Chapter 79

Phew, I’m exhausted.

As soon as I returned, there was the announcement of my engagement and the designation of the successor. I got caught up in it and was thoroughly messed around by everyone, leaving me completely drained.

In a way, I might have been more tired from this than from fighting the demons at the guild headquarters.

The most exhausting part was when all the important figures from various sectors asked me, "Would you consider taking my daughter as well!?"

I thought, "What kind of proposal is this to a man who just announced his engagement today? Are you out of your mind!?" But since I had just announced my engagement to two people at once, I couldn’t really blame them for thinking, "Why not a third one!?"

So, I somehow managed to dodge the marriage offensive by making excuses, and a grand party was held tonight to celebrate my promotion to S-rank, the victory, my safe return, the engagement announcement, and the official debut of the heir to the throne. It ended with a lot of drinking and revelry.

"Man, I’m tired."

For a commoner like me, such a grand and solemn event is more mentally exhausting.

Can I really make it in this social world where all these seasoned and cunning people are running around, now that I’m going to become the king’s consort by marrying Reslera and have a social status as an S-rank adventurer?

I don’t think I can, even if I were level eight million.

...While I was standing on the castle balcony, gazing at the stars and feeling melancholic...

"Oh... such a gloomy expression. It doesn’t seem like the face of a man who just got engaged."

Someone’s here?

"Are you not happy about being made Reslera’s husband? After all, you only received knight training, and you seem rather rough."

"Starting with insults!?"

Who would say such rude things!?

Then I noticed a lady in an extravagantly luxurious dress standing there.

"You...!?"

"Well, to call a royal 'you' so casually, it seems your arrogance is already showing."

The First Princess, Isabellera!?

"The one who had the throne snatched away by Reslera!?"

"I didn’t let it be snatched away! The competition isn’t over yet!"

What is she talking about?

The successor race was already decided by the current king’s direct designation.

Reslera is the next king.

The people all agreed with open arms, so there’s no way she could make a comeback.

"...By the way, do you know?"

"Know what? The color of your underwear?"

"It’s a passionate red."

Really?

"I’m talking about my foolish brother, Zemnant. He made a huge blunder in his mother’s homeland and was sent back here as a criminal."

"He’s a real criminal, right?"

I was a direct victim of his rampage, but I had completely forgotten about it until now because it was so trivial.

"He brought a country to the brink of destruction, so he deserves to die a thousand deaths. However, Father was too lenient in punishing his own child. He removed him from the royal family, demoted him to a commoner, and confined him in a remote castle. That’s the best he could do."

"Hmm."

I don’t really care.

I don’t think that pampered brat can do anything, and even if he were given power by a demon and turned into a monster, I don’t think he could do much.

It’s fine to keep him locked up for life as the king wishes.

"Anyway, do you know what I mean? When an unqualified person sits on the throne, it brings nothing but misfortune. To the country, the people, and even the person who mistakenly became king. Don’t you think so?"

"Yes."

A wrong person becoming king is indeed unfortunate.

YES.

I agree more and more as I look at this strange woman in front of me.

Reslera is not the right person to be queen.

NO.

It’s just this strange woman’s delusion.

"Why don’t you just give up already? The decision has been made. You’ll never become queen."

"No, I am destined to be the next queen of Centaurian. I was born as Father’s first child. If the firstborn rule applies to common families, why shouldn’t it apply to the royal family?"

She’s clinging to her hopes.

"But you’re a woman."

By general standards, the one chosen to be the successor is the firstborn "boy," right?

"Reslera is also a woman and was chosen as the successor. So, I have every qualification, especially as the eldest daughter with the backing of the neighboring Bransherril royal family. Don’t you think I’m more qualified?"

"Don’t cherry-pick the information that suits you."

"On the contrary, Reslera has no solid backing and can be easily undermined. For example, you..."

This power-hungry woman leaned into my chest.

Ugh, gross!

"Reslera’s only advantage is that she married one of the world’s top S-rank adventurers. In other words, if you can be swayed, the queen’s seat can be returned to me... That’s why I’m consulting you."

Her lips, painted with blood-red lipstick, curled up.

"Would you consider switching to me? I, a legitimate member of the royal family, would be a more suitable wife than a bastard daughter, wouldn’t I?"

"Sorry."

"You can do whatever you want with me, both in heart and body."

"I decline."

Why did you think I would accept?

It’s the day after the engagement announcement.

Even if breaking engagements is a recent trend, this is too much.

"As a commoner, you can touch the noble skin that you’re not supposed to see. Isn’t that the essence of rising to the top? You can feel the thrill of reaching the pinnacle in my bed..."

"Please leave."

"Let me finish speaking!"

But if I have no intention of accepting, it’s better to firmly refuse for both our sakes.

"So, I firmly refuse. It’s impossible. It’s physically impossible."

Even without considering the situation, choosing this woman over Reslera in terms of personality and character is out of the question. She’s the type who would drag her husband down and lead to the family’s downfall.

"Hehehe... If you had been swayed by my charm, it would have been easy, but you’re stubborn. The more difficult you are to handle, the more suitable you are to be my consort."

"You are not suitable to be my consort."

"Talkative, aren’t you?"

I should call for help now.

"But... your will doesn’t matter. You are a commoner, and I am a royal. It’s clear who should obey whom."

"You should obey your father’s decision."

"You know, as a royal born to rule, I have the royal skills to match. If I use them, you will be nothing more than a slave to the future queen!"

The First Princess Isabellera’s eyes glowed bright red.

"Skill: <Charming Princess’s Allure>!"

They say that when gazes meet, lightning strikes, but the red light emitted from the First Princess’s eyes shot into my pupils, reflecting and spreading throughout my body.

The red light permeated every part of me, down to my fingertips.

"Royals are endowed with the royal skills that match their status. My skill, <Charming Princess’s Allure>, makes any man fall for my charm. It’s a skill that can bring down a nation!"

"You’re trying to control me with that skill...!?"

"Commoners are meant to be at the mercy of the royals. You should feel honored that I’m offering to be your partner. To honor that, you should do as I say and help me dethrone Reslera."

"No, I won’t."

"What!?"

I grabbed Isabellera’s face and lifted her up.

"Ugh, ouch! My beautiful face is being crushed!"

"I’d like to treat women with respect, but if you’re going to be a nuisance, it’s different."

"Why!? Why doesn’t my skill work on you!? I should make you fall madly in love with me and offer your country and life to me!"

"Zemnant used a similar skill."

As expected of siblings, they’re both troublesome and evil.

But it’s naive to think that the same skill would work on me, who just returned from a conflict with a brother who had a similar skill.

With my overwhelming level, I can even repel mental influence.