Chapter 58
‘…He suddenly says something like that?’
But Michael did not stop there and continued speaking.
“No matter where in the world I go, it would be hard to meet someone like the young lady again.”
“That’s only natural.”
Father snorted and set down his teacup. Despite his blunt tone, he seemed fairly satisfied with Michael’s answer.
“At least you have good judgment.”
“You flatter me.”
Michael replied politely and bowed his head. Perhaps pleased with his obedient attitude, Father’s stiff expression finally softened a little.
Watching the atmosphere change in an instant, I blinked in a daze.
…What on earth is happening right now?
***
“Your Majesty. Marquis Kaisen has come to see you. What shall we do?”
It was just past noon.
When the servant announced the unwelcome guest, the Emperor let out a silent sigh.
“…Let him in.”
As soon as permission was given, the door opened with a heavy thud.
Marquis Kaisen entered with a faint smile on his face.
“An old servant greets the sun of the Empire.”
“…There are only the two of us here. Spare me those empty formalities.”
At the Emperor’s tired reply, Kaisen’s smile twisted slightly.
“Empty formalities? That hurts, Your Majesty.”
“Get to the point. You’re not the type to visit without a reason.”
At the Emperor’s firm words, Kaisen shrugged as if he had no choice.
Then he spoke lightly.
“How are the preparations for the hunting competition?”
“…Why ask that all of a sudden?”
“I heard that the delegation from foreign countries will be quite large this year. The prince of the Kingdom of Loon is included as well.”
Kaisen stroked his beard with a meaningful look.
“And if I remember correctly, the prince of Loon is unmarried.”
“…I fail to see what the prince’s marital status has to do with you.”
The Emperor frowned as he looked at him.
Kaisen met his gaze calmly and answered.
“I’m not sure if Your Majesty is aware, but there seems to be a strange rumor spreading among the nobles lately.”
“Nobles live on rumors. What does that have to do with the prince of Loon…?”
“It seems the Duke of Starten has taken an interest in the young lady of Evergreen.”
At Kaisen’s words, the Emperor froze.
“…Michael? That child has shown interest in the Evergreen young lady?”
“If it were only interest in her, that would be better.”
Kaisen clicked his tongue softly.
“I heard he even had lunch with her, invited by the Duke of Evergreen.”
“An invitation from the Duke of Evergreen? You’re saying the duke personally sent Michael an invitation? And Michael accepted it?”
The Emperor muttered in confusion.
Neither of them sounded believable, and he could not tell which shocked him more.
“What do you think their meeting means?”
Kaisen had already stepped closer and whispered quietly.
At the chilling tone, the Emperor’s expression darkened.
“The Duke of Starten has finally begun to move.”
“……”
Instead of answering, the Emperor turned toward the window.
Below him, a wide garden spread out.
As it was the season when life began to bloom, colorful flowers filled the garden.
Young maids walked by chatting happily, while knights patrolled in another direction.
Somewhere, the soft sound of birds chirping could be heard.
Gazing at the peaceful scene, the Emperor slowly closed his eyes.
“…What do you want me to do?”
“Please make sure the two of them cannot be together.”
As if waiting for those words, Kaisen answered at once. The Emperor’s face grew heavier.
“You want me to forcibly separate them?”
“If you arrange more suitable marriage partners for each of them, the matter will resolve easily.”
“…Is that why you brought up the prince of Loon earlier?”
At the Emperor’s question, Kaisen nodded lightly.
“The Kingdom of Loon is wealthy, and the prince is their only heir. It would not be a bad match for the young lady.”
“But the Duke of Evergreen will not stay quiet.”
“I have my own plans. All Your Majesty needs to do is make a decision.”
After listening in silence, the Emperor let out a sigh.
“…I understand your intention for now. I will think about it.”
“I hope you make a wise choice.”
Kaisen smiled gently and bowed.
The Emperor could not fail to notice the threat hidden beneath his polite voice.
“Then I shall visit again soon.”
With that, Kaisen left without hesitation.
Left alone, the Emperor finally opened his eyes after all signs of life were gone.
“…It would have been better if Michael were my son.”
A murmur close to a sigh escaped his lips.
He believed no one was listening, but the Emperor did not know—
That not far away, a tiny rat, smaller than his palm, was hiding.
***
As Father slowly seemed to open his heart while talking with Michael, the conversation turned to monsters, and he began to show real interest.
“I heard that in Ornen, knights regularly go on monster subjugation missions. What kind of weapons do you usually use?”
“It differs by individual, but usually weapons made specifically for subjugation.”
“Usually? Does that mean some don’t?”
“Yes. I personally prefer an ordinary sword rather than a subjugation weapon.”
“If efficiency is the goal, subjugation weapons would be better. Is there a reason you prefer a normal sword?”
I watched Father and Michael’s conversation with mixed feelings.
I should have known from the moment Father started stockpiling monster tools in a territory where monsters barely appeared.
The way his eyes shone as he bombarded Michael with questions was that of a true ‘monster fanatic.’
…No, more accurately, a ‘subjugation fanatic.’
‘And why is Michael answering every single question?’
Anyone would get tired of this.
Yet Michael responded politely every time, without showing the slightest irritation.
From time to time, he even looked at me and smiled, as if asking, “I’m doing well, right?”
‘What on earth is he thinking…?’
As I swallowed a sigh—
Mother, who had been sipping her tea gracefully, suddenly spoke to Father.
“Husband. Shall we stop this topic now?”
With just those few words, Father quickly closed his mouth.
“…Ahem. I suppose I talked too long about pointless things.”
As Father cleared his throat and looked away, Mother smiled and turned to Michael.
“Actually, I had something I was personally curious about as well.”
“What would that be?”
“I believe you are still unmarried, Duke. Is there a particular reason for that?”
I had been staring blankly into my teacup, but at the word marriage, I snapped my head up.
‘Did I hear that right just now?’
Michael also seemed startled, his golden eyes widening slightly.
“…Marriage, you say.”
“If it’s an uncomfortable question, you don’t have to answer. It’s only personal curiosity.”
Mother, please…!
I desperately held back the urge to shout and looked between Mother and Michael.
At that moment, my eyes met Michael’s.
‘…!’
For a brief instant, an unfamiliar emotion passed over his face.
Before I could understand it, he turned away.
“…I simply thought it was not the right time yet.”
“Then it’s not that you have no intention at all.”
“Yes. If fate allows it, it will happen someday.”
Michael murmured as he lifted his teacup.
Mother watched him fondly and asked,
“Then, what do you think of our Cici as your marriage partner?”
“…Pfft!”
The moment her words ended, the sound of water spraying came from several directions.
“Honey, what kind of nonsense is that? Our Cici marrying that man?”
“Father is right, Mother. That is absolutely impossible.”
Father and Eliot jumped up, protesting loudly.
Ignoring them, Mother continued calmly.
“Of course, I’m not saying they should marry right away. Marriage has its proper order.”
“……”
This time, Michael seemed truly speechless and stayed silent.
As if expecting this, Mother softened her tone.
“I only want to hear the Duke’s thoughts. Answer comfortably.”
I could only blink blankly, unable to join the conversation.
Marriage—to Michael, of all people.
‘Is this because I said I had a crush on him?’
Maybe Mother was trying to help me in her own way.
‘But still… I’ve never even dated properly in this world. How can marriage come up so suddenly…!’
As I mentally tore my hair out—
After a short silence, Michael finally spoke again.
“The young lady is far too good for me.”
