Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 332

Since Lidi said she'd have Princess Ilya and Rena meet, I and Hendrik moved to another room to not get in the way.
If Hendrik or I were there, Rena would shrivel and not say anything. I knew Lidi would be sad about that after bringing Rena, so I moved to avoid it.

"You really are weak to your wife."
"You are the same, right?"

I don't want to be told that by Hendrik who had agreed with me to move without any hesitation. When I said that, he easily returned, "I guess."

"Ilya looked very happy. I had no reason to refuse."

In the end we're both weak to our wives, but it doesn't feel bad.
I sat on a chair in the room we moved to. Hendrik did the same then looked at my face and said.

"Freed. I'm sorry. Actually, I have one more request to you, no, to Wilhelm."
"Hendrik?"

Wasn't the request to search for Princess Ilya's older sister? I thought so, but Hendrik denied.

"It's a completely different matter. This is my personal request. Umm… Do you remember I have a little sister?"
"Of course. Princess Ophelia, right? Two years younger than you."

Hendrik's little sister is eighteen, the same age as Lidi. I've met her several times in a formal setting, but if asked about my impression of her, I couldn't immediately answer. She feels like that.
But I recall her being an androgynous beauty similar to androgynous Hendrik.
While I was recalling that, Hendrik nodded.

"Yup, that's right. It's about Ophelia. Listen… Freed. I know it's an unreasonable request, but could you let my little sister study in your country for a month?"
"Princess Ophelia?"

I was surprised by Hendrik's request.
His little sister studying in Wilhelm? Why at this time, and why in Wilhelm? I don't understand at all.

"Hendrik. Tell me the reason."
"Yup. Actually, I want to teach my little sister love."
"Ha?"

I made an incredibly low voice.
When I reflexively raised myself from the chair and stared at Hendrik, he hurriedly said.

"No, don't misunderstand me? I'm not talking about her being your lover! In the first place, there's a partner who wants to marry my little sister…"
"…"

After judging that Hendrik's eyes contained to falsehood, I sat back on the chair.
Hendrik smiled wryly and spoke.

"Sorry. I'll talk from the start. Actually, I'm thinking of handing over the throne to my little sister's husband someday."
"The throne?"

Hendrik is the Crown Prince of Irvine. He's the only male direct descendant of Irvine, so there's no doubt he'll succeed the throne. Then the son who inherits his blood will succeed the throne.
I'm the same, so I understand it well.
Eventually, I will be succeeded by the child Lidi gives birth to for me. I think that's my duty.
So I don't understand what's on Hendrik's mind to say that he'll hand the throne over to his little sister and her husband. While I was perplexed, he said with a troubled face.

"Yup. I thought you'd react like that… Your wife is from the preeminent ducal house, moreover she's a human woman, so not only your child succeeding the throne poses no problem, everyone will wholeheartedly welcome it. I'm different."
"I see."

I understand Hendrik's point. That's right. His wife is a cat beastman.
And beastmen can't hide their tail or ears right after being born. It would immediately get exposed that she's a beastman.

"Did you realize? Well, that's how it is. My and Ilya's child. Honestly, I don't know whether they'll be born a human or beastman. I think both are cute, so either way is fine for me. But supposing they're born a beastman… I don't think everybody would approve of that child taking over the country."
"…"

That's not true, is what I couldn't say. While I sank into silence, Hendrik gently smiled.

"I don't really care, so don't make that face. I was aware of this problem when I chose Ilya, but I still wanted her. I don't regret it. I don't envy you either. We both married our beloveds. I think it's wonderful. But, as the ruler of a country, it's no good."
"… Yeah."

I didn't want to nod, but I did. Even in the countries without slavery, discrimination of beastmen remains firmly rooted. That's why Hendrik was saying Princess Ilya can't reveal the fact that she's a beastman.

"I reached the conclusion that I can't have children with Ilya. That said, I don't want to marry a concubine to produce a successor. I only love Ilya. I don't want to make her sad. You understand that, right?"
"Yeah. I also don't want a woman other than Lidi."

When I clearly declared that, Hendrik nodded with satisfaction.

"Yup. That's why I thought. I'll succeed the throne. However, when the time comes, I'll hand over the throne to my little sister and her husband with the reason of not having children. I'm preparing so when that happens, the country doesn't lapse into chaos."

I finally understood his intentions.

"… I see. So that's how it is. But, why did it turn to teaching Princess Ophelia love?"
"I guess it's because Ophelia has no interest in her love."

Saying that, Hendrik stood up from the chair. Then he walked up to the window and looked outside.

"My little sister has had a knight from a marquis house at her side since she was very young. That knight has always been protecting my little sister, and his love for her is obvious to everyone. His social standing, personality, and ability make him a suitable partner for my little sister. We've been waiting forever for my little sister to notice his feelings and marry him, but it's never happened. Even when she's indirectly asked, she laughs it off with, "I won't." When she's asked if there's another person she loves, she dismisses it saying, "I'm not interested in my love." … I'm troubled."
"But… Coming to study in Wilhelm won't help that, right?"
"That! About that!"

Hendrik, who had been sadly gazing at the scenery, turned to me and with his eyes sparkling spread his arms wide.

"Let my little sister study in Wilhelm with that knight at her side. It'll be her first time studying abroad. Even though it's a friendly country, she'll only have her knight to rely on in the true meaning. I think my little sister will notice her knight's magnificence with that!"
"… I don't think it'll go so well."
"Besides!"

Hendrik enthusiastically interrupted my words.

"Won't you be there!?"
"? What do you mean?"

I didn't understand, but Hendrik said in high spirits.

"My little sister isn't interested in love. However, what if there is an irritatingly close couple right by her? Even that little sister will be influenced for sure!"
"… Is that irritatingly close couple by any chance me and Lidi?"
"Nn? Am I wrong? I heard at your wedding banquet that you've been amazing lovebirds since you were betrothed. Right? I was watching you earlier too, and no matter how I looked, your feelings matched. It seemed promising, so I decided I had no choice but to ask you."
"… It's true that Lidi and me are close, but there's no need for us, right? Aren't you and Princess Ilya quite close too?"

I thought I had a point, but Hendrik said, "What are you saying?" with a regretful face.

"Ilya is awfully shy, so she never flirts with me in public. Even though I want to flirt with Ilya everywhere… Uuu. Freed. I'm really envious of that alone."
"Even if you tell me that…"

Despite keeping Hendrik company, I thought about my beloved wife.
As Hendrik says, she never tries to hide her affection for me. She always smiles and says she loves me. I'm sure Lidi hasn't noticed how happy it makes me and how it keeps my mind calm.
Because she smiles at my side, I can stay myself.

"Really, you're lucky. The partner you fell in love is the daughter of the preeminent ducal house, moreover it's a mutual love. Even the age difference is just right. You're so blessed it makes me want to stab you from behind. Even though I'm struggling so much."
"But, you wouldn't want anybody but Princess Ilya, right?"
"Naturally."

Hendrik clearly affirmed then said.

"That's why, for my peaceful life with Ilya, I want Ophelia to marry a suitable person. Of course, my little sister is a princess, so I think she'll obey if she's ordered to marry. But I don't want my little sister to marry like that. In my opinion, they love each other. So I want Ophelia to notice her feelings."
"… And so you want to make her study in Wilhelm? What about Princess Ophelia's will?"
"I'm confident she won't refuse. She's been listening to your and Princess's Lidiana love story with great interest. I think she'll be overjoyed to hear the story directly from the people in question."
"… Wasn't she not interested in love?"

If I recall correctly, he said that. But Hendrik said, full of confidence.

"My little sister is only not interested in her love. She's very curious about other people's love. She's especially interested in you and your wife. She'll definitely want to go. And when she goes, she'll notice her love from your influence, and voilà."
"I don't think it'll go so well…"
"If it doesn't, no problem. I'll think of another scheme. That's why please. Of course, I'll send an official letter to His Majesty the King of Wilhelm later."
"… I understand."

I wasn't moved by Hendrik's desperate pleas, but I nodded.
I suddenly thought. If Lidi were here, she'd surely say, "Let's cooperate, Freed."
And told that, I'd for sure reply, "If you say so Lidi, alright."

―― Lidi will be delighted to know Hendrik's little sister is coming.

A princess is coming. In which case, it will fall mostly on Lidi, who's also a royal of the same age, to take care of her.
Lidi has a part of her that likes looking after others, and she loves new things, so I'm sure she'll like the change.

―― As long as Lidi is happy.

In the end, that's my motivation.

"I'm saved, Freed. Thanks."
"No, I'm not really doing it for you."

I told the truth, but Hendrik shook his head. Then he said with a serious face.

"No matter who you do it for, it's the truth that I'm saved… Freed. This is a secret, but actually the new King of Sahaja, Maximilian, is attempting to contact my father. There's nothing concrete yet, but I promise to keep an eye on them. When the time comes, I'll side with you. We're friends. I won't betray you."
"… Hendrik?"

My eyes widened at the information I was suddenly told.
King Maximilian. A person who killed his own father and usurped the throne.
He wishes to make my Lidi his princess consort, and even now that we're married, he probably hasn't given up.
That man has started getting in touch with Irvine, a country friendly with Wilhelm. It's not something I can ignore.

"It's unlikely we're the only country he's attempting to contact. I have no idea how far he'll go, but Freed. Really, be careful about that country. If you are careless, you'll be swallowed in no time. I think Sahaja is ominous nowadays."
"I know that. I won't be careless."

As if I'd be careless towards a country that I know is aiming at Lidi. When I replied with that feeling, Hendrik said, looking like something came to his mind.

"The next international conference. I wonder if Sahaja will come."
"… They were absent for the last few years."

―― At the international conference held once a year representatives of various countries appear. Wilhelm as a matter of course, Tarim, Irvine, Sahaja. It's a special opportunity for remote countries to attend. But in recent years, Sahaja was missing at those international conferences. It must've been a statement that they wouldn't obey what was decided at the conference. But now that the King changed, how will that country move this year?

"… No, King Maximilian will come."
"Is that so?"

When I said that with near certainty, Hendrik looked at me inquiring for the reason.

"Why? Why do you think so?"
"―― That man covets Lidi. I don't think he'll miss the chance to meet her."
"Eh?"

Hendrik made a serious face. Then, he shook his head many times in confusion.

"What? King Maximilian wants to steal Princess Lidiana from you? Eeh? Does he not treasure his life? Isn't it obvious to everyone that you're obsessed with her, Freed? She's your cherished consort… Eeeh? Is he sane?"
"Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have lost his mind. Of course, I won't let him lay even a finger on Lidi."
"I bet. You seem incredibly narrow-minded."
"That's not the problem. Hendrik. What if you were told Princess Ilya is aimed at?"
"I guess that'd be indirectly telling me to kill them?"

He smiled, but the answer he returned was somehow terrifying. I strongly agree with it though.

"That's right. You'd be disqualified as a husband if you silently let your beloved wife be targeted."
"Certainly."

Hendrik nodded with a firmly convinced face.
King Maximilian, who I thought would remain quiet for a while after ascending the throne, finally began moving.
The information I received from Hendrik was troubling, but the fact that I could obtain it was great in itself.

―― I better talk with Esteemed Father and Alex afterwards.

While conversing with Hendrik, I was thinking of what actions should I take next.

Chapter end