42 – Wedding preparations

"It's not a special story, but please hear me out. I was an orphan, struggling to get through the day. Scavenging trash, drinking muddy water, and stealing… Fortunately, I managed to live with that, so I didn’t have to sell myself. Well, no one would have bought the dirty me at that time anyway.”

“…..”

“In addition to living that life, I also developed my own powers to protect myself. Then one day, I was picked up by someone. That person was a master of the assassination business who apparently sensed something in my thieving movements and the power I had acquired in my own way, and then he trained me. From then on, I worked with him as my master. He taught me a variety of knowledge and skills…

But eventually he was caught and killed. My life was put in the hands of the elven king. If previously I was used just as a tool, the king treasured me like a living person.”

"..."

"I received a proper education, and eventually I pledged my loyalty to the king. I have reasons to believe his death was not natural."

"Are you trying to say that the current events are forced?"

"More or less. However, I have no proof."

"Let me guess. You want to protect the princess now."

"Yes and… no. As I said my loyalty is with the king. Princess Harmonia… is a handful. There isn't a day she doesn't give me a headache. To be frank, I put up with her, but I can't stand her."

"Mind cutting to the chase? What exactly is this all about?"

"Before His Majesty died, he made me promise that I would do everything in my power and not let the elven kingdom fall into ruin. As I said, I have no proof, but this marriage… will bring the Kingdom's downfall."

So the real reason they were on the run when I first met them was because of this. Lecia did look vexed and frustrated when Legolas and his troops caught up to them.

"That's why…"

Lecia got on all fours and bowed before me. A typical japanese dogeza.

"You have power. I beg of you. Please, run away with the princess. Make her disappear. Anything, just prevent this wedding."

"If I do that won't the Demon King be revived?"

"I am sure the Queen won't let that happen. The ritual will be performed one way or another. Please. This is the only option."

"That's all sweet, but I ain't a hero lady."

"Are you perhaps asking for compensation? You can have everything I possess. My estate, all my savings which come to 250 thousand wurna, my weapons, my clothes… if that's not enough… I promise to repay you somehow even if it takes me the rest of my life. Just please, help!"

"Enough. Stand. You realize what you're asking? You'd be turning me into public enemy number one if I did that."

Tears started to flow from Lecia's eyes. It was clear that she was in pain. I was her last hope. If I were to logically assess the situation, it makes sense for the princess to marry. Pig elf would be king and strengthen the seal. Yet, for some reason my fur is tingling at the thought of it. Is this a form of sixth sense?

"I'm sorry Lecia, but I can't do that."

"Then… my promise towards the king… my pride… are all dead…"

Fuck. Why the hell does my chest feel so heavy? For now let's get out of here before somebody finds out that we came here.

------

~The next day~

For the first time since coming here, I was unable to get a wink of sleep even though I got a proper bed.

My girls naturally noticed my condition, but I told them to leave it as is. I went outside.

If I remember correctly, the wedding would be held in the plaza of the country’s largest tree.

I thought that all of the Elves would be feverishly working, but that wasn’t the case.

As usual, there were some that sprawled out up in the trees and were strumming their instruments, and there were some that were nibbling on fruits.

"Oh……"

It was a magnificently large tree, to the point that I involuntarily leaked out my voice. It was big enough that the surrounding large trees seemed like saplings.

In front of that large tree, an altar was prepared. It seemed that the arrangements still weren’t completed. The flower beds that encircled the venue were halfway prepared, and and the chairs were in the middle of being transported one by one.

One Elf was giving out directions.

"Yosh, that chair, goes here. Hurry up, we need to finish up the bottom by eight o’clock. How about the upper decorations? Are they still not here? Tell them to hurry up with that as well."

"Galan-san, the additional benches have come."

"Oh, is that so. Ahhh, the design is slightly wrong……Yosh, let’s put those at the back."

"Hmph……You have quite the leadership, don’t you? I suppose I should say as expected of the next king."

"Ah!? Edelweiss-sama. Sorry, for this and that. You are quite early!"

"You, that strange way of speaking is……"

"Ohohoho……Is there, something wrong with my manner of speaking?"

What could be the reason for him expressly doing such a strange act?

"It just makes me think you're a suspicious fellow."

"Well now, I give up trying to understand you. Ahh, the wedding of me and Princess Harmonia, it will happen one hour past noon. Until then, please eat some of the rich fruits and meat. Reserves have been prepared, so do take your time."

For the first time since I am in this world…

"I have grown tired of eating. More importantly, there is one thing I was thinking of asking you."

"Hohou, and what might that be?"

"Harmonia might feel like it's too early for her to become Queen. What would is your take if she were to try leaving after the ceremony? After all, the country juts needs a king."

"Ohohoho……That sure is a troubling Queen."

"So what's your take on it?"

Galan put a hand to his own mouth. He suddenly changed to having sharp eyes.

"…………Edelweiss-sama, you saw that, didn’t you?"

"Mu?"

"Princess Harmonia is constantly under surveillance. However we also put you guys under surveillance just in case. You and Lecia have had quite troubled expressions yesterday."

"So you also knew about it? That thing."

"It's only natural since it's expected of me to deal with it."

"In that case, this will make the talk go fast."

"In regards to that, I ask that you do not reveal it in front of the Elves. The Demon King of Mind is a secret that only the royal family needs to know."

"You're kinda shifting the direction of my question."

"Not at all. However I had to state that first. Because even if I am enthroned, children are needed. If something were to happen to Princess Harmonia if she leaves, the bloodline of the royal family would eventually cease to exist after all."

"Fumu."

"At the very least, until she is blessed with three children, I will be troubled if she leaves Duskwood. That is what I am thinking."

Is this guy for real? It was as if she were a milk cow. So the number of children was the quota.

"You elves sure have weird customs."

"It's for the best. Don't worry. I plan to treat my future wife with the utmost respect."

The same way you would treat a pet? A bird that wants to fly, no matter how large you make it's cage or even if you make it out of gold, it will still be trapped and eventually its spirit will be broken. If this pig where to hump the princess, I can only imagine the consequences.

"Regarding that matter then…"

"Yeah, don't worry. My lips are sealed. Now if you'll excuse me, I got a migraine to deal with."