Chapter 113: Sudden Fiancé

『Ha, eh, umm, wh-what are you saying, exactly…』 “I said, won’t you get engaged to me?” 『It wasn’t a mishearing!?』

Imperial Princess Risha turns so red you could almost hear a poof sound, flustered and panicking. I, too, put a hand to my head, realizing it really wasn’t a mishearing. What is he suddenly saying, this idiot Prince…!

“Elliott, you know… You are aware of the bad relationship between our Kingdom and the Empire, right? No matter how you think about it, that’s not realistic, is it?” “Precisely because the relationship is bad, right? If the Kingdom and the Empire become relatives, we might become friendly nations. At least, it wouldn’t lead to immediate war, would it?” “Ehh…? Will it go that smoothly…?”

While I was doubting Elliott’s proposal, Imperial Princess Leticia, who had been showing signs of thinking a little, slowly opened her mouth.

“…It might not be a bad proposal.” 『S-Sister!?』 “Listen well. If Risha becomes Highness Elliott’s fiancée, she will become a figurehead for the nobles trying to establish friendly relations with the Kingdom. And if Brother Frost and I join in there, neither Brother Darkel nor Father can ignore it. You will become an important person for the Empire.”

Ah, that kind of… In other words, we can instantly win over the so-called pro-Kingdom nobles within the Empire. Thinking about it, that makes sense. If it goes well, the next Empress Consort of the Kingdom will be an Imperial Princess of the Empire. The influence is immeasurable. There will likely be many nobles wanting to ride that wave. I think it would be difficult for the Emperor to ignore that and reject this talk. If handled poorly, he’d be completely criticized by those nobles.

“Making Highness Risha an important figure all at once, huh… I certainly think it’s a good move, but I wonder what His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress will say…”

Elliott is the Crown Prince. Naturally, the country’s intentions must also be involved in his marriage. However, in the original game, I was the fiancée… Maybe that couple doesn’t think about gains and losses to that extent.

“I will persuade Father and Mother. Both said the person I like would be best, so I think it will work out somehow.” “…I want to ask one thing. Did Your Highness propose to Risha out of calculation? Or out of sympathy?”

Imperial Princess Leticia directs her gaze at Elliott with sharp eyes. Eyes that say she won’t forgive lies.

“I cannot say there is absolutely no calculation or sympathy, but it is also a fact that I find Highness Risha favorable. My heart feels very at peace when talking with her. It’s the first time I’ve felt that way talking to a girl my age… and I wanted to know more about her.”

…Something bothers me about that. Is he saying he can’t feel at peace with us? Elliott, let’s have a talk later.

“I think Highness Risha is honest, earnest, capable of caring for others, and has a very kind heart. If I am to walk through life with someone, I thought… I wanted it to be someone like that.” “Fufufu. I see. Risha, what do you think of Highness Elliott?” 『Fueh!?』

Having the conversation directed at her, Imperial Princess Risha turns bright red and waves her hands around frantically. She’s quite flustered…

『W-Well, I, umm, t-think… he is a wonderful… person, though…』

Imperial Princess Risha answers in a tiny, mumbling voice. A wonderful person…? His true nature is a hopelessly dense, dim-witted prince who loves six-sided puzzles, you know…? Since this is inside Imperial Princess Risha’s dream, is there some weird filter applied?

“Sakuraile… Could you hide your expression a little more?” “Oops.”

No good, no good, did it show on my face?

“If Risha is not opposed, I will consider that talk positively. Of course, only up to engagement. Please make sure not to disappoint me, okay?” “Yes. Thank you very much. I won’t make you regret it.” 『Ugh, the conversation is proceeding on its own…!』

Somehow the conversation is barreling forward leaving the person in question, Imperial Princess Risha, behind, but is this… a good thing? To improve Imperial Princess Risha’s position, it’s probably better to establish her as an important person for the Empire. That way, the Empire would find it harder to meddle with her to avoid confusion. Then…

“Then, let’s become friends.” 『Eh?』

At my sudden remark, Imperial Princess Risha, who had been flustered, turned towards me with dots for eyes.

“Originally, Your Highnesses came to investigate me, the [Princess of the Holy Sword], right?” “That is correct. Certainly, there was that aspect. Brother Darkel underestimated it as mere exaggerated rumors, but Brother Frost thought we should proceed cautiously.”

Underestimated, huh. Well, it’s true the rumors had tails and fins attached. It was said I defeated the shadow knights summoned by Magic Sword Discord and the undead of Spirit Peak Eldora all by myself. Hearing that, normally one would think, ‘No, that’s a lie’. Actually, it is a lie. But at this point, let’s use that too.

“If that [Princess of the Holy Sword] and Highness Risha get along and become friends, what will the Empire do?” “That is… I see. Risha’s value rises even further.” 『The conversation is proceeding on its own again… But… friends…?』

Imperial Princess Risha was flustered again, but showed signs of pondering a little. Oh, did she dislike it? Superficial friendship is fine, but if possible, I want to really become friends.

“Highness Risha, do you dislike becoming friends with me?” 『T-That’s not true! Eh, umm… I-If you are okay with me… P-Please!』 “Umm, may I call you like Luca and Tifa? Like talking to a friend. If there’s resistance…” 『N-No! Please call me Risha! W-We are friends!』

Imperial Princess Risha… no, Risha edges closer with a bright red face. Oops, she was unexpectedly positive.

“Then may I call you Risha too? If we are fiancés, I think that much is allowed.” 『Y-Y-Y-Yes! Pwease do!』

Answering Elliott’s words in a panic, Risha bit her tongue. Damn, cute. This child has a cuteness like a small animal.

<<Sorry to interrupt when you’re getting lively, but could you return soon? My spiritual power is getting tough.>>

While I was feeling warm and fuzzy at Risha’s cuteness, Kohaku-san’s voice arrived. Then shall we take our leave.

“Then Risha. Let’s meet in the real world next time.” “Risha, I’ll be waiting over there.” “My precious Risha… Let’s talk a lot, about things until now and things from now on.” 『Y-Yes!』 <<Then, returning consciousness.>>

The world fills with light. A pure white world spreads before my eyes, and eventually, consciousness cut off.

◇ ◇ ◇

“…Nno?”

When I woke up, I saw a vague ceiling I felt I knew but didn’t know.

“A subtle ceiling.” “Ah, you woke up? Sakuraile.”

When I sat up—mukuri—from the sofa I was sleeping on, Elliott was facing me. But he immediately returned his gaze to the front. Ahead, there were figures of sisters hugging while crying. Ayaya, looks like I overslept the most. Kohaku-san jumps—pyon—onto my lap.

『Seems we returned safely. Phew, a little tired.』 “Kohaku-san, good work. I’ll serve ‘La Vie en Rose’ cake later.” 『I want two whole ones.』

Yes yes. Understood.

“Lady Sakuraile, it was magnificent. As expected of the [Princess of the Holy Sword]. I have surely witnessed the power of one loved by the Gods.” “No no, that’s exaggeration.”

Roulette-san bows respectfully, but please spare me… That kind of thing really troubles me… If they make a weird fuss in Gospel Kingdom… Information that Risha woke up spread immediately, and everyone in the Kingdom breathed a sigh of relief. If an assassination incident occurred at the invited Autumn Cooling Party and an Imperial Princess of the Empire died, it would undoubtedly have led to war. The incident was caused by a person from the same Empire, and the collapsed Imperial Princess woke up safe and sound with all limbs intact. As the Kingdom, we can take the stance that we were dragged into the Empire’s internal strife. However, since we allowed poison to be brought into the venue, we can’t say we are completely without fault. Should we have done more body checks and investigated thoroughly? We couldn’t do that because doing so to guests from other countries would be like saying ‘we don’t trust you’. We were thorough with our own people though. It would be a disaster if someone from our country did the poisoning. Well, this area is for discussion between the higher-ups. The other side probably doesn’t want to spread their country’s shame unnecessarily either. Right now, there is a bigger problem than that.

◇ ◇ ◇

“────Sorry, I didn’t hear well… What was that?” “As I said, I want to get engaged to Imperial Princess Risha.”

To Elliott’s words, His Majesty the Emperor shakes his head while laughing ‘No no no’, directing a smile saying ‘This guy, hahaha’. Let’s look at reality, Uncle. Eventually realizing it was true, His Majesty asks me in a panic.

“Eh? Oi, Sakuraile, why did it become like that?” “Umm… Youthful runaway, maybe…?” “Running away too much!”

I don’t know, tell your son. I was surprised too.

“Elliott, does that mean you came to like Highness Risha?”

The Empress asks the core question directly. As a mother, you’d be curious about that, right?

“Well… Do I like her…? I think being together is fun. I thought… I could get along well with that person.” “Is that so… Then I have nothing to say.” “Oi, Richel!?”

His Majesty panics at the Empress who accepted it easily. Elliott earnestly explained the merits of this engagement after that, and finally, His Majesty yielded.

“I was thinking of a Princess from Prelude or Minuet for Elliott though…”

Ah, that’s impossible. Both have absolutely no intention of that. Somehow I feel glad it was decided on Risha. If that child is the future Empress of this country… it might not be bad. It’s different now, but in the game, I was the fiancée… Somehow, I felt like a load was finally lifted from my shoulders.