ㅤChapter 49
ㅤHaving successfully visited the fourth town, only one location remained on their itinerary.
ㅤHowever, the group continued northeast and had almost returned to the Imperial Capital. Ruby gazed longingly at the Imperial Palace visible in the distance, then returned her gaze to the carriage, looking down at the map spread across her lap.
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ㅤ”The last stop is Crimguard Fortress…… right? On the map, it’s marked as an enclave beyond the Imperial Capital……”
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ㅤTheodore, sitting opposite her, nodded.
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ㅤ”Crimguard Fortress is located very close to the Underworld. It’s in the deepest part of the Demon Forest, so it doesn’t fit on the map. Since ordinary people rarely visit the fortress, there’s no need to show its exact location.”
ㅤ”So it’s not a town?”
ㅤ”No. But it’s a more important place than anywhere else in this country. As Empress, I want you to know about it.”
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ㅤTheodore explained that it was the frontline against the Underworld, which threatened this world. He said that the conditions there were the harshest and most severe in the Langley Empire.
ㅤSince the inspection also included the delivery of supplies, the group met up with a messenger carriage at the Knight Order Garrison on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital. Prime Minister Arnold was there.
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ㅤ”Your Majesty! Princess Ruby! It’s been a while! I’m not surprised that the muscle-brained Majesty is doing well, but I’m relieved to see that Princess Ruby and your Creatures Under One’s Care are also in good health!”
ㅤ”What’s that supposed to mean? I’m your superior, you know?”
ㅤ”You never sat at your desk until the previous Emperor passed away. You’re more suited to physical activity than paperwork, aren’t you?”
ㅤ”Your nasty personality is getting worse. You must have had too much free time. As a special favor to my childhood friend, I’ll increase your workload.”
ㅤ”Women dislike men who act childishly.”
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ㅤTheodore flinched and remembered Ruby’s presence. He nervously turned to her, and she smiled brightly.
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ㅤ”Fufu. You two really are close! Ah, please don’t worry. I always love Your Majesty. I would never dislike you.”
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ㅤTheodore and Arnold were struck by her words like a bolt of lightning. Arnold was the first to recover.
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ㅤ”Um, Princess Ruby. Did you just say you love this muscle-brained, stubborn Majesty?”
ㅤ”Eh? Yes. I’ve always felt that way……”
ㅤ”Oh, dear God…… Spring has finally come for His Majesty……!”
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ㅤRuby simply meant that she loved him 『as a person』, but Arnold mistakenly believed that their relationship had developed into a romantic one.
ㅤHe was deeply moved, thinking that traveling does indeed bring people closer together. He hurriedly whispered something to a nearby subordinate and quickly returned.
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ㅤ”Your Majesty, let’s stay at this garrison tonight. I’d like to hear your report, and everyone needs to rest…….Hey, Your Majesty, are you listening?”
ㅤ”—Ah, yes. Sorry. What’s wrong?”
ㅤ”Your face is bright red? You don’t look like a twenty-four-year-old adult at all…… I suggested that we stay here tonight.”
ㅤ”We have time in our schedule. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
ㅤ”Is that alright with you, Princess Ruby?”
ㅤ”Yes, I don’t mind at all.”
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ㅤThus, the group decided to stay the night there.
ㅤRelieved to be back in the Imperial Capital, Ruby and her Creatures Under One’s Care borrowed the garrison’s training grounds to exercise freely.
ㅤTheodore shared the events of their journey with Arnold. He had been reporting the general details via express messenger, but after learning the details — mainly about Ruby’s abilities — Arnold was deeply impressed, saying, “She’s the savior of our country!”
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ㅤ”—Well, well, Your Majesty, you’ve done it. I was worried about what would happen when you left on your journey, but to come back in love is beyond my imagination. Now that you’re a married couple in name and reality, you have nothing to worry about.”
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ㅤIn a certain room of the garrison, Arnold, having finished his serious discussion, beamed with a mixture of teasing and joy.
ㅤHowever, Theodore averted his gaze with an awkward expression.
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ㅤ”Huh, Your Majesty? Aren’t you happy?”
ㅤ”……We’re not in love. Princess Ruby just isn’t thinking about anything.”
ㅤ”……Huh?”
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ㅤArnold’s expression instantly transformed into something akin to a demon mask. He slowly sat back in his chair, plastered on a smile, clasped his hands under his chin, and pressed his superior for answers.
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ㅤ”Didn’t she just say she loved you?”
ㅤ”Probably…… as a person.”
ㅤ”You love Princess Ruby, don’t you?”
ㅤ”……Yes.”
ㅤ”Did you tell her that properly? That you love her or something?”
ㅤ”I don’t think I said it clearly……”
ㅤ”You spineless Emperor!”
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ㅤHaving cursed, Arnold accurately grasped the situation.
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ㅤ”Princess Ruby is, in a good way, too insensitive. Your feelings haven’t reached her.”
ㅤ”No…… I tried to express them in my words and actions.”
ㅤ”No excuses.”
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ㅤHe sharply rebuked Theodore, glaring at him as if he wanted to shoot him dead.
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ㅤ”Tonight. Tonight, I’ll arrange for you and Princess Ruby to share a room, so confess your feelings. Of course, if things go well, I’d like you to share a bed, but I feel bad for the Princess in this bleak Knight Order Garrison, so that can wait until you return to the Imperial Palace. Anyway, make sure you tell her how you feel.”
ㅤ”Well, that’s…… a bit sudden, isn’t it?”
ㅤ”Sudden? She’s your wife. From the beginning!”
ㅤ”A-Alright, calm down.”
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ㅤTheodore decided to keep his mouth shut, fearing that Arnold would turn into the Demon King if he argued any further. After all, everything Arnold was saying was fundamentally correct.
ㅤAfter being lectured for another hour, he was finally released. Looking at Ruby and the others playing boisterously in the training grounds visible from the window, he gently pressed his hand against his increasingly erratic heart.