第８８５堀：お嫁さんにくださいな。 (Part1)
Chapter 885: Please, Let Me Be Your Bride.
Side: Jessica
Today, I am not standing in this meeting as a knight, but as a woman.
The reason is simple...
"King Zilba. I’m taking Jessica as my bride."
"What is this, all of a sudden? Or rather, are you formally requesting it?"
That’s right. We are here to formally announce that Yuki has taken me as his wife. And it isn't just me...
"That’s the gist of it. Of course, King Roday, King August, and Holy King Enaria, I am taking Samantha, Cleena, and Agil as well. Or rather, I’ve already taken them."
"Oh? Take them, take them. Though, this is a bit late in the game, isn't it?"
"Indeed. Even though you are already married, I understand the reasoning behind making it official now."
"So, this is an opportunity to celebrate across the entire continent—no, across all three continents."
Naturally, Samantha, Cleena, and Agil are here as well.
Like me, they aren't in their usual guard attire; they are wearing dresses, each standing before the king of their respective homelands.
"I’m glad you understand. Now, first, give us your proper blessing for the marriage. Otherwise, we can’t exactly celebrate, can we?"
As Yuki said, we aren't just here to announce our marriages; we came to have them formally recognized by our kings. This will ensure that the world acknowledges our unions as legitimate and official.
"Indeed. Very well, I shall go first. Jessica, step forward."
"Yes! Ah—my apologies. Yes."
*Oh no, oh no.* I let my habit as a knight take over and responded to His Majesty’s voice with a soldier’s reflex.
"Hmph. Can’t shake the habits of being the aide to the Princess Knight, can you?"
"I apologize for showing you such an unsightly display."
"No, it is fine. It is precisely because you are that kind of person that you were able to become the partner of a man as exceptional as Yuki. By now, the achievements of Knight Jessica far surpass those of the Princess Knight, Marly."
"Thank you very much."
"To honor those achievements, and to ensure your status is fitting for a partner of Yuki-dono—I won't go as far as to give you a title like 'Princess' as the others might—I hereby appoint Knight Jessica as the Captain of my 5th Guard Division. And I recognize your marriage to Yuki-dono, the Weed Consort."
"Yes, sir!!"
I bow my head, offering a wry smile at how much my life has changed—and how much I’ve been promoted—all because of a single marriage. I wonder what kind of faces Marly-sama and Hivia would make if they heard this?
As I lift my head, I hear...
"In the end, you’re doing the same thing as us, aren't you? Enaria, August."
"Indeed, there is no difference."
"No, the fact that you went out of your way to say you 'wouldn't go that far' makes you even more devious than us."
"Shut up. Honestly, perhaps it would have been quieter if I had just taken your heads. Right, Jessica?"
King Zilba says this, seeking my opinion—no, my agreement. As a subject, I should agree... but even as a subject, in this instance...
"No, Your Majesty. If you were to do such a thing, as Yuki’s wife and a member of the Intercontinental Alliance, I would have to stop you. Besides, there would be no profit in it, would there?"
"Exactly as you say. It would be pointless to leave the country in ruins just for the sake of a little silence. Hmph, if you can keep Yuki under your thumb like that, our country will be secure."
I see. So he wants me to be assertive and take the lead?
Though, I have already decided to support Yuki... well, there’s no need to say that out loud here.
My marriage permit has been granted, and now Samantha is stepping forward.
"Samantha. I permit your marriage. Go ahead and be with Yuki, make lots of children, and bring back the secret recipe for ramen while you're at it!"
"Your Majesty!!"
...Ah, yes. King Roday was always that kind of person. In a way, he is a much bigger figure than King Zilba.
"What? At your age, you haven't been with Yuki yet? Are you impotent?"
"That is absolutely not the case!! We are very intimate!!"
"I see, that’s good then. Ah, and to compete with Zilba... regarding your status... hmm, do you need a royal title?"
"We don't need one!! What are you thinking?!"
"Don't give me any more work!"
Yuki can't help but chime in. It’s true; managing Weed is already a full-time job, and governing Roday would be impossible. However, as Yuki says this, he seems to have an idea, a wicked smile spreading across his face.
"Oh, that’s actually a good idea. In that case, I’ll use my authority as a ruler to assign that royal named Blade to handle the administrative work. 24 hours a day, no breaks."
"Fine! Let’s drop the talk about handing over the throne!!"
What a complete turnabout. Does he really hate working that much? He’s quite different from King Zilba in that regard.
"Oh, right. Zilba, didn't you say earlier that you wanted a country?"
"I said I wanted your head. I have no need for the free-spirited country you govern. And even if I wanted to take your head, I have no interest in taking care of your mess. I’d make you work until you die, just like Yuki-dono."
"That’s harsh!?"
King Zilba doesn't seem to be as aggressive toward King Roday for some reason, engaging in a back-and-forth that feels almost like old friends. Perhaps something happened between them in the past.
While they were busy with their comedy routine...
"Cleena, I recognize your marriage. It’s a bit late, but I apologize for the trouble I’ve caused you."
"Hmm. When you used me as a political tool and hindered Yuki, I truly thought I shouldn't have saved you."
"Hmph. I hear from Inis that you speak your mind quite honestly."
"Hmm. I am Yuki’s wife. It is only natural that Yuki is more important."
"Fair enough. I will bring Feigel on the day of the ceremony."
"Thank you."
Cleena is as blunt as ever. I was a little worried, but King August didn't take offense and just laughed it off. More than anything, Cleena looks happy that old man Feigel will be attending the wedding, a genuine smile on her face.
And so, only one remains.
"And so, Your Majesty, I—the one you called short, flat-chested, and devoid of feminine charm—am going to be Yuki’s bride."
"...W-what are you saying, Agil? I believe you were chosen by Yuki-dono precisely because I have never seen a beauty such as you."
Agil said that with a beaming smile, dripping with venom.
Holy King Enaria, unable to hide his agitation, scrambled to make excuses. Well, if he were to accidentally agree with Agil, he’d be calling Yuki a lolicon pervert. He had no choice but to counter by calling Agil a beauty. Still, it sounded like nothing more than a desperate cover-up.
I wondered how he would get out of this, when...
"That’s right. Agil is a beauty, after all."
Yuki said this, casually patting Agil on the head.
"...Hey, Yuki."
"What’s wrong, Agil? Weren't you a beauty?"
"Haah... I see. That’s right. I am a peerless beauty."
Agil couldn't argue, because if she did, she would be admitting to being a child with a flat chest. She had no choice but to go along with Yuki’s lead.