16. With A Sudden Request

Five years have passed since I came to to this country.

Since the first time I went out to the town, I participated in the festival with Urie every year. While dressing up like a woman.

Because of that, exaggerated rumors about Urie having a lover spread.

Accordingly, it was a young lady with a weak constitution and can only go out once a year. Some says it was a princess of a prosperous country that had become extinct.

I want Urie to please stop denying halfheartedly, too.

However, Urie also has someone he loves and he bought souvenir for her this year, too.

When I told him he can invite that person instead of me, he said, “a jealous expression is also cute, I can’t stop” with a lewd look on his face.

I wonder what kind of woman is she, to make Urie say that?

That day, I was off duty so I spent time in a relaxed mood while drinking black tea.

Then, Alex who was off someplace since this morning, returned.

“Haruto, there’s someone who wants to meet you for a while, will you come with me?” Alex said somewhat evasively.

“Yes, that’s fine, but aren’t you quite tired, Alex?”

“I’m alright. I was just in a slightly serious discussion.”

Alex led the way and entered the royal palace just like that.

Inside the royal palace, everyone whom we passed made way for Alex and bowed to him.

Besides, Alex also did not have a bewildered expression. Who on earth is he?

I was reminded at this late hour that I am not very well-informed about Alex’s identity.

And then we arrived in front of a massive door.

Alex knocked and the door was opened from the inside.

Two men who are about the same age as Alex were sitting inside the room.

“Are you Haruto-kun?” The personage sitting inside inquired.

“Yes. I am Haruto Nishiguchi.”

“I see,” he began to speak while nothing.

“Nice to meet you, Haruto-kun. I am Ariel Orania, the King of this country. I am the older brother of Alexis.”

No way. The King, he said. Or rather, Alex is the King’s little brother…

I wonder what’s beginning to move at the places I do not know about?

Then the person sitting next to the King stood up.

“Nice to meet you. I am Alfred Orania. The position of Knight Commander is entrusted to me. I am the third son. I ate Haruto’s bentou before. Thank you for the delicious meal at that time.”

Did Alex eat bentou in such place?

Or perhaps I should say, what kind of lineup is this? What kind of situation is this?

I turned back towards Alex.

“What kind of situation is this?”

When I asked in a whisper, the King answered.

“Haruto-kun, I want you to become the bride of the Emperor of Caspar.”

No, that’s not an explanation.

What the heck is “to become the bride”?

In my knowledge, it means that the woman goes to the male’s side to become his wife.

“I am sorry but I do not understand what you mean.”

“Ariel-aniue, even insufficient explanations have their limits. Haruto-kun, how about you sit down here first? ”

When I was troubled, Alfred-sama came to my rescue.

However, even when I heard the explanation of Alred-sama, I wasn’t able to comprehend it.

I cannot understand the significance of marrying a man as Alex’s daughter.

“I am straight so I do not think I will be of use regarding the matter of marrying into Caspar.”

I decided to settle the problem little by little.

“Haruto-kun, there is no need for you to love the Emperor of Caspar. Moreover, you said you won’t be of use, but about the matter where they want to learn the economy of our country, I think they will want to talk to a specialist of that field. I think that I want Haruto-kun for that mediator-like role. The Emperor of Caspar already have three concubines so I think there is no problem of successor.”

Alfred-sama answered calmly.

“What will happen if I said I don’t want to marry no matter what?”

The King answered this time with a grave expression.

“Even though we refuse this negotiation, that does not mean that Caspar will suddenly invade. However, in the recent years, our country is in a situation where we are not certain when other countries will declare war. If we cannot form an alliance with Caspar, it might me a matter of time for war to happen.”

‘Therefore, can you please accept?’

The eyes of the King stared straight at me, I couldn’t look away.

“But even if I agree to get married as a woman, I will turn 25 years old this year. I think it’s impossible for me to pretend as a woman after all.”

When I informed them that, the two of them except Alex stared at me with staggered expressions.

This is… a deja vu.

After that, another “age incident” happened again.