Chapter: 583
Engagement? Why? Arthur’s eyes widened in surprise at the word he hadn’t predicted at all, but the fragment of Soladin floating next to him calmly responded to his confusion.
– Don’t you know the saying that nothing is closer than blood ties?
Even without that monster, Benedict Allen, the current strength of the Allen Family is truly extraordinary.
It’s only natural to desire a blood connection. Hearing the dry tone devoid of any emotion, Arthur managed to pull himself out of his bewilderment.
The First Queen thinks only of the country. There’s no way she would listen to personal emotions.
He recalled the sight of that guy dancing with a fairy yesterday and ended up showing an embarrassing spectacle.
“I understand that it’s to strengthen ties with the Allen Family. However, it doesn’t seem like Sir Benedict would gladly accept his daughter’s engagement.”
During the last winter vacation when he trained in the Allen Family, Arthur was threatened by Benedict Allen in various forms.
His words that if he touched their daughter, he would witness something truly horrific combined with the imposing presence of Benedict turned into sheer terror.
They were just friends, yet he received such caution, and now engagement?
That day, Arthur seriously thought he might just disappear from this world.
“Yes. That would be the case. Lord Allen’s affection for his daughter is special. There will be considerable backlash expected, but that’s all.”
That’s all? Remembering Benedict, who created explosive sounds with every swing of his sword while fighting the Evil God in the fairy forest, Arthur couldn’t agree with that statement at all.
“First of all, Sir Benedict is a loyal subject. Despite having immense force and being assigned countless unreasonable tasks, he has never once shown a rebellious attitude.”
That is the reason why Benedict Allen is respected by everyone in the kingdom, and despite Lucy Allen’s numerous misdeeds in the past, the evaluation of the Allen Family never wavered, and why many knights wish to belong to the Allen Family knowing the harsh training.
Benedict Allen embodies the very essence of chivalry.
“Despite his fierce appearance, he’s a clever man. He will protest somewhat, but he won’t attempt anything beyond that.”
That would be the case. Lord Allen has developed considerable political acumen since his wife passed away. He might complain, but the chances of dragging his emotions into the relationship with the country and the royal family are slim.
“Additionally, regarding the possibility of the Third Prince harboring hostility, there’s no need to worry about that. If Lord Allen were to lay a hand on you, as Lucy’s cherished friend, what do you think would happen?”
I want to avoid a situation where Lucy Allen dislikes me directly.
If he were to harm me, it’s clear how Lucy would react, and there’s no way he would make such a mistake. At most, he’d just harbor a great deal of malice towards me.
Even that is terrifying.
“So if that’s what you desire, I’m willing to proceed with the engagement. As the Third Prince mentioned, the Allen Family will be, now and in the future, a necessary entity for the kingdom.”
– Truly overflowing with consideration, asking for the will of the Third Prince with no backing from the family.
What Soladin’s fragment said is right.
The First Queen doesn’t need to make proposals to me. There’s a significant power disparity between her and me.
Still, the reason she asked for my intention is probably out of consideration for me.
– Objectively speaking, there’s no reason to refuse. It’s not like being treated as a hostage by another country is any better. An opportunity to become the head of a family that everyone else fears must not be missed.
‘I’m not that stupid to not be able to make that kind of profit and loss calculation.’
From a political standpoint, rejecting the proposal offered by the First Queen would be utterly foolish.
There’s nothing but gains to be had from it.
Ah. Of course, if it were someone else, they might dread spending time with that arrogant little Lucy Allen, but that’s not a problem for me.
Whether the engagement takes place or not, I’ll still be playing the role of her toy.
Yet the reason I can’t nod my head is because I know that she wouldn’t want this.
“Third Prince?”
Seeing Arthur deep in thought for a long time, the First Queen called out his name.
“This proposal, you see, is also a reward for your contributions. After all, you have feelings for Lady Allen, don’t you?”
The words spilled out as if she were stating the obvious, like saying that night follows day, making Arthur stiffen.
“You should just remain in the victim’s position. If the unpleasant, selfish First Queen were to push this through, who would blame you?”
Her words are undoubtedly considerate. It’s respect towards Arthur who contributed to saving the long-standing headache of the fairy forest.
Despite knowing this, Arthur couldn’t bring himself to smile.
“You just.”
“I refuse.”
Did she really not expect him to reject this marriage proposal? The First Queen’s words were momentarily interrupted.
“…Why?”
“That damn brat would set my insides on fire just being near him for a moment. You want me to spend a lifetime with him? Sorry, but I’d rather live long and slender if I could help it. I don’t want to die young from pent-up anger.”
That was merely an excuse. If Lucy’s words and actions were truly unbearable, he wouldn’t still be friends with her, would he?
In what he just said, there was only one truth.
He just didn’t want to proceed with this engagement in such a manner.
“Hmm.”
Had she guessed his true feelings? The First Queen narrowed her eyes and deepened the smile on her face.
“Let’s change the topic. This is the First Queen’s order as the acting authority of the king. Accept the engagement.”
“I refuse.”
“Are you defying the royal command?”
“Of course not. What happened here will be treated as if it never occurred, so what’s the problem?”
“Interesting opinion. Please continue.”
“The First Queen cannot mislead me through an official occasion. That said, you cannot utilize the dark side either. Because I am a close friend of the Lucy Allen you care so much about.”
Lucy Allen is an extraordinarily meddlesome person.
If her friend is in trouble, she would stand next to them without hesitation.
Especially if it concerns herself.
So what happens? Lucy Allen, who had tried to draw him to her side, would end up standing on the opposite side.
If the dark side were to get involved, the situation would escalate even further. In creating such justification, not only Lucy Allen but also his acquaintances and even the families they belong to would have their voices raised.
“It would be better to make it as if nothing had happened than to engage in futile acts that would lower the authority of the royal family. Wouldn’t it?”
“That’s accurate. The current Third Prince is someone who should not be touched lightly.”
Arthur, who once had to live under subtle disdain, is different from the current Arthur. He may not have the backing of blood, but he certainly has connections forged through relationships.
“Alright. Then let’s change the topic again. It’s a negotiation. I’m going to reveal the information you’re most curious about.”
“If it relates to my mother, I don’t need it. I’ve already escaped from that nightmare.”
While he hadn’t fully overcome the nightmare, within his heart lay a faint darkness.
But it’s alright. He is no longer a person entangled in nightmares.
“If you have nothing more to say, then that’s it.”
“Ha. Hahaha.”
At the sudden sound of the First Queen’s laughter, Arthur clamped his mouth shut.
It seemed that the First Queen didn’t expect to find herself in this situation either. She covered her mouth with the back of her hand, trying to stifle her laughter, but the smile wouldn’t easily fade.
Sweating in confusion, Arthur cautiously looked at the First Queen, waiting for her laughter to subside.
“Alright. You may now go back and rest.”
“Thank you-”
“Oh, by the way, you remember the ceremony for a prince’s coming-of-age, right?”
“…I remember all the royal protocols.”
“That’s sufficient. You may now go back and rest. Thank you for dealing with my mischievous remarks.”
As Arthur stepped out of the tent, puzzled by the whole situation, he walked for a while in silence before finally letting out a sigh after reaching a secluded area.
He didn’t regret what he had just done.
No, rather, if he had just nodded along without saying anything, he would have been wallowing in self-hatred.
But there is a part he simply cannot understand.
“What was with that laugh?”
– It sounded rather pleasing, yet.
“I don’t know why. I’ve never seen the First Queen lose her composure like that.”
He has no idea why such laughter slipped out. They say laughter comes out when someone is enraged, but did my rudeness drive the First Queen to lose her composure?
– No need to worry too much. The First Queen has said it herself. You’ve become someone who’s not easy to deal with.
“I guess I don’t need to worry about vanishing tomorrow. What’s strange though is that she asked about the coming-of-age ceremony.”
The question that popped out without any context must have some meaning, but Arthur found it utterly incomprehensible.
– What’s the coming-of-age ceremony?
“I have no idea.”
– …But you said you did?
“I have a rough idea because I’ve seen it. But it’s not accurate enough for me to explain.”
Until he entered the academy, Arthur had meticulously memorized all protocols.
However, after joining the academy and asking Lucy Allen for lessons, things changed.
Just think about it. In a situation where he forced his body, feeling like he might die any moment from daily training while having to remain committed to new lessons, how could he leave room in his head for trivial protocols?
– That’s frustrating.
“I’ll look it up right away, so try to hold back on sighing a bit.”
Responding to the annoyance with annoyance, he stood up only to be startled by Lucy Allen’s playful laughter, causing him to tumble back.
“Kuhuhuh! You’re always such a pathetic and incompetent prince. It’s truly foolish how consistent you are in this regard.”
Under ordinary circumstances, Arthur would have had a retort for Lucy, but today he couldn’t.
The image of the one who saved him came to mind, yesterday’s Lucy danced around his thoughts, and the conversation they just had echoed in his ears, making it hard for him to hide his flushed face.
“Oh? What’s the matter? Have you become unable to get up? Such a beastly…”
“Cut it out! Enough!”
“Yes~ Yes~ It seems it’s my fault for being too cute, huh? I’ll let this one slide~”
– Yeah! Lucy is cute!
– But why is being cute a fault?
– I have no idea! But if Lucy says it’s a fault, then it must be!
The fairies that were provoking the Evil God along with Lucy seem to have attached themselves to her.
…That’s truly horrific. Am I now to be treated like a toy by those little creatures as well?
Sigh. It’s tragic that I came back at odds with the First Queen only to be laughed at like this. But well, it’s nice to be able to vent my anger freely.
“By the way, I did have something to discuss, but the incompetent prince was so foolish I forgot for a moment.”
“What is it?”
“The Sympathy Brat is calling for you. She said something about giving something to the moldy prince clinging to you.”
*
After Arthur departed, the empty tent with a giggle handled a few documents before the First Queen set down her quill and summoned someone from outside.
“I have one request.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Please ask anything.”
“Could you bring the First Prince here? There are things we need to discuss.”
“Is it urgent?”
“Yes. It’s because he must do what the Third Prince couldn’t.”
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