“Lady Jill seems to be in good health as well.”

Jill was too shocked to respond. Suddenly, a large palm was placed on her back. It was Hadith’s.

When she turned to look at him, Hadith winked. His mischievous demeanor reassured her.

“Thank you for coming all the way here, Your Highness Geraldo.”

Hadith smiled calmly, showing no signs of turmoil.

From the moment they reached the mansion at the foot of the mountain, he had already assumed the role of an emperor.

“Might I ask you to show us to our rooms, Count Saber? Both my wife and I are tired from our long journey.”

Her family was unfazed by his shift in demeanor. Soon, her father stood up, acting as if he had only just met Hadith.

“Of course. I have arranged for a room, so allow my son to guide you. Rick, escort the emperor to his room. Jill, you know the way to your room, yes?”

“I-I’ll be sharing a room with His Majesty!”

Jill hurriedly spoke in panic. Since the main force still hadn’t reached the mansion, Jill was Hadith’s only escort.

“No, Jill. A girl of your age shouldn’t be spending the night with a man.”

However, her mother rejected the idea. What she said was sensible, but Jill didn’t feel like taking it at face value.

“But His Majesty has no escort.”

“…There is no need for alarm. I didn’t come to make trouble, Lady Jill.”

Somewhat hesitated, Geraldo spoke. But when Jill looked up, he turned to look at her mother, as if avoiding eye contact.

“Mrs. Charlotte, I understand that you’re worried about your daughter and the emperor, but why don’t you let her be? At the very least, until the main force of the Rave Empire arrives.”

Geraldo had supported her. Staring alternately between the dumfounded Jill and the calm Geraldo, her mother sighed.

“If His Highness Geraldo will go that far…”

“—Nevertheless, Your Majesty the Emperor, can you give me a moment of your time? Before I stamp the engagement contract with the national seal, would you please confirm the contents and carefully examine the procedures?”

“The national seal? You?”

Geraldo nodded firmly to Hadith, who seemed skeptical.

“I’m the deputy of King Kratos. I’ll be overseeing your engagement and marriage. After all, His Majesty is a busy time. If you’re against the idea, you’re free to wait.”

By ‘His Majesty’, Geraldo must had been referring to Rufus—the infamous Southern King who indulged in debauchery and pleasure while delegating all his political affairs to his son.

Also, what he just said wasn’t a joke. Rufus coming out would be troublesome.

“I don’t mind, but what’s with the change of mind?”

“This is and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to end our long-standing conflict.”

“That’s right. But after everything that has happened, it’s difficult to believe that you’d suddenly come around.”

Although he said it with a friendly tone, Hadith was goading him. However, Geraldo remained unfazed.

“Honestly, I can say the same. I wouldn’t have considered peace if it wasn’t for the Southern King.”

Ah—Jill murmured. The reason she could understand it was because she saw what happened in the future.

In the first place, Geraldo stirred up conflict with the Rave Empire so as to not be outwitted in the event of internal conflict with the current king. Geraldo’s determination to dethrone his own father remained the same, as evidenced by how he tried to remove his own father in Radea.

“He’s been quiet lately, but the existence of the Dragon Princess has riled him. I want to take action as soon as possible.”

Geraldo glanced at her. Jill had nothing to say. While the incident that occurred in Radea happened because of multiple reasons, Rufus only came because he wanted to see the Dragon Princess.

That alone led to an incredible uproar.

“In consideration to that, I decided that there’s an advantage in joining hands. I don’t think it’s that unnatural.”

In other words, Geraldo switched his focus from the Rave Empire to the current king.

“I’m sure you’re familiar with our internal affairs. After all, your half-brother is quite competent.”

Geraldo didn’t even try to hide the fact that he was aware of the turmoil surrounding the lineage of the Rave royal family, nor his connection to Vissel.

“An enemy of your enemy is your friend?”

“It makes sense, right? I’m sure the Dragon God of Reason would agree.”

Hadith contemplated the question.

“How surprising. I didn’t expect a descendant of the Goddess of Love to have some sense.”

“If you still find it difficult to believe, let me rephrase myself. Protecting the country is also an act based on love.”

“Have you given up on Jill?”

Not only was it unexpected, it was also a very straightforward and personal question. Jill suddenly became nervous.

However, instead of being caught off guard, Geraldo only answered curtly.

“…I think of her as a necessary human resource for our country.”

Jill didn’t know how she was supposed to take that, while Hadith snorted.

“I mean, the crown prince especially came all the way here to retrieve her.”

“Yet, it didn’t work. If so, I have no choice but to withdraw.”

Perhaps surprised by that, Hadith pursed his lips.

Worried, Jill looked up at Geraldo. For just a moment, their gazes collided. Even so, he averted his gaze, before pushing up his glasses.

“If she says she’s happy, then it’s alright. That’s why I’m here. I’ve expressed my intentions to Mr. and Mrs. Saber.”

“Do you expect me to believe that?”

“You have no choice but to believe me—in order to attain the peace that you want.”

Geraldo’s resolute expression—Jill was familiar with it. Hence why she was confused.

“Once again, Your Majesty the Dragon Emperor, Your Highness the Dragon Princess, welcome to the Kingdom of Kratos.”

As she had seen it for years, she understood it.

That was the face he made when he had resolved himself.

His Highness Geraldo is serious.

Geraldo turned on his heels and entered the mansion with Lawrence while her parents reverently bowed their heads.

If the conflict between the king and the crown prince were to escalate, the Saber family, who protected the border, would also have to act quickly.

“Your Majesty… I don’t think he’s lying.”

Everyone knew that the discord between the king of Kratos and the crown prince was essentially a landmine. When Jill spoke to him, Hadith muttered.

“…Is that so?”

“Eh?”

“Never mind, Jill. You’re right. It seems that a lot is going on.”

“Yes, whether we believe him or not, we should still investigate the current situation.”

By finalizing their marriage, they’d be taking a step towards peace. Therefore, getting their marriage approved was of utmost priority.

At Jill’s judgment, Hadith nodded once again.

---

***T/N: Lol eyyy Geraldo is back again

Please also consider donating to my ko-fi! It’ll greatly support me in action, no matter the amount!
https://ko-fi.com/antoinettevanessa

Have a Japanese story or the likes (Drama CD, etc.) you’d like to read? Want it to be translated? I’m open for commission!
https://www.fiverr.com/s2/aaab08c14d

<Previous chapter

Next chapter>