Chapter 289: The Fated Partner
The entire royal capital was abuzz, celebrating my wedding to Eliza.
It felt like the marriage had just sort of happened on its own.
But still—fifteen is considered adulthood? What’s the law around here even saying? Getting married at nine is just absurd.
First, I should probably find Eliza’s guardian.
With her clinging to my back, I wandered through the castle, piggybacking her around.
「Congratulations, husband-sama.」
Spotting Sharon as she wheeled a cart of food, I called out to her. Even though I’d told her there was no need to work as a maid anymore, she’d always lend a hand whenever things got busy at the castle.
「Thanks… Wait, where did the delegation from Germania go?」
「If you’re looking for the Germanian entourage, I believe they’re in the grand hall. They’re hosting a banquet there today.」
Since she was already headed that way to deliver food, I followed Sharon to the party venue. 「Eliza is absolutely adorable!」
「Uh… yeah…」
Technically, Eliza was the Emperor, so maybe a nickname wasn’t exactly right.
As I was thinking that, Eliza climbed down from my back and bowed to Sharon, saying, ‘Please take care of me from now on.’
「If there’s anything you need around the castle, you can ask me or Sherry.」
「Yes, Sharon-sama.」
With a quick ‘I’ll show you around’, Sharon gently led Eliza off, seamlessly taking her under her wing.
Sharon was truly exceptional at caring for others, given her role overseeing the harem and watching over all my children.
「Now then, about the Germanian delegation…」
「Oh, Silesie’s Hero-dono! Congratulations! It seems I should now address you as our liege. With Her Majesty Eliza and yourself, I hereby pledge my loyalty to you both.」
A towering man with an orichalcum shield on his back appeared, as solid as a rock.
「Guardian Knight Herman.」
He was now one of Germania’s prominent leaders. Besides his role as the Emperor’s personal guard, he’d been granted quite a high-ranking position, yet he still saw himself as just a knight.
Wearing full armor to a party might seem over the top, but even this strict man seemed more relaxed today. He already looked merry from drinking.
「Hahaha! Now our nation can rest easy. I’m sure His Majesty Conrad back home is overjoyed as well.」
「So, Emperor Conrad couldn’t make it?」
For the aging Conrad, such a long journey would have been grueling. If he’d only mentioned it, I could have arranged teleportation.
「Lord Mainz has come as his representative.」
「I see, so Mainz is in charge here.」
With Herman, I made my way to the balcony where Mainz was supposed to be.
Standing on the castle balcony overlooking Silesie was the elderly General Mainz, chatting with Eleonora’s butler-knight, Seneschal Kato-san.
They looked like a pair of silver foxes, side by side. Eleonora must be here if Kato-san came along as well.
The two, close in age, seemed to enjoy each other’s company.
「Lord Mainz.」
「Ah, Silesie’s Hero-dono. Or should I say, my liege?」
I’d just heard that line from Herman.
Both Lord Mainz and Kato were dressed in casual doublets.
As formalwear for a banquet, it was quite relaxed. Now that I think about it, this was my first time seeing Mainz without his armor.
「We were just talking about how we both feel like a weight’s been lifted from our shoulders.」
The silver-haired butler-knight, Kato-san, sipped his wine slowly, relaxing on the open balcony.
The sight of these two, seasoned with age, was picturesque.
I couldn’t help but hope to age as gracefully someday, but now wasn’t the time for that kind of reflection.
「Mainz, Eliza is only nine.」
「Then there’s no problem at all. The Germanian imperial family amended the law to allow marriage at nine.」
I never expected them to go so far as to change the law. That must mean it was Eliza’s wish to marry me.
「Why go to such lengths to marry me to Eliza?」
「… Silesie is a beautiful city. Hard to believe it was ravaged by war so recently.」
Ignoring my question, Mainz gazed out over the city with narrowed eyes.
From the balcony, I could see the bustling plaza alive with the festival for the wedding. I even caught sight of a crepe stall by the Sawatari Company, which gave me a chuckle—business thrives, as always. The townsfolk looked merry, caught up in the festivities.
「In two years, a city can rebuild. The capital of Germania is likely undergoing its own restoration.」
「Indeed. But I doubt any place in the world compares to the prosperity of this city.」
Silesie was originally a bountiful land, agriculturally rich. Now, it was the nexus of the Continental Alliance, drawing wealth from across the globe; growth here was inevitable.
The economy was already overheating, with demand vastly outpacing supply. Sherry and her team were working tirelessly to prevent excessive inflation.
「Rapid changes aren’t ideal, but it’s good to see the people prospering.」
「Quite so. Seeing Silesie’s capital, I feel certain that our time as elders is over. For the city, and the people, to usher in a new era, they too must change.」
Mainz turned to me, speaking with conviction.
「So that’s why you’re trying to marry me to Eliza?」
It felt like the conversation was drifting.
「His Majesty, the former Emperor, rallied once but recently hasn’t been able to leave his bed. His remaining time is limited.」
「Is that so?」
No wonder he couldn’t make it. I’d need to visit Conrad before he passed.
「As you can see, I am too old, I am no longer fit for heavy armor. Forgive the abruptness, but may I entrust this weighty responsibility to you, Hero-dono?」
Mainz hobbled over with his cane, taking my hand. His was a warm, wrinkled hand.
「Eliza?」
「Yes, and Germania’s future. As His Majesty’s representative, I ask this of you, Silesie’s Hero, Sawatari Takeru-dono. If you can carry the legacy we’ve borne, His Majesty will rest in peace.」
「Alright, alright.」
There was no way I could shake him off after a plea like that.
Tears trickled from Mainz’s small eyes, dropping onto our clasped hands.
「… Apologies. Age has made me soft-hearted.」
「Come now, Lord Mainz. Let’s drink tonight, in gratitude to the Silesie’s Hero for allowing us some peace.」
Kato-san poured luxurious Lanct wine into Mainz’s glass.
Kato-san, too, had endured his own share of hardships in tending to Eleonora.
It might be time for him to retire too.
「Then, let us drink!」
Mainz took his glass and downed it in one go.
「Oh, fine drinking there!」
「Hoho, I’ve never tasted a wine this rich.」
Watching the two of them drink with such cheer, I couldn’t help but feel resigned.
「Guess I don’t have much choice but to accept this, do I?」
It’s just a formal arrangement, I suppose. If Eliza wants this, then maybe that’s all there is to it.
「Would you care for a drink as well, Hero-dono? Sir Kato’s wine here is said to leave no bad hangovers!」
The ever-jovial guardian knight Herman offered me a drink.
「You’re quite cheerful tonight, Herman.」
「Well, it’s a celebratory drink!」
「I’m not much of a drinker, but… sure, I’ll have one.」
The wine was indeed high-quality and smooth on the palate. As I finished my glass, Kato spoke up.
「How is it? Only the finest from Lanct.」
Apparently, Kato had brought this wine from his homeland.
「Mainz was right. This might be the best wine I’ve ever had.」
「I’ve been able to fulfill a long-held dream of collecting wines, thanks to you, Hero-sama. Now that I’ve set down some of my burdens, I’ve been visiting vineyards in my lands and gathering hidden gems… Lord Mainz, care for another?」
「Just one more glass, then. For tonight, at least, I think I can indulge a little.」
With a wistful sigh, Mainz tipped back his glass once more.
※※※
Partway through the party, Eliza clung to me and refused to let go.
「Eliza.」
「Oh, come on, it’s just for a little while… it’s been so long.」
When I subtly tried to pull away, she puffed her cheeks in a pout, refusing to budge. I had no choice but to let her be.
She felt more like a child than a new bride. Perhaps, having become Empress, Eliza no longer had anyone to dote on her.
I’d be more than happy to stand in as a father figure rather than a husband, any time she needed it. Even Sharon, who had been watching over Eliza, gave a strained smile and said, ‘Why don’t you two retire to your quarters?’
Retire to our quarters? Not happening.
In the hall, I also spotted Lyle-sensei. Seeing how she had drawn me into this, a few complaints seemed warranted.
「Lyle-sensei, you could’ve given me a heads-up.」
「If I’d told you, you’d have refused for sure.」
「Well, that’s… true.」
「The marriage between Her Majesty Elizabeth and Takeru-dono is essential for world peace. Now, if the two of you were to have a child, Germania would be secure as well.」
Even Lyle-sensei was saying things like this. Maybe she was joking, but a child was definitely too far off to consider right now.
Eliza herself wanted this, so I went along with it formally. But until she reached adulthood, I had no plans to share a bed with her.
「By the way, what’s with Zither?」
「Did you need me for something?」
Zither approached, munching on a plate of food, looking quite satisfied now that her opera performance was done.
「Oh, I heard Zither-dono wouldn’t be marrying Takeru-dono, either. Just in case, I went ahead and had the marriage permit issued and ready for you.」
「Sensei, could you stop issuing these marriage permits so freely? And by the way, where exactly are these harem meetings being held?」
「There are things you’re better off not knowing, Takeru-dono.」
That only made me even more curious.
「And Zither, you really don’t have to take that marriage permit seriously.」
Honestly, the last thing I need is more wives.
「I appreciate the offer, but there’s someone I hold dear already…」
「Oh? So Zither has someone she likes, huh.」
Considering her age, it’s not surprising she’d have feelings for someone. Knowing Zither, maybe it’s another musician she’s fond of.
Zither’s a bit of an airhead, so I’m not entirely sure what she’s thinking, but at least she doesn’t want to marry me. She did play a big role in the recent battle, though, so I’ll need to think about a reward for her.
「When we rescued Eliza-sama, someone was there who helped me—my true soulmate. I wonder what he is doing now, wherever he is.」
「Hmm.」
It sounded vaguely familiar. Eliza, who was still clinging to my side, seemed to realize something and asked.
「Zither, you don’t mean…」
「Yes! The wandering Black Marksman, Drift Gunner! Surely you remember him, Eliza-sama?」
Zither clasped her hands, her eyes starry with admiration. A deadpan silence settled over the room.
「Ehto…」
「Takeru-sama, should I tell her?」
「Uh… well, maybe…?」
「I’m going to tell her. She’s dead serious about this, and it’s time she knew.」
「Ehto, is that… okay?」
Before I could stop her, Eliza leaned over and whispered in Zither’s ear. Zither clapped her hand over her mouth, whispering, ‘No way!’
「Ehto…」
A sinking feeling settled over me.
「Nation’s Father, here’s that cloak you used as a disguise, just in case.」
I didn’t even call her!
Kaara said so, materializing from nowhere and holding out a black cloak.
「Do I… really have to do this? 」
The memories of that black cloak felt more like a cringe-worthy chapter in my life. What had I been thinking, dressing up like that?
I looked around, only to see everyone urging me with their eyes to just go along with it. Reluctantly, I threw the cloak over my shoulders. As soon as I pulled up the hood, memories from back then started rushing back.
At the time, I’d been riding high and did it without hesitation, but trying it now was a bit much… What am I even doing, dressed up like this at a party?
「Oh, so Silesie’s Hero-sama was the wandering Black Marksman, Drift Gunner, all along!」
「Come on, that should’ve been obvious…」
The only one who didn’t realize was Zither.
She looked at me with a gaze full of adoration.
Zither ran up to me as the Black Gunner and threw her arms around me with surprising force, making it impossible to escape.
「Um, could I go ahead and use this?」
In her hand, she clutched the marriage permit. So it’s come to this after all…
※※※
That night, after the party, Eliza and Zither came to my bedchamber in the inner palace. Fresh from their baths, both of them were looking especially radiant.
Maybe trying to be considerate, the other wives were nowhere to be seen.
Eliza paced nervously, going back and forth across the room.
Eliza’s little gestures were so childlike…
「You’re pretty eager about all this, but I’m really not going to do anything with Eliza.」
「Oh, I know! I realize I’m still inexperienced as a wife, so I thought I’d come and learn a few things!」
Beaming, Eliza settled into a proper seiza on the bed. Learn what, exactly?
…Wait, does she mean I’m supposed to be with Zither while she watches?!
「No way. Absolutely not!」
Even though I said no, Zither’s honey-colored hair, freshly dried from her bath, shimmered seductively as she scooted closer.
「Then, if you’ll allow me…」
「Wait, Zither!」
Before I could stop her, Zither, with her hazel-brown eyes fixed on me, leaned in and kissed me. So she’s taking the lead… who knew she’d be so passionate?
「Fufu, this is a bit embarrassing. Now that we’ve kissed, let’s just go to sleep together.」
「Zither, seriously, not with Eliza right here…」
Ignoring my protests, Zither slipped into the bed, closed her eyes, and soon enough I heard her soft breathing.
What…?
「Zzz…」
She fell asleep that fast?
「…areh」
「She’s already asleep?」
Eliza murmured in astonishment.
Yeah, I’m just as surprised as you are.
「Oh, now I see what’s going on.」
「Huh? What’s going on?」
「Eliza, why don’t we get some sleep too?」
「Wait a minute! What’s really going on here? Explain this to me.」
「I mean, just that we’re all going to sleep. That’s all.」
「No way! Isn’t Zither twenty-five? She’s an adult!」
「Well, yes…」
「I’m only nine, and even I understand what sleeping together is supposed to mean. Does Zither seriously take ‘sleeping together’ literally?」
Yeah, that’s exactly it.
Everyone underestimated just how innocent she really is.
「Well, this isn’t going to teach me anything!」
「It’s still too early for you anyway. Come on, I’ll lie down next to you, so be good and go to sleep.」
「Aw, I thought I’d be able to learn something exciting as a bride!」
「Alright, alright, you can take your time growing up. A real adult would just go to sleep right now.」
Reluctantly, Eliza settled down, and once I lay next to her, she soon drifted off as well.
She must’ve been exhausted from everything today. Eliza’s face looked peaceful and adorable in sleep.
And looking at Zither’s innocent expression as she slept happily made me feel… conflicted. For a twenty-five-year-old, this level of naivety might be a bit much.
「Hmm.」
Zither’s innocence saved me tonight, but when will she ever truly grow up? I guess it’s not really my problem, though.
It’s been a while since I could sleep so soundly, so maybe marrying Eliza and Zither wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
With that thought, I drifted off, stroking Eliza’s soft, silky hair as I fell asleep.