First, I’ll greet Nina’s father. So that’s how it should be, right? Even though the King is here, I’ll give him a knowing glance.
The King also gives me a subtle nod, directing my attention toward Father.
“I am Deres. I will become the Imperial Count of the Mu Mu Empire. Originally, I was the second son of the Count Avac Family from the town of Branusiava in the Namusia Kingdom on the Milishitan Continent. I am now provisionally appointed as a Marquis, and secretly as a Duke.”
I bow deeply.
“I am Saonji Mishuron, the head of the Duke Mishuron Family of the Ailee Kingdom.”
“I am always indebted to Nina. Without Nina, I… well, I…”
“I am grateful that you have accepted my daughter as an Imperial Count. We will also hold a wedding ceremony for form’s sake. That is all.”
… The room falls silent. Ah, it’s my turn to speak now, isn’t it?
“Thank you. So, about that…”
“Ask Nina about the details later. It seems His Majesty will be responsible for the ceremony at the castle. For our part, only my wife, my daughter who adores Nina, and my son need to attend. Is that all?”
Nina’s father, Duke Saonji, stands up. He bows deeply to His Majesty, then to the Prime Minister, and walks towards the door, ignoring Nina. Is that really okay? Like this? I look at Nina, her expression clearly filled with anger.
(This is where I should say something.)
As the butler opens the door, I move towards his retreating back…!!
“Don’t you have anything to say to Nina?!”
“…We finished our talk when I came last time. I’ve already sent her off. I’ll attend the ceremony. That should be enough.”
“As a parent, as a father, isn’t that rude to Nina?” “…Now, too late?” “It *is* rude!”
At my words, Nastasia draws her sword.
“Lord Saonji Mishuron, I am here on behalf of Her Majesty the Empress Zukki Fegotin of the Mu Mu Empire…”
Duke Saonji raises both hands behind his back, still facing away.
“I know. Considering what I’ve done to Nina, no amount of pretense or change in my attitude would be enough to save my head. That’s why, if I cannot be pardoned, I will bear all the sins alone.”
(This is fitting for a Duke, I suppose.)
He then turns to face us, still with his arms raised.
“So, you have resigned yourself to your fate?”
“Wait, an emissary of the Empire! If you are to execute someone, let it be one of our own countrymen, meaning me!”
The Prime Minister draws his rapier. It’s probably to avoid the trouble of the Empire taking action. Just like that, is it going to end so cleanly? I don’t want that.
“Please wait, Prime Minister. Ah, Nastasia as well. I would like to have a proper conversation with Nina’s father.”
“What? Are you asking me to apologize? Whether I apologize or not, it won’t change the fact that I’m going to die.”
Ah, no matter how much the butler tries to be considerate, or how much he sets things up, this Duke was prepared to die from the start. He is aware of what he did to Nina and understands her current position and status.
(However, Nina’s preparations weren’t with the intention of patricide.)
If that were the case, it wouldn’t be strange if she had simply killed him with the Berserk Sword head-on. No, I mean that metaphorically too.
“Umm, Father-in-law, it’s unfair for your entire family to run away from Nina.”
“There’s no ‘unfair’ when it comes to protecting one’s own life. It’s not a level where an apology would be accepted.”
“Even so, Nina desires a sincere apology.” “That’s impossible, which is why I offer my life.” “Please don’t run away.”
My fists clench. Nina… No, I should avoid looking at Nina’s expression.
“You’re fixated on the word ‘runaway’.”
“I had my former fiancée stolen from me. And then that person died and escaped. So, in the true sense of the word, I’ll never be able to take her back… Well, it’s not like I wanted to get back together, but I did choose Nina.”
Duke Saonji, my father-in-law, lowers his raised arms about halfway. He scoffs. His true nature is finally showing.
“She suits Nina.” “You bastard!” “Nastasia, don’t move.”
I need to stay calm here.
“I merely stated what I was thinking.”
“That can be interpreted in many ways.”
“As it is. So, what do you want me to do? Is an apology without heart enough?”
At this point, Nina steps forward.
“Deres, I know very well that you are the type of person who gets fixated on ‘apologies.’ From the message Ric sent asking me to ‘make him apologize,’ you want to talk about the form, intention, and inner feelings of an apology, but… it’s impossible, futile, and meaningless with my father.”
It seems Nina is also struggling to suppress her anger.
“So, what do *you* want to do, Nina? Or rather, what should we do?”
“I want the Avakane family, excluding Ailee, and the marriage ceremony in the Mu Mu Empire to proceed. I won’t invite them to the wedding at that ‘hideout.’ That’s for our true family only.”
“???”
Uh, that ‘hideout’… Ah, the Great Tree. They’re going to hold it there too.
(This is the first time I’m hearing about this. Though I feel like I might have heard it before!)
So, is Nina’s intention…
“In other words, Nina wants her biological father and mother to be present at the wedding ceremonies in each country as a formal ritual.”
“Yes, precisely as a formality. He will perform his duties as Duke.”
He doesn’t seem to have much heart in it, but he will perfectly fulfill his role as the bride’s father and mother.
“And that’s okay with you?”
“I’ll tell Deres my true feelings later. Since it’s necessary for his marriage with Nina, I’ll use it to my advantage.”
…With those words, I’ve caught a glimpse of something. He used Nina extensively, even planning to sell her off as a bride in the end. As revenge, Nina will use him as a pawn to marry the person of her own will.
(And just like Nina in the past, she’ll fulfill her role with dead eyes.)
This might also be Nina’s ‘payback’ to her family.
“Understood. I will hear Nina’s opinions and true feelings later, and we will also discuss what I want to request from the Mishuron family. However, in marrying Nina, there is one thing I want to do.”
Nina looks at me with a “hoh?” expression.
“What is it, Deres? Tell me.”
“Yes… Duke Saonji Mishuron. I would like to have a proper talk with you, Father-in-law… just the two of us.”
Yes, just as Nina clearly told my parents, I want to make Nina’s parent… her father, speak clearly.
I’m also updating “Harem Collapse, Twelve Years Later” on “Shosetsuka ni Narou” daily and have finished the first chapter. It was a well-received work in the Kakuyomu 10 Short Story Department. I’ve rewritten it into a long story and am serializing it, so please take a look if you’d like.
