The Protagonists Of The Novel Escaped – Chapter 32

—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
—————————————————————–

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

Is there anything more frustrating than being misunderstood and punished for something you didn’t even do?

An intimidating solemnity flowed.

It was like watching a congressional hearing with politicians engaging in armchair arguments.

I wanted to proclaim my innocence right away, but as soon as I saw his ridiculously angry face, I prostrated myself.

It was because the other party was the absolute ruler of the empire.

“No, what I’m saying is that it’s a misunderstanding! Those suitor bastards misunderstood on their own and spouted nonsense!”

“……”

Elizaveta, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, defended me agitatedly.

However, the Emperor’s stern face remained unmoved.

What was he so displeased about?

Thinking about it, my very existence must be displeasing to him.

In the Emperor’s eyes, wouldn’t I seem like a thief trying to steal his precious daughters? He’s definitely trying hard to suppress the urge to unleash his thunderous wrath.

‘The scandal with Ludmilla was because of the newspaper reporters’ speculation, and the scandal with Elizaveta was because of the damn suitors! I’m the real victim here!’

A scandal with Second Princess Ludmilla followed by one with Third Princess Elizaveta.

This is why fake news is terrifying.

How much more do they want to make me out to be trash before they’re satisfied?

The empire’s citizens will surely gossip about me being a “princess hunter.”

The Hohenberc family will be reduced to a bizarre and notorious prestigious family that produced frivolous sons one after another.

“Elizaveta’s words are correct…! Not even a little, I don’t have the slightest intention of doing ‘that’ to her.”

“What do you mean! You wicked bastard!!”

I raised my head to show my innocence.

Then Elizaveta, who had been defending me, suddenly started getting angry.

“Pardon?”

“You said with such a serious voice that you would protect me…! How dare you toy with a princess’s heart?”

Elizaveta’s face turned red as she trembled, clenching her fists.

Then she reacted as if betrayed, like a heroine abandoned in the wilderness.

What did I say again?

I need to remember clearly.

It was such an urgent situation at the time.

I remember trying to console Elizaveta, who was engulfed in despair. But I don’t think I made any remarks that could be misunderstood.

“What, he toyed with our Liza’s heart! This bastar-”

The Emperor, who had been silently watching, shouted angrily.

The situation took a turn for the worse.

Soon, I was blessed with the title “Trash who toyed with the princess’s heart.”

The atmosphere became even more hostile due to Elizaveta’s remark, which was open to misinterpretation.

My heart shriveled at the sight of the Emperor gripping the armrest tightly.

This misunderstanding occurred in a situation where I was already profoundly disliked, so it was natural for Barbarossa to be furious.

If I die, who will take care of Rue…?

I already started worrying about my afterlife.

“Your Majesty, I have returned victorious from the Pug Kingdom…”

When I was waiting for my punishment with a liberated mind,

The only savior who could resolve the complicated situation appeared.

My dearest Second Imperial Princess, Ludmilla Dreg Valtaria.

As soon as I saw Ludmilla’s dignified appearance returning from suppressing the threats in the Pug Kingdom, I felt relief.

It was because I was confident that she would undoubtedly become a reliable ally.

“…..”

“…..”

I briefly made eye contact with Ludmilla, who had entered the audience with a majestic demeanor. Then Ludmilla blushed and slightly turned her head.

Something feels uneasy.

An inexplicable fear rushed in.

“Are we here… because of Young Master Edanant?”

“That’s right! I intend to punish the one who has deceived the Valtarian Imperial Family with consecutive scandals!”

In response to his steadfast second daughter’s question, Barbarossa answered with an unwavering voice.

The verdict is confirmed.

It was a swift result, almost like a witch hunt.

As if to say he wouldn’t show any mercy, his expression was more menacing than ever.

I could understand why the ministers representing the empire’s internal affairs trembled at the Emperor’s fierce countenance.

Facing such a stern face would naturally make one feel intimidated.

“It is an unjust measure. Although our relationship with the Hohenberc family has become unpleasant, isn’t Young Master Edanant a hero who saved the empire? Merit and punishment should be distinguished. Your Majesty, please show magnanimity… and think positively about the ma-marriage proposal.”

“Ahem!”

Ludmilla’s face, which had been asserting the fairness of the judgment, gradually turned red. She persuaded her dissatisfied father with a determined voice, glancing at me repeatedly.

Did her sincere persuasion work?

As her earnest plea continued, the Emperor’s boiling anger subsided.

Indeed, he was an eight-armed father who was ruthless to his subjects but always affectionate towards his daughters.

“It is true that this fellow saved Liza from the vicious Meiros. Taking that into special consideration, I will forgive the unpleasant rumors circulating in society… but making him Liza’s companion is not a matter to be decided hastily.”

“Pardon?”

Previously, Ludmilla had even recommended me as her younger sister’s new fiancé, pushing for it to the extent of riding the steam train to the capital together with me.

I nodded, recalling that moment.

Why was she pushing so hard to make me her younger sister’s companion?

I couldn’t dare guess the reason, but I could tell it was Ludmilla’s true intention.

“Re-Really sister? You mean it?! You support me and Edanant that much…!”

“…?”

Elizaveta spoke, biting her lower lip as if to contain her embarrassment.

As her respected elder sister agreed to the marriage proposal, she also began to hesitate.

“Wh-What… Were you discussing the marriage proposal between Liza and Young Master Edanant?”

Ludmilla widened her eyes and raised her head.

She let out a voice filled with astonishment.

Her beautiful face, like a ruby, turned pale as if shocked.

Then, who else could she be thinking of?

Surely, she wasn’t thinking of her married eldest sister?

She must have misunderstood in her haste as she returned from the battlefield.

Ludmilla overtly showed a flustered reaction and lowered her head. Her neck and ears had turned bright red.

She seemed to feel an embarrassment so great that she couldn’t even raise her head.

If you put a teapot on her head, wouldn’t it certainly boil?

That thought suddenly crossed my mind.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

What kind of misunderstanding did Ludmilla have?

I looked at her with questioning eyes, but the princess continued to remain silent.

She only quickened her pace.

I also had to widen my steps to keep up with Ludmilla.

“It’s an empty rumor spread by the suitors who love to make things up. If the imperial family continues to express that it’s unfounded, the public opinion stirred up by the rumor will also die down.”

“……”

Is this how a husband feels when suspected of infidelity by his wife?

It’s not a matter to be taken lightly.

So I had to appease Ludmilla with exaggerated gestures, claiming my innocent heart.

Suddenly, the thought, ‘Could it be jealousy?’ crossed my mind, but I shook my head.

Regardless of whether it was true or not, I had to focus on appeasing the Red Dragon for now.

“It is true that I thought you would make a good match for Liza. Didn’t I tell you that before you left Hohenberc County?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“But when it actually happened… I didn’t know what to do. It’s truly a severe change of my heart.”

“……”

Ludmilla let out a heavy sigh.

It wasn’t hatred towards anyone.

It was a sigh directed at herself for capriciously changing her mind.

Finally, I made eye contact with Ludmilla, who had turned her head. She smiled with a hint of gloom as if expressing her complicated feelings.

“I am such a fickle woman. Moreover, I’m even a nuisance.”

“How could that be?”

I shook my head with a bitter smile at Ludmilla’s self-deprecating regret.

And I reached out my hand to her.

“The Ludmilla I know is more noble than anyone else. Didn’t you volunteer to save the Pug Kingdom despite the ministers’ reluctance? If you hadn’t participated, a terrible situation would have unfolded.”

It is merely a poor country with no resources.

No special products,

Not even any advantages, just a remote region.

Therefore, the Valtarian Empire turned a blind eye to the 50,000 lives.

With only one exception-

Ludmilla.

The person who should be praised as a noble hero was naturally Ludmilla. She volunteered for dedication even though she knew she would gain no benefit.

That’s why I sincerely felt respect for the noble Red Dragon.

“You are truly skilled in charming women. Like a playboy.”

“Pardon?”

“Hoho, it’s nothing. I just made a joke because your eloquence is so skillful.”

“I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

I grasped Ludmilla’s hand, which she had extended with a faint smile.

And we walked through the corridor together.

If someone encountered us in the corridor, we would have to lower our hands immediately.

But we decided to hold on just for a brief moment.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

The scandal caused by the suitors who had declined the marriage proposal with the imperial family gradually subsided as the Valtarian Imperial Family repeatedly expressed that it was unfounded.

And Emperor Barbarossa’s anger also dissipated like a mountain fire encountering a downpour.

We barely got through the crisis.

There wouldn’t be any more problems coming up.

I spent time leisurely eating jelly candies with Rue.

The Valtarian Imperial Family would soon bestow a considerable reward to the top contributor to the subjugation.

Of course, the top contributor was the holy sword wielder who had confronted Meiros to save Elizaveta.

Fief? Title?

Or an enormous monetary reward?

Anything would be fine.

Since he had saved the youngest daughter, raised preciously like a golden child, the reward wouldn’t be lacking.

“I bring good news for Young Master Edanant.”

A girl dressed in pure white vestments visited the villa as soon as morning came.

What is it?

This is a familiar situation.

Could it be a messenger who came to deliver good words?

I would have closed the door without hesitation if the other party weren’t the First Saintess of the Holy Kingdom.

Despite briefly expressing reluctance at the sudden visit, I welcomed her as a guest.

“Young Master Edanant, you haven’t received baptism, right? How about taking this opportunity to receive it?”

“It-It’s alright… It’s too sudden at this point.”

Me? Receive baptism while being a follower of a forgotten god like Meiros?

Are you trying to kill me?

As soon as I receive baptism, I’ll turn into pulp due to divine collision.

The saintess’s bright smile felt incredibly creepy today.

“Of course, you don’t have the right to refuse. The cardinals of the Holy Kingdom made the decision arbitrarily. They said it was deplorable that a holy sword wielder hadn’t received the baptism of the Earth mother. It’s a truly tyrannical decision, isn’t it?”

“……”

Deplorable, my foot.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇