The Bride-Hunting Tale: I’ve Failed 20 Marriage Proposals Already. I Don’t Need Titles Like Dragon Slayer or Hero Who Saved the Nation—All I Want Is a Cute Wife!
Exiting the Imperial Palace = We are now inside the Imperial Citadel.
As I mentioned earlier, the Imperial Citadel is essentially the center of politics and military for the Empire, where all administrative institutions gather.
In addition to this, there is the chamber of the Imperial Diet, a guesthouse for visiting dignitaries, training grounds, offices for the royal family, and an audience hall, among other facilities. These are divided into several sections based on their importance.
Even citizens of the Empire cannot enter without permission if they are commoners without official rank, and apparently, there are separate administrative service counters designated for them.
The royal family’s office and the audience hall are located furthest inside, near the Imperial Palace, while the chamber and guesthouse are situated closer to the front.
The place we arrived at, led by Prince Clive, was the guesthouse.
Among the various buildings, it is relatively deep inside, a grand yet serene structure that mainly hosts royalty, high-ranking nobles, and officials from allied and friendly nations.
Prince Clive’s mother’s homeland, the Kingdom of Prykesk, has a fairly long history as an ally of the Empire.
Its main industries are agriculture and mining, possessing fertile grain belts and several mines, including rock salt.
Though sometimes derisively called a de facto vassal state due to the significant disparity in national power compared to the Empire, its abundant productivity serves as an important safety net for the Empire, which frequently faces natural disasters such as famines and locust plagues.
Conversely, this productive capacity also makes it a target for enemy nations, making it a country the Empire cannot ignore.
Given that distinguished guests stay here, the building’s surroundings and entrances are heavily guarded by soldiers, but naturally, with Prince Clive present, we pass through without issue.
Upon entering the entrance, a maid greets us and leads the way. Though, our destination is just a nearby room.
“Prince Clive For Agulis and his attendant have arrived.”
The maid knocks on the door and announces our arrival.
Attendant? Me? Well, I guess I am an attendant, yes.
The door opens immediately, revealing a man in knight’s attire.
He is probably one of the escorting knights brought from the Kingdom of Prykesk.
Around 30 years old, he has a ruggedly handsome appearance and a commanding presence. He must be quite popular with the ladies.
Damn, I’ve been thinking about things like this a lot lately.
There’s a dinner party Rith invited me to, and if I keep this up, the young lady will run away again.
“Aunt, it has been a while. I’m relieved to see you well.”
“Yes, it has indeed been some time. I’m glad to see you haven’t changed, Clive. Oh! Lord Fordealt is here too? Welcome!”
The prince bounds into the room first, greeting with a full smile.
Seeing him like this, he truly looks like a beautiful youth his age.
The person who greeted him stands up from the sofa with a gentle smile, approaching us.
“It has been a while, King Seals.”
“I’d prefer you stop using such formalities. After all, you are a benefactor of our country. You may call me Velte.”
“At least let me address you properly in public. If others hear, I might get scolded.”
“You’re stubborn. Then, at least in private settings, call me by my name. That should be fine?”
“Understood, Lady Velte.”
With that said, I have no choice but to concede.
By the way, the young Queen of the Kingdom of Prykesk, Her Majesty Velte Arlais Seals, is only 22 years old.
She bears a striking resemblance to Prince Clive with her hair and eye color, sharp eyes that seem slightly slanted, a strongly set mouth, and a curvaceous figure that draws male attention more than enough.
Yes, she is stunningly beautiful.
Ascending the throne prematurely after her father’s sudden death three years ago due to an invasion from a neighboring country, she must have gone through considerable hardship, yet she shows no sign of it.
I met her during that conflict; back then, she gave off the vibe of a beautiful older sister, but now she exudes a mature allure that makes my heart race just by making eye contact.
Perhaps because she thought of me as a boy—her nephew—she wears a simple dress made of thin, soft fabric, clearly showing her body lines, leaving me unsure where to look.
…I can’t help but sneak glances.
It’s not my fault. I think.
“Fordealt, have a seat.”
The prince, oblivious to my confusion and distress, casually sits on the sofa, waiting for the maid to serve tea.
You forcefully brought me here, so at least give me some support.
“Hmm. I seem to have been overly informal in my joy of meeting Lord Fordealt. Please, sit down.”
“Yes, thank you.”
…Why is Lady Velte sitting next to me instead of across?
And so close. Too close.
Our elbows and knees might touch.
Ah, she smells nice.
No, focus!
“Um, Lady Velte?”
“Hmm? It’s been a while since I’ve seen my benefactor. Sitting a little closer shouldn’t be an issue.”
It’s definitely an issue.
Just when I thought I escaped punishment for disrespecting Prince Morjif , now I might get executed for disrespecting an allied queen.
“Haha, Fordealt’s face is completely red. What a rare sight.”
“It can’t be helped. Let’s leave it at that. I don’t want to tease him too much and make him dislike me.”
“Please, seriously, spare me.”
Finally, Lady Velte moves to sit across from me, allowing for a more relaxed conversation.
Though, her exposed neckline and the occasional glimpse of thigh when she crosses her legs still draw my gaze, it’s better than before.
“Still, it’s been a while. Should I call you Clive, or rather, Prince Clive? And it’s been two years since I last saw you, Lord Fordealt. You don’t seem to have grown much taller.”
Please leave me alone.
Well, it’s true that the last time we met was over two years ago, when I formally visited to express gratitude for the aid received a year after the war ended.
“Aunt, has your situation stabilized?”
“Somewhat, finally. Reconstruction is progressing thanks to the reparations, but it will take a bit longer for internal affairs to settle. Many soldiers and civil servants perished in that battle, and above all, Father’s sudden death has left lingering issues.”
Queen Velte responds to Prince Clive’s question with a bitter expression.
Although relations weren’t ideal, they were invaded without any chance to defend themselves, resulting in numerous villages and towns being destroyed and soldiers and officials massacred.
If the king at the time had died from wounds sustained during the fight, it wouldn’t be surprising for the nation to fall into chaos.
Rather, it speaks volumes about Queen Velte’s extraordinary ability to stabilize the situation within just three years.
“Thanks to that, I’m at risk of missing my prime marriage years. There aren’t many noble sons left in the country who match my status.”
Umm, what exactly do you mean by that meaningful gaze?
“If that’s the case, there’s an imperial noble son currently looking for a bride right here. His territory borders the Kingdom of Prykesk, so it’s not a bad match, right?”
Please, stop egging her on!
“Yes, it would be a most desirable match. A young hero who gallantly came to our aid and drove off the enemy nation would be welcomed with cheers by the populace. My position would also become more secure, and there’d be nothing to complain about.”
Oh no oh no oh no!!
“Y-your Majesty, I am a subject of the Empire and cannot simply form ties with another country! A-and I cannot leave the Restal territory!”
“How cold-hearted. Well, I’ll give up for now.”
Saying this, Lady Velte teasingly smiles. Seems like she was just teasing me.
M-my heart can’t take this.
Afterward, we chatted about recent events and casual topics for a while, and I decided to take my leave, leaving Prince Clive behind.
Tired.
No more. I’ll skip afternoon classes and sleep in the dormitory. Yes, that’s what I’ll do.
Side Clive
“Oh dear, he left. Did I do something wrong?”
“Fufufu, it’s probably fine. Lord Fordealt is just as easy to read as always.”
The look on his face when Aunt sat next to him was priceless.
And he kept sneaking glances at her chest and legs afterward.
He’s so amusing to tease.
“But you were pretty serious about making Fordealt your son-in-law, weren’t you?”
“Of course. While it’s not easy for a border marquis responsible for guarding the Empire’s frontier to form ties with another country, even if it’s an ally, that family is special. Depending on how the current Emperor handles things, it might be possible.”
The expression on my aunt’s face as she said this was stunning, almost girlish despite being family.
Well, as far as I’m concerned, having him join the family seems interesting, and I might enjoy it for a while.