Chapter 34

"Mother! What's going on?!"

"Oh, I was just trying to surprise you, so I didn't say who was coming..."

(You idiots! What are you doing? Aleksey is not a present! Ah, Aleksey, you're really angry.)

"...Your Majesty, please, be merciful."

Eleonora looked at Aleksey as if in prayer.

"No. I didn't expect to be mocked to this extent."

Seeing Aleksey's cold, composed face, Anna finally understood the situation and panicked.

"U-um, we never intended anything of the sort? Please understand?"

Aleksey, with eyes filled with murderous intent, looked at Anna and Sofia and ordered the knights to take them away.

As Anna and Sofia, bound by the knights, screamed, Aleksey paid no attention and headed for the reception room.

"...Your Majesty, please spare them from execution."

"No."

(While I'm glad you're angry for me, you really are like a child.)

"...It wouldn't be good for my family, who are to be my in-laws, to have executions."

Aleksey, though reluctant, followed Eleonora's words.

"Fine. I won't kill them."

Then, he ordered the knights.

"Silence them and put them in the dungeon."

Anna and Sofia, gagged, were efficiently removed from the mansion.

The servants, who had witnessed the entire scene, trembled with fear. Especially the servant who had been cold to Eleonora was quaking in fear.

"The servants of this mansion seem to have been quite disrespectful to those they should serve."

Aleksey said this almost to himself. He knew from the reports that Eleonora had been neglected even by the servants.

"Those who mistreated the one who is to be my wife will surely receive their punishment."

Aleksey's words, accompanied by a terrifying aura, sent a wave of tension through the entire mansion.

(The servants are really scared. For now, I have no business here.)

"...Your Majesty, would you like to meet Ikkaku?"

"I want to speak with the Duke first."

"...A messenger has been sent, but my father hasn't returned yet."

Eleonora signaled to the butler for agreement, and he nodded vigorously.

"Then, I will wait in the cottage where Eleonora lives. Inform the Duke."

The situation of the Emperor visiting the cottage where the Duke's daughter lived caused the butler and the servants to panic, but they could not refuse Aleksey's words, so the group headed to the cottage.

"That cottage is quite far from the main house, isn't it?"

"...Yes."

The two walked side by side to the cottage at the edge of the property. The lanterns held by the attendants and the guard knights illuminated a small field and a house.

"Is this where you grew up?"

"...Yes."

"Those are the flower beds where you grow flowers, right?"

(No, I don't grow flowers. They're all vegetables.)

Before Eleonora could answer, Aleksey gave orders to the attendants and knights.

"You will wait here. Eleonora and I will enter the house, but do not interfere under any circumstances."

Then, he turned to Eleonora and smiled.

"I've cast a soundproofing spell. Come, let me meet Ikkaku."

Eleonora smiled back, turned the doorknob, and led him inside. Once the door was closed, she began to speak.

"Come, sit over here. I'll prepare some tea right away. Oh! Aleksey, look at this!"

She used magic to light the kettle.

"I can use magic now!"

Aleksey, unable to resist touching the innocent and adorable Eleonora, restrained himself as she was handling fire. She was so cute when she was excited.

"Anyway, this is Ikkaku!"

The one-horned mouse on her shoulder chirped.

"I'll have to part with Ikkaku soon. There might be others of his kind in the Dark Forest. And I have Aleksey now."

The one-horned mouse, not as intelligent as a griffin, couldn't really converse.

"That's right. Ikkaku has been a dear magical beast who supported you when you were lonely. We'll make sure he can live well in the Dark Forest."

"Good job, Ikkaku! Ah, the water is boiling. Aleksey, please sit. I have some leftover pie from yesterday too."

Eleonora cheerfully prepared the tea. While she did, Aleksey looked around the house.

The small house, with only a kitchen, living room, and bedroom, was kept clean by Eleonora. It reminded him of life in the Dark Forest.

"Living here together might not be so bad. We could build a small house in the Dark Forest."

Aleksey's words were heard by Eleonora, who was carrying a tray with the tea set.

"Aleksey, that would be wonderful! We can spend our days off in the Dark Forest together."

With a sparkling smile, Eleonora spoke, and Aleksey, recalling his work-filled days, thought that taking a vacation to spend time with Eleonora in the Dark Forest was an excellent idea.