Chapter 85: Triumphal Entry (2)

"What if you became my consort?"

"Excuse me?"

Karin couldn't maintain her composure for a moment. Fortunately, it wasn't an odd situation.

It was a proposal she couldn't have imagined, both as a knight and as a spy. In contrast, the duke's expression was calm, as if he had prepared it in advance.

"Ever since I became a duke at a young age after losing my father, every man in the empire wanted to be my husband."

The sudden remark was something Karin already knew. The marriage proposals the duke received were enormous.

If one married the duke, they would hold the Lurik family, one of the most prestigious ducal families in the empire.

Such an opportunity didn't come often.

"Even the princes were like that. Didn't I mention it before? They said they would make me their empress."

It wasn't a question that required an answer. Karin didn't bother to respond. The duke let out a hollow laugh.

"But not a single man ever moved me. That's why I thought I didn't care for men. To the point where strange rumors spread."

That's right. Duke Lurik was thirty. An age past the prime of marriage in this world.

After rejecting countless marriage proposals, many rumors circulated.

In a world where homosexuality was a sin, the rumor of being asexual was not good for the duke.

The duke was so averse to marriage that he was willing to endure such gazes.

"But that wasn't the case. I just hadn't met a man I could acknowledge, a man who was worthy."

The duke's gaze on Karin was deep. Naturally, it was quite embarrassing for Karin.

It was a sudden proposal without any prior indication. She couldn't understand it, regardless of whether it was possible or not.

'The duke, me? Why? Isn't this too abrupt?'

The proposal was so out of the ordinary that her mind couldn't process it. She couldn't find a reason.

The gap in status was beyond question. Even if she became a princess's bodyguard, she was still a lowly orphan.

Could it be that his offer to find her a family had this intention? That was Karin's thought.

"I am grateful for your words, but how could someone as lowly as me...?"

"Status is irrelevant. You will receive a medal from His Majesty, making you a war hero."

The medal from the emperor includes a title. It's an honorary position without land, but it's not insignificant.

It means gaining the emperor's trust.

However, even so, Lurik's words didn't make sense to Karin.

"And if Her Highness the Princess ascends to the throne, you will be a distinguished contributor. At that time, your background won't matter."

It wasn't a wrong statement. At that moment, Karin could faintly glimpse the duke's intentions.

It wasn't a sudden proposal. The duke was offering it based on rational judgment, not personal affection.

If the princess became the emperor, both Karin and the duke would undoubtedly be the most distinguished contributors.

Marriage to Karin would be a tremendous opportunity for the duke to gain power.

'But the duke prioritizes the empire... right?'

Could the situation change a person? The duke Karin knew wasn't the type to do this, which was a bit confusing.

Karin decided to ask directly.

"Is it for political reasons?"

"I can't say there isn't that intention. However, I also see it as a path to benefit the empire."

The duke continued, seeing Karin's dubious expression.

"Among the empire's nobles, there are fewer than five who think about the empire as much as I do. It means that my success is also the empire's success."

It might have sounded arrogant, but since the speaker was Duke Lurik, Karin found it quite convincing.

"And the person I see in you values loyalty and promises over personal gain. This means we share the same values."

Only then did Karin understand the duke's intentions. The questions about her parents and future were tests.

It was to see if she was someone he could discuss marriage proposals with.

Even if the princess became the emperor, the chaos from the succession dispute wouldn't be immediately resolved.

The duke was looking at the stability afterward.

It's a long road, and isn't he moving too fast? That was Karin's thought. But the duke was confident.

Karin's demonstrated abilities were enough to make the princess the emperor, in his view.

"I hope you don't think too negatively. I genuinely have a curiosity about you, personally."

The duke chuckled, seeing Karin's serious expression.

"Didn't I mention it before? I've never had an interest in men."

Was it a political purpose with a bit of personal curiosity? That was Karin's conclusion.

Objectively, the knight Karl Schurtaffen she had portrayed was quite charming. In terms of appearance as well.

But it was impossible. Karin was a spy for Haisen and had to stop the demon followers with the princess.

Would the duke's position as her husband help with that?

She needed to calculate, but it seemed there would be many drawbacks. Her actions would be restricted.

She also had to consider the possibility of leaving her position as a bodyguard. The warning of avoiding death was clear.

"I am grateful for your words, but..."

"Let me finish."

The duke, whose expression had stiffened at Karin's refusal, cut her off.

"First, becoming my consort doesn't mean you have to leave Her Highness's side."

Politically, it was a natural statement. Being by the emperor's side would be better.

"And my intention remains the same, regardless of the princess's future. It means it's not a bad thing for you."

The proposal would still stand even if the princess lost the succession dispute. Karin was a bit surprised.

If a prince became the emperor, the political purpose would be completely excluded, and Karin wouldn't fare well.

The duke was saying this because he recognized Karin's abilities. The duke, smiling, continued.

"Even if one of the princes becomes the emperor, they can't eliminate the Lurik family. I can be your protector."

Karin realized the duke viewed her more favorably than she thought.

It was a genuine, sudden proposal, but it seemed the duke had thought it through.

"Take your time to think about it. I'm not asking for an immediate decision."

* * *

"What did you talk about with the duke?"

On the way, the princess suddenly asked.

"I asked how he conducts reconnaissance activities."

The princess frowned and fell silent for a moment. She felt oddly uneasy.

"Is that all?"

The princess's intuition was sharp. Karin, who hadn't lied, didn't expect to be questioned further.

"After Her Highness ascends to the throne, he asked what he would do with me and proposed that I become his consort."

Karin told the truth. There was no reason to hide it.

She hadn't mentioned it first because the duke's proposal might not look good from the princess's perspective.

For example, predicting the future too quickly or trying to gain power through marriage with her.

However, contrary to her worries, the princess only stared with wide eyes.

Karin was so surprised by the proposal that the princess's confusion wasn't strange.

"The duke?"

"Yes."

"...I'm surprised."

The princess looked uncomfortable. Karin felt her tone had also become colder.

"I heard the duke doesn't have an interest in men."

"I was also surprised."

"Did he give a reason?"

"He said it was for the empire. If Her Highness becomes the emperor...?"

"I get the general idea."

The princess understood the duke's thoughts through her short answer. It wasn't as negative as Karin had worried.

However, there was still a lingering discomfort. The princess couldn't understand why.

Was it because it felt like the duke was trying to take away her bodyguard? The princess thought it might be that.

"What did you say?"

"I declined."

A faint satisfaction lingered on the princess's face. Karin continued.

"However, the duke suggested I take more time to think about it."

The princess cleared her throat, looking away to hide her discomfort.

"What do you think? It doesn't seem like a bad proposal for you."

"It's too much for me. And it's still a distant future."

"Hmm..."

The princess, who had been evasive, suddenly wondered if such a thing would even happen.

"By the way, what will happen later? You belong to Haisen, don't you?"

"What would you like me to do, Your Highness?"

"...Hmm. You're the first usable talent I've had since Yui Emmit."

It was a roundabout way of saying she wanted Karin to stay by her side. Karin thought it wasn't bad.

Since the princess viewed her favorably. She thought her achievements so far were quite excellent.

"If Your Highness truly ascends to the throne, Haisen won't send me elsewhere."

"That's true."

"Moreover, at that time, a single word from Your Highness will make things happen as you wish."

The princess nodded solemnly.

"That's true."

Karin bowed, and Erendil subtly turned his gaze away.

"Stay by my side if possible."

"Yes, I will try my best."

It was a sincere statement. She had to stop the demon followers by the princess's side.

There might be problems in the process, but Karin thought it was a good conversation overall.

Her words seemed sincere to the princess. Of course, the princess couldn't read her mind.

Karin didn't notice the princess's face slightly turning red, as she was bowing.

* * *

The white city of Chenarus.

It was the day the soldiers returned from the great victory in the western war, and the capital of the empire was in a festive mood.

The flow of the war was public knowledge.

When the initial struggles were controlled, the tide turned due to the princess's efforts.

The people of the empire knew that the princess and her knight Karl Schurtaffen had turned the tide of the war.

The princess's popularity increased, and so did Karin's reputation.

Her performance on the Akiten Plain was commendable, but her actions and siege on the Epidere Plain were miraculous.

Moreover, she had captured a candidate for the western Sword Master, a person whose fame was disproportionately high compared to his skills, making the impact significant.

She was the undisputed top contributor in this war. Reversing a difficult situation is always more effective.

The citizens of the capital welcomed the returning soldiers with heartfelt cheers.

"Wow-!"

The soldiers walked proudly amidst the flowers thrown from all sides.

Especially those under the princess's command.

The cheers and praises grew louder as the princess and Karin passed by.

"Long live the noble Princess!"

"Sir Karl! Look this way!"

The success of their leaders and the cheers for them instilled even greater respect in the soldiers.

The princess waved with a benevolent smile, and Karin stood beside her, straight and tall.

'...What is it?'

During the triumphal entry.

Karin suddenly felt her vision turn black and white. It was the warning of avoiding death, which she hadn't experienced in a long time.

The sense of the wind was clear, but there were too many people. She needed to make a quick decision.

No one was directly approaching her. No one was aiming a hidden weapon nearby either.

In such a situation, the warning...

Only one thing came to mind. A magic bomb. In extreme concentration. An anomaly was detected in the house on the left.

One person. And a large square shape covered by a tent. An enormous amount for a magic bomb.

Something flashed in Karin's mind.

'The demon followers in the Kibelun Mountains and the Leon ore...'

A red light began to hover over the black and white vision. There was no time to think further.

Karin leaped off the horse.

"Your Highness!"

The princess and Emmit looked at her with surprise as she suddenly flew over.

When Karin covered the princess's body. Boom! An enormous explosion occurred on the left side of the road.