Chapter 6: Chapter 195

✠

The message window exploded.

⟬The Scale that Judges Souls is going crazy with the realization that another lover may enter your life.⟭

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World shouts that Voiceism only allows monogamy.⟭

⟬The Cliché Gourmet asks whether levirate marriage is allowed with twinkling eyes.⟭

The discussion among the gods was particularly distracting today. I did my best to ignore them and addressed Rigarez.

"It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. Have you come with a dress as well?"

"I guess my brother sent you a dress. Quite the effort he's putting into getting the support of the holy kingdom using the Divine Emissary," said Rigarez, casually mocking his half-brother. He gestured to an attendant and ordered, "Bring us tea."

What a disrespectful boy.

"Have a seat, Divine Emissary."

Watching him jerk his chin toward me made my smile grow, as I was trying to mask the smirk that wanted to appear on my face. I sunk onto the couch opposite him as he requested and parted my lips to speak.

"Fine, whatever," I said without ceremony. "Say what you came to say. This is your house."

His expression slackened with surprise.

"What's wrong? Prince Rigarez, you and I are of the same status as per international relations protocol. Have you not known that the Divine Emissary is of equal standing to the royal family?"

⟬The Critic for Balance was hoping you'd add, "Didn't your mother teach you anything?" and is disappointed that you refrained.⟭

⟬The Cliché Gourmet urges you to provide a spark of irreversible conflict between the prince and his father.⟭

Rigarez, whose eyes had widened, suddenly snorted. "It's nice to see a real person from the holy kingdom for a change."

"Is it? Well, then it's your turn to leave a good impression."

As our eyes fixed on each other, all I hoped for was that his hostility toward Tesilid would be transferred onto me.

However, Rigarez spoke far more calmly than I'd expected. "The holy kingdom sent you to keep an eye on me, didn't they?"

"I was asked to perform such a task."

"Are you going to support my siblings, whether it's Hardale or Celesteed? The outcome will not change either way... As long as my mother is the regent, that is."

"Little prince," Ailette said sweetly, "don't you think you lack the noble support for you to say that with such confidence?"

Nobles who knew of Rigarez's violent personality and his rage toward the holy kingdom didn't support him. This was a huge weakness on his part, which was why I thought he'd react with anger when it was pointed out.

However, Rigarez remained unexpectedly composed. "Fortunately, there's an easy solution to that problem."

"And what is that?" I asked, but I didn't have a good feeling about his reply.

Wait... Could he be thinking—

"Marrying a lady from a well-known and influential family, of course."

"Oh... Is that so?"

"Yes. In fact, I'm currently looking for a respectable lady with an influential background right now... One that will also treat the queen well," he replied as he examined me with his fingers interlocked in front of him. Soon, a strange smirk spread across the young man's face. "And I wouldn't mind an older woman."

"I don't remember asking."

"I'm just thinking out loud."

Before I could speak about my own preferences, Rigarez jumped straight to the point. "I think you probably know what I'm trying to say. I'd like to offer a peace treaty in exchange for our arranged marriage."

Dear god, help me...

⟬The Scale that Judges Souls is uncontrollably excited!⟭

⟬The Cliché Gourmet is uncontrollably excited!⟭

«Umm, Tesilid? Are you all right?»

Agnes' quiet comment made me worried about Tesilid, who was standing behind me. However, I didn't have time to check on him at the moment. I had to focus on the person right in front of me.

Purposely wearing a nonchalant expression, I replied, "Your mom put you up to this, didn't she?"

"Do be respectful. She's going to become your mother-in-law."

"I will be the judge of that. Anyway, you're not denying the fact that she ordered you to do this."

"And you're not denying that she's your mother-in-law."

"Is that so?" For some reason, I felt like the back of my head was on fire.

«Umm, Tesilid...?»

I better wrap up this conversation soon. In order to make this happen, I remained silent so that Rigarez could jabber on about everything he'd wanted to say.

"As the saintess, I'd expect that peace is a huge priority for you. Moreover, becoming the crown princess would be a lovely perk, no?"

Sure, whatever. You keep talking.

"The Holy Kingdom of Elfenheim will send an official offer to the Duchy of Heathfenrir soon."

I waited for him to run out of steam. I'm just going to enjoy my tea while he rambles.

"Do not worry. Even though I don't love you, I will serve my full duty as your husband."

"Ugh..." I was doing well until now, but I almost spit tea from my mouth when I heard him say this.

During that time, Rigarez's gaze slid away from me and landed on something above my head. "So I suggest you don't bring that knight as a part of your dowry."

⟬The Cliché Gourmet is thrilled by the concept of an affair...⟭

"That's enough. I will give you an answer tomorrow, so please leave."

"All right, then."

And just like that, Rigarez exited the room.

Goodness, what a mess. I didn't hide my disgust as I fixed my gaze on the door, when I felt a hand grab the back of the couch I was sitting on. I was about to turn when a shadow loomed over me, for Tesilid was leaning over the couch to look down at me.

"Tez?"

His face as he stared at me looked dark from the shadow created by the angle, his clenched jaw looking tense and painful. A long time passed before he could finally speak.

"A plan," he said shortly. "Tell me you have a plan."

His tone was so desperate that it would not have sounded strange if he added, please, at the end.

"Of course," I replied like it was obvious, nodding my head more enthusiastically than usual. "I didn't interrupt because I wanted him to quickly say his piece and leave. Trying to deal with an irritable prince wouldn't have gotten us anywhere."

"Really?"

Only then did a long sigh explode out of Tesilid as if he could finally relax. "I thought..."

"You thought?"

"Never mind..."

I turned around and looked at Tesilid, who was leaning on the back of the couch. "Trust me. I won't let the royal family hurt you anymore."

"Do you think that's possible?"

"Yes."

"What's your plan?"

"Umm, I don't think I can explain it to you because it will be breaking the law of confidentiality."

"I see."

After all, the information I had could only be known to someone omniscient. I consoled him by telling him that the plan would be revealed the very next day as I patted him on the shoulder, yet I couldn't help but give him a small heads up.

"However... you may not like the outcome," I hinted. "Unfortunately, this is the only way we can prevent future suffering, so I have to do it."

I could see questions swimming in his ocean-colored eyes, so I quickly changed the topic before he latched onto my vague comment.

"Anyway, why did you come to my room?"

He took a moment to select the right answer before he replied, "You said this was your first banquet, so I was wondering if I could help in any way."

That was a fair offer since the main lead of Loop Seventeen had already attended two royal banquets at this stage, although his experience was child's play compared to that of a transmigrator.

"Hmm. Some help, huh?"

"You don't need any...?"

I didn't, but I also couldn't bring myself to disappoint him by turning down his offer.

"No, no. I do," I said as sincerely as possible. "I'm glad you came because I wasn't sure what I should wear to the banquet tomorrow."

"You mean, your outfit?"

"Yes. There are too many buffs on my ceremonial uniform, so I'm worried that I might make others feel uncomfortable because of the enhanced charm, elegance, dignity, and charisma it will give me."

"Then, do you plan on wearing something else?"

"No. I was thinking of wearing the Dream Demon's Harness inside the ceremonial uniform to lower at least the elegance, dignity, and charisma. What do you think?" I asked, pleased with my idea. "Pretty good, right?"

"That... thing... under... your uniform?" he said, fighting for coherency.

"Yes."

"Then... What about your charm level?"

"It will increase five times," I answered simply.

Tesilid didn't seem to know what to say to that.

"I'll try it on so you can take a look."

Tesilid's fingers slid from his lips to his chin. "Sure..." he replied weakly.

✠

Now that his meeting with the Divine Emissary was over, Rigarez headed directly to Queen Laviosa's room. His mother was already waiting for him with an arrangement of snacks and tea on the table inside her personal chambers when he arrived.

"I did as you asked, Mother."

"Well done. Now, take a seat."

However, Rigarez maintained his position as if he didn't hear what his mother had just commanded.

"What is the meaning of this, Rigar?"

Only then did Rigarez reluctantly take a seat.

Placing a teacup in her son's hands, the queen asked, "Are you that disturbed by the plan?"

"Peace with the Holy Kingdom of Elfenheim? That is a promise I cannot keep."

"Are you still—"

"Yes. My brother has yet to return alive."

As tea spilled from his cup, Queen Laviosa witnessed the hatred and regret sizzling in her son's eyes. "Rigar, my son—"

"You said we needed to be cautious because the Divine Emissary seemed to be up to something, but must this be the path we take?"

To that, the queen patiently provided the answer she had prepared in advance. "Things will get very complicated and messy if the Divine Emissary involves herself in the matters of the royal family, especially since she is an unpredictable figure to us. Hence, we need to make sure that she is solidly on our side."

"But I do not like how the bait is a peace treaty."

"Rigar, I'm not trying to make you the king so that you can take revenge."

"That may be so, Mother, but I want to become the king so that I can take revenge."

The queen stared at her son.

"Mother, Your Majesty, the most honorable person in this kingdom... I cannot forgive the Holy Kingdom of Elfenheim. Have you forgotten what they did to my brother?" Rigarez's interlocked fingers clenched as he recalled the horrific nightmare upon the mention of his blood brother, Reminick. "Because I cannot and will not ever forget."