Reset Life – Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Shall We Start Vigorously Today as Well? (5)

“Teacher.”

“As expected. I thought Ibi would figure it out quickly. Because she knows me well. Are you very upset?”

“Sigh, thinking from the standpoint of someone who has to rule a country, it’s not that I don’t understand, but there are always innocent victims. Because of the way you dressed up a thoughtless story so plausibly, I’ve had very busy days.”

“It’s the transitional period of the rumor now. Later on, it will die down, and people will say that the relationship between the two countries has improved so much that such a rumor has spread. Think of it as a rehearsal for when you return to the Imperial Capital?”

“I’m really grateful for that consideration. Thanks to you, I was completely fooled.”

I sighed and shook my head. Then, suddenly, he stopped walking. All around us were only trees and grass, and the only sound was the occasional chirping of birds. It was a desolate place.

He looked at me seriously and said,

“I’m not a Priest of Lynin, but I can say for sure that I didn’t lie. If you’re okay with it, take Daisy.”

“Since we’re off the record, I’ll be honest. I’m sorry, but marrying Daisy isn’t really helpful to me. Besides, I don’t think of her as a woman.”

“Really? She’s my little sister, but she’s cute and lively, and she has a lot of refreshing aspects. She’ll definitely be a wife who can make her husband happy.”

“I agree with that, but it doesn’t matter if the husband she makes happy isn’t me. And to even give me a title, preparing the foundation for the rumor……Maybe because I accepted it so naturally, I didn’t even think about it.”

The title of Knight of Peace or a peerage doesn’t quite suit the second son of a Duke’s family in a country on the other side of a cold front.

Of course, that’s something that people with a sense of politics or diplomacy can notice, and I accepted it thinking that ordinary people would think that the relationship is getting better.

Just as I was having such good thoughts, if the rumor that he and the princess are getting married spreads, thanks to the pre-laid groundwork, there’s no room for public criticism of ‘selling the princess to the enemy country.’

Therefore, I’ve been caught in this person’s scheme from the moment I entered Ast.

“Were you offended?”

“Not really. I was just flustered. And I’m still flustered. Somehow, you seem to really want to give Daisy away? If you’ve prepared so thoroughly, you must have had the intention to do so. Because that’s the kind of person you are, Hyung-nim.”

“Hehe. You saw well. And I also saw the right person. That’s right. I think you’re the best match for Daisy. Daisy will easily fall in love with someone who can make her happy. Ah, don’t talk about the sadness of political marriage. There are many examples of people who married that way and came to love each other.”

“I know. I know.”

There definitely are such people. As far as I know, there are quite a few among the Imperial nobles. Almost half of them are resigned to their fate, but as they live, they develop affection, and when they develop affection, they fall in love.

Still, somehow, the words that there’s no one but me are burdensome.

“Don’t try to marry Daisy off too early. A good marriage prospect will come along later.”

That’s true. Except for the Imperial Family, there are many places Daisy can marry into. And that’s seven years from now, so if we start now, she won’t have to marry right away.

Lime-hyung looked at me with deep eyes. On his face, a somewhat sad smile was intertwined. For a moment, I thought he was too old. It was an unsuitable smile.

He said,

“A good marriage prospect……But whether the relationship between the two countries is good or bad, it has to be sealed with blood. In the end, Daisy will have to marry into the Empire. Whether it’s in three years, or seven years. I think you’re better than the 3rd Imperial Prince, at least.”

The chirping of the birds stopped.

The breeze that had been coming in through the ceiling ceased.

The air that had been swirling with the thick scent of grass came to a standstill.

The feeling of blood draining from my heart rushed through my whole body.

What……did you just say?

“What……do you mean? The 3rd Prince?”

“I said you’re better than your brother and the 3rd Imperial Prince, at least. Thanks to you, the two countries can build a minimum of goodwill, but if Daisy marries back into the Empire in seven years, the tragedy will repeat itself.”

He spoke calmly. His eyes and expression spoke of a single truth.

Damn it. Was that it?

I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. It’s not like it’s the first time this has happened, right?

I crossed my arms and looked at him. Looking into his old eyes, unsuitable for his young age, I asked,

“How many years has it been?”

“15 years. I woke up four years ago. You?”

“10 years. A little over three months.”

My expression hardened.

Does this mean I’ve found one more?

About an hour and a half after meeting Crown Prince Orange. Anyway, we were able to clearly establish our mutual interests.

Although it’s what each of us feels best, it’s clear how many weapons each of us has. It’s foolish for such people to clash. For now, as long as our goals are the same, it’s natural to join hands.

“How did it go?”

“Teacher was right. He was trying to use the rumors.”

I really don’t want to mention that he actually had the intention of marrying Daisy off to me.

When I returned after finishing my conversation with Crown Prince Orange, the only person waiting for me was Levidian. Everyone else had gone out on business, she said.

“That’s a shame, you lost the chance to become the Prince Consort.”

“I’m not that disappointed. I have a lot to do, what marriage? And I’m still young. Haha!”

“I’ve never heard of anyone being happy about not marrying a princess. Anyway……Should I congratulate you on this?”

“You can say that if you want.”

I grinned and lifted my teacup. And I leisurely enjoyed Levidian’s heartwarming smile, which I hadn’t seen in a while. Her meaningless smile is very precious. As expected, beautiful women are precious natural resources.

“By the way……Orange went too far. To play with the second son of an Imperial Duke’s family. I guess it’s because there’s no one to protest loudly. I’ll have to see how much his swordsmanship has improved soon.”

“No, there’s no need for that……”

To my 132 other classmates, excluding me and him. I sympathize with your fate.

“So, what did you decide to do? About dealing with the rumors?”

“It will become an accurate rumor until it reaches the embassy. Regarding the nominated ambassador and Daisy, His Highness the Crown Prince will say it was a joke expressing friendliness, and he thinks I fell for it sincerely. And I’m supposed to answer the rumor with something like, ‘I’m friends with the princess. We’re close, so that kind of joke was exchanged. I will continue to build a strong friendship like this and promote a good future for both countries.’”

“Sigh, really, he’s been a prankster since the old days. I should have disciplined him properly, I feel sorry now.”

Discipline him? How old was he back then?

I was about to make an absurd expression, but I quickly composed myself. It’s a shortcut to losing that precious smile.

“No, you don’t have to think that way. Thanks to that, I was able to become closer to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

I hurriedly covered my face with the teacup. Fortunately, she was pouring tea into her cup and didn’t see me.

“Ah, how did the work go?”

“It was resolved well. Both the establishment and sustenance proposals seem to be passing without any problems.”

“Then, is the work finished now?”

“As long as nothing happens, yes. There’s no room for problems, so it seems like we just have to wait for the day we return.”

Most of the work was finished. I achieved all the goals I came to the diplomatic mission for, and even achieved some minor accomplishments. I had a feeling that I would have many more encounters with Crown Prince Orange in the future.

“I see. That’s good. Then, you’ll have some free time from now on?”

“Yes. However……”

Certainly, I’ll have plenty of time from now on, but……

I felt a little uneasy as I saw Levidian leaning slightly towards me. If a beautiful woman gets close to you, you should be happy, but……Right now, she’s somehow alluring and scary.

She smiled slightly and said,

“I’ve……wanted to ask you a favor for a while now. But Risel was too busy. It’s a request that seems like it will take up a lot of your time.”

“Wh, what is it?”

Somehow, sweat is running down my back. An ominous premonition climbs up my spine in the opposite direction.

She looks at me with anticipation in her eyes.

“Will you grant it?”

“If it’s something I can do……”

“That’s no problem. Risel can definitely do it.”

She’s confident. Is it something I can do? Thinking that way, my anxiety subsides a little. She wasn’t the type to ask for unreasonable favors.

I shook off my anxiety. And it’s a favor she really wants to ask, right? If it’s something I can do, I should definitely grant it.

“Yes. Tell me. I’ll grant it.”

“Really? Then thank you. I’ve been so bored lately being alone.”

“Ah, I see.”

Now that I think about it, since I’ve been cooped up inside without going out, she, who is nominally my bodyguard, hasn’t been outside either. So it’s natural for her to be bored.

Then, is she asking me to take her outside? If that’s the case, it would take up a lot of time, but it wouldn’t be a problem. There are many nice places to see, like the Empire Culture Street or the Light of Origin.

I readily nodded my head, ready to agree. Since we’re going anyway, I’d like to treat her to some of Azot’s famous dishes or something. Hmm.

She smiled brightly and said,

“Please increase the training time to three hours.”

“I will. Wait, what did you say?”

“Training time. These days, it’s only an hour in the morning. It’s enough for maintaining physical strength, but it’s not enough to improve skills. Since you have free time these days, let’s do it for three hours like we used to. I’m glad you’ll grant it, Risel. Hehe.”

She smiled as if she was genuinely happy. And I had to tremble at the strange pressure contained in that smile and the fear that followed immediately.

Am I……going back to the life of being beaten up again?

Imperial Year 372, August 31st.

“……Therefore, I bestow upon all members of the Imperial Diplomatic Mission, honorary Azot citizenship and the Medal of Peace!”

Waaaaaaaaah-!

Kneeling on one knee on the ‘Glory Stairs,’ which were set up one meter higher than the roads on either side, I received the medal and the order from the King of Azot as the representative of the diplomatic mission.

Ah, finally, the long mission of the diplomatic mission has come to an end.

“Now, rise.”

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

I rose as politely as possible, took the King of Azot’s hand, and kissed the ring on it. Then, as I raised my head, the King of Azot patted my shoulder with a very pleased expression and said,

“You may have already heard, but the seat next to my daughter is still vacant.”

“I apologize.”

The Azot Royal Family completely conspired. All thanks to Crown Prince Orange pulling the strings from behind, but. Well, he’s been working on this for four years, so it’s only natural. Hehe.

The King hugged me once as a performance, sending the gathered people into a frenzy. If it weren’t the day the diplomatic mission was departing, they would surely have started a festival right away.

Bambarabam! Bambarabam! Waaaaaaaaah-! Boom boom boom-! Etc., etc.

Receiving a farewell several times greater than when we arrived, the Imperial Goodwill Diplomatic Mission completed its mission and began its return to the Empire.

The escort, as when we arrived, was handled by the Azot Royal Knights. They and the Empire’s 7th Knight Order even swore to forge an eternal friendship. I’m going crazy.

And there was one more thing added……

“Why is Princess Daisy following us?”

“Don’t ask me.”

Originally, it was to see Aila off, but most people believe she’s showing a girlish stubbornness to stay with me a little longer. It’s a huge misunderstanding.

The route was the same as when we came: we sailed from Ast to the south of Kinchedin, going north. Then, after a farewell banquet in Kinchedin, we enter the Empire.

The mission of the diplomatic mission was a great success until the very end.

Crown Prince Orange told me that the Empire Culture Street is not just for the friendship between the two countries, but also for the revitalization of the surrounding economy and the creation of jobs, and that if it were abolished, there would be riots.

Well, to cut a long story short, since it was something that was started after firmly suppressing the opposition, it’s said to be the most successful goodwill mission in history.

Furthermore, there was talk in Azot that they should send a goodwill diplomatic mission to the Imperial Capital this time as a return gesture. This is because exchange is something that both sides must reach out to each other for. That’s something Crown Prince Orange will take care of himself.

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