Chapter 358: Side Story — King Carlos
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 358: Side Story — King Carlos
“Where did you go with Luce yesterday?”
While I was working in the office, Dorothy, who was sitting at the desk next to mine, asked the question with her eyes half-lidded in suspicion.
“We just went out for a bit. It’s… a little hard to explain.”
“Why?”
Yesterday, I had spent some very intimate time with Luce in the basement of an annex, far removed from the main palace building. We had completely lost track of time, simply indulging in one another’s company.
There had been no need to explain my absence to the attendants, as Luce had already informed them that she would be spending time with me outside the palace. That was likely why there hadn't been a massive commotion regarding my whereabouts.
Naturally, that news had reached Dorothy’s ears as well.
She probably already knows what happened… but it’s hard to be blunt about it.
I scratched my cheek lightly. It was impossible to hide the truth from Dorothy; she could see right through my emotions. However, directly telling her, “We had an intimate moment in the annex,” would only give her an excuse to interrogate me further.
This was especially tricky since my fiancées had established a superficial pact of premarital chastity.
“It’s a secret. Just like I don’t brag about what we did on our trip.” I smiled gently and met Dorothy’s gaze.
“That… ugh.” Dorothy crossed her arms and pouted, deep in thought.
She had clearly already guessed the truth. If Luce and I spent time alone, what happened was as obvious as the back of her hand—just like the affectionate moments Dorothy and I had shared during our own trip.
She’s sulking, as expected.
Oh boy.
Even though I had established the harem I had once longed for, it often felt like walking a tightrope. Dorothy and Luce, in particular, tended to show a subtle wariness toward each other, like a powder keg that might explode with the slightest nudge.
I could only hope they’d grow accustomed to the arrangement soon.
If Alice were here, managing things would be much easier…
It would still be a while before Alice returned. I found myself missing her even more today.
“Ugh, I don’t like it…” Dorothy scrunched up her face and looked down, sulking. Then, she shot me a glare with a pouty expression.
It was troublesome, but it was better that she expressed her genuine emotions rather than pretending nothing was wrong. Back in our academy days, Dorothy often hid her feelings behind a cheerful mask, leaving me wondering what was wrong more than a few times.
…Wait, but this.
She’s adorable…
My train of thought quickly shifted. How could someone be this cute? Just seeing Dorothy’s pouty face felt like a continuous, powerful blow to my heart.
Whoosh!
I suddenly buried my face against Dorothy’s midriff and wrapped my arms around her slender waist.
“Nyah…!” Dorothy flinched at the unexpected contact and let out a strange, high-pitched squeal.
“Ssss, haa.”
“What the—! I-It tickles…!”
Through the fabric of her clothes, I took a deep breath near her navel, the scent of her perfume filling my nostrils. Dorothy’s expression quickly softened, and she began to giggle quietly. She wrapped her arms around the back of my head, kicking her legs lightly and tapping the desk in a cute, rhythmic motion.
“You startled me, President.”
“You’re seriously too cute…”
Since I started dating, I found myself blurting out cheesy expressions of affection without a second thought. Pure happiness bubbled up within me. As I rubbed my face against her stomach, Dorothy giggled playfully.
“Nihihi. You rascal, are you trying to embarrass me?”
Her teasing was full of affection. Dorothy’s chest pressed against the top of my head, radiating a comforting warmth as she held me close. After we spent some time cuddling, Dorothy stopped bringing up Luce.
Though unintended, it was a good outcome nonetheless.
*
“I’m pregnant.”
It happened while I was doing strength training, shirtless, in my private training grounds. Luce, who had been watching me, suddenly dropped that comment. I lost my balance and tumbled over.
“…”
I was startled for a moment, but I quickly realized it couldn't be true.
“How could you possibly know that already?” I let out an awkward laugh and looked at Luce. She was stroking her stomach with a faint, mysterious smile.
It had only been a few days since Luce and I had been intimate. It was far too soon to confirm a pregnancy.
“It’s going to happen anyway.”
“It hasn't yet…”
“Just accept it quietly. Soon, our first daughter, Adriana, will be right here inside me. Congratulations on becoming a dad, Isaac.”
“Tell me when it actually happens. This feels like making a fuss over nothing; it might not even have taken yet.”
Of course, I was ready to celebrate the moment it was confirmed. I just didn't want to jump the gun. As I stood up, Luce suddenly approached and planted a kiss on my cheek.
I stared blankly at her, and she covered her mouth with her hand, whispering in a sultry voice, “It might not happen? Then shall we make it a certainty, right here and now?”
Her tone sent a pleasant chill through my ears. Since her first experience, she had been making bold remarks like this with a completely unbothered expression.
It was adorable, and I couldn't help but smile. But now wasn't the time for another session with Luce.
“I have an appointment later, so I can’t.”
“There’s still some time, though…”
I didn't respond to Luce’s protest, simply waving my hand as I left the training ground. An attendant waiting outside wiped me down with a towel and helped me dress. I could feel Luce’s gaze burning into the back of my head, but it couldn't be helped.
Today was the day I was scheduled to meet King Carlos, and I wasn't confident I could end an affectionate moment with Luce quickly enough before his arrival.
*
“I have come to see the Emperor.”
King Carlos of the Zelver Kingdom visited the imperial palace, accompanied by his royal guards. Responding to his formal greeting, I reciprocated warmly. We sat facing each other in a meticulously decorated reception room.
The Frost Knight Morcan and Zelver’s royal guard, Jacule Calix, stood as the lead guards by the entrance.
“Father-in-law, there’s no need for such formality here,” I said with a smile, sipping the tea brought by an attendant.
A small smile appeared on King Carlos’s face.
“Father-in-law… I like the sound of that.”
His words were warm and polite. It seemed King Carlos still wanted to treat me as a superior. Even as my father-in-law, he seemed intent on maintaining a clear hierarchy of power. Still, it was a bit uncomfortable for me.
“In that case, may I refer to the Emperor as ‘son-in-law’?”
Huh? He already…
“Didn't you already refer to me as ‘my son-in-law’ in your previous letter?”
“That was just part of the boasting I do these days. Even now, I wake up every morning asking myself, ‘Who is my son-in-law?’ Just saying the words makes me so pleased.”
“Don’t you get tired of it?”
“I never tire of it. It’s thrilling. It feels new every single time.”
“Ah…”
I suddenly imagined King Carlos waking up in the morning sunlight, gazing out the window, and asking himself, “Who is my son-in-law?” In my mind, his face lit up with a smirk as he mulled over the answer, showing not the slightest trace of concern for the future.
Well, that’s… something.
It was nice, but also a bit overwhelming. An awkward laugh escaped my lips, and for some reason, goosebumps rose on my arms.
“Thank you, Father-in-law. I’m honored.”
“Honored, you say? I should be the one saying so. The Emperor’s affection for my daughter is, and will continue to be, an indescribable honor for the Elfieto royal family.”
From then on, we exchanged many unnecessary cordialities. It seemed he was trying to avoid talking about state matters, perhaps to ease my burden. Of course, those words were merely the prelude.
“…White received proposals from all over the world for her beauty. But none of them pleased me! Amidst all that, to think White caught the Emperor’s heart. I couldn't be happier.”
“Is that so…”
Naturally, King Carlos mainly talked about White, and I responded with a smile.
“So… Emperor,” while we were deep in conversation, King Carlos carefully lowered his voice. Though he kept smiling, his gaze turned serious. “May I, as your father-in-law, make one request?”
“Please, speak freely.”
Is this the main point? I decided to listen attentively.
“What do you think about moving up the wedding date with White?”
“Pardon?”
The wedding date? It had been scheduled for next year…
“Why the sudden suggestion…?”
“I heard that the Emperor decided on a wedding next year because it aligns with White’s graduation from the academy. I wondered if there might be another reason, but I can only see it as an act of your thoughtful consideration.”
That was true. It had been a simple decision based on logistics. To confirm King Carlos’s assumption, I explained briefly.
“Well, yes… White is already a third-year student. She should finish her studies and graduate with honors. Marrying during her studies might be a distraction. Besides, we plan to travel together and hold a celebration after the wedding. For various reasons, it seemed better to schedule it after her graduation.”
“That’s fine. Actually, as her father, I’ve heard something from her…” King Carlos looked down at his teacup as he spoke. “White seems eager to marry the Emperor as soon as possible. I heard she felt too shy to bring it up to you directly.”
“Ah.”
“Advancing the wedding date wouldn't harm White’s future. On the contrary, I’m deeply grateful for every little consideration you’ve shown her.”
King Carlos chuckled heartily. There was no falsehood in his words. It seemed White truly wished to unite with me as soon as possible while we were still young.
I’m glad to hear that, but…
However, after using [Psychological Insight], I discerned the hidden intention behind King Carlos’s words.
“…Understood. Advancing the wedding date is fine with me.”
There was no issue. In fact, I was eager to see the women I loved in their wedding dresses as soon as possible. While white wedding dresses weren't part of this world's culture, I had decided to introduce them. Seeing my wives in their wedding dresses was a monumental event I didn't want to delay.
“Thank you. Haha…”
After exchanging laughter, I finished the rest of my tea.
This man…
I saw his hidden intention. King Carlos must have heard from White about the premarital chastity agreement among my fiancées. Unlike White, who believed in the agreement sincerely, King Carlos had grasped the true competitive nature behind it.
If the wedding was postponed until next year while White focused on her academy life, he judged there was a high possibility that the other four fiancées would claim me first. There was no way he would tolerate his daughter being outdone by the others.
“Emperor, if I may, I humbly ask…” King Carlos smiled kindly and spoke with total sincerity. “Please take good care of my daughter, Snow White.”
“…Of course. I will make her happy, Father-in-law.”
King Carlos’s smile was now purely that of a father.
*
A week later.
“I’m off!”
Something had come up, so I took the opportunity to visit White as I headed toward the Märchen Academy.