What makes this different from the last wedding ceremony?
The answer… scale and sheer hassle.
It is incredibly troublesome. Specifically, all the greetings.
Important people from across the continent have arrived bearing congratulatory gifts.
Some are actual items, but most are catalogs. If we cashed in everything listed in those catalogs submitted beforehand, it would more than cover the entire wedding cost with plenty left over.
We have to accept those gifts and catalogs along with words of blessing.
In front of all the gathered foreign dignitaries. Like some kind of exhibit.
I am just a humble former third prince, you know? Right?
The muscle prince, Halfren, who strolled in casually grinned slyly and said 『More people showed up than for big brother’s… and higher-ranking ones too』 before vanishing.
I will definitely make him cry later. Since I know I cannot beat him with strength, I am currently bribing Mische to find wasabi-like or mustard-like spicy ingredients. I will slip them into his food or drink and make him weep for sure.
I sit on the chair prepared in the castle’s audience chamber while a civil official reads out things like 『From ○○ Kingdom, ××-sama. The congratulatory gift is □□. ××-sama, please offer your words of celebration.』 Then I exchange name-card-like greetings and receive their wedding felicitations.
It has been going on endlessly since morning.
Frankly, it is hell. My butt is numb and I have lost all feeling.
「We will take a short break here.」
「…」
According to the schedule, I am supposed to stand and leave at those words… but can I even stand up!
With the help of a guard knight’s arm, I somehow manage to be carried away.
-0-
「You never told me about this.」
「Did I forget to mention it?」
It was absolutely on purpose.
This kind of torture… even if I knew, I could not escape it.
Sniffle. Tonight I will ask Noie for a lap pillow.
I glare at him with all my resentment, but the muscle daruma just flashes a sleazy grin.
In the small room serving as a waiting area, it is just me, the muscle prince, and a maid. The maid is kindly massaging my hips, butt, and thighs as I lie face down on the platform.
The numbness is finally starting to fade. Her soft hands press gently, and a warm tingle spreads through me. My heart flutters a little, but right now I am simply grateful.
「Well, the greetings from all the lesser dignitaries are done for now. The powerful distant nations we placed in third-tier honored guest seats did not send royalty, as expected.」
「Is that so?」
「Pretty much. Though if someone changed their name and sneaked in, we would have no way to check. We do not know every royal face from every country, after all.」
That is exactly right. In a world without photographs, slipping in under a false name is child’s play.
「On the other hand, the countries that boldly show up claiming to be kings or princes feel almost refreshing.」
「True.」
A third prince’s wedding is one thing, but actual kings coming in person? What is up with that?
Apparently, some of them are kings from nations long friendly with my father the king. They used my wedding as an excuse, saying things like 『We are both getting old, the next time we meet might be at a funeral』.
Of course, I have no idea what their real intentions are.
「The main event is still ahead.」
「The Empire and the Republic?」
「Yep. First up is General Kishara from the Empire. He is the emperor’s younger brother and a master of war. He is famous for never losing. No matter how disadvantaged the situation, he always forces a draw where both sides hurt equally. A renowned strategist and fierce warrior. Next is Hartzen, the Republic’s finance minister. When it comes to him, he is the strongest candidate to become the next head of state. He manages the Republic’s treasury, and it is said his skill is the reason that country grew so powerful. Normally, neither of these two would ever attend a wedding for someone like you.」
「Thanks for the sarcasm.」
Of course everyone’s real target is not me. I know that.
Ahh, that feels nice. Maybe I want her to knead a little harder.
「Every country is really here for Noie, right?」
「Exactly. The continent’s greatest dragon slayer. When they entered the country and saw those mountains of dragon corpses, every representative probably wet themselves a little.」
「That much?」
「Yes. And we deliberately piled even more in the spot most visible from the northern road, bringing in extras from elsewhere too.」
「Padding the numbers, huh.」
「It is about national prestige, or rather, showing off. But even the ones brought from elsewhere were mostly hunted by Noie.」
「…」
That is true. So, I understand why they want to flaunt that power.
But once humans see real strength, they only want it more.
「If Noie ever left this country… we would be limited to hunting a few small dragons per day at best.」
「That few? Wait, we can still hunt some?」
「Yes. Lutte’s bow could manage it somehow.」
That big-breasted girl is amazing.
To think she was hiding that kind of skill inside those soft curves.
「So, little brother who is blissfully enjoying having his butt kneaded by the maid over there.」
「What?」
「Did any country leave a strong impression on you during the greetings?」
「Impression? Hmm～」
I was pretty much greeting on autopilot.
At first, hearing 『king』 or 『prince』 made my heart skip a beat, but once I got used to it, it stopped bothering me.
「Ah, there was one.」
「Which one?」
「The representative from some northern country… something or other? The person who called himself a 『priest』 and was dressed all in black. That one caught my attention.」
「Heh～. Why?」
「…」
I glance lightly at the maid behind me. Halfren notices and quietly signals her to leave the room.
Even if maids are sometimes treated like furniture, it is not good for her to overhear this conversation.
「In the world I came from, a 『priest』 is a position within groups called 『religions』. But I heard from Frea-san that this world has no religions.」
「Yes. There was a brief fad long ago, but it was quickly crushed. Even if any remained, they would not have enough power to send a national representative.」
「That is why it really stood out to me.」
「Fair point. I will look into it a little.」
The impression too, maybe.
Black hair, dark skin. Clothes completely black from head to toe. And those eyes that reminded me of a reptile… Wait, what is that noise outside?
「What is going on?」
「What was that?」
We both turn toward the door just as it slams open with a 『Bang!』.
Noie, apparently in the middle of changing clothes, bursts in dragging several maids behind her.
「What is it, Noie?」
「…」
Without a word, she silently starts kneading my butt while I remain lying face down.
Eh? What? What is really going on?
「You know…」
「Yes?」
「No, never mind. You lucky bastard.」
Stop grinning slyly and explain already, you idiot aniki.
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