Arc-6 Ch-19

"Just no matter what, please don't forget to attend to Angelica-sama's mood, Leon-sama."

"Never skimp on compliments, and don't forget to try everything that might make her happy. If possible, gifts too."

While walking down the corridor toward the gambling hall's entrance, I was continually bombarded with Olivia-sama's and Marie's admonitions the whole time. Olivia-sama was wearing a wig, and Marie had tied up her long golden hair. Just by looking at them briefly, almost no one would realize they were the Saintess and her attendant lady-in-waiting.

That aside, why are two of them so blatantly taking Angie's side?

They were giving me warnings and criticisms as if I had been completely neglecting Angie's feelings.

I could tell, I could tell perfectly well that they were seriously worried about Angie, but could you please hold back on the statements that keep stabbing my heart?

The words "In the first place, do you two even have any experience with marriage, let alone romance?" were right up to my throat.

Of course, I knew saying that would anger both of them, so I didn't say it. As a capable man, I properly read the room.

"...The only one who can remove Angelica-sama's anxiety is you, Leon-sama. Do you properly realize that?"

"Angie isn't a woman weak enough to cling to me. Rather, it's me who's terrified of being abandoned by Ange."

No matter how much effort one puts in, there definitely exists a wall that can never be overcome. It could be lineage, wealth, talent; it varies from person to person.

You often hear stories at noble gatherings like "When I was young, I was fearless and arrogantly thought I could do anything," but I have never once felt like I had accomplished something.

When I was little, I had to grovel before Zola and the others to survive, and after entering the kingdom's army, I had little education and was greatly helped by my seniors.

In the battle against the Fanoss Principality army, I only survived by luck, and in the second war, I was barely able to protect my allies; while I was fighting desperately in the mud, Olivia-sama and the others captured the princess and ended it.

The ones sitting at the center of the world are heroes and champions overflowing with talent, loved by God.

I tilt my head at the fact that someone like me receives the same treatment as those people.

I'm just someone who survived dirtily and was blessed with luck; my marriage to Ange is the prime example of that, a clearly mismatched couple no matter who looks at it.

Thanks to Angie, I am happy, but honestly, whether I am making Angie happy was questionable.

While I was thinking such self-deprecating thoughts, an arm suddenly reached out from the side and grabbed my chest.

It grabbed with considerable strength, and I involuntarily tensed up. The arm belonged to Olivia-sama.

"I am completely serious right now."

Olivia-sama's blue eyes lost their light, and she pressed down on my chest with considerable force. It was hard to breathe, and Olivia-sama was extremely scary. People often misunderstand her because she's beautiful and kind, but she's a genuine combat enthusiast who tried to fight on the very front lines during the war.

She's strong enough to easily beat down any random thug.

Moreover, she's clever, so in my mind, she's the second scariest woman in the world that I never want to make an enemy of.

By the way, first place is Angie, third place is Her Majesty the Queen.

Why are only scary women gathering around me? Damn you, God.

"...I'm also completely serious when talking with Olivia-sama."

"Please have a proper, face-to-face discussion with Angelica-sama. You understand that she's going through a very difficult time right now, don't you, Leon-sama?"

"Of course. Angie hated even coming to the royal capital."

"Then why?"

"Because I'm unreliable, so Angie has no choice but to come forward herself. I've told her many times that there's no need for her to fight the ducal house for me and the children, but she won't listen. If I had been born into a good family and had enough power to get by as a noble, it would be different, but with me completely relying on Ange's power, I can't stop her."

"Then at least reduce Angelica-sama's anxiety. Angelica-sama might seriously try to separate from you, Leon-sama."

It took a few seconds to understand the meaning of Olivia-sama's words, and my body's movements stopped.

The moment I finally understood, strength suddenly left my knees, and I collapsed.

Marie was panicking and circling around me like a puppy; it was cute, but it provided no comfort at all.

Why does Olivia-sama always stab right into my heart so accurately?

As expected, this person is scary.

Olivia-sama, who had let out a sigh, crouched down and met my eyes.

Stop, any more words and my heart will reach its limit.

"Angelica-sama is deeply troubled. To the point where even Marie-san and I think we would be more suitable for Leon-sama."

"Am I going to be abandoned by Angie!?"

"The very fact that you think 'being abandoned' instead of 'abandoning her' at that point shows the state of Baltforts marital relationship."

"Marie-san, don't tease him. So Leon-sama, please immediately start appeasing Angelica-sama. Immediately, as top priority, even betting your life on it."

"But if Angie refuses..."

"She won't refuse. Don't get cold feet before even trying."

"Is this person really the Villainous Knight? He was so cunning in the war, yet he's shy about appeasing his wife."

Shut up, Marie. I never wanted that nickname.

Somehow I stood up and headed toward the entrance; if we kept talking like this, my heart felt like it would keep getting carved up.

"Planning such a reckless strategy behind Angelica-sama's back is already betrayal in itself. I think it would be better for both of you to sort out your feelings before your marital relationship becomes irreparable."

"I understand."

I somehow felt forcibly pushed through. Compared to me, the Villainous Knight, Olivia-sama was far more forceful and merciless.

But what should I do?

Going to the ducal residence is the day after tomorrow, no, tomorrow afternoon.

Considering the time to pick up Angie and have a meeting inside our airship, there's almost no time to go together.

But if I give a half-hearted answer, this Saintess will get angry. Really angry.

That's why I could only nod.

"Why are you so timid toward Angelica-sama? You're supposed to be a hero who defeated the Principality army's commander and saved many kingdom soldiers and nobles."

"Shut up. Our marriage with Angie included calculations and was a political one, so if the ducal house says to divorce, I can't go against it. If Angie gives up on me, I have no choice but to obey."

"Then why are you making a plan that would anger the ducal house?"

"I have no choice, damn it. If things continue like this, the royal family and the ducal house might end up in a quagmire of conflict. When I thought about a path where, even if I die, my wife and children can survive, it ended up like this."

"Bartfort really doesn't think about the consequences. Keeping quiet will make Angelica-sama even angrier."

"That's right. No, seriously, what should I do?"

"Normally, people wouldn't choose a method that sacrifices themselves."

"If it has the highest chance of success, then betting my own life is cheap. Angie cries and stops me, so I usually don't do it."

"That's exactly why. Please realize soon that you, Bartfort, are insane."

Marie mercilessly condemned my actions.

Why does this girl shamelessly insult me like this? Does she have some grudge against me?

On the battlefield, there are many things you can't understand just from reports at headquarters.

Rather than leaving it to someone weaker than me and failing, if I do it myself, the success rate is higher, so I should take the lead.

This difference in values is a big difference between me and Angie.

To win, I don't hesitate to dirty my own hands, but Angie scolds me saying that's not something a noble or head of house should do.

I, who love Angie and try to sacrifice myself; Angie, who loves me and wishes I wouldn't do dangerous things.

The differences in the environment we were raised in and our values create a gap that's somehow impossible to fill.

"...I just want Angie to be happy. I love her so much that I think even if I'm abandoned, as long as she can be happy, it's fine."

"That's the big mistake. Angelica-sama thinks she's satisfied as long as Leon-sama is by her side. Please refrain from rash actions."

"Why are you so personally invested in us, Olivia-sama? I thought you hated Ange."

"It's true that even now, there are parts of Angelica-sama that I'm not good with. But that doesn't mean I hate her."

Olivia-sama, with a bitter smile, looked more like a woman her age than a Saintess.

Even with makeup and disguise, she couldn't hide the kindness and maternal nature that could be felt.

"When I enrolled in the academy and didn't know left from right, the ones who were kind to me were His Highness Julius and everyone. To a country bumpkin girl like me, I couldn't see my surroundings at all. Because I was hated by the nobles around me, I clung to the hands extended to me."

"That was because their actions were the problem, and it's not like Olivia-sama was entirely at fault."

"My actions caused trouble for Angelica-sama and many others. Even though her family was colluding with sky pirates, one of the reasons Stephanie-sama went down the path of evil was also because of me."

"So you're trying to atone to Angie?"

"It might just be self-satisfaction. The other day, Clarice-sama, who was Jilk-san's fiancee, accepted my apology. Though it probably shouldn't be done, she even accepted my plea for Stephanie-sama's life to be spared. Wanting Angelica-sama to have healthy, peaceful days is my true feeling."

Olivia-sama was acting with good intentions.

It doesn't always lead to the best results, but I couldn't sense any intent to demean someone or satisfy desires. Honestly, I was even moved that such a good person exists.

"If I had met Olivia-sama before meeting Angie, I imagine. I probably would have admired you the same way as His Highness Julius and the others."

"What kind of nonsense are you spouting, Bartfort!?"

"Bad."

"Rest assured, I'm completely devoted to Angie."

"Then that's good."

"If you and His Highness hadn't caused that engagement annulment uproar, Angie wouldn't have become my wife. We wouldn't have even had the chance to meet in the first place. Thanks to being shut out from the path to queen, I was able to marry the best woman; thinking that way makes me quite the villain."

"...That might be true."

"The fact alone that I became Angie's husband makes me believe my life had value. Even if we divorce, if Angie is satisfied, I'm fine just praying for her happiness from a distant place."

"Is that why you do reckless things?"

"I have no intention of wasting my life. No matter how slim, if there's a chance of winning, I think I should struggle."

"If you're going to say that much, persuasion is impossible. I'll cooperate behind the scenes, including for surveillance purposes."

"Please take care of us, Bartfort."

"Likewise, please take care of me. Well then, excuse me first."

I bowed my head to Olivia-sama and Marie and quickly headed toward the entrance. When I went outside, the night still hadn't dawned.

I boarded the carriage waiting nearby and had it head toward the airship docked at the airport.

Inside the swaying carriage, I desperately thought about what to do with Angie, whom I was picking up at noon, but no decent plan came up.

I got off the arrived carriage and headed to the captain's cabin.

Tonight had been eventful. Too eventful.

Even with a brain exhausted and demanding sleep, no decent plan would come out. First, I'll just sleep for a few hours and then go pick up Angie before thinking about anything else.

Half-resigned, I stretch out my arms and legs on the bed and lie down.

I couldn't fall asleep easily because I was excited about seeing Angie again for the first time in ten days.

※　※　※　※　※

The downtown area just before noon is full of energy, and even inside the building, the outdoor heat can be felt transmitting through.

Although most of the customers visiting the restaurant on the ground floor of the building are from the noble class, enjoying food as one of life's pleasures has nothing to do with social status.

I finished a light meal and drained the cup of freshly poured black tea.

The appointed time is almost here, but I somehow have time to kill.

I want to pass the time by immersing myself in a book or doing some writing, but doing so in front of the lady seated before me would be impolite.

"Please calm yourself. The way you are now, you look just like an impatient little girl."

"...My apologies."

Even though Lady Mylene pointed it out and I straightened my posture in the chair, I still couldn't settle down. It has only been about ten days apart, yet right now, just thinking about meeting Leon makes me restless, like a spirited horse.

"I never thought you would change this much just because the man you're with is different."

"Have I really changed that much?"

"You don't notice it yourself? I never once saw that expression on your face when you were engaged to Julius."

"With all due respect, when I was seeing His Highness Julius, it was mostly me who took the initiative to approach him."

"Julius truly has no eye for women. No, it would be more accurate to say he lacks the skill to keep them. If he's going to break up, he should follow proper procedure; if he's going to keep a woman, he needs to show the corresponding generosity and status. Otherwise, she'll easily abandon him. His Majesty has the problem of liking women too much, but I too was at fault for failing to educate him properly in that regard."

"His Highness grew tired of me because he could sense the pressure from the ducal house lurking in the background. I should have been more attentive to him."

"For the men of the royal family, marriage is nothing more than a political tool. To dislike a duke's daughter like you, yet delight in being fawned over by women who flock to him for the sake of royal status and wealth—that is the height of folly. That's exactly why he falls head over heels for any rare woman without thinking of the consequences."

Lady My lene's words were merciless even toward her own son. For the queen who had married from the Lepart Union Kingdom into the Holfort Kingdom through a political marriage and had been involved in state affairs for over twenty years, having an unreliable king and prince as husband and son must have been a constant source of worry. During the few days I stayed at the palace, every day was filled with what were called tea parties but were in truth endless complaining sessions.

If I had married into the Holfort royal family, I would have had to put up with this until Lady Mylene passed away—I broke into a cold sweat just imagining it.

"The female-superior system of the Holfort Kingdom was truly was a poison. Even when noble men and women of proper sensibility connected, they would be crushed by high-ranking nobles with warped ideologies. If that child had been born to a lower noble house, he would never have been able to rise as far as Viscount Bartfort has."

"...Lady Mylene seems quite taken with my husband."

"Oh my, is that a problem? From the perspective of someone from Lepart like me, it's only natural to be interested in a promising young man who is strong in war and able to climb the ranks in a female-superior country. The people of this kingdom need to realize that no matter how excellent someone is as an adventurer, it holds no great political meaning."

The Holfort Kingdom was founded by adventurers, and for that reason, adventurers were objects of reverence for all the people in this country. Or rather, they used to be.

Due to the war with the Fanoss Principality, people's perception began shifting toward capable soldiers and bureaucrats over adventurers. I myself, having married a man like Leon who dislikes adventurers, gained experience in territorial administration, and learned about the deeds of the kingdom's founders and the saintess, have seen a considerable change in my own view of adventurers.

In recent years, the kingdom's values regarding lineage, status, and occupation have undergone massive change.

Perhaps this is a sign that an era of upheaval has arrived.

"For His Majesty and me, perhaps the most fortunate life would have been to be born as commoners and have Julius become an adventurer. Both His Majesty and the prime minister suffer from the same issue—the men of the Holfort royal family are always born with talents unnecessary for a king while lacking the ones that are essential."

"That may be so. My husband also often expresses a desire to retire to the countryside."

"He really is a rare one. You absolutely must not let him retire. Whether the royal family continues to exist or the ducal house seizes the throne, he is a person this country will need from now on."

"Is it only his talent for war that you seek in Leon?"

"As for politics, he has you as his wife, so it should be fine. Now that the royal family has lost its flagship, in reality we are nothing more than the house with the longest history and largest holdings in the country. When you consider rewards for the nobles and reconstruction costs, the ducal house might actually be wealthier."

"Is there no prospect of repairing the royal family's flagship?"

"It is a Lost Item—a lost heritage whose technology we can no longer reproduce. It might be possible to make it fly again in a few decades, but the device that amplifies the Saintess's power cannot be repaired. Duke Vince must have foreseen this and begun seriously aiming for the throne."

"Is the royal family the only one aware of that fact?"

"Only a very limited number even within the royal family. Those who don't know are conversely getting carried away and breathing heavily through their noses with excitement. Prince Jake is the prime example."

Perhaps as a side effect of gaining the upper hand against the Alzer Republic externally and achieving victory over the Fanoss Principality, there are those within the country who, under the banner of national wealth and military strength, have begun considering invasion of other nations.

They are still a minority at present, but if domestic reconstruction continues to lag for five or ten years, the danger of starting a war in search of resources and territory cannot be ruled out.

The kingdom needs time to recover its national strength right now. At the very least, we must restore the population and economy to their former levels before any war breaks out.

"I will leave the royal family's internal strife to you. I will devote myself to persuading my father."

"Please do. The royal family is fine with surrendering to the ducal house."

"Is that really something the queen of a nation should say?"

"I told you earlier, didn't I? As long as my husband and children's lives are guaranteed, that's all I care about. Duke Vince should also understand that turning my homeland, the Leopart United Kingdom, into an enemy just to take their lives would be a bad move."

In the end, both Lady Mylene and I simply treasure our husbands and children above all else.

As long as our families are safe, we'll do anything—prostrate ourselves, swear allegiance in the castle town, whatever it takes.

Women are far more cunning, tough, and calculating creatures than men imagine.

"They act sloppy in everyday life, but think that if they just do something cool when things get a little dangerous, everything will be forgiven. If they're going to take such reckless risks, they should just behave properly all the time. Why are men like that?"

"Does His Majesty also do such manly things?"

"He tried to fight on the front lines, or when he clashed with the ducal house he tried to get Erika and me to escape. Instead of worrying about things like that, just act properly from the start!"

"..."

"When we were newly married, that lack of confidence was actually cute—I thought I had to support him. But now look: in front of young side wives and concubines he says the cheesiest things. The weakness he showed me was all an act. He shows his feeble side to other women and calls me the evil wife. To me he only ever shows his slovenly side."

The surface of the water in Lady Mylene's cup is rippling violently—she must be truly furious.

"Ange, you be careful too. That husband of yours is popular with unmarried ladies and widows alike."

"There is no need to worry. My husband loves me."

"That boy has an atmosphere very similar to His Majesty when he was young. He isn't His Majesty's illegitimate child, is he?"

"The relationship between my father-in-law and mother-in-law is good, so that's impossible."

"Even if you think that, I've heard the complaint 'the only one who doesn't know about her husband's affair is the wife' countless times from various women since I married in. Women can be bad too, but men are childish and greedy."

"I'll keep it in mind."

"For now, if your husband suddenly becomes unusually kind, be on guard—he's probably being extra nice to hide an affair."

"Yes."

I am aware that there are women who have their eyes on Leon.

Deidere, the younger sister of Dorothea who is marrying my brother-in-law, is excessively familiar with Leon. Count Atley was also considering Leon as a new fiance for his daughter Clarice, who like me had her engagement broken.

There are other women aiming for Leon as well. Once he receives a promotion in rank for his achievements this time, that number will surely increase further.

Honestly, if I keep listening to Lady Mylene any longer, I'm going to become misanthropic.

Feeling a little fed up, lady-in-waiting entered the room and whispered something to Lady Mylene.

"It looks like your ride has finally arrived. I'll leave the rest to you."

"Yes, thank you for everything."

"Don't feel pressured about the negotiation results. Persuading the royalist faction is my responsibility."

"Understood."

"Please let me know when the baby is born. I'll send a celebratory gift."

"Thank you. Please take care of yourself as well, Lady Mylene."

After exchanging farewell greetings, I stood up and was guided by the lady-in-waiting to the designated location.

When I arrived at the waiting room on the first floor of the building, a familiar face was seated there. Just seeing him made my heart feel strangely warm.

Oh no, I can feel my face breaking into a foolish grin. I had thought about what words I would say when Leon came to pick me up, but now that the moment has come, nothing comes to mind.

For the time being, I wait for him to greet me first, and sure enough, Leon approaches.

"...Yo. You doing okay?"

"Is that the first thing you say? Come up with something a little more thoughtful."

"Sorry. I just didn't know how to greet you."

I can sense hesitation in Leon's strangely halting words. It seems he didn't even bring a subordinate to carry the luggage.

Leon receives my bags from Lady Mylene's lady-in-waiting, bows once, and we head toward the carriage waiting area near the downtown district.

The distance isn't far—just a few hundred steps.

"...Is there anything you want to buy?"

"No."

"...I see."

As I thought, Leon is acting distant.

Well, I wouldn't want him to be all clingy in public either, but there is some kind of reserve or wall between us.

He doesn't refuse when I hold his hand, and I can feel his consideration for me being pregnant.

We arrive at the waiting area and board a box-type four-wheeled carriage.

Leon sits not beside me, but across from me.

"Are we stopping anywhere on the way to the airport?"

"Nowhere in particular. I'm planning to visit Father and my brother at the ducal residence tomorrow, so time is precious."

"No, I just thought since we're in the capital anyway, if there's anywhere you want to go we should stop..."

"I said nowhere."

"...Yes, ma'am."

Leon's meek, almost servile attitude irritates me.

We were only apart for about ten days—not a long period, but the information I obtained during that time was extremely valuable.

Among it, the most important was the fact that the Bartfort bloodline is closely connected to the kingdom's founder and the saintess.

When I stare at Leon's face, he awkwardly averts his gaze.

What is going on?

Is there something he can't tell me?

"Just remember what I said earlier: if your husband suddenly becomes unusually kind, be on guard—he's probably being extra nice to hide an affair."

Lady Mylene's words from earlier unavoidably flash through my mind.

I want to say "Leon would never," but for some reason I lack confidence. There are quite a few nobles who value him, and even women who don't know him personally admire him.

There are certainly nobles who take concubines while their wives are pregnant.

I asked half-jokingly.

"Did you find some woman you like and cheat on me?"

"I did not!!"

"Then look me in the eye when you talk. You've been acting suspicious this whole time."

"That obvious?"

"You haven't begged for a kiss or even hugged me—which is unusual for you."

"I don't always beg."

"Not in public."

The box-type carriages used by nobles are designed so the inside cannot be seen from outside. The very fact that Leon, who would normally try to casually sit next to me, chose a different seat without any reason is already an abnormal situation.

"Did you do anything reckless while I was gone?"

"I didn't do that much."

"That much means you did something."

"...Just a little."

"Good grief, you always overdo it the moment I take my eyes off you. I'm not your mother, you know."

"My bad."

"You're hopeless."

Taking care of the carriage's vibrations, I move to sit beside Leon. Being this close to him, close enough to feel his body heat, is incredibly comforting.

When I stroke the head of Leon, who still looks somewhat uncomfortable, he obediently accepts it.

I completely understand what Lady Milene meant when she said she found His Majesty Roland's vulnerable side endearing.

The fact that I alone get to monopolize every part of the man I love makes my heart race.

Unable to hold back any longer, I lean in and press my lips to his.

"...What's this all of a sudden?"

"It's your fault for not being honest."

"My fault?"

"Yes, your fault."

In the end, we share kiss after kiss inside the carriage on the way to the airport.

When we arrived and I realized the coachman had seen us, I writhed in embarrassment at my own carelessness.

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Authors Note

┻━⁠━━━━⁠━━⁠━━━⁠┻

A reunion episode for the husband and wife, but the two of them have differing awareness and information.

It won't be settled with simple persuasion.

Every character has incomplete information and assumes the other party doesn't know certain things, so they overthink actions or underestimate them.

Those points will gradually come to light in the story from now on.

Addendum: At the requester's request, illustrations were drawn by APple T-sama and OFURO / Ofuro-sama.

Thank you very much.

APple T-sama- Pixiv

OFURO / Ofuro-sama- Pixiv

I would be encouraged for the future if you could share your opinions and impressions.