“Ma…”

‘Forced into a marriage……’

“Did you say medicine, your highness? Are you getting motion sickness?” Sir Johann gently asked.

Clack clack. The luggage carriage without even the crest of the House of the Marquis continued to run through the forest. We were still safe because we were within the March, but we avoided anything that would symbolize the Marquis’ family or our identities just to be safe. We sat on soft bushels of straws and bobbed up and down with the luggage as we headed toward the portal to the vassal state. This was my first time on a carriage like this but it wasn’t bad. Thankfully, Prince Jesse wasn’t the type to get motion sickness from regular modes of transportation as well.

The issue was…

“No. My mind is just a bit chaotic. Thank you though.” I barely managed to answer before gulping.

I made eye contact with Maria through the veil and she smiled before taking out a squished meringue tart from the bag and sharing it with me. She even had a quail egg for Demy.

I placed the divine beasts on my knee, pulled the veil past Julite’s headdress, and calmly peeled the egg. Sir Johann told me to eat my food first but I felt like I needed to move my hands to calm down.

“Ab……”

‘Abduction, proposals, and forced marriages… How can this be allowed in the 21st century– no. This place is very different from my world. Plus, they said that the Corleone Vassal State had split from the Empire a long time ago… So, whatever. I guess there could be such a culture.’

I heard that the people there did not believe in the Almighty God, a core figure of the QNW world and the only god on the continent. They didn’t believe in a different religion; they were just atheists. The Church of the Almighty God was the national religion of Venetiaan and over eighty percent of the Riester Empire believed in it, but less than ten percent of the vassal state were believers.

– Chew chew chew……

“Such a good boy to eat so well.”

I quietly mumbled. Demy held onto my wrist as he finished off the boiled quail egg. Tithé showed interest but did not eat it when I offered it to him.

Seeing the two of them made me worry about the other little troublemakers. Rhea and Perry should be well as the Imperial Crown Prince would look after them, but I was worried about Percy, who suddenly disappeared from the Bellang Barony. I knew I needed to resolve my issues first, but still…

– Rustle, rustle.

Marquis Duhem pulled off his robe and started to fix his hair.

We blinked as we observed what he did. The handsome man was suddenly doing his best to look his best. His robe was shabby but the clothes underneath were extremely luxurious.

The corners of Maria’s lips were twitching as she offered him a mirror. Only then did the Marquis flinch and look toward us.

“……”

There was a short moment of silence.

“Are you getting ready to see Admiral Corleone?” Nobody had been able to say anything until Sir Johann took the surprising initiative.

The Marquis bit down on his lips. His light pink eyes slightly shook.

‘Maybe he’s a bit embarrassed?’

“That person…… She likes beautiful things.”

Captain Duhem, who had been quiet, answered instead. We all looked at him. The Captain of the Imperial Guard licked his lips before continuing on.

“The Admiral, as Seigneur Lorenzeo Corleone’s second child, grew up without lacking anything. She grew up freely, as she had no need to be the heir and supposedly had a lot of her parents’ love as well. Somebody had a theory. As a result of growing up where she easily had everything she wanted…… She ended up chasing after extremely stimulating things.”

The explanation that continued basically went like this. Emma Corleone was the noblest young lady of this island nation, but lived by the sea from the moment she could walk. She loved the sea quite a bit. Once she turned ten, she would sail far out into the sea by herself and by her teens, she became extremely skilled in commanding a vessel. She fell deep into the thrill from blood, booze, speed, and fights. She did not care about getting hurt in the process. She frequently had great victories against pirates, and that was around the time she received the title of ‘Hooked Sea Villainess.’

“There was a time when pirates showed up in the southern sea of the Empire. We received a lot of damage, as something like that had never happened before, and our March was harmed as well. Young lady Corleone suddenly appeared with a warship and almost instantly got rid of the pirates. She supposedly got past the territorial waters while chasing after bandits. The Riester Navy owed her a great debt because of that. That happened around twenty years ago. Her Majesty desired the young lady’s achievements and abilities very much, and offered her citizenship into the Empire as well as the position of Admiral.”

According to Captain Duhem, the Empire’s Navy was lacking at that time. It had gotten stronger through the Warring Era, but the Riester identity revolved not around the sea but the land. Frédérique Riester, who was even more giving in her twenties than she is now, took the Seigneur’s daughter as a citizen with the sole desire of growing her Navy. The young lady happily cast aside her citizenship to the vassal state because of the Empress’s promise to let her travel the seas as she pleases, but her family did not stop supporting or loving her.

That family was quite an amazing one as well.

“The problem was that the new Admiral’s…… Conduct was not very upright.” Captain Duhem opened and closed his fist a few times.

As for the Marquis, he was shaking like a single stem of rose, pretending to cry. ‘No, is he really crying because of the pain?’

“I’ve heard the story about Prince Consort Alexandre as well. It is quite famous.”

Sir Johann chimed in. I ate the fourth piece of tart as I turned to look at him. The Holy Knight’s eyes happily curled up.

“According to rumors, the Admiral entered the Imperial Palace to receive a Medal of Honor from her Majesty. She was so bewitched by the Prince Consort’s beauty that she kissed not the back of his hand but his palm. She kissed it for quite a long period of time as well.”

“……That is the truth.”

The Marquis wiped away some cold sweat as he agreed. I urgently covered my mouth with my sleeve.

‘Isn’t that too explicit of a move? She dared to do something so atrocious to the Empress’s partner? Wait, she survived after doing that?’

“Her Majesty has never summoned the Admiral to the Imperial Palace since then. In fact, she hopes that she does not have to see the Admiral very much. The Admiral basically has the green light to do whatever she wants as long as she does her job well…… That’s pretty much the mindset.” The Vice Captain of the Imperial Guard commented in a somber voice.

‘Wow…… I didn’t know there was such a back story.’

“The things that Maria told you before we got on the carriage, your highness, those weren’t baseless either. The Vassal state is a chaotic land where polygamy, both one husband with multiple wives or one wife with multiple husbands, is allowed. The Seigneur himself has four legal concubines. It is a lawless city where morally wrong things happen in the name of free love.”

Captain Duhem looked like he was ready to run out with a cane as he said that. Even the Marquis, who usually threw winks left and right, suddenly looked proper.

Now that I thought about it, I remembered something I read about Arian Riester, the one to unite all of Riester, and Philip. Arian requested for Philip to become her second soulmate while Cardinal Philip rejected it because he did not want to be like a concubine of someone in the vassal state. ‘Mm.’

“I see.”

Most of the people on the continent believed in monogamy, so it made sense that they felt leery when they went somewhere with no faith and a different culture. I still wondered if there would be that much difference between two places despite us all being human.

‘Things like abduction or forced marriages sound like exaggeration.’

“Yes, your highness. We will do our best to protect you, but you have to be wary of your surroundings as well, your highness. You can’t easily decide to be nice to someone you don’t even know. It is because we have no idea about how the situation is flowing,” Captain Duhem sternly commented.

I thought getting out of these false charges were the biggest issue, but a just as difficult task was at hand. I was already groaning with the divine beasts. ‘How tricky. Will we be able to do well?’

“I understand. In that case…… May I know why the only portal to the vassal state, other than in the Legault Central Commerce Center, is located in the March?” I cautiously asked.

The Marquis looked lost in thought as he fell onto Maria’s shoulder. The fourth child of the House of Duhem chuckled.

Clack, clack. Only the sounds of the hooves were peaceful.

*

We arrived at the outdoor portal in the south of the March after riding for about two hours.

“We’ve arrived, my lord.”

“Thanks for working hard to get us this far. Have a safe trip back.”

“Yes, my lord. Please be safe.”

The Marquis complimented the coachman who teared up as he thanked the Marquis. Even if this was a comparably warmer area, the winter sun was still short. The multi-colored sunset was already setting in the west.

Captain Duhem got off first and added on. “That is why…… I’m sure there are forces in the Chambre des pairs or Beau Monde that are wary of you, your highness. It is normal for an esteemed lord like yourself, who has the full affection of the Imperial family, to get political enemies.”

I hugged Demy as I nodded my head. The sleeping Tithé was with Sir Johann once again. Maybe it felt nice because he had broad shoulders.

The Captain of the Imperial Guard was talking about what happened at the Andresy trial. I had received a higher than expected title and have been the crown prince’s official priest partner since then. In fact, I have even made loud noises in front of the Empress without getting scolded. The two members of the Imperial family instead provided me with a chair and a drink to make sure I was okay. Captain Duhem said that my actions that day may have led to some negative feelings.

“I feel like it is too late for me to tell you now, your highness, but…… Young master Andresy was the culprit behind the terrorist incident. Yes, the son of the Count’s House of Andresy, the family that has been throwing away sick children for generations.”

I could not say anything because I was shocked. That kid was still under-age. At least that was what the Empress had said. As a sixteen year old, he would be a freshman in high school if he was in Korea.

“So what happened? If he was interrogated by her Eminence-”

“I heard that he died instantly from the explosion.”

“……”

– Squeeeee.

Terrible chills ran down my back. It was a suicide terrorist attack. Demy quietly growled and dug into my arms. I patted him and did my best to not stop walking.

I could soon see a dusty portal. Pillars with patterns that were not seen very often in the Empire surrounded a circle. Maria quietly ran over, pushed aside some leaves with her feet, and observed the magic formation.

I barely managed to speak at that moment.

“Someone…… Did Duke Sarnez make him do it?”

“I received an Imperial Decree right after the terrorist incident so I do not know what happened next. However, it seems only fitting to think that is the case, your highness. The young master obviously had negative feelings about you, your highness. It would not have been difficult to use a child who is not thinking rationally because of malice.”

The Captain of the Imperial Guard calmly answered. My heart felt suffocated.

‘How could he do something like that? How could he have such a thought? What happens to Christelle now?’

“Your highness, please focus on the situation at hand for now.”

Sir Johann dragged me out of my thoughts. His mint-colored eyes sparkled coldly. I finally remembered to take a breath. The Marquis added on, as if he was consoling his younger brother.

“My master is a wise person. Please don’t worry as I know she will make the right decision.”

It was easy to nod my head in agreement. I also trusted Empress Frédérique. I also relied on her soulmate and friend, my teacher. That was why everything will be fine.

‘As long as I do well. As long as I remain focused.’

“There is one last thing I need to say before I put some mana into this thing.” The Marquis’ eyes were sparkling despite being damp from his fever.

We stood in a circle on top of the portal in this eerie winter forest. I quickly lowered the veil and checked the headdress. I also checked the different items inside my Gabag. Finally, I checked the robe, clothes, and shoes I had borrowed from one of the staff at the Marquis’ Estate. Everything was safe and sound.

Everybody other than the Marquis were wearing normal and old clothes.

“The Vassal state is a place that is different from the Empire in all aspects. Even if something shocking happens once we get there, please don’t be shaken and follow me. It is better the less we talk. We will meet the Admiral in the older sister, Admah Island, to ask for some fuel and portal usage, and wait a bit until the permission is given to move to the younger sister, Zeboim Island. That is where we will get on the direct portal to the Imperial Capital.”

It was a clear plan. I smiled and flicked my chin.

The Marquis smiled back and swung his mace. The light pink magic stone elegantly scattered red mana.

“Then see you soon!” The man shouted. Ooooooooong! I heard the portal activate and everything lit up.

And then……

“Ahahaha! Hey! You up for a game of cards later? Huh?”

Intense stenches of fish, booze, and mold. The smell of the sea tickled my nose.

“Cards my ass! Do you want to see your wrist cut off, huh? Isn’t that Signora’s Empire portal?”

It was a rough voice with a peculiar accent. I heard the sounds of oak barrels rolling and metal hitting metal.

“Fuck! You’re right, you are right! Donna Corleone’s……”

Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa- The latter parts of the sentence was drowned out by a loud sound from the sea. I scowled and slowly opened my eyes.

“Are the people with him all part of the dowry?”

A strange group of men and women were surrounding us. I gasped and quickly took off the headdress before lowering my gaze.

‘W, why are you all naked?!’

—
Translator’s Comments

Holllld up, did he just say naked?!!

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