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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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Chapter 114
Spring.
It’s Springtime.
The season when the whole world is filled with colorful flowers and vibrant new buds.
For the record, I’m not a sentimental person. I consider myself quite unfeeling.
I hate summer because it’s hot, fall because of the falling leaves, winter because it’s cold and snowy, and spring because of the grass.
I could never understand people who get excited about the changing seasons.
Anyway, back to the main point.
Spring has arrived. Why is a person who claims to be unsentimental suddenly talking like this?
It’s because my older sister is finally getting married this spring.
And not just to anyone, but to the Crown Prince. And someday, she’ll become the Empress of the Empire!
“…It seems like you’re more excited than Rika, Karl.”
“Of course, Father. My sister is becoming the Crown Princess!”
“If that happens, it will be difficult to treat her as family like before, at least in public. It will be even harder when the Crown Prince ascends to the throne.”
I know. No matter even if she’s my sister, my father’s daughter—as the Crown Princess and future Empress of the Empire, both my father and I will have to treat her as a subject.
But honestly, Father, don’t you think that’s exactly what my sister would oppose?
I can see it even now.
At least in private, she wants to be treated as a daughter and a sister, whether she becomes the Crown Princess or the Empress.
“I trust you’ll do well. Now, Karl, you’ll also become a member of the Empire’s nobility.”
“We still have three years left before the promised time. Don’t talk as if you’re going to hand over the County already!”
This is a big deal. He recently received an imperial order and went to the Lasker border, where he had a big spar with the knights of the past. He’s been all fired up since then.
Thankfully, Mother has him tied up at home, telling him to ‘act your age,’ otherwise, he might have really left me a letter and disappeared.
“Both of you, that’s enough.”
Mother came in, telling us it was time to leave, so both my father and I stood up with a ‘Yes!’
We can’t be late today.
Because today is the day!
It is The Day!
* * *
“….”
I’m dazed.
My mind seems to be somewhere else.
Even though this was the moment I had been waiting for, the moment I had longed for.
I discreetly pinch my cheek.
It hurts.
Did I pinch it too hard?
My attendant, startled, stops me, asking what’s wrong.
Marriage, really? A Crown Princess, an Empress… Someone who will one day be the mother of a prince or princess who resembles me, standing by my side…
“What are you thinking about, Your Highness?”
I turn my head to see Rika blinking her eyes. It’s a sight I haven’t seen often.
Maybe my reaction was so strange that she couldn’t help but react that way.
“It’s nothing. It’s just… I don’t know how to put it. I’m a bit overwhelmed.”
Suddenly, I feel like I need to say this.
Forget about being the Crown Prince, right now, I’m a groom-to-be with my bride-to-be in front of me.
“Thank you for marrying me, Rika.”
“…You’re being very strange all of a sudden.”
“Ahaha. Is that so? I know. I know, but I can’t bear not saying this.”
It’s been a long time.
No, not just a long time. There were times when I thought it would be difficult.
Like any first love, I thought it would be impossible.
As the Crown Prince of the Empire, I thought my marriage would be purely political.
There were many times when I repeated to myself that it was my fate.
But right now, Rika was by my side.
My first love has come true, and it’s not a political marriage, but a bond truly formed from the heart.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
It’s more precious and valuable than anything I’ve ever held in my hands.
If I let this go, I’ll live the rest of my life under a curse.
“Marriage is quite something. I never thought Your Highness would show such an emotional side.”
“I’ve always been emotional when it comes to you, Rika.”
What is she talking about? When have I ever shown a different side?!
“That may be true, but haven’t you been trying to hide it until now?”
“Ah…”
“Because I could see it all. Whether Your Highness did it on purpose or not, I didn’t say much, but I guess there’s no reason to hide it now.”
Did I? Was I that obvious? I didn’t even realize, but Rika knew so much.
I scratched the back of my head.
At the same time, I feel like I shouldn’t hide anything anymore.
Apart from the fact that the woman I’m marrying is an expert in this area, hiding something from your partner feels like a grave sin.
“Speaking of which, Your Highness.”
“Yes, Rika?”
“I want to have a child soon.”
“…Huh?”
I instinctively looked around.
Fortunately, my attendants and Rika’s maids were staying outside.
No one was listening to our conversation right now.
That’s a relief. Even though my relationship with Rika was no different from any other couple, we’re still the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
And in the future, the Emperor and Empress, so we have to be careful, very careful.
“R-Rika, it’s a bit sudden. Is there a reason you’re saying this all of a sudden?”
“Karl said it would be nice to have a nephew.”
“….”
“He said he wants to give his nephew as much love as he received.”
It’s a good reason. A happy reason. But it’s also a little…
[TL/N: I wanna say it but I won’t…]
[PR/N: Don’t cook! You nasty ahh.]
The reason she wants to have a child is because of her brother.
As a husband, I can’t help but feel a little hurt—
“And… I want to have a child too.”
“Rika?”
“A child who resembles you and me. A child I can give all my love to. If such a gift comes to me, there would be nothing more joyful. I want to raise them to be the most beautiful and wonderful child in the world.”
Even before the wedding, she already seems like a devoted mother.
If there was a child of ours in her arms, there would be no sight more sacred.
“Let’s do it, Rika. Let’s try together. Let’s pray that precious gifts find their way into our embrace. And that someday, those gifts will bring us another gift.”
While Rika and I were having a cozy chat, the attendants who were waiting outside opened the door and entered. They whispered, ‘Now we really need to get ready.’
“Then, for everyone who has gathered here for us today, I’ll see you soon, Rika.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll see you shortly.”
A brief farewell, and then the time to exchange vows to walk together forever.
I hope today goes smoothly without any incidents.
No, there won’t be any incidents. Haven’t we done many good deeds for this very day?
We even saved money on the wedding expenses to donate to the pension fund.
If God knows Rika’s beautiful heart, He will give us a clear day without a single cloud.
* * *
“Karl! Over here!”
Selena, sitting on a bench, waves her hand.
Seeing her, Karl sprints from afar and stops in front of her.
“Why are you running? You could have walked slowly.”
“I could have, but I want to spend every second with you.”
As soon as the wedding ceremony at the Imperial Palace ended, Selena returned to grad school.
It was a continuous stream of busy days. And after a few days, she finally found some time.
“How is your sister… no, Her Highness the Crown Princess?”
“She officially moved into the Imperial Palace yesterday. Now she’s truly the Crown Princess.”
“I see. You must miss her.”
“Huh?”
“You said she was very close to you, Karl. So you must miss her a lot.”
Miss her.
Karl thought for a moment and then smiled.
Yes, I miss her.
It would be strange if I didn’t.
A family member who seemed like she would always be by my side is now meeting someone new and will spend her life with him forever.
Of course, the name ‘family’ doesn’t change, but seeing her leave the nest feels strange.
Watching the wedding ceremony made me feel like she was drifting away.
“It’s okay. I’ll visit whenever I have time. And besides, it’s me, Selena.”
“Huh?”
“It’s me, Karl. The crazy returning student who always brings trouble. I’ll probably visit the Crown Prince soon, so I’ll see my sister, the Crown Princess, then.”
Of course, it feels strange, Karl added.
He said he wanted Selena to help him get over that strange feeling.
When Selena replied, ‘Anything!’, Karl smiled and confirmed, ‘You promise?’
And then—
“Up you go.”
“Whoa?!”
He suddenly lifted Selena onto his back and grinned.
“Ah, this makes me feel better.”
“W-what are you doing, Karl? Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”
“Why? I’m giving my girlfriend a piggyback ride. I’m cheering on our Selena, who’s working hard in grad school.”
“No! I mean! Th-this is!”
Karl asked bluntly, ‘You don’t like it?’
“That’s not it!”
Karl burst out laughing at Selena’s honest reply and started walking.
It was Spring.
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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