Chapter 17: End of Childhood (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 17: End of Childhood (2)
As always, the meal with my parents was silent.
There was no warm conversation, nor a single trivial joke.
I prayed fervently in my heart that this incredibly dull meal would be my last. I handed my empty plate and cutlery to the servant standing nearby.
Immediately, my father’s dry, toneless voice pierced my ears.
“Are you finished with your meal?”
“Yes, Father.”
“Good. Stay where you are; I have questions for you.”
I stole a quick glance at my older brother sitting across from me.
Father held up a letter with a broken seal for me to see.
“Do you recognize this crest?”
“It is the crest of the Bayern Marquisate.”
“Indeed. This letter contains a notice that they are canceling the marriage proposal due to Lady Adeline’s failing health.”
“Oh dear… how unfortunate.”
Disappointment, anger.
My mother’s gaze, sharp with those clearly felt emotions, stabbed into me.
The anger in my father’s voice began to simmer as he continued.
“Just what did you do at that meeting? What did you talk about? What on earth did you do to break a marriage proposal that was on the verge of being finalized?”
“That is… I did my very best, Father.”
“Whether you did your best or not is irrelevant. What matters is the result, not the process.”
My tongue was itching; I was about to go crazy.
However, no one can live their life doing exactly what they want.
I sifted through the countless words rising in my mind, honed them into a sharp edge, and answered my father.
“Even if you say that… marriage isn’t something one can do just because they want to, is it?”
“What?”
“I repeat, I truly did my best to win Lady Adeline’s heart. Unfortunately, my abilities were not enough to earn her love.”
Just as everything in the world has a reason, a political marriage needs a justification.
To put it simply, nobles are obsessed with having a proper pretext.
In this case, the necessary justification was that Adeline and I fell in love and decided to enter a honeymoon… or something of the sort.
Therefore, my father and mother could no longer blame me.
If Adeline simply didn't like me, what were they going to do about it?
As expected, my father and mother could only glare at me as if they wanted to kill me.
“…In other words, you did your best, but you failed to please Adeline?”
“Yes, Father. Embarrassingly enough, that is the case.”
I don’t know how many times I have to say it.
Well… the reason they’re being so persistent is likely because, as my brother said, all the other marriage proposals have been canceled.
They probably want to sell their son while he’s young and fresh—when his value is at its peak—to get the highest price.
‘Hmm… but they aren’t pushing as hard as I expected. It seems that rumor has reached their ears as well.’
The rumor in question was the one I asked my brother to spread: that the Emperor is keeping a close eye on the Konstanz family’s marriage affairs.
The Emperor is the sole, absolute ruler of the Roycen Empire.
Honestly, my father and mother probably want to run to the Imperial Palace right now to ask for his opinion… but they are people who could never do that.
They hate variables and the unexpected so much that they refuse to take any risks.
‘Besides, the Emperor and the Imperial Family are remaining silent, as always. They truly overflow with dignity and grace~’
Thanks to the ever-elegant and relaxed Imperial Family, the marriage plans were completely ruined.
Of course, marriage proposals are still coming in from families with lower status or less power than ours, but those were out of the question from the start.
Where in the world would a noble hand over their child to those beneath them?
As I took a light sip of tea with those thoughts in mind, my brother finally stepped in.
“Father, I have something to say regarding Leon’s marriage. I would like Mother to give her opinion as well.”
“Speak.”
“Yes. Unfortunately, all of Leon’s marriage proposals have fallen through. I am also disappointed and, to be honest, a bit angry… but the reality is clear.”
“…So, what is your conclusion?”
“How about sending Leon to the Imperial Capital, Berlina?”
“Leon to Berlina…?”
I blinked my eyes, looking back and forth between my brother and my parents, pretending to know absolutely nothing.
Ignoring me, my mother directed a question at my brother.
“Berlina? Why?”
“As Mother knows, families like ours that are distant from central political circles dispatch trustworthy people to the capital.”
“True. The movements of the center must be monitored as closely as the movements of foreign tribes or monsters.”
“Exactly. It is a pity he didn’t win Lady Adeline’s heart, but both you and Father acknowledge that Leon is bright and has a broad perspective on the world.”
“Hmm… so you’re saying we should send Leon to Berlina. Since he is family, he is more trustworthy than anyone else.”
“Yes, Mother. And… don’t you think it might be possible for Leon?”
“What might be?”
“To speak bluntly, a marriage with the Imperial Family. It just so happens that Her Highness the Princess will reach adulthood next year.”
Of course, I couldn’t care less about some snot-nosed Princess.
Now, the Imperial Consort, on the other hand…
The Imperial Consort was truly spectacular… those Empire-class tits and that Empress-quality ass… phew…
While I was lost in a pleasant fantasy for a moment, Father questioned my brother.
“In other words, you believe it is possible for Leon to form a connection with Her Highness the Princess?”
“Yes.”
“On what grounds?”
“Leon is handsome—though not as much as I am. He understands the hearts of women well—though not as much as I do. And he is properly equipped with swordsmanship and scholarship—though, again, not as much as I am.”
This guy is really laying it on thick…
“Hmm… I believe Leon is better than you in swordsmanship and scholarship. Furthermore, aesthetic standards vary from person to person.”
“…Yes, I shall concede that point. At any rate, Father, don’t you think the possibility is quite high? The probability that Leon and Her Highness the Princess might develop feelings for each other.”
My brother was likely feeling the same way I was.
He probably thought talking about probability in matters of love was utter bullshit.
But surprisingly, that ridiculous bullshit worked on our parents.
They were typical nobles who fell asleep every night dreaming of greater power.
“It certainly… isn't bad. The Imperial Family, eh? What do you think, dear?”
“Since every other family is avoiding us, the Imperial Family is the only answer left. If he becomes a member of the Imperial Family, our family’s status will soar.”
“Indeed. The Imperial Family. A member of the Imperial Family…”
Oh, I can finally see the light.
The light of freedom that will rescue me from this stifling castle that was no different from a cage.
Without even dreaming that he was opening the castle gates for me with his own hands, Father finally looked at me.
“Can you do it, Leon? It is not just the marriage with the Imperial Family. You must not miss a single thing—the movements and trends of the center, down to the smallest detail.”
“Command me to do so, and it shall be done.”
“Hmm.”
Father was a powerful noble, a Margrave, and a general who guarded the border.
In other words, that kind of language worked well on a soldier.
Now… all that remained was the final word to unlock the last latch.
While I exchanged a subtle smile with my brother, I heard my father’s voice as he made his decision.
“Leon, you are an adult now. Like your brother, the time has come for you to fulfill your duty. As a member of the Konstanz family.”
“Yes, Father. I am well aware of the gravity of this mission.”
“Good. A marriage with the Imperial Family would be excellent if possible, but there must not be a single error in identifying and reporting the movements of the center. Do you understand?”
“Yes. I will keep it deep in my heart.”
Of course, I fully intended to form a connection with the Imperial Family.
Not with some withered Princess, but by pinning the beautiful and noble Imperial Consort beneath me.
They say the grass is always greener on the other side.
And the Emperor’s grass is the greenest in the world.
As for the taste… I’ll have to try it to find out.
“Very well. Then depart as soon as you are ready. Luan, I leave the detailed preparations and the selection of personnel to assist Leon to you.”
“Yes, Father.”
Finally, freedom!
*
Helena came to my room again tonight.
Tonight, too, she gasped beneath me and fluttered atop me.
But if there was just one thing that was different…
“Haah, haah… tonight… was… ugh… even… rougher… and more intense… Young Master…”
Helena, cradled in my arms, whispered in a trembling voice.
As she said, we had engaged in sexual intercourse a bit more passionately today.
To the point where both of Helena’s buttocks were stained bright red, and the bed was soaked with the juices seeping from her.
“Did you dislike it then, Teacher?”
“No… I was… so happy… because I felt certain that I am being loved by you, Young Master…”
“Hahaha.”
I brushed back Helena’s disheveled hair and pulled her into a tighter embrace.
Love… well, I wondered if the feelings I held for Helena could be called love.
The desire for conquest, possessiveness, sadism, sexual desire… and furthermore, this hunger that Helena alone could never satiate.
It wasn’t that Helena was lacking or insufficient.
It wasn’t that I didn’t cherish her or think of her as precious.
But… were those the only emotions I felt for Helena?
I wasn’t trying to deny those selfish feelings, but I didn’t think they were everything either…
“…What are you thinking about so deeply?”
“Ah, that… well… haah, well… Teacher… what do you think of me?”
“I love you.”
Unlike me, Helena’s hesitation-free, immediate answer reminded me of my brother earlier today.
Because I am your brother. No other reason is necessary… he had said.
But unlike with my brother… the strength was gradually leaving the arms that held Helena.
“Young Master.”
“…Yes.”
“I know. I know you are someone who cannot be satisfied with me alone.”
“Teacher… no, Helena.”
“Of course, I also know that there is no lie when you tell me I am beautiful or that you love me.”
“That… is…”
“That is enough for me. To have you hold me like this every night, to cherish me, to stroke my hair… I don’t ask for anything more.”
Helena burrowed deeper into my chest and softly covered my mouth with hers.
So do not doubt anything.
Not me, and not yourself.
It was a soft yet sticky kiss, as if she were saying, I am always your woman.
“Haah… Young Master… please adore me. Please stroke me. Please hold me. I am always your woman. I am a woman only for you. I can only exist by your side.”
“Helena…”
“You made me a woman, Young Master. You made me happy. Only you make me happy. So please, do not abandon me. Please… I cannot live without you… I don’t want to live…”
…I thought there was nothing to learn from my father, but I suppose I should change that thought.
If a small anxiety arises in the Lord’s heart, the entire territory trembles in fear. If the leader harbors a small doubt, the entire territory is engulfed in terror.
Those were words my father had once said to my brother and me when we were still young.
Reflecting on those words once more, I looked straight into Helena’s tear-filled eyes.
Just like the day we first had relations, I pushed myself into her while facing her directly.
“Ah… hugh…!”
“Helena, I plan to leave for Berlina soon.”
“Aah, aah! Yes! Please, please…!”
“Will you go with me?”
“Haak, haugh…! Yes! Yes! Wherever you go, Young Master, aah! Anywhere…!”
As if making a vow, Helena kissed me again.
And of course, my hips only gained more momentum.
“Haugh, Young… Master…!”
“Urgh… yes, I cannot be satisfied with you alone. But I promise you this much…!”
“Tell me! Please! Hugh, haugh…!”
“Until the day the world ends, you are my woman. Even if I cannot hold only you, the day will never come when I do not hold you!”
“Aaaaah! Young, Mas…ter…!”
Finally, I squeezed every last drop into Helena.
Helena, as she always did and as if swearing she always would, accepted my ejaculation with her whole body.
Stroking my hair as I collapsed into her arms, Helena whispered quietly.
“Ah, Young Master… I’m so happy…”
“Haha… yeah…”
Well, as long as she’s happy.
I’m also happy to be understood.
Then that’s enough.
And so, tonight as well, I fell asleep with Helena in my arms.
Perhaps tomorrow, the day after, and even after going to Berlina, this daily routine will not change.
After all, Helena is the woman who took my first time.