「Argusta-sama.」
「Hmm?」
「My heart feels like it is about to jump out of my mouth.」
「It has not come out yet so you are fine. It is all about getting used to it.」
In the very front row of the coronation ceremony… at the seats reserved for the royal family, Lutte and I were placed on the side of being watched rather than watching.
The main nobles of the Univance Kingdom had gathered, and diplomatic ambassadors from various countries were also attending.
Some members of other countries’ royal families had come all the way here, but those people were not attending with the coronation or marriage ceremony as their main purpose. They were the slacker tribe who came seeking a break under the name of an official overseas trip.
They made serious faces and attended properly, but once night came, they would indulge in luxury with diplomatic funds. They were the type who enjoyed extravagant parties they could not have in their own countries, without worrying about their citizens’ eyes.
Truly enviable. Personally, I would like to go with Noie to some resort and relax.
At the royal family seats of the Univance Kingdom, my idiot aniki and I sat side by side.
『Since I have become a high-ranking noble, I belong on the royal side, right?』 I made a pointless protest, but until the next New Year, I was apparently still treated as a member of the royal family. Everything would be settled with the New Year.
By the way, in this world, they use the age counting system where you gain one year on New Year’s Day.
It is easy to understand and nice, but… there are no birthday events.
「Hawa… hawa…」
「Calm down, Lutte.」
「But senpai.」
「Just keep your eyes slightly open and maintain just enough awareness so you do not fall asleep.」
「I cannot do something that skillful～」
Lutte, who had been brought to a place far beyond her comfort zone, was panicking the whole time, which made her fun to watch.
When she properly wore a dress, had her hair done, and even put on makeup, she looked like a noble young lady, which was surprising.
The noblemen looking this way were whispering among themselves with great interest.
『Those breasts are amazing.』 『Truly wonderful.』 『I definitely want to be sandwiched by them.』 『I want to be slapped by those.』 and so on… Are these people okay? What kind of sexual preferences do the nobles of this country have?
「Even so, for people who claim to be in the 『beautiful breasts faction』, it is completely inconsistent that they made Lutte come here and emphasized her chest, right?」
The idiot prince sitting next to me let out a smug little snicker.
It annoyed me, but Lutte’s breasts were large yet nicely shaped. If I had to say, she had beautiful huge breasts.
There was no way such a counterargument would satisfy him, so I answered honestly.
「It cannot be helped. Krea would look too young, and more than anything, I do not want people thinking I am a lolicon. I was actually planning to ask Frea-san, but some idiot prince insisted on making her his substitute. As a result, once it became clear Mische had to stay in the waiting area, Lutte was the only choice left.」
That is right. Lutte hated the idea so much that I thought of asking Frea-san to stand in, but apparently that idiot prince had already asked her first and she refused.
「By the way… why do you not bring your own wife? I have not met her yet, you know? Is she actually a fictional wife who does not exist?」
For some reason or another, I still had not met the idiot prince’s wife.
He made a sour face at my question.
「It cannot be helped. The wedding ceremony is after this. I cannot reveal her before then. For that reason, using my concubine as a substitute was also rejected for appearances’ sake. In the end, this is the result of searching for someone I could ask to stand in.」
「Ara? Was I being treated with such impunity? Your Highness?」
At that ice-cold voice, I quickly turned my gaze toward the stage.
In the center, the new king sat on the throne, and beside him the tiny princess sat silently.
Given her personality, it was practically a miracle that she was not moving at all and remained seated without falling asleep. Was she actually an elaborate doll?
At the right end of the venue, the current king was in the middle of endlessly reading out the names of successive kings.
Thanking every single king and welcoming the new one or something like that. We were forced to listen to a monotonous chant-like voice.
To be honest, if he did not stop talking soon, I would fall asleep.
「……Is it not a bad mindset to only use a woman you once discarded when you are in trouble?」
When I looked back, the clingy voice was still going.
The person listening looked like he wanted to cover both ears with his hands at any moment.
Seeing Frea-san continue to hurl sharp remarks at the prince-sama despite everything, Lutte’s face had gone completely pale.
I was bored.
As I let my gaze wander, I spotted a familiar face among the VIP seats.
Krea and Inel-kun were also high-ranking nobles staying in the capital, so of course they were participating. The two of them, dressed in new clothes as representatives of their families, looked quite fresh and adorably tense.
By the way, it seemed the greater nobles were sending proxies who were already in the capital. The middle and lesser nobles appeared to attend if they could.
Thinking about it, maybe I should have let Mische attend too, but removing any more people who could monitor the situation would be bad in case something unexpected happened.
「Lutte.」
「Yes.」
「How are things at the waiting area and with Noie?」
「……」
She glanced at me briefly before lowering her face.
She was using her blessing so no one around us would notice.
「The waiting area is peaceful. Mische-senpai tried to take charge of seasoning the food and was stopped by the people around her. She resisted… and for some reason started taking off her armor, but they stopped her again. Oh, they are bringing ropes now. They wrapped her up like a sushi roll with practiced hands and carried her away.」
Her real-time commentary made it easy to picture exactly what was happening.
「Now that is true peace.」
What is she even doing… Hey, do not mummify the field supervisor. I understand the feeling though.
「The captain was there. She is moving freely in every direction against the dragons. She will not stop. With incredible speed… Why does the captain rip apart that flying snake-like creature?」
I have no idea. But Noie really was prying open the mouth of that snake-shaped monster from top to bottom and tearing it apart.
I wonder if there is some meaning behind it. I will ask her next time.
「My stomach is getting hungry, so I will stop here.」
「Thanks.」
After cutting off the blessing and lifting her face, sweat was visible on her forehead.
Since I had asked her to do this, I took out a handkerchief from my pocket and gently wiped the sweat away.
「You can be so naturally kind to women like that, Argusta-sama. That is why you are so popular with the ladies.」
「That is why I always say my true worth is shown in bed.」
The pointless argument between the two childhood friends continued.
Noticing a gaze fixed intently on the noisiest royal seats, I turned my face and saw a man who looked exactly like the picture of a kindly old gentleman smiling at me.
Hmm? He is quite well-dressed. But I do not recognize his face. Who could he be?
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