Normally, after the break, the lesser countries would take their leave.
They are gently prompted with something like 『The greetings are finished, so perhaps this is a good time to depart? The main event is tomorrow…』. Countries with embassies return there. Those without head back to the noble mansions rented specially for today.
That was the explanation I was given.
「It is packed.」
「Yes. In fact, is it not even more crowded?」
「Maybe. Anyway, I will stand behind you next to Father from here. This is the real thing now… but unless you do something extraordinarily stupid, we will turn it into a funny story later. Go out there like you are already dead.」
「Noie. Punch that muscle prince for me later.」
「Hey! I will seriously die!」
The idiot flees like his life depends on it.
My resentment eases a little, putting me in a slightly better mood.
「Should I punch him later?」
「You do not have to punch him yet.」
「Yes.」
She clenches and unclenches her fists eagerly. Her ahoge bounces lightly with excitement.
Around her, the maids are frantically making last-minute adjustments to her dress. She suddenly stood up in the middle of preparations, dragging the protesting maids along to come to my room, so everything fell behind schedule.
As a result, her formal attire ends up surprisingly casual, but Noie is beautiful anyway. This is more than enough.
「Argusta-sama. Noie-sama. Please proceed.」
Judging we cannot delay any longer, the officiating civil official calls us.
I gently try to take her hand… then slide my arm to offer my elbow instead.
Noie tilts her head just a touch, but without a word, she slips her arm through mine, linking us close.
「Now entering: Argusta von Draguknight-sama and his wife Noie-sama.」
Following the maid’s signals to come out, we walk side by side… and every gaze in the room gathers on her.
Heh. As for me, I am basically just the green plastic garnish in a convenience store bento.
「Hou」 or 「So young」 or 「Beautiful」 or 「I want to be insulted」 or 「I want to be stepped on」, those voices reach my ears.
Since they are men’s voices, it is not the disappointing ramblings of the leftover. But some rather unsettling words seem mixed in.
By the way, Frea-san and the rest of Noie’s squad are on standby from this afternoon onward without the captain to maintain security at the waiting area.
Since Noie usually changes clothes there, the ground and such have absorbed the scent of dragon blood and flesh, making it a prime spot for attacks.
The dragon disposal site is guarded by dispatched royal army troops, but that place is basically left entirely to them.
…Frea-san is probably seriously furious right now.
First, I bow to my father the king, then give a very light nod to the honored guests.
The point is to show that I bow deeply only to His Majesty the King himself. Well, I am the one who apologizes profusely every day anyway.
The chairs placed side by side… are a little apart. I could scoot them closer, but if I pull off something odd, my reliable big brother will turn it into a funny story later, right?
In that case, instead of just holding hands, I will link arms to show even more closeness.
「Noie.」
「…」
「Let us sit on the same chair. It might be a bit tight, but is that okay?」
「Yes.」
It is spacious enough for one person. If we squeeze together, two can fit.
As we sit side by side on the same chair, Noie in her light yellow dress snuggles close, pressing her body against mine sweetly.
Naturally, the honored guests are all wide-eyed in surprise.
Since I am doing this on my own, I am too scared to look back at my family.
「…From the Broidwan Empire: three wagon loads of gold. Decorations and such in one carriage. Delivered as congratulatory gifts. The emperor’s little brother Kishara-sama. If you would be so kind, perhaps offer words of celebration to the young couple.」
The audience chamber falls silent at the civil official’s words.
Every country’s representative seems to hold their breath.
Huh? Did I mishear? He said three wagons, right? Wagon here means piled high on a cart, correct? And three of those? Decorations in one full carriage load?
By the way, the carts in this world are about the size of the average wheelbarrow you see at construction sites or home centers in Japan. They have two wooden wheels, though.
And three of those carts piled high with gold dust.
I do not know if it is the Empire’s pride or just showing off, but I remember hearing that two carts of gold would cover the entire wedding cost… Did they replace the catalog at the last minute?
The person approaching with the sharp clack-clack of iron boots is a knight in full plate armor, no helmet.
An overwhelming aura, or rather, a menacing presence, makes cold sweat pour down my entire body.
Terrifying.
I have never felt this scared just looking at someone for the first time.
Compared to this, Noie standing covered in blood after battle looks a hundred times cuter.
She really is cute. And beautiful too.
He stops with a loud clank. A middle-aged man. His face is covered in countless scars.
His rugged appearance screams 『I was born on the battlefield and I will die on the battlefield』.
「It is an honor to meet you for the first time, Prince Argusta. And Knight Noie. I am Kishara of the Broidwan Empire. I am a rough man raised on the battlefield with no knowledge of etiquette… Please forgive any rudeness.」
「…No, not at all. It is the greatest honor to have the one called the great general come in person.」
I recite the standard phrase I was drilled on beforehand.
My whole body is trembling uncontrollably… but right beside me, Noie remains steady as always.
Then someone quietly steps forward, ssu-ssu-ssu, and hands the general a cloth-wrapped object.
「I have heard rumors that Knight Noie possesses monstrous strength that cannot be guessed from her appearance. Would you kindly draw this old war companion of mine, which has rusted so badly it can no longer be pulled out?」
…What is he thinking?
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