The wedding of Marius, Barra, and Lovisa was held in Filat’s royal capital, Filatos, and turned out to be a grand and magnificent event attended by the most important figures of Filat, Ranleo, Seraeno, Garius, and Hordia.
The celebration began with a parade through the streets of the royal capital, followed by a wedding ceremony at the church, and concluded with a reception at the royal palace.
Today was a day of liberation, where all adults were encouraged to drink and celebrate boisterously.
Some cast sharp glances at Asteria, who was attending as Hordia’s representative, but she remained unfazed.
However, it wasn’t only hostility directed her way.
“Ah, Your Majesty Asteria, you are truly beautiful.”
It wasn’t just one or two men who flocked to her, drawn by her beauty and status.
Mireille and Vanessa, serving as her bodyguards, kept a watchful eye, but men also gathered around them.
This was likely no coincidence, as all three were beautiful, unmarried women.
Asteria sarcastically mused that they might soon be dubbed the “Three Crows of Singledom.”
While she could likely fend off the encroaching men by choosing one appropriately, she had a mountain of things she wanted to do and achieve; marriage was simply not on her agenda.
If there were a man worthy of being called a partner, she might consider it, but in her opinion, there was only one such man present today – the groom himself.
Though she didn’t intend to rope Mireille and Vanessa into her situation, they too showed no inclination towards marriage, and Asteria had no intention of interrogating them.
There were boundaries that should not be crossed, even within a master-servant relationship.
Skillfully brushing off the men and ignoring those who glared at her with ill intent, Asteria sought Marius to accomplish her original purpose.
She had multiple reasons for attending, but the most important was a warning.
Finding Marius between the Kings of Filat and Ranleo, Asteria quietly approached him.
Marius sensed her presence immediately, and the other kings noticed her shortly after.
While she had enough to say to Bernhard III to fill a continent, this was not the place for it.
Hiding her displeasure as best she could, greetings were exchanged.
“I came knowing I might not be welcomed, as I wished to offer Marius-dono some advice.”
“Advice?”
The three men echoed the question in uncanny unison.
Asteria gave a slight nod.
“The forces of the demons are not yet extinguished. I have a strong feeling about this.”
She gazed intently at Marius.
The two kings displayed blatant expressions of disbelief, but Marius alone appeared contemplative.
Asteria’s insights, likely due to her information-gathering skills, were remarkably accurate, often to the point of being amusingly so.
Even a mere “feeling” was more trustworthy than the hunches of others.
“Understood. I will keep it in mind.”
“My apologies.”
Asteria’s demure apology surprised the three men.
“Do you, too, act for the sake of justice?”
Bernhard III couldn’t help but utter a sarcastic remark.
“Hmph. At least, in the human world, there should only be one justice, shouldn’t there?”
Asteria retorted with a subtle sarcasm that was characteristic of her. The King of Filat and the King of Ranleo frowned, but Marius wore an unreadable expression.
He recalled hearing the theory in his previous world that “justice exists for as many people as there are,” and it felt as though Asteria had echoed the same sentiment.
The King of Hordia continued,
“And then there’s Auraniess. If they weren’t found after the demons rampaged so fiercely, perhaps they’ve revived on another continent.”
This was met with general disbelief. Even Marius was more inclined to question it.
“I don’t want to dismiss it outright, but if that were the case, why is this continent at peace?”
“Indeed, that is the problem with that theory.”
Marius’s words prompted a thoughtful expression from Asteria. None of them suspected that the reason Auraniess hadn’t reappeared was simply that there was no one worthy of a challenging fight.
The conclusion reached was to continue the search.
Shortly thereafter, Marius excused himself from the banquet, accompanied by his two new brides.
No one tried to stop them; had anyone attempted to do so, they would have been scorned as utterly boorish.
Once Asteria was certain Marius and his entourage were well out of earshot, she spoke.
“King Filat, you have my sympathies. You are compelled to make your daughter your second wife to avoid inciting jealousy and animosity from neighboring nations.”
The remark was too sharp to be considered sympathy and carried too much venom. Bernhard III certainly felt so.
“Naturally. My country must cooperate with other nations.”
He answered with his chest puffed out, though it wasn’t entirely his true feeling. He desperately wanted to avoid a situation of isolation due to backlash from neighboring countries, a scenario even Marius’s power couldn’t resolve.
“Your country takes precedence over your daughter? Do you have no justice as a father?”
Asteria taunted. It was easy to infer that this was a retort to his earlier remark.
The King of Filat gnashed his teeth, unable to counter, and the King of Ranleo, seeing this, intervened.
“Don’t say that, King Hordia. As a ruler, you must prioritize your country over your family; surely you understand as a fellow king?”
He was essentially asking her to stop her petty harassment, but Asteria merely scoffed again.
“Hmph. Sacrificing something and then piling on excuses. Is that your justice? Are the things you constantly have to protect truly righteous?”
The Queen of Hordia, having significantly dampened the celebratory mood and further tarnished her reputation, left with apparent satisfaction after spewing her venom.
“What did that woman come here for?” and “Why did we invite her?” angry shouts erupted.
The three of them, who were given careful consideration, had decided to move to Berganda after their wedding. However, as their new residence was not yet complete, they were staying at the Tuban mansion in Filatos.
“In that case, perhaps it should have been a bit larger.”
Returning after the wedding, Marius felt a slight regret.
While the mansion would have been spacious enough for him alone, it felt cramped with two princesses and their maids staying there.
The reactions of the two women, who might have been expected to express dissatisfaction, were quite different.
“It’s fine, isn’t it? As long as there’s love,” Barra declared with a radiant smile.
“I was aware of this from the start,” Lovisa replied coolly.
The three of them were enjoying lemon tea, brewed by Emma, and savoring baked pies.
The public was relieved that neither woman demanded a more luxurious residence, praising them as “virtuous and admirable princesses.” However, this assessment hardly reflected their true natures.
Barra was insatiably greedy when it came to magic, and Lovisa was equally tenacious regarding the overall welfare of Filat, making them difficult individuals to compromise with.
The public harbored the illusion that “princesses are inherently expensive,” and they were merely impressed that this notion was pleasantly shattered.
Emma thought that since both women were unconcerned with ordinary material desires, their marriages to Marius had proceeded without issue. Marius himself, despite possessing absolute power, was also free from greed and ambition.
If an ordinary man were to possess Marius’s power, he would likely demand princesses, land, power, wealth, and perhaps even the throne. It was only natural for the strong to be well-compensated.
Even if the Demon Lord and demons were annihilated, powerful monsters still existed, and more might come from other continents. In other words, demand was endless.
(Well, if Marius-sama wished, he could probably eliminate that, but it’s unlikely.) Eleanor thought.
This was not just Eleanor’s perception; it was shared throughout Filat. Marius was a man who did not succumb to power, nor did he act arrogantly. He seemed to understand the limits of his own strength. As someone from common origins, this was astonishing, and Eleanor even felt a sense of respect. Of course, she couldn’t praise him unconditionally. If drawing up a blueprint for the future was a prerequisite for a good man, Marius would be a clear failure. However, precisely this made him seem like a “human with blood in his veins,” and realistically, it made him relatable. No one was perfect, and even if someone were, it would be difficult to be liked. Eleanor herself was called the “perfect maid” and “superhuman maid,” but she was simply more capable than other maids in certain aspects; individually, there were people who surpassed her. Remika and Aina, who were to succeed her, were more adept than Eleanor in their respective specialties.
(It will soon be time to part with Lovisa-sama as well.) Eleanor thought.
After witnessing the wedding of Lovisa and Marius, Eleanor was scheduled to marry into Misra. To be precise, it was only decided that she would be engaged, but it was unlikely to be overturned. It was said that confusion was occurring in Misra following Frederick’s forced abdication. To resolve this quickly, a piece on the board known as “Marius’s wife, Lovisa’s former maid” was deemed necessary, and Eleanor’s family and the Filat royal family agreed. Eleanor’s own opinion was never sought; her family simply informed her of their decision, but she harbored no resentment. It was her duty as a woman born into a ducal family to repay the family that raised her and serve the nation. However, she couldn’t deny the sadness that the days spent with Lovisa were coming to an end. Considering Lovisa’s status, she was “of too high a station,” but Eleanor felt they had become like sisters. Now, that princess was finally getting married. Her partner was Marquis Marius von Tuban, who, despite his numerous unreliable aspects, was unparalleled in strength and trustworthy in his kindness. He was slated to become a Duke in the near future. This was in response to Ranleo’s insistence that “a princess should not marry a mere Marquis.” There were also voices suggesting that Archduke might be a more appropriate title than Duke.
(How far will his prosperity continue?) Eleanor wondered.
Most people seemed to have forgotten, but it hadn’t even been half a year since Marius was brought to Filat. His rise was proceeding at a speed that surpassed both astonishment and bewilderment. The reason she didn’t feel fear was likely because she knew Marius’s character firsthand.
“This pie that Emma-san specially made is truly delicious,” Barra said blissfully, taking a bite.
“Indeed,” Marius agreed, sipping his tea. The three of them had discussed and decided to dispense with formal language with each other now that they were married.
“This might be the last time we get to eat this, too,” Lovisa murmured. As his liege, she received a certain amount of information. Once Eleanor married into Misra, even meeting would become difficult. A somber atmosphere began to settle, and Eleanor deliberately spoke more brightly.
“Even after I marry, I think I can visit occasionally. And when I do, I’d love to try Lovisa-sama and Bara-sama’s home cooking.”
“Eh…”
“Eh…”
Eleanor’s statement caused Lovisa and Barra to freeze. It was only natural, as they had never held a kitchen knife in their lives. Seeing their reactions, Eleanor smiled mischievously.
“It’s easier to capture a man’s heart if you can cook at least one dish.”
Having said that, she looked at Marius.
“Marius-sama, if there were a woman who could cook and one who couldn’t, wouldn’t the one who can cook be better?”
“Ah. If it were between those two,” Marius answered honestly, not quite grasping Eleanor’s intention. Hearing this, Lovisa and Barra showed a flicker of unease.
“But it’s only natural for a princess not to have cooked before,” Marius quickly added, not yet understanding Eleanor’s aim, but immediately offering a follow-up. Just as the two women began to feel relieved, Eleanor whispered.
“But Catherine-sama is apparently quite skilled.”
“Eh?”
This time, Marius echoed the question along with them. Eleanor said, with the demeanor of a strict teacher,
“Apparently, the royal family of Boltner has a tradition of learning hunting, and Catherine-sama can butcher and cook the prey.”
It was unexpected, but it was also something plausible for Boltner. Marius thought, “What in the world are they teaching her?”
“If you two are interested, I would be happy to teach you.”
As Eleanor smiled, the two princesses nodded as if drawn in.
“You likely won’t have much time, so I will be strict. Be prepared.”
“Strict by Emma’s standards…”
Lovisa’s face turned pale, and seeing her, Barra swallowed hard. The somber atmosphere that had been approaching quickly dissipated.
(Perhaps…) Marius had a slight inkling of Eleanor’s intention, but he didn’t voice it. The thought, “Silence is golden,” crossed his mind. Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Aina entered.
“Excuse me. Preparations are complete.”
She and her colleagues had been preparing for the “first night.” New sheets and bedding had been placed on the bed where the three would sleep, flowers were arranged in vases, and incense was burned. Marius found it all rather excessive, but it was a custom for a princess facing her first night. It was akin to a good luck charm from his previous world; it was believed that without it, conceiving a child would be impossible.
(Well, we do need to make children, after all.) Marius silently accepted it. As he entered the room, it was filled with a fragrant aroma that had a calming effect. After Aina bowed and withdrew, Barra and Lovisa both began to undress in front of Marius.
“Eh?” Marius exclaimed in surprise, but his brides paid him no mind and donned sheer negligees. They were so thin that not only their figures were clearly visible, but their undergarments could also be seen through them.
“You are the only one permitted to look and undress us,” Lovisa said, unusually averting her eyes, her cheeks flushing as she stammered.
“We belong only to you,” Barra also stated in a similar fashion, her voice trembling and breaking. It seemed that even these two found it difficult to utter the “vows of a wife” without blushing or feeling embarrassed. The contrast with their usual selves stirred excitement within Marius.
“Let’s see, uh, Lovisa first.”
“Y-yes. Please be gentle.”
Lovisa was rigid in every way, and even walking to the bed was awkward. Marius gently embraced her. “It’s all right,” he whispered into her ear, and Lovisa’s body gradually relaxed. Seeing that she was sufficiently relaxed, he gently pushed her onto the bed.
Remika was walking down the corridor after finishing her work when she discovered a trio of succubi looking dejected in front of a door.
“Is something wrong?” she asked in a small voice. Zofi replied with an unconvinced expression.
“Well, we thought it would be difficult for our master to handle two virgins simultaneously, so we intended to help and offer the ladies some bedroom guidance, but our master scolded us.”
Al continued,
“He told us to read the room and kicked us out.”
Remika thought it was obvious, but the succubi seemed perplexed. As she opened her mouth to explain, El preempted her.
“I doubt two virgins can satisfy our master. Wouldn’t it just lead to more frustration?”
“Ah…”
Hearing El say that, even Remika, who was still a virgin, seemed to understand. She also understood why they were waiting so close to the room after being kicked out. Men, as creatures, don’t always stop after one release. Marius was likely the type who could go multiple times. It was what her gossipy colleagues called “virility,” or “stamina.”
“I think it’ll be fine. Marius-sama seems to have quite a bit of experience,” Remika said, but she couldn’t deny that her words carried a certain wish. And, for some reason, Remika herself didn’t fully comprehend the nature of that wish.
“Well, we are on standby for security purposes as well,” Zofi said. There was a moment when one was most vulnerable, and even Marius wasn’t an exception; they were there to protect him at that time.
(As expected of the professionals…) Remika tried not to think any further and returned to her assigned room.
