Chapter 33

I woke up the next morning still feeling a bit melancholic.

"Ah~..."

I want to say to those who think, "Why are you being so picky! You're engaged to a princess! You should be happier!"

"It's absolutely not like that!"

Why? Well, first of all, the status is completely different. If a princess is forced upon a person of lower status, it would make one feel uneasy. The heart wouldn't be at ease.

Next, the princess in reality is often a spoiled and mischievous girl. And as someone who at least knows proper etiquette, I don't like the way she expresses gratitude. Even though I know I'm in a much lower position, it's not something to get angry about, but as someone who used to be a bullied loner, my impression of her has slightly worsened. I really want a convincing explanation.

Also, the fact that she's smart makes me feel like I might be dominated by her, which is scary. It wouldn't be a problem if I were just dominated, but if I were logically convinced of something I don't agree with, I would want to run away.

After much deliberation, I realized,

(I'm going to be an adventurer anyway, so it doesn't really matter.)

"Then I'll go with a light heart. As long as I act like a yes-man, there won't be any problems."

I managed to resign myself to this.

After a while, Skuna and a maid came in.

"Lord Rain, are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

The door opened immediately, and Skuna and the maid entered.

"Breakfast is ready."

"I'll be right there."

I replied and went to breakfast with Skuna and the maid.

As soon as I got there, my father called out to me.

"Oh, Rain. How are you feeling today?"

Feeling? It's just one step away from the worst.

But I can't say that,

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Good. I'll say it again, be polite."

"I understand. I won't anger the princess."

"Good! I'm counting on you! You're my only hope!"

"By the way, where are we supposed to meet?"

"There's a garden inside the castle. We'll have tea there with chairs and a table."

It's the place where Prim and I walked.

"Understood. Please call me when it's time."

"Got it."

"Then, I'll take my leave."

I stood up and returned to my room.

I passed the time until then by reading books. I've already read practical books about wars like 'Pornezia's War History' to the point of being tired of them, so lately I've been rereading the same ones. They are legends, stories of heroes and divine beasts, which are interesting.

Moreover, in this world, there is definitive evidence that these beings exist. This makes me even more curious.

Especially the legend of Glorious Noah, the man who founded the largest country on the southernmost continent, is really intense. The truth of the legends that are available for both children and adults is uncertain, but when combined with the backstories collected in books, the story goes like this.

This man was born into a commoner's family and was blessed with talent in both swordsmanship and magic. When he grew up and turned 15, he became an adventurer and immediately showed his talent. After half a year in the dungeon, he naturally began to excel on the front lines. Four years later, when he turned 20, he received some news.

It was about a god-level dragon invading the continent and destroying countries in an instant. He accepted the mission to repel the dragon, prepared, and faced it. By then, three countries had already been destroyed, and the dragon had hardly been damaged.

In the first attack, all his companions except him were wiped out. Only he remained.

He withstood a blow that could obliterate a mountain. The dragon then attacked him tens of thousands of times. Despite receiving blows that could split mountains and create canyons, he calmly stood up each time. After a week of intense battle, he managed to repel the dragon by sealing it. The battle was so intense that the map changed significantly, and his clothes were tattered, with wounds all over his body, yet he stood there calmly.

Up to this point, it's all good. "Wow! That's amazing! So cool!" is the reaction.

But the scary part starts here.

After a while, he consolidated the destroyed countries and founded a great nation, working hard to govern it. But then a problem arose. The countries that were destroyed and then consolidated into a new great nation were naturally spied on by neighboring countries, and some even attempted assassination. However, this king discovered the spies and called them to his room with a smile. One of them was a female assassin with a poisoned knife hidden in her pocket. The next day, when a subordinate asked the king, who had a clear face, as he came out of the room,

"I was stabbed twice, but it was the best night ever."

He declared that he would make this woman his concubine and did so. The diary that still exists today records the story of this assassin. It says that every time she was called to the room,

"Did you bring a knife today? What? You didn't bring one? Why? You came to assassinate me. You can stab me anytime while we're doing it!"

When she tried to commit suicide, he stopped her, saying he would destroy her country if she did. When she tried to leave, he threatened to go to her country to bring her back. He mercilessly killed male assassins but made beautiful female assassins his concubines. One of the assassins, unable to bear the guilt, apologized, and he said,

"Then I'll annex your country."

He went to the great nation alone and fulfilled his words. After that, other countries stopped sending spies to this country, fearing the assassins' rebellion. It is said that the number of assassins he made his concubines was 16. He didn't kill the women, but he sent those he didn't like the look of out of the territory.

His end was neither tragic nor comedic, but rather, he died of old age.

My impression after reading this is that this guy was crazy! He was a pervert who went too far.

(But he's cool! I wouldn't imitate him, but I find him interesting.)

After finishing this book again, it seemed the time had come. Someone came to call me.

"Rain, it's time. We're going to see the princess."

"Yes, I understand."

I got into the carriage with my father.

"Are you coming with me?"

I couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, I have business with the king. Unfortunately, I won't be joining your tea party with the princess."

"O-Oh, I see..."

It's really a shame.

We soon arrived at the castle, and I parted ways with my father.

A maid from the castle led me to the same place as yesterday. The only difference was that there were neat chairs and a table.

As soon as I approached, she seemed to notice and stood up.

In such situations, the one who arrives later speaks first.

"Good morning, Your Highness."

I bowed.

"Good morning, Lord Rain."

She also performed the proper etiquette of a noblewoman.

"I'm very sorry for keeping you waiting."

"No, I haven't been waiting long. I just arrived myself."

(I should have said that, but with the genders reversed.)

I scratched my cheek.

"I see. Keeping a woman waiting is a man's shame. If there's a next time, I would like to prepare myself."

I said this with a polite bow.

(There won't be a next time, though.)

"Ah, you're so skilled. Really.

Is this really the line of a 5-year-old child?"

She said to me.