Surviving as a Prince of Britannia

The day before the Sakuradite Conference.

Inside my private aircraft

Eleven thousand meters above the ground.

“Mmm…”

“Zzz…”

Millirze’s head kept bumping softly against my shoulder.

She was even talking in her sleep, breathing peacefully as she dozed off.

Honestly, watching her like this made me want to make her my mistress.

Good grief.

This world really was insane after all.

Cornelia was now close to giving birth, and Euphemia, my half-sister and second wife, was also staying in the Duchy of Tenochtitlan.

As for Bedivere, deputy commander of the 95th Rifle Knightmare Squad and my adjutant, he was serving as acting commander in my absence.

Well, to be honest, he had basically been doing most of the commander’s work from the beginning.

Which meant that, for this trip to Area 11, Millirze was the only aide accompanying me.

She was beautiful, but…

Why did touching her feel like a sin?

No.

The problem was not her.

The problem was this world itself.

Emperor Charles zi Britannia, who happened to be my father, had one hundred and eight official consorts.

Of course, that was only about ten percent of what Sima Yan had in my original history, but still.

Thanks to our gracious ancestors, Eduardo and Ricardo, the customs of our family had reached the very peak of insanity.

Up to three spouses were legally recognized.

Polygyny and polyandry were both permitted.

Marriage between half-siblings was allowed.

Marriage between cousins was allowed.

Even mistresses and male consorts were allowed, provided they were approved by an official spouse.

This country was the final boss of deranged sexual morality.

And yes, I was not exactly in a position to criticize.

Cornelia and Euphemia, my half-sisters, were my first and second wives.

Caroline was my mistress.

But even then…

My two official wives were one thing.

For an official mistress, I was supposed to grant her a black dress embroidered with my coat of arms.

But Caroline had refused to accept it until the end, saying that it was “too extravagant for a woman who came from a brothel.”

She also refused to bear a child.

Her mother had been a prostitute as well.

She had died not long after giving birth, and Caroline had been raised by the madam in her place.

That trauma was probably the reason.

In any case, in this insane country, the matter of “inheritance rights for the children of mistresses and consorts” had gone far beyond salon gossip.

It had become a political dividing line between the Odysseus faction, the Schneizel faction, and my own faction.

My meritocratic supporters said:

“Competence must be rewarded, whether the child is illegitimate or born from a third wife.”

The conservative Schneizel faction said:

“The child of the first wife must take precedence. The rest are secondary.”

The neutral Odysseus faction said:

“At the very least, give them the name Fitz and divide some of the inheritance.”

The problem was that these were not idle salon gentlemen debating theory.

They were the sixteen great caudillo houses of Areas 4 through 7, each possessing military power on the level of a knightly order.

Seven of those houses supported me.

Five supported Schneizel.

Four supported Odysseus.

…God of reincarnation, I swear I could curse you out loud.

“Ah, this is your captain speaking. We will soon be landing at the Tokyo Settlement Airport. Please fasten your seatbelts.”

“Mmm…”

Millirze suddenly flinched and shot upright.

“E-Eek!? I fell asleep holding your arm…! I have committed a mortal sin, Your Highness!”

The way she hurriedly straightened herself.

The way she bowed ninety degrees while still half asleep.

Seriously, was she doing this on purpose?

“Millirze, I know I told you not to be so formal, but—”

“Please be careful, Your Highness. We are inside the Settlement, and the security level is at its highest. In the unlikely event that rebellious Japanese—no, terrorists attempt an attack…”

Look at her changing the subject.

And then—

Step

Step

“Long time no see, Brother. I trust you have been well?”

With a black cloak fluttering behind him, the Viceroy of Area 11 had come to greet me in person.

He was the son of Queen Marianne — and to me, someone closer to a full younger brother than a mere half-sibling.

Lelouch vi Britannia.