Chapter 72

“You’re trying to borrow my name to secure legitimacy as a successor, huh?”

This is going to be a disgustingly twisted development.

Well, if the descendants of the Twelve Knights support you, you’d have a huge advantage in terms of justification…

But the opportunity that just flashed through my mind seems like the way to go.

“That’s right. Your exploits in the capital were impressive, but… that alone won’t be enough to cover the infamy you’ve built up. However, if it becomes known that you’re of the bloodline of the Twelve Knights, the story changes. So, they’ll try to get their hands on you by any means necessary. Even through marriage.”

“…It seems the royal family knows my true identity. I don’t recall ever mentioning my mother’s name.”

The imperial family would know that the Medians are one of the Twelve Knights’ families…

But weren’t there only two people who knew my mother was a lady of the Medians?

Marquis Ludwig and Sir Shane.

“I told you. Otherwise, would the empire have accepted the princess of Ka`har?”

You’re confessing so boldly.

“So, you’re the mastermind behind all this?”

“…I apologize. I didn’t expect things to turn out this way. Honestly, it’s a troublesome situation for me too.”

Troublesome?

Are you as troubled as I am, suddenly on the verge of becoming a princess?

I felt like my insides were burning, so I gulped down the black tea in one go.

Without even savoring the aroma, the lukewarm tea flowed down into my stomach.

“So, originally, I planned to persuade you to at least get engaged to Prince Leopold… but since your resolve is firm, I’ve abandoned that plan.”

“Of course, you should abandon it. Unless you want the prince to be found as a headless corpse on the wedding night.”

If that really happened, I might impulsively cut off his head and run away.

After that, I’d have to wear a mask and thoroughly hide my identity.

“Hmm, are you serious? Then, if we proceed with the marriage to the third prince…”

“One prince and one border lord would disappear from the empire.”

“You’re joking. I wouldn’t gamble knowing what could happen.”

Marquis Ludwig forced a bitter smile.

…You’re joking, right, Marquis? You better be joking. Because I’m not.

—

Thinking about it, if I were to formally get engaged to the prince, even if just for show, I could clear out all the other suitors at once.

But that’s impossible.

Not just for psychological reasons, but rationally speaking too.

Even if we agreed to break it off someday and only had a superficial engagement.

There’s no way such an agreement would hold until the end.

I need to grow stronger and accomplish many things with that strength.

The more I do, the more my value will rise.

So, later, they’ll say something like, ‘It’ll be hard to break off the engagement due to opposition from supporters.’

Rejected.

It’s just a sweet bait, a trap I can’t escape from.

One by one, the snacks were all gone.

Marquis Ludwig looked at the empty plate with regret and popped another magic herb into his mouth.

“First, I have a way to suppress the revelation of your lineage as a descendant of the Twelve Knights. But the title of Baron Medians will still be granted.”

“A way? What is it?”

Are you planning to pressure the imperial family using your position as an Elector?

Thinking about the future, that doesn’t seem like a wise move…

“Become my successor.”

“…What?”

I almost spat out the black tea I was drinking.

Did I just hear something completely insane?

Was there some hallucinogen mixed into the snacks?

“This is the best way. If you’re just someone with skill but no real authority, you’ll just be a tempting target. But if you become the successor of an Elector, the story changes. You’d be too big a bite to swallow without choking.”

Marquis Ludwig chuckled leisurely.

“Announce that the successor of the Elector is a descendant of the Twelve Knights? The authority of the Twelve Knights and the power of the Elector. The moment it’s announced, those two would combine. The imperial family would have to be out of their minds to let that happen.”

“…It’s going to stir up a lot of noise.”

It’s not exactly wrong.

First, if we inform the imperial family, we can avoid the worst-case scenario of being revealed as a descendant of the Twelve Knights without any backing.

Later, after building up my reputation, becoming the Marquis’ successor would make me untouchable.

But entrusting the eastern border to a woman from Ka`har is like leaving fish in the care of a cat.

My infamy is a problem, and my father’s lineage is also an issue.

Simply taking me as a wife and entrusting me with the empire’s border defense are on completely different levels.

From passive opposition like not being trustworthy to conspiracy theories that I might open the border and invade with a large Ka`har army.

“That depends on how you handle it. If we announce it now, of course, it’ll be a problem. But looking at your actions so far, aren’t you planning to build a reputation in the empire? If we just inform the imperial family in advance and announce your succession after gaining enough trust and reputation, there’ll be no problem. …After all, you’re planning to cut ties with Or-han, right?”

Are you saying I should fight Or-han to prove I’m on the empire’s side?

Yeah. It’s something I’ll have to do eventually.

“So, for now, I’ll still look like a tempting target to the other nobles. That’s troublesome. I can’t just smash half their heads in.”

“Hmm… I feel like there are some people I want to smash their heads too, but going too far would cause all sorts of problems. Still, if the noble lady agrees to become my successor, I’ll handle it if someone crosses the line and challenges her to a duel. Just try not to kill them, alright?”

Huh? So, does that mean I can beat them up a bit?

That doesn’t sound too bad.

“…I’ll consider it positively for now. But are you really okay with that?”

“Anyway, I have no intention of taking a new wife. It’s better to entrust the succession of the Berengeiria Electorate to a descendant of the Twelve Knights rather than letting it die out.”

…That’s a bit of a微妙 statement.

Half of my bloodline is from the very people who cut off that succession.

Not that I’m connected to them anymore anyway.

Besides, if I don’t produce a successor, it’ll end up dying out regardless.

I don’t know. Maybe I’ll adopt someone when I’m older.

Marquis Ludwig stood up, seemingly ready to leave.

“That’s enough for today. Take care of yourself.”

“Sure. You too.”

I raised my hand lightly in response.

There’s still a lot that’s suspicious, but he’s been quite helpful. I hope he stays healthy for a long time.

As the Marquis was about to leave, he turned back to me as if remembering something.

“Ah, right. The royal family might summon you before the award ceremony. Do remember today’s conversation well.”

A summons from the royal family, huh? It’s a bit nerve-wracking.

I’ll have to make my intentions clear when I go.

—

A few days later, classes resumed.

Since preparations for combat training weren’t complete yet, it was a theoretical lecture held indoors.

For me, theoretical lectures are more helpful, so it’s actually a good thing.

I left the special quarters and headed alone to the main building’s lecture hall.

Asha was busy making my armor, so she didn’t attend.

So, I was just wearing a short top and pants.

I hope it gets finished soon.

As I approached the main building, dozens of eyes turned toward me.

‘Who’s that girl…? I’ve never seen her before. Is she a senior who was dispatched somewhere?’

‘Judging by her appearance, she looks like a priest from the theology department, but she’s not wearing priest robes or a uniform…’

Every student I passed stared at me, then whispered to each other.

With curiosity, admiration, and sometimes even unpleasant looks.

‘Isn’t that Lady Lacey?’

‘Lady Lacey has white hair, don’t you know that?’

‘But still, look at her face. She looks like a saintess or something.’

What are they even saying?

Don’t blush. I’ll remember this.

‘That outfit, that hair color… isn’t she a Ka`har woman…? Like Princess Ai-shan Gi-or.’

“What? No way. How could that monster-like woman be such a beauty?’

‘Monster? She did save us, though. She did look like… something out of a monster tale.’

You guys weren’t the ones spreading rumors about her being a man-eating monster, right?

I’d like to believe you wouldn’t do that after she saved you.

‘…She does look a bit like her.’

‘Maybe she’s her younger sister? Did she come looking for her older sister?’

‘Ah! That could be it. Maybe she grew up in the palace like a rare flower, unlike her sister?’

‘Ohh, the narcissus goddess, ohh…!’

What nonsense. Hersela did have a younger sister, but I’ve never even seen her face.

Given that she never came to the Golden Palace, they probably weren’t that close.

And what’s with that guy calling her a narcissus goddess?

I glanced at him with just my eyes.

…Huh?

Isn’t that the guy who got kicked between the legs by Asha that time…?

…Even after becoming a eunuch, he still hasn’t learned his lesson.

The endless attention continued as I headed to the main building.

It’s annoying. Extremely annoying.

The fixed stares on my face are uncomfortable.

The glances at my legs are irritating.

The focus on my chest… maybe I should just beat them up someday?

Just one stab with a dagger between their legs.

You guys. You’ve already died like thirty times, right?

Even though it’s been almost a month, why is the atmosphere so lively?

I don’t like the depressed, slumped atmosphere either, but this is a bit too much.

…Maybe they’re forcing themselves to act cheerful to avoid drowning in sorrow.

I took out a cigarette, lit it, and tossed the burnt match.

The smoke is especially harsh and bitter today. It’s almost painful to my eyes.

I let out a weak sigh toward the sky.

The white cloud spread out beyond the sky and slowly melted away.

Maybe I should just go back…