Marriage.
A formal contract that connects a man and a woman as a couple.
Through marriage, the smallest social unit, the family, is formed, and the future is nurtured through childbirth.
However.
It’s not just these points that emphasize the importance of marriage. Is it the fact that it’s the most significant event in a person’s life? Not that either.
Monopoly.
The important point is that one can monopolize the one they love.
Human emotional exchange is somewhat similar to nurturing a potted plant. It’s a two-way communication, and it’s impossible to fairly distribute love; the way one interacts with another also varies.
Marriage simplifies all of this.
It clears a good chunk of human relationships and allows one to share love with just one person for a lifetime.
“…”
That’s why Solana and Hedera couldn’t help but react sensitively. Because marriage was mentioned.
The two princesses thought simultaneously.
‘This is nuts.’
They couldn’t bring themselves to say it out loud.
They had a hunch, but never expected it to come at them so boldly and directly. It was totally unexpected.
They had to stop it first.
While there are many reckless people in the world, Ether was a woman known for making things happen. She doesn’t just think of outrageous ideas; she actualizes them.
‘…Are you planning to kidnap and run off to the North?’
Since it was impossible to predict what extreme actions she might take, receiving a letter didn’t bring any comfort. Naturally, Hedera and Solana’s heads were spinning with thoughts.
“May the blessing of the Sun God be with you…”
In the end, Solana broke the silence again.
“Isn’t it a beautiful blessing that two like-minded individuals come together to form a family? But an unwanted marriage can also become a seed of disaster. I can’t just cheer for it blindly.”
At this, Ether slightly frowned.
“Of course, I will do my best. You need not worry about the seed of disaster you mentioned… I am confident I can be very devoted to my family.”
“No? That is also a problem.”
Solana looked directly at Ether.
“Isn’t it the case that the 1st Princess, who is the Empire’s top power, declaring she will focus only on her family means she will ignore any crisis that may arise on the continent?”
“You, you’re quite accurate with your spelling in situations like this. I thought there were quite a few difficult words.”
“…Stop dodging the question. Anyway, doesn’t declaring to be devoted to family mean you intend to neglect your duties as the 1st Princess under the pretext of marriage?”
After saying that, Solana joined her hands and offered a short prayer. And then smiled kindly again.
“The reason the princesses of the Empire can do their best is that we believe each will fulfill their role and reach out. Since the 1st Princess seems to have made an unfortunate judgment, I must dare to stop you.”
“…”
“Sisterly affection is just that, isn’t it? We should stop each other if we are doing something wrong.”
At this, Ether smiled slyly.
“You two are quite cute today.”
“The problem is not just that.”
At that moment, Hedera chimed in supportively.
“Once a hole is pierced in order, it can shatter into pieces in an instant. I’m sure as the 1st Princess who commands a multitude of soldiers in the North, you understand this very well.”
“And?”
“Other princesses might not think much at first. But eventually, they might start thinking about getting married themselves, right? By that time, the power loss will be significant.”
“Hmm.”
Ether quietly rubbed her chin.
“There are five princesses in the Empire. You know this, right?”
“Strictly speaking, there are six, but… no. It’s five right now. Yes, let’s go with five.”
“Set an example as the leading princess.”
A moment of silence fell in the reception room.
Hedera and Solana gazed at Ether intently. They wanted to hear her reaction.
But unexpectedly, Ether laughed once more.
“First of all, you needn’t worry so much.”
“…Why?”
A confident expression swept across Ether’s face.
“Listening carefully, it seems what you are worried about is that… now that I’ve become a wife to a man, I won’t be able to perform my duties as the 1st Princess.”
The 1st Princess lifted her chin slightly in arrogance.
“You seem to misunderstand, thinking your abilities are insufficient; I’m a woman capable of managing both my family and my duties as the 1st Princess. You underestimate me.”
“What…?”
Solana and Hedera’s eyebrows twitched.
“1st Princess, that’s going too far.”
“Going too far? Me?”
Ether scoffed.
“You two hiding your true intentions and launching a joint attack on me isn’t at all going too far, but when I point it out, that’s going overboard?”
Ether radiated an ominous aura, still laughing.
“Would you care to answer? Either of you.”
“Hmm.”
Solana remained silent.
“And to say the continent’s power is weakening?”
A smirk crept onto Ether’s lips.
“No, no. The continent’s power will strengthen. I think I should have about twenty children and raise a legion.”
“…”
Hedera and Solana thought at the same time.
‘She’s serious. She really means to have children.’
‘…Does she think giving birth is like hunting?’
It was at that moment Ether shrugged her shoulders.
“First of all, when did we ever get along well enough to worry about each other? Who marries whom has nothing to do with us. We’ve never cared even a bit about each other’s lives.”
Ether twisted her mouth.
“If you’re unhappy about my marriage, the other princesses should just find their matches and marry too. It’s obvious yet you still change the subject…”
She lightly slapped the desk with her palm.
“…Aha, I see you’re all on a mission to be teachers, huh?”
“…”
In such a power struggle, logic tends to matter little. What mattered, however, was that Ether alone had directly mentioned marriage and was pushing for it.
Hedera used the operation of the Magic Tower as a reason, and Solana cited the peace of the continent.
Since they had both made false claims from the start, it was a bit challenging for them to rebut completely.
─It’s definitely not because of Ezekiel.
They couldn’t say it confidently. It was a lie from the get-go, and they couldn’t guess how they might later be caught up on such remarks.
“I’m a woman who doesn’t care much for morality or law. The one thing I learned in the North is that if you want something, you hunt and seize it.”
Essentially a declaration of war to seize Ezekiel.
“Don’t forget that I have never failed in a hunt even once. Even if the target is a teacher, as long as it’s a competition, I will win for sure.”
Yet no one could easily refute those words.
Hedera and Solana exchanged silent glances.
‘You messed up on your words.’
‘You were the one who was ambiguous, which led to this.’
Since their attitude had begun with a lie, it was impossible to blame Ether for her unyielding stance. Soon enough, Solana and Hedera narrowed their eyes simultaneously.
In this case, there was only one way.
…To call it a night and talk again later.
Hmm… yeah, that was the only option.
“May the blessing of the Sun God be with you.”
Solana took a breath and shouted the slogan.
“It seems the 1st Princess has gotten a bit too excited. The infirmary is nearby, so let’s calm down all three of us.”
“When it was time to bite, you were fierce, but now that it’s disadvantageous, you want to stop~?”
Ether shrugged her shoulders.
“You were showing your teeth like a hunting dog, and now you want to roll over like a pet~?”
“I never bit you at all, but if you felt offended, I apologize. Please forgive my rudeness with the broad generosity of the North’s snowy fields.”
I will never acknowledge that accusation of biting you, but I’m such a good person that I’ll step up first and acknowledge it and even apologize. Be grateful.
…Is it just me? That’s how it sounded in Ether’s ears.
“Still, let’s lower our voices. The teacher is trying to stabilize herself. It’s not good for the patient.”
Hedera quickly seized the moment.
“I agree. The safety of the patient is the priority.”
“I can see through the schemes of these rascals. Now that it’s disadvantageous, you use the health of the patient as leverage? How cute.”
“I don’t even know what that means. Anyway.”
Hedera elegantly took a sip of tea with her mask resting on her chin.
“Until the Inspector wakes up and regains consciousness, let’s avoid direct contact. We can discuss this after she regains consciousness anyway.”
“Of course. The wishes of the party in question are important. Meeting right after she wakes would be dangerous. We should give her at least three days.”
Solana nodded fervently.
At that, Ether laughed loudly and heartily.
“You’re truly struggling. Alright, I’ll give you everything you ask for. Just remember this point: you are destined to marry me. Let’s meet again three days after the teacher awakens.”
Ether rose from her seat as the conversation in the reception room came to an end.
Their opinions remained unshaken.
So many different thoughts.
So many different lives lived.
Yet.
In this moment, just once, all of their opinions intersected.
‘I got a proposal letter, you primitive rascals.’
‘I was the one who received the proposal. If this goes into a long game, I’ll win.’
‘I got the proposal letter anyway~’
All three women smiled confidently.
The sleeping Ezekiel had no idea.
That an unanticipated, no, a storm that no one could have anticipated was approaching him.
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