C408. Proclamation Ceremony (3)
"For you, Marquis, it shouldn't be a bad offer either."
At Torimavia's proposal, Alon immediately recalled the princess.
'It was surely... Serena Laksasia, right?'
Serena Laksasia, daughter of Torimavia Laksasia, the Queen of Laksas.
He already knew a few things about her.
Actually, it was impossible not to know her.
In Psychedelia, Serena was a main NPC who assigned various quests to players visiting the Laksas region.
Even her illustration and in-game image were beautiful enough to always make the list voted by players: “TOP 20 Most Beautiful Characters in Psychedelia”.
…Although her ranking always fell outside the top 15.
In any case, that was why Alon also knew quite a bit about Serena. Including that her personality was surprisingly wild for a princess.
Though not the unpleasant kind, but rather that unexpected charm that made her "beautiful but a bit rebellious."
"…I appreciate the proposal, but I will think about it for a bit."
Arriving at that conclusion, Alon replied to Torimavia. At first glance, it sounded like he was asking for time to consider it.
But everyone present understood. Alon was diplomatically rejecting the proposal.
‘I am not interested yet.’
And Alon knew it. It was true that, upon ascending the throne, having a consort was a way to guarantee the stability of the kingdom.
However, he felt no intention of marrying Princess Serena. And above all, the kingdom he planned to build did not need a political marriage for its initial stability.
After all, nobles usually fight for the position of queen when fiefs exist... but in Alon's kingdom, there were no nobles with territory.
Actually, it was impossible for them to exist.
The only thing there was the Marquis's fief and, in the distance, the Divine Land (Shinto).
So, how could there be nobles disputing power?
Besides that, Alon simply didn't want an arranged marriage.
To some, it might seem surprisingly pure considering he had already been living in this world for over ten years... but his thinking had always been the same:
If he was going to have a partner, he preferred it to happen naturally.
"I see."
Torimavia nodded as calmly as possible at Alon's indirect rejection. Then she added another request.
"Then, if you don't mind… could you meet with my daughter at least once?"
"…With Princess Serena?"
"Yes. She has come with me on this occasion."
Alon hesitated at Torimavia's smile.
Actually, he wanted to refuse. But rejecting another request from a monarch who had come in person also looked bad.
…Although, of course, it wasn't a situation where Alon needed to look good.
That's why he hesitated for a moment, but…
"Alright."
He ended up accepting.
"I appreciate your consideration, Marquis."
A faint smile appeared on Torimavia's lips.
After that, both kings returned to the lodging Alon had prepared.
"Good work, Marquis."
Once the guests had left, Evan spoke up.
"…I didn't think the king would come in person."
"I was surprised too. I would never have imagined they would personally attend something like this…"
Cansado, Alon rubbed his eyes while speaking, and Penia agreed.
In situations like this, kings did not attend.
Even if, giving the benefit of the doubt, they were very close to the host…
Currently, for a king to move was too dangerous.
At any moment, bearers of Divine Blood (Shinhyeol) could appear and destroy an entire kingdom.
"Well… I suppose they all want to get ahead and gain the Marquis's favor."
"To the point of going this far?"
"Rumors are already spreading everywhere that Caliban was saved from a Divine Blood thanks to the Marquis's statue, you know? Looking at it that way, their behavior isn't that inexplicable either."
"…Really?"
"You didn't hear?"
"Hmm?"
"According to Silly, right now in the Divine Land (Shinto) there are a bunch of important figures from various kingdoms living there almost full-time… just to ask for a copy of the Marquis's statue."
"…My statue?"
"Yes."
"That one…?"
"That one…?"
At Evan's confirmation, Alon covered his face with one hand.
He was embarrassed.
‘…Why the hell did it have to have that pose?’
If at least the pose were normal, it wouldn't be so embarrassing.
But the statue Deus had gifted him had a posture that never ceased to make him uncomfortable no matter how much he looked at it.
‘…Someday, if the opportunity arises, I should change that pose.’
That thought was short-lived.
"Ah, Marquis."
"What is it?"
"I couldn't tell you before, but today people also arrived from Asteria with gifts, along with House Zenonia and House Altia."
"Yes? Then I must go receive them."
"And a personal letter addressed to the Marquis also arrived."
"A letter?"
"Yes."
Evan nodded and handed him the letter. Alon, with a confused expression, took it.
"This is…"
"It's from Her Majesty."
Realizing it was a letter from Siyan, Queen of Asteria, Alon opened it without hesitation.
Reading it took no time at all.
Actually, not even three seconds.
There was only one line on the sheet.
"Once the ceremony is over, come see me. I'm sure you are curious too."
Alon remained silent.
It was true. Just as she said, he also had much he wanted to ask her.
‘I will go see her as soon as this is all over.’
He then got up to go meet Count Zenonia and Duke Altia.
Just after Alon left the room…
"Are you jealous?"
Evan spoke to Penia, who was quiet.
"…Hmm? What are you saying?"
Penia looked at him as if he were talking nonsense.
But Evan had that expression of someone who already understood what was behind it.
"Wasn't Princess Serena your friend?"
"Well… yes, but…"
"Then, aren't you jealous? After all, it's as if it were an arranged date with the Marquis."
Penia sighed deeply.
"Do you really think I would be jealous over that?"
"No?"
"No."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Why?"
To the quick question, Penia replied as if it were obvious.
"Because the Marquis has NO interest in that. What could happen?"
"…Hmm."
Although Penia was right, Evan didn't stop teasing her.
"Aren't you underestimating your friend a lot? She is a princess!"
"And because she is a princess, the Marquis should be interested?"
"…I suppose not."
Penia let out a short, almost mocking laugh.
"Reading it well… Serena won't even go see him."
"Hmm? Why?"
"Just… I feel like it will be like that."
Briefly recalling the face of someone who would soon be at the Marquis's Mansion, Penia followed Alon.
"…Why?"
Evan was left alone, perplexed.
The First Princess of Laksas, Serena Laksasia.
Taken by her mother to the Marquis's Mansion, she was experiencing a strange episode in the middle of the night.
Although… it wasn't really strange.
It was simply…
"How are you, Princess?"
"…Ah… you guys…"
She was just conversing with two people who had "invited" her.
Serena looked to the side.
There was Yutia Bloodia, Cardinal of Rosario, smiling serenely. And on the other side, Rine Groff, a senior member of the Council of Lartania.
The truth was, Serena did NOT want to be with them.
She knew too well who they were.
In Lartania, several council members who had opposed Rine Groff had disappeared one by one over the months.
As for Yutia Bloodia… there was no need to say anything.
Rosario was practically under her absolute control.
In short, anyone who opposed her ended up dead.
So why was Serena Laksasia there?
Under normal circumstances, she would have no relationship with them.
But unfortunately…
Serena easily understood why she had been dragged to this place to meet alone with both of them.
Marquis Palatio.
They were extremely close to him.
And since the marriage between Serena and the Marquis was being discussed…
Being observed by those two, who were smiling but emanating a deadly pressure, Serena began to think quickly…
And then—
‘…Huh?’
Suddenly she realized something.
‘…What if thanks to this… I manage to avoid the marriage?’
Serena really did NOT want to marry the Marquis.
She didn't find him attractive.
What's more, she disliked him quite a bit.
But even so, she had followed her mother because she knew she could NOT choose for herself whom to marry.
However… what if she took advantage of these two to convince her mother or ruin the engagement?
For Serena, it would be perfect.
And yes, she knew the engagement was important for the kingdom… but she didn't feel too much guilt.
After all, in Laksas there was a Second Princess who DID want the Marquis… but who wasn't considered "the best option," so she would never have been chosen.
So, wasn't it more logical for the sister who actually wanted him to occupy that place?
With that twisted justification, Serena opened her mouth.
"…I imagine the reason you have called me is… because of the engagement with Marquis Palatio, right?"
At the question, Yutia smiled.
"Oh, don't say that. We just wanted to chat with the Princess, nothing more."
"…Chat?"
"Sure. As you know, the Marquis… I mean, our Master, we have known him for many years. We are very close. So we worry… what if someone with other intentions approaches him? Something like that."
…Although was it necessary to kidnap her in the middle of the night?
Serena thought that, but didn't say it.
"Ah, of course, if you truly love the Marquis we won't do anything. He will be the one to decide."
"…Really?"
"But there could be other intentions besides love~"
…They are just saying they won't allow it.
Serena thought about it, but didn't say it either.
"Actually, I must be honest. I have no intention of going through with that engagement."
"Hmm…?"
She brought up the topic at once.
"But the engagement is supposed to go ahead, isn't it?"
"Yes… but that was decided by my mother. I have no interest."
"You have no interest…?"
"Literally, I don't want to marry the Marquis."
Silence fell.
Yutia stared at the princess.
Serena tensed up. There was something in her eyes that deeply unsettled her.
But soon—
"Well… it seems you mean it."
After Yutia's words, Serena sighed inwardly.
"That is correct."
"Then that engagement…"
"As I said, it is my mother's decision. Even if I end up meeting him, it is impossible for anything to develop between us."
Ideally, she didn't even want to meet him. But she murmured that barely in a low voice.
"Mm, then there was no alternative."
"We will take care of that matter."
Suddenly, the heavy atmosphere disappeared as if it had never existed.
"I see the Princess is more sensible than she appears."
"That is so."
They were even praising her. Serena was confused, but…
"Thanks… I guess."
She replied with an awkward smile.
"Then, if you don't plan to marry the Marquis… why?"
The question came naturally. Serena hesitated for a moment.
And then she replied:
"…To be honest, it's just that he isn't my type."
Seeing that Yutia's gaze still contained doubts, she decided to cut off all suspicion and speak with complete frankness.
"Oh~ Really?"
Both Yutia and Rine looked at her with interest.
Serena continued:
"Yes. I know many say the Marquis is handsome… but to me, he seems a bit gloomy. I like men who are more… dashing."
"Aha."
"And besides, since he almost never expresses emotions, he gives a bad impression. It's difficult to know what he thinks. I don't like that either."
"I see."
Both nodded.
Feeling her suspicion fading, Serena got even more encouraged.
"And to be honest, the statue he sent… every time I see it I feel like his taste doesn't match mine in the slightest. I don't find it… elegant, let's say."
And she continued, forgetting the danger.
"Besides, the titles he has… honestly make me feel a bit embarrassed. Like Perfect God, or Lightning God… it's ridiculous, isn't it? He is human."
"…"
"It is impossible to create a romantic atmosphere like that."
"…"
At some point…
The eyes of Yutia and Rine, which were looking at her with interest before, turned completely icy.
But Serena, excited with her venting, didn't notice.
"And if I am even more honest, it seems to me that the Marquis is a bit unpleasan—"
Ah...?
"…Ah……… I… I mean…"
Only then did she realize. When she had finished absolutely ALL the criticisms of the Marquis. Her body trembled. Her pupils, dilated from excitement a second ago, began to tremble with fear.
But it was already too late.
