Chapter 93

As I reported in my activity report and on Twitter, the fourth volume is finally being released this month!!!

It will be published simultaneously with the second volume of the manga adaptation (*^^*)

Thank you all for your constant support (*- -)(*_ _) *bows*

Lanalis, who was being escorted by Shiordiran, was following the gaze of her brother, Alvis. Alvis, who had arrived at the queen's presence, seemed to be talking with the queen and the king. There was also the figure of another nobleman nearby. That man was surely the Viscount Vizdum. He was known to have the king's trust and was said to be one of his loyal subjects, as her father, Rakwell, had told her. However, Lanalis's mood began to sour at the sight. This was because there was a young lady beside Viscount Vizdum.

"…Uncle is being too much. Especially when Elina, my sister-in-law, is unwell."

Even from here, it was clear that Alvis was wearing a mask of a smile. In contrast, the young lady seemed delighted. It was probably hard to refuse an introduction from the king and queen.

"That's one of Alvis's duties, you know."

"Lancelot-sama."

It was a small, almost whispered voice, but Shiordiran seemed to have picked it up. The slightly obligatory tone made Lanalis a bit annoyed. However, Shiordiran didn't seem to care about Lanalis's expression and continued without changing his expression.

"There aren't many direct royal family members in this country. Alvis became the crown prince for that very reason. If we want to avoid similar situations in the future, we need a male heir who carries Alvis's blood."

"I understand that. But… Alvis doesn't wish for such a thing."

Shiordiran was right. That young lady was likely one of the candidates for Alvis's concubine, and probably a strong one. That's why she was introduced to Alvis in such a setting. Perhaps it was because this was a situation Alvis couldn't avoid.

"Well, personally speaking, that type of young lady is one he's not good with, so it's unlikely."

"Huh?"

Lanalis couldn't help but look up at Shiordiran, whose tone had suddenly changed. His face was turned toward Alvis, and it wasn't expressionless. There was a hint of pain in his eyes. However, when he noticed Lanalis's gaze, he returned to his usual expressionless state.

"It means he won't touch her. So, you don't need to worry, Miss Lanalis."

"…Lancelot-sama knows Alvis very well, don't you?"

"Perhaps more than you, Miss Lanalis."

"No, Alvis never talked about himself, so I don't know that much."

"…"

They had spent time together as brother and sister, but the Alvis Lanalis knew had already grown up. He would smile and listen to her stories, but he rarely talked about himself. Even when she was being selfish, he would allow it with a troubled look. That was the kind of brother he was. After her half-siblings were born, Lanalis had tried to follow Alvis's example in dealing with them.

"Alvis has always been like an adult, even as a child. I've never seen him cry or get angry. He accepts whatever is said to him. That's the kind of person he is."

That's why she worried. When he became the crown prince, there was nothing Alvis could do. Neither Maguria nor Rakwell could change it. It had to be Alvis. She had been told that many times. In that situation, Alvis had given up on living as he wanted. He must have accepted it silently, thinking it was inevitable. The Alvis Lanalis knew was that kind of person.

If he were asked to take a concubine, Alvis would probably accept it silently again. Especially if it was an introduction from the king, it would be practically decided. Such anxiety crossed her mind. Even the gentle Elina would likely accept it. If both of them thought so, who could refuse?

As she was thinking this, Shiordiran lightly patted Lanalis's back. When she met his gaze, he was looking back at her with his usual expressionless face.

"Um, Lancelot-sama?"

"Indeed, if he can endure it himself, he won't refuse. He will accept it silently."

If he can resolve the matter by enduring it himself, he will choose that. Lanalis nodded in agreement with Shiordiran's words. It was something she could definitely agree with.

"But, that's only if he can endure it himself. From what I've heard from your sister, the princess admires him. I thought it was quite a rare young lady to like such a good-natured, stubborn, and self-sacrificing person."

"Um…"

Was he criticizing Alvis? Or praising him? Both? It was a very difficult statement to judge. It was a different evaluation of Alvis from Lanalis's. At least, Lanalis didn't think he was stubborn. As for the other points, she didn't entirely disagree.

"By status alone, he was more attractive than any nobleman. But that's only as a noble. It doesn't apply to the princess, who was originally supposed to marry into the royal family. That's why it's ironic that he was chosen for his personal qualities… but the princess chose him. That's the big difference between the princess and other young ladies."

"Only Elina sees Alvis, not as the prince or the crown prince, but as Alvis?"

The princess sees and likes Alvis, not as the prince or the crown prince, but as Alvis. That's something only Elina can do, Shiordiran was saying. Indeed, the position of the crown prince's wife might be attractive to other young ladies, but for Elina, who was originally supposed to become a princess, it wasn't a matter of concern. It wasn't an attractive position.

"Yes. That's why he must understand. Who will be sad if he does this? Who will have to endure? If it's just himself, it might be different, but he wouldn't want to involve the princess in such a result."

"But, do you think he can do that?"

Earlier, Shiordiran himself had said it was his duty. It was a different statement from his initial one. What was Shiordiran thinking?

"To be honest, I don't think he can. No matter how much he wishes or shouts that he doesn't want it… that's the freedom that royalty and those in power don't have."

"Yes, that's true…"

Indeed, in exchange for power, the royal family loses their freedom. They must think of the country and the people before themselves. Personal feelings are not necessary. In a sense, they are also victims. But does it really have to be that way? Do Alvis and Elina have to suffer?

"Still, it seems the princesses are plotting something…"

"Princess Harbala?"

"Indeed, thanks to that foolish nobleman, their thinking has taken a different direction."

Shiordiran sighed deeply. Who was the foolish nobleman Shiordiran was talking about? It could be Harbala's ex-fiancé or Lanalis's cousin, Jerald. In this case, it was probably the latter.

In fact, in the academy, there are more and more young ladies questioning the idea of engagement and male dominance. Is the role of a noble lady really just to bear children and manage the household? Some even think that if their lives are to be taken by foolish noble sons, they might as well live alone.

Harbala, who has started a business, is leading this movement.

"The incident caused by that person seems to be having an impact in many areas."

"That's true. In a sense, he was a significant figure."

He changed the values of the young ladies. In that sense, his presence was indeed significant.