His Majesty in front of is smiling. I hold on with all my might.
"I will consult with you about the future of the nation. You are always welco to co to for advice.
"Oh, with all due respect! I'm afraid I can't help you with that. I respectfully decline."
I was so surprised that I said it out loud. There was a trendous commotion around , but it didn't matter. Who would want to be king?
"As usual, the honorary marquis is very reserved. Oh, I don't need to tell you. I think he's being reserved with your wife Licolette. Don't worry. I've told her well. Licolette is already aware of this reward.
Huh? Rico knows? I never heard you say anything about that. What do you an?
"I'm afraid I haven't discussed this with my wife yet... My wife is the Pri Minister..."
His Majesty's face breaks out in a huff.
"This is my fault! It is true that Licorette has to be queen. It is unprecedented for a queen to serve as vizier. This is my fault. Hahahahahaha!
Her Majesty's voice rings out. The nobles around him are also laughing. Then, the nobles begin to talk in a chorus. His Majesty left the place in the midst of the noise.
"A king... you've co a long way..."
Lyssen next to looks at hatefully. I don't know. It's not what I wanted. I glare back at him and say I'm annoyed too.
I turn and look at Rico. She looks apologetic and won't make eye contact with . Why, Rico? You know better than anyone I don't want that.
I turn to go under Rico. At that mont, one of the guards guarding the venue calls out to from behind.
"Your honor, the marquis. Your majesty wants to see you."
I glare at the soldier. But glaring at him does not change anything. I compose myself and follow the soldier to say a few words to His Majesty.
"I'm sorry for your trouble..."
His Majesty, smiling, spoke to without offence.
"Your Majesty! What the hell was that?
"Excuse , sir. Monsieur Licourette is here to see you."
Rico enters with an apologetic look on his face.
"Rico! Why the hell not!"
"... I'm sorry."
Rico looks like he's about to cry.
"Well, Mr. Linos, sit down. It's not too late to bla Likolette after hearing what I have to say, is it?"
Reluctantly, I sat down in the chair placed in front of His Majesty. And Rico sat down in the chair next to .
"Well... I don't know where to begin. Well, in a word, it is just right for the Empire to have you as King of Juka.
"Just right?"
Think about it. It was our empire that lost the capital of Juka. We can't just leave it like that, can we?
"..."
"When a country is annexed, it is customary to kill the king and all the family mbers of the invaded country, but the situation in Juka is different. Juka, however, is different. It has already been overrun once by Ramallon. And now Lamaron has been defeated, and I hear that the man who was responsible for the civil war in Juka has also been killed. It was my empire, Lord Linos, that did it."
"But that doesn't an I have to..."
"Well, listen. We thought about setting up a puppet governnt in Juka, but that would require prior arrangent. We didn't have ti to do that with this invasion. In that case, we will have to send soone from the Empire to manage it."
Rico turns over and gently shakes my hand.
"A nobleman is only concerned with protecting his house. No matter which house you appoint, they will always drag each other down. But with Lord Rinos, that will be resolved. After all, he is free from the ties of the imperial aristocracy. Furthermore, he is the one who brought down King's Landing with his small army, and he is the one who revived Krumfal and the Duchy of Niza. No need to hide. We will buy his skill in using his vassals. With such achievents, the nobles of the empire will be satisfied with this award."
His Majesty huffs and puffs and continues to speak.
"I recomnded Lycorette to the Pri Minister because I thought she was the most trustworthy and the most suitable person to be his right-hand man. And then there is Lafayence. This man has a great talent for organizing the military system. He is the man I trust most in the Empire. He is to be entrusted to Lord Rinos. Leave the military to him. He has been conspired against once by his own n and since then he has left no stone unturned. In other words, the greatest reward for Lord Rinos is Lafayence."
But I'm not the king...
"Lord Rinos does not have to move. The point is how he is carried. From what I've seen, it seems that Lord Rinos attracts good n. Perhaps if Juka had a Lord Rinos, it would attract good n to Juka.
"Oh, no."
"We will spare no expense in supporting you with people, money, and goods. As I said before, you can utilize the human resources of the empire as much as you like. Krumphal will remain in place.
"I'm afraid you don't have a complete veto on that."
"Ummm. The empire needs you to accept this award. If the Lord Rinos is in Juka, it will show the world that the Empire has swallowed Juka. And my brother-in-law will rule. The empire will be greatly enlarged and its prestige will be greatly increased. On the contrary, the Duchy of Niza, sandwiched between the two countries, would no longer have to worry about its future and could devote all its energy to reconstruction. And Lamaron in the south will be a great threat to the Duchy. Strategically, we can kill two or three birds with one stone."
Rico's grip on my hand tightens. Rico, you're hurting .
"As for Juka, you can do as you please, Rinos. Well, I do hope he cos to the capital a few tis a year. I am sure that he will not take on too much politics, and I am sure that he will be able to restore the devastated city. I will do whatever I can do. What do you think?"
"Linos..."
Rico, his eyes bright red, is talking to .
"With Rinos, I think we can create a country where people can truly live happily. When my brother told about this, I imdiately refused. But after thinking it over, I realized that Linos would be able to create a country where humans, beasts, demons, nobles, soldiers, craftsn, rchants... everyone could live happily. I'm sure that May, Gon, Peris, Ferris, Ruara, Knogen and the others...they will all support Linos."
"No, I'm not sure.
I am very happy to be married to Linos. I am very happy to be married to Rinos, and I am sure everyone who lives with us is too. How wonderful it would be if we could create such a happy country. I know it is very idealistic. I may fail. But..."
"All right, all right."
His Majesty suddenly speaks up.
"If anything should happen to Juka, I will take full responsibility. But only while I and my Pri Minister Gremont are alive. Did not the Lord Linos once say to ... Do not let your fears defeat you. We must be strong, must we not?"
His Majesty smiles with a an look on his face.
"If I fail, then so be it. If you fail, then that's the ti to think about it. It's not every day you get the chance to be king. Now is the ti. There are many people in the world who want to be kings but cannot be, and you, Mr. Rinos, have had your chance. Don't you think you should make the most of it? Things depend on how you think, don't they?"
"...I did not expect such a sermon from His Majesty."
You'll accept the King's offer, won't you?
"You don't have veto power, do you? Then we will just do it, just do it."
"Then it's settled!"
His Majesty rose and urged to go back to the banquet hall.
"I'll introduce you all again. The new King of Juka, Bertham Darke Rinos. From now on, the empire and Juka will not be subordinate to each other, but will be equal, like brothers. He is my brother-in-law, and I ask you all to help him."
The nobles in attendance hang their heads in reverence.
"New King Lafayence, it is with great pleasure that I stand here with you at the beginning of a new country. From now on, I will serve you at the risk of my life.
Lafayence steps in front of , gets down on one knee, and bows his head. I'm not sure I've decided to accept him yet, but....... As I'm thinking this, the old general looks up, smiles at and winks.
"General, I look forward to working with you in the future."
"Ha!"
You still have a nice voice. And before I knew it, Rico was standing beside the old general.
"My husband and the new king, I will serve you with my life."
"This evening is a banquet of joy, all of you. Enjoy yourselves!
His Majesty's clear voice echoed through the large party hall.
"...I wonder if it's really all right..."
I mutter to myself as we ride back to the villa. Today we didn't use Ilimo, but the carriage that picked us up from Miyagi. After that, I had a hard ti escaping from the sales pitch of the Imperial nobles. I would have gone mad if Rico hadn't judged so well.
"It's going to be all right, I'm sure."
Rico takes my hand.
"...you don't like anymore?"
"Of course not. I can't live without you.
That's true, too.
"I don't know what's going to happen now, but we have to do it. Why do I keep attracting trouble?
"You've done all that trouble before. Besides, I will do my best to protect Linos.
"That's very encouraging. I'm so glad you have Rico as your wife."
"I'm glad that Rinos is my husband, too."
I squeezed Rico's hand again. We continued to hold hands until we reached the house.
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