Chapter 80
Chapter 80
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Even If I Cry, I Won't Fall (8)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
『Oh ho. So excluding the family issues, things are more or less sorted out.』
"Why are you jumping in like you've been waiting for this?"
『Regardless, I'm in a position where I have to be mindful of the affiliation of the person I'm secretly contacting.』
True enough. But seeing her smirking through the communication crystal made it hard to know what to say. Honestly, it was a bit irritating. She'd been perfectly composed for a while, but today she was wearing something revealing again, probably because she'd somehow gotten wind that I'd started seriously distancing myself from the Imir Kingdom.
And when I made a slightly annoyed face, she subtly adjusted her clothes—what could I even say about that?
It just screamed inexperience with romance; it wasn't even funny.
"Your Majesty."
『Hm?』
"Please show some restraint."
『Eh? Uh. Um. Well. Um.』
"You're making yourself look cheap."
In an instant, her face fell, then quickly returned to normal. Her quick recovery in expression management was probably why she was the emperor.
Anyway, she cleared her throat with a cough and changed the subject.
『Ahem. There's still no unusual activity in the empire. Unless there are collaborators or traitors, nothing conspicuous has shown up yet.』
"That's a relief. It's hard to imagine collaborators in the empire, where contact with the demon tribe is minimal anyway."
『I think it's pointless too, but you can't predict the thought process of a madman. I can't swear there isn't even one fool who worships the Demon God with pure intentions.』
"Fair enough."
Thinking about it, the Lebedevs had direct dealings with demons, and even going back just to Grandfather's generation, there had been bloody conflicts, so everyone freaked out at the mention of the Demon God.
On the contrary, people with little direct conflict might harbor strange illusions.
It was a reasonably convincing point, so I nodded in agreement.
Perking up at my reaction, she started humming softly but stopped when she noticed me watching.
I let out an involuntary sigh.
"...You can do whatever you want with that stuff."
『Hmm? Is that so? I suppose it is.』
"Though someone might call you out in an official setting."
『I don't do this just anywhere.』
The emperor was subtly implying I was special, her lips twitching again. Didn't imperial studies include training in rationality? Why did she embody both girlish innocence and spinster vibes?
It was a situation that drew sighs on multiple levels, but I held back, knowing she'd read into it strangely if I sighed.
She noticed my less-than-pleased expression anyway and straightened her face before continuing.
『Anyway.』
"Yes."
『Since it's come to this, what do you think about me officially designating you as an imperial guest? Even for Lebedev, it would be tricky for them to intervene if I make the first move.』
"Wouldn't that be too much political burden?"
『I'm saying it because I think you're worth it.』
"...I'll pass for now, thanks. I'll handle the family matters myself."
『I figured as much.』
She smiled as she said it. Was this showing that Empress Alina's personality wasn't all sunshine? She was the type to dock points if you eagerly accepted an offer that seemed too good.
But refusing outright wasn't the right answer either—genuine proposals would disappoint her if met with the same reaction.
In the end, she favored those who matched her wavelength and pace in scheming.
At least, that much aligned with my big-picture thinking, explaining her favor toward me.
So, while a public move might come eventually, I decided to postpone it, move as quietly as possible for now, and cleanly wrap up demon-related matters first.
No loose ends meant I could prepare for the future or settle the past.
"Anything else?"
『Well, this is a bit personal.』
"Go ahead."
『Would you... consider visiting the imperial palace sometime soon? We're opening that transfer gate anyway. Discussing everything by comms has its limits.』
"Not that much to talk about."
『Still, meeting in person might spark new ideas?』
"And even if I go, I couldn't wander around."
『You could stay in my bedroo— No. Forget I said that.』
"Yes. So I should go?"
『I'd love it if you did...』
With that pathetic, lovesick look, refusing would make me the bad guy, so I pinched my brow and gave an OK sign.
Transformation magic for face or build was high-difficulty and risky if unsuitable, so probably not feasible. I'd need another way.
Even after leaving the academy, women kept getting entangled—maybe my attitude was the issue lately.
No, I tried to be equally kind to men too. Was that why Yumin said what he did?
Did that mean I had to become a jerk? What a weird conclusion.
Gauging distance with people was tough practice anyway.
『Yay! Then I'll prepare and wait.』
"...Sure. Whatever preparations you're making, stay safe."
『You can look forward to it?』
"...I'll look forward to it."
Shaking off the bubbly empress from my mind after she cut the comm, I lay on the bed. It felt too simplistic, but after the recent Rias incident, I'd started reflecting on my attitude and life.
The painful past and resulting minor obsessions were unavoidable, but maybe my demeanor toward others was ruining them.
Compared to the original story, those around me were similar yet changed.
Rias was still the villainess wreaking havoc, but originally, it stemmed from disappointment in her fiancé, the original Julius, and her contrasting affection for Christoph, jealous of his favor toward Ermina.
Ermina originally had to choose a love interest among the half-acknowledged royal bastard Christoph, the jilted fiancé Julius, and the model noble junior Yumin.
The problem was my pursuit of Rias opened a route, twisting relationships strangely.
Yumin was supposed to be the noble hope in my place, but my early debut made him my follower.
Christoph, not truly bad in the original despite womanizing, had become genuinely vile from constant clashes and comparisons with me.
Justina was disappointed in her brother, eyeing succession, their relationship sour in a different way from now.
Me aside, I might be a better person than original. I'd lived diligently, stronger in personal power, earned recognition. I wouldn't judge human worth by achievements, but I'd put in more effort.
Yet results: estranged from father, strained with sister, fiancée exploded in inferiority, Ermina lost her story partner, Yumin lost leadership, Christoph turned from playful rascal to real bastard.
No info on original Labyrinth City folk or changes, and for the emperor, her first-love spinster moment—was good or bad? Short acquaintances, no original knowledge.
Overall, my second life rated like: 'Reborn, but relationships still a mess. C+'
"What was that Japanese proverb? Fools only improve after death. I died and still didn't."
I'd never deliberately seduced women, but in this world allowing limited polygamy or mistresses, backlash was mild—by my past life's standards, this octopus situation would earn knives in the back.
The shadows of the past I tried to shake wouldn't leave my feet.
What to do?
Accepting the past, what life ahead?
Frustrated, I flung open the window, hot desert summer air slamming me.
I winced, but looking down, Liza's eyes met mine as she grunted moving luggage, sweat pouring but waving brightly.
I waved back.
Right. Whatever the past, plenty of people now brought joy when met.
This was the time to move forward, tears or stumbles be damned.
With that, I headed downstairs to reopen the briefly closed café.