What the heck? Are you an idiot? Is picking a fight what passes for a congratulatory speech among the powerful in this world?
One hundred wagons of gold? And you think that buys Noie? You have no idea what she is worth.
My thoughts are flying into panic mode. Nyaro～. I am about to snap any second now.
Should I counter with two hundred wagons? But if he actually pays, I lose, right?
I want to beat him on his own turf.
I want to look at least a little cool in front of Noie.
Then this is it.
「You wish to buy Noie?」
「Yes.」
「Then I will accept in exchange for the rights to your entire country. In other words, if your country becomes mine, I will not have to give up Noie. Let us settle it with that.」
「…That is quite the joke.」
「I am fairly serious, though? To be honest, whether it is the Empire or the Republic, I have no intention of handing over Noie. She is one of a kind. Above all, telling me to sell the only woman I love for money… It seems the Republic has no heart.」
「Hou.」
His tone changes.
His eyes sharpen, and the suave pretty-boy mask vanishes.
This must be his true face and nature.
「As expected of a prince from Univance, the country famous for being cunning and slippery. You say interesting things. Calling that mass murderer one of a kind? Do you seriously claim to love a monster who slaughtered dozens of children from the same facility?」
「……」
The audience chamber falls completely silent.
Why? How does he know that?
「In the name of training for dragon slaying, they gathered young children and subjected them to inhumane treatment. I hear no one even knows how many lives were lost. Those who survived that hellish life… were forced into a final trial of killing each other. And the sole survivor, the one who murdered her own kind, is that girl. Can you deny my words, Prince?」
「……」
「You have the face of someone asking how I know this. Yes, I know. My country’s power is money. With money, any information can be bought. Who in your country has what kind of preferences… Shall I tell you if needed? From our viewpoint, the secrets of the Kingdom of Univance are completely exposed.」
I see. Everything is already known. Then there is no point in hiding anymore.
「As you say, it is said that Noie has such a past.」
「You admit it?」
「It seems so. And? Even if Noie is a murderer… could you explain what problem that causes?」
「……」
「Is there a rule in your country that forbids marrying someone who has killed? Then no one could become a soldier, right? Or is it that women must not kill? Or that one must not love a woman who has killed? Come to think of it… the mage serving your head of state is a woman who handles large-scale destruction spells, is she not? Oh? There are rumors she is also his lover? So if she is a lover, it is fine?」
The knowledge from Frea-san came in handy.
If I am going to eat poison, I might as well lick the plate clean.
「There is no such rule.」
「Of course not～. To begin with, I am a prince of Univance. It is troublesome to have your country’s conveniences forced on me.」
I take a deep breath.
「…I do not care about Noie’s past! She is the woman I chose as my wife and fell in love with! I am ready to accept every part of her past, so outsiders should keep their noses out!」
Nailed it… and decided. I will be groveling to everyone later.
But right now, letting out this boiling anger inside me is enough.
I feel certain of victory, but the opponent is still… smiling?
「Rumors say Prince Argusta’s family has an illness?」
「That one. They tried to turn a bow on His Majesty, so the whole family was executed. So what?」
There was a clatter from behind, but I ignore it for now.
「…Then you have a verbally promised fiancée?」
I know nothing about that, Argusta. Do not make promises on your own.
「Who knows? I have no memory of it.」
「……」
「If you investigated that far, you know they used ritual magic to treat my illness, right?」
「Yes.」
「The fact that it caused memory loss?」
「……」
They did not dig that far, huh?
Well, fine. I am in full rage mode right now.
I will spill everything and grovel with all my might later.
「I have no memory. So this might be rude, but my manners are only about as good as that general from earlier. No, actually, the general is better since he picks fights you can see coming. So, Finance Minister? Anything else?」
「Fuh… Is your fearlessness because you lack memories?」
「Maybe that is part of it? But the biggest reason is the person right next to me gripping my arm and not letting go, no matter what nonsense is happening. I believe she will never betray me no matter what, and I have sworn never to betray her. That is why nothing in front of me scares me, even if it should. Because my wife is the continent’s greatest dragon slayer.」
Admiring murmurs leak from the honored guests.
Am I saying something cool right now?
I am honestly at my limit and have no idea what is coming out of my mouth anymore.
The dangerous glint in his eyes softens as the finance minister returns to his suave pretty-boy act, lightly brushing back his forelocks.
No way. I really cannot stand him on a gut level.
「I see. No matter what, you have no intention of letting go of Noie?」
「None at all. Besides, everyone is here because we are holding the wedding tomorrow… Talking about selling her the day before would be idiotic, right?」
「Ahaha. You make a fair point.」
I am seriously irritated.
Should I sic Noie on him?
「It seems the bond between you two is genuine. Seeing such a loving display made me want to crack a crude joke like the general. Argusta-sama. Noie. May you remain happy together forever.」
His theatrical bow only irritates me more.
Leave a Reply