Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Heinrich's Wedding (1)
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With news that Eliza had become a Swordmaster and would remain in the Empire, the Leon Kingdom reacted with massive outrage, threatening to cancel this national marriage. However, the Empire's proposal to increase resource trade volume, combined with Second Prince Heinrich personally writing a letter to the Leon King, led the Leon Kingdom to accept the Empire's decision.
"Heinrich, I never imagined you'd show this much determination for the national marriage. So, what did you write in that letter to make the Leon King back down?"
"Well... I didn't say much. I just promised to truly cherish and love Princess Rachel, who will be coming to marry me."
"Ho ho~ Looks like you've finally come to your senses! There were rumors going around that you were up to something strange with children in the annex basement, so this is a real relief."
Heinrich felt a chill upon realizing the crown prince's intelligence network was sharper than he'd thought. But he kept his composure and met the crown prince's gaze calmly.
"Me, doing something like that? In any case, I want this marriage to leave no regrets."
Of course, the regrets Heinrich had in mind were different from what Franz imagined, but Franz eased his suspicions somewhat at his brother's attitude.
"Good. I hope that resolve doesn't waver. In the future, when I'm ruling the Empire, you'll need to support me alongside Father. For that, your family life has to be stable first, right?"
"...Yes, I understand. Then, if you'll excuse me..."
"Right, tomorrow's the wedding, so you should turn in early. Go on."
As Heinrich withdrew, Franz's mind grew even more tangled.
'Heinrich... please don't act recklessly. I know your faction is plotting something pointless... I don't want to be the brother who oppresses you, so I'm leaving you be. But if you cross the line...'
Heinrich clearly had immense talent in finance and taxation, and he was demonstrating it in practical affairs. So Franz was fully prepared to appoint him as prime minister or finance minister if he obediently followed him.
"Sigh~ But if that guy doesn't abandon his ambitions and keeps getting swayed by his faction, someday..."
Unable to untangle his complicated thoughts, Franz hurled his wine glass aside and entered the secret room hidden in his palace.
This was where his hidden lover resided—the only place in this vast imperial palace where Franz could truly relax. He let his guard down and closed his eyes.
The next day, Leon Kingdom's Second Princess Rachel arrived in Valkan's capital, Adria, via spatial transfer.
A brilliant light burst forth as the spatial transfer activated. Beside her, dressed in a magnificent wedding gown, stood only a blonde woman in mourning attire.
"Are you Princess Rachel?"
"Yes, I am Rachel Sinclair de Leonhardt."
"Welcome to Valkan's capital, Adria. And this person with you...?"
"She's the bodyguard knight for First Princess Rachel. Please don't mind her and escort the princess."
The Valkan Imperial Guard Knights, expecting a grand delegation for the national marriage, were momentarily flustered but quickly regained their composure, offering proper courtesies before escorting the two into a carriage and leading them to the imperial palace.
"Phew~ Sister, why did you come all this way? The kingdom's supreme commander and prime minister risking danger like this."
"Heh heh, with that damn father king selling off his daughter for maximum profit, sending her off without a dowry or guards, someone from the family had to come."
"What if something happens? You think you'll be safe in the heart of the Empire just because you're my sister?"
"Well, wouldn't that be great? I'd get a chance to taste that famed Richtenaur sword. Besides, I had to come since I heard my little sister Eliza became a Swordmaster."
"Ugh... I can meet Eliza myself... I told you I'd convince her properly."
"What are you talking about? I came because I wanted to see Eliza. If she really chose to stay in the Empire of her own will, I'll accept it."
"...And if it's not her own will?"
"Even if I have to turn the imperial palace upside down, I'll drag that child back."
"Sigh~ Then war breaks out again, and after our defeat this time, which territory will our kingdom have to cough up?"
"Kekeke, as long as Fiona here is supreme commander, the Leon Kingdom army is invincible."
"Sister! Cut it out. Father's already scheming something shady with his personal guards lately, and now you too..."
"Hey, the bride getting married should worry about her wedding! Leave Leon to me now."
"Yeah, no choice at this point... Still, I've sorted out taxes and finances thoroughly, so there shouldn't be major issues. Make sure to execute every single one of those bribe-taking noble scum on the list I wrote."
"Got it. Don't worry about that."
The Fiona and Rachel sisters chatted amiably in the carriage until they heard they'd arrived at the imperial palace, then stepped out.
"Whoa~ So this is the Valkan imperial palace? It's ridiculously huge."
"Yeah, looks at least three times bigger than our palace."
"The Empire must be swimming in money. Damn! If our kingdom just executed Father and all those corrupt officials, the people wouldn't starve."
"That's why you have to handle things well from now on, Sister... I'm in no position to do anything anymore..."
"How about I cause a scene here, grab you and Eliza, and bolt back to my stronghold?"
"Sister!!"
"I know, I know, just kidding."
At Rachel's shout, Fiona tucked in her tail meekly and followed her.
Yuno and Eliza headed to the imperial palace's banquet hall for the wedding, accompanied by Isabella and Marie.
They might have just shown their faces and left for Heinrich's wedding, given their bad blood, but since it was also Rachel—sister to Eliza—they arrived early and took their seats.
"Ho ho, Yuno, you came too? For a Master like you to grace my wedding with your precious steps— the sun must be rising in the west."
Heinrich approached them with mockery, but Isabella and Marie ignored him. Yuno swallowed his rising anger, forced a smile, and congratulated his half-brother.
"...Congratulations on your wedding, Brother Heinrich. I hope your marriage lasts this time."
"We'll see about that, kekeke. Oh, right— the woman becoming my bride is your sister-in-law, Eliza. Tsk tsk..."
Heinrich gave Eliza a loathsome glare before turning his back on Yuno's family table. He then gazed at Princess Rachel, his incoming bride, entering the banquet hall.
'Sister or little sister, both have those disgusting big breasts... Yes... My bride should be around that size... Huh?'
His eyes then shifted to the petite girl beside Rachel. With her small stature, modest chest, and plump thighs perfectly matching his ideal woman, Heinrich's eyes glazed over.
As Rachel entered the bride's waiting room to prepare, the girl was left alone, looking around for someone. Heinrich approached her, assuming she was Rachel's female bodyguard.
"Hahaha, hello? I'm Heinrich. I'd love to hear the name of such a beauty. If you're looking for someone, I could help..."
"...What the hell is this retard? Get lost?"
"Hahaha, that sharp tongue is right up my alley. Ditch that bodyguard crap and be my woman? I'll give you any jewels or ornaments that suit you... Gahk!!"
"Ah, fuck off!! I told you to scram!"
She punched the clingy Heinrich, sending him flying about three meters before he crashed to the floor and passed out.
The banquet hall naturally fell silent, and the Imperial Guard Knights guarding outside rushed in, surrounding her.
"Seize her!! She harmed His Highness Heinrich!!"
"Daring to injure His Highness inside the palace!! You won't leave alive!"
Even surrounded by the Imperial Guard Knights radiating murderous intent, she casually glanced around with composure.
"Ah! There she is! Eliza! Big sis~!! Fiona sis~!!"
Fiona effortlessly leaped over the encirclement and slowly approached Eliza. The flustered guards tried to surround her again, but Yuno suddenly intervened, halting them.
"Stand down. She's a Swordmaster. Withdraw! I'll take responsibility here."
As Yuno approached her after dismissing the guards, Fiona halted her steps toward Eliza and eyed Yuno.
"Ho ho~ You can sense my presence... You're that third prince? The continent's youngest Swordmaster?"
"...That's right. And you are?"
"Does it matter? You look like you could give me a proper fight."
As Yuno and Fiona faced off, drawing up their mana, Eliza squeezed between them.
"Yuno! Stop it! She's my sister! Sis, stop too! What are you doing in the imperial palace?!"
"Uh... sister? Then you're not Princess Rachel, who's marrying Brother Heinrich?"
"No, this is Fiona sis. Remember I told you about the sister who told me to wear the military uniform? This is her."
At Eliza's mediation, Yuno retracted his mana to his mana core, relaxed his stance, and bowed politely.
"...My apologies. Yuno Alexander Windrage von Valkan, third prince of the Empire."
"Tch, what a shame... Thought I could have a go. I'm Fiona Sinclair de Leonhardt, first princess of Leon Kingdom and supreme commander of the Leon Kingdom army."
Gasp after gasp echoed around the hall as Fiona revealed her identity.
"...Why is someone so renowned here? And could you explain why you attacked my brother?"
"What, can't I be here? My little sister's getting married—family should show up. Plus, I had to see our cute baby sister."
"Then why my brother...?"
"Wait, that guy's your brother? The second prince? No, the groom for today? Why's he hitting on me? I thought he was some horny noble perving on women, so I socked him to snap him out of it."
Yuno sighed at Fiona's explanation.
At that moment, Rachel emerged from the palace interior, wedding preparations complete alongside the crown prince.
"What's all this commotion?! On such an auspicious day... Heinrich? No, the groom himself, what the...?"
Franz rushed to Heinrich, while Rachel dashed to Fiona.
"Fiona sis? What mess did you cause now?"
"Well... it's..."
The crown prince heard the situation from Yuno and had to press his forehead against his throbbing headache, while Fiona got an earful from Rachel.
In the end, thanks to Franz and Rachel's mediation, the incident wrapped up with Fiona formally apologizing to Heinrich. After Heinrich quickly healed his facial injuries with potions and healing magic, the wedding ceremony proper began.