NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 140
===================
Since the blissful first night, there have been minor but significant changes.
After returning to the Imperial City during the day and heading back to the Hohenberc Family at night, Ludmilla has been staying in the villa and working from home ever since the first night.
Zebeline was the same.
Did she decide to become a full-time housewife? She stopped all her previous duties.
The maids of the Hohenberc Family muttered “Well, it’s happening.” with meaningful reactions to the blatant changes in the Princess and the Saintess. Already, there were quite a few servants discussing the succession line.
“The Princess’s offspring should become the heir of the Hohenberc Family.”
“We can’t ignore the influence of the First Saintess. After all, she’s the White Dragon of the Holy Kingdom, right? If the Gael Holy Kingdom directly meddles in the succession line, the head of the family will have no choice but to reconsider.”
Such hasty speculation.
They had just completed their first night together, after all.
Yet the candidates competing for the head of the household were none other than the Empire’s Princess and the Holy Kingdom’s Saintess. With heroines vying for the rightful position against the Imperial founding family, everyone’s eyes were glued to the unfolding drama.
“Y-Your Excellency…! Good morning!”
“Indeed.”
Since their first night, like beasts in heat, they indulged in outdoor exposure at every possible location.
Perhaps it was a reaction to that.
Every time Ludmilla welcomed Edanant, she’d blush and avert her gaze.
Even though she had finally achieved what she wanted, she was still bewildered. Where did the usual serious and dignified figure of Ludmilla go? She covered her face with one hand, her expression filled with shyness.
“Will you be working in the villa’s office today as well?”
“Y-Yeah… The reconstruction of the Imperial City is nearing completion, so it would be fine to leave it to my subordinates. Perhaps… is it burdensome to stay as a guest?”
“Not at all! Being together day and night feels like we’re a newlywed couple, which is nice.”
“Gasp!”
Newlywed couple.
What a romantic relationship.
As Edanant said this while holding her hand, Ludmilla’s face turned as red as a ripe apple.
When the second young master and the Princess made their way to the garden, the servants working there all moved in unison, determined not to interrupt what seemed like a romantic date planning for their future while whispering sweet nothings.
“Ahem!”
The maids, watering the flowers, suddenly scurried away.
The gardener, who was pruning, followed quickly as well.
The garden, once bustling with over thirty people, was now eerily empty. Witnessing this comical scene, Ludmilla seemed a bit embarrassed and cleared her throat.
“I heard the Holy Kingdom still hasn’t revealed its stance.”
“They continue to be silent. It seems they intend to make the incident occurring in the Holy Sanctuary a non-issue.”
“Is that even possible? The Creator’s city vanished overnight!”
“I find that to be a question as well… I have no idea what the Cardinals of the Holy Kingdom are thinking.”
Many nations across the continent, including the Valtarian Empire, were demanding a stance.
The fall of the Holy Sanctuary.
This event shook the very foundation of all nations that worshipped the Creator.
It was only natural that the actions of the Holy Kingdom, trying to cover it up with silence, stirred up resentment among the Valtarian Empire and countless others. Yet, the Holy Kingdom still did not reveal the truth.
“Hmm….”
Were they scared of the disaster of innocence that swept through the Holy Sanctuary and the cultist forces?
No,
Could it be that the Holy Kingdom’s fanatics were truly terrified?
Isn’t it the ultimate form of worship to become a martyr for the Creator? In truth, the Holy Knights of the Holy Kingdom, who participated in the racial war, always displayed madness, shouting for holy wars as they charged into the battlefield.
‘It’s probably because the disaster of death has been resurrected. Even the Saintess Party, representing humanity, has turned against us.’
Saintess Party.
Disaster of death.
Just recalling for a moment made the room spin.
Edanant gently let go of Ludmilla’s hand and let out a heavy sigh.
“Edan!”
While he was mulling over these thoughts, a girl with flowing silver hair approached.
It was Zebeline.
Setting aside his complicated feelings, he welcomed the fair Saintess donned in pure white vestments.
“We promised to clean the church together today, remember? Seriously, Edan is always late to our meet-ups.”
“Oh, right.”
As late autumn arrived, the fragile leaves that had been clinging on began to tumble down en masse. They had agreed to clear the leaves piled around the church today.
Hmmm…
Wouldn’t it be better to leave it to the Holy Knights dispatched to the Marquisate?
Don’t they believe whatever the First Saintess says, even if it involves making up for misbehavior? Surely, they would work throughout the night to incinerate the leaves without leaving a trace.
“If we don’t quickly remove the leaves, the believers visiting the church will find it inconvenient. I believe Edan is someone who takes the initiative for the believers.”
“…….”
Ludmilla also seemed to agree, for she didn’t interfere with Zebeline’s words.
In the end, Edanant had to pick up a broom.
“That’s a good idea, Saintess. I shall take charge of the cleaning. As the future head of the Hohenberc Family, I cannot ignore the struggles of my subjects.”
“What nonsense is the old maid saying? This is a crucial public service to announce that Edan and I are to marry in the future to the subjects of the Hohenberc Marquisate!”
Ah.
Here we go again.
The Red Dragon and the White Dragon glared at each other, each gripping a broom.
The red and blue eyes sparkled fiercely.
Their determination not to give an inch was palpable, with jealousy making the atmosphere chilling.
The unseen servants who had been watching this scene from afar seemed to rally behind the candidates they supported. Edanant attempted to escape the scene, turning his head away.
“Your Excellency! You must say something!”
“Edan! Hurry up and tell the old maid the harsh truth!”
You have to choose me.
If you don’t want to die.
As always, both choices led to a disastrous outcome.
Faced with the intense gazes of Ludmilla and Zebeline, Edanant could only take steps back, cold sweat running down his back. The certainty in their eyes made him feel more pressured than before.
“Ta-da! Big sis has come to visit!”
Just as he felt like a bomb disposal squad dealing with a ticking time bomb.
A beauty with deep green hair fluttered in, her skirts swaying.
“Master of the Magic Tower?”
“Come on, it’s rude to refer to me as a friend’s mother. Just call me big sis.”
“Then let’s compromise and I’ll call you Auntie.”
“No way! Call me big sis!”
The owner of the Red Magic Tower emerged.
What could possibly be the reason for visiting the Hohenberc Family?
Edanant focused on the Master of the Magic Tower to escape the fierce gazes of Ludmilla and Zebeline.
“I noticed the payment was delayed. It wouldn’t do to start off on the wrong foot.”
“Last time, you took a small amount of blood and the Divine Status of Disaster. What else do you want?”
“That was the price I extracted for betraying the Holy Kingdom, with which I had a long employment relationship. I still haven’t paid you for hiring the Master of the Magic Tower, have I? No matter how much of a friend your son may be, calculations must be precise.”
“…….”
Recalling the astronomical amount that the Master of the Magic Tower had boldly requested, Edanant groaned.
The Master of the Magic Tower demanded a whopping 5,000 pounds.
The damn Master of the Magic Tower wanted 5,000 pounds of gold.
Given that approximately 22 pounds equal 1 kg, 5,000 pounds had to be an unimaginable weight. Truly, as the leader of the Magic Tower housing numerous Grand Magicians, her value was beyond comprehension. The amount was on an entirely different level than what the Valtarian Empire had previously demanded from the Hohenberc Family.
“I will pay on your behalf. Just leave it to me.”
“I’ll gladly chip in as well. I wouldn’t mind giving anything for Edan’s sake!”
Even though they had acquired territories granted by the Valtarian Imperial Family and owned gold mines, it would take months for development to commence.
For the moment, it was tough.
As he was about to say, “Shut your mouth,” suddenly—
The Second Imperial Princess and the First Saintess of the Holy Kingdom joined in simultaneously.
“…….”
From the noble voices of Ludmilla and Zebeline, who gladly accepted the astronomical amount, there was a near euphoric sense of expectation.
What on earth are they plotting?
He gazed at the Princess and the Saintess with a foreboding look.
*
Ludmilla Dreg Valtaria and Zebeline Albion Russell pay the 5,000 pounds to Querisa Nesserhane on Edanant von Hohenberc’s behalf.
The Princess and the Saintess both signed the contract at once.
And soon, a new contract also reached Edanant. It was a contract given to him by Ludmilla and Zebeline on the condition that they would pay the astronomical sum.
「Marriage Registration Form」
“…….”
If one were to compare the worth of 5,000 pounds of gold to a lifetime, which one would weigh heavier?
A life-changing arranged marriage was about to unfold in the office of the Hohenberc Family.
Ludmilla handed him a pen.
And Zebeline offered an ink pot.
Edanant wiped the cold sweat from his brow as he stared at the two marriage registration forms on the table.
“Sign it. Quickly.”
“All you need to do is sign at the end. I’ll take care of the rest.”
Was this the feeling of a king of a small nation signing a treaty of inequality?
As the Princess and the Saintess pressed down on his shoulder with their slender hands, they forced him to sign.