Chapter 69

While investigating the Daido Kingdom, I received an order from His Majesty and was summoned to the office.

"Jinklett. Rolf from the Naris Kingdom is coming."

At those words, I raised the corners of my mouth. Rolf Naris, the younger brother of the King of Naris and the commander of the Naris Kingdom's knights. He is the most trusted vassal of the king, and as befits his position, he is the finest knight in the Naris Kingdom, possessing outstanding strength and leadership. He is also close to my brothers and I in age, and we have been close friends since childhood. Well, his behavior and personality are another story.

"Is he coming to pick up Kanan?"

His Majesty looked at me with a flat expression, and the Queen, who was also present, had a similar look.

What's wrong? Why are they both making those faces?

"Jinklett, when I thought about Sheena's partner, I thought of Rolf first, even before you or Sirius."

At His Majesty's words, I felt my body rapidly grow cold.

"What are you saying..."

"That girl is too valuable to be used. Unparalleled magical talent, abundant magical power, flexible and innovative thinking. One person like her can do the work of a hundred talented people. Yet, she is too kind and naive."

His Majesty sighed, and the Queen nodded deeply. Indeed, Sheena is very kind. She is also easily deceived.

"We must not give the Daido Kingdom any chance to take her. It would be unfortunate for her, and if her talent were to fall into their hands, it could become a threat to our country and the surrounding nations."

"Why does that mean Sheena's partner should be Rolf? Protecting Sheena is my job!"

"I don't think you can protect her. You are strong physically, but you can't even solve your own problems, you fool. To protect Sheena and Marita, you are far from sufficient. That's why I suggested to the King of Naris that Rolf be Sheena's partner."

I was shocked by my father's words. My engagement to Sheena was only temporary. It was because her adoptive family had not been decided, but was this the real reason?

"We have told the Naris Kingdom that your engagement to Sheena is only a provisional one. By some miracle, if she chose you, we allowed the engagement, but I still think Rolf is more suitable."

It's true that Rolf is more capable than me. He would not give the Daido Kingdom any chance and would protect Sheena without causing any trouble.

But.

"Sheena chose me."

Even if I am not enough, she chose me. She took my hand even after seeing my many weaknesses.

"Even if you are chosen, if you sit back, her feelings might change. Her world still revolves around you."

The king accurately pointed out my weakness. He saw through my desire to hide her in a place where no one else could reach, to keep her from being taken away and to prevent her from developing feelings for anyone else.

I clenched my fists tightly. A dark feeling began to envelop my heart. I will not let her be taken away. My magic, which I could not suppress, began to rise.

"Hah. Always have that kind of determination. If you can't, I will have Rolf take her."

"Are you ignoring Sheena's feelings? How is your method any different from the Daido Kingdom's?"

The corner of the king's mouth curled up.

"Do you think Sheena's feelings won't change when she meets Rolf?"

I swallowed hard. I didn't want to think about it, but Rolf has always been incredibly popular. He is still single and has no fiancée, but that is because he is protecting the heir, Kanan. The King of Naris has only Kanan, and his position was unstable due to his leg disability. As the second in line to the throne, if Rolf were to have a child, there might be a movement to make him the next king. However, now that Kanan's left leg has regenerated, his position will become more secure once the treatment is complete. The reason Rolf cannot marry will no longer exist.

"Prince Rolf can be trusted with Sheena. Far more than your foolish son."

The queen elegantly raised her fan. I was sweating coldly. Just the other day, I had been given an embarrassing lecture about my usual attitude towards Sheena, which I had tried to explain was a misunderstanding, but to no avail.

"At least try to prevent Rolf from taking her. I hear he is very enthusiastic about marrying the benefactor of Kanan. Even Rolf is finally getting married."

The king's mocking tone filled me with murderous intent. I was angry at his smirking.

Still seething with anger, I returned to my room. My attendant, who seemed to have forgotten his respect, approached me with a bored look.

"What was it about, the king's talk?"

"Rolf is coming."

"Ah, to pick up Prince Kanan?"

"They say they are considering Rolf as Sheena's marriage partner."

Bari's eyes widened, and he looked intrigued.

"Huh? So that's why the provisional engagement has been prolonged. Sir Jin, are you just a placeholder until Prince Rolf arrives?"

"Who's a placeholder!"

"Well, it's Prince Rolf, isn't it? If he gets serious, he'll take Sheena in no time, right?"

"But Sheena likes me!"

"What? Do you really think you can win? That's Prince Rolf we're talking about. A man who can captivate not only the daughters of other countries but even the town's songstress and the church's priestess. He's too much for a wimp like you."

I glared at Bari, who was cracking jokes.

"If Sheena chooses Rolf, Kir will automatically go to the Naris Kingdom too."

"Sir Jinklett! This isn't the time to be complacent! We have no future if we don't protect Sheena!"

Finally, Bari seemed to realize the gravity of the situation and spoke earnestly. Just when I had finally made some progress with Kir, if Sheena were to go to the Naris Kingdom, Kir would undoubtedly follow her. Bari would be left behind, rejected.

"You're right. The slight improvement in Kir's opinion of you is as thin as paper compared to her loyalty to Sheena. We must both do our utmost to avoid being rejected."

"Let's tell Sheena a mountain of bad things about Prince Rolf. That he is a royal she dislikes, a man who can captivate any woman, a capable worker but too cold and rational. And that he is not a crybaby, a wimp, or a clingy, possessive man like you!"

As Bari listed the things that Sheena might not like about Rolf, he tilted his head.

"Huh? When I listed the things that don't match Sheena's preferences, they turned out to be compliments. Sheena has terrible taste. What does she see in you?"

"Isn't it because she appreciates my broad-mindedness, my ability to laugh off and forgive your rudeness?"

I punched Bari on the head. How kind I am to forgive him for this.

"Ow! I was just telling the truth, why are you angry? It's unfair!"

"It's because you lack the basic ability to consider your words when speaking to your master. Reflect on that."

Ignoring the dissatisfied Bari, I rekindled my resolve. According to Old Sand, Kanan's healing is almost complete. All that remains is to continue with Old Sand's special medicinal baths and rehabilitation, so there should be no problem with him returning to the Naris Kingdom. The King and Queen of Naris are eagerly waiting to confirm Kanan's recovery. There won't be much time left before Rolf arrives to pick him up.

I must train both my body and mind to remain steadfast when Rolf arrives. That's all I can do. Sheena often touches my arm and says something incomprehensible like, "Jin, muscles never betray you."

"Hey, will your wimpiness really improve with just that? You've been pampered since birth and have a typical youngest child mentality. Instead of wasting time, why don't you just beg Sheena not to leave you? She will probably choose you out of pity. She is kind, after all."

"You... I'm always impressed by the variety of ways you belittle me."

"I want to convey it from multiple angles so that you can be aware. Really, you need to be more serious. Do you have the confidence to live a happy life after being rejected by Sheena? Think about me, who will have to serve a perpetually sulking master."

I chuckled.

"You, of all people, don't have the option to give up on me."

"If you doubt that, I will seriously give up on you."

With a casual remark from Bari, I smiled.

"Do your best not to be rejected by Kir. As long as you serve me, you will have to face Kir, who serves Sheena, for the rest of your life."

"If you are rejected by Sheena, Kir and I will have to part ways like splitting a log. Do your best to keep Sheena. If you fail, I'll have you change your name to Wimp Prince."

He is as rude as ever, but there's nothing I can do.

Only Bari can be my attendant.