I Was on the Verge of Dying From Overwork, so I Ended Up Getting Married to a Prince From a Neighboring Country – Chapter 38

Chapter 38: National Holiday

Every year, National Day is celebrated.

It is the country’s largest event of its kind, involving the entire royal capital.

People from all walks of life come together to celebrate and be thankful for being born in this country.

This is my first time participating.

“I was unexpectedly assigned a major mission…”

I mumble to myself.

His Highness has suggested that I use my grantmaking technique to enliven the festival.

He specifically requests that I provide the festival decorations.

In the past, I’ve used my grants to attract Leo-kun and Lena-chan rather than for practical purposes.

His Highness appears to recall that time.

“Can’t you surprise and impress people with your grantmaking technique?”

That is what His Highness said to me.

It means he’s counting on me.

I’m elated by the words of expectation.

“All right, let’s get started.”

I tell myself this and go to work.

I rented a warehouse used by the Knights as a work space.

National Day is in less than three weeks.

There is no need to rush because there is plenty of time.

Nevertheless, I started right away, simply because I was excited.

It is not a job, but rather a fun way to attract people.

“What grant should I use?”

It’s a festival, so something lively and cheerful is appropriate.

How am I going to entertain everyone?

The mere thought of it revitalizes me.

A few days pass.

I’m still working on the festival grants today.

The knights’ storeroom, which is usually filled with weapons, armor, and other gruesome items, has been decorated for the festival.

Then comes His Highness.

“You look busy.”

“Your Highness.”

“I just wanted to check in on you—how are things going? — Is everything all right?”

“Yes. Now I’m figuring out which grants to mix and match.”

The emphasis this time is on flamboyance rather than practicality.

The effect will last until the national day.

There are no constraints, so there is plenty of room for experimentation and fun.

“That sounds like fun.”

“It’s entertaining. It’s not about fighting, and no one is going to get hurt—It’s something we can do for entertainment.”

“Yes.”

His Highness smiles at me.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Yes. I will do my best to meet your expectations.”

“Yes, but take it slowly. You have a tendency to focus too much and become lost in it. If necessary, take a break.”

“Yes. I will.”

His Highness departs, stating that he will return later.

I will do my best for His Highness, who has high expectations of me.

Of course, that’s so as not to worry him.

I thought I had followed His Highness’ advice at the time.

But I wasn’t aware of it.

I was already invested.

I got carried away because I was having so much fun.

I had forgotten about it.

The rumors spreading in the capital and the country behind the rumors.

***

The national day is only a week away.

A warehouse is neatly arranged with festival decorations.

“All right, this is the last one.”

My work is now completed.

I completed the last grant.

His Highness arrives just in time.

“Phyllis.”

“Your Highness, you’re here.”

“Ah, yes—are you finished?”

“Yes.”

I was on my way to inform His Highness.

His Majesty moves closer to the ornaments.

“From the looks of it, you can’t tell.”

“Because it uses magic power to grant the effect. It will be used in conjunction with the magic tool on the day of the event.”

“Magic power—can we still use it if I play it?”

“Yes. Just in case…”

His Highness nods and brushes his hand against the ornaments.

“All right, let’s give it a shot.”

“Can Your Highness use magic?”

“Well. I can perform simple magic—however, only for self-defense.”

“I see.”

That was new to me.

I had no idea his highness could use magic.

Mages are uncommon, and the ability to cast magic is already a great thing.

His Highness still has hidden talents that I am unaware of…

I was blown away.

…But then there’s a strange feeling.

I who granted the grant.

I can’t possibly confuse the effect for something I granted, and it leaves traces of the person who administered it.

In particular, the magic of the concessionaire grantor remains.

Huh?

But I don’t sense my grantmaking magic in the ornaments His Highness touches.

It’s lighting?

But I don’t remember granting an ornament like that.

“Your Highness, the ornament――.”

“What――?”

A feeling of unease develops into a crisis.

I had a feeling.

that the ornament has a different grant that isn’t mine.

“Be careful!”

I immediately reach out and pull His Highness down.

The ornament immediately exploded.

a minor explosion.

The ornament-lined shelves have burned and collapsed.

However, if a human were to be hit at close range by live fire, the consequences would be severe.

“Ugh…”

“Your Highness… Your Highness!”

His Highness, who is on the floor with me, makes a distressed sound.

His brow is bleeding, and his hands are scorched.

“What is going on here?!”

“Knight Commander! His Highness!”

“What the… We need to get a doctor right away!”

“P-Please…”

I’m at a loss for what to do.

I didn’t notice until it was too late, and His Highness is now…

His Highness lost consciousness as anxiety and regret filled my heart.