Chapter 416

Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 416

She and the Night of the Sixth Day

“Lidi, welcome back.”

“Wah…”

Immediately after leaving Raid’s room, I heard Freed’s voice. I was surprised, since I didn’t expect him to be waiting outside the room.

“Y-You surprised me. You could’ve just gone back to our room first.”

“There was no point in going back to a room without you, Lidi. And so, have you finished talking?”

“… Yup.”

Next to Freed was Edward, who had been driven out by Raid. When he noticed me, he deeply bowed.

“… You have my gratitude for associating with Her Highness, Lady Lidiana. Has Her Highness called for me?”

“No. Raid didn’t say anything.”

“Is… that so?”

Since Edward had been told he couldn’t enter without being called, he made a disappointed face but didn’t say anything else. Somehow, I observed Edward.

He always liked Raid, and even now unmistakably loves her. However, Raid had feelings for another person. Did he notice that? And, did he continue loving Raid knowing that?

“…”

“Lidi, we’re going back.”

“Ah, yup.”

At Freed’s urging, we left Edward behind and returned to our room.

I was taken to the bathroom by the court ladies waiting in the room and thoroughly washed. I was sticky from the sea breeze, so the hot bath felt good.

After cleaning my body and changing clothes, I returned to the room. Unlike me, Freed doesn’t particularly care about taking hot baths. Apparently, he only cleaned his body with magic and changed clothes today.

Sitting at the desk that was in the room, Freed seemed to be writing something.

“Freed.”

“Aah, Lidi. Welcome back. Just a minute.”

After writing his signature, Freed put down the quill. I became somehow curious and asked.

“A letter?”

“Yeah, for Esteemed Father in our country… I’m talking about signing an agreement with Irvine now, so I’m contacting him about the progress.”

“An agreement?”

I was unaware of that. When I looked at Freed in surprise, he said while sealing the letter.

“Lidi, I told you earlier. Sahaja has been increasing its activities. They seem to be reaching out for Irvine. Hendrik is here, so I think it’ll be alright, but he isn’t at the top of the country. If the King makes a promise, as a prince he won’t be able to do anything. I discussed it with Esteemed Father and decided to make the first move. Pretending to be unmindful of Sahaja, I’m offering a secret cooperation agreement to make the King of Irvine think it’s more profitable to form an alliance with us. That’s why I’m busy every day.”

“So you’ve been doing that…”

Irvine is a friendly country, but it’s not connected to Wilhelm with any particular treaty. The countries have been close since long ago, so there was no need for that. However, since there are no agreements, nothing stops them when another country reaches out for them.

Once I learned the reason for Freed being busy every day, I realized that, after all, we didn’t come to Irvine because of Prince Hendrik’s selfishness.

“Publicly, I pretend I’ve brought my consort to observe a friendly country, Irvine. In fact, it’s true that I also accepted for that reason. But, going to Irvine was an opportunity to talk with the King directly. I have to do what I can.”

“You’re right…”

“Ah, of course Lidi, at the same time I’m discussing importing the coffee you recommended, so rest assured.”

“…”

I understand Freed is incredibly busy. He has only ten days to accomplish all that. Of course, he has to meet the King every day.

I also understand the reason why Brother rarely shows up. Brother is a civil official. He must be busy preparing documents and examining various things.

“Wow…”

After hearing what Freed said, it was hard to ask for his time tomorrow. However, it’s an important conversation for Raid. I want Freed to cooperate for just a few hours.

“Freed, listen…”

“And? What did Princess Ophelia talk about?”

“Eh… Ah, yup.”

Freed put away the letter in the drawer and stood up. He came to me, reached out his arm and pulled my waist to him.

“If you can’t talk, of course you don’t have to, but if you can, I want you to tell me.”

“That’s, yup. I was thinking of talking just now――”

It’s just right if he wants to listen. I took Freed to a nearby sofa and we sat down together. I didn’t think it was a talk we should have while standing.

Except for Raid’s love for Prince Hendrik, I told him her feelings. I also talked about her knowing that Ilya is a beastman. Freed knew about Ilya, so I decided not to leave that out.

“… And that’s how it is. And, she asked you to be present, Freed.”

I ended the story and looked at Freed. He looked me into the eyes and nodded.

“Of course I’ll go with you. But, I see. Princess Ophelia knew all Hendrik’s schemes. So that’s where her attitude came from…”

“He married his beloved as he pleased, and since he cannot leave behind an heir, he’ll ultimately leave it to his little sister, how selfish.”

“Now that I hear it again, it’s a terrible story.”

“That’s right.”

When I first heard it, I didn’t think so much about it, but after hearing it from Raid, who had it forced on her, I understand it’s nothing but Prince Hendrik’s selfishness.

It can’t be helped that Ilya is a beastman, and Prince Hendrik isn’t at fault for falling in love with her.

But that doesn’t make it right for him to force the Crown on his little sister without asking.

“Moreover, who His Highness Hendrik prepared for her was Sir Lantinotz, who’s not an object of romantic interest to her. He married his beloved, and yet he’s pressing her to marry a partner she doesn’t want to. Raid was angry about that too.”

“Well… Thinking of Hendrik did, it might be natural the Princess got angry. But, does she hate Sir Lantinotz so much?”

“Hate… Hmm. Raid said if His Highness Hendrik had married for political reasons, she’d have accepted it as inevitable. I guess she refuses because she’s not pleased with His Highness’s Hendrik selfish way of doing things… If she had no choice but to marry him, Raid would probably accept, I think. She said it was a royal duty.”

“I see.”

“… I don’t think Raid is being selfish.”

“Lidi?”

When I mumbled that, Freed peered into my face.

“After all, I could marry my beloved. Surely, I have no right to tell Raid anything. Every day is happy for me since I could marry my beloved, so I don’t understand Raid’s feelings as she desires a marriage of convenience, and probably, Raid doesn’t want to be understood either.”

“Yup. It’s the same for me.”

Freed drew me to himself and slowly stroked my head.

“I’m sorry, but I understand Hendrik’s feelings more. I didn’t want to marry anyone but you, Lidi. I understand the feeling of not wanting anyone else. I can’t call Hendrik way of doing things bad.”

“… Yup.”

“Rather, when I heard his story, I thought it was natural. I can painfully understand his feelings of prioritizing obtaining his beloved above everything and sacrificing anything for it.”

Each of them has something they can’t yield on.

And each of them is surely right.

However, Raid is also right to censure Prince Hendrik. She got involved, so she has the right to condemn her brother.

Prince Hendrik must listen to her.

Although what he did can’t be helped, he must silently pay the price for his own selfishness and hear about his sin directly from his little sister.

“…Ilya being a beastman shouldn’t be a bad thing.”

However, it resulted in various inconveniences.

Discrimination should’ve been abolished long ago, and yet it’s still rampant in the country, and I actually saw a scene of persecution. After witnessing that, I can’t say that Ilya being a beastman isn’t a problem.

The wife of the Crown Prince of their own country is a beastman. Would the citizens obediently accept that?

At least in the present Irvine, I feel it would be impossible.

And I’m sure it’s the same in Wilhelm.

Discrimination against beastmen remains even now, so both Ms. Tithi and Levitt hide their identities.

“I… want to make a country without discrimination.”

“Lidi?”

I didn’t mean to say it, but apparently, I voiced my thought.

Freed looked at me with surprise.

Since he heard me anyway, I looked him in the eyes and said with determination.

“I want to make Wilhelm a country without discrimination. So that beastman can live without hiding being a beastman. No, not just them. I’m sure there are various discriminations. Nobles and commoners. Rich and poor. And other discriminations I’m not aware of. I want to improve those little by little and… make it a country where everybody can live with a smile.”

“Lidi.”

“That may be the country I want to make together with you, Freed.”

My consciousness changed little by little since becoming Freed’s consort. But, I couldn’t see a clear direction for myself.

What do I want? What kind of country do I want Wilhelm to be?

I feel like I saw its shape for the first time.

It’s not that I want to destroy aristocracy. I think it’s a necessary system in the world I live in. However, the existence of aristocracy and nobles oppressing commoners are different things. The same goes for the rich and poor. It can’t be helped that there’s a difference. However, it’s wrong that the rich trample down on the poor using that difference.

I want to eliminate such unreasonable discriminations and oppressions.

I awaited Freed’s reaction.

He was surprised, but eventually, joy filled his eyes.

“Lidi, that’s the shape of Wilhelm you want to work towards, right?”

“Yup. Of course, it’s impossible immediately, and I might pass away before it’s achieved. But, I want to work towards it till the end.”

“I see…”

“Freed, I’d be happy if you could include my idea in the country you make.”

He’ll become the King. That’s why he can basically make the country he wants. I trust Freed that he won’t do anything strange, so I want to help him.

But, I’d be happy if he incorporates my wish.

Freed looked back at me.

“Of course I don’t mind. ―― Lidi, your wishes are my wishes. If you want a country without discrimination, I’ll do my utmost to realize it.”

“Thank you.”

“I told you on the night before the wedding, didn’t I? Let’s protect this country together.”

“Yup.”

Of course I wouldn’t forget. I’m sure I’ll never forget his redone proposal for my whole life.

“It’s my wish that you stand together with me, Lidi. And now, you spoke as my consort, as royalty. I’m incredibly happy about that.”

I was tightly hugged. I wrapped my arms around his back.

“Lidi, you’re walking on the same path as me. You think about the future of the country from a royal perspective. I’m unbelievably happy to know that.”

“Freed.”

“I’m sure your wish will come true, Lidi.”

Freed was very cool as he declared that.

“Let’s make a country without discrimination. A country that doesn’t suffer from unreasonable discrimination. I’ll spare no effort for that reason. After all Lidi, it will make you smile, right?”

“―― Yup.”

When I affirmed, Freed smiled. It was a very happy smile.

“Then it goes without saying. There’s no better reward for me than your smile, Lidi. I’ll do my best for dear life.”

“Freed. We’ll do it together. I’ll do my best too.”

I don’t want Freed to grant my wish alone.

I want us to do it together. Because, we’re a married couple.

When I sullenly corrected him, Freed said, “Of course,” with a confident look.

“Of course Lidi, I need you. You always show me the way. Fufu, now that it’s come to this, I want to succeed the throne quickly.”

In Wilhelm, by convention the throne changes when the first child of the Crown Prince is born.

And I’m sure that time isn’t far away.

“Lidi, my consort. My special person.”

Freed released the arms hugging me. Instead, he took my hand. He kissed the back of it as if making a vow.

“―― I love you. After all, you’re the only one for me, Lidi.”

“Freed, I love you too.”

We gazed at each other.

Freed’s face approached. I naturally closed my eyes. Our lips overlapped.

As I was once again strongly hugged by Freed, I felt happy from the bottom of my heart that I love and am loved by this person.

With this we’ve reached the end of material covered by the light novels so far. If you’ve enjoyed the story so far, please consider buying them. Both physical and electronic versions are available on various Japanese online stores.

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Editor: Valkyrie