Chapter 36

It was unbelievable that Cynthia had said, "I love you."

Could it be that I had actually died in that explosion? Or was I in a coma, continuing to dream something that didn't exist?

I tried bumping my head against the pillar.

There was a loud thud, and a shock ran through my head.

"——Lias!?"

Cynthia's surprised voice rang out, and she hurried over.

"What's wrong? Are you dizzy?"

"It hurts..."

"Oh, your forehead is turning red."

Cynthia stroked the spot with a worried look.

"Is this a dream? You..."

"What are you talking about? This is reality."

Cynthia said this with a voice that sounded exasperated, but her expression was a little sad.

"I'll say it as many times as you need, so please don't check like that."

Cynthia looked into Lias's eyes, as if emphasizing her point.

"Lias. I love you."

After that, I didn't want to be apart from her for a moment.

I went to the castle to fetch Eidan and returned to the mansion, where I made the bedroom the same.

I had forgotten to get Cynthia's permission, but she accepted it.

Thinking about the first night, I was honestly scared.

I was also worried that she might reject me again.

But Cynthia accepted all of my emotions, as if enveloping them.

"It's okay. Lias, I love you."

She said it over and over again.

As if to make up for all the times she couldn't say it, to reassure Lias.

Lias might have shed tears in the end. I was so excited that I can't remember clearly, but I remember Cynthia holding me like a goddess, comforting and embracing me.

That night, I couldn't sleep.

I held Cynthia, who had fallen asleep as if exhausted, in my arms, and my heart continued to beat rapidly.

Even as the sky began to lighten and the room grew bright.

Even as the birds chirped and I sensed the movement of the people in the mansion.

I held Cynthia, my beloved, in my arms, stroked her hair, and kissed her.

I was so busy adoring this beloved and precious being.

When Cynthia woke up, her first words were, "I'm scared," but even her slightly hoarse voice was endearing.

After things had settled down a bit, Lias visited the prince's office.

The Marcellus family owned the Marcellus Trading Company, a medium-sized trading company that had made its fortune mainly through trade with other countries.

However, the tariffs were biased, and they had been in the red for several years.

No matter how many times he advised the king, he wouldn't listen, and the situation had become dire.

"That tariff system was indeed a bit problematic. After the war, or rather, a little before that, the prices of iron and salt skyrocketed, but the tariffs remained the same... I've discussed it with the prime minister, and we're going to change it gradually."

The prince said this with a tired face.

Lias, who was not heavily involved in domestic affairs, didn't know about this, but apparently, there were several other issues like this.

Reflecting on it, the king had been reluctant to reform in military matters as well.

In politics, maintaining the status quo is not enough. Policies need to be adapted to the times.

Lias, being a duke, could get the king to approve necessary documents, and there weren't many issues with the military.

But this might have led to dissatisfaction.

A structure had been formed where Pencilia held too much power, especially since Lias had become the king's son-in-law and his family held the second and third positions in the line of succession.

"Having too much power concentrated in Pencilia is not good."

"Yeah... Well, once Eidan gets a bit older, I'll have my sister renounce her succession rights. I need to get married soon, too."

"Do you have someone in mind?"

Ultimate did not have a fiancé yet.

"Choosing a spouse is difficult when the political situation is unstable."

"......"

It might not be a position where he could choose freely, but it was a complex feeling to hear such words from the young Ultimate.

Especially since Lias had just achieved his own happiness.

"Don't look so glum."

Ultimate patted his shoulder.

"I'll choose carefully. A wonderful woman who can cherish each other and take on the responsibilities of the country."

"Please don't rush. Pencilia is protecting the country."

"Okay, thanks."

Ultimate sat down at the reception desk, poured tea, and offered some to Lias, who also took a seat.

"I'll ask Father to keep working a bit longer until then."

"I haven't seen the king in a while..."

"He's... bedridden."

Ultimate looked far away.

Was it a serious illness?

As Lias waited for the next words, Ultimate scratched his head and then straightened his back as if making a decision.

"Just between us, Father has actually lost interest in everything, not just politics, for several years now. Some days, even getting out of bed is a struggle. He tries to keep going, but it just makes things worse. When my sister visits, he smiles, but then he relapses."

He said it all in one breath and then laughed, a weak, dry laugh.

"I tell him not to worry, that I'll take care of things, but that just makes him feel worse. He says he's just a burden, that he has no reason to live. It's all his fault, he says—really, it's tough."

"Your Highness..."

Ultimate took a deep breath after speaking all at once and then picked up his teacup.

"Cynthia—"

"It's a mental issue, so healers can't do anything. I don't want to tell my sister, either. After all, we've already imposed sacrifices on her to get to where we are. I can't ask for more—"

"Cynthia doesn't think that way."

The Lias of a few weeks ago might not have been able to say anything here.

But now, he knew that Cynthia was happy in Pencilia.

"Right, I'm sorry. I think she's happy with you, Lias."

An awkward silence followed.

Ultimate must be quite exhausted.

As Lias thought this, Ultimate muttered.

"I... I'm the one who took Mother away from everyone."

Lias looked at Ultimate in surprise.

Ultimate spoke calmly.

"Mother died giving birth to me. That was the beginning of Father's decline. And yet, no one blamed me; they raised me kindly. My brother died in the war, and my sister took on the responsibility and married. ...So, what should I do?"

He put down his cup and smiled, his usual cheerful smile.

"So, I want to bear it if I can. I'm doing it because I want to, you know."

Is that so?

Before he wanted to do it, he was in a situation where he had no choice.

If the royal family had been forced to make sacrifices, then Ultimate was no different.

At the young age of 15, he was forced to make many decisions, care for his father, and even get married.

Lias thought deeply, but it wasn't immediately clear what he could do.

Fandrag has a long history of monarchy, and the king's power has always been strong. Therefore, much depends on the king. There have been regents in the past, but they were also from the royal family. The system for running the government with other officials is not well established.

That's why Ultimate is bearing such a heavy burden. At the very least, Lias wanted to lighten his mental load.

"Your Highness... Can you talk to Cynthia? Not everything, but... She cares deeply for you. She wouldn't think of it as a burden. If there's a load to bear, she would want to share it. Of course, I would too."

Ultimate smiled.

"Thanks, brother-in-law."

It was a painfully mature smile.

Titi... (´༎ຶོρ༎ຶོ`)

This concludes Lias's chapter.

Thank you very much ^_^

Tomorrow, the children will finally make their appearance.

I look forward to it (^。^)