第２６１堀：勝敗は決した。色んな意味で。 (Part2)
I used teleportation to reach the academy room, where Samantha had already arrived. She was bowing her head repeatedly to the other wives.
Just as the rumors suggested, she certainly knows how to mind her manners.
Upon spotting me, Samantha brought her attendant forward, knelt, and bowed before me.
"Oh? What's the matter?"
"C-could you be Lady Seraria?"
Hmm?
This reaction—did someone tell her about my position?
"Yes, that’s right. Did you perhaps hear who I am?"
"Y-yes. That you are the Queen of a certain nation."
"I see. And? Knowing my status and power, do you still desire my husband?"
"No, I wish to serve Yuki-sama. I have no intention of getting in Lady Seraria's way. That is why, if you would only allow me to stay by Yuki-sama's side..."
"I don't want to hear such formal platitudes, Samantha. Do you love my husband?"
I unleashed my killing intent, intimidating Samantha and her attendant.
Now, how will she respond?
If she cowers and retreats here, she’s beneath Cleena and has no place with my husband. The others around us seemed to understand as well, silently watching how the situation would unfold.
Samantha trembled ever so slightly, and then her voice rang out clearly through the room.
"I love him!! I would gladly throw away this life if it were for his sake!! Please, I beg you, add me to the very end of your line!! Please!!"
"You might be told to sever your ties with Roday, you know?"
"I am fully aware of that. I saw a future in Yuki-sama. I am certain that with him, I can go anywhere."
Ah, I see.
I finally understand why I felt drawn to Samantha.
"Fufu."
"?"
A laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it. Seeing that, Samantha tilted her head in confusion.
"Forgive me. I am not mocking you. You see, there was once a woman who saw a similar future in my husband and followed him. A woman who threw away her position as a princess to follow a man who looked like he could shatter the stagnation and anxiety she had lived with until then."
Yes, there was such a woman.
Though she was a princess, she swung a sword, desperately trying to find a way to protect her country. But her efforts were in vain, and the nation continued to tilt toward ruin.
That was when a strange man appeared.
In the blink of an eye, he solved problems using methods that woman could never have imagined.
And so, she wanted to see the future that man would create.
As a result, she ended up the Queen of a small nation that now possesses influence and wealth second to none, even rivaling the great powers.
"Could that be..."
Samantha must have realized it.
That the woman was me.
Well, there is no need for further debate now that we have reached this point.
"Yes, it is me. And Samantha, I acknowledge your marriage. I guarantee that your eye for men is not mistaken."
"Th-thank you very much!! Then, as I declared, I will first sever my ties with my house..."
"That is fine. My husband needs lateral connections right now. You aren't the type of person who wouldn't understand that, are you?"
"Yes... However, will someone in my position be of any use?"
"No, on the contrary, you are absolutely necessary to him."
"Me...? I don't have magic as exceptional as Cleena's. I don't have the bloodline of the Zilba or Enaria royalty like Yuki-sama, nor am I a wife of Lady Seraria..."
"I think you will understand what I mean by what I am about to tell you. But once you hear this, there is no turning back. You cannot pretend you never heard it. Are you prepared?"
"I do not need to be asked that again!! I will follow Yuki-sama to the very end!!"
"That resolve is commendable."
Having confirmed Samantha's resolve, I briefly explained the circumstances thus far and the crisis looming over Roday.
Well, a full explanation would take at least a month, after all.
"...And so, the former hero. The Holy Sword User is trying to destroy Roday—no, all of humanity."
"...I see. So Yuki-sama was carrying such an endless mission on his shoulders."
"...I understand. That is why my position is necessary, then."
"So, will you cooperate with us?"
"Yes. With pleasure. Or rather, I have no words to express my gratitude for you acting on behalf of my homeland."
"...However, in this situation, is it really appropriate to wait for a confession from Yuki-sama?"
"Th-that is true. Should I confess to him myself and beg him to keep me by his side?"
"Ah, no, that won't do. My husband believes that men should lead women. You should learn to support him, too. Well, we are already preparing for departure, so don't worry too much."
"I understand. I will try to become a wife worthy of Yuki-sama!!"
"Fufu, I have high expectations. Oh, come to think of it, what will you do, Sasari? Will you marry Yuki, like Kirue?"
"No, I must decline."
"Eh, Sasari!? L-Lady Seraria, I am so sorry. She usually isn't like this...!"
Oh, how rare.
To decline without being intimidated—does she have someone else in mind?
"I am very grateful for your kind offer. However, I feel that Yuki-sama and I are not a good match."
"Why is that?"
"Well, I find myself drawn to men who are a bit... hopeless. Yuki-sama is, well, he is just too perfect..."
" " "Ah..." " "