I'm back in the kingdom after six months.

　I can clearly see that the reconstruction is more advanced than before.

　After seeing the devastation of the Republic, my hometown looks even more dazzling--a hometown that looks even more dazzling.

　In such a hometown, I was in front of Roland, who was a scumbag - not a scumbag - in the royal palace, in front of his majesty, Roland.

　Today, we're facing each other not for the ceremony, but to talk about paperwork.

　There were other nobles around and they were talking about me.

　Roland was sticking his finger up his nose.

'You little shit, you went on a rampage. It's made me have to send out a bunch of messengers. Now let's hear your excuse for adding more work to this friggin' busy season.

'I am very sorry for His Majesty. It is very painful to deprive him of the graceful moments, the time to pick up girls, and the time to talk about love with women.

　It really hurts my heart.

　All I can do is regret that I should have made this guy suffer more.

'You're a white trash, you little shit.

'No way. I mean it.

You're lying.

'Yes, it's a lie. So what?　I'm glad you took your job a little more seriously.

　When I spilled my true feelings, the Roland guy had a blue streak on his forehead.

'I'm going to execute you for contempt.

'Insults?　Facts aren't called insults. Didn't you know that?　But good for you. You've made one thing smarter today.

　Roland, who started to say something incomprehensible, was replaced by Clarice's father, Minister Bernard, who spoke with me.

I'm sure you're not the only one who's interested in this. I've heard about this case from their highnesses. I'm not saying that you are not at fault, but you have done a great job of showing the determination of the kingdom. Personally, it's a really interesting story.

　As an individual, you know. He must have had a lot of feelings about the Republic, too.

　The one who is here instead of Vince-san is Gilbert-san - Ange's brother.

''But the kingdom has lost one of its magic stones to purchase. Not only that, one of the surrounding countries has become unstable. It's not an optimistic situation.

　The country next door is in a difficult situation - it's not.

　The country that is exporting a lot of magic stones has disappeared.

　In some cases, it's my position to be the one who created the opportunity for trouble.

　The kingdom is also being forced to deal with the situation.

''We've gone too far, haven't we?

'You've nipped the Republic in the bud when it invades the kingdom in the future. I give you credit for that, though.

　If I didn't do anything, the Holy Tree and Ideal would have gone out of control.

　I don't think they'd understand if I explained that to the people here, though.

　Roland stroked his own beard as he plucked at it with his fingertips.

'It's your fault. Therefore, you're condemned to death!'

　Leaving Roland behind, Mr. Bernard spoke seriously.

'Well, about your treatment--'

Hey, listen!

　The people around him are ignoring Roland's nonsense.

　Isn't this guy treated lightly?

'Count Baldfalt, no--Marquis. I'm sorry, but I'll get ready for the ceremony at once. I've decided to give you a medal for this action, to show that the kingdom is not bad,

'What?　I'm going to have to go to the school--what?

　I didn't understand what Mr. Bernard was saying.

　I looked at Mr. Gilbert.

"I took care of this before the Republic invaded the kingdom. And here's your reward for killing the monster. Take it.

No, it's just that I'm not royalty, and I'm not a prince or anything like that, so I'm going to have to decline.

　Cold sweat poured out unceasingly.

　A marquis is like a branch of the royal family in the Horphath Kingdom.

　The Redgrave family is also a branch of the royal family.

　It's not a position that I, an upstart, can assume.

　It's clearly not a position that can be given to me.

　To my dismay, I saw Roland's grinning face.

'I can at least consider that I can't execute you,' he said. I'd like to send you to the executioner's table sooner or later, but before I do, I thought about what you wouldn't like to do. After some thought, I realized that I could give you a knighthood as a marquis.

　His eyes widened, and as he looked at Roland, he began to speak eloquently.

There are not many nobles in the kingdom today. "There are not many noblemen in the kingdom today. You're a good man, and I'll make sure they get the best out of you. You're so capable, I'll wear you out until you're worn out. Aren't you happy, Marquis Baldfart?

　How could I be happy about that?

You've got to be kidding me!　I'm not royalty, man!

　Then Mr. Gilbert muttered, "You are," he said.

　I turned around and looked at Mr. Gilbert.

'Have you forgotten?　Angier is also a member of a royal lineage with Rafa as his middle name. Your husband-to-be can be a marquis without any problem according to the rules of the kingdom. Normally this would not be possible, but this is a time of crisis.

　--I had forgotten that Angier was a real lady.

　No, she was a young lady -- but I remembered that she was even more of a young lady than that.

　Roland looked pleased.

'Just seeing your face like that makes me feel refreshed inside. You're going to sleep well today!　All right, you can have the third-highest rank in the land. Do your best to serve the kingdom, Marquis.

Oh, you're lying.

'Shame!　This is not a lie. Much to my chagrin, you are excellent and I am in a position where I must reward you. So with the utmost respect, I will promote you to the rank of marquis. This is my hunch, but I have a feeling that this will make it easier for me while you suffer. My instincts are often right.

　A hunch?　You let me get ahead of myself because of that!

　I thought I couldn't get a better promotion, but I got a promotion for reasons I couldn't believe.

　It can't be. It shouldn't be!

　It's true that you can rise in the ranks if you follow the rules, but there's no one in our country who has risen to the rank of marquis in a single generation!　They forced me up the ladder, man!

　Mr. Bernard saw my legs were shaking.

That's why you should have left it to my Clarice.

　What do you want me to do when you say that!

　In front of me, who was trembling, Roland's chase - was not over.

　This guy is pretty persistent!

'The whole time you've been making me suffer, I've been thinking. I wondered how I could help you suffer the most. In the course of my days of thinking about revenge against you in my sleep, I had a revelation.

　Did you spend every waking moment thinking about me?

　This guy's actually not busy, is he?

You're not busy, are you?

"Fascinating, kid!　I can't tell you how many all-nighters we've had because of you!　Sending you to hell was the only thing that kept me from doing my job. I couldn't execute you, I couldn't allow you to get cold feet, and yet I still wanted to get even, and I thought it through!　--Now, are you ready for this?

Mr. Gilbert, is there anything more?

Oh, actually--

Let me tell you!

　Roland is a guy who poses and exaggerates every single thing.

　I'm tired of being pompous.

　But when I heard Roland's story, I went into a black hole.

I'm going to give you a gift," he said. See, isn't it ridiculous to be a marquis with no men?

　My mouth starts to tremble.

　Yoriko is, simply put, a subordinate.

　But they're not the kind of people who are loyal to me.

　They'll be the kind of subordinates the state has sent under me. In the case of the lord nobility, it's like taking care of the knight barons and quasi-barons below me since my family's family is a baronial family.

　I want you to think of me as a subordinate sent from the kingdom, not an immediate subordinate.

''Hey, it's not true. No, don't--

In fact, I have four barons who are barons in name only. I put out the word to their families, and they agreed to let me serve under the Marquis.

　I had an idea about those four men.

　I couldn't stand, and Mr. Gilbert and Bernard would support me.

'Zilk, Brad, Greg, and Chris - I'm going to put those four under you and you're going to take care of them. More than ever, you know.

You son of a b*tc*.

　This guy shoved the four clunkers that Marie had taken in on me.

　Roland had a clean smile with his right hand on his chest.

　The aura of royalty is wasted.

'It's nice to hear that from you. Thank you. And - good luck!

'No!'

　I shouted and Miss Milene came into the meeting.

''It's so noisy. What's the fuss about--Rion-kun, what's wrong!''

"My Queen, the King was just messing with me. He's an ogre!

　Miss Milene ran up to me and put a gentle hand on my shoulder and stared at Roland.

'You?　I told you to show the utmost respect, didn't I?

No, no!　I promoted her and gave her a gift.　I'm not going to let anyone call me an ogre!　And I've given it the utmost respect--and I will.

　Miss Milene let out a sigh.

'Was that the story? Well then, I'll add one more condition from me.'

Oh, what?　If that little boy suffers, you're welcome.

I'm marrying my daughter to Mr. Lyon.

　The nobles present began to make a commotion.

''Speaking of Lady Milene's daughter--''
But that doesn't make a Redgrave family.
Are you sure?　Her Royal Highness must be engaged to be married.

　It seems that Milene has a child other than Julius.

　Would you marry your own daughter to me?

　There were many things to say, but it was Roland who was shaking.

'Heh?　Uh--what?　Milene, I didn't quite hear you. Can you say that again?　You're going to marry one of the princesses to a little boy, aren't you?　I think I heard you say you're going to marry your daughter off?

　From the way the story goes, it seems that His Highness the Princess is in a certain way.

　However, Milene's daughter has a way of saying that she is something special.

''She said she's going to give [Erica] as a bride.

No, no!　Not Erica!　Get another girl!　If that boy were to marry this little man, he'd be in a lot of trouble!　I'll never admit it. I will never admit it. I will use my royal authority to stop you!

'- Utterly, I'm quick to be a parental idiot when it comes to that girl. The only daughter at her age is Erica. It can't be helped, can it? The princess below her is only twelve years old.

'Erica is only 14 years old!　I would never admit it. Even when I got engaged, I really wanted to disapprove of it!　Keep that boy by your side the whole time!

'That's enough!　And Erica is fifteen years old this year!

'I'm only fifteen!　Unlike you, that girl is so pretty it doesn't even hurt to get it in her eyes.

I'm sure we'll talk later, Your Majesty.

　Hey, isn't that Roland guy blatantly discriminating against his daughter?

　Princess Erica is no good, but you're insane enough to let her marry the younger one when she's twelve.

　But then again, fifteen is about middle school, right?

　No, no.

　And I've already got a fiancé.

"Oh, um, I have a fiancé, and I'd like to turn it down.

　Roland's sharp gaze stabbed at me.

　His bloodshot eyes had become the aura of a troublesome father instead of the royal aura he had earlier.

''You have good nerve to decline when you could be engaged to Erica, kid!

'Which side of the fence are you on? I mean, I can't tell you now. Hey, Mr. Gilbert?　Oh, is that Mr. Gilbert?

　Mr. Gilbert was expressionless.

'Yes. You'd be in trouble, wouldn't you?'

　This is definitely an angry guy!　What am I supposed to do about this!

"You know what it means, my queen, don't you?

'Don't be so angry, Mr. Gilbert. I've asked Angel for permission. Besides, Bernard has agreed with me. My daughter - if Erica becomes Mr. Leon's rightful wife, it wouldn't be surprising to have an earl's daughter under her wing.

　Mr. Gilbert's sharp gaze went at Mr. Bernard as if to shoot through him.

　But Mr. Bernard kept a cool face.

'Ha, ha, yes, my queen.

　Did this guy know this story?

'No!　Erica is the only one-- Erica is the only one I don't want to give up!　And to this little boy, what a pity he's too pitiful!

　Roland was rolling around on the floor and spoiling himself, as if something was broken.

　--What?　What does this mean?

◇

　A room in the palace.

　When I returned, the one waiting for me was...

Thank you for your help, Marquis.

　It was a smiling Zilk.

'Don't you regret having to take me under your wing?　You're not going to say no?　Or rather, say no.

'I won't. I still recognize the marquis in this one.

　I don't know what to do - I'm not the least bit happy. I don't feel like it's because a guy approved of me or anything, but I feel like it's because these guys approved of me.

　Brad is flipping out, too.

'No - I never thought we'd be under your thumb,'

Refuse me.

'What?　I won't. I don't mind.

A little bit of disagreement!

Why?

　Greg and Chris, both in their uniforms, were trying to take them off as soon as they took their eyes off.

　They were still taking their shirts off.

'Better than someone I don't know. No, if he's your man, stronger than me, I'm not complaining!

Thank you.

　I think I'm looking at the four of them, who don't look at me in the slightest - I don't know why I feel like I'm being forced into something I don't like, I think.

　Julius was looking at me.

'What?'

Can I stay with you?

Why?

'No, because it sounds like fun. I mean, I know you're going to miss being alone.

I don't know!　Where in the world would a prince ask to be fed!

　You need to be a little more of a prince.

　The next thing I knew, I found myself squirming on my leg with Marie - and Carla and Kyle, too.

'Oh, you guys, what the hell are you doing?'

'I'll never let go!　Brother, take care of me for the rest of my life!
The Count. No, Mr. Marquis!　I'll be with Marie-sama for the rest of my life!
If we let the Marquis go, we'll be in a lot of trouble. Let's work together!

　Hey, are you guys trying to drag me over to your side of the fence too?

Let go of me!　I don't want to have to take care of you guys!　I absolutely hate it!

　Marie doesn't leave my legs.

　With all her strength, she clings to my leg. I felt an obsession there.



'My brother - we'll be together forever.



　The sight of Marie, clinging to me, looking up at me with a smile - made me feel like I was watching a horror movie.

　--Marie's smile is scary in reverse.

　In an instant, my body temperature drops and my back is wet with cold sweat.

　I screamed at the voice of Marie and the others, which seemed to drag me to the bottom of the earth.

''Yiyah!　Somebody help me!''

　What have I done?

　What did I do to get myself into this horrible punishing situation!

　Somebody explain to me what the hell is going on?

◇

　Meanwhile, at the Baron Baldfart's mansion, Angier and Noel were there.

　Noel, who was in a wheelchair, was holding a certain case with both hands as if it was important.

　Angier was pushing Noel's wheelchair and strolling around the courtyard of the mansion.

　Noel, who was giving off an awkward vibe, called out to Angel, who was behind him.

'What do you want to say to me?'

　Angier replies as he pushes his wheelchair.

''Once you're healed from your injuries, you can enroll in the kingdom's academy. I've already spoken with the queen.''

Are you sure?

　The reason Noel was brought to the kingdom was the case in his lap - a lush sapling in it.

　When he brought it back to the kingdom, Yumelia looked at the holy tree sapling and said it was still alive.

　From there, Yumelia put the sapling back together, and Noel's value as a priestess was restored.

　Now Noelle was an important person.

'Because Rion cares about you. I really want to lock you in as a miko, but that would make him suffer.

　That was the one thing that Angier was concerned about.

'-- I thought you'd be more of a jerk to me. 'Don't mess with my man,'

　Angel smiles.

'I would tell you. But if I do, Rion will mind. That's not the outcome I want.

　Noel hugged the case containing the Holy Tree saplings.

　It had regained its lush leaves and looked heartily happy.

'You're so sweet. I would have kicked you to the curb if it were me!

'I wanted to burn it down the first time I saw it in the Republic, though.

　Then they both laughed.