Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Ulstro Kingdom - The Innocent Princess and the Vicious Knight (13)
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Serennia Bernstein de Amterian, Countess.
She might not measure up to Hero Pedro, but in the Ulstro Kingdom, she was the epitome of a legendary figure—and one of the most renowned countesses on the continent.
Born to a rural baron's family with no territory to its name, she became a princess's bodyguard knight in her teens armed with nothing but her sword. She was already famous back then as a beauty among knights, but she truly made her name when her charge, Beatrice, began following Pedro around.
For about a year and a half, she and Beatrice stayed close to the front lines, even though they weren't part of the hero's party. As a result, they ended up facing countless demons who charged at them, intent on killing the important figure that Beatrice was.
Her grueling combat experience, combined with Pedro's help, elevated her natural talent to new heights.
In the end, she reached master level at a young age. After the war, her merits and skills earned her a countess title along with the prime territory of Amterian. And then, under the queen's auspices, she was appointed commander of a newly formed knight order.
At such a young age, she had beauty, figure, skill, title, position, connections, and wealth. And one more blessing: a passionate love with her current husband.
The couple, who married just a year after starting to date, drew even more fame—one was a top celebrity in the kingdom, and it was a rare love marriage among high nobility.
'That's where the investigation files end.'
Everything after that came from interrogating a dazed Mercedes right after Valdes had finished having sex with her.
A few years after their marriage, misfortune struck Serennia, who seemed to have it all.
In the early days of their marriage, they were so lovey-dovey that even Beatrice would cringe—but then a serious problem arose.
They couldn't have children.
They even tried fertilization through magic.
At first, they thought it could happen. Magic was just an aid, so there was a chance of failure. Beatrice had gotten both her kids on the first try—maybe she was just lucky.
But even after dozens of attempts, Serennia couldn't get pregnant.
After several exams, the doctor said there were no issues elsewhere. That left infertility in one or both of them. But there was no way to pinpoint who.
And of course, they couldn't sleep with other people to test it.
Once they realized one of them—or both—was infertile, cracks began to form in their once-close relationship, leading to discord.
On the surface, they were still the picture-perfect couple, but inside, they were rotting away like a show window marriage.
Their true nature came to light fairly recently.
'Ha, who would've thought the husband was the infertile one.'
The cause was the husband's infidelity. Ironically, that's how they discovered the infertility was on the man's side.
Even after sleeping with prostitutes and cheating freely, none of the women got pregnant.
'I thought Serennia would be tougher than Beatrice, but this changes things.'
As Valdes pondered how to bed Serennia in the most delicious way while walking, a woman appeared before him.
Too mature to call a girl, too young to call a lady—she had inherited her mother's looks perfectly. It was the Second Princess of this kingdom, Marie Ulstro.
Her long hair and dress fluttered in the air as she approached with clicking footsteps, creating an adorable sight. Catching her breath a bit when she reached Valdes, she greeted him with a bright smile.
"Hehe, Sir Valdes, long time no see!"
"Hello, Princess Marie. It's only been five days since I arrived in the capital, and I'm no knight, so no need for the 'sir'."
"Oh! You remembered that—I'm glad."
"How could I forget meeting Princess Marie?"
It looked like a sweet conversation between a lovely princess and a courteous attendant. But it didn't last long.
"Hehe, you sure know how to talk. Is that how you seduce women?"
"Seduce? No, not at all. I just pour love and affection into Mercy sis and the other girls."
Suddenly...
Marie had meant to tease him lightly and see him flustered, but instead, she froze in shock. He didn't show even a hint of surprise and fired back without missing a beat—nothing like what she'd expected.
"...Hng? I figured you two were close enough for skirt play, but Mercy sis...?"
"We're dating. I admit the teasing went a bit far. I'm reflecting on it. It must've been too stimulating for you, Princess Marie."
"Heh... Valdes, you're nothing like I thought."
"I've had similar thoughts myself. About you, Princess Marie."
"..."
Marie glared at him wordlessly.
Even under her murderous gaze, Valdes met her eyes straight on with a smile. He couldn't afford to flinch, get angry, or stiffen up here.
That was exactly what Marie wanted.
'They say never underestimate...'
He'd been startled at first sight of Marie.
She looked so much like Beatrice in her youth. He knew right away she was someone else, but it still felt strange.
Otherwise, there were plenty of differences.
Her height, her chest, her personality. Unlike Beatrice, who had been polite and gentle even in youth, Marie was bubbly and full of charm with those around her.
And that's where the faint sense of unease began—the exact same incongruity as when Beatrice wore her false mask.
He figured if the mother was like that, at least one daughter might take after her. Mercedes sure didn't, so that left Marie. He kept a close eye on her without letting his guard down.
Then came that line about "rumors under the skirt."
It was one of Beatrice's favorite phrases.
'Hehe. Have you heard the rumors, Sir Pedro?'
'There's this fun rumor going around lately.'
Beatrice's "rumors" had an uncanny accuracy and reliability, far beyond mere gossip. It was as if Marie knew quite a few facts while calling them rumors.
So he asked, and eventually learned.
That "rumors" referred to intel from the royal special intelligence unit.
Ulstro's secret organization, unknown even to the demons.
It was so long ago that if Marie hadn't brought up rumors, he might've forgotten.
'A few things still don't add up, but I can ask about them later.'
"Princess Marie."
"...What."
"This isn't the best place—shall we go somewhere else?"
"...Fine. Lead the way."
It was a corridor just a few steps from Mercedes's office. No one had passed by luckily yet, but being seen like this wouldn't do either of them any favors.
"This is..."
"Mercy sis's room."
Marie's brow furrowed.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"I'm just taking us to the safest, most discreet spot."
"...Can you. Open the door?"
"Of course."
Valdes pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the door.
It wasn't stolen or copied in secret—Mercedes had given it to him herself. Come anytime if needed. He never imagined he'd use it like this.
'I suspected from the skirt play, but she's deeper in than I thought.'
"You wait here."
Nod.
Marie ordered her bodyguard—who'd been right beside her—to stand by, then followed him into the room. It was her knight sister's room, not her princess sister's. Her first time here.
"Ask anything you're curious about. I'll answer honestly."
"...I'm wondering how long you can keep up that attitude."
"Is that your question?"
"Say it is."
Marie crossed her arms, exuding confidence. It was completely unlike her usual self, but to Valdes, it was laughable.
"Probably... all the way?"
"What the hell gives you the balls to act so cocky? Your sister?"
"No."
The boy strode toward the princess with heavy footsteps.
"Wha, wha, what?"
Their heights were similar, but fundamentally, their sexes differed. And the boy had a body honed by endless training. Their builds were worlds apart.
The resounding steps, combined with the intimidation unique to mana users, made Marie tremble.
She could signal right now, and her bodyguard outside would burst in, smashing the door and cutting him down in seconds. Yet she couldn't relax.
"Wh-what are you doing?! You saw my guard outside, right?! If you try anything weird to me...!!"
Thud.
"...?!"
"If I do... what then?"
"Uh... uh..."
Marie couldn't move. Couldn't signal.
Clearly, atop her perky chest was a hand. A man's—Valdes's. Laying hands on royalty like this warranted dozens of slaps, but she didn't.
Her heart raced instead.
"You were hoping for this, weren't you?"
The reason she was tense wasn't fear,
"...Yeah..."
but excitement.
'Even this is just like her mother.'
A laugh escaped him.
He'd acted calm, but it was half a gamble. Still, he was pretty confident.
Because from the moment they met, Marie's eyes had sparkled with thrill, excitement, and anticipation.
When she cutely approached him, when she tried to fluster him, when she showed her true colors, and even when she followed him to the room.
The girl, inexperienced in sex and love, hadn't noticed it herself. Or maybe she had and came anyway.
"Nng..."
Valdes kept his hand on her chest and brought his mouth to her cute little ear. Even just resting there, he could feel her heartbeat through the thin dress fabric.
"You've wanted this from the start, haven't you? That's why you left your guard outside. Even if she rushes in at your signal, there'll be a slight delay."
"..."
Marie bowed her head in shame.
'Busted. Busted. She knows! How? Why? He sees right through my heart?'
Her mind was a mess. Outside family, she was always the one reading others, finding gaps, exploiting weaknesses. Yet the dynamic flipped before anything started. No, it wasn't even a flip—it was all in her head that she was on top.
There were three reasons.
First, the romance novels Marie had read. Simple plots sounded like ordinary noble or knight love stories, but deeper in, they were mostly about men dominating women mentally and physically.
Whether the man was a mere commoner or titelless knight, and the woman any rank of noble. Investigating them gave him a rough idea of her tastes.
Second.
Beatrice's seduction long ago.
After failing to confess to Hero Pedro several times, she changed tactics. Not just pushing, but subtly tempting him—hinting at the kind of love she wanted, how she wanted it done. Including wishes for him to be a bit forceful.
He'd brushed it off then, but thinking of the royal intel unit, he wondered: if she shared traits with her mom, maybe this too.
Finally, Marie's interest and curiosity.
Her fixation on him—enough to worry Mercedes—and her budding sexual curiosity at that age.
All his guesses were spot on.
"Aren't you curious?"
"About... what?"
"Why that model knight sister of yours did such risky things in front of her little sister. Why mixed-blood demon like me, a commoner, has all these women falling so easily. What goes on in Lady Etilene's room for an hour every day. What I've been doing with them all this time... Things like that."
"..."
Marie swallowed hard without realizing.
She was curious. Insanely so. Sweet love and heart-fluttering affection were nice, but she wanted the stuff beyond that too.
She half-knew the first two already. With looks like this, a sweet voice, and a fragrant scent—who could resist?
"...Curious..."
And she was no different.
"That's fortunate. Princess, do you know what a secret friend is...?"