第２６１堀：勝敗は決した。色んな意味で。 (Part1)
**Chapter 261: The Outcome is Decided. In More Ways Than One.**
The outcome is decided. In more ways than one.
**Side: Seraria**
"Honestly, my husband is such a handful."
"Indeed, he truly is."
"For better or worse, he always tries to handle everything on his own with the current forces available."
"He’s so capable that he actually manages to pull it off, which is what makes him so troublesome."
I was having a leisurely chat with Eris. Naturally, the topic was my husband.
"Cleena is actually quite lucky this time. If Ria hadn't brought her to us and introduced her, she would have been cast aside, wouldn't she? We really should be holding onto such talented individuals."
"I suppose Yuki-san doesn't want to increase the number of his wives for reasons like that."
"Just the fact that he’s bringing young women into his group is bad enough as it is. Most people would assume they’ve already been 'taken' by him."
"That’s true."
"If it were a male collaborator, it would be one thing, but telling a woman to just follow him under 'designated protection' is irresponsible. You remember Jessica, don't you? He brought her into the group and then just left her to her own devices. Jessica was barely managing just to understand and maintain the status quo."
"If things had continued that way, she would have aged away before she knew it."
"It’s a good thing we stepped in and saw her married off. If we hadn't, Jessica’s life as a woman would have been completely wasted."
"Yuki-san places such high importance on love and marriage, after all."
"Sigh. His romanticism is a hindrance here. By the time someone is dragged into our circle, they can no longer live a normal life, so in a sense, he *is* taking responsibility. Besides, I wouldn't allow a marriage to a wife who couldn't be useful."
"Naturally."
"Cleena’s position isn't that strong yet, but I allowed the marriage because I saw her thirst for knowledge regarding magic and her resolve to never betray my husband. That goes for you too, doesn't it, Eris?"
"Yes. If she were just some small-timer attracted to Yuki-san’s power or wealth, I would have turned her away."
"It would be a death sentence. Anyone who looks at my husband like he’s prey... The naive idea that 'designated protection' is enough is also unacceptable. If that protection were ever revoked and they defected, it would be a disaster. Love combined with designated protection—that double-layer is the best."
Collars should be applied in multiple layers. Well, we ourselves don't think of them as collars, of course.
"When dealing with powerful figures, marriage is the best option. Especially in Samantha's case."
"Yes. It’s easy to imagine why someone might defect. People like Mauve or Zargis have almost no benefit in turning against him, but powerful people will always find a reason to make my husband their enemy. More than that, just applying designated protection and leaving them be is bad when it comes to women. Especially in aristocratic society; people might say he took her as a mistress and then treated her poorly. That could be used against him, leading to troublesome situations."
"The Weed continent is solidified by the former princesses surrounding him, so there’s no issue there, but here in the New Continent, it’s only Jessica."
"Exactly, that’s the problem. Since our influence doesn't hold as much sway here, my husband could be approached by strange women and used as prey. Samantha is the perfect shield against that, isn't she?"
"Her family is the Duke of Roday, so she has a respectable name. And above all, her personality is straightforward; she’s quite likable. If Yuki-san disliked her, I wouldn't force the marriage, but..."
"...From what I’ve heard, I think Samantha is in love with my husband. What do you think, Eris? You’ve seen her in person, haven't you?"
"She is in love. If Yuki-san told her to open her legs, I think she would do so gladly."
"...That much?"
"That much."
"Then, since she understands his feelings and there’s no fear of betrayal—and conveniently, she’s the Roday connection we need—it’s a perfect marriage. Yet, that husband of mine..."
"Indeed. Well, we’ve threatened him to confess this time, and Samantha won't refuse, so it should be fine."
"I suppose so."
We’ve said that much to him; surely he won't be a coward about it.
"By the way, what do you think about Principal Popuri and Vice Principal Lara?"
"Hmm, those two wouldn't complain about the marriage itself, but it feels more like a duty to them. If we married those two to my husband, he would never marry anyone other than us again, I’m sure. A marriage without love is like sitting on a bed of needles, and it would be painful for us to watch, too."
"That’s true. But then again, I do feel happy when they depend on us like that..."
"Ah, I understand that. I always want to drown my husband in our love and our bodies. Besides, given the results so far, I don't think Luna would complain even if we spent our days in debauchery."
"Well, there’s the situation in Weed and here as well, so that’s a story for the distant future."
"True. By the time that comes, the children will be grown, and we can dump all the Weed-related work on them and just relax with my husband..."
Just as Eris and I drifted away from the topic of marriage, Tori entered the room.
"Eris, do you have a moment?"
"What is it?"
"Tori?"
"Oh, Seraria is here too. Perfect. Just a moment ago, Sasari-san and Samantha’s attendant visited..."
From Tori, we heard that Samantha was deeply in love, and that they had stopped Samantha from confessing so that we could witness Yuki’s confession instead.
"Well done!!"
I couldn't help but shout. This was a rare scene, after all. To be able to see that heart-melting confession—the kind we had before our own weddings—it’s something to drool over.
"Indeed. Yuki-san also said that marriage and confessions are things a man should initiate."
"Yes, he certainly did. See, he’s honoring my husband's will, so this isn't just for our entertainment. We are setting the stage for my husband to show his masculine side!! Contact everyone else. Preparations are complete; those who can move, prepare the recording equipment!!"
"Yes, understood."
"Um, I have a meeting with Samantha after class today to explain the 'confession from Yuki-san' thing, but what should everyone else do?"
"I’ll participate in that too. It’s a good situation to gauge Samantha’s character."
"That’s true. I don't think there will be any problems, but it’s better for everyone else to meet her as well."
"Oh, Tori. Tell my husband he doesn't need to confess today. Well, I don't think he’d confess on the spot anyway."
He wouldn't say it until right before they depart the day after tomorrow, anyway.
"Understood. I’ll tell Yuki-san that."
Tori said this and immediately left the room.
This has become interesting. Since things have been so busy, a little entertainment like this is fine, isn't it? I want to see my husband’s cool side as many times as I can.
Well, there’s still time until I meet Samantha, so I’ll take care of the children and finish my work...
...And as I started tending to the children and working, time flew by, and the time to meet Samantha was fast approaching.
"Oh my, look at the time. Sakura, Mommy is going to go meet a new mommy."
"Au?"
"Her chest seems quite large, so you might be able to have plenty to drink."
"Ai!!"
Oh, Sakura is just so cute. I want to take her with me and show off how adorable she is. But that would be dangerous, and it’s not possible. I have no choice but to leave Sakura with Kirue.
"Kirue, I leave Sakura and the other children to you."
"Yes, leave it to me. Please judge Samantha-sama in my stead."
"Leave it to me."