Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: The Marriage Talk That Only I Didn't Know
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Our father. The Kenes Marquis. William Reinhardt.
Imperial Army Marshal. Allied Forces Supreme Commander. The undisputed Koenihesen pulverizer.
He's a good father. The word "virtuous general" fits him perfectly as a commander.
Even though he was busy with military duties and running the household, he always treated our family with love.
A great father, and an even greater commander. He never gave up on either.
But that's that, and he strictly separates personal matters from official ones.
He never called me or my brother into the military for personal reasons to build our reputations.
He firmly believes that we have to achieve something noteworthy ourselves before others start seeing us as special.
'A sudden summons? And an official order from the Supreme Commander at that?'
I wondered what on earth was going on. It felt like a bomb had dropped.
This had never happened before. The Supreme Commander summoning a mere noble's son.
And it was an official order, meaning it would be recorded in the command logs.
The second-year seniors who heard the news practically kidnapped me and dragged me to my room.
They started yelling things like "Put this on him!" or "No! He has to wear this!"
Listen, I'm not a mannequin. Can't I pick my own clothes?
I have the right to choose my own outfit too! Kyaaah!
"Absolutely not! If you go dressed sloppily, the Officer Department's done for!"
"Richi! The futures of countless seniors and classmates rest on your shoulders!"
What the hell? Suddenly, I'm carrying the future of the entire Officer Department?
I hate this kind of pressure! Don't burden me like that! Keep it up, and I might just self-destruct!
"How about this one!"
"Seniors. I'm sorry to say this, but am I going to meet the Supreme Commander or heading out on a date with some noble lady?"
Strip me right now, you damn people. Dad would love seeing this.
"Then how about this?!"
"No, please. Am I going to a ball or something?"
Why not just slap a cat mask on me too while you're at it?
This won't do. I was trying to stay quiet since they're seniors, but this is too much!
"Just get out, all of you. I'll prepare myself and go."
"No way! You know who you're going to see..."
"Do the seniors know what the Allied Forces Supreme Commander prefers to see someone wearing, or does his own son know better?"
"...Hmm. Now that you mention it, that makes sense."
"Right?"
Got it? Then get out right now with those ridiculous clothes!
*
Clatter clatter―
On the way to the destination in the carriage. I wanted to sigh. Just let out a nice, relaxing one.
But I couldn't. Why? Because of the man sitting across from me.
"Haaa―"
"I'm sorry!"
He's one of Father's aides, apparently. Being the Supreme Commander's aide is a huge position.
Yet the guy holding that role bowed his head the moment I sighed.
It's not because of you. Why apologize in the first place?
No matter what I said, it was "I'm sorry!" and "First off, I'm sorry!"
Thanks to that, I ended up in a situation where I couldn't even sigh without feeling awkward.
'I just wanted to go through training properly, so what's all this fuss?'
That massive building ahead. It had to be the Allied Forces headquarters.
A place even mid-tier nobles couldn't just waltz into.
And now a mere noble's son was heading there. Oh my god.
As soon as I got out of the carriage, people from headquarters stared our way.
It was only natural to be curious. A new face suddenly stepping out of a carriage and heading inside.
And he looked way too young to be a new recruit.
Along the way, I spotted a few beastkin and elves.
Lester or Michel—one of them was dying to see an elf.
I should go brag, "I saw an elf!" They'll be so jealous. Go see one yourself if you want.
"This way, please."
I'm dying. Should I beg them to treat me normally?
Even someone my brother's age treating me like a superior is burdensome enough to kill me.
Being the Supreme Commander's son isn't that big a deal... Ahem. Sorry. It kinda is.
"Supreme Commander."
"Did you bring him? Send him in quickly."
Hold on. Is this really my dad? I've never heard him sound so urgent.
He doesn't even flinch at massive Koenihesen surprise attacks.
While everyone else panics and jumps around yelling "This is bad! Eek!", Father just lights a cigarette and commands calmly—that scene's already legendary.
"Please go in."
"Thank you."
I pondered for a moment what to say when I entered.
Calling out "Father!" didn't feel right since this was Allied Forces HQ, not Kenes territory.
But "Greetings, Supreme Commander" felt too stiff.
Maybe something that covered both: "Supreme Commander! Your son is here!"?
Yeah, that seemed best. The moment I stepped in―
"Welcome, Lieutenant Richi."
"Guh!"
My tongue! My tongue! Ack! Thought it got cut off!
More importantly, Victory Duke!? No, Your Excellency, why are you here too?!
Father! You should've told me Victory Duke was here!!
"Welcome, Richi."
"Ugh... Greetings to Supreme Commander and Victory Duke, Your Excellency."
The empire's giants were apparently having tea.
And they called me to join them. I felt like a chick dragged before dragons!
"Have a seat. I called you because I have something to discuss."
"Yes, sir."
I sat ramrod straight to Father's left.
We could've handled family talk via magic communicator or at home.
The words rose to the tip of my throat, but I endured with superhuman patience―
"Richi, are you Ariete's lover?"
"...Kuh."
Endure my ass. What nonsense is this?
I was so flabbergasted I couldn't even respond, just stared at Father.
But he interpreted it differently.
"Seeing your son's reaction, it must be true, Victory Duke."
"No, Supreme Commander. That's not what I meant at all..."
"Lovers? Absolutely not!"
I raised my voice, glancing at Victory Duke to show how truly wronged I was.
His love for his children is profound, especially for his daughters.
His youngest daughter is sacred territory no one can touch—a father's holy domain.
So how do you just ask the guy point-blank if he stole her away right in front of him!
"Father, what are you suddenly talking about? Did you call me here for that?"
"But if there's nothing between you, why did Ariete apply to the Officer Department just to follow you? I can't quite understand it."
"There are circumstances that made it inevitable!"
Before the misunderstanding deepened, I quickly explained.
Ariete and I were talking, and this came up.
If you turn to military matters, I'll be your knight.
I thought it was a joke, never dreamed she'd actually do it!
"...So Ariete applied to the Officer Department with me."
"That's all?"
"That's all."
"That's what he says, Victory Duke."
Father turned to Victory Duke as he said it.
Good. Yeah, that should've cleared up the ridiculous misunderstanding, right?
"So, Lieutenant Richi. You don't like my little Ar?"
No, why are we back to square one after all that? This is maddening.
Forget like or dislike—I'm saying there's nothing between us!
"Your Excellency. Ariete and I are just friends who bonded because our situations are similar. Nothing for you to worry about, so please rest assured."
"Hmm. Hearing that actually makes me more uneasy."
Why? What's there to be uneasy about? I seriously have zero feelings.
Even Ariete just finds me "fun!" out of curiosity.
I can confidently say that based on keen observation. There's nothing there!!
"Either way, doesn't that mean you're getting to know each other a little?"
"Well... Technically, yes."
"Then let's proceed with our talk as planned, Supreme Commander."
Victory Duke finished speaking and slowly rose from his seat.
"It was a pleasure today, Supreme Commander. We'll set up another time to finish our discussion."
"I'll be waiting, Victory Duke. Take care."
Now only Father and I remained in the commander's office.
I decided to ask him straight away what that "talk" was about.
"Father."
"Victory Duke brought up a marriage proposal."
"...Pardon?"
What kind of absurd, soul-leaving bombshell was this?
Marriage proposal? Wedding? And it came from Victory Duke's mouth, meaning the match was...
"He seemed keen on pairing you with Ariete."
"So that's why you kept bringing it up."
"I thought something might've happened between you and Ariete. That's why I called you urgently."
"...I didn't do anything wrong. Do I look like that kind of guy to you?"
I'm wronged, Father! I'm not some cliché possessed wastrel from those stories!
I'm a dutiful son who listens to his parents and stays out of trouble—a model Confucian Taliban!
"But with your reaction, I can't give a firm answer yet."
"I told you again, Ariete and I have nothing..."
"Can you really say that? From what you just told me, it doesn't sound entirely impossible."
"... ."
I had nothing to say. Honestly, if there was truly nothing, I would've shot it down cold.
Similar circumstances to mine. But she breaks through with true knightly grace.
And amid it all, a golden-haired, blue-eyed beauty subtly showing interest as she approaches.
Thinking about it that way... Hmm, it kinda matches the noble lady flirtation I once dreamed of.
Though in reality, we're just cheerfully shoveling dirt together in Officer Department training.
"At this rate, you might end up marrying before your brother."
"That's really not happening, Father. Brother will meet a nice lady soon and..."
"Do you really think that's possible?"
I had to yield to Father's question, laced with 100—no, 1,000 percent sincerity.
"...Probably not."
No dating plans, so marriage is out of the question. Ridiculous.
In the end, I had to listen to Father's whining again today about wanting grandkids because of Brother.
The silver lining? It wasn't Mother's hour-long rant.
Brother, please. Bring home a sister-in-law. Give us a niece or nephew! Hand 'em over!!