Chapter 3

With four grown adults present, the reception room remained silent for a while.

If I didn't speak up now, I might never get another chance! I took a deep breath.

"Do you remember when His Highness the Prince said that my 'Blessing' was unreliable? I feel the same way. How could someone like me, a scarred and unattractive woman, give a 'Blessing' to a distinguished general? Forcing such a person upon a hero like you, who is now called a hero, would only tarnish both His Majesty's name and yours. A hero deserves someone far more beautiful."

When I quoted the Prince's words, my father's face contorted in pain.

"Miss Emerine... you are not a scarred woman at all."

Have you forgotten that the celebration was attended by almost all the nobles and influential people in the country? Perhaps my frustration showed on my face.

The King briefly showed a look of pity towards me... and then quickly changed his expression to that of a king.

"Miss Emerine, this is a royal command. Support Sir Lancelot well."

A royal command...

My father bowed his head quietly.

I followed suit.

"The Earl and I will step out. You two, talk for a while."

The King left without looking at me. My father squeezed my hand tightly and followed the King.

◇◇◇

Left alone with the General, the robotic-like maids of the palace served us warm tea with efficient movements and then withdrew.

"Please look up."

A low, hoarse voice spoke. I had been staring at my fingertips. It seemed I had made him uncomfortable.

I slowly raised my head and looked at the hero. He seemed to be the type who didn't show much emotion, a true soldier. His eyes were beautiful, burning like red lotus flowers.

"I'm sorry."

"No, I'm not angry."

The General seemed flustered as he said this. Surprisingly gentle? Of course, to rise to such a position at such a young age, he must be a person of exceptional character. It made me feel even more sorry for him.

"No, I'm sorry for being a bad debt."

"Bad debt?"

Ah, that wasn't the right term here.

"Um, something troublesome, an unpayable debt, or non-recyclable garbage?"

"Ahem... ahem... ahem..."

The General, who had been drinking tea, choked.

"Calling me garbage... how can you say such a thing? If you are garbage, then I have risked my life for garbage. Don't ever say that again!"

I really upset him. He had fought for the people, and I was one of them. It was my fault for speaking without thinking. The General seemed to be very serious.

"I'm sorry."

I bowed deeply.

"Hey... ah, damn it! Forget it! Look up!"

When I raised my head, the General had his eyes closed and was looking up at the ceiling.

...I'm troubling him. Maybe I should just run away. With the trunk I've prepared. My parents would probably think it's better for the Barthe territory to be destroyed than for the respected General to be unhappy by marrying me. The King, though a jerk to me, is known as a wise ruler. He would surely appoint a wonderful lord who wouldn't inconvenience the people. The one who would suffer the most would be...

"Keith..."

"Keith?"

"Ah, I'm sorry."

I had spoken aloud.

"Who is Keith?"

"My brother. He's studying at school now."

"I see."

The General sighed.

"Miss Emerine."

"Please, just call me by my name."

"Ah, cough, then, Emerine, are you... not afraid of me?"

"Huh? I respect you, but..."

You're a hero.

"Are you not afraid of me?"

"...Sorry, is something scary going to happen?"

"No, my appearance!"

Appearance? You mean looks?

Well, if you put it that way, I can't help but look closely.

His large, muscular body reminded me of a hammer thrower from my school. The scars on his cheeks and neck made me think of a mischievous student. His bright red hair was like flames, and his red lotus eyes were beautiful and seemed to convey honesty.

The General was blushing slightly. Maybe I should open the window a bit.

"Your appearance... you seem very strong, but I'm not afraid. After all, those large hands have protected us."

"R-right... I've been in the military for a long time, so I tend to shout a lot... and I have a stern face, so people around me find me annoying. I don't know how to talk to a delicate woman. Don't expect much from me in the future."

"I understand. Then, please think of me as a poor subordinate. Feel free to talk to me as you would to a subordinate."

If I really marry the General, I'll be eating his food, so I'll be like a subordinate. Though I probably won't be as useful as a subordinate.

"Right... no matter how I try to cover it up... I'll be straightforward. You think... that I was forced upon you by the King, right... but it's the opposite."

I didn't understand what he meant. I tilted my head to the side.

"You know... about your 'Blessing,' I heard from the King, and it's not good."

I had expected this, but are they really counting on it? No way! The General is a soldier! Seeking luck in war is dangerous! If we lose, it could mean seppuku! I can't take that responsibility. I shook my head.

"General, you really shouldn't expect anything from my 'Blessing.' You were there! My 'Luck' doesn't bring anything!"

"If it doesn't bring anything, that's fine! Just that much is enough!"

"If that's the case, there's no need for me! General, I'm not lying, please refuse this marriage! If you propose it, His Majesty will probably..."

"I asked the King about you and begged for you! As a reward for this battle, I begged for Miss Emerine!"

"...Why?"

A hero could have asked for the beautiful princess, the sister of the Prince.

"My 'Blessing' is 'Death.'"

I couldn't speak... I swallowed hard.

A 'Blessing' of 'Death'? Does such a 'Blessing' exist?

The General smiled sadly at my stunned expression.

"I... am the Grim Reaper. My real parents abandoned me on the day of the 'Blessing' ceremony. The church reported to the state that I was too dangerous to handle, and with the King's intervention, I was adopted by a generous Duke who was also a military general and raised to become a soldier."

Feared for bringing death just by being near? Thought to be immune to death because of the 'Blessing'? Or told that my 'Blessing' was to bring death to others? To a child who didn't understand anything?

Such a nonsensical 'Blessing' can't exist. It's a match for mine, if not worse.

I could easily imagine how the General had been toyed with, used, and kept on a leash by his 'Blessing.' Just like me, but for longer, being older.

"In war, no matter how badly injured I am, I somehow survive. Maybe because I think I'm going to die anyway, or because the Grim Reaper doesn't die. Well, that's why my face and body are full of scars... and my subordinates tremble at my appearance."

The Grim Reaper doesn't die? Who would say such a thing? Life-threatening injuries? This person has endured the pain I felt when I was stabbed in a past life, multiple times? Unbelievable...

"I can't hide my 'Blessing' from the person I'm going to marry, right? Who would want a Grim Reaper as a husband? I thought you, unable to run away due to scandal, would have no choice but to marry me, and if your 'Luck' brings nothing, as the Prince said, it would be wonderful if it neutralized my 'Death.' And if your 'Luck' worked and neutralized my 'Death'... it would be the best..."

This strong, large man of the country is trying to use me.

But, more than anyone, he truly needs me... desperately.

"Despicable, right? But the royal command has been issued. You can't escape from me. In two weeks, I will retire and set out to become a border lord in the east. You will accompany me. Prepare yourself."

The General bluntly said. An awkward but helpless person.

I could feel his pain acutely.

I calmed my heart and, as I did in my past life, carefully searched my experience for the right words to comfort the person in front of me.

"General, did you know?"

"...What?"

The General, who had been looking down, raised his head expressionlessly.

"Death is the only thing that comes to men and women, kings and slaves, rich and poor, without discrimination, equally."

This was what a monk said at my grandfather's funeral in my past life.

"..."

"Therefore, your 'Blessing' is very ordinary."

The General's eyes widened.

Then he closed his eyes, pressed his fingertips to his forehead, and when he looked at me again, his red eyes gleamed. They were completely different from the 'dead fish eyes' from before. The General is not the Grim Reaper. He is alive.

"Call me... no, call me Lance."

"Then call me Em."

Sir Lance extended his hand to me. I took it of my own will and shook it.