Chapter 76 – Chapter 76 ― Everyone Has a Plausible Plan (4)
Episode 76 ― Everyone has a plausible plan (4)
Grünent and Helen visited the tea room to say hello to Eleanor.
The glass-walled tea room was magically warm and full of green even in midwinter.
A beautiful place where you can’t imagine the desolate fields outside and the cold wind. Roan and Eleanor in black clothes sitting there were different and alluring.
“My first greetings to Eleanor. I am Grünent, who became His Majesty’s concubine.”
“First greetings. This is Helen, who has been entrusted with escorting the master.”
Eleanor’s gentle gaze is stern. After receiving their greetings, Eleanor returned.
“His Majesty’s fiancée, Eleanor. As I heard, the off-white color is outstanding. Grunent. Helen made a great choice. She is someone worthy of devoting her life to serving as her master. She was told that she had taken good care of Her Majesty while I was away from both of them. Thank you.”
Even when she encounters the Archduke, her attitude towards others is quite different from when she talks to Roan. Her would-be queen is adamant about her concubines and mistresses.
And as soon as she finished speaking, a message floated in front of Roan’s eyes.
[Message: Long-Term Quest — Duplicate her skills from her fiancé Erenir!]
Roan’s frown was filtered out and not revealed. Two months after Helen’s capture. It was a message I had almost forgotten.
‘A long-term quest… ? Then, will it be a short-term quest from now on?’
[Message: Timeout — 364:23:59:59]
[Message: If you do not complete the quest within the time limit, you will be penalized.]
‘Penalty’. It is an uncomfortable word just by being there.
The message and clock were fixed to the upper right corner of the field of view. Different from before, with sharper and bolder letters.
In the game, there were target targets with a time limit. As time passes, they move to another area, or they are destined to die in an accident.
So you can accept the time limit by making a hundred concessions. But what about the penalty?
It was an element that wasn’t in the game.
‘Is it because they want me to complete the quest quickly? Why… ?’
The quest itself isn’t difficult.
Eleanor’s affection is +100.
She’s already officially my girl, and she doesn’t even need a trick.
That quest will probably be over tonight.
Roan was lost in thought.
In the meantime, Elenia is introduced to Grünent’s escort, Lauca, and asks them about this and that.
The first question was:
“How was your first night with His Majesty?”
I almost spit out the tea I was drinking.
Is it okay to ask such a question?
Is it okay between the queen and the concubine?
Grünent is used to the royal atmosphere. Wouldn’t she express discomfort if it crossed her line, no matter how much she would become the queen?
But Grünent smiled brightly.
Is it her social life, is it her ‘politics’ skill that hides her displeasure, or is it okay for a queen to ask her concubine such things? You can’t tell just by looking at his face.
Eventually, Grünent’s feelings conveyed by ‘listening’
It was joy and pride.
She said, “She had her first experience not long after Eleanor left for her battlefield. I too was immature because I hadn’t listened to her ladies-in-waiting’s advice.”
Lauca was looking away from her, her face flushed red. Her friend Helen also focused on Grunent’s story with her eyes wide open, as if it were the first time she had heard of it.
Grünent’s expression became hazy, as if looking back at her dream she had.
“However, His Majesty treated me kindly. Teach me slowly and inside me… , You came in.”
And Elenia, as always, was concentrating on Grunent’s words. Her cheeks flushed slightly, but her expression and voice were perfectly soft.
“… The gentle Majesty taught me…”
Only Roan seemed to notice.
His eyes widened greatly.
The emotions contained in Elenia’s murmur mixed with sighs.
Hatred.
Who are these feelings directed towards?
Roan shut his mouth tightly.
The closed teeth pressed hard against each other with force. (Former) It is not a coincidence that the demon king’s warning flashed through my mind.
It could be about me who pushed her away, or it could be about Grunent who usurped her place.
Either way, it was something that Erennier couldn’t touch. Maybe that’s why the anger is bigger.
However, the feelings conveyed by Erenia’s next words were completely different from those of the previous one.
“You will do the same for me… ?”
The sadness and hope that followed.
The three women exchanged admiration, envy, jealousy, and expectations.
Anyway, when Erenia enters the imperial castle, she may see her every day. Grünent and Helen had a short talk with Erenia and then went back.
Eleanor, who was left alone with Roan, laughed.
“As expected, Roan has eyes for people♡”
“Thank you.”
“These are lovely girls. He is well educated and knows his place well. Do you like it.
People like that would accept even lowly people♡”
There is no lie in her words.
If so, is the hatred I glimpsed earlier directed at me? In order not to reveal her vigilance, Roan silently listened to Erenia’s words.
“I’m sorry about that, Roan.”
Eleanor suddenly apologized.
“Hmm?”
“I mean father.”
Erenia put the teacup down and fidgeted with her handle.
“My father is an uncomfortable man.”
It was difficult to say yes or no, so Roan hesitated.
“Father is a strong man. That’s why he always covets Roan’s position.”
Eleanor brought out an open story that was no longer a secret.
“He tried to challenge the former emperor, but the timing wasn’t right… Now stagnant. Father will be impatient. That’s why he wants to somehow suppress Roan’s power with something other than his pure power.”
“For example, is it you?”
Eleanor’s face darkened.
“… Me too, yes It’s part of my father’s means.”
Roan looked at her expression.
Her mask-like face, which always has the same expression, shows no sadness, but her emotions conveyed through “Listening” Are grief.
Is this Elenir’s own way to survive?
“Is that why you don’t get along well with your father?”
“… Huh?”
Surprised, Eleanor’s eyes widened slightly.
Roan was honest.
“There was a time when you suddenly contacted me around autumn. A gift from me has arrived.”
“Ah…”
Realizing what Roan was talking about, Erenier gave a small sigh.
“I heard the Grand Duke calling for you. … It doesn’t sound like you’re calling your dear daughter.”
Eleanor’s face, which had been darkened as if a shadow had fallen, turned pale this time. It felt like the blood on her face had disappeared all at once.
“Why? It may be a rude question, but you will soon become my family and I must keep the high lord in check. I would love for you to answer me.”
It seemed indifferent, but it was a warm word.
Erenia’s eyes blurred and shook. Her tears welled up.
When she finally opened her mouth, her voice trembled.
“… Because I couldn’t capture Roan’s heart…”
“Hmm…”
Is within the expected range.
She seems to have thought that the daughter who had somehow stolen or obscured the emperor’s mind was not doing her job properly.
In fact, (former) her demon king shunned her.
But if that’s just the reason, I’d like to have Eleanor by her side.
This is Evirgio.
The queen cannot participate in politics.
She may be able to perform magic in wartime, but as she is not an official, she cannot even attend an official meeting.
It would be very difficult for her to make decisions in favor of the Dark Prince unless she created a faction and manipulated the nobles. And the central officials keep the lord in check. Her faction will be difficult to overcome than that of the Small Council.
The Grand Duke is also a maternal relative, so it is difficult to have a strong influence on my decision-making.
This is a place where everyone should bow their heads to the strongest. I don’t have to bend. It is different from human kings who have to pay attention to the lords.
“I mean, if you get close to me, your situation might get better. If you enter the imperial castle, the Grand Duke will not be able to directly interfere. He wait a little bit Eleanor.”
Wouldn’t it be a big problem if I just had my child as a queen and had a role to help manage internal affairs?
The chances of my child becoming emperor are extremely low anyway. The next emperor will be someone who defeats me, and the only one who can do that is the future hero so far.
At Roan’s words, the smile disappeared from Erenia’s face. Her expression is serious like never before.
“Roan, in the meantime…”
Erenia shook her head to her scepter.
“What happened that day?”
I cannot answer that question.
Roan was silent.
However, it seems that this was not the question he wanted an answer to right away. Ernear followed her words.
“Grunent, Helen, and Roan said they were kind. The day I left, Roan was kind as never before. The current Roan, the Roan who cares for me… I’m sorry, but I couldn’t even imagine it before…”
It seems that the (former) Demon King originally had a crazy temperament, and he was very wary of the Dark Duke and Eleanor.
There is bound to be a difference in my attitude toward the guy I had no intention of getting close to and Erenia, who goes to the battlefield in place of me.
I can’t tell you why, but I can comfort you.
“Hmm. I want to change… I thought I was going to live a good life. It just happened to happen by accident.”
Roan’s hand touched Elenir’s cheek.
“I understand the anxiety. It may be hard to believe. You didn’t see who I was are you okay. Enough time.”
Erenia gently closed her eyes. Her jet-black eyelashes quivered.
Transparent, small bead-like teardrops fell down.
Erenia took Roan’s hand.
“Roan. If I am for you… I’ll do anything. There is no such thing as not trusting you.”
Her chestnut curls, her sky-blue hair, shine like ebony. The nape of her neck, where she tilts her head slightly, is dazzling white in contrast. That appearance was pitiful, and Erenia was like a single flower.
It was affectionate and lovely.
Roan touched Elenir’s lips.
Those small lips that touched your fingertips,
It was soft, warm, and reddish.
To her lips that gave absolute trust
Ron’s lips met.
“… Ah… ♡”
After her brief kiss, admiration flowed from Erenia’s mouth. Roan met her eyes and smiled.
“Spring would be nice for a wedding, after all.”
As if a light was shining somewhere, Erenia’s face brightened.
It was Erenier with the brightest expression that Roan could ever remember. She didn’t say anything, just nodded her head.
It was so cute that Roan laughed.
“If you need more time to prepare…”
“Oh no, Roan♡ I like spring, spring!”
Ernear shook her head fervently.
“Okay. So, I wanted to wait until spring if possible…”
Roan looked down. Eleanor’s gaze turned to the end of his gaze.
Ernear swallowed her breath.
It was growing in Roan’s pants.
Roan smiled bitterly.
“It seems difficult to save until then.”
“Oh, no, me, me too, Roan and Hurry… ♡”
Eleanor’s eyes seemed to pop out.
Ernear stuttered her. Her hand holding the teacup is trembling. She tried to get hold of her hand and covered her other hand, but it was no use as both of her hands were shaking.
Roan’s eyes widened mischievously.
“… Then, shall we have a gift presentation tonight?”
“Present… !”
The red Eleanor’s eyes moved slightly toward the ceiling. Roan hesitated and stood up.
I might pass out like the last communication.
However, Ernear exhaled deeply and managed to regain her expression.
He almost head-butted her with her. It was because Erenia, who had regained her senses, suddenly raised her body.
“… Eleanor?”
“Now, this is not the time to be like this… !”
Eleanor’s cheeks were red like never before.
“Quickly, milk, take a milk bath… , No, from the dress… , Head, head… ?”
Roan stared blankly at Erenier, who fell into panic.
Women have a lot to prepare for.
Eleanor met Roan’s and her eyes.
“I-I need to go see Roan♡ Hey, see you later at the New Year’s banquet♡♡♡”
Eleanor left the tea room as if running away.
