Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 417

The seventh day in Irvine.
In the morning, I went to Raid's room together with Freed.
I, Freed, Prince Hendrik, and Ilya came at Raid's invitation.
I didn't expect her to call Ilya, so I looked at Raid to confirm, but she just nodded silently.
Speaking of Ilya, her eyes went round when she first saw Raid dressed as a man. However, she was only surprised and didn't appear put off.
Seeing Ilya's reaction, Raid's nervous expression relaxed a little.

"Everyone is here, huh."

After all escorts had been dismissed and only royalty remained, Raid spoke. Next, Prince Hendrik asked.

"I was told to come with Ilya because there's something you want to talk about, but Freed and Princess Lydiana are here too. Ophelia, what the hell is this?"
"I had them come because it's necessary. Now, let's speak frankly to each other today, Elder Brother."
"Frankly? What do you mean?"

Prince Hendrik looked puzzled. He must have had no idea. He really didn't appear to know.
Raid ignored Prince Hendrik and turned her eyes to Ilya. Then, Raid smiled at her.

"Since I look like this, let me greet you again, Sister-in-law. I'm Ophelia Raid Irvine. Feel free to call me either Ophelia or Raid."
"…"

Ilya blinked her eyes. But, when her husband, Prince Hendrik, said "It's without a doubt Ophelia," Ilya bowed in a fluster.

"U-Um… It's been a while, Lady Ophelia."
"Because we don't see each other much, do we?"
"Y-Yes… That's why I don't understand… why… I was also called…"

Ilya anxiously gripped Prince Hendrik's sleeve, and Raid looked at her with gentle eyes.

"Then, let's start from there. I cleared out other people, so I'll say it clearly. I know that you are a beastman, Sister-in-law."
"Eh!?"

It was Prince Hendrik who raised a surprised voice. He immediately got in front of Ilya to protect her. Raid watched the situation with an exasperated look.

"Please use your head, Elder Brother. Do you think I'll do anything to Sister-in-law?"
"N-No… I don't think that… But, how? It should've been a secret."

Prince Hendrik frowned. He appeared concerned about how their secret had gotten exposed.
Ilya was also so upset she was about to cry.
She looked full of anxiety as she clung to her husband.
I felt sorry for her and wanted to cheer her up, but neither I nor Freed said anything for now.
I already knew what Raid would say, and I knew that she wanted us here mostly as spectators.
Raid fixed her eyes on Prince Hendrik and spat out, "You reap what you sow."

"I'll omit the details, but Elder Brother, if I said that I witnessed you bringing Sister-in-law to the courtyard, would you understand? You shouldn't be so fierce as to make her hidden ears come out. You are a married couple, so please do such things in the bedroom."
"… You saw it…"

Prince Hendrik was speechless, and Ilya flushed and nearly fainted.
Both must've understood what Raid said. It was clear how shaken they were.

"That place has been my favorite reading spot for a long time. Before you even got married. You found it later. Elder Brother, I think the blame lies on you for being careless in such a place, not me."

Probably uncomfortable with Raid's harsh gaze, Prince Hendrik averted his eyes from her.

"That's…"
"I understand Sister-in-law is timid so she couldn't refuse, but I don't think the Crown Prince should be doing such things as he pleases. There's a possibility someone other than me sees it. If you want to keep a secret, please be more careful."

Rebuked, Prince Hendrik raised his hands in surrender.

"… I'm lost for words. Got it. This matter was completely my mistake. I'll be careful in the future. And… why did you make Freed listen to that?"

Prince Hendrik's words sounded critical, but Raid declared calmly.

"They already knew Sister-in-law's secret, right? I could tell from their attitude. Besides, do you think that's the only thing I want to talk about, Elder Brother? The real thing starts now."
"The real thing? There's something else?"
"Yeah."

Raid nodded with a smile. Then she coldly told her brother.

"I'm aware. Elder Brother, you want to hand over the throne to me one day. Sister-in-law is a beastman. Seeing that you can't know whose blood will be dominant in the child, you'll never have one. So, me succeeding the throne is the only choice. You have a naïve idea of having me marry Ed and succeed the throne, don't you? Indeed, it was easy to realize that once I learned that Sister-in-law is a beastman. You underestimate me, Elder Brother."
"Ophelia…"

Prince Hendrik's eyes widened. When he couldn't say anything back, Raid spoke, further cornering him.

"I married a woman I love. She's a beastman. That's right, let's have my little sister succeed the throne! Was it like that? Elder Brother, isn't that way too convenient for you? It's so convenient I'm disgusted."
"Ophelia, I…"
"Moreover, my partner being Ed? Elder Brother, when did I say that I love Ed? I have no feelings for that man. Romantic feelings are nonexistent!"
"Eh…"

When Raid declared that, Prince Hendrik looked at her with an incredulous face.
Raid nodded.

"Yeah, I have no feelings for him. Would you understand if I said he's the partner I don't want to marry the most? Elder Brother, you keep insisting I should marry that partner.  Don't you think it's awfully selfish to force the inconvenience you created on me without saying anything?"
"Ophelia…"
"You married a woman you love and chose to live freely, and yet you plan to marry me to Ed and give me the throne. Studying in Wilhelm was a part of that plan, right? I'm not so foolish to know that and yet agree."
"… Sorry."

Prince Hendrik was dejected by the cold declaration.

"I've long been prepared to marry for political reasons as royalty. However Elder Brother, I don't want to be told that by you. Not by you, who married his beloved and will live freely."

After clearly saying that, Raid looked at Ilya. Ilya trembled with a start.

"I'm… I'm sorry…"

She must've thought she'd be blamed, so she apologized. Raid's eyebrows twitched.

"Sister-in-law. Don't misunderstand, I'm not really angry at you… It can't be helped that you're a beastman, and as the country is now, a beastman monarch wouldn't be accepted. I think your choice of not having children is right."
"… Ah."

Ilya squeezed out a quiet voice. Raid again turned her eyes to Prince Hendrik.

"I'm only angry at Elder Brother. Despite being a royal, he made a person he knew couldn't leave behind the next generation his princess consort. Moreover, without discussing it with anyone. On top of that, he pushed the consequences at me. Elder Brother, if you had married for political reasons, I'd have accepted marrying Ed. However, I don't want to be told that by you. I don't want to be told, "Fulfill your royal duty,' by you, who abandoned his duty."
"Ugh…"

Prince Hendrik couldn't say anything to Raid's criticism. He was only repeating things like, "But," or "It couldn't be helped."
Having said what she wanted to say, Raid looked somewhat refreshed and said.

"Elder Brother, do you understand the reason why I was ignoring you?"
"… Yup. I understand… I understand it… Sorry."

Looking exhausted, Prince Hendrik nodded. He turned his eyes to Ilya, who was tightly gripping his sleeve.

"Ilya, you aren't at fault. Ophelia too said it, right? I'm at fault. I fell in love with you and wanted you to be my wife even though I knew you were a beastman."
"Your Highness…"
"In the end, just because we couldn't have children, I began working behind the scenes to make my little sister the monarch without explaining the circumstances to her… Yup, now that I've heard it, it's natural. If it was done to me, I wouldn't want to listen either."

Hahaha, Prince Hendrik laughed feebly. Then he addressed Raid with, "However."

"Even so, even if I know it causes you trouble, I won't let go of Ilya. Ilya is the one for me. You… must think I'm in the wrong though."

Prince Hendrik seemed to find it hard to say. Raid nodded like it was natural.

"Elder Brother, it's already clear as day that you love Sister-in-law. I don't want you two to part. I won't tell you to marry a concubine either. But if you want me to be your replacement, I wish you'd explain it to me properly rather than secretly work behind the scenes. Elder Brother, you've always decided on things on your own without talking to anyone. It's troubling."
"… You're right. Really, you're more suited for being a monarch than me."
"Elder Brother."
"Sorry."

Prince Hendrik must've noticed it wasn't a line to say now and withdrew his frivolous words.
Then he gingerly peeked at Raid.

"And, um… do you accept my idea?"
"I understood from the beginning that I have no choice but to take over the country. As I explained, I've already given up. Moreover, it's my royal duty. However, Elder Brother. Allow me just one selfishness. Please don't force the marriage with Ed."

Told by Raid that she accepts succeeding the throne but refuses to marry her childhood friend, Prince Hendrik nodded with a serious look.

"You said it before, but do you really have no feelings for Edward?"
"I hate persistent men. I only see Ed as my childhood friend. I don't think I'll see him as anything else in the future either."
"I… see."

Prince Hendrik nodded. Seeing Raid grimace in displeasure must've convinced him those were her true feelings.

"Got it. I'd feel guilty if I couldn't at least fulfill this selfishness of yours. I promise. I'll tell Esteemed Father and Mother to remove Edward from your marriage candidates."

As it's the spelling used in the manga raws, I'll use Lydiana instead Lidiana from now and eventually change it in earlier chapters.

Editor: Valkyrie

Chapter end