Chapter 42

"Mr. Fil, please look up."

At my words, he slowly raised his face. Through his disheveled silver hair, his deep blue eyes looked up at me. I glared at those blue eyes intensely.

"Mr. Fil, you are a knight, aren't you? A knight shouldn't say that it's fine to die so easily. That's what we've been told in the Laguren family."

"…Yeah, I guess so."

"A small lord will be devoured immediately if he becomes weak. Just the other day, I was targeted by Duke Ophels."

"That's right."

Fil nodded, looking up at me with a puzzled expression as I glared at him. I took a deep breath slowly.

"Mr. Fil, you misunderstand me. Indeed, I thought we shouldn't meet anymore. But I didn't intend to leave without saying anything. I planned to talk things through properly. …But you became so passive. If you're willing to die so easily, then you should act with the determination to live!"

My voice grew louder without realizing it. But I said what I wanted to say. Feeling relieved, I smiled.

Fil blinked, looking confused. But eventually, he hesitated and spoke.

"…Can I move?"

"Huh?"

"Am I… not… hated by you?"

"Well, I don't hate you, I guess."

"Can I pile all my wealth in front of you and ask you to stay by my side?"

"Um, that's…"

I averted my eyes, at a loss for words.

"…I'm not clever enough to get along well with your wife. So… that's impossible."

"I know. I don't ask for that."

Fil gently reached out and held my hand.

"I just want you to be with me."

"…I'm selfish. I don't want to be in the shadows!"

"Why should you be in the shadows? I want to marry you."

Fil's grip on my hand tightened. I tried to pull my hand away but stopped.

"…What did you just say?"

"I love you."

"That's not what I meant."

"I only want to marry you. I will definitely protect you. I will eliminate all those who oppose us. So please, marry me!"

"What are you saying! That's impossible! You are the first in line to the throne, aren't you!"

"I'll be third in a few years! My sister has three children, so it won't matter if I'm gone! I absolutely don't want the throne!"

"That's not how it works! His Majesty surely wants you to marry a well-born lady!"

"Who cares about my brother! If you oppose me, I'll die! I'd rather die than see you with another man!"

"Don't talk about dying so easily!"

As I shouted back, a heavy sigh came from the doorway.

"…Filode. I fully agree with what the young lady said."

"Brother."

Fil quickly turned his face. In the open doorway stood His Majesty, King Rosfield, with a troubled look, pressing his hand to his forehead.

Behind His Majesty, my brother Albes stood with a strained face. I tried to gently pull away from Fil, but he wouldn't let go. Instead, he wrapped his arms around my body and pulled me in front of his face, where he was sitting.

"Fil, Fil!"

"Brother. If you heard, it saves time. I will marry Lucia. If you don't approve… I will mobilize the army."

"Huh? What are you saying?"

"I can mobilize the entire Third Army. Nearly half of the Second Army will follow. The First Army… maybe only ten percent at the moment, but it's easy to attack the Ophels territory. I'll attack quickly to avoid damaging the farmland and take it down!"

"Stop making ridiculous threats!"

Unable to move, I tapped the silver head in front of me. But Fil didn't flinch at all. Annoyed, I tapped it again.

Another heavy sigh reached my ears.

"…Fil, I understand your seriousness. As a king, I don't want a civil war to break out arbitrarily."

King Rosfield pressed his temples as if he had a headache.

"But as you said, it's impossible for at least a few years, at least two years. So… how about this, if your seriousness continues for two years, then you can do as you please."

"Of course, Brother! In those two years, I will remove all worries, both domestic and foreign. This Filode will devote my entire being to the task!"

"…Yeah, well, don't go overboard?"

His Majesty, looking utterly resigned, turned his gaze to me. He gave me a kind smile, but then sighed deeply and turned away. As he passed Albes, he suddenly stopped and said:

"Last night, I told you not to hit the face, but I'll retract that. You can do as you please."

"…I appreciate your consideration."

Albes bowed respectfully.

King Rosfield sighed heavily again and walked away, leaving the open door, Albes, Fil sitting in the chair, and me, who was being held by Fil, in the room.

"Fil, how long are you going to keep touching Lucia? Let go and come here."

"I don't really want to."

"Just come. I'll just hit you once."

Albes said in a low, menacing voice. After a moment's thought, Fil let go of me and stood up. He smiled at me, who was bracing for what might happen, and then walked out with Albes.

When I peeked out the doorway, Fil was being punched and sent flying down the corridor.