Reset Life – Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Shall We Start Vigorously Today as Well? (4)

 

“By any chance, are you angry or in a bad mood?”

 

“Of course, I would be. My disciple is causing trouble because he’s incompetent.”

 

The people who want to meet me are either the type to barge in or the type to use the people around me, and the relatively timid people use the latter method. And it seems like there are many people in the world who consider themselves timid.

 

Such people also approached Levidian. If they knew she was called the Sword King, their course of action would be different, but anyway, even now, she clearly showed signs of being quite bothered.

 

Thanks to that, I’m the one who gets beaten up every morning.

 

These days, I’m seriously considering whether I should wash my neck thoroughly every morning.

 

Aila looked at me intently and asked.

 

“Is that all?”

 

“What more do you want? Ah, really, causing trouble for so many people……”

 

“Sigh, this is why……”

 

“What?”

 

Aila shook her head. At that moment, the door opened and Rob-hyeong entered. He had a terribly troubled expression on his face.

 

“Hello, Risel. Aila is here too.”

 

“Hello, Rob-oppa.”

 

“Hello. But your expression doesn’t look good.”

 

Rob-hyeong sighed quietly and plopped down next to Aila. And he looked at me as if he desperately wanted to say something. Seeing his gaze, I said firmly.

 

“No.”

 

“I haven’t even said anything yet……”

 

“I know what it is. No. But who is it this time?”

 

“Viscount Jei Aswan’s wife.”

 

Why the hell is that person……?

 

Let’s put the question aside. Refusal is not my part. I brought another cup from the cupboard and placed it in front of Rob-hyeong. He poured a cup of tea and slowly sipped it before opening his mouth.

 

“But, Risel, are you really not thinking about it?”

 

“Yes. I have a lot to do. I also have dreams that others dream of.”

 

“Then if I tell you about it……you won’t listen.”

 

“That’s why I’m keeping my mouth shut. I’m trying my best to figure out how to refuse without causing diplomatic problems.”

 

If someone brings me a model answer sheet, I’ll do anything for him. I’m not kidding.

 

My father once said to my brothers,

 

When you become a high-ranking noble, every single action can be interpreted politically. Even a sigh and a yawn can lead to an all-out war.

 

To be precise, he said it to my brother and Sera, but that doesn’t matter.

 

My current situation is exactly like that.

 

If I may complain about my father for a moment, he only told me to be careful with my actions so that such things wouldn’t happen, but he didn’t teach me how to deal with such situations if they did happen.

 

Sigh, what a pathetic complaint.

 

Aila put down her teacup and said with a blank expression.

 

“There are only a few ways to overcome this predicament.”

 

“What?”

 

“One. Accept the marriage. It will result in a blessing from everyone. Two. Kick Daisy away. It’s a way to become famous, but the aftermath is a bit iffy. Three. Get married. However, in this case, choose someone else. Four. Run away at night. Add your name to the list of grooms who ran away because they didn’t want to get married. Five. Hang yourself. You’ll be enshrined in the hall of all the fools who were afraid to take responsibility.”

 

“The first three are fine, but why are the last two like that?”

 

“Originally, there are only three options. But it’s boring to stop at three.”

 

Aila giggled and held up three fingers, shaking them. None of them are particularly good, yet they’re not bad either. Perhaps Aila likes to make subtle suggestions.

 

“I’m back. Oh? Aila-unni and Rob-hyeong. It’s been a while.”

 

While the three of us were pondering again, Joey entered. Our two-meter-tall, fifteen-year-old brother brought his own cushion and sat down at the end of the table. Still, his sitting height was almost the same as ours.

 

“Ah, Hyung-nim, Head Priest Micheland asked me to tell you something.”

 

“Huh? What?”

 

“He said congratulations.”

 

“That gardener geezer……!”

 

It’s blasphemy to curse God, but cursing a priest is nothing. I gritted my teeth and cursed the High Priest who was pioneering an orchard or a garden, I don’t even know which.

 

Lynin, I beseech you, a dozen lightning bolts for your High Priest.

 

“Joey, has the rumor spread that far?”

 

“Yes. Ah, and these are for you, Hyung-nim.”

 

“All invitations to the fireplace. Dust to dust, invitations to ashes.”

 

It seems my popularity has skyrocketed to an unmanageable level. He even handed an invitation to Joey! A moment of silence for the messengers who dared to hand an invitation to Joey with his unapproachable appearance. But they’ve got guts.

 

All sorts of stories circulate in the temple, so he would have heard the rumors quickly. But no matter how I think about it, the speed at which this rumor is spreading is more than just ripples.

 

It’s not like I didn’t expect it. Even if it was heard by the palace staff, the story that started from their mouths would originally circulate among the same class as them and only reach the higher-ups much later.

 

Skipping that process, all the nobles found out in less than three days. No matter how small Ast’s social circle is, it’s a difficult feat.

 

As a result, this incident can be seen as orchestrated by the Leajotian family, in other words, the Azot royal family.

 

“I’ve worked hard for the friendship between the two countries, but now I have to struggle to prevent the establishment of an embassy?”

 

“The scale is too large for running away from marriage.”

 

Aila gently tackled me, and I covered my head with my hands and bowed my head. This makes it difficult to move forward or backward. To the person who says I can just dodge to the side, I’ll tell them to shut up.

 

And the door opened again. Just how many people are there today!

 

“Hmm? Everyone is here.”

 

“Ibi-unni, welcome. But you don’t look so good?”

 

“I was contemplating whether to hammer nails into the shins of a certain knight who subtly approached me while I was training and said it would be an infinite honor if I brought Risel to the ball. If he wasn’t a member of the Royal Knights, I would have made him unable to get up for half a day.”

 

“So, how many hours did you make it?”

 

“He should be awake by now. Risel, give me some tea too.”

 

“Yes, Teacher.”

 

I walked to the cupboard again and brought a cup. And while I was at it, I put the kettle on the fireplace. It seemed like I would need more hot water.

 

Levidian sat next to me, and I poured her tea and said.

 

“I’m sorry for bothering you, Teacher.”

 

“No. Among the people I’ve taught, there were also those who got married and had children. We accept regular trainees at the Hall of Martial Arts.”

 

“That’s not the problem.”

 

“Then what is the problem? From what I see, Princess Daisy is a wise person. She seems to have a good political sense. She will be the best wife when Risel becomes an ambassador.”

 

Somehow, I feel like Seven Star is hidden in those words. Above all, Levidian was already taking my marriage to Daisy for granted. Where and what did you hear?

 

Levidian took a sip of tea and said.

 

“I hear the preparations for the engagement ceremony are already underway.”

 

“That’s a false rumor. Even if it’s an engagement, both parents or guardians should be present. Currently, my father is probably inspecting his territory in Orknesia. If he hears this news, he’ll probably faint with a stern expression.”

 

My brother would probably be gracefully shocked. Levidian, upon hearing my words, made an expression I hadn’t seen in a while. She smiled a little!

 

“Pfft. That’s quite convincing. But what exactly is the Azot royal family trying to gain by spreading such rumors?”

 

Levidian already understood everything. Perhaps her honed situational awareness as a swordswoman is working in this aspect. To that sharp remark, as sharp as her sword, I shook my head, indicating I didn’t know.

 

“Uh, the High Priest said something about that.”

 

“What did he say, Joey?”

 

“He said it’s a measure for national stability. The envoy came, one of the envoy’s escorts is already married to an Azot citizen, and the Empire Culture Street is becoming a part of Ast, so they need a symbol to show that everything is going well.”

 

“Stabilizing public sentiment. Then it would certainly be effective, even if it’s just a rumor.”

 

It doesn’t matter if it ends as a false rumor. The important thing is that we got along well enough for such a rumor to spread. Moreover, most people are crazy about gossip and don’t pay much attention to facts and truth.

 

Because there aren’t many romantic facts and truths.

 

Wait, does the fact that the majority of the royal family agreed mean it’s spreading false information?

 

“Then there’s only one answer. The royal family.”

 

“And perhaps by the time we arrive in the capital, the rumor will be widespread.”

 

Rob-hyeong said, stroking his chin.

 

The Empire and Azot are unreliable allies and unchecked enemies. It’s impossible that they don’t have spies in each other’s countries. It’s an open secret, but it’s a public secret that cannot be confirmed unless you know who the spy is.

 

Aila pressed her lips with her finger and looked up slightly, in her characteristic thinking pose, before speaking.

 

“Then……does that mean they needed a plausible opponent, rather than necessarily Risel’s marriage? Someone who would create a bigger impact.”

 

“Probably. Think about it. Where is Risel positioned right now? What did he receive from the royal family? Don’t you think the steps are quite steady? The person who suggested the marriage is thoughtful. He handles multiple things at once.”

 

Levidian said simply and raised her teacup. And I slowly started to chew on her words.

 

Then, at some point, enlightenment came.

 

“Ah!”

 

“Do you understand now? Actually, I just thought of it a little while ago.”

 

At Levidian’s words, I gritted my teeth.

 

Suddenly, I recalled the face of a man laughing gleefully.

 

Orange, you tricked me?!

 

“Where is he!”

 

“Yes? Um, who are you talking about……Ah! If you mean Princess Mideijel……”

 

I glared at the palace staff member I first encountered upon arriving at the Crown Prince’s Palace. The staff member was about to tell me Daisy’s whereabouts with a faint smile, but immediately shut his mouth.

 

Phew, calm down and take a deep breath. After calming myself down for a while, I asked again.

 

“Where is Crown Prince Lymant?”

 

“Ah, yes. He’s in the backyard. I’ll guide you.”

 

“No. It’s fine. I’ll find him myself.”

 

I headed to the backyard as quickly as possible without being disrespectful. I had been there a few times, so I knew the place well.

 

I met several palace staff members on the way and refused their offers to guide me, reaching the backyard.

 

The backyard of the Crown Prince’s Palace was a large greenhouse. The ceiling and walls were all covered in glass, giving the interior a cozy atmosphere. And the person I was looking for was sitting elegantly at a table by the entrance, enjoying tea and reading.

 

I deliberately made noise as I approached him and spoke.

 

“Your Highness Crown Prince Lymant, I would like to have a word with you.”

 

“Oh, you came sooner than I expected.”

 

This confirms it. I was completely tricked.

 

He closed his book and stood up. Then, he dismissed the palace staff and pointed to a path between the backyards.

 

“Shall we take a walk?”

 

“Let’s.”

 

He led the way, and I slowly followed, slightly behind him on his right side.

 

It was the middle of summer. The ceiling of the greenhouse was fully open, and a cool breeze descended from above. The air was filled with the scent of lush greenery and the strong fragrance of plants, which calmed my mind.

 

It was while we were walking between a banana tree grove, which I didn’t know why it was there. Crown Prince Orange slowed his pace and said.

 

“I thought you’d come in about 20 days. You’re faster than I expected. You have good friends. Who was it?”