Chapter 109
Translator: penny
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: First Wedding Night(?) (3)
Empire's 2nd Princess, Hedera.
Originally a noble figure one could only find in the heavenly realm, but these days, she was faithfully fulfilling her role as the Magic Tower Lord. Thanks to that, it was possible to encounter her on the continent.
For such a rare princess to seek out just one man.
'What incredible luck.'
Zekiel himself knew it was an honor.
Even thinking of her as a mere human, or as a man considering her, spending time with Hedera, the Dragon Blood owner, was that remarkable.
However...
"Princess, what is the purpose of this meeting?"
"Hm..."
Hedera paused for a moment.
"More than my purpose, the inspector's feelings matter. You've accomplished so much this time. Isn't there anything you've wanted to do?"
"So you didn't call me for a specific reason?"
It didn't seem like she had called him for a definite purpose. She had probably sought him out hastily.
Hedera subtly avoided Zekiel's gaze.
"Well... I wanted to commend the inspector for his hard work. I've never praised or looked after anyone before. I don't know what to do..."
"So there's no set agenda."
"Not exactly set, but I could set one anytime. If there's something the inspector wants to do—"
Hedera continued speaking hurriedly, but Zekiel quietly let out a sigh.
He had halted his steps toward the 1st Princess's domain because he was certain Hedera had called him for something important, but that wasn't the case at all.
Of course, he appreciated her intentions.
Zekiel didn't forget favors.
Having clerks review his achievements in detail or opening imperial reports to acknowledge him was naturally grateful. It was truly more than he deserved.
However.
"..."
If asked what he wanted, Zekiel had nothing to say. If anything, Sunweed, but that wasn't something Hedera could provide.
Instead, Hedera pressed him.
"No, haven't you just been working nonstop? Surely there are all sorts of desires pent up inside. If you can't even voice those, that's the inspector's fault!"
"The inspector duties are something I took upon myself."
Zekiel replied calmly.
"They've been rewarding in their own way, and I've received plenty of compensation. Plus, they've helped you too, Princess."
"Uh, yeah? Ah... R-right, is that how it is? Yeah, it is."
Hedera's face flushed slightly, softening.
"Ah, it's hard to keep my expression in check... Hearing things like that..."
Hedera walked ahead, passing Zekiel.
"Anyway, follow me! I absolutely won't let you work busily today. I'll take care of everything for you."
Zekiel tilted his head and followed behind.
And so they arrived at the 2nd Princess's domain.
Zekiel had been preoccupied with matters concerning the 1st Princess the entire walk there, naturally. Sunweed was at stake, after all.
"Excuse me, 2nd Princess."
"Yes."
"I have urgent business to attend to. If it's not pressing, may we meet again later?"
"...What? I'm personally spending time with you."
"It's truly urgent."
"N-no, don't do that. Just one hour. Please?"
In the end, unable to refuse Hedera, he followed her deep inside, where an environment resembling an operating room greeted Zekiel. Maids filled the space.
"We greet the 2nd Princess—"
The maids bowed in unison like dolls.
"Princess, what is this place?"
A light question brought an unexpected answer.
"It's where we inscribe brands. Have you heard of branding?"
"Branding..."
Of course Zekiel had heard of it.
It was a method to raise one's realm by inscribing magic circles on horns, external body parts, or even internally. But naturally, not just anyone could do it.
"I know it's something only possible among the dragonkin."
Was today the day Hedera was getting branded? Was he to witness her becoming greater?
But Zekiel's assumption was soon shattered.
"I thought the inspector could do it too."
Hedera pulled out a brilliantly shining stone, clearly no ordinary treasure at a glance.
"If the quality of the branding stone used as a medium is ridiculously high, it should be possible even for a high-realm human. No, it definitely is."
Shock appeared on the faces of the nearby maids.
"Princess, a treasure from the heavenly realm...!"
"It's the reward you received after deciphering the ancient Dragon Words! You must use it yourself...!"
"Enough."
Hedera curtly dismissed their concerns.
"...It was an achievement impossible without the inspector in the first place. Try refuting that."
"..."
Silence fell.
Hedera snorted and approached Zekiel.
"Don't question it. Just accept it first."
In the end, Zekiel lay on the wide stone slab.
The branding soon began, and immense pain assaulted him.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"...It's a success."
One maid murmured blankly.
"It's partly thanks to the excellent branding stone, but mostly because the inspector isn't of an ordinary realm. It's a success."
Even without the maid saying it, he could feel the success with his body. With his entire body.
The changes in his body and internal flows.
Hedera examined him closely.
"Inspector, are you conscious? How do you feel?"
"...Splendid."
It was a truly honest response.
It felt like the mana channels themselves had widened a bit. Everything flowed more smoothly and gently.
"It's probably a brand that widens the channels themselves. Inscribing it externally would look odd, so I did it internally... Did it hurt a lot? Are you okay?"
"Yes. I'm fine."
It was pain he could fully endure. Especially with such remarkable effects. Seeing the results, it was clear why the branding stone was called a treasure even in the heavenly realm.
'This will help with absorbing the Sunweed too.'
An unexpected gain, and a massive one.
But perhaps saying he was fine was a mistake.
Hedera brightened immediately.
"Really? You're okay? Then let's move right away."
"..."
...Where to this time?
The next destination was a dining hall.
What kind of place would the 2nd Princess, who only partook of the finest even normally, visit when determined? The answer unfolded before his eyes. An extravagantly luxurious restaurant.
"Cool water? Or warm?"
"I'll get it myself."
"You're really hungry, right? I told the chef."
Hedera's overly attentive demeanor felt somewhat awkward.
Of course, Zekiel had accomplished feats worthy of it, but right now, she seemed desperate to do something for him. It wasn't like her.
'How shocked would the empire's people be if they knew.'
The famously cold princess taking care of someone like this—it was lucky and astonishing.
"...I'll make time until tonight. Please don't be so hasty, Princess."
Zekiel made his decision and spoke. He'd received the branding as a gift, so spending time was only proper.
But Hedera denied it.
"Who's being hasty? I'm not. I just thought you might really be starving."
"...I see."
How much time passed?
Dishes worthy of being called delicacies filled the table, and a surprisingly quiet meal continued.
'The complete opposite of eating with Solana.'
Unlike Solana, who chattered with every fork movement, Hedera silently and elegantly continued her meal.
Whenever he glanced at the 2nd Princess occasionally.
"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
"No. You're the same as always."
The two women truly cared about different things.
Solana valued what conversations they had, while Hedera cared about how she appeared. It was evident.
Lives lived differently led to different charms.
Just as the quiet meal seemed it would continue.
"Inspector, I have something to say."
Hedera broke the silence, dabbing her mouth with a napkin.
"There's a banquet at the Purple Magic Tower, and I thought it would be nice to attend just the two of us and sightsee. We're the Tower Lord and inspector, so it fits perfectly."
Zekiel quietly chewed his food.
It was unexpected.
He'd thought it might be some difficult mission, but it was essentially an invitation to leisurely have fun together.
But perhaps his silence made her anxious.
"...What's wrong? Is there a problem? Well, even if there is, you have to accept. Let's go together."
"No. I was just surprised."
"Surprised?"
Zekiel nodded quietly.
"I never imagined the person who only knew work would mention sightseeing. You seem a bit different from the previous princess."
"..."
Hedera mulled over the words thoughtlessly, then...
"...!"
Her face suddenly flushed red.
"Th-this is work too. Attending banquets to cultivate aesthetic sense is necessary for refinement."
"Yes."
"It's not like I'm asking you on a date. Just the two of us at a banquet. Of course, we're a man and woman, so things could happen, but..."
"Yes..."
At some point during Hedera's lengthy explanation.
"Um, inspector."
The 2nd Princess quietly took something out.
A small box contained clothes. No, clothing with very little fabric. It was more like...
"...Underwear?"
"Correct."
Surprisingly—no, unbelievably—it was men's underwear.
"In the heavenly realm, dragonkin have special attire for when they come of age and form relationships. So... you might need it later. Keep it safe."
"Why would I need this...?"
"It's not far-fetched. You'll write the promissory note soon."
"..."
As if worried Zekiel might question it, Hedera stood first and took the lead.
"Just so you know, since I've even provided the attire, you won't abandon me on that day and come of age with another woman, right?"
"Hm..."
Hedera's pupils momentarily slit like a dragon's.
"...Dragons never forgive betrayers."
"..."
With that warning, she left abruptly.
In the end, Zekiel was left alone.
'...What do I do with this.'
Solana had given him an aphrodisiac tonic good for stamina, Hedera underwear. What to do with this promissory note...
"I'm going crazy. Crazy..."
Zekiel puffed heavily on his Sunweed.
And time passed to now.
1st Princess's domain.
"Hello, teacher."
When he came to, Zekiel found himself captured.