Chapter 56
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: I Want Your Permission
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The moment I heard Marie's question, I nearly let out an involuntary "Huh?"
Wait a second. Isn't this one of those super familiar plot developments? Yeah, you know the one.
Probably... it's where the heroine confronts the protagonist—who already has a girl in his life—and asks, "Is there someone else besides me?" Right? That's how I remember it.
A lot of guys in these stories would go, "No! You've got it all wrong!" or some bullshit like that.
Fuck that. It's not like he's running a goddamn harem. What do you mean "wrong"? Either he's pretending not to know when he damn well does, or he's such a mental midget he really doesn't.
Anyway, the important thing is, I have zero intention of doing that.
"...Yeah. Marie. There is... someone like that. It happened pretty recently."
Why the hell would Marie suddenly say something like that out of nowhere? This has to be her way of... damn it, I'd rather she just had some axe-murderer complex. No way Marie's into me? I've always treated her like a little sister!
When have I ever shown her a cool, romantic side? I sure as hell don't remember anything like that??
Just in case—just hoping it was all my imagination—I glanced at Enter beside me.
And his expression... goddamn it. Anyone could see it screamed, "Here it comes."
"I-is that so...?"
Marie hurriedly hid her trembling hands under the table. Then she forced a smile, trying desperately to keep the conversation going.
"Would it be rude to ask... what kind of relationship you're in?"
I hesitated again, but I had to answer. Just as I opened my mouth—
"They're talking about an engagement for Richi."
Enter casually dropped a bombshell like it was nothing.
No, you crazy bastard! You gotta give a guy some warning before dropping that!
"Hey, Enter. You..."
Damn it, look at her. She's trying so hard to act like it's fine, but her eyes are welling up!
My heart raced. Part of me hoped it wasn't true, while another urged me to let her go.
"U-um! I-I have to take care of something real quick...!"
Marie bolted up from her seat and dashed to the back. All that was left between Enter and me was an awkward silence.
She looked like she was about to cry. Yeah, no doubt she's bawling her eyes out right now. Even the water tastes bitter.
"..."
"..."
"...You knew, didn't you?"
Enter paused at my question before nodding.
"Not for that long. I found out right before you entered the academy."
"Damn it, why didn't you tell me?"
"What are you talking about? If I told you to get in touch with Marie, how do you think she'd take that?"
That? I thought it was just him nagging me for not contacting her in forever!
Honestly, to Marie, Enter was like big bro number one, and I was number two. Anyone in my shoes would've thought the same! I'm the wronged one here!
"Figures. You act all smart and shit. For the record, I figured it'd blow over quick. You know Marie's always been frail, so she hasn't met many guys."
"...Yeah, that's true."
"But then she turned nineteen, got a bit healthier, and started going out into society."
"And you thought she'd meet other guys and her feelings would fade naturally?"
Enter nodded and chugged the glass of water in front of him.
I wasn't the only one feeling frustrated—he was too.
"But it didn't change. Damn, when she started going on about how she couldn't stand not knowing about you, or wanting to go to the academy together... that's when I realized. Shit, she's in too deep. No point in me saying anything now—you have to give her the answer yourself."
What can you do? If she's that into him, who am I to interfere? Enter muttered before staring right at me.
"What."
"What're you gonna do now?"
"What do you mean? Obviously—"
"Push her away?"
"..."
I was about to answer, but seeing Enter's face—and imagining Marie crying—made the words stick in my throat. Of all people, Enter and Marie. This is driving me nuts.
"Enter. If I do this, it's not just me— it'll embarrass Ariete, our family, and the duke's house too. Who the hell negotiates an engagement and then starts talking marriage with another girl?"
The Victory Duke could laugh it off and take my head, and I'd accept it gladly.
He finally gets his precious youngest daughter ready for marriage, and the prospective son-in-law goes, "Oh, by the way, there's another girl." Fuck, I'd grab a shotgun too.
I know in this world, having multiple wives isn't a scandal. Hell, it'd make the first emperor look bad—who'd say that crap?
But doing it right now, at this timing... no matter how I spin it, it feels wrong...
"Hey, Marie's coming."
I straightened up at Enter's words and waited for her.
To me, the youngest of a war hero family, she seemed like she'd be my eternal little sister.
When guys bragged about their sisters, she was the reason I could shout back that I had one too.
Who would've thought Marie liked me? My head's still spinning no matter how many times I think about it.
"Richi oppa."
She probably thought she'd hidden it well, but nope. Her eyes were red and bloodshot, with tears still visible here and there.
This is insane. Why does everything have to tangle up like this right now? If I'm not careful...
"Um... could I... maybe meet her sometime?"
"Cough—!"
For a split second, I thought fighting the Koenihesen felt easier on the gut.
*
"Good work, everyone!"
"You too—all of you did great!"
Exhausting. Night training really takes it out of you. If training's this rough, how bad is actual combat...?
Oh. Right—on the front lines, I fought the Koenihesen at dusk, late night, dawn, you name it.
With Erwin, with Enter, with Richi. Fiercely, too.
The will to survive makes people strong. Frontline soldiers must live day after day in constant pain and tension. With that thought, I headed back to my room—
"Ariete."
An unexpected figure emerged quietly from the shadows.
"Richi?"
Why's Richi here? Suddenly? I even told him about training today.
"Training over?"
"Yeah, just finished."
"Must've been tough."
Did he wait because he heard about the night training? What's with this guy? Turns out he's thoughtful like that? Oh no, I shouldn't smile. I can't smile!
"Got a minute? There's something I need to talk about."
"..."
Oh. Something's up. His face is different from usual. Yeah, just like back then.
When he racked his brain to save more people from Koenihesen attacks or secure extra supplies. The face he made when brooding alone.
"Spit it out."
"Huh?"
"Tell me what's going on. Doesn't look like good news."
"Well... sigh."
Richi let out a sigh, glanced at me cautiously, then spoke.
"I like you, Ariete."
"...Huh?"
"I'm serious."
What? What the hell? Why say that now, of all times?
"I wanted to make that clear first."
What followed matched the vague picture in my head.
Except the other person was someone I never saw coming.
"...So that Marie girl wants to talk to me?"
"Yeah. But this is purely—"
"Not a big deal. Where is she?"
Richi let out a bewildered "Huh?" What do you mean huh? God, you look like such an idiot right now.
Frustrating! Why are you shrinking back like that? Anyone'd think you committed some huge crime. You never acted like this against the Koenihesen.
Of course, I'm not thrilled. How could I be? Engagement talks are heating up, and suddenly "talk to this other girl"? If she were a lesser sister, I'd have drawn my sword.
I want to be like my parents—faithful to each other only. Nobles can have multiple wives, no issue, but as a woman? That hurts.
But that's that, and reality's reality. Above all, Richi looks totally confused.
No helping it. I'll step in and sort this out. Whether I'm the only wife or the first, it's my job, right?
"Bring her here, you scaredy-cat idiot. Anyone'd think you had a secret wife and kid."
"No way! Give me some credit—I'm not that irresponsible!"
Richi grumbled like he was truly wronged. Good, then. If he were, even you... I'd have twisted your arm off.
Following Richi to the spot, I spotted a girl who looked incredibly fragile at first glance. No way she's nineteen? An adult next year?
Generous estimate: sixteen, seventeen max. How frail was she exactly?
"Ariete. This is Marie. Marie, this is the woman I'm—"
"Ariete Clozen. Nice to meet you, Marie."
I offered my hand with a greeting.
"Ah!"
Marie gasped in surprise. Then, instead of shaking my hand—
"I-I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry!"