「I want to make sure everyone knows that Noie and I are together, no matter what it takes.」
「…You are scarily motivated all of a sudden. Did something happen?」
「The reason does not matter. So, what do you think?」
「I do not like just taking hits either. Aniki is already laying the groundwork.」
「And?」
「…Lend me money without complaining.」
「Interest is five percent. Repayment in one year.」
「…You are thorough.」
I cut it in half from ten percent. That should be the maximum concession on my side.
My brother shrugs with a tired sigh and pulls a letter from his desk drawer.
「What is that?」
「The contents of a letter addressed to you from the Empire.」
A quick glance confirms it looks official.
Something about marriage to the eighth princess… The worst kind, a child bride?
「I think she is eight years old?」
「In the world I came from, that would make me a complete criminal.」
「In this world, it would be no problem at all.」
Yay. All you lolicon fans, come to another world and enjoy it openly.
「N-No way!」
「What is wrong?」
「Why are you tearing it up!」
「Huh? Obviously. A letter like this… never reached us in the first place.」
So, we are just returning the exact same trick they tried to pull?
「But the imperial ambassadors are here, right?」
「Yes.」
「They will not stay quiet!」
「That is true.」
「…Where is this confidence coming from?」
「Let them make noise if they want. They are only resident ambassadors. Without orders from their home country, they cannot do anything reckless. By now they have probably sensed our move and are asking for instructions back home.」
He places the torn pieces on a plate and pours a clear liquid from a bottle over them.
「And then like this… turn it to ash and we are done.」
「Whoa.」
Using a small cord called a fuse that smolders slowly, he lights the plate.
In no time, the letter is nothing but gray ash.
「Now then, little brother.」
「Yes?」
「This is your big moment. At the very least… I will hear your last wishes?」
「I want to question the meaning behind you accidentally saying 『last wishes』!」
「Even if it is for the whole nation, most of them live in this capital. Holding a wedding in front of such a huge crowd… If it were me, sheer terror might make me shrink up. Listening to the wishes of my dear little brother who is happily heading into what feels like torture, that is the kindness of an older brother, right?」
「Please make this annoying brother disappear from the world.」
「Denied.」
Stop putting weird pressure on me!
「Then… let me see…」
I do not really have any special requests.
I would prefer something small-scale, but that would overturn everything, so it is impossible.
Then what… A hope. Not something I want to do, but something I want to see. Ah, that might be good.
「Noie in a dress.」
「Oh.」
「A few different ones… Is it possible for her to change midway through the ceremony?」
「…You want the bride to change dresses in the middle of the ceremony?」
「Yes.」
「Why?」
I didn’t say anything that would be that shocking.
「A wedding is supposed to be once in a lifetime… though for some reason this is already the second time. But since it is such a special day, I want to see her looking beautiful as many times as possible, right?」
「Fair enough.」
「Besides… it is being paid for with Noie’s savings anyway.」
「…Do not hit where it hurts.」
Come on. Try saying something back.
「Got it. I will discuss it with aniki and see what we can do.」
「Thanks.」
「But the extra cost for the dresses will be on you.」
「…That is fine. I will cover it.」
Sorry. I will pay you back later, so please lend it for now.
I really am sorry for being a penniless husband.
「Any other wishes?」
「If I had to say… I would like to make sure no more ridiculous talks like this come up in the future.」
「I feel exactly the same way.」
He stands from his chair and stretches his back.
「We will push things forward to the point of no return before their official envoy arrives. They will probably complain, but since the letter never reached us… We will use that as the reason to brush them off.」
「Will they accept that?」
「Of course not. That is why they will probably try something else.」
「Something else?」
「Next time, they will try sending a daughter as your concubine.」
「…That does not solve anything, does it?」
It just swaps the order. It still means a wife other than Noie would be coming.
「But that offer can be refused.」
「Why?」
「Noie publicly declares that she has strong possessive instincts and will not allow concubines or mistresses.」
「……」
「You will love only Noie for your entire life. That is it. There is no other solution.」
He says it with an almost apologetic look. I do not understand why he seems sorry.
For me, just one is…
「In this world, you can have as many wives as you want.」
I had completely forgotten that.
This world allows polygamy.
「What is wrong all of a sudden?」
「I forgot to mention it. In the world I came from, or rather, the country I lived in, it is monogamy.」
「Monu wat? What is that?」
「It means that officially, one man can only have one wife. A second or third would be called 『bigamy』 and is a crime.」
「…That sounds like a tough world to live in. Only one?」
「Yes. …Though in reality, some people are not satisfied and fool around with women. But officially, only one is allowed.」
「Haa… So, you never had any intention of taking a wife other than Noie from the start?」
「No, I did not. Besides, Noie is beautiful and cute.」
I ended up bragging about her a little.
Do not pull away like that, brother. I am already regretting saying it out loud.
「Then it is settled. You will love only Noie and no one else.」
「That is fine with me. I have no intention of taking any wife besides Noie.」
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