Reed and Farah
We had come to the main palace’s drawing room. It was the place we were guided to when we first arrived here.
Yesterday was eventful to say the least, and in the end, Father scolded me thoroughly. Afterwards, I laid down on my bed and immediately fell into a deep slumber as if losing consciousness.
When I came to, it was the next morning, and Diana woke me up. She had also been scolded by Father yesterday, but she already seemed to have moved on and was cheerful as usual.
As I was still dazed from sleep, we received word from Elias that Father and I were being summoned. I hurriedly got ready and headed to the main palace. And that brings us to now. The only ones from the Baldia family present are Father, Diana and myself.
When we were shown to the room, Eltia, Farah and Asna were already waiting. However, there seemed to be tension between Farah and Eltia.
Asna stood silently next to Farah, guarding her. While keeping an eye on the two of them, I bowed my head and waited for Elias’s arrival. Then a soldier’s voice resonated loudly in the room.
“His Majesty Elias has arrived.”
Shortly after the soldier’s announcement, the sliding door opened and the sound of footsteps could be heard, followed by the faint noise of someone sitting down. After a brief pause, an authoritative voice filled the room.
“You may raise your heads.”
After hearing the voice, we slowly lifted our heads. Elias, seated in the highest position, broke into a smile as soon as he saw us, dropping his stern expression.
“I’ve heard, but it seems Lord Reed has recovered.”
“Yes, I have no issues. Thank you for your concern.”
As I said that, I bowed slightly where I stood. Seeing my actions, Elias continued speaking while saying “Good, good.”
“Originally, it is I who should be apologizing. What Norris did was unforgivable for you all. Our nation cannot condone it either, and we plan to punish him accordingly. As a noble of our nation, his actions must have offended you. Lord Reed, I truly apologize.”
Elias looked at Father and I in turn, then deeply bowed his head. Those around him stirred at the sight, for it is unheard of for a nation’s ruler to bow their head. Father cleared his throat and addressed Elias politely.
“Your Majesty, please raise your head. If Norris is to be punished properly, then we have nothing more to say on the matter.”
“I cannot forgive him either, but if punishment has been decided, then like Father, I have no objections.”
Hearing our words, Elias raised his face and smiled with evident relief.
“I’m glad to hear you say that. That wretch’s punishment will be carried out once your visit concludes. I’ll inform you of the details later.”
“Understood. By the way, were we summoned here today regarding an apology about Norris?”
Father nodded, then asked about the real reason with a puzzled expression. I didn’t think the Norris incident was the main topic either. If it was just about Norris, there would be no need for Farah, Asna and Eltia to be present. I wondered what it could be about, when I thought I saw Elias glance at me and grin mischievously.
“Indeed, Lord Reiner, there is another main topic. Of course, it concerns the marriage between Farah and Lord Reed. The primary purpose of this meeting was for you two to meet each other.”
As Elias’s voice echoed in the room, Farah blushed slightly and lowered her gaze. Looking closely, her ears seemed to be twitching up and down slightly. Elias glanced at Farah, cleared his throat, and continued.
“Lord Reed is still just a candidate at this stage, but our nation very much wishes to pursue marriage with Farah. As this bond will be between nations, we cannot make a full decision here. However, we intend to propose to the Magnolia Empire that they advance talks of a marriage with the Baldia family.”
“Your words are most appreciated, Your Majesty. I shall promptly relay this to the imperial capital upon returning to our nation. I believe our emperor will be delighted as well.”
Father politely replied with a bow, and I followed suit. At that moment, I stole a glance at Farah from the corner of my eye to gauge her reaction. Her face was beet red as she looked down, with only her ears twitching up and down.
I wonder if she’s happy about this. The thought made me feel joyful, and I could feel myself smiling slightly. It was then that Eltia, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.
“…Your Majesty, may I say something?”
“Yes, what is it Eltia? Do you have any objections?”
Elias asked with a puzzled expression, but Eltia did not falter as she looked straight at me with sharp eyes.
“Farah is the princess of the Renalute Kingdom. I am aware that in the Magnolia Empire, a margrave is considered equivalent to the rank just below the imperial family. However, since she is a royal of our nation entering a marital alliance, I wish for Lord Reed to declare his resolve to marry the princess here and now.”
“Huh…?”
Caught completely off guard by Eltia’s unexpected statement, I was dumbfounded. The others present also seemed half-dazed by her words. Elias then cleared his throat and continued speaking.
“Eltia, I understand your feelings, but Reed has already directly professed to me his wish to marry Farah. I also heard his reasons at the time, so is that not enough?”
“With all due respect, Your Majesty, you were the only one who heard Lord Reed’s words. Moreover, going forward the two nations will be proceeding under the premise of this marriage, yes? For that very reason, I wish for Lord Reed to reiterate his declaration from the other day here in this place. If those present here become witnesses, our bond will be all the stronger.”
Eltia finished politely and bowed elegantly to Elias. Hearing her words, Elias seemed to ponder for a moment, then looked at me with a rather smug smile.
“Hmm. If the two nations are to proceed towards marriage, I suppose there is no issue with Lord Reed redeclaring the words he told me the other day here. In fact, it may be a good opportunity. Lord Reed, my apologies, but could you please reiterate those words you told me at that time, here in this place?”
He’s doing it on purpose!! After finishing his words, the grinning expression on Elias’s face nearly made me feel a murderous intent. However, when I glanced around, my eyes met Farah’s. Her face was beet red, but her ears were twitching up and down. Her eyes seemed to hold great anticipation, tinged with a hint of anxiety. Asna, standing beside her, smiled at her expression.
“Reed, if His Majesty Elias insists you declare it here, then you should. As an imperial noble, you ought to do so if your words will strengthen the bond between nations.”
Father looked at me and gently advised, but his eyes clearly conveyed “Just give up.” For the record, I had already reported to Father what I had told Elias, so he knew. In other words…Father had no issues with me making the declaration. With that assurance, I resigned myself with a dejected sigh, steeled my resolve, and stood up. Feeling everyone’s eyes on me, I looked squarely at Farah and proclaimed loudly:
“I fell in love with Princess Farah at first sight. Please become my bride. I vow to make you happy.”
As I spoke, Farah’s ears turned beet red to the point of practically emitting smoke. In the sweet atmosphere that followed, Eltia was the first to break the silence, clearing her throat as she addressed me.
“I have heard Lord Reed’s words. Princess Farah, instead of being lovestruck, why don’t you also declare what you told me the other day here and now? Or was that a lie?”
At Eltia’s words, Farah let out a “Hah!” of surprise as she looked at the other woman. I wondered what she meant by “the other day.” As I watched their exchange with a perplexed look, Farah took a deep breath and stood up. She stepped forward and, looking squarely at me, spoke in a strong, dignified voice:
“I…I also have deep affections for Lord Reed. If we could marry, there would be no greater joy…!!”
This time it was my turn, as I turned beet red to the point of practically emitting smoke. At that moment, I knew I would never forget this day for the rest of my life, standing there flushed while we bashfully confessed our feelings before Father, Elias and the others. In the sweet, awkward silence that followed, I scratched my cheek shyly as I glanced at Farah.
“Er…well then, I look forward to it.”
“Y-Yes, I as well…please take care of me…”
For some reason, Farah and I ended up confessing our feelings in front of Father, Elias and everyone else present. An unbearably awkward atmosphere now hung between us. Farah had her face bowed in a deep blush, her ears twitching up and down – a truly adorable sight. I also felt my face growing hot as I realized, that must be the reason her ears move like that.
In retrospect, it was probably for the best that Diana stopped me from asking Farah about why her ears move. At that point, Eltia let out a light cough, seeing our lovey-dovey atmosphere.
“I’m delighted you two share the same feelings. If this marriage can be realized, the relationship between our nations will be all the better for it. Lord Reiner, Lord Reed, please forgive my impudence in pressing the matter.”
As she finished speaking, Eltia tried to bow elegantly, but Father stopped her and replied:
“Lady Eltia, your intentions alone are enough. Even if this marriage serves to strengthen the ties between nations, if the couple themselves are in love, then there could be no better union.”
Father looked back and forth between me and Farah, then spoke gently to Eltia and Elias.
“Indeed. This marriage between my daughter and the Baldia family will be a good result for both sides. Lord Reed, I entrust Farah to you again.”
Elias nodded at Father’s words, then continued speaking to me with a sharp gaze. I puffed out my chest and responded strongly to his gaze.
“Yes. Understood.”
Seeming satisfied with my answer, Elias gave a wry smile. Eltia, who had been watching our exchange, let out a small sigh and said in a somewhat pained voice.
“Fuu…King Elias, Lord Reiner, forgive me. I’m feeling a bit unwell, so I would like to excuse myself.”
Elias and Reiner nodded worriedly at her words. Eltia expressed her gratitude, then tried to pass in front of Farah to leave the room.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
“…Mother, I don’t understand your feelings. Why did you just encourage me like that?”
In a voice only audible to Eltia, Farah spoke to her. Following the other day, Farah couldn’t understand the intent behind Eltia’s words and actions. What was she thinking? Farah gazed at her with a puzzled expression. As usual, Eltia answered coldly in a hushed voice as if brushing her off.
“Princess Farah, I have severed my ties with you. There is no reason for you to call me Mother. However…even if buffeted by the tides of fate, never lose heart, and walk the path you wish to follow.”
“…!!”
Saying only that, Eltia left the audience chamber. While watching Eltia’s retreating back, Farah sensed something akin to [tenderness] in her words just now, unlike her usual manner.
When Eltia tried to pass in front of Farah, it seemed they were talking about something. But from my position, I couldn’t make out their conversation. Eltia left the room, while the remaining Farah hung her head as if deep in thought. At that moment, Elias turned his gaze toward me.
“Lord Reed, we previously discussed you becoming a backer for the Christie Company. Can you call their representative right away?”
“Eh…yes, well, I did send word ahead before coming here. So if I call, they should come promptly.”
Before coming here, I had sent a messenger to Chris. During our previous discussion, Elias had instructed me to bring the Christie Company’s representative.
What I conveyed to Chris through the messenger was, “You may be summoned by King Elias. If possible, please wait at the guesthouse.” Since I was busy preparing this morning, I couldn’t convey the details. But I thought Chris would be waiting.
“Well now, as expected of Lord Reed. It’s reassuring that you move quickly. Let’s send for them immediately.”
“If so, may I go escort them directly? I haven’t yet informed Chris’s representative that King Elias will be our backer. If I explain that while fetching them, it would save the trouble of an explanation.”
In fact, I hadn’t been able to tell her about the backer arrangement yet. I should have done so yesterday, but I was too busy and lacked time for a proper discussion. It would be better to have a little time to talk with her rather than springing it on her.
“I see. Very well. Then Lord Reed, you go retrieve them.”
“Understood. I’ll excuse myself for now.”
With a bow to Elias, I slowly stood up. At that moment, my eyes met Farah’s, and her face reddened as her ears twitched up and down. I must have blushed as well at her adorable appearance, giving her a gentle smile in return. I then left the room to fetch Chris from the guesthouse.
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
BUY THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR !!!
Kindly click on the green button above and contribute to filling the green bar if you’re interested in having another LN from the request page translated. Also, every donation is being used to purchase the source material and to fund more English translations.
Please consider joining my Ko-Fi membership. By becoming a member, you’ll also gain access to 2-10 additional chapters of all of the novels from this site translated into English. Last but not least your support will also assist me in upholding the translation quality and speed. For more information, please follow the link.
Donation for faster release is always welcome
Additionally, I am now accepting translation requests.
