Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 383

Volume 13 content starts here, and I updated accordingly.
If you're enjoying Outaishihi, please consider buying the novels.

Due to the letter from Prince Hendrik, it's been decided that I and Freed would go to the Irvine Kingdom.
When Freed showed me the letter, I couldn't take it seriously thinking that there was no way it would really happen, but to my astonishment, the King summoned us afterwards.

"Due to the firm request from the Irvine Kingdom, Freed and his consort are permitted ten days stay in Irvine."
"Eh…"

When I looked at Freed, too surprised to say anything, he wryly smiled like he expected it.

"Hey, I said we'd end up going, right?"
"Y-Yup…"
"Hendrik doesn't cut corners at such things…"
"… Won't it be a problem?"

Is it really alright to leave the country for ten days?
However, the King and Queen will be in the country. It's common for the Crown Prince and Princess to visit friendly countries for diplomacy, so maybe it won't be an issue.
Although it was a sudden development, it would be my first visit to a foreign country. Of course, I'd never been to Irvine, so honestly speaking, I started getting a little excited.
Father, who was standing behind the King, spoke.

"Your Highness, ten elite escorts have been prepared. Moreover, please bring my son with you."
"Alex?"

When Freed repeated his name, Father affirmed.

"Yes. I wondered who to attach to your side, but while it may be presumptuous, my son is suitable. He's been Your Highness's close aide for a long time, moreover――"

Father paused. Our eyes met.

"… He's Lidi's brother. He knows best how to handle my daughter."
"Indeed. I understand."

I didn't quite get why, but Freed seemed convinced.
Freed confirmed a few more things with the King and Father, and they worked out the details.
We depart in three days. We will move using the transfer gate exclusive to royalty and return after ten days of stay.
During them, Freed will meet with the King of Irvine and perform an inspection.
As expected, our objective seems to be more than just persuading the little sister. It's natural to do whatever possible after making time to visit another country.
Mhm mhm, while I was nodding, Father told me.

"Lidi. Do you understand what you must do?"
"Princess Ophelia, right? I understand, Father."

As a woman, I must make connections with female royalty. This time, my mission is to become friends with Princess Ophelia.
It also covers the contents of Prince Hendrik's letter, so of course, I intend to actively approach her.
I'm already close with Prince Hendrick's consort, Ilya, so that's not a problem, but I'll be meeting with Princess Ophelia for the first time. A princess of the same age. I'm really looking forward to what kind of person she is.

"I will strive to become friends with her."
"Hum. Do your best to help His Highness."
"Yes."

I nodded vigorously.
It's finally an opportunity to be of use to Freed as his consort. This is where I show my abilities. I'm full of motivation.
As I was overflowing with determination, Freed placed a hand on my head.

"Fuah!?"
"I'm happy that you'll do your best, but don't push yourself. Lidi, it's enough that you're coming with me."
"… Yeah, I can't really do that."

I don't intend to be a trophy wife. When I sullenly complained, Freed apologized, "Sorry," in a gentle voice.

"Lidi, I'm not looking down on you, and it's not like I don't believe in you. You just seem like the type to lose sight of anything else when you put your utmost effort into something. If you only pay attention to Princess Ophelia, I'm slightly worried that you'll forget about me."
"Freed, I don't think I could ever forget you."

He's my important husband. My number one is Freed, and that won't change no matter what.
When I honestly said that, Freed smiled happily.

"Yup, I know that. I'm the same. Lidi, if we have time, let's go on a date there. Irvine has mountains, but the sea is especially beautiful. I'm sure just walking along the beach will be fun."
"Wow! Let's go!"

The Irvine Kingdom is located in the southern part of the continent and borders the ocean. For that reason, seafood is popular there, and they also export salt. Wilhelm also has the ocean to the east, but the types of fish there are very different than in the southern Irvine.
Because it's a southern country, the climate of the Irvine Kingdom is considerably warmer than of Wilhelm.
In Wilhelm, swimming in the ocean isn't popular, but Irvine seems different in that aspect. Thinking of being able to witness the difference between the countries, I suddenly became curious.

"Freed, I'll be happy to go on a date in another country with you. If possible, I want to see the town."
"Let's go there too if we have time. The townscape is quite unlike Wilhelm, and what's sold is different. I think you'll learn a lot of new things."
"Yup, yup."

I was worried at first, but I'm starting to look forward to it more and more.

"Freed, have you been to Irvine?"
"Quite a few times. After I started having troubles controlling my magical power I hardly ever went abroad, but until then, I'd gone there on an inspection a few times a year."
"Ooh. After all, it was like that."
"I'm thinking of taking the opportunity to again focus on diplomacy. Of course, I'll take you with me wherever I go."
"Yup!"

Naturally, he wouldn't leave me behind. When I strongly nodded, Freed sweetly smiled.

"Then, for now we'll start with Irvine. Because we'll be there for ten days, I think there'll be a little commotion, but I hope we obtain good results."
"… In persuading Princess Ophelia, right? Honestly, I don't even know what we're supposed to persuade her to."

I couldn't tell that by just looking at Prince Hendrik's letter.
What is it that requires us to expressly come? In the first place, since we're going to Irvine, she probably won't need to come here. I have various questions.

"I think you should ask that him in person. It's really like Hendrik. As soon as he learned that I'd recovered, he does this."

Although Freed sighed, he didn't look displeased in the very least.
No matter the reason, I guess he doesn't find his friend asking for a favor unpleasant. My impression from seeing Prince Hendrik and Freed interact was that they were close friends, and Freed looked to be quite lenient with him.

"Well, I'd absolutely refuse if he requested for me alone. I've accepted because he also requested for you, Lidi… No, he must've asked knowing that. Hendrik is that sort of guy."
"… Ahaha."

Certainly, I feel that's true.
Anyway, we started to hurriedly prepare for the departure.

After it was decided that we'd go to Irvine, I was most worried about what to do with Cain.
I hadn't introduced him to the King or Father. That's why I couldn't take him with me, but after hearing the story, Cain easily said.

"Ah, then I'll go to Irvine first and wait for Princess there."
"Huh?"
"I'm actually not an official soldier. And, I have no intention of becoming one. That's why, I just need to hide and escort you like usual."

When he indifferently told me that, I said, "I… guess?" with a nod.
Recently, since he started blackening his eyes with medicine, Cain became acquainted with Brother, Will and Glenn. That's why I somehow came to think of Cain as a person of the castle, but his words made me recall that he only has a contract with me.

"Lidi, Cain only has a contract with you. It would be a breach of contract to expose his existence to our fathers, so I think it's better to follow Cain's advice."

Freed, who was with us, also said that. In the end, Cain departed for Irvine first. I hoped we could go together, so I found it regrettable.

And three days after Cain left.

Together with Freed, I headed for the transfer gate exclusive to royalty. The Royal Capital of Irvine is in the southernmost part of the country, a month of carriage ride from the Royal Capital of Wilhelm. Two months of travelling both ways for ten days of stay is impractical, so using transfer gates for diplomacy is natural.
By the way, Cain also used a transfer gate this time. By using a transfer gate in town and then his secret art, it seems he's able to reach the Royal Capital of Irvine in three days. This is also an amazing speed.
Using transfer gates in towns is prohibitively expensive, but Freed paid for it.
Saying that it's natural for the husband to pay money to protect his wife, he forced it on Cain, even though he insisted he didn't need it. Together with money, Freed also forced on Cain a special permit for priority access to the transfer gate in town. When Cain received it, he muttered with a serious look, "You're so thoroughly prepared that it's scary." However, with regular means you might need to wait a month or use a private transfer gate. Knowing that, Cain accepted the permit given to him with no hesitation and said he'd use it.
In the room with the transfer gate, Brother, ten soldiers carefully selected by Father, and the Magician Division Commander Will in charge of operating the transfer gate were waiting.
There were also two women dressed in court ladies' clothes. They were my personal attendants.
Evening parties will be held there, and I can't have a man help me with changing clothes.
I could borrow court ladies from Irvine, but after all, it's best to bring with me the court ladies who regularly take care of me.
I asked Clara to recommend two out of my five personal court ladies, and it seems she decided on them.
They've taken care of me since I was Freed's fiancée. The second daughter of a merchant, Annie, and the daughter of a viscount, Elena. At first, they came to learn good manners through apprenticeship, but they became my personal court ladies on Clara's appointment. We've already been together for over half a year. Relieved to see the familiar faces, I made eye contact with them and smiled sweetly.

"Please take care of me for the next ten days."
"Yes, Princess Consort. We also look forward to working with you. Lady Clara tasked us with making sure Princess Consort experiences no inconveniences, so use us as you see fit."

I nodded to the deeply bowing court ladies and turned my eyes to the heap of luggage behind them.
It was the luggage of fifteen people, so there being a lot of it is natural.
It seems it would be sent after we transfer. This was my first time going abroad, but I was seriously impressed by the convenience of it.
But, that's also because I'm a royal.
Normally the journey takes a month by carriage, or you need to spend a large sum of money like Cain to use the transfer gate installed in town.
Both methods are without a doubt quite inconvenient, so only at such times I'm glad to be a royal.

"Lidi, take care."

Mother-in-law, who came to see me off sensing I was just a little nervous before my first visit to a foreign country, said so in a worried voice. Daughter-in-law and mother-in-law problems are something that come with every marriage. Thankfully, I don't need to worry about them at all. Mother-in-law is very kind and always worries about me. I like my mother-in-law very much, so I'm glad I married Freed and obtained such a wonderful mother-in-law.

"Yes. Mother-in-law. I will do my best."
"We are talking about my son, so I am certain you will be desired even there, but firmly refuse him. You won't be in Wilhelm."
"Eh? … Ah, yes."

Contrary to my expectations, I received a distorted piece of advice.
When I answered while making a complicated face, Freed, who seemed to have been listening, hugged me from behind and complained to Mother-in-law.

"Esteemed Mother. Please don't interfere in the bedroom matters of a married couple."
"I don't wish to interfere either. However, if I hadn't said it, I have no doubt Lidi wouldn't be able to resist. I just want to protect my daughter-in-law. You have no right to complain. And since you got married, take care of your consort by calming down a little. Do you understand?"
"I love Lidi and care about her more than anyone."

Having heard Freed's words, Mother-in-law sneered at him.

"I was unaware that taking care of your consort means crushing her in your embrace until morning day after day. Honestly, you didn't have to resemble Lord Johannes in that respect…"

Perhaps hearing Mother-in-law's scalding words, this time the King came here.

"Wait, Elizabeth. Don't involve me in it. Certainly, if I could do that, I would, and I'm always envious of Freed being able to embrace his consort every day, but don't I live the life of an ascetic monk right now? Because of that, it's upsetting to be compared to my son! At least, save saying such things for after I can embrace you again!"
"…"

The King's desires were leaking so much that everybody looked at him with stupefied faces.
Especially Mother-in-law, she turned bright red and her shoulders started quivering after being told by the King that he wanted to embrace her.

"Elizabeth?"
"Who's the ascetic monk!? Every single day you repeat that you want to embrace me like a parrot!"
"But, you won't let me embrace you. Even though I love you so much. My wife. I hope you can accept me soon."

The King looked at Mother-in-law expectantly, but he didn't get the answer he wanted.

"I keep telling you that I dislike how you calmly talk about such things in places like this!"
"E-Elizabeth!"
"I will return to my room first! Lidi Don't forget my advice. Friedrich. If you don't want to become like Lord Johannes, restrain yourself. Do you understand!?"

Thrusting those words at us, Mother-in-law left the room in a huff. The King chased after her in a fluster.

"Freed! I have to humor Elizabeth. I'll end the goodbye at that, but take care!"
"… Yes."

Despite his astonishment, Freed answered.
While similarly dumbfounded, I thought.

―― Will Wilhelm be alright like this?

Because Mother-in-law and the King no longer keep from each other, all sorts of things leak out, or perhaps I should say, it's often highlighted how disappointing they are. It should be good that they are honest with each other, and yet with every day I worry whether they'll be alright.

"Mother-in-law…"
"I'm certainly worried about Esteemed Mother, but it's time. Lidi, we're departing."
"Y-Yup."

I was worried about Mother-in-law who ran away, but the time of our departure was approaching. Together with Brother, who maintained the stance of not wanting to be involved from beginning to end, and three escorts, we stood on the magic formation.
Because there were many of us, the court ladies and remaining escorts will travel afterwards.
The luggage will be sent after them, so I think Will has it hard being in charge of the transfer gate.
Father, who had been standing near the wall, came here. The atmosphere about him was firm, as expected of somebody so experienced.
Facing Brother, Father said in a strict voice.

"Alex. Properly fulfill your duty."

Brother answered him like it was troublesome.

"I know."
"Lidi. Don't cause trouble for His Highness."
"… I understand."

I had a feeling Father's trust in me had reached rock bottom.
However, it was quite hard to contest it, so I nodded obediently.
Perhaps finally satisfied after lecturing me and Brother, Father moved his gaze to Will, who was waiting to initialize the transfer gate.

"Please start soon."
"I understand."

Will nodded and initialized the transfer gate. White light enveloped us.
Freed, standing next to me, tightly clasped my hand.

"Ah."

When I looked up, Freed smiled meaningfully.

"… Lidi, it's so you don't get lost."
"We're traveling via a transfer gate, so I shouldn't get lost."
"You're right. Actually, Lidi, I just wanted to grasp your hand. My wife's hand. Or do you not want it?"
"Idiot… I like holding hands with you, Freed."

I tightly squeezed back and my finger touched his ring. Actually, I like the feeling of it. Freed narrowed his eyes and made a bewitched face.

"… Lidi, cute."
"Oi, you lovebirds, don't flirt during the transfer."

Brother retorted.
I tried to reply, but the next moment, the transfer began, and everything went hazy.

Chapter end