Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 401

"Unya… Suu…"

Taking great care not to wake up Lidi soundly sleeping next to me, I raised my body.

After I gladly responded to Lidi's cute invitation, we ate a slightly late dinner.
I was a little surprised to be served the Irvine coffee after the meal since it hadn't been served yesterday, but when I heard that Lidi had requested it, I accepted it.
Irvine is the world's biggest coffee exporter. I usually choose tea, but I don't dislike coffee.
However, I noticed for the first time that I hadn't been served coffee even once during my previous visits in Irvine. I understood why when I heard from Lidi that because there are many people weak to the bitterness and acidity of coffee, tea is served unless the person wishes otherwise, but I was surprised when I tasted it.
The coffee I drank in its home place was incomparably more delicious than what I'd drunk in Wilhelm. It was regrettable I'd overlooked it until now. Apparently, it was made from different beans than what's exported to Wilhelm, but I really want to ask what beans were used. If imported, they'll explode in popularity in Wilhelm. While thinking that I must talk to Hendrik, I thanked Lidi again.
If not for her, I still wouldn't have noticed that coffee wasn't being served to me. That is to say, I wouldn't even have been able to drink this delicious coffee.
The matter of Princess Ophelia was also her achievement.
Lidi was worried whether she was useful, but useful isn't enough to describe it. As always, she discovered various things in only two days since coming here, while being lovely as ever.
Perhaps because I pushed her too much last night, Lidi was dozing off on the sofa after dinner, so I took her to the bedroom.
I had her keep me company before dinner, so I told her to go to sleep first. Despite her surprise, Lidi obediently complied and fell asleep right away.
Even now she was deep asleep. From time to time she talked in her sleep with a soft expression on her face.
I stroked her cheek.

"Cute…"

Her sleeping face without an ounce of wariness was unbearably lovely. The inside of my chest felt warm seeing her expression that showed she completely trusted that everything would be alright as long as I was there.

Incidentally, I recalled today's meeting with the King.
Of course I didn't bother specially coming to Irvine because of Hendrik's foolish request.
Sahaja reaches out for Irvine. I came on Father's order to verify that information and, if possible, take preemptive measures, with Hendrik's foolish invitation as a pretext.
My objective is to enter into an agreement with Irvine to cooperate behind the scenes.
Currently, Wilhelm and Irvine have a friendly relationship, but whatever promises are made are not backed by treaties. Before Sahaja abuses that fact, I want to enter into a formal pact with Irvine. If we sign a contract in writing, Irvine won't be easily able to accept Sahaja's invitation, and it'll be a kind of breakwater.
But, the negotiations with the King didn't make much progress. He evaded our proposals and didn't give a positive reply. He finished the negotiations saying that even without entering an agreement we have a friendly relationship, so isn't it fine?
But, that's a problem for us. It would be terrible if they reached some agreement with Sahaja. Hendrik said he'd be my ally, but he's only the Crown Prince like me. He can't overturn the King's decision. That's why, if possible, I want to enter into an official cooperation agreement with the country called Irvine.
But there's no way it would go well so simply. I can't help but be impatient that I have to somehow conclude the negotiations before returning to my country, but things aren't going quite as I wish. Of course, I have no intention of giving up and will continue negotiating until the very last moment. I have to somehow turn the King's feelings our way, which is honestly quite troubling.

"No, it's unlike me to be dispirited."

I shook off my heavy feelings. When I pulled myself together to direct my energy towards tomorrow, I sensed a familiar presence.

I silently got out of the bed and moved to the place used as the main room. There, I called a name.

"Cain."

A while ago, Cain contacted me telepathically to tell he was coming. I went to meet him in response to that, but what does he want in the middle of the night?

"… Sorry."

I met eyes with Cain, who got in, not from the window but the ceiling. Every time I see his red eyes, I admire Lidi for being able to draw in Cain.
Of course, my wife is a woman worthy of it.
With even Lady Luck on her side, Lidi has a good pull no matter what she does, and before I notice she frequently has the strongest cards gathered. Moreover, Lidi loves acting herself, so in a sense it's natural she leads Alex by the nose.

"What is it, for you to come in the middle of the night?"
"I've thought of telling you just in case."
"?"

Guessing it was about Lidi, I silently urged Cain to continue.

"―― Today before noon. While Princess was on the way to Princess Ophelia, a woman picked a fight with her. She introduced herself as Kate of the Lyric marquis house. She called herself the Queen's favorite, and it seems she fell in love with you last night. Without knowing her place, she picked a fight with Princess."
"… With Lidi? Was Lidi alright?"

I hadn't heard about it from Lidi. When I asked that in a fluster, Cain declared, "She was fine."

"I resolved to being discovered and coming out if it was necessary, but there was no need. Princess splendidly talked down her opponent. She was calm, so I think she might have forgotten it even happened."
"I… see."

It's most important that Lidi wasn't hurt. But, I can't leave that Kate of the Lyric marquis house alone.

"That woman was driven away by Lidi, right? Did she appear to have given up?"
"No. She ran away spitting a hateful parting remark, but she didn't look like she lost her will to fight. If she's left alone, she'll probably do something again."
"She spat insults at the Crown Princess of a foreign country in the royal quarters. She probably will."
"Let me tell you just in case, the Irvine escort tried to protect Princess and admonished that Kate woman. Just because the Queen is pleased with her, she got carried away. Princess didn't mind, but I'm worried, so I thought of telling you just in case."
"You have my thanks."

I was grateful for Cain's report.
However, the daughter of the Lyric marquis house, huh.
Since long ago, many women had been eyeing the position of my consort, so I can roughly grasp her psychology and behavioral patterns.
Probably, since I only just married a princess consort, she's aiming at the position of my concubine. She's the model type of woman who would talk down the princess consort and try to grasp the most power for herself despite being a concubine.
She has absolute confidence in her appearance, furthermore her father's peerage is high, and she's cherished by the Queen. There are many causes of her conceit.
Be that as it may, Lidi is not easy to deal with by ordinary means. In fact, Lidi mercilessly drove her away, so that noble girl must've come to resent Lidi.
It's easy to imagine what that noble thought afterwards.
And, even if Lidi doesn't mind, I can't forgive her for looking down on my beloved consort.

―― Very well. I'll accept that fight.

I know I'm being immature, but hearing that Lidi was looked down on, I can't ignore it.
Lidi is more important than my life. I have no mercy or forgiveness for those who look down on her.

"Cain, I have a request."
"Nn?"

I told Cain what came to me. After listening to me, at first Cain scrunched his eyebrows, but before long he reluctantly nodded.

"Got it. I'm hesitant, but if it's for Princess I accept."
"Please."

If that noble girl doesn't covet me outwardly and stays quiet about this matter, I won't do anything so nothing will happen. Lidi doesn't mind it either and her choice was wise, so I'll turn a blind eye to it as well.
But, I won't care about that if she doesn't reflect and does something.
I'll make her reflect on the meaning of the words just deserts.

"Then, I'm off at once."
"Cain."

I called Cain's name as he got out, not through the ceiling but the window, and placed his hand on the railing. When he looked back, I told him.

"It seems Lidi will go on a walk through town with Princess Ophelia tomorrow. Of course, I intend to give her escorts, but please take care of her too."
"You don't need to ask me to do that. ―― Princess is my master, after all."

Cain's figure disappeared. After confirming that, I closed the window.
I returned to the bed where Lidi was sleeping. She was happily asleep and showed no signs of waking up. I sat on the bed and slowly stroked Lidi's hair.

"I wish you had said it."

I want to help her. I wish she'd told me about her involvement with a strange woman.
I'd then use all my power to protect Lidi, even if we're in a foreign country.

"… No, I'll protect you even if you don't consult with me."

It's only natural that I'll protect my treasure.
Lidi rolled over. I got in the bed and hugged her.

"… I'm happy you trust me, but I wish you'd be at least a little jealous."

What I muttered was undoubtedly my true feelings.
I'm the only one always jealous.
I know I'm loved by Lidi, but I want her to be jealous once in a while. I'm the only one always being toyed with.

"I love you, Lidi."

Holding her in my arms, I gave her a kiss.
Lidi was cute as she smiled delightfully despite being asleep, and I thought it was unfair that it seems like I'm always the one being charmed.

Editor: Valkyrie

Chapter end