Chapter 160: Departure
「Hey, onii-sama, isn’t it about time for my reward?」
「About that, we’ve been in here long enough. Let’s get out before we get overcooked.」
It had been nice having some alone time with Sherry in the bath, but Are’s intrusion had prevented us from truly relaxing. Now, we had soaked for too long, and any more time would risk getting lightheaded.
「Alright.」
I had to admit, her demands had been escalating lately, and I felt the need to distract her a bit.
「Instead, how about you sleep in the inner palace bed tonight? You’ve been saying you wanted to try it for a while.」
Even though part of my duty was to attend to my wives at night, I planned to take a break tonight due to my fatigue.
Just sleeping in the inner palace shouldn’t lead to any intimate matters.
「Really? But if you’re not beside me, and I end up just sleeping alone, I’ll be quite upset.」
「No, I’ll sleep next to you, of course.」 Sherry was sharp; she seemed to read my thoughts.
While I wouldn’t skip sleeping next to her, I had briefly considered inviting someone else to diffuse the situation.
「If we’re sleeping together, I can cuddle, right?」
「Yeah, since it’s a reward, I’ll grant your requests as much as I can…」
As I wondered what she meant, Sherry started snuggling up to me, making her intentions clear.
That level of affection seemed acceptable.
「Can I… maybe also do the ‘munyu munyu’?」
「Sure, but I have one more favor to ask of you.」
I wasn’t exactly sure what ‘munyu munyu’ entailed, but seeing Sherry blush made me hesitant to inquire further.
She seemed quite eager, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Whatever it is, I just need to reward her.
It was best to let her enjoy herself, but I needed to ensure she didn’t get too carried away and end up sleep-deprived.
Sherry, I’ll be heading up. I’ll change into fresh clothes after leaving the bath.
Naturally, Are followed me, flapping its wings. However, I declined its entry into the inner palace. Are tends to disturb the peace, and since it’s feared by the maids and castle guards, it can freely enter the inner palace without anyone objecting. I need to be cautious.
But when I think about it, dragon maidens and the homo archbishop also have free access. Our inner palace security seems rather lax…
「Well, it’s fine. When the hero heads off to the next battle, give me a shout. If you keep accompanying me on my journey, there will be plenty of chances to establish facts.」
「I’d appreciate that you’d be my bodyguard, but there’s no chance for that.」
Cheating is strictly forbidden.
Even though I have seven wives and there is no point in cheating, I still need to draw clear boundaries.
Our security might be lax, but it’s better than having none at all.
「Um, onii-sama. About the favor you wanted to ask…」
「Yeah, it’s related to that. Well, I thought you could join me for a refreshing moment after the bath.」
I take Sherry with me, walking toward the distant outer leaf palace within the inner palace.
「This is where the Germanian Emperor and the Imperial Granddaughter reside, right?」
「That’s right. Sherry, from now on, you’ll have free access here too. Occasionally, I’d like you to check on Elizabeth’s well-being.」
Elizabeth’s playmate.
I’ve been thinking, and perhaps Sherry would be a suitable candidate initially.
Of course, I won’t explicitly ask her to be a playmate.
Sherry is thirteen, five years older than Elizabeth, so treating her as an older sister might work well. Both of them are remarkably intelligent, and their shared position of being forced into adult roles might make for interesting conversations.
「Is that so, Princess Elizabeth…? Indeed, we must ensure there’s no overlap in the little sister position.」
「No, it’s not about that. I simply need a playmate… Wait, I hear the sound of a string instrument. What’s Zither doing?」
In the small pond within the outer leaf palace, a large boat has been forcibly placed. The nonchalant court musician, with honey-colored, long, curly hair that makes her appear much younger than her twenty-four years, plays a triumphant march on her zither.
「Ah, I just had a poetic inspiration.」
「I understand the inspiration, but why put a boat in the pond?」
Where did that boat even come from?
「Apologies, apologies, Takeru-sama! Zither insisted…」
「It’s fine, Eliza. If she wants to play, let her. But making an eight-year-old look so apologetic, Zither!」
Zither only needs to apologize, and I’ll let it slide.
「But when poetic inspiration strikes, I can’t help it! This melody evokes a certain scene. Besides, this pond is too small. Ideally, it should represent the hero’s fleet gallantly advancing across the Siren Sea!」
「Getting defensive and adding more requests… You’re quite something.」
Zither strikes the strings dramatically. As a signal, the boat drifts to the opposite shore. Curiously, Eliza merely pulls a rope in time with the music.
Zither, seriously, what are you making the Imperial Granddaughter do?
Despite being a loyal subject who risked her life to rescue them in the imperial capital, how did it come to this?
「Hey hey, where are you planning to go? Come back…」
Since she’s not returning, I hurry around to the other side.
Zither, seemingly lost in her poetic thoughts, no longer listens to reason. Amidst her enthusiastic playing, she’s turning a triumphant tune into a lullaby. Well, at least welcome the guests, court musician.
「Anyway, Eliza, come down. I want to introduce someone.」
「Yes… I apologize for our musicians every time.」
No need to apologize, Eliza. But perhaps we should consider how we treat your subordinate a bit more.
Zither is an official court musician of the legitimate Germania Empire, so I have no right to complain.
「Well, let’s leave the music enthusiast be. Now, this is Sherry. She’s our slave girl…」
「I have the honor of being oniisama’s little sister, Princess Elizabeth. Please allow me to introduce myself.」
Sherry gracefully lifts the hem of her skirt and performs a proper curtsey. Her intelligence extends to mastering court etiquette.
She’s the perfect companion for the dignified Imperial Granddaughter.
「Takeru-sama’s little sister has graced us with her presence. But a slave girl?」
「Well, you see, Sherry is both my slave girl and the castle’s financial officer. She’s like an adopted-sister, in a way.」
I’m not sure how to explain when Sherry became my little sister.
Somehow, in jest, I started calling her my little sister, and before I knew it, it became an official designation within the castle.
Sherry, a mathematical genius, works diligently as the castle’s financial officer at her young age.
Since she also negotiates budgets with the reformist bureaucrats under Lyle-sensei’s guidance, she cleverly leverages her position as my little sister.
Even though it’s an adopted-sibling relationship, having Sherry as my little sister adds prestige.
With Sherry’s brilliant mind, she’s managed to influence Prime Minister Nicola and enhance her own authority by securing the position as my little sister.
Eliza sometimes says things that are hard to understand.
「Since you are Takeru-sama’s little sister, you will be like a little sister to me too.」
「No, considering the age, she should be the oneesan.」
Sometimes, I don’t understand what Eliza was trying to say.
Sherry too said ‘Since I am oniisama’s little sister, would Eliza-sama really be the elder sister….but if that is the case, what will be the order of the age….’
It’s just childlike chatter, so there’s likely no deep meaning.
Just be sisters.
「Well, today is a formal introduction. Since you might be bored, it’s good to chat with some of the castle residents.」
「In that case, Takeru-sama, your wives occasionally visit us.」
「Indeed, I’ve subtly asked Sharon to pay attention.」
「They’re all interesting people, aren’t they? Especially Steriana-sama.」
「Oh, please don’t get too close to Ria.」
「Is that so? Steriana-sama often shares various intriguing stories.」
That’s the issue. Ria’s influence could taint even Elizabeth. She disrupts moral education. Even Sherry, who was once pure, started calling herself my little sister due to Ria’s influence. While it’s nice that barriers have come down and they’ve become friends, it’s a matter of degree. And Ria tends to exceed those bounds.
「Well, Sherry occasionally visits, and since she’s always busy with castle affairs, feel free to meet her when you’re in the mood.」
「Yes, I’d be delighted to go.」
Elizabeth’s demeanor lacks the usual childlike playfulness. Sometimes, it’d be nice if she acted her age. I glance back.
Zither, as if the muse of poetry descended, balances on the boat’s edge, playing her string instrument with gusto. She got carried away and almost tumbled off the boat. Despite groaning, she continues playing the majestic melody. Quite impressive.
Eliza and Zither, if you add them together and divide by two, it might work out well…
Zither, wholly absorbed in music and nothing else, has transcended mere innocence.
「By the way, as a way to deepen our bonds, would Princess Eliza also like to attend the sleepover?」
Sherry, who had been chatting amicably with Eliza for a while, began to suggest.
Eliza, who had been eagerly anticipating staying overnight in the inner palace, now blushed furiously at the invitation. Seems like there’s a strange misunderstanding.
「A sleepover?」
「Yes, tonight, you’ll have the freedom to spend the night with oniisama in the inner palace. Princess Eliza, would you like to join us? This time, consider it a special invitation.」
Upon hearing this, Eliza’s face turned crimson, almost reaching her ears.
There seems to be some odd misunderstanding going on.
「St-staying overnight in the inner palace… I’m not sure if I’m ready for that. Isn’t it a bit too soon for us?」
「No need to worry. This event is designed to be soft and welcoming even for beginners.」
What are they talking about?
They lowered their voices and continued their hushed conversation. Well, since they’ve become friends, I suppose it’s fine.
Feeling a bit idle, I listened to the music Zither continued to play.
Perhaps due to her Germanian origins, Zither’s solo performance—majestic and evocative—resembled Wagner’s ‘Ride of the Valkyries’.
I’m not well-versed in classical music, but Zither’s wide repertoire, ranging from mellow tunes to high-energy pieces, includes improvised melodies reminiscent of historical masterpieces I know. She truly is an extraordinary musician.
Although she’s ill-suited for the role of a court musician, given how she troubles the Imperial Granddaughter.
Zither might be a kind of musical genius, even if her talents don’t always serve a practical purpose. Quite endearing.
Without a care for his own talent, Zither fervently performed a solo concert only I could hear, all the while tousling his honey-colored hair on the boat drifting in the pond.
As long as she was happy playing her instrument, I supposed it was fine for her to be like this.
※※※
Night fell, and it was time to sleep in the inner palace.
Until a moment ago, the two of them were admiring the grand chandelier glittering with gold leaf and the gilded columns, marveling at their craftsmanship and saying things like, ‘Such fine work.’ and ‘We don’t have anything like this in the Imperial City’.
When it was time to lie down together, the girls told me to wait alone in the bed because they had preparations to make.
I chuckled at the thought of some surprise, but seeing Eliza whispering excitedly with Sherry made me let them have their fun.
After all, I intended to indulge whatever reward Sherry had in mind.
…Or so I thought, but when I saw Sherry and Eliza step into the light cast by the chandelier, I shouted.
「Sherry, what are you wearing?!」
Sherry and Eliza were in lingerie.
Not ordinary lingerie, but the kind inspired by those… risqué books found in the Asama Church that Caroline and Ria wore when they were feeling adventurous.
「How do you like my sexy lingerie, oniisama?」
「Like it? Are you kidding me?!」
To me, Sherry still seemed like a child, though one could say she was a mystical beauty when dressed up.
With her silver hair and pale, translucent skin, the delicate, almost sheer lace lingerie did nothing to conceal her innocence and instead turned her youthful body into something temptingly erotic.
More provocative than being naked, it stirred something within me, which might be why I ended up shouting to hide my feelings.
Watching my reaction intently, Sherry arched her small chest covered by the thin fabric, smiled mischievously, and gave a pleased little snort.
「Ano, Takeru-sama. Don’t you think it suits me?」
「Eliza…it’s too early. It’s something you’ll wear when you’re an adult, so if it looks good on you now, you’ll be in trouble.」
Eliza is blushing all the way to her ears, and she is shrinking her body in embarrassment.
It’s a good thing that girls have a sense of shame, but I feel like there’s something very wrong with being embarrassed at Eliza’s age when they understand the meaning of these sensational underwear.
Really, what is this…?
In this world, panties and bras are luxury items. Silk panties with delicate lace are so precious that they rival the same weight of jewelry. Why are there erotic underwear in small sizes that Sherry and Eliza can wear?
「I financed the budget for these competitive underwear. At that time, I also negotiated with them to have them made for me as well. There was no way I was going to miss out.」
「I wanted that to be removed.」
It seems that Eliza’s underwear is not prepared, but Sherry’s spare.
It seemed like the size wasn’t right for her, and as soon as she walked in, her panties fell off.
「Kyaaa!」
In a hurry, Eliza pulls up a thin pink cloth that doesn’t fit her.
She stumbles and looks like she’s about to cry. Because she tries to wear something she’s not used to.
「Ugh…」
Don’t look at me with teary eyes.
No, even if you don’t crouch down and hide your body, it’s not like I’m looking at you with naughty eyes.
To begin with, we were taking a bath together the other day, right? Why are you so shy? If you’re shy, you’ll end up with a strange atmosphere. Are you doing it on purpose?
All I can do is collapse on the bed in shock.
An eight-year-old child was shown wearing competitive underwear and asked what to do.
I don’t even know what kind of face I should make at a time like this.
「Well then, onii-sama, from now on, the two of us will act as your partners whole night.」
「Haa, Sherry can do whatever she likes.」
I decided not to get into why the sleepover turned into a night party.
Although Sherry looks like this, she is not an idiot like Ria, so she knows her limits.
I see her exaggeratedly pointing three fingers at me, so I guess she’s just joking. Since she is on a bed in the inner palace, she is planning to play pretend like that. Although imitating adults was childish play.
I feel extremely bad for Eliza’s emotional upbringing since she is still young, but there is nothing I can do about it at this stage.
I was also at fault for being fooled by Sherry’s paraphrase of a sleepover and inviting Eliza to the inner palace. Since I was just going to sleep anyway, I decided not to worry about it anymore.
I tried my best not to think about the morally objectionable thin piece of cloth Sherry was wearing, and after blowing out the light, I went to bed.
Sherry rubs up against me, so I stroke my smooth hair with her hand.
I think she may have grown a little too much. Somehow, Sherry looks better with a short cut. When she’s busy, she leaves it alone until it’s a mess, so I think a shorter one would be more convenient.
「Maybe Sherry should cut her hair soon.」
「Oh, oniisama prefers that? Eureka.」
「Eureka? Sherry, you should really think about your relationship with Ria.」
「Sorry, I bit you.」
There are a lot of things mixed up, and it’s slightly wrong. Even though I don’t understand the meaning of this, I’m just saying it anyway, it feels like a sudden feeling…
I know you guys are passing around the ‘books’ that Ria brought in.
It’s too late to warn you now, but there are still some books you shouldn’t read at your age, so be careful.
I have to make sure to forbid the books that the Asama Church deemed to be a bad influence on the world like they are already doing. Well, that’s something I should tell Ria.
「Ah, so what should I do?」
「You don’t have to do anything, oniisama.」
「Hmm, I guess you wanted me to do something with you. Today, I was planning to go out with you no matter what.」
「I’m sorry if I burden you too much. I know it’s difficult for oniisama, so just being with you for one night is enough for me.」
「…you.」
「Onii-sama, it would be painful if you hugged me so tightly.」
Don’t say cute things after you’ve been fooling around a lot.
After having been surprised and appalled, I was completely taken aback.
「But somehow, I feel like I’m being lowered and raised, and I’m completely addicted to Sherry’s technique. 」
「Ah, have you noticed the strategy of creating a gap and increasing your favorability? I’m not there yet though.」
Even in the darkness, I could feel Sherry’s mischievous laugh. There’s no way she’d say it if it was really her plan, so it’s just a Sherry style joke.
I’m going to crumple this girl’s soft cat hair.
「Hey, Sherry. You don’t have to act like an adult in front of me. Don’t think about difficult things, just give your mind a rest once in a while.」
「Takeru-sama is telling everyone that!」
Eliza, who was lying down behind me, patted me on the back. She was a little sore.
Why is your tone dissatisfied?
「That’s right. Since it’s oniisama’s wooing technique, all of our slave girls are falling for it.」
「Hehe, what a bad guy.」
Eliza and Sherry were laughing at me left and right, and I felt a little unbearable, but eventually I couldn’t hold back my bitter smile and started laughing together.
Truly, there is no point in being a good adult if you are being teased and toyed by children.
The little girls who gave me my piece. They’re such excellent cheats, I’m not saying much, but I can’t compete with them.
Well, I guess I made it easy for them to tease me. Well, I’m an adult, so I don’t mind going along with children’s silly games.
I intended it as a reward for Sherry, but that night’s sleepover turned out to be a precious night where I could sleep peacefully.
I thought I was protecting them as an adult, but in reality, I may have been helped by the children.
※※※
The next day, I received a reply to the letter I had sent to Thief King Wake.
The only thing written there was ‘Let’s meet at Brussels, the capital of the Duchy of Transylvania.’
Since it was Wake who said it, I guess what I’m looking for is there.
After a short rest, I decided to leave to face a new battle.