Chapter 67

“A proposal? Surely, there can’t be such a fool.”

It shouldn’t exist. Just the thought of it gives me goosebumps all over.

Yeah, I get it. I’m aware that my face falls under the “handsome” category.

Whether it’s because of Hersela’s notorious reputation or my fierce eyes, thankfully, no one has ever shown interest in me in that way.

Thanks to that, I’ve been able to live without much concern…

But if Freide’s words are true, things might get complicated.

And in a direction I absolutely don’t want.

Because of my injuries, my eyes have lost their edge, so I don’t seem threatening at all?

No wonder that young fourteen-year-old apprentice priest wasn’t scared of me at all.

At the time, I just thought it was because they were young and didn’t know much about me…

But turns out, all the pressure and intimidation had already vanished.

A sense of tension weighed on my shoulders. Different from the tension of battle, though.

Thinking about it, given my status, it’s possible that some lunatics might start drooling over me.

“If only they could have me…”

Ugh.

The image that flashed through my mind made me nauseous.

It felt like a caterpillar was crawling into my ear, wriggling around inside.

Suppressing the discomfort, I continued my train of thought.

Right. If someone forms a strategic alliance with me, it would be a groundbreaking opportunity for status elevation.

Bringing someone like me into their family—a top-tier warrior with limitless potential and a possible foothold with the eastern Ka`har tribe.

Even though the Ka`har are despised as barbarians, now that the Empire has acknowledged the treaty, their princess is officially treated as royalty from another nation.

So, that man… would also be recognized as a prince consort of a foreign nation.

Some might even hope that Ai-shan Gi-or could one day become an Elector of the Empire, like the Pale Moon.

If that happens, they’d be related to an Elector family, instantly becoming one of the Empire’s top nobles.

Foreign royalty is ultimately just treated as royalty, but Electors are the Empire’s core powerholders.

So, rationally speaking, it’s a reasonable judgment.

Of course, I understand, but that doesn’t mean I accept it.

I have no intention of returning to the Ka`har, so the whole “foothold” thing is impossible, and the peace treaty won’t last three years anyway. It’s all a pipe dream.

Proposals, engagements, courtship—I have no intention of accepting any of it. It’s unpleasant.

Once my body fully recovers, my eyes and demeanor will return to normal, so it’ll be fine.

Right?

“Well? Who knows.”

My expression must have been hilarious, because Freide kept laughing annoyingly.

Thinking about it, this woman has changed a lot too. At first, she openly showed her disgust for me.

Now, she’s visiting my hospital room, teasing me and laughing.

Even though she’s someone who can gain favor by killing beastmen, isn’t her shift in attitude a bit too fast?

Still, this is better than her being constantly irritable. Go ahead, laugh.

Dismissing the laughter as background noise, I opened the royal invitation and pulled out the letter.

The corners were gilded, and the royal emblem at the top was adorned with powdered gemstones—a ridiculously extravagant piece of paper for something disposable.

Well, that’s royalty for you. People who need to prove their authority through luxury.

The letter was filled with flowery language and endless embellishments.

Aside from the part praising my achievements, it was essentially about the award ceremony, just as Freide had said.

Once the capital’s restoration is complete, they plan to hold a large-scale memorial service for the victims.

There, they’ll award the academy students who fought off the beastmen warriors for their merits.

The details of the awards and the exact date aren’t finalized yet, but it’s likely to happen in about 40 days.

“A royal award ceremony… I have no idea how to prepare for that.”

I felt a bit overwhelmed. I don’t know the etiquette required for such an occasion.

“There’s not much to prepare. Just wear your academy uniform, kneel, and respond properly. They’ll probably rehearse the basic procedures beforehand, and the royal family won’t expect more than that from students.”

The academy uniform… I think I stuffed it somewhere in the closet. I’ll have to check later.

If I only have to wear it for one day, I guess I can manage.

“After the ceremony, some nobles might come to greet you, but you can just handle it as usual.”

“As usual”? What a vague statement.

I guess it means I don’t need to be overly polite?

…Not sure if I can trust that.

Well, I’ve even growled at Marquis Ludwig, so most nobles below him probably won’t matter.

—-

“Well, I’ll head back now. Get some rest. And maybe start thinking about how to respond to all those love letters flying your way.”

As I pulled out Marquis Ludwig’s letter, Freide got up to leave.

Still teasing me till the end.

Her tone and attitude have softened quite a bit, so I guess this is her way of showing favor…?

It feels like taming a temperamental cat with treats.

Well, it’s a good thing, I suppose. It’s better to stay on good terms with the northerners.

“Alright, go ahead.”

I casually replied to Freide as she left the room and opened the last letter. It was from Marquis Ludwig, addressed to me, not Nigel. What could it be about?

The letter was as rough and neat as Duke Pailoon’s. Is this the simplicity typical of borderland nobles? The Empire’s language filled the white paper with tidy handwriting.

—

Princess Ha-shal-leur Ai-shan Gi-or.

I heard about the tragedy caused by the Suin. Truly a shocking event. I can’t believe the capital’s defenses had become so lax. For such a large-scale riot to occur without anyone noticing the signs…

Perhaps it’s because peace lasted too long. All sorts of enemies are just waiting for the Empire to show weakness.

I salute your efforts. I heard you showed unwavering loyalty to the Empire, risking your life. Has something changed in your heart?

Rumors of your dazzling exploits have reached even this barrier. Given the distance, they’ve been quite amusingly distorted.

They say the Knight of the Goddess descended upon hearing the Empire’s cries, protecting the capital. Or that a half-blood Suin woman slaughtered all the other Suin. There were even tales of a secret master trained by the Imperial family finally revealing themselves.

Isn’t it amusing? That’s how rumors are. By the time it reached the absurd rumor of a grotesque monster devouring the Suin’s flesh and blood, even I couldn’t help but chuckle.

I’ll take it as just rumors.

I also heard about Sir Nigel. Thanks to you and Princess Pailoon, he barely survived. I’m grateful. I owe a great debt to Pailoon as well.

Please continue to take care of Sir Nigel.

Now, back to the main point. It seems the Imperial family has taken a keen interest in you after this incident. That’s why I plan to visit the capital soon.

I’ll come by before the award ceremony. There are many things you must know about the Imperial family. And besides that, I have something important to discuss with you.

P.S. I also read Sir Nigel’s report. I approve. You may freely use up to seventy gold per month from now on. You’ve proven your worth.

And though it’s not my place to say, maybe cut back on the mana potions.

Ludwig Wilhelm von Randenburg.

—

I put the letter down and looked up at the hospital room ceiling. The plain beige ceiling had only a rough mana lamp hanging from it. Since it wasn’t dark yet, the light was off.

The rumors were absurd. A Knight of the Goddess, a half-blood Suin, a secret Imperial weapon? Really, all sorts of stories are going around. Well, rumors do tend to get distorted the further they travel.

Ironically, the most absurd rumor—the one about the monster—was the closest to the truth. Did someone actually see that scene?

I sighed. First, I’m a Ka`har woman who eats children, and now a monster that devours Suin?

…Well, they’re just rumors, so the weird stories will die down eventually. No need to worry.

I put the read letters back into the envelope and placed them on the table.

By the way, what does the Marquis want to discuss with me at this point? Something about the Imperial family’s succession disputes? Or…

Well, it’s good timing. I have questions too. I should start asking about my mother, Ai-mel-ra de Median.

I lay back down on the bed.

There’s a lot to think about—nobles, Imperial family issues. But for now, I just want to rest.

Freide’s story was more shocking than I thought, and my head feels dizzy, like I’m drunk.

Right. Recovering my health is the top priority now, so I should rest properly. Once I recover, half of my worries will probably resolve themselves.

Alright then.

—

I had a creepy nightmare.

Dozens of greasy-looking men were praising me and handing me gifts.

Bouquets of roses, embroidered handkerchiefs, and even dresses that revealed more than they covered.

In the midst of it, a blond Dane in a tailcoat knelt and presented an axe… Knut, why are you popping up here?

I set it all on fire.

—

When I woke up, I was drenched in cold sweat.

What kind of dream was that…? This is all Freide’s fault.

Even my hospital gown and bed were soaked, so I asked the priest to change them.