The banquet for the Northern and Western Margraves had a slightly different character from the banquets usually held. This was because Leone wanted to treat them as heroes of the country’s salvation. Although he was a hero for saving the country, Leone thought of this banquet as a prelude to keeping his promise to treat the frontier well. The two margraves were given the privilege of appearing right in front of the prince, and were saluted by a line of imperial knights as they entered. After Leone and the Emperor’s entrance, they were scheduled to come right over and say hello in front of everyone. It was truly a hero treatment. Was that all? She even had the honor of sitting at the head table, one seat lower, right below Leone. So it was going to be a very fancy banquet. At a banquet attended by the Emperor and hosted by the prince, heroes are present.
Okay. This was a truly important banquet.
“You know how important today’s banquet is, Leone?”
Early in the morning, when she opened her eyes, what came to see her was a bunch of dresses and maids. When she asked what was going on, His Highness told them that she was his partner at today’s banquet. So she ran straight to Leone’s room. He greeted her with a somewhat nervous expression.
“Yes, I know.”
However, contrary to his nervous face, his tone of voice was calm.
“You’re taking me to that important banquet? Attention will be drawn here. And with very vicious interest! Someone will recognize me, and even if they don’t, I… Anyway, I can’t do it, Leone. The banquet will be a mess. How harsh people’s eyes are!”
She wondered if this was because she got angry two days ago and cursed at the class system a lot. Even if Leone proudly took her away, nothing would change.
“If it’s because of the caste system, I’ve adapted now and it’s okay. What, a day or two? I’m fine as long as you refrain from dancing and talking with the ladies. Really.”
The words poured out like rapid fire. He just listened to her. He didn’t answer, just looked at her as if he was thinking about something. How long has it been like that? As she was about to press for an answer out of frustration, Leone opened his mouth and called out to her.
“Trixie.”
“Huh.”
“I would like to give you the title of Duke, but it would stand out too much, so I bought you the title of Baron. They said women can’t get a title, so I chose the right person and made it possible for you to get the title. I put this off to get your permission, but it can be done as soon as you say yes.”
“…huh?”
Suddenly, she had no idea what was going on. She stood there dumbfounded and continued listening to Leone continue.
“If Trixie wants to attend the banquet with me, I will introduce you there as Baron Hermann’s first wife’s daughter
“…”
“Even if anyone realized that you were the third daughter of the Giuseppe family, you already possessed that title. Besides, if I introduce you like that, you’ll have to keep your mouth shut.”
“Uh…”
“If you’re worried about your parents finding out, that’s okay too. I warned them. It would be better to just pretend not to know and live like now.”
So, did he ask about her parents? She was dumbfounded.
“Then I, Baron… Do you mean the daughter of the family?”
She stopped wandering and finally came to her senses.
“Huh.”
According to Leone’s words… Identity has been resolved. In the past, even if she had bought an identity, she would have spent her days worrying about whether anyone would recognize her. No, she might have been more worried that becoming a Baron and becoming involved with Leone would spread strange rumors and make him a target. But she didn’t have to do that now. Now that her rivals or threats were eliminated, there were no jerks rushing to bite Leone. No matter what absurd story Leone told, most people would think so.
She finally succeeded in understanding what he said.
“Therefore. I’m doing all this because I want to go to the banquet with you…”
“Huh.”
Leone took a step toward her. The strides were so long that even though it was just one step, it got closer.
“I just kept it a secret because I wanted to surprise you a little. I think I surprised you too much. Sorry.”
He apologized in a calm voice, carefully examining her expression.
“I just wanted to dance with you.”
“…ah.”
“Let’s stand side by side and watch the fireworks together.”
Leone’s hand tucks her flowing hair behind her ear. His heart was conveyed. Was he excited to prepare them one by one and show them to them?
“…thank you.”
Lately, emotions came rushing in like waves. She was grateful, it was heartbreaking, it was cute, and it was fun.
“When did you prepare everything?”
“I kept watching. Three days ago.”
“So, is that why you asked me about my parents that day?”
“Hmm. It just so happened… Sorry.”
“No. Haha.”
She chatted with Leone. For no reason she wanted to hug his waist. Her slim waist compared to his broad chest was wrapped around his arm. She liked how warm Leone’s arms were.
“So, what do you think about Trixie?”
“Huh?”
“If you go, it’s definitely going to be a little difficult because you’ll get a lot of attention. Still, I will be by your side. As long as Trixie says yes, I think we should go straight to the Baron to enroll you and start preparing for the banquet.”
“Ah…”
There was nothing to dislike. It was much better to endure the stares of other ladies than to be stared at.
“Good. I’d like to go to the banquet.”
“Really?”
“Huh! I want to dance with you too. Ah. But I don’t know how to dance.”
“You can just sit still and talk. I’m just happy that you’re standing next to me, not behind me.”
“…huh. OK.”
Obviously, it’s all good. So, she had to answer with peace of mind, but for some reason, bitterness clung to the taste of her answer. In the end, although she was called by the great nickname of the prince’s benefactor, she couldn’t receive a title, and the best she could get was to be the daughter of an unknown man and be called ‘the baron’s daughter.’ Reality felt bitter. And it was only through this that she was able to dream of marrying Leone. Even though she had been through a lot, the irrationality of this world still felt bitter to her.
“Whew. Thank god.”
“You’re nervous, Leone. I should have answered quickly, but I just made a pointless joke.”
In response to Leone’s long sigh, she playfully spit out words of self-reproach. Leone cupped the back of her head with his big hand and buried it in her arms.
“Because I did it my way. I was excited while preparing, but when I thought about asking Trixie properly…”
She could hear the agony in Leone’s voice as he swallowed his words.
“Haha. I’m thankful that you have a beautiful heart. When did you get the title?”
“I commissioned it from Verbena.”
“Just those people… Establish an intelligence department.”
“Hmm, think about it.”
“Haha. Come to think of it… I can now marry Leone.”
“Oh, that.”
Leone dropped her and faced her.
“I almost forgot the most important thing. Trixie. Everything I prepared today is a temporary solution.”
“…huh?”
“Everything I prepared for today is not a fundamental solution. I just prepared it because I wanted to go into the banquet hall with you.”
Today Leone embarrassed her so much. Who in the world would go so far as to buy a title for their partner? It’s not like they’re selling it at some small local store.
“The more I think about it, the more I dislike imperial law. That women cannot receive titles at all, that there is no marriage system, or that there is no divorce system. Titles are also too important. I don’t like it.”
She agreed with every detail, but she had no idea what he was trying to say. Even if he didn’t like it, what could he do? If you change all these laws, you might end up thinking that it would be better for the empire to just disappear.
‘No way, trying to destroy the empire… I guess not?’
“But it just so happened that His Majesty said he would hand over the throne to me early.”
“What? Normally, it only comes after you pass away!”
“So, it worked out just fine.”
He seemed somehow happy. Although he said he had improved a lot, Leone still hated humans. To be the Emperor at such a time… It may be that they were trying to bring about the fall of the real empire. Since he was the one who would become the Emperor, wouldn’t it end if he declares that the empire was ruined and abandons the throne? It got really ominous. really? Was this really the destruction route? Have he finally gotten through it all?
“Le, Leone! No matter what, it cannot be destroyed. Still, find a suitable monarch, break the empire up because it’s too big, or create laws to punish strange people! If we get rid of everything, we’ll be in big trouble!”
“What are you talking about, Trixie…”
Leone looked at her with a puzzled expression. It felt unfair. No, it’s her who was absurd…
“I don’t like the whole empire, but becoming Emperor… Just in case…”
He looked her in the eye as he spoke hesitantly and smiled softly. It was a sweet and refreshing smile. It was also a smile that would have been better seen when Leone was not thinking that it might bring about the fall of the empire.
“It’s not destruction.”
“What are you… What are you trying to do…?”
With that smile, she asked in a serious voice.
“I was wondering what it would be like to eliminate the existence of the imperial family.”
“…”
“Recently, I heard news from the continent next door, that they abolished the royal family and titles, handed over sovereignty to the people, and elected several representatives to form a parliament.”
That, no way. republic? It was only mentioned very lightly in the original novel. The hostess, Layla, was looking at the international situation and said, ‘They say a republic has been created.’ Her eyes widened as the concept she had thought was far from this empire came out of Leone’s mouth.
“I think it’s worth a try. I didn’t think about it because I was busy fighting for the Archduke, but I don’t think I have any desire to become Emperor. To rule over humans. No matter how much I feel at ease, it doesn’t suit me. I don’t really like the concept of ruling.”
“Why- why?”
“A leader should lead, but not force. When I lived with my family, no one persecuted each other for being weak, and if there were differences of opinion, they were resolved by majority vote. In my view, humans are living too irrationally.”
“That… I also agree… to do.”
She never thought the kid would be this radical. She was more entranced than before.
“Just what Trixie went through. I wanted to fundamentally resolve everything.”
“…Leone.”
“And then.”
Leone smiled prettily and patted her shoulder.
“Even if Trixie marries me, she doesn’t have to become Empress. Good news, right?”
‘No way… Was he doing this because I don’t like being an Empress?’
His satisfied face aroused reasonable suspicion.
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
I don’t want to talk bad about the plot but… to think those changes can be done in a country in less that one generation without serious problems inside and outside the country during and after the changes… It’s the real fantasy of this novel.
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
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