“If you don’t mind, please allow us to join you. It’ll save you the trouble of providing escorts. I apologize, but we shall be burdening you until the departure.”

Her mother was surprised at Hadith’s offer.

“Are you sure? There’s nothing here, you might get bored.”

“Actually, I’d like to see where she grew up.”

Hadith chuckled.

…For a moment, the surroundings became mesmerized, but later Jill started fidgeting.

After all, something embarrassing had been revealed…

“I apologize for the trouble, but I’d appreciate it if you’d allow us to stay. First of all, I’d like to introduce myself both to Jill’s parents and her people. Not as the emperor—but as a suitor, or rather, a son-in-law.”

“Hm…” Her father’s plump body shook.

“That’s… If His Majesty the Emperor says it’s fine, then it’s alright. What do you think, Charlotte?”

Her mother gently tilted her head.

“I’d be delighted to welcome such an admirable person as my son-in-law, but I wonder if that’s okay…”

“Of course, Mother-in-Law.”

Charlotte blushed at his polite words.

“This is wonderful! I can’t imagine such a refined and nice gentleman is my son-in-law! Don’t you think so too, Dear?”

“Y-yes, if you say so… Still, are you being serious?”

“Yes, I’ve decided to kneel to my wife.”

After sneaking a glance at Hadith, Jill hurriedly averted her gaze. She’d been completely embarrassed for some time, now—it was so much that she couldn’t even afford to look at her parents’ faces.

“In that case, please stay with us until we depart for the mansion at the foot of the mountain.”

Originally, the Rave Empire requested that Hadith and Jill get married and create an engagement contract. As for the meeting place, it was supposed to take place at the mansion at the foot of the Rakia Mountains instead of the Saber family’s main residence.

Since the main unit carrying souvenirs was also headed there, it’d be better if they started over.

Hadith smiled.

“Thank you. Let’s save the formal talk for later.”

Jill, who was still looking down, suddenly felt nervous when her parents smiled.

However, Hadith’s next words stunned her.

“If you don’t mind, I’d be grateful if you could tell me about her childhood.”

“Wait, what—!?”

“Oh my, then leave it to me.”

Upon seeing the glint in her mother’s eyes, she got worried.

“I’m truly glad. I can’t believe Jill brought such a nice gentleman. Moreover, he was the one who courted you. Good for Jill, isn’t it, Dear?”

“Y-yes. Although, I think it’s a bit too early to decide that. Besides, there’s an age difference…”

“But Dear, didn’t you say something similar when Jill declared her intention to marry our cook?”

“Mother!”

Next to Jill, who went pale, Hadith showed a blinding smile…

“…Heh, a cook. How cute, I’m so jealous.”

“Y-Your Majesty, it’s a story from when I was still a child.”

“But aren’t you still a child?”

…Her mother said something unnecessary again.

Even though Hadith was smiling, his eyes weren’t.

“I agree. How many years ago was that? Please give me the details.”

“Y-y-y-y-y-Your Majesty!? Would you like me to show you around the mansion and the outside? Pretty please!?”

As she frantically tugged the hem of Hadith’s garments, he turned to her.

“Then, I’d like to see your room.”

“Eh…”

She froze—but for an entirely different reason this time.

With absolute confidence, she could say—she despised cleaning.

Well, the servants probably cleaned her room during the time she was away, but was it really alright?

“Eh, erm, it’s messy…”

“Or maybe, there’s something you want to hide from me? Something’s related to a certain cook in the past?”

“T-there’s nothing like that! I’m just embarrassed…”

“Jill, don’t try to deceive me. I won’t fall for that.”

“Huh!?”

Hadith stated firmly to the shocked Jill.

“How many times do you think I’ve cleaned up for you? Why are you still embarrassed about it?”

Is that something you should say before my parents?

Her father was skeptical, while her mother was curiously watching as if it were some kind of performance.

—Thus, after her dignity as a maiden was trampled…

“T-that’s because Your Majesty refuses to release me from morning till night!”

“W-wait, what are you saying in front of your parents!? They might misunderstand!?”

“I’m only stating the truth! Your Majesty, you’re an idiot!”

Her parents’ house was full of mines.

But she only realized that after she’d detonated them over and over again to the point of desecrating the land.

---

***T/N: Jill and Hadith out of pocket.

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