shocked by his lightning-fast acceleration.
"Hey! If Brother finds out!"
"It's fine. I've found the love of my life."
Ferdinand gazed at the dwarf woman with moist eyes.
Is... is this for real?
"I won't marry anyone but Silvia."
"Wh-what are you being so embarrassing for? Who'd marry a guy like you? Hmph!"
Silvia the dwarf crossed her arms, turning her flushed face away.
Are you a tsundere or something?
"Anyway, yes, I'm unmarried. Sir Aiden."
I felt somewhat relieved at Silvia's words, but...
"But the status difference..."
"Silvia is the youngest daughter of the dwarf king. No issue of mismatch."
"Ah... I see."
I thought to myself as I watched the subtly smiling Ferdinand and tsundere-turning Silvia.
Well... if this gets the crown prince off my back... not bad at all.
And he even got a crown princess out of it.
I felt like I could hear my brother's wails from somewhere.
Nah, must be my imagination.
Of course, the pedo vibes worried me a bit, but she's over forty, an adult by dwarf standards too, so legal.
"Alright, got it. Let me know when you write to Brother; I'll send something along."
"Yes. We'll take our leave then."
The two withdrew after speaking.
A few days later, I heard shocking rumors from the maids about the pair.
Rumors that Ferdinand was tied to the bed and getting whipped by Silvia...
Nah, has to be fake.
No way...