I Became the Narrow-Eyed Character in the Little Prince Game-Chapter 159: The Little Prince (3)

Valcaros Lantana von Staufen.

The sun that rules the Empire.

Recently, there has been one thing that caught his attention.

‘A son-in-law.’

More specifically, it was about the imperial marriage.

Since the princesses were reaching the age of adulthood, it was only natural for him to ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ be concerned about this matter.

Neither of the two had been arranged in a typical political marriage, as was common in noble society.

Compared to other young nobility, they were a bit late to the process.

In such a situation, it was only fitting for the Emperor to begin looking for a suitable son-in-law.

Yes. I had no objections to this part.

However, the problem was...

“So, the marriage.”

“...Yes, Your Majesty.”

Perhaps it was because I was the one he had singled out.

The sudden call.

I paused with the utensil in my hand.

At the end of my gaze, Valcaros was glaring at me with an uncomfortable intensity.

I couldn’t continue my meal, so I gave a forced smile.

The Emperor, as if waiting for our eyes to meet, spoke.

“When do you plan to give me an answer about earlier?”

“About the answer...?”

“The marriage proposal, of course. I asked whom you plan to marry.”

Of course, I remembered.

Charlotte and Elize.

Which of the two would I marry? It was a question laced with overt pressure.

It was a question I had heard repeated in my ears over the past few days.

Valcaros wore a sinister smile.

“I would like to hear your answer as soon as possible.”

“...”

“Are you still undecided?”

“I’m terribly sorry...”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. After all, you’re to be a part of the imperial family and a son-in-law, right? It’s fine to be less hesitant now.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty.”

It seemed that being a son-in-law was already a settled matter.

I smiled with mixed emotions.

How did it come to this?

Every mealtime, I had been scolded in this way, and now I couldn’t even tell which direction my food was going.

Would I end up pushing steak into my nose by accident?

I shake off the ridiculous thoughts and straighten my posture.

“I will give you an answer as soon as possible.”

“You should. Or else I might have to turn the Snakeus family upside down.”

The Emperor casually threw those words out.

However, the meaning behind them was nothing short of terrifying.

I could feel my insides growing cold in real time.

‘This is complicated.’

Maybe it sounds strange, but here we were.

The Emperor, who ruled the Empire.

Yet, this man insisted on such a useless, insignificant son-in-law like me.

There were far better matches than the Snakeus family...

I had asked just a few days ago, after all.

"Our family is on the outskirts, isn't it?""If it's an imperial marriage, there must be plenty of good matches among the central nobility or dukes.""I’m curious why you’re giving me a chance instead of choosing someone with a better background."It was a perfectly normal question.

But the answer I got was far from normal.

"It’s just an earl family, isn’t it?""That’s more than enough.""Your family is well-known for its alchemy since the founding of the Empire. No one would deny that your family is prestigious.""Sure, there’s an image of being in a remote village due to the mysticism, but...""Who would object to my decision?"Alpa-no.

Valcaros dismissed it with a single word.

I gave up on asking any more questions.

From the way he wasn’t even considering other options, it seemed I had caught his eye quite a bit.

So for the past week, I had been relentlessly battered by the same topic.

And now, once again.

“Also, aren’t you coming back with strange marks lately? On your neck.”

“This...”

He was talking about the marking Elize had left.

It was a fresh mark, renewed just a few hours ago.

As a result, the reddish aura still lingered on my neck.

It wasn’t fading; if anything, it was growing more vivid with each passing day.

I slowly covered it with my palm.

Of course, such a gesture only made Valcaros’ glare sharper.

He continued.

“I trust you didn’t play around with her for just one night?”

“That part... there’s a misunderstanding.”

“If you took her virginity, then you must take responsibility.”

“...I didn’t take her virginity, or anything else, for that matter.”

“So you’re saying you didn’t want to?”

No.

Just a moment ago, he was trying to set me up as his son-in-law, and now he was glaring at me like he wanted to kill me.

I really hoped he would just make up his mind about which direction he was going to take.

It would be easier for me to follow along.

‘Though I don’t genuinely feel hated...’

At least on matters regarding the marriage, it seemed like he wouldn’t back down.

This was a rather troublesome situation.

I glanced at Rose for help, but she and Valcaros were clearly in it together.

Perhaps it amused her to see me flustered.

The girl wore a subtle smile.

“Well... I’d like to hear an answer too. Who are you planning to choose?”

Her green eyes curved alluringly.

Her mischievous smile resembled the blades of grass on a spring day.

“You promised, right? That you’d make me happy.”

Rose tilted her chin as she looked at me.

Her eyes clung to me meaningfully.

It was like throwing oil onto a burning house.

Perhaps she had gotten caught up in the fire herself, as her face was flushed.

Why would she attack me so aggressively, even while being so embarrassed?

“Hey.”

As the standoff continued, Charlotte, seated next to us, suddenly interrupted Elize’s question.

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She looked up at me with her characteristic clear eyes.

The next moment.

“Do you really have to choose?”

“Your Highness?”

“Why can’t you just marry both?”

“...What?”

The bombshell dropped onto the dining table.

We had been talking just moments before, but now we were all stunned.

We needed to confirm if we had heard that correctly.

The room fell silent as Charlotte tilted her head, looking confused as though she didn’t understand why we were reacting this way.

“Why is everyone like this?”

Where should I even start pointing this out?

As the silence stretched on for a moment, Charlotte suddenly grabbed my sleeve.

She alternated her gaze between Elize and me, sitting beside her, then added:

“It’s unfair for Elize to have you all to herself.”

“W-Wait...?”

“It’s also unfair for me to have you all to myself. So marrying both of you will solve the problem.”

“I... I get what you mean... I think? But isn’t it too much to have two princesses marry someone?”

“Why?”

Her direct question left Elize speechless.

Charlotte, with a slightly sulky expression, spoke again.

“I don’t want to be divided by this.”

“...”

“Both Elize and Yuda... they’re everything to me. So this time, I won’t back down.”

Her short statement carried significant meaning.

The sister who had always been devoted to her younger sibling.

Now, she declared that she would not bend her will this time.

Having seen the sacrifices her older sister made, Elize had no choice but to lower her head.

But she only watched the situation with a confused look.

Charlotte smiled contentedly.

"Yuda."

Swish—

The blue eyes turn to look at me.

The girl has already come close enough.

She suddenly opens her arms, pulls me into an embrace, and unexpectedly brings our faces closer.

In an instant, her lips touch my cheek before pulling away.

Chup-.

A brief, sharp sound.

If it had been just a little off, our lips might have met.

The warm, sweet, and soft sensation lingers.

It all happened so suddenly that no one had time to react.

Everyone around us froze in shock.

"Success."

Whether she knew it or not, the person in question had a proud smile on her face.

"I’ve taken your innocence too. So, we all have to take responsibility for this."

"......"

I couldn’t find a response.

Did she even know what innocence meant?

As far as I knew, Charlotte was completely ignorant when it came to matters of sex.

Maybe it was due to her innocence, like the Little Prince, but she showed no interest in relationships between men and women.

‘In other words...’

A pure white blank slate.

She likely didn’t even know the process by which life was made.

The girl’s voice falls without any particular intention.

Of course.

"You know, Elize."

"U-uh...?"

"Wouldn’t it be good to have about five children?"

Pfft! Cough, cough...!

Elize, unable to hold back, coughs violently.

Her face was so red that it looked like steam would rise from her forehead.

Charlotte, not understanding her reaction, tilts her head in confusion.

It was truly a chaotic scene.

"......"

I lowered my head.

It was because of the intense gaze stabbing at me.

Valcaros was smiling with a deep, ominous energy.

"I never thought you’d seduce both of them."

"......"

"I suppose we’ll have to get along well from now on, Snakeus."

"Hahaha..."

It seemed that it wouldn’t be easy from here on out.

***

A peaceful, flowing daily life.

It had already been ten days since we had stayed in the Imperial Palace.

We were getting ready to return to the academy.

"Are you leaving?"

"I’m returning to my rightful place."

Valcaros spoke, seemingly regretful.

Of course, he didn’t force me to stay.

He knew that both I and his daughters had a place to return to.

However, as the one who would be left alone, he only offered a brief farewell.

The Emperor spoke.

"I owe you a great deal."

His eyes were calm.

As if recalling some past.

"My life was one where nothing was gained... the Empress, the children, the Empire, and in the end, even myself."

"But Your Majesty has always done your best, hasn’t you?"

"Well..."

He smiles as if it doesn’t matter.

With a heavy hand, Valcaros pats my shoulder a few times.

The weight resting on me carries some emotion.

What could it be?

"I have many things to say. There are many things I need to say."

But I didn’t ask any questions.

I only listened silently to his monologue.

"However, I’ll make it brief. Complaints like these are no fun."

"Thank you."

Those words fill the audience room.

It was a resonance full of value.

Beyond the clearly enunciated sentences, only a faint smile appeared.

The end I had once promised was surely something like this.

"You’ve saved the princesses, the Emperor, and even the Empire. I express my gratitude for all the mercy you’ve shown."

A shining moment.

"The Imperial family will always stand by your side."

A greeting, after all, contains vitality.

Whether it’s a greeting, a promise, or a thanks.

Even in the shallowest of words, there are moments when peace settles in.

I could truly feel that moment now.

"Please take good care of the children."

He extended his hand.

I didn’t hesitate and shook it.

With an unwavering determination reflected in my gesture.

"Gladly."

And with that, the farewell was complete.

Afterwards.

As I stepped out of the audience room, there stood the girl with silver and platinum hair waiting.

They, too, had gentle smiles on their faces.

I spoke.

"Shall we go back?"

"Yes. I’ve been waiting."

"It feels like it’s been a while."

Our home, where everyone would be waiting.

We walked without hesitation, one step after another.

[EP???. For Elize]

A lonely home, a rose wilting in winter -

A new story.

A new tomorrow.

And toward the academy.

***

Meanwhile.

In the rear of the Empire, another evil begins to stir.

A nightmare that had long been lying dormant.

"I never thought we’d be able to stop the ‘Saryong’ at the academy."

The shadow of doubt mutters while seated at the head of the table.

His face hidden under a veil of magic.

But through the heavy presence and the aligned officers beside him, it was clear he was the leader of the group.

A red, dark banner symbolizing the cult lay over the table.

The shadow sighs.

"My grandest plan has failed."

"I apologize."

"What responsibility do you have? This is all my fault."

"How do you plan to complete the unfulfilled task?"

"Well..."

The shadow, who had been speaking with his right-hand man, falls into thought for a moment before a sinister smile creeps up on his lips.

The magic that extends toward him crawls down his spine with an ominous shiver.

A dangerous presence.

"The Cathedral, and the academy... the fall of both is essential for the resurrection of [That One]."

Previously, there had been a painful defeat.

The long-awaited task failed, and even the death of one of the key figures, the Puppeteer.

However, the shadow thrives when light shines most brightly.

The shadow commands.

"We must prepare for the holy war."

"However, the cult’s staff are on high alert due to the last attack. It will be difficult to infiltrate without a good plan."

"Isn’t there a way?"

"A way, you say...?"

"The allies we made under [That One]’s name. Let’s move the reserves we’ve kept hidden."

"Who are you thinking of using?"

"Merchants, and the Vanity Duke family should be sufficient."

"I’ll send a letter soon."

Bow-.

The officer bows his head in respect.

The shadow adds one more thing.

"And one more thing."

"Speak."

"I heard that the twins from the Vanity Duke family are studying at the academy."

"Yes. The sister is Emilia Vanity, and the brother is Lusca Vanity."

"Good... Looks like the young sacrifices will finally be useful."

"Who do you intend to use as a representative for the task?"

"The younger one will be more convenient to use."

"I’ll have the elders prepare for Lusca."

"Good."

The story unfolds like a puzzle.

The world was now on the verge of true chaos.