Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: 13. Cutting Water with a Sword (9)
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"...It might be a bit late to say this."
"Yes."
"You don't have to come back. Holding onto someone whose heart has already left isn't the right thing to do."
I momentarily lost my words and blinked at my father's remark. He looked gaunt after these past few days, his face ashen like he was on the verge of death, and what he said was surprisingly poignant in its own way.
It seemed like the result of deep contemplation over a long period, though I had no idea what ordeal had led him to this conclusion.
If anything, perhaps the Calamity Duke, who had gone out with me yesterday, had dropped some hint.
In any case, there was no reason to refuse, so I nodded and left the room.
"Ahem. How did it go?"
"For now, it seems she has no intention of holding on any longer. It looks like the Calamity Duke said something to her."
"Hmm."
The Emperor wore an openly regretful expression. She had apparently planned to make the engagement a done deal, but of course, things weren't going to go that smoothly.
That said, she and Big Sis Mina had indeed passed critical information to my father and the Calamity Duke, and it was only a matter of time before it reached the royal family.
Once the kingdom learned that the Emperor had her eyes on me, their attitude toward my status and lifestyle would shift, and naturally, the empire's nobles would get wind of it too, preparing for the changes ahead.
For now, considering my title alone—a minor duke from the Pallan Empire, the nation closest in power and currently an ally—there was no risk of attack over my status. But if an engagement actually happened, the problem would be the possibility of being invited to the imperial palace.
"Um, if there are no issues for a while, I'd like to stay comfortably in Astraea."
"Oof. Do your best."
"...If I ever make up my mind later and decide on marriage with Your Majesty, I'll be the one to propose... no, I'll speak first."
"Eh?"
Seeing her brighten up at my words, giggling as she took my hand and walked with me, I didn't feel bad about it at all.
If only I had a bit more certainty about my own feelings.
"Your Majesty."
"Hm?"
"Doesn't it frustrate you that I say I don't really understand love?"
"Well, I didn't know much about it myself until recently."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. But after meeting you once and coming back, I felt this indescribable sensation. Day or night, you'd pop into my thoughts, I'd feel embarrassed for no reason, and I'd even have silly fantasies."
"...."
"I don't expect you to feel the same way about me. But I hope that at least, thinking of me brings you happiness."
Happiness. Someone who feels joy and happiness just thinking about them.
"Your Majesty."
"Yeah?"
"I'm not sure about... happiness yet, but no matter when or where I meet Your Majesty, I think I like you enough to feel glad."
The Emperor stopped in her tracks at my words, looking at me in disbelief before breaking into a wide smile.
"Mm! That's enough for now!"
**
"It looks like big brother isn't coming back."
"Probably. Curious about my personal take?"
"Tell me for now."
"I'll be straight with you. I think he will come back. But it'll be after quite some time, once he's sorted out those deep emotions buried inside him."
"Emotions toward us?"
"No. I suspect it's some deep wound only he knows about... It's not polite to pry into that sort of thing."
"I see..."
Personal circumstances she wasn't privy to.
The old Justina would have stopped at nothing to uncover it, even if it killed her. But now that she had a rough idea of what her big brother wanted, she decided to wait patiently.
Her big brother had a lot of people around him.
He was slow to decide on romantic matters, but otherwise always gentlemanly and kind, so the people gathered around him were all exceptional in their own ways.
He wasn't the type where waiting would cause some catastrophe.
Or rather, maybe they hadn't given him enough time from the start.
Because they were family.
And she was his one and only little sister.
It was right to wish for his happiness without any strings attached.
"Hmm."
"...Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Justina. You like Yulius, don't you?"
Justina squeezed her eyes shut.
"Uh...."
"As a man."
"Eek."
"Well, it happens. It's not good—no, it's not good. It shouldn't be. But human hearts have moments that can't be helped. I have a fiancé, but I slept with your father."
"...Is that something to say in front of your kid?"
"Humans are creatures. Instinct and reason fight all the time. Look at the long term. Feelings fade, things settle, and then you get married—or you live alone."
Justina was speechless at the surprisingly pragmatic advice. The Calamity Duke patted her golden hair affectionately before excusing herself, saying it was time to head back to her territory.
The person who entered in her place was someone named Leimi.
"...Ah, hello."
"Yes."
"I, uh, just came to grab some snacks."
Silence filled the room at those words.
It was awkward.
Leimi wasn't the most sociable person to begin with, and Justina turned curt whenever it wasn't about her big brother, making their chemistry abysmal. They hadn't even had a proper conversation despite spending days at the mansion.
Plus, Leimi's red hair reminded her of Rias, which made it uncomfortable.
"Miss Leimi."
"Yes."
"Why do you like big brother?"
"Uh. W-Well, no particular reason. If I had to say, I just like everything about him from start to finish."
"Sigh."
Justina let out a sigh, gathered her thoughts, and spoke.
"That's just it, right? Big brother isn't someone you like for specific traits; you just naturally come to like him after spending time together."
"Ah, yes. Exactly."
"So what about me, who's spent my childhood with him?"
"Pardon?"
"Until recently, my dream was to marry big brother."
Until recently?
Leimi gaped at the shocking confession, opening and closing her mouth before finally giving up on finding words.
"Miss Leimi."
"...Yes."
"How far have things gone with big brother?"
"Uh, we laid out blankets side by side and slept in the same room...?"
"Hm."
Justina pondered for a moment, as if calculating in her head, then spoke with a look of realization.
"Then that much should be fine for me too, right?"
"Well, no, it's not like you can't."
"Bodies might tangle a bit while sleeping together."
"That would be problematic."
Justina made a strange face, as if imagining pouncing on him while sharing a room, chuckling oddly before suddenly shooting to her feet.
Leimi hurried after her as she walked off without a word. Justina strode confidently ahead, and when Leimi saw their destination, she swallowed hard.
Three polite knocks.
The door opened with permission, and the moment it did, Justina declared:
"Big brother. Let's go camping."
"What's this now? No, what camping?"
"Lebedev has plenty of nature to spend time in, so let's tour around and camp out together for a bit."
"Safety... well, everyone's combat-ready, so it'll be fine, but why?"
"Staying cooped up in the mansion is boring. Feeling nature firsthand might change how you think about things, no?"
Yulius eyed her suspiciously, wondering if there was some ulterior motive, scratched his head a bit, then gave an OK sign.
"Alright. Got a spot in mind?"
"Yes. Somewhere without demon clan disputes, with a clear view of Lebedev."
"Where was that again? Ah."
Leimi blinked, just listening to their exchange, and flinched when Yulius's gaze turned to her.
"You okay with it, Big Sis Leimi? I saw long trips and carriages wear you out."
"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. This much is nothing."
"Then let's set a time and head out. I plan to stick around Lebedev a bit longer, but better to schedule tightly."
As he said that and left, calling only Justina along to somewhere, Leimi turned back to the room and met the Emperor's dissatisfied glare.
"Things were getting good, too."
"Pardon?"
"You were even holding hands."
Is it for real? Has the ever-stoic Yulius finally undergone some change?
"Did the shopkeeper say something?"
"He said he doesn't know what liking someone means, but he'll try actively."
"Oh."
Then maybe I can look forward to it too.
She tamped down the desire subtly rising within her.
Even so, later would be better. Rushing ahead and earning resentment instead was the last thing she wanted.
Always calm, keeping one step back. Maintaining that perfect distance by his side, ready right there when he makes up his mind.
"Ah, for camping, we'll probably all sleep in the same spot. What do you plan to do?"
"What."
She averted her eyes from the Emperor, whose face instantly turned to that of a perverted auntie.
Just then, she spotted a magic refrigerator, poured herself a cool glass of water, and drank it down. Her slightly overheated mind felt refreshed.