Who Could Have Loved the Monster Princess? - Chapter 46
“…?”
Suddenly? Do I have to answer this? I hadn’t really thought about it. Wouldn’t I need someone to think about it? Or maybe I’ll never get married at all?
In the end, I answered briefly to maintain my pride.
“I don’t plan to.”
“I see.”
Sean acknowledged as if he expected that response. I wasn’t sure what the intention behind his question was. But then, Dahliana, who had been eagerly eating snacks, turned her head to look behind me. I also sensed it and turned my head to look.
Carnelian was standing there, his expression stiff as if he had seen something strange.
‘But why is he so stiff while looking at me?’
I stood up to greet him, and Dahliana, brushing the crumbs off her hands, also stood up and bowed.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your conversation. Belienne, may I speak with you for a moment?”
“Of course.”
Well, if we’re speaking in noble terms, there’s a procedure for this kind of thing. I received formal permission from Sean and Dahliana, and the Crown Prince also needed to seek their consent. But Sean isn’t really a noble, and Dahliana, her belly full, was rubbing her eyes, looking sleepy.
“Prepare a sofa and blanket for the Lady Bittern.”
“Yes, my lady.”
I then turned to look at Sean, but before I could say anything, he answered.
“Go ahead.”
I nodded and followed the Crown Prince out. He seemed like he was about to get straight to the point, but then there was a long silence. Eventually, just like last time, we walked through the garden, away from the attendants.
“What was your request?”
The Crown Prince, who had been walking ahead, paused and turned to look at me.
“Did I say something like that?”
“What do you mean?”
“You have a favor to ask?”
What is he talking about? Didn’t he want to claim our flag so badly, even if it meant fighting with Sean and taking risks like cheating?
“Ah, so do you have something you want to command me to do?”
Wass that it? Not a request, but a command? Something like that? When I rephrased my words, the Crown Prince seemed a bit disappointed.
‘What’s…?’
Still, he didn’t drag it out for long and resumed walking, opening his mouth again.
“How do you feel about the current reputation of the Imperial family?”
Was this question related to his earlier disappointment? I couldn’t figure out what his real point was by starting with the reputation of the Imperial family.
“Has anything changed compared to before?”
In my circles, the Imperial family has always been seen as the ‘master of the Empire, who has abandoned duty and responsibility, and cannot be trusted.’
“Not really.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“That’s the problem. During times of chaos, it wasn’t much of an issue. What nation could stand against the Demon King? At least the Imperial family managed to maintain some face because of the fame of the great mage, Duke Staedt, who led the Empire.”
“Ah…”
“On the other hand, the surrounding countries have made tremendous progress over the past five years.”
“Obviously, the nations bordering the Mondsera Mountain Range had no choice but to improve. Compared to the Empire, they suffered two to three times the damage, but at least they can live their daily lives now, with no monster raids.”
In fact, the only change they had experienced was that the refugees who had been wandering around began to settle down and start farming. There was not enough land to farm, and the population was still small, but their harvests had increased several times compared to before.
“That’s the logical conclusion. However, to the Imperial nobles, it doesn’t look like that. If life in neighboring countries has improved two or three times, wouldn’t they expect their own situation to improve in the same way?”
“It doesn’t seem like it’s necessary to consider such people.”
“Surprisingly, a significant number of Imperial nobles think like that, and it’s become a threat to the Imperial authority.”
That much?
I looked at the Crown Prince in confusion, and he gave a small smile.
“Have you ever heard the rumor that the reason the Empire’s situation hasn’t improved is because the Imperial family is incompetent?”
“Hm…”
That wasn’t just a rumor I’d heard, but a thought I had often carried in my mind. When I didn’t deny it, the Crown Prince nodded.
“That’s why I need your help.”
“I’m not sure how I could help change the nobles’ way of thinking…”
It’s not a new story that the Emperor is incompetent.
He only shows up for things that make him look good or things he finds entertaining, but I couldn’t exactly ask him to do some actual work. Even if I did, he might not listen.
“There’s a simple way, isn’t there? One way is to make them expect something from the future generation.”
“That’s one way, I suppose.”
When he said “the future generation,” he meant the Crown Prince himself. Better than the Emperor, perhaps, but still he wasn’t exactly someone who inspired overwhelming confidence. An unmarried prince capable of causing unexpected disruptions was hardly a stable prospect.
Then it suddenly occurred to me: Where did Carnelian’s flag go?
“Oh, by the way, did no one manage to find Your Highness’s flag?”
If any noble house had found the Imperial flag, they’d likely demand marriage with Carnelian. But he shook his head.
“It disappeared. I still don’t know which house found it.”
That was unexpected. I had assumed he’d keep it on his person after entering the tournament.
He must have noticed the suspicion in my eyes, because he gave a dry, self-deprecating laugh. Then, without warning, he asked something strange.
“So… are there really no chances of a marriage?”
“……”
This guy… Why did he have to bring that up again? What’s he trying to say this time?
