✠ The message window became a chaotic stream.
[‘The Scales That Judge Souls’ goes wild upon realizing the potential for a reverse harem with brother rivals entering the scene!]
[‘The Word That Builds Worlds’ loudly declares that monogamy is a core doctrine of their religion.]
[‘The Cliché Connoisseur’ eagerly asks if there’s any system for levirate marriage in place.]
The gods’ chatter was particularly noisy today.
I tried my best to ignore them as I addressed Ligares.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Third Prince. I noticed you didn’t bring a dress with you?”
“So, my older brother sent you one. He’s clearly trying to curry favor with the Theocracy, using the Holy Vicar as leverage.”
Ligares casually insulted his half-brother, then turned to the maids with an order.
“Bring us some tea.”
How imperious.
“Have a seat, Holy Vicar.”
The smirk on his face widened as he gestured for me to sit, and I couldn’t help but smile back. Trying to match his smug expression, I made my way to the couch opposite him and leaned back.
“Fine, since this is your house.”
“…”
“What’s with the surprise? Surely you know that, as the Holy Vicar, my rank is equivalent to that of direct royal lineage. You are aware that I hold equal diplomatic status, aren’t you, Prince Ligares?”
[‘The Cynic Who Balances the Scales’ had hoped you’d ask if his mother never taught him that and is disappointed you didn’t.]
[‘The Cliché Connoisseur’ urges you to stoke an in-law feud beyond reconciliation.]
Ligares’s eyes widened for a moment, but he quickly laughed.
“I like how you’re not as hypocritical as the other people in the Theocracy.”
“Glad you like it. Now, it’s your turn to make a good impression on me.”
Our gazes locked.
I half-hoped that this might shift some of the malice he held for Tesilid toward me.
But Ligares responded more calmly than I’d expected.
“I assume the Theocracy sent you here to keep me in check?”
“Yes, they did ask me for that.”
“I suppose you intend to support either my brother Hadeil or my sister Celestid. But the outcome is obvious, isn’t it? My mother is the one acting as regent, after all.”
“Don’t you think that’s a little overconfident, Prince? I’d say you lack sufficient support from the nobility to make such claims.”
The nobles didn’t support Ligares, knowing his aggressive nature and hostility toward the Theocracy.
I expected him to react sharply, as it was a notable weakness, but instead, he replied with surprising composure.
“That’s a problem easily remedied.”
“And how would you accomplish that?”
I asked, but I had a bad feeling about his answer.
Could it be…?
“All I need is to align myself with a woman of reputable standing and influence.”
“…Oh, really?”
“Yes. I’m actually looking for a well-connected and virtuous lady to be my bride. And it would be all the better if she were favored by Her Majesty the Queen.”
With his hands clasped, Ligares cast an assessing gaze over me.
He wore a strange smile as he threw out a provocative statement, clearly baiting me.
“I don’t mind if she’s older, either.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“Just saying.”
Before I could respond, he got straight to his point.
“I assume you’ve guessed what I’m about to propose.”
“…”
“I propose a union for peace. An arranged marriage between you and me.”
…Oh, dear Lord.
[‘The Scales That Judge Souls’ is furious!]
[‘The Cliché Connoisseur’ is ecstatic!]
<Hey, Tesilid? You alright?>
Agnes’s words made me glance back, concerned for Tesilid’s state.
But I needed to stay focused on the prince in front of me.
I responded to Ligares with a flat expression.
“Your mother put you up to this?”
“Watch your tone. That would be your future mother-in-law.”
“I’ll handle her in my own way. So, you’re not denying she put you up to it?”
“You didn’t deny calling her your mother-in-law.”
“We’ll see.”
Why did it feel like a cold stare was burning into the back of my head?
<Um, Tesilid…?>
I needed to end this conversation quickly.
In that spirit, I let Ligares speak his mind as much as he wanted.
“As the Saintess, I’m sure you’ll strive for peace. And surely the title of Crown Princess isn’t a bad offer for you either.”
“…”
Sure, keep talking.
“I’ll make sure that formal letters are sent to the Theocracy and the Grand Duchy soon.”
“…”
I’ll just drink my tea.
“Rest assured, even if love isn’t part of the deal, I’ll fulfill my duties as a husband.”
“…Ahem.”
At that, I nearly spat out my tea.
Just then, Ligares’s serious gaze shifted slightly, landing just past me.
“So, kindly dismiss the thought of bringing that knight along as part of your dowry.”
[‘The Cliché Connoisseur’ is thrilled at the prospect of an infidelity subplot.]
“Enough. I’ll give you an answer tomorrow, so please leave.”
“As you wish.”
Finally, Ligares stood and left.
Good grief. I’d seen it all now.
As I watched him exit with a look of undisguised disgust, I felt a hand press on the backrest of my couch. A shadow fell over me before I could turn to look.
Tesilid leaned over the couch, gazing down at me.
“Terry?”
“…”
He watched me for a long moment before finally speaking, his tone almost pleading.
“Tell me you have a plan.”
“Of course.”
I responded with confidence, nodding vigorously.
Tesilid let out a sigh, as though a weight had been lifted from him.
“For a moment, I thought…”
“Thought what?”
“…Nothing.”
Turning around on the couch, I rested my arm on the backrest and looked up at him.
“Trust me. I’ll make sure the royal family can’t trouble you anymore.”
“Is that even possible?”
“Yes.”
“What’s the plan?”
“Hmm… it’s kind of a secret, so explaining it directly might be a bit difficult.”
“I see.”
I patted Tesilid’s shoulder reassuringly, telling him he’d know everything by tomorrow.
Then, thinking about his perspective, I added, somewhat wistfully,
“There’s a chance you won’t like the outcome… but it’s necessary to make sure you won’t have any more trouble in the future.”
“…”
I saw a flicker of curiosity in his ocean-colored eyes, but I changed the subject before he could probe further.
“So, why did you come to see me?”
He paused, choosing his words carefully.
“…I thought, since this is your first royal banquet, perhaps I could help.”
In this 17th iteration, he did have two previous experiences with palace banquets.
“Hmm, something I could use help with…”
Though his experience was somewhat limited, it was an offer I couldn’t ignore.
“…Do you not need it?”
I didn’t want to discourage him, so I quickly thought of something.
“No, actually, you came at just the right time. I was struggling with what to wear to the banquet tomorrow.”
“What to wear?”
“Yes. My ceremonial Saintess robe has too many buffs attached. The effects on charm, dignity, and charisma are so strong that I’m worried it might make people uncomfortable.”
“Are you thinking of wearing something else?”
“No. I was thinking of wearing an incubus leather harness underneath, to reduce the dignity, charisma, and charm effects a bit. What do you think?”
“Th-that… under your… attire?”
“Yeah.”
“…Wouldn’t that just multiply the charm effect?”
“Five times over, actually.”
“…”
“How about I try it on, and you can tell me how it looks?”
Tesilid ran a hand down his face to his chin, then responded in a low voice.
“…Sure.”
✠
After finishing his meeting with the Holy Vicar, Ligares went straight to Queen Raviola’s quarters.
She was already waiting for him in the parlor, with an elegantly arranged tea set.
“I did as you instructed, Mother.”
“Well done. Have a seat.”
“…”
Ligares remained standing, as though he hadn’t heard her.
“Well, isn’t this a surprise. My son is actually defying me.”
At this, Ligares reluctantly took a seat.
Pouring tea into his cup herself, Queen Raviola asked,
“You didn’t enjoy the task?”
“Seeking peace with the Theocracy? That’s an impossible promise to keep.”
“Still…”
“Yes, Mother. It’s impossible as long as my brother has yet to return.”
“…”
Tea overflowed slightly from the cup.
Queen Raviola looked into her son’s fierce blue eyes, seeing both hatred and guilt reflected there.
“Liga, my son.”
“You said the Holy Vicar should be contained, that she needed to be watched. But is this really the best approach?”
Calmly, the Queen laid out her prepared response.
“If the Holy Vicar decides to meddle in royal affairs, it’ll be troublesome. Especially when we can’t predict her moves, it’s better to keep her tied to our side.”
“This proposal of peace leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”
“Liga, I’m trying to make you king not for revenge, but for your future.”
“And what if, Mother… what if I seek the throne purely for vengeance?”
“…”
“My Queen, the most exalted lady in this kingdom, I cannot forgive the Theocracy. Do you have any idea what they did to him?”
His clenched hands trembled, his fingers interlocked.
The mention of his elder brother Reminic only served to awaken old nightmares.
“I will never forget,” he murmured darkly.