Chapter 48

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Before recalling her past life, Emma had only two things that mattered to her: her family and insects.

Partly due to her age, she had no interest in or awareness of the opposite sex.

In her past life, despite having a plain face, Port was popular.

She was especially popular among men over 50, enjoying immense popularity.

At work, whether it was the president, the executive vice president, the department head, or the section chief, they would all lower their eyes and engage with Port when they saw her. It was so strange that she wondered if she looked cute to them with their presbyopia, and she was even called a "man magnet."

Ultimately, due to the ratio of men who approached her, the men she dated were almost always older, and she was treated as a severe "old man specialist" by those around her.

Her brother was a lolicon, and her sister was an old man specialist. The Tanaka family was always a disappointment.

Now, the age of King Charles Constantin Royal, who stands before her, is 48. Port's "old man specialist" radar (Port's ability to judge old men) is sounding the alarm.

His well-built, muscular body.

His neatly trimmed beard, which exudes a sense of cleanliness.

The white hair mixed in with his black hair. (Just a little over 10 years until "romance gray"?)

The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes when he laughs heartily.

His deep, resonant, and smooth voice.

King Charles was better-looking than any of the old men Port had ever judged.

Indeed, he is a king, worthy of having Lady Rose as his bride. When the two of them stand together, the "beauty sensor" activates, doubling the alarm. It's a feast for the eyes. She almost wants to clap her hands and bow in admiration.

"Emma? Did you just say 'cool'... about His Majesty?"

Her muttered words must have been heard, as the prince asks her in a low voice.

Looking up at the prince, who has grown taller, she sees a slightly troubled expression.

The prince is serious, so he might be worried that the king's light-hearted remarks could lead to an increase in stepmothers.

The prince is her son...

If Port had a child at around 20, it wouldn't be an impossible age. Some of her friends' children are already in middle school.

"Did you hear that? Please keep it a secret... I'd be embarrassed."

Her face heats up, realizing she had thought something silly.

She never even got married, let alone had children. To her, dating was just a troublesome and exhausting thing.

It costs money to go on dates and do other things, and she couldn't laze around on her precious days off. It costs money, and if someone stays over, housework increases, and it costs more money. She could only keep it up for about six months, and the trouble only increased as she got older.

"Emma, why don't you sit down and talk?"

Just as she was starting to feel a bit gloomy, thinking about her past troublesome relationships, Rose calls out to her.

After the king, Rose, the prince, and Princess Jadwiga sit down, the three siblings sit on the sofa together.

"I called you here to thank you."

After taking a breath, the king begins to speak in his deep, smooth voice.

"I heard that Rose and the children were well taken care of. Since they returned to the capital, they've been talking about the Stuart family non-stop."

The king smiles, squinting his eyes, exuding a strong "cool old man" vibe. His expression is amazing. Thank you.

"No, we were the ones who were taken care of. We were invited to the Valeri estate many times."

Georg and William nod in agreement with Emma.

At the time, they were so captivated by Rose's beauty that they kept talking to her, even though they were just children of a rural lord and not someone she would normally speak to. Rose was kind enough to engage in conversation with them.

"Also, Rose gave us expensive dresses... like the red one you're wearing today?"

Rose is wearing the red dress that Georg recommended.

It has a deep slit, showing off her beautiful legs.

"Adorning the beautiful Lady Rose is a pleasure for the Stuart family."

William answers as if it's no big deal.

He made the dress because he wanted to, and he never expected it to be worn at a formal party like today.

"Also, the localized hazard in the Valeri territory."

The king turns his gaze to Emma. She savors the happiness of being looked at by a cool old man.

"Emma, you were badly injured, but the three of you risked your lives to deal with the slime, a dangerous monster that could have destroyed the country. As king, I want to thank you for that."

The king, who should be at the highest position in the country, bows his head.

He thanks the three siblings for protecting the people, Rose, and the children.

Rose, the prince, and the princess also bow their heads, following the king's example.

"N-no! It's nothing, we just did what was expected of us as children of a border lord!"

"Please raise your head, Your Majesty!"

Georg and William hurriedly try to raise the king's head, which is firmly bowed. Emma secretly checks for signs of baldness from the top of the king's head to the back, but finds none.

He might even look good if he went bald.

The king suddenly raises his head and grins mischievously.

His rugged appearance with a boyish smile... it's so cute.

"I wrote to the Earl of Stuart to offer a reward, but he declined..."

The three siblings recall the third Tanaka family meeting at the king's words.

Their father, Leonardo, was trembling.

"What should we do? A letter from the king..."

In his hand is a black wax seal with the royal crest.

Only the king can use black wax.

"Did you do something, Father?"

Emma asks, looking at the unopened letter.

"No, no, only Sister does things like that!"

William interjects, sounding exasperated. Despite causing trouble in her past life, she acts superior.

"Let's at least check the contents."

Mersa, who is making tea, looks at the letter.

"But... it's a letter from the king? In Japan, it would be like receiving a letter from the emperor. It's too intimidating to read..."

"If it were the Tanaka family, we'd put it on the family altar and pray to our ancestors."

Georg realizes the gravity of the situation. Important things are first reported to the ancestors on the family altar. However, the only things ever placed on the Tanaka family altar were report cards, diplomas, and acceptance letters.

"But, since the Stuarts are earls and nobles, it's not impossible."

Mersa, who was the youngest of 12 siblings in a ducal family, doesn't seem too surprised.

"Mersa might be used to it, but... I have no good memories of letters from the king."

The last letter from the king was about consolidating the impoverished territories of Pasotto and Lengrent, which was a devil's letter for a newly impoverished noble. While it couldn't be refused by royal command, the increase in territories with frequent monster appearances was more of a negative.

"Then I'll open it for you."

Taking the letter from Leonardo's trembling hands, Mersa quickly opens it.

"Mother, what does it say?"

William goes to his mother's side and peeks at the letter.

"...A reward?"

The letter contains praise for their handling of the localized hazard and an offer of a reward.

"Will we get something?"

Georg asks his mother. His father is completely unreliable when it comes to nobility and the royal family.

"Probably a promotion in rank."

Mersa answers, scanning the letter.

"...What's a promotion in rank?"

Leonardo asks Mersa with a serious face.

Mersa sighs and looks at Georg.

"Georg, explain it to him."

"...I don't know... William, do you know?"

He looks to William for help.

"A promotion in rank means the title is raised due to merit, Brother..."

The letter states that the royal family wants to reward the Stuart family for their contribution to resolving the localized hazard, and the most common reward is a promotion in rank.

"...So, we'll become the Duke of Stuart?"

Emma asks, and her mother answers.

"Or even the Duke of Stuart. You fought a slime to the death."

Mersa strokes Emma's cheek. At the time, Violet's thread still covered her cheek.

"...So, Mother, what happens if we get a promotion in rank?"

Georg, still not quite understanding, asks his mother.

"Well... first, we'll get more territory. Taxes will increase, but we'll be able to act more importantly in the capital. Marriage proposals will increase, and there will be more social opportunities like balls and tea parties. If we become a duke, we might be invited to events like New Year's, harvest festivals, and royal birthdays, and we'll be able to get closer to the higher-ranking nobles at the royal palace..."

As Mersa lists the potential changes, the family's faces turn pale.

"We don't need more territory..."

More territory means more income, but also more responsibility and trouble. Leonardo, who already manages three territories, is trembling differently.

"...Marriage proposals are too early..."

William is exasperated.

"Balls... I'd rather have a martial arts tournament..."

Georg, who dislikes dancing, holds his head.

"Mother, is this some kind of punishment game? High-ranking nobles are so strict about etiquette... and festivals are supposed to be enjoyed with food stalls."

Emma pouts, thinking a festival without food stalls is like meatless meat stew.

A promotion in rank... to the Stuart family, it seemed more like a punishment than a reward.

"Father! It's completely normal for border lords to deal with monsters. We don't deserve a reward!"

William tries to persuade his father.

"That's right! Dealing with localized hazards is part of a border lord's job. We don't need thanks!"

Georg supports him.

"Father, things are fine as they are. If we get busier, we won't have time to play with cats, observe insects, or make dresses for Lady Rose."

Emma pleads.

"You guys..."

While Mersa is taken aback by the siblings' unity, Leonardo makes a decision.

"We'll decline the reward! We only did what was expected, and we don't deserve a reward!"

Thus, the third Tanaka family meeting decided to decline the king's reward.

"Could you try to convince the earl to accept the reward?"

The king believes that achievements should be recognized.

No one has contributed as much to the country in recent years. Perhaps the three siblings' persuasion could change the earl's mind.

"Your Majesty, as I said, we only did what was expected. We can't accept a reward."

"We just did our job."

"We think our father would say the same thing."

The three siblings refuse the reward, a response unheard of among the nobility the king knows. The Stuart earl and even his children are humble and ungreedy.

At least...

"Then, Emma, would you consider an engagement to Edward?"

The king knows his son's feelings, and a marriage to the royal family would bring the Stuart family benefits equivalent to a reward.

Satisfied with his own idea, the king smiles.

"Your Majesty, as I said, we only did what was expected. We can't accept a reward."

"We just did our job."

"We think our father would say the same thing."

The three siblings refuse the reward, a response unheard of among the nobility the king knows. The Stuart earl and even his children are humble and ungreedy.

"Thank you for always reading."