Chapter 62
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Shall We Marry After I Rip Off Your Limbs? (2)
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Inside the temple within the Imperial Palace, in the reception room of the treatment center.
There are such things in the world as 'awkward situations'.
Places where everything feels off, uncomfortable, suffocating no matter what you do.
Whenever one of these arises, it would be nice to just avoid it altogether, but the problem is that awkward situations are defined by their utter inescapability.
An awkward situation.
That was precisely Solana's state of mind right now.
It was exceedingly rare for the Third Princess to feel tense.
Wasn't she the sort of woman who could flash a natural smile without flinching, even before countless believers and imperial citizens? Yes, that's the kind of woman she was.
...But right now, she simply gazed at the women before her.
The First Princess, Ether.
The Second Princess, Hedera.
And the Third Princess, Solana herself.
The mere appearance of any one of them would be shocking enough, yet here were three at once. Seated around a round table in the reception room next to Zekiel's sickroom, no less.
"...".
An awkward silence hung in the air.
The princesses weren't openly hostile toward each other, but that didn't mean they treated one another with affection, either.
They had crossed paths a few times before.
—Report your growth, First Princess.
—Report your growth, Second Princess.
—Report your growth, Third Princess...
Back when they were young, reporting their respective progress before His Imperial Majesty.
Even that had only happened once every six months. Blood relations or not, the princesses had essentially lived entirely separate lives, aware only of each other's existence.
And this gathering was different from those times besides.
In the past, they would simply deliver their reports swiftly and withdraw. But now, the princesses had assembled with a clear purpose.
A purpose named Zekiel.
Thinking about it, it was astonishing to the point of disbelief. That a single man could draw together three princesses.
"...May the blessings of the Sun God be with you."
The one to break the silence first was Third Princess Solana.
"First off, good fortune has smiled upon us. Thanks to using every elixir available without sparing any, we've passed the crisis. And we'll even receive Sunwater soon."
"You've worked hard."
Ether nodded.
"Oh come on, you've had it far worse, First Princess. You went up against His Imperial Majesty himself to secure that Sunwater, didn't you?"
Solana replied with a bright smile.
"Anyway, since even the First Princess acknowledges it, my heart feels so much more at ease. Honestly, I was a total mess until just a bit ago."
"At ease? Don't you mean at peace?"
"Hee hee hee, you're right. Peace. Peace."
"Ha ha ha! At least my encouragement means something!"
The two princesses' laughter mingled, creating a remarkably warm atmosphere.
Or at least, that's how it appeared on the surface.
'What snowfield wolf? She's just a fox.'
Solana remembered it all too clearly.
The way Ether had watched her during the treatment, eyes gleaming like a predator, utterly fixated.
The implication was crystal clear: if anything went wrong with Zekiel, she'd rip Solana's limbs off.
...Could anyone really call that encouragement?
Meanwhile, Ether quietly thought to herself.
'Does this girl think my memory's like a goldfish?'
No, she'd said it aloud by mistake.
"...Pardon?"
"No, nothing."
In any case, First Princess Ether remembered it clearly too.
After arriving at the treatment center carrying the injured Zekiel, Solana had shot her resentful glares. Muttering to herself nonstop, even.
But her attitude flipped the moment she heard Zekiel's condition had improved and they'd secured the Sunwater.
The two women smiled at each other.
"The Third Princess's eyes are truly beautiful. As I recall, they weren't so softly rounded—they had a sharp edge."
"The First Princess must have made great progress in controlling her aura lately. If memory serves, you struggled to suppress your killing intent, hmm."
Solana changed the subject first.
"In any event, I assume everyone here is aware. The atmosphere across the continent has been tense lately. Especially with the demon realm as the cause."
"Indeed."
"Are there any talents as outstanding as the First and Second Princesses? Please leave this place soon and put your abilities to use. It's urgent."
"And you?"
Solana placed a hand over her chest.
"What can I do? This is my duty. No matter how hard it gets, I have to tend to my patient with a sense of responsibility and mission, right by his side."
Solana emphasized 'no matter how hard it gets'.
"...".
The other two princesses clearly weren't pleased.
Wasn't she implying she had no personal desire in the matter—that she was only doing it because she had to? The gall to play innocent like that.
The bonds between princesses weren't particularly strong to begin with. In other words, it was hardly strange for conflicts to arise over their individual desires.
Princesses occupied positions higher than anyone else, and they were all adults now. No one could stand in their way.
Just then, as a strange tension settled over the reception room...
"Now, now, may the blessings of the Sun God be with you."
Solana recited the invocation once more.
"Let's wrap up this meeting here. I hope you all stay well, and if possible, venture far from the capital to build your reputations..."
But right at that moment.
"Inspector, I'll take charge of him personally from now on."
Ether and Solana's heads whipped around simultaneously.
Hedera, who had remained silent until then, finally spoke.
"I'm swamped with work and not thrilled about it, but as Magic Tower Lord, it's my responsibility. That naturally includes looking after the Magic Tower's inspector. I'll take him with me."
"...".
Solana and Ether's eyes narrowed at the same time.
'This woman's lost her mind too.'
"You crazy bitch."
"...You said that out loud again."
But regardless of what Ether and Solana chattered about, Hedera simply sipped her tea with eyes closed.
"The Magic Tower Lord reclaiming her Magic Tower inspector for return duties. Isn't that perfectly reasonable? I can't fathom why three of us need to occupy this reception room for a meeting."
"This isn't about reason..."
...Why are you suddenly doing this?
Solana barely swallowed the question.
"Hm..."
"Hmmm."
Soon, the reception room filled with nothing but groans.
They were no ordinary women. Princesses, no less.
They were old enough to take responsibility for their words and actions, born into unimaginable status. With their power now formidable, any clash would have massive repercussions.
Even a glancing blow would be fatal.
Knowing full well the enormity of their influence, none dared act rashly.
Then Ether swept her bangs back from her forehead.
"The Second Princess has the Ascension Ceremony approaching. You won't have time to worry about Magic Tower affairs. That would leave the inspector overworked, naturally. Unacceptable."
Hedera immediately furrowed her brow.
"The Ascension Ceremony has been steadily prepared and is going smoothly. I can handle welfare matters at my discretion anytime. You know how I manage things."
"I do. By neglecting the Magic Tower."
"...".
A brief silence fell.
Hedera set her teacup down with a sharp clink.
"But why are you acting so brazen, First Princess?"
Hedera stared Ether straight in the eye.
"You're the one who orchestrated that absurd gamble and got my Magic Tower inspector injured. My tower's suffered massive losses because of it."
"...".
Ether narrowed her eyes.
...Well, now?
...She's framing it like she's just mad about the Magic Tower?
Ether remembered the expression Hedera had worn at the door. It wasn't the face of a woman merely fretting over tower losses.
It was genuine worry for Zekiel, pure and simple.
"I know you're a bit upset about that, but still. Your power is too dangerous—it's best kept apart from the inspector. What do you think, Third Princess?"
Hedera lobbed the question like a fastball.
Solana snatched it midair.
"I don't entirely agree with the Second Princess. 'Keep apart' sounds awfully extreme. But I do sympathize with the idea that the First Princess should withdraw soon. The north needs that power of yours."
A clever maneuver: using Hedera's words to push Ether out, while refusing to ally with Hedera. The subtle power plays among the three were already vicious.
"The First Princess is simply too vital—that's why she must leave. No one but her can hold the north."
"Hm, that makes sense."
Hedera shot Solana a glance but nodded for now. Removing Ether first would make things easier.
A one-on-one with Solana? She was confident.
A silence descended once more over the reception room.
Tension stretched taut, ready to snap at any moment.
"I understand."
Ether finally broke it.
She nodded.
"I've heard everything you've said and comprehend it fully."
"Finally getting it, are we?"
"Yes, that my debt to the inspector is immense, so I should just get lost. That's the gist, right?"
Ether's lips twisted oddly.
"Oh, no such thing. We meant it in the nicest way."
"Strip away the emotions. This is logical advice."
Solana and Hedera each fired a parting shot at Ether.
Both convinced: one down, at least.
But just as that thought crossed their minds...
"Since I've committed a sin that must be atoned for over a lifetime, I suppose I'll marry the inspector to make amends."
A bombshell declaration hit the table.
"...?"
"...!"
Question marks and exclamations bloomed across Hedera and Solana's faces.
"I, the First Princess of the Empire, shall grant status to a man who has nothing and offer my body as well. Wash his feet every day, bear his children, raise them with utmost devotion."
"...".
"Ah~ My life feels so empty~ To think I've sinned so gravely, doomed to live bound as one man's wife~"
"...".
Solana and Hedera licked their lower lips in unison.
This monster who suddenly seemed dumb as a rock.
She was no ordinary player.