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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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Subtle but significant changes had taken place since that frenzied first night.
Ludmilla, who had been returning to the Imperial Capital during the day and coming back to the Hohenberc estate at night, now remained at the mansion, working remotely.
Zebeline followed suit.
She had seemingly embraced the life of a homemaker, putting aside her duties as the First Saintess.
The household staff, witnessing the blatant shift in the princess and saintess’s behavior, exchanged knowing glances and murmured, “They did it, they really did it.” Some even began speculating about the future line of succession.
“The child born from the Imperial Princess must become the heir to House Hohenberc.”
“But we can’t ignore the First Saintess’s influence. She’s the Holy Kingdom’s White Dragon! If the Gael Holy Kingdom were to intervene in the succession, even the Marquis would have to reconsider.”
Premature speculation.
We had only just consummated our relationship.
However, the candidates vying for the position of mistress of House Hohenberc were the Empire’s princess and the Holy Kingdom’s saintess. With such formidable women competing for the position, it was only natural that everyone’s attention was focused on the outcome.
“G-Good morning… My Lord.”
“Indeed.”
Since that first night,
We had indulged in numerous outdoor… activities, like animals in heat.
Perhaps due to the aftereffects of our passionate encounters,
Ludmilla blushed and averted her gaze whenever she greeted me.
She had finally achieved what she desired, yet she seemed strangely shy. Her usual dignified composure was nowhere to be found. She covered her face with her hand, a bashful expression replacing her usual stern demeanor.
“Will you be working in the estate office again today?”
“W-Well… yes… The reconstruction of the Imperial Palace is nearing completion, so I can leave it to my subordinates. Unless… my presence here is… a burden?”
“Of course not. Spending day and night together like this… It feels like we’re newlyweds.”
“Oh…!”
Newlyweds.
How romantic.
Ludmilla’s face flushed crimson at my words as I took her hand in mine.
The household staff, witnessing our affectionate display, discreetly retreated. They clearly had no intention of disturbing our romantic interlude.
“Ahem!”
The maids, who had been watering the flower garden, scurried away.
The gardener, pruning the rose bushes, followed suit.
The bustling garden, once filled with over thirty people, was now deserted. Ludmilla, observing the comical scene, coughed awkwardly.
“I hear the Holy Kingdom still hasn’t issued an official statement.”
“They’re maintaining their silence. Trying to sweep the incident at the Sanctuary under the rug.”
“Do you think that’s even possible? The city of the One True God vanished overnight.”
“I’m wondering the same thing… What are those cardinals thinking?”
The Valtarian Empire, along with numerous other nations across the continent, demanded an explanation.
The destruction of the Sanctuary.
It was an event that shook the very foundation of not only the Holy Kingdom but also all nations that worshipped the One True God.
It was only natural that the Valtarian Empire and other countries demanded an explanation from the Holy Kingdom, which had stubbornly refused to issue an official statement. Yet, the Holy Kingdom remained silent.
“Hmm…”
Were they terrified of the Innocent Calamity and the cultists who had ravaged the Sanctuary?
No,
Surely not.
The Holy Kingdom’s paladins considered martyrdom for the One True God to be the highest honor. They had demonstrated their fanatical devotion countless times during the Racial War, charging into battle with reckless abandon, eager to die for their faith.
‘It must be because of the Calamity of Death’s resurrection. Even the Saintess Party, once hailed as humanity’s saviors, have become our enemies.’
The Saintess Party.
The Calamity of Death.
Even the thought of them made me feel a wave of dizziness.
I released Ludmilla’s hand and let out a heavy sigh.
“Edan!”
As I was lost in thought,
A girl with flowing silver hair approached.
It was Zebeline.
I put aside my worries and greeted the saintess, dressed in her pristine white robes.
“We agreed to clean the cathedral together today, didn’t we? You’re always late, Edan.”
“Ah, right.”
Autumn had arrived, and the leaves, clinging precariously to their branches, now fell in droves, blanketing the ground in a vibrant tapestry of red and gold. We had agreed to clean up the fallen leaves around the cathedral.
Hmm…
Couldn’t I just leave it to the paladins stationed in the marquisate?
Those fanatics would believe anything the First Saintess said. They would undoubtedly stay up all night, meticulously clearing every last leaf and burning them to ashes.
“If we don’t clear the leaves quickly, the worshippers visiting the cathedral will be inconvenienced. I believe Edan is the kind of person who leads by example, always willing to serve the community.”
“…”
Ludmilla seemed to agree, offering no objections to Zebeline’s words.
I was trapped.
It seemed I had no choice but to pick up a broom.
“That’s a wonderful idea, Saintess. In that case, I will take charge of the cleaning. As the future mistress of House Hohenberc, I cannot neglect the well-being of our people.”
“What are you talking about, old maid? This is an important community service event, a chance to announce my impending marriage to Edan to the people of the Hohenberc marquisate!”
Ah.
Here we go again.
The Red Dragon and the White Dragon, armed with brooms, glared at each other, ready to resume their eternal rivalry.
Their red and blue eyes flashed.
Their resolve and jealousy were palpable, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife.
The household staff, observing the scene from hidden vantage points, cheered silently, each supporting their chosen candidate for mistress of the house. I, witnessing the brewing storm, turned to leave.
“You! You have to tell her!”
“Edan! Tell the old maid the truth!”
You have to choose me.
If you value your life.
The familiar ultimatum. No matter which I chose, I was doomed.
I took a step back, breaking out in a cold sweat under their intense gazes, each confident in my inevitable choice.
“Ta-da! Big sister is here!”
Just as I was contemplating how to defuse this ticking time bomb,
A woman with flowing emerald green hair arrived, her skirt fluttering in the wind.
“Grandmother Master of the Tower?”
“That’s rather rude. You can call me ‘big sister.’”
“In that case, how about ‘Auntie’ as a compromise?”
“No. Call me ‘big sister.’”
The Master of the Red Tower had arrived.
Just what was she doing here at the Hohenberc estate?
I focused my attention on Querisa, eager to deflect Ludmilla and Zebeline’s murderous glares.
“My payment is overdue. This is unacceptable.”
“You already took a small sample of my blood and the Calamity’s divinity. What more do you want?”
“That was the price for betraying my long-time employers, the Holy Kingdom, and teleporting us here. You haven’t paid me for my services as… a hired mercenary. Even a friend’s son should pay his dues.”
“…”
Querisa’s explanation made me groan inwardly.
I remembered the exorbitant sum she had demanded.
Five thousand pounds of gold.
That’s how much the madwoman from the Magic Tower wanted. Approximately 22 pounds equaled one kilogram, so five thousand pounds was an astronomical amount. As expected of the leader of countless archmages, her price tag was beyond comprehension. It dwarfed the compensation demanded by the Valtarian Empire.
“I’ll pay her. Leave it to me.”
“I’ll gladly contribute as well. Anything for Edan.”
The gold mines within the newly acquired territories promised a future fortune, but it would take months to begin full-scale operations.
Paying her now was impossible.
’Just shut up,’ I thought, about to tell them to stop their ridiculous offers, when—
The Empire’s Second Princess and the Holy Kingdom’s First Saintess spoke in unison, their voices filled with a disconcerting eagerness.
“…”
Their fervent desire to pay the exorbitant sum filled me with a sense of dread.
I stared at them, my eyes narrowed in suspicion.
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Ludmilla Drake Valtarian and Zebeline Albion Russell paid five thousand pounds of gold to Querisa Neserhane on behalf of Edanant von Hohenberc.
The princess and the saintess signed the contract simultaneously.
And then, a new contract arrived for Edanant. It was a contract offered by Ludmilla and Zebeline in exchange for paying the exorbitant sum on his behalf.
“Marriage Certificate”
“…”
Just how much was my life worth compared to five thousand pounds of gold?
A forced marriage, orchestrated by a transaction, was about to take place in the Hohenberc estate’s office.
Ludmilla handed him a pen.
And Zebeline presented him with an inkwell.
Edanant stared at the two marriage certificates placed on the table, wiping away the cold sweat trickling down his forehead.
“Sign it. Now.”
“Just sign here. I’ll fill in the rest.”
I felt like the king of a small nation forced to sign an unequal treaty.
The princess and the saintess pressed down on my shoulders with their delicate hands, their gazes unwavering as they urged me to sign.
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