CH 27

Father was talking about how Chris had played a trick on the nobles of the Imperial capital, and he seemed to enjoy it.

Furthermore, since Count Laurent was stared down by the entire nobility, the situation should calm down for the time being.

He was happy that there was one less problem in the imperial capital.

It was said that the way he stood so majestically in the audience chamber, including the emperor's, fascinated all who saw him, and that his father was consulted by several people who asked him to be the go-between for their marriage proposals.

They have gone through all of this saying, "Do it yourselves."

It seems to be Father.

"Lord Reiner, have you come to the main point yet?"

The feeling was getting into the conversation and Father was becoming enthusiastic, so Garn cleared his throat and asked him to cut to the chase.

He was too much into the story of the capital. Father was getting too enthusiastic. Let's move on to the main topic.

Garrn seemed a little relieved to hear that we were moving on to the main topic.

Indeed, we had gotten off track too much.

He took a breath, looked at me, and then spoke clearly with a deep voice.

"Rid, your marriage has been arranged."

"What?"

I let out a stupid sound when my father said this unexpected word.

But I immediately understood the meaning of "marriage" and asked a question.

"Not a blind date, or something like that?"

'No. Marriage."

"Not an engagement "

"No. Marriage."

'...... When is the date, ......?"

"In a few months at the earliest.:

After he finished answering my question, he reached for his tea.

He took a sip of the tea and sipped it to quench his thirst.

The sound of the teacups being set down echoed through the quiet office.

"...... Father, I have never heard you speak of such a thing."

I wrinkled my brow, as a child, and asked my father with a dubious look on my face.

Marriage means marriage.

No matter whether you are a child of an aristocrat or not, you must go through the process of proposal, engagement, and marriage.

And after the marriage ceremony is over, a wedding ceremony is usually held.

Besides, I am only six years old.

According to the laws of the empire, I should not be able to get married unless there is a special case.

But how could I get married a few months later? Even going back to Rid's memory, he had never been told of this story.

"Yes, that's right. I was told by the emperor for the first time when I went to the capital, so you would have no way of knowing about it."

"Huh?"

The unexpected words made my voice sound stupid again.

"The other party is the princess of the allied Renarte Kingdom. In other words, a "special case" is used to make this a political marriage to strengthen relations between the nations. And after the wedding, the princess will move to this Bardia territory."

There are any number of questions as to why a princess from another country would come down to a frontier count without a connection between the kings.

"Garn, I want you to make preparations to welcome the princess of Renaloute into our mansion as soon as possible. In some cases, an outhouse will have to be prepared as well."

Garun pondered for a moment after hearing father's words and then asked him a question, "May I ask you a question? "

"First of all, I am afraid that our house will be too small to welcome a princess from another country. Moreover, the culture of Renalute and Magnolia is different, and the house is built in a very unique way. It may seem impertinent, but as a frontier count of the Magnolia Empire, if you are going to take a princess from another country as your bride, I think it would be better to have an additional house prepared for her."

The father put his hand over his mouth and thought about Garn's words, and then immediately gave his answer.

“I understand. In that case, I will prepare an additional for her . The government will pay for the construction. I am sorry, but I need you to gather the necessary information in the next few days. Also, please send a letter and a messenger to the capital, informing them that the house will be built to welcome the princess and that the construction costs will be charged as soon an estimate is made.”

I" understand. I will begin preparations immediately."

"I still need to talk to Rid. Garn, you go ahead . No one is to enter the Office until I call for you."

Garn said, "Thank you, " He bowed and left the office.

Only father and I remained in the office, and there was a moment of silence.

I drank some lukewarm tea to quench the dryness in my throat, and then I immediately asked my father a question.

.... the princess of Renalute will become my wife and we will strengthen the relationship between our countries. And at the same time, we would legally take the princess hostage in Magnolia?"

Yes. that's right. By the way, the other party is six years old, the same age as you.

(I was quite shocked to hear that she was six years old, just like me.)

Marriage between two six-year-olds is something that I remember from my previous life during the "Sengoku Era," or the period of the Warring States Period.

Does that mean there is more to it than just hostage or political marriages?

...... Why would a princess from another country marry into a frontier count's family in Magnolia, a neighboring country? Isn't it as expected that the ranks don't match?"

"......Hmmm. The information I'm about to share with you now is not to be spoken of to anyone else. If you leak the information, you will be charged with death. Be careful."

(What?　No way, is it such a secret information?　I don't want to hear it. I should have just shaken my head and said, "I don't want to hear it. ......" )

But then he started talking.

Father told me about the two sides of the "Barsto Incident" involving Renalute, Magnolia, and Barsto.

And also about the secret agreement.

In other words, it would be of little advantage for Magnolia to have the princess of Renalute, which had become a vassal state of Magnolia, as its regular lady.

However, if a princess from a neighboring country were to be married off to a person in a position close to the center government, there is a fear of confusion due to unnecessary factional conflicts.

For this reason, the princess is a member of a frontier count's family, even if only a little removed from the central government.

And I was the best person for the position because I was close to the princess in age.

: I complained to the emperor that he had decided on such a big matter without consulting with me. But as the son of an empire nobleman in the service of the state, marriage is a course you can't avoid. You must accept that it was only a hasty decision."

Father's eyes looked a little sad and distant as he said this.

Due to a secret agreement between the two countries, the princess of another country, who is yet to be seen, has been decided to marry into the noble family of another country from the moment of her birth, or a nobleman of equivalent status.

However, because of Renalute's status as a vassal state, she was not able to become a wife of the royal family in Magnolia, and ended up marrying into the family of a frontier count.

She was at the mercy of fate, that is all I can say.

'But isn't that too unfortunate for the princess? The moment she was born, it was decided that she would marry into the royal family of another country, but to marry into the family of a frontier count, even if it is a frontier count family, is a marriage by descent. ......"

In response to my words, father made a stern face and pointed out the lack of awareness with harsh words.

"You must not bring your personal feelings into an interaction between nations. It is the source of conflict. Besides, according to the secret agreement, the "royal family or a nobleman equivalent to the royal family" is a member of the royal household. We are not breaking any secret contracts. In Magnolia, the three equivalent noble families are the grand dukes, the counts of the frontier, and the dukes. In our country, there are no grand dukes. Furthermore, when it comes to the rights granted by rank, a count of the frontier is higher than a duke in Magnolia. As royalty and nobility, it is our duty to fulfill our responsibilities as defenders and leaders of the country."

My father's harsh words as a politician made me realize how little I knew as a nobleman involved in politics.

Peace is not the usual situation in this world, as it was in my previous life.

No, even in the country of my previous life, behind the peace, there is always a bond between countries.

If the balance is slightly broken, even war can break out.

In this world, it is even worse.

I looked down at my father's words and naturally tightened my fists on my knees.

Reiner sees Rid's downcast look and grim face, and decides that the true meaning of his words has been conveyed to him, so he drops his grim expression and shows a kindly face.

He then turns to Rid and says, "I know it's true that the princess of Renalute has been tossed by fate, ...... but you should have taken pity on her. If you take pity on her, then take her as your wife and love her more than anyone else."

I looked up from my downcast position and met my father's eyes.

His eyes were not as a nobleman, but as the parent of a child, wishing for his child's happiness.

He had such kind eyes.

“As a nobleman, it is your duty and responsibility to serve your country. But only you can care for and love the princess who will become your wife. The fate of the princess is in your hands, and you are the only one who can make her happy. Do not forget that. The princess is in your hands. Is that clear?"

Father's expression and mood were not harsh when he pointed out my laxity, but he was trying to guide me as a father .

Besides, Father was right.

Pity for the princess, who is at the mercy of fate, will not solve anything.

Instead, I should think about protecting and loving her.

"I understand. Father, thank you for pointing out my mistake . I will do what I can to make the princess happy."

To my words, my father simply nodded quietly, "So be it."

At that moment, I realized that I had not asked my father anything about the princess.

"Father, may I ask the name of the princess who is will be my bride ?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, I didn't tell you. She is Fara Renalute , the first princess of Renalute F

(Fara Renalute.)

I repeatedly chanted the princess's name in my head to keep her name in my mind.