Engagent? Why?
Arthur’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected word, but the fragnt of Soladin floating beside him answered the confusion calmly.
“Haven’t you heard the saying that nothing is closer than blood ties?”
Even without the monstrous Benedict Arln, the current strength of the Arln family is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Naturally, they’d desire a connection by blood. Hearing the dry tone, which bore no emotional nuance, Arthur managed to pull himself out of his shock.
The First Queen cares only for the kingdom. She wouldn’t listen to personal feelings.
Yesterday, the sight of that guy dancing with the fairy resurfaced, and Arthur felt a flare of frustration.
“I understand that the intention is to strengthen the connection with the Arln family. However, it doesn’t seem like Benedict would accept the engagent so easily.”
During the last winter break when Arthur trained with the Arln family, he had been threatened by Benedict Arln in various ways.
His words—“If you touch my daughter, you’ll see a horrific sight”—mixed with Benedict Arln’s imposing aura, turned into a terrifying threat.
They had just gotten along casually, and now an engagent?
That day, Arthur truly thought he might disappear from this world.
“Yes. That’s expected. Lord Arln’s love for his daughter is exceptional, so significant resistance is anticipated, but that’s all.”
Just that? Rembering Benedict from the Fairy Forest battle, where every swing of his sword caused an explosive sound, Arthur couldn’t agree with that statent.
“First and foremost, Benedict Arln is a loyal knight. Despite his imnse strength, he’s never shown any sign of rebellion, even when given unreasonable tasks.”
This is why Benedict Arln is respected by everyone in the kingdom, and why, despite Lucy Arln’s nurous misdeeds in the past, the Arln family’s reputation hasn’t been tarnished. It’s why many knights wish to join the Arln family despite the harsh training.
Benedict Arln is the epito of chivalry.
“He may have a fierce appearance, but he’s quite intelligent. While there may be so protests, he won’t go beyond that.”
That’s likely true. Since Lady Arln’s wife passed away, Lord Arln has sharpened his political acun. Though there may be complaints, it’s unlikely he’ll let personal emotions affect his relationship with the kingdom and the royal family.
“And regarding the possibility that the Third Prince may harbor ill will towards you—there’s no need to worry about that. If Lord Arln tried to harm you, what would happen to him?”
Arthur would certainly want to avoid any situation where Lucy Arln would be directly antagonistic toward him.
If harm ca to him, Lucy Arln would make it clear how she’d respond. It was obvious. She might try to manipulate him with malicious intent, but that would be the extent of it. Even that is frightening enough.
“So if you wish, I’m willing to proceed with the engagent. As you said, the Arln family is and will continue to be an essential part of the kingdom.”
“You’re quite considerate. Asking the Third Prince, who has no familial backing, what he thinks.”
The fragnt of Soladin’s words were spot on.
The First Queen doesn’t need to make an offer to . There’s a significant power difference between her and .
Even so, the reason she asked for my opinion is likely out of consideration.
“Objectively speaking, there’s no reason to refuse. It’s not just about being taken as a pawn by a foreign country—becoming the head of a family that everyone is wary of is an opportunity no one in their right mind would let slip.”
‘Even I know that. I’m not stupid enough to miss that kind of cost-benefit calculation.’
From a political perspective, refusing the First Queen’s proposal would be incredibly foolish.
There’s no downside to this deal.
Ah. Of course, if it were soone else, they might find spending ti with that arrogant brat Lucy Arln unbearable, but for , it’s not a problem.
Whether the engagent goes through or not, I’ll still have to play the role of Lucy’s plaything.
Yet, the reason I can’t nod in agreent is because I know Lucy wouldn’t want it.
“Third Prince?”
Arthur’s prolonged silence seed suspicious, and the First Queen called his na.
“This proposal, you see, is also a reward for your contributions. After all, Third Prince, you’ve developed feelings for Lady Arln, haven’t you?”
Her words, as casual as stating that night follows day, caused Arthur’s shoulders to stiffen.
“You’re saying that just as if it’s an obvious truth. You’re suggesting I remain a victim. If the First Queen, known for her bad temper and self-righteousness, pushed this through, who would criticize you?”
What she said was certainly out of respect. Arthur had contributed to rescuing the Fairy Forest, which had been a long-standing headache.
Even knowing this, Arthur couldn’t bring himself to smile.
“You’re just…”
“I refuse.”
Did she really not expect him to reject the proposal? The First Queen’s words were montarily cut off.
“...Why?”
“Are you asking to spend my life with that damn fool who burns up just by being around? I’m sorry, but I’d rather live a long, quiet life. I don’t want to die young from all this frustration.”
It was just an excuse. If Lucy’s words and actions were truly unbearable, he wouldn’t still be her friend.
The one true thing Arthur expressed was this:
He didn’t want this engagent forced upon him.
“Hmmm.”
Had the First Queen guessed his inner thoughts? She narrowed her eyes and smiled more deeply.
“Let’s change the topic. This is a command from the First Queen, the Regent of the Kingdom. Accept the engagent.”
“I refuse.”
“Are you going against the kingdom’s command?”
“I wouldn’t. What happened here will be made as if it never occurred, so what’s the problem?”
“That’s an interesting opinion. Please, continue.”
“The First Queen can’t manipulate through an official channel. Nor can she use shadowy ans. Because I’m Lucy Arln’s close friend.”
Lucy Arln is an incredibly ddleso person.
If her friend is in trouble, she’ll stand by them without hesitation.
Especially if it involves her.
What happens then? The Lucy Arln, who once tried to pull him to her side, would find herself standing on the opposite side.
Using secretive thods would make matters worse. It would give Lucy Arln, along with his close associates and their families, enough justification to speak up.
“Rather than diminishing the royal family’s authority with useless actions, it’s better to make it as if nothing happened. Don’t you think?”
“Quite right. The current Third Prince is soone no one should ddle with.”
Arthur, who once lived under quiet disdain, is now a different person. Though he may not have powerful blood connections, the connections he’s made are plenty strong.
“Alright then. Let’s change the topic again. This is a negotiation. I’ll tell you sothing you’re most curious about.”
“If it’s about my mother, I don’t need to hear it. I’ve already escaped that nightmare.”
He hadn’t fully overco the nightmare.
There’s still a faint darkness in his heart.
But it’s fine. He’s no longer soone bound by nightmares.
“If there’s nothing else to say, then I’ll leave.”
“Huh. Heh, heh…”
Arthur’s mouth closed at the sudden laughter of the First Queen.
It seed like she hadn’t ant to laugh, but she covered her mouth with her hand, trying to hold back, though her smile didn’t fade easily.
Arthur, sweating, tried to figure out what was going on as he glanced at her, hoping the laughter would soon stop.
“Alright. Go back and rest now.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, and rember the royal coronation rites?”
“…I rember all the royal customs.”
“Good. Now, go back and rest. Thank you for putting up with my difficult words.”
Still unsure of what had just happened, Arthur stepped out of the tent. He walked silently for so ti before reaching a secluded spot and letting out a long sigh.
He didn’t regret what he had just done.
No, if he had just nodded without saying anything, he would have been wallowing in self-hatred.
But there was sothing he couldn’t understand.
“What was that laugh?”
It sounded like she was really enjoying it.
“That’s what makes it even more confusing. I’ve never seen the First Queen laugh so unrestrainedly.”
What made her laugh like that? Perhaps if he had acted rudely, the First Queen’s composure had slipped away.
There’s no need to worry too much. Didn’t she acknowledge it? You’ve beco soone who’s hard to touch.
“I don’t need to worry about disappearing tomorrow. But what’s bothering is why she asked about the royal coronation rites.”
There was clearly a purpose behind her question, but Arthur couldn’t figure it out.
What are the royal coronation rites?
“I don’t know.”
…You said you did.
“I know roughly, based on what I’ve seen. But I’m not precise enough to explain it.”
Before he entered the academy, Arthur had morized all the royal customs.
But once he joined, and after asking Lucy Arln for guidance, things changed.
Think about it. How could he have rembered such trivial customs while struggling to move his body through grueling training and trying to focus on new lessons?
How frustrating.
“I’ll look it up. Just try to calm down with your sighs.”
After responding irritably, Arthur stood up, only to face Lucy Arln’s mischievous smile and fall backward in surprise.
“Ha ha. Always so pitiful and incompetent, Prince. How consistently foolish you are.”
Normally, Arthur would have retorted, but today he couldn’t.
The thoughts of the one who saved him, the thoughts of yesterday, and the conversation they had just had kept echoing in his ears, and he couldn’t help but blush.
“Oh? What’s wrong? Can’t you get up? Really acting like an animal…”
“Enough! Enough!”
“Yes~ yes~ I’m the one at fault for being so cute~ I’ll let it slide this ti~”
Right! Lucy is cute!
But why is it wrong to be cute?
I don’t know! But if Lucy says it’s wrong, then it must be wrong!
Had the fairies who provoked the dark god with Lucy stuck by her side?
...Truly dreadful. Do I have to be treated as a toy by them too now?
Sigh. It’s sad that after all this, I’m being mocked like this. But at least I can vent my anger.
“By the way. I had a task, but I forgot because the incompetent prince is so foolish.”
“What is it?”
“You’re being called by the pitiful one. What was it? Sothing about giving sothing to the mold that’s stuck to the incompetent prince.”
Arthur left and the tent was empty. The First Queen, who was processing so docunts with a faint smile, put down her quill and called the person outside.
"I have a favor to ask."
"Yes. First Queen. Please do whatever it takes."
"Would you please bring the First Prince here? I have sothing to talk to him about."
"Is it urgent?"
"Yes. He needs to do what the Third Prince couldn't do."
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