Chapter 17.3

Selection: Cermiane’s Point of View. (3)

From that point on, the Emperor was in high spirits and laughed heartily as he listened to Ralphine’s childhood stories. He was not particularly strict about social etiquette. He had become acquainted with commoner soldiers during long battles when he was the Crown Prince and had even said, “Don’t despise them unconditionally just because they’re commoners.” He seemed to have taken a liking to Ralphine’s straightforward attitude.

The Empress, who arrived partway through, was friendly towards Ralphine from the beginning. I later heard that she didn’t care if the bride I chose was a commoner or noble. At that time, the Empress had no intention of returning me to a prince, partly due to my mother’s wishes. However, she couldn’t keep saying that after a while and when she forcibly reinstated me as a member of the imperial family, she repeatedly apologized to Ralphine.

Ralphine, who had no idea about the situation, became increasingly comfortable with the friendly attitude of the Emperor and Empress and seemed to have developed feelings for them as well. As I had previously thought, Ralphine did not consider status or rank at all. Her attitude remained the same regardless of whether the other person was a commoner, the Emperor, or the Empress. This was both her strength and weakness as a noble.

While Ralphine was in high spirits and had been given many sweets as a souvenir, I was a little depressed on the way home as I found out that the Emperor had not given up on returning me to a prince.

Ralphine and I had a smooth married life, but of course, there were some issues. We also had arguments, mostly caused by me. In other words, the lies I told to persuade her at the Caliente Marquisate had come back to haunt me.

About six months after our marriage, she seemed to have become homesick and said she wanted to return to the Marquisate. However, it was not so simple. It would cost a lot of money and time. As a knight, I couldn’t take a break from my duties easily. It would take 20 days round trip, and if we include the time for staying there, it would be a month-long vacation that would be rewarded with a high-ranking medal for distinguished service. Ralphine suggested that she would go alone, but I did not allow it, and she got angry.

“You said I could go back anytime!”

She became furious and caused a commotion.

She also wanted to go on a hunting trip to defeat the King bear, who was in the forest near the capital but rarely came down to the vicinity of the capital. She wanted to stay overnight while hunting, but I did not allow it, and she accused me of being a liar, causing another major problem.

She was angry every time I attended parties where I received medals and advanced in my career because I had to dress up and socialize, which was a great pain for her. It was even more difficult for her, who had a nature of not running away from difficulties, as she tried hard to learn the minimum manners from Khamera.

At other times,Ralphine got furious over trivial things, but when I tried to explain the situation and seek understanding, she became even more upset, so I decided to apologise without making any excuses. This was helpful because her anger subsides quickly, and she doesn’t hold a grudge afterward.

Around our first wedding anniversary, Ralphine was troubled by something. When I asked her what it was, she began to ask for sexual relations in bed. She had no particular attachment to sex, and I was surprised that she would do it if I asked her to. I asked her why, and it turned out that she was very concerned about not being able to have children after one year of marriage.

It seemed that there is a prejudice among the commoners of the Marquis that a wife was incompetent if she could not have children and Baron and Baroness Kix, who didn’t divorce even though they couldn’t have children, were even regarded as eccentrics. It must be unforgivable for her to be regarded as an incompetent wife, as she is a proud woman. I was happy because it meant that she still did not intend to divorce me. I tried to assuage her fears by telling her that children were not essential and that there was no need to rush as we were both young.

In fact, I don’t really want children. I was born with a lot of difficulties and troubles, and if I had a child with Ralphine in my current state, I would have to bear even more troublesome circumstances for my child. Then I wouldn’t need a child. It was useless for Ralphine to worry about such things.

This way, we fought and made up, but generally got on well with each other. I often went hunting with her. She has already become an idol for the hunters in the Imperial City, and not only that, but one went to the market, all sorts of people will come up to her and ask for her. Even the soldiers guarding the gate smile at her. She was very popular wherever she went, with children cheering and chasing after her and cheering her when she walked through the streets. Apparently, her popularity is innate.

Once, the Knights were dispatched because a red Bear had appeared, and it seemed that a request was sent to the Hunters’ Association at the same time, Ralphine also came dressed as a brave hunter. “You have to take it easy. It’s the work of the knights”. I told her, but she, on the contrary, glared at me and said, “I won’t forgive you if you steal my prey”.

Ralphine immediately climbed a tree and disappeared from my sight, and I had no choice but to proceed through the forest while searching for signs. Normally, the knights would rush to the place where the hunters found it and subdue it in groups, but currently, if she finds them, she’ll probably try to challenge it alone. I’m well aware of her hunting skills and strength, but her opponent is the Red Bear. It is not an easy opponent to defeat.

Then there was the sound of a bear’s roar deep in the forest. In the distance. I pushed through the thicket and hurried in that direction, but an incredible scene was unfolding there.

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