Chapter 731

Eleonora seemed reluctant, but Leopold, perhaps unaware of her reaction, continued to persuade her without regard for her feelings.

Maybe he knew but didn’t care.

“You’ve been through this situation before, so you know. Exra-shapel is no longer a safe place. It’s burned down twice in just a year. If this continues, it wouldn’t be strange for a ‘third time’ to happen. I don’t want to keep you locked up in such a place.”

His persuasion was all for her safety.

“……Uh…ah…well…I see.”

Eleonora’s face showed confusion.

“Uh…well, this is just a hypothetical, but what if I refuse?”

She cautiously hinted at her refusal. Though she framed it as a hypothetical, people who say such things usually mean it as their true feelings.

“Is there a reason to refuse?”

Leopold tilted his head slightly and asked back.

“You, who showed such great interest in Marquis Median’s actions, now refuse the chance to be by her side? Is it because you’re burdened?”

…She showed interest in my actions?

Then she’s not a Ka`har supremacist…but why is she so burdened by me? To the point of fear.

Did she find out about my slaughtering and get scared?

No, but she should understand that I have no reason to harm her. There’s no need to be this afraid…

It was utterly incomprehensible.

“Uh, no, it’s not that…it’s more like it’s too sudden…? It hasn’t been long since I reunited with my brother, and now you’re suddenly telling me to leave for a distant place. It’s a bit overwhelming.”

“Haha. Is that so?”

Leopold let out a light laugh. Did Eleonora’s words sound like she just wanted to spend more time with her brother?

For Leopold, who struggled to talk to his sister, this answer must have been secretly delightful.

“Don’t worry. We’ve said we’ll build a kingdom, but it’s not something we’ll start right away. At least, we’ll have to wait until the Nidhogg matter is resolved. I’ll visit often in the meantime.”

But it didn’t seem like he would change his mind.

As I watched their conversation, I realized something anew.

Leopold had said he would ask Eleonora’s opinion, but it didn’t mean he would respect her refusal and change his mind.

Rather, it was the opposite.

Even if Eleonora refused, he would persuade her, so there was no problem. It was a very Leopold-like attitude.

This guy, though he seems polite and obedient, is actually quite self-righteous and stubborn.

—

The conversation dragged on for another twenty minutes.

“……Yes. If my brother is so confident…I suppose I have no choice but to trust Marquis Median and entrust myself to her care.”

Eventually, Eleonora also realized that no matter what she said, she couldn’t overcome Leopold’s persuasion, and reluctantly nodded.

“…That would be for the best…yes, I understand.”

Though her fingertips were trembling.

Honestly, anyone watching would think she was being led to the guillotine. Is joining my ranks such a terrifying thing?

Well, from her perspective as a typical royal lady, a military officer who rose through slaughter and subjugation might be burdensome…but still, there’s no need to be this scared.

…Sigh.

Should I reassure her as her future superior?

“Rest assured, Your Highness Eleonora. I will do my best to protect you. Even if the Ghost Sword were to rise again and target you, not a single blade would touch you before being torn apart.”

I smiled, trying to convey that there was no need to worry, and slightly bowed my head towards her.

“Uh…is that so. Yes, that’s very reassuring. Thank you in advance.”

…It didn’t seem to reassure her. Rather, her complexion turned even paler. Using the Ghost Sword as an example might not have been the best choice.

—

After achieving his goal of placing Eleonora under my care, Leopold continued to chat for another ten minutes before rising from his seat.

“I should be going now. I’d like to talk more, but there are urgent matters to attend to…”

Leopold bid farewell with a voice full of regret. Eleonora smiled lightly and lifted her dress to see him off.

“Take care, brother. Stay safe until we meet again.”

“Yes, thank you. Eleonora, you rest well too.”

“Yes. I hope Marquis Median remains safe as well.”

“Thank you for your concern. I look forward to the day we meet again, Your Highness Eleonora.”

Leopold and I gave her our final greetings, then boarded the carriage waiting in front of the mansion.

“Back to the palace.”

“Yes.”

The coachman, who had been waiting for us, answered curtly and flicked the reins.

As the carriage started moving again, I shared my impressions of Eleonora with Leopold.

“She was different from what I heard.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. She seemed overly cautious…though she tried not to show it, she seemed afraid of me. Is this really okay?”

An advisor who fears the king, when you think about it, is a ridiculous sight.

Better than an advisor who looks down on the king and subtly ignores him…but either way, it doesn’t seem like the country will run smoothly.

“Fear…did it seem that way? Well, Eleonora has lived her whole life in the palace, so she might find you difficult.”

Leopold defended Eleonora.

“Knights and soldiers may praise your valor and admire you…but for those who have lived far from war or subjugation, such stories are nothing but blood-soaked slaughter.”

As if to say it’s natural for a noble lady to be burdened by the Empire’s Greatest Human Slayer.

“Well, I understand…but that’s troublesome.”

I scratched the back of my head and sighed.

“Having a princess who is uncomfortable with me as my advisor. Won’t that just complicate things that should go smoothly?”

“It will improve over time. You’re the type whose first impression and familiarity are as different as heaven and earth.”

…Does that mean my first impression is terrifyingly bad?

Well, honestly, I can’t deny it.

After all, the first thing I showed her when we met was pressuring and interrogating her maid, so it’s no wonder she didn’t feel any goodwill.

Anyway, Leopold seemed to think Eleonora’s reaction was just due to my infamous reputation. My suspicions and unease might just be baseless worries.

“Hmm…if Your Majesty says so…then it must be true.”

I shrugged lightly and agreed with Leopold’s opinion.

Well, as Leopold said, she might just find me awkward and get used to me over time.

The strange sense of discomfort I felt from her or Belnesia might all be just my imagination.

[Do you really think so?]

‘Of course not.’

Just because Leopold thinks so doesn’t guarantee it’s true.

I’m the same, but this guy, most of the things he confidently asserts end up being wrong.

[Then why?]

‘It’s an offer I can’t refuse anyway.’

Leopold’s will was firm.

Though he says he respects my and Eleonora’s opinions…whenever we express negative intentions, he piles on persuasion, so asking for our opinions is just a formality.

In reality, he’s determined to carry out his will no matter what. To place Eleonora under my protection, he must have sensed something off but chose to ignore it.

The incident where Nidhogg swept through the capital must have been quite shocking.

‘Since Leopold won’t change his mind, opposing him is just a waste of time. Rather…’

It’s better to keep her under my control.

If it’s really as Leopold says, that she’s just uncomfortable with me, then it will improve over time. If not…

‘I can order Hersh to keep an eye on them.’

If the reason she fears me isn’t because of my blood-stained actions but something else, she’ll reveal her tail eventually. Hersh can find out and report it to me.

That half-black, half-fairy is unparalleled in stealth.

[Hmm…well, you’ve grown a bit.]

Hersela reluctantly praised me, as if my response wasn’t bad.

I’m not sure if choosing suspicion over trust counts as growth.