Chapter 1

* Short Story https://ncode.syosetu.com/n0353ho/

This is the serialized version of "Because I was told that the Holy Maiden would come and that you would not be loved, I decided to be a mere ornamental queen, but now my husband and the Holy Maiden seem to be acting strangely."

"Edeline, I am grateful to you. However, I will not love you."

The night before our wedding. I was summoned to the office of His Majesty Yuri Makius, my fiancé.

He is the newly crowned king, a handsome young monarch with the black hair characteristic of the royal family and the rare blue eyes. Despite this, his expression was dark.

...Well, I have a pretty good idea why, or rather, I can’t think of any other reason.

"Is it because the Holy Maiden is coming?"

When I asked, he slowly nodded.

"Yes. I must love the Holy Maiden."

...I don’t think love should be said with such a stern face, but I’ll let that slide. I understand his feelings.

"I understand. I don’t expect to be loved to the point of neglecting the Holy Maiden. After all, this marriage itself is strange."

As I said this, I sighed.

In this country, Holy Maidens have been summoned from another world for generations.

Apparently, only the "daughter of the goddess Bezeh"—commonly known as the Holy Maiden—can use a special magic that protects the country, but the Holy Maiden can only be born in another world.

Therefore, every time a new king ascends the throne, a Holy Maiden is summoned from another world, adopted into a powerful noble family, and married as the queen. This is the custom, and it was supposed to be the same this time.

But then.

My father, the Duke of Holy, suddenly declared, "I will make Edeline the queen!"

His Majesty Yuri was originally the seventh prince. He managed to participate in the succession struggle, but his position was weak due to his mother’s low status. My father proposed to support him to the throne in exchange for making me the queen.

At first, I thought it was impossible, but it turned out to be a huge success.

I had forgotten that my father was a genius in both politics and business...

However, this is unfortunate for me, for His Majesty, and for the Holy Maiden who will come in the future.

This is because the young girl who comes from another world has a specific condition to fulfill her power.

That is—she must be absolutely loved.

The Holy Maiden, chosen as the daughter of the goddess, uses love as her source of power.

Fortunately, all the Holy Maidens summoned are exceptionally young, cute, and have the special black hair of this country, and they have wonderful personalities, so the kings of the past fell in love with them immediately.

When the king and the queen (the Holy Maiden) fall deeply in love, the country’s protection becomes stronger, and everyone lives happily ever after. But think about it.

If I were to be the queen, I would be nothing but a nuisance.

When I confronted my father, he ended the conversation with, "What can I do? The fortune-teller said so," and I almost spat in frustration for the first time in my life.

As I recalled this and felt irritated, His Majesty spoke solemnly.

"I feel sorry for putting you in such a difficult position. You can hate me if you want. But I want to do everything I can to protect the country."

His face was dead serious, and I couldn’t say anything.

Because if His Majesty loses my father’s support, he will be immediately deposed, and my father is determined to make me the queen.

Moreover, his concern for the country is genuine, regardless of the form.

The more the king and the Holy Maiden love each other, the stronger the country’s protection becomes. Conversely, if their love falters, the protection will also weaken.

The previous king, His Majesty’s father, had a good relationship with the Holy Maiden for the first few years. However, as time passed, his playboy nature became uncontrollable.

He seduced many young ladies and maids, fathering several princes and princesses, one of whom is His Majesty.

Naturally, the Holy Maiden, the former queen, was furious and lost her power. As a result, our country has been threatened by monsters for the past ten years.

Therefore, it’s no wonder that His Majesty, who is kinder and more serious than his siblings, is determined. He also lost his mother to a monster.

"Don’t worry. As I said, I fully understand. In return, I will do as I please."

"Of course. I promise not to make your life uncomfortable."

And that settled our conversation.

Well, as a high-ranking noble, I never expected a marriage based on love. Rather, it’s a relief that I don’t have to fulfill the tedious roles of public duties and such. The Holy Maiden can handle everything.

I have no magic or special powers. As a useless ornamental queen, I will immerse myself in my hobbies—no, I will support from the shadows.

◇

...Or so I thought, but what is going on now?

In the room prepared for the summoning of the Holy Maiden.

Surrounded by a troubled-looking His Majesty and equally troubled ministers and priests, I looked down at a crying girl who looked to be about five years old.

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