✦ Chapter 110 – Wedding Night(?) (5) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
𒋝
In the First Princess’s domain, a mansion larger than most castles,
An unexpected game of tag was unfolding within its walls.
“Teacher, it would be best if you stopped soon, don’t you think?”
“…You said you wanted to talk. Just talk!”
*Swaaak─!*
Ezekiel hurriedly laid down an icy path as he fled.
“You have to stop first if you want to talk, don’t you think?”
“You laid hands on me!”
“I did it incidentally. Talking alone is boring, isn’t it?”
*Shuaaa─!*
The speed of the First Princess, Ether, was truly terrifying.
But it wasn’t entirely surprising.
After all, Ether had been immersed in the Sun Elixir since childhood, and possessed extraordinary talent. But…
…Her speed wasn’t the issue.
‘Why has Ether’s movement become so precise?’
The mansion was filled with priceless vases and delicate ornaments, but she wasn’t crashing through them like she used to. She was weaving through them, her movements fluid and controlled.
It was a clear sign that her energy control had improved significantly.
“…Ether, you’ve grown even more.”
“Master’s movements were very instructive. I reviewed and refined my techniques, thinking of you. Could this be another sign of my love?”
Please only learn as much as I taught you.
He thought as he desperately dodged around.
“Master, why don’t you stop now?”
“Alright. From now on, for every step you take to run away, I will have one more child. Keep on running if you dare.”
He glanced back at her, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
And then he saw it.
The vein throbbing on her forehead. The look in her eyes…that unwavering determination… It was a look he’d only seen when she was absolutely serious.
“Hah…”
He stopped, resignation settling over him.
“Good. You’ve finally come to your senses.”
She effortlessly pulled a chair and table towards them, then gently pushed him down onto the chair. She poured him a drink, a fiery orange liquid that shimmered in the flickering candlelight.
“Drink this, Master.”
“…What is this?”
“It’s lava wine, and it’s quite beneficial for you.”
He’d heard of Lava Wine, of course. It was said that a single cup could keep you warm even in the harshest Northern winters.
To offer him such a potent drink after chasing him through her mansion…
…she was unpredictable, to say the least.
‘But…’
Was this really Lava Wine?
A fleeting image flashed through his mind.
Him… falling asleep after drinking something… then waking up next to Ether in her bed… His mind conjured up all sorts of unthinkable scenarios.
“…Aren’t you going to drink it? It loses its taste when it gets cold.”
“Hmm…”
He had no choice but to drink the Lava Wine.
The temperature was hot, but it left him feeling both warm and refreshed. It was difficult to describe the sense of comfort it brought.
Ether smiled, pleased with his reaction.
“How is it? Calming, isn’t it?”
“It certainly lives up to its name.”
“Good. Now let’s talk. Tell me, Master, what do you find lacking in me that you would run from me so?”
“
He frowned.
‘Lacking? You’re too perfect, if anything.’
She was the Goddess of War, one of the strongest beings in existence. Her titles alone were enough to intimidate most men.
“Is it my appearance?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then is it my power? My authority?”
“Not at all.”
“Then it stands to reason that you should welcome me with open arms, so why do you keep behaving irrationally?”
Yes, he should be overjoyed.
It was a blessing, a stroke of luck…
If only he’d sent the letter to her alone.
If only he’d only proposed to the First Princess…
…What had possessed him to send those letters to all the princesses?
He still couldn’t understand his own actions.
“Ether.”
“Yes, Master. I’m listening.”
“I have a lot on my plate right now.”
“You make time for what matters. Even in the midst of war, children are born.”
“This is really urgent.”
She nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful.
“I understand what urgent matter you are dealing with.”
“Hmm?”
“You’re searching for a way to absorb the Sun Elixir.”
“Ah.”
The Emperor had promised to speak with her. It seemed he’d already done so.
When he didn’t deny it, her expression became assured as she slightly lifted her chin, a subtle smile forming on her lips.
She reached out and gently took his hand in hers.
Her hand, calloused from years of wielding a sword, was surprisingly soft.
“Am I correct, Master?”
“…Ye
“You needn’t worry about my purity. It was never meant for anyone else… Only you… That’s what matters… Trust me.”
“
“Every night, I will show you my charms.”
He was trapped… with no escape.
But there was something else bothering him.
“Ether, even if we were to marry, you need to return to the North. Your warriors… they’re waiting for you, standing out there in the snow. It’s not responsible to abandon them like this.”
“Ah.”
She nodded as if she understood.
“Do I seem like a woman who irresponsibly abandoned everything for love? It seems I appeared incapable in your eyes as well.”
“Are you saying there’s another reason?”
“Indeed. I have a plan.”
Her expression turned serious.
“The current North relies too much on me.”
She poured another glass of lava wine. Both Ezekiel and Ether silently downed another drink.
“It may seem like I’m just enduring under the pretext of marriage, but I wanted to foster the warriors’ independence. And simultaneously weed out those with ill intentions.”
I see.
So, she had that deep of an intention.
“…But why are you taking off my shirt?”
He attempted to resist with his hands, but he couldn’t withstand her considerable strength. A moment later, there was a ripping sound as his shirt was torn to shreds.
Ether’s lips curved into a smile.
“That’s why I plan to seclude myself in the mansion for a while. Let’s kill time by being physically close. I’ve heard that affection deepens with repeated skin contact.”
“…Wait, what conclusion is this.”
With a thud, the chair broke. As Ether bore down on Ezekiel who had fallen to the floor, she pressed down on his abdomen.
“…Your Highness.”
“Hmm?”
She turned her head, her gaze sharp. The herald stood there, not knowing where to rest his gaze.
“I have something urgent to discuss with the Inspector.”
“Now?”
Her gaze bored into him.
It was a look that would send most men running, but the herald stood his ground.
He wouldn’t have dared to interrupt unless it was truly important.
“It’s extremely urgent.”
“Hmm…”
She glanced down at Ezekiel, who was trapped beneath her.
She licked her lips, her gaze predatory.
“You’re saying it’s that urgent?”
“It concerns the warriors, Your Highness. It’s critical.”
“Fine. There’s a time for everything. Even the sweetest fruit tastes best when it’s ripe.”
Still straddling him, she leaned in close, her lips brushing against his ear.
“Master…”
“…Yes?”
“After you’re done with the herald, return to my mansion without delay. Otherwise, the Sun Elixir you obtained might completely disappear.”
“Understood? Even when it’s being spoon-fed to you.”
“…Understood.”
He left the mansion, his face pale.
• • •
Upon arriving at the reception room, the herald gauged Ezekiel’s mood cautiously.
“…It seems you’ve been through a lot.”
“It’s nothing… I brought this upon myself.”
“What exactly did you do?”
Instead of explaining, Ezekiel let out a deep sigh.
He’d proposed to five princesses, at once.
It was a long story, and one that wouldn’t make him look good, no matter how he explained it.
“Anyway, I will get straight to the point.”
The herald thoroughly explained the situation involving the warrior Brogar to Ezekiel. The account was quite detailed, but fortunately, the inspector understood it well.
After a long while,
Having finished his explanation, the herald exhaled deeply.
“…And that’s what happened.”
The herald gauged Ezekiel’s reaction.
He wasn’t sure how Ezekiel would respond and the truth was, even if Ezekiel declared he would not participate, the herald had no grounds to argue.
But…
Ezekiel’s expression was grave. More serious than he’d anticipated.
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“What you’re saying is, such problems have always existed in the North, and because I have been chosen by the First Princess, it’s my situation to resolve.”
“…Yes. Essentially.”
“Is he insane?”
Ezekiel’s blunt response made the herald’s shoulders flinch. To be fair, there wasn’t much to say in return. Ezekiel had been caught up in this unilaterally…
However,
Ezekiel’s remark was directed towards the Emperor.
‘You old fool…’
The Emperor must have known exactly what he was doing.
No wonder he seemed so willing to hand over the purity of the First Princess; he must have been plotting to entangle Ezekiel in all this in order to resolve the situation.
*Thud!*
Ezekiel stood up abruptly, his chair clattering to the floor.
“I-Inspector?”
The herald stammered, taken aback by his sudden outburst.
“Wait here.”
Ezekiel strode towards the door, his expression resolute.
“Inspector! Where are you going?!”
“The audience chamber.”
He was a different man now.
There was no hesitation in his steps.
• • •
The Emperor’s audience chamber.
The Emperor stared at the floor, his expression a mixture of amusement and disbelief.
“…What are you doing?”
The sight before him was unexpected, to say the least.
Ezekiel lay prostrate on the floor, his hands clasped together in a gesture of supplication. A sword, its blade carved from ice, lay beside him.
“It’s no use. Just kill me,” Ezekiel said, his voice flat.
“…What?”
The Emperor’s reaction was one of dumbfounded amusement.
“Just kill me. I’ve decided not to do anything anymore.”
The Emperor silently fiddled with an apple.