fThe carriage rattled along when the king suddenly looked at me.
「I forgot to mention. Your wedding ceremony with Noie is the day after tomorrow」
For a second, everything inside me froze.
They said I have no right to refuse, but isn’t this way too rushed!?
「…Don’t I get time to prepare mentally?」
「You don’t need that. The guests will only be the powerful people of this country and ambassadors from other nations」
Huh? So, like just family in Japan?
That actually helps me out a lot, but is that really okay for such a big day?
Seeing my confused face, he added, 「The formal ceremony will be held later」
If that’s the case…
「Father-sama. Why the rush for the wedding?」
「…Since you’re one of the parties involved, I suppose I should tell you. It’s about this country’s position and political maneuvering」
「Position?」
「Yes. You can learn about this country’s politics after the ceremony. For now, just understand these three things: 『This country is sandwiched between two great powers. We have a delicate balance with both. And both of them are after Noie』」
Being stuck between two big countries… kinda like Japan, huh.
Should I think of it as being between America and China?
「Exactly. If I had to compare, it’s right in the middle of the right butt cheek and the left butt cheek」
「Why butts!?」
「It’s easy to understand, right?」
「I get it, but… doesn’t that make this country sound like a little pimple or something!?」
「Calling it a pimple is rude. If anything, it’s more like something left behind after wiping」
「That’s even ruder!」
「What are you saying? I am the king of this country. A king can call his own nation whatever he wants」
「You’re fine being the king of the unwiped country?」
「It’s a joke. You were staring so seriously toward where Noie was」
What is he? I can’t tell if he’s a good guy or a bad one.
「Anyway, our country, stuck between two great powers, has a military alliance with one and a trade alliance with the other. As a result, neither could attack us.
But then Noie appeared. Both countries grew terrified of her, the one who keeps hunting dragons all by herself」
「Why?」
「If that power was used in war… what do you think?」
「…It would be terrifying」
Seeing her rip dragons apart and toss them like nothing… normally anyone would tremble in terror.
If you ran into her on a battlefield… you’d definitely get killed. She’s literally a death god.
「Both countries feared that and demanded we hand over Noie. Some ministers were happy, saying it’d be a good way to get rid of a problem. If it were you, what would you do?」
What would I do… If we hand Noie-san over, we lose our dragon exterminator. Then this country would be in serious trouble again.
Plus,
「Giving her to one side would cause huge waves」
「Oh? Go on」
「If we give her to one, the other will kick up a fuss. I can already see them complaining 『Why did you give her to them!?』」
「They’d complain the same even if we don’t hand her over. That’s why we can’t let her go, and we can’t kill her either」
「Kill? Noie-san?」
Why would that even come up?
「Yes. Some are shouting 『If you can’t control the horse, kill it』. Someone with power that strong is just that terrifying」
「But wasn’t she created specifically to exterminate dragons!? Saying she’s too strong so let’s kill her… I can’t forgive that」
「Oh? Then what would you do?」
He looked at me like he was having fun. He’s definitely enjoying this. Punching him would be bad, right?
I kinda blurted that out on impulse… and honestly I have no plan.
But after hearing her background, I can’t help feeling sympathy for her.
And most of all… if I said what I really think, I’d sound like the worst kind of guy. Better keep that locked deep inside forever.
「…Fine. I’ll marry her」
「Good. That’s the best solution」
「But in exchange, promise me one thing」
「What?」
「Don’t kill her」
The king let out a soft chuckle and looked out the carriage window.
I followed his gaze. We were now riding through the castle town.
I could clearly see people coming and going, working, living their lives.
「Everyone living in this town. Everyone living in this country. They are all my children and my treasures. That includes Noie」
When I turned my gaze, I caught the king’s profile looking all dramatic and resolute.
「I no longer wish to commit the sin of killing my own child. That is how I feel」
「Then first make sure an environment where such children are never created in the first place」
「Yes… You really say things straight without holding back. You know that? If I felt like it, a brat like you could be executed right away」
「You just said you don’t want to do anything like killing children, right? Besides, I’m technically your real son, aren’t I?」
「Yes. The original Argusta was at least outwardly obedient and cute. It seems the illness drove him mad」
「Ughhh. So you plan to silence all opposing opinions like that?」
「Being king is tough」
「…Maybe a rebellion should just break out」
The rattling carriage passed through the streets and entered the royal castle.
-0-
Starting the next day, I spent my time rushing up and down, incredibly busy.
It’s supposed to be a quiet ceremony, but it’s still a royal wedding. There’s apparently a decent amount of preparation needed.
I wanted to say give me a little more time, but the blunt reason was 「create a done deal before anyone changes their mind」, so the preparations moved forward relentlessly.
Well, in reality, there isn’t much I actually have to do during the ceremony.
Walk the aisle holding the bride’s hand, go up on the platform, the king reads the marriage vows aloud and I repeat them.
Then the kiss of oath… kiss?
「We have to do that!?」
「Of course」
Don’t look at me like 「what is this child saying」!
Nobody told me! Kissing in front of everyone is way too embarrassing!
「I’m not telling you to make a baby right there on the spot. Even if it’s just for show, do it properly」
「No way～」
My first kiss is going to happen in front of a huge crowd.
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