Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 419

"However… Who would have thought Edward would do that…"

Prince Hendrik was still shaking his head in disbelief.
Freed told him.

"Hendrik. Actually, I've received a report from my subordinate that Mister Lantinotz might be a dangerous person. I didn't tell you because you wouldn't believe it, but he seems to have an unhealthy obsession with Princess Ophelia."

I was startled by those words. I unconsciously looked at Freed, and Prince Hendrik too stared at him in surprise.

"… Freed. When was it?"
"On the day Lidi and Princess Ophelia went to town. I received a report from my subordinate, Alex. Having been with Mister Lantinotz the whole day, Alex said his remarks and behavior were quite dangerous. It felt like he was too obsessed."

The day I and Raid went out. Certainly, Brother was together with Edward then.
I don't know what Brother saw, but it must've been quite strange for him to report it to Freed.
For a moment I wondered why Cain, who was together with Brother, didn't tell me, but I recalled that he fundamentally only reports things related to me.
After all, he's my own ninja and escort.
No matter how dangerous Edward is, it doesn't matter to Cain as long as I'm not at risk.
He isn't Freed's subordinate. He doesn't serve Wilhelm.
Be that as it may, I know he'll tell me if I ask, so it might be a good idea to bring it up with him if there's time. I want to know what his impression of Edward was.
Prince Hendrik had a difficult face as he listened to Freed's story, but before long he let out a tired breath.

"I see… So that's how it is. Why didn't you tell me at that time…? No, Freed, it's as you say. I'm sure we wouldn't believe it. For us, Edward looked like the very image of irreproachable conduct and complete devotion."
"According to Alex, Mister Edward is a very dangerous man who dreamily mutter things like, 'Lady Ophelia is mine.'
"Whoa…"

I felt revolted, and Prince Hendrik seemed to feel the same.
He visibly grimaced.

"What the, revolting."
"Indeed, I think so too."

I thought for a moment that they weren't the ones to talk, but I reconsidered, since their situation was different. There's a big difference between mutual and one-sided unrequited love.

"Eeh…? But, why didn't he keep up appearances in front of your subordinates? He's never shown that to us."
"According to Lidi's other escort, Mister Lantinotz made light of you, thinking that even if his strange behavior was reported, you wouldn't believe it. That's why he didn't care to hide it… I agree with that opinion."
"… Yup. I have no choice but to agree now either… In this short time, my impression of Edward completely changed. I believed he was a knight wonderful enough to leave Ophelia to him, but where did he go so wrong?"

Prince Hendrik grumbled and faced Raid. Then he silently bowed.

"Ophelia. Sorry. Apparently, Edward had us in the palm of his hand. After hearing your story, I simply cannot think of making Edward your husband. I promise I'll call Edward right after this and talk with him. I'll tell him to give up. So… could you forgive me?"
"… Elder Brother."
"Please tell me just one thing. Did you see through Edward?"
"… No. Sure enough, I didn't know that. However――"

Raid paused and made a displeased face.

"He told me a great number of unpleasant loving words. I ignored them all, but I can acknowledge Ed being like this after hearing the truth."
"…"

Everyone grimaced from Raid's words.
Especially Prince Hendrik. Perhaps he got a headache, as he rubbed his temple with his fingers.

"… Really, why did we think of making Edward Ophelia's husband? Just from this strange conversation it's clear he's completely unacceptable as a prince consort…"
"I can't interfere with this situation, but as your friend, I'd just like to tell you to stop."
"Yup…"

Looking conflicted, Prince Hendrik nodded to Freed's words that offered no comfort.

"He's a man who stole my little sister's diary and said it spelled her unconscious love for him. If I'd known, I'd have immediately disregarded him… But, Ophelia. I never thought you'd be a writer. It seems Ilya has read your works, so can I read them too?"

As Prince Hendrik said the last words with excitement, Raid's eyes widened, and she refused.

"Please don't!"
"Why? Freed has read one, right? I'm the only one here who hasn't! Isn't it unfair that I'm ostracized!?"
"If you'd read them when unaware, I'd accept it. However, since you're my brother and know the author is me, you can't. I'll never let you read them."

At Raid's firm declaration, Prince Hendrik glared at her in vexation, and then made a face like he came up with something.
He asked his wife next to him.

"… Ilya. Come to think of it, you have books written by Ophelia, don't you? Could you lend them to me?"
"Eh… That's… Er, I don't mind, but…"

Ilya stole a glance at Raid. Even if it's her husband asking her, she must've been troubled about loaning them against the author's wishes.
Raid noticed Ilya's gaze and told her.

"Sister-in-law. Please don't let Elder Brother read them no matter what. Right… Let's see. If I recall correctly, you said you are my fan. If you don't lend my books to Elder Brother, I'll sign the first edition of the next book and gift it to you."
"Eh…!"

Ilya's eyes glittered honestly.
Then she apologetically cast down her eyes and told her husband.

"Um… Your Highness. I'm sorry."

Ilya's scales tipped splendidly towards Raid.
The first edition signed by the author just has that much worth.
Betrayed by the wife who he had thought would never betray him, Prince Hendrik furiously barked.

"You're unfair! Ophelia!"
"What's unfair about using the means at your disposal? Sister-in-law, if you like, how about we use this opportunity to become friends? I've heard from Lidi that you also want to become closer to me."
"I-If you don't mind…!"

Ilya blushed and nodded her head again and again. She looked truly delighted.
Raid respectfully held out her hand. Enraptured, Ilya took it.

"Incredible… It feels like a lie."
"It's not a lie. It's reality. If it was a dream, I'm sure I'd despair once I woke up, since I can finally become friends with you."
"M-Me too… Lidi, thanks for telling Lady Ophelia about me…!"

Ilya's face was as dreamy as it could get.
I'd thought it'd be good if Ilya and Raid became friends, so while this development was surprising, I was honestly glad about it.
However, I hadn't done anything to be thanked for.

"In the end, I haven't done anything, so it's troubling to be thanked. But, isn't it great, Ilya?"
"Yeah!"

Ilya wanting to become close to Raid because she's a fan of Raid's novels was unexpected, but as it's said, truth is stranger than fiction.
Ilya, who's always reserved due to being a beastman, obediently took Raid's hand. Just seeing how delighted she was made everyone happy.
… Everyone save for one person.

"… Somehow, Ilya looks to have a better time than when she's with me…"

Prince Hendrik glared at Raid with a demonic expression.
While I was thinking that this scene felt somehow familiar, Raid kissed the back of Ilya's hand as if to show off.

"Ah!"

Prince Hendrik raised a scream. Raid ignored him and showed Ilya a gentle smile.

"This is the proof of our friendship. Could you accept it, Sister-in-law?"
"… Of course. Incredible… Lady Ophelia is wonderful…"
"Oh, I'm happy to hear that. It's just like Lidi said."
"Eh?"

Ilya looked at me.
I didn't know what she was talking about, so I shook my head. Raid said.

"Lidi said that if I showed you myself looking like this, you wouldn't show prejudice."
"I-It… suits you well. Besides, I'm a beastman. A beastman sister-in-law… Lady Ophelia, don't you dislike it?"
"No way. I wouldn't dislike anybody who accepted this troublesome brother of mine. I was furious at Elder Brother for his foolish behavior, but it's unrelated to you. I'd be grateful if you simply viewed it as a quarrel between siblings."

The words Raid said without hesitation didn't seem like a lie to me.
Raid had said that she hates discrimination. That she wants to change herself.
I'm sure this is the first step for her.
Looking at Raid distancing herself from the brother she loves and smiling at Ilya, I felt like I also had to do my best.

―― Raid is doing her best.

I thought she was cool as she kept the promise.

"… Why… Ilya is… by Ophelia… No. Ilya is… mine…"

While Ilya and Raid were deepening their friendship, Prince Hendrik looked and sounded like he alone was falling into darkness.
Seeing him like that, Ilya looked troubled and Raid snickered.

"How pathetic of you to be jealous of your little sister, Elder Brother. You're so narrow-hearted that I want to steal Sister-in-law a little."
"I don't mind being pathetic! Dammit… Certainly Ophelia, I wanted you to become closer with Ilya, but what the hell is this!? You've gotten too close!"
"Elder Brother, be quiet."

Raid waved her hand as if to drive away a disturbance.
Prince Hendrik received a shock, but he was splendidly ignored.
Being as gentle as she is, Ilya must've felt sorry for her husband and spoke to him.

"Your Highness. Um… Lady Ophelia is a woman, and… I'm happy to become friends with her… Can't I?"
"You can, of course you can, Ilya. But… Aaaaaaaa!!"

Prince Hendrik held his head and screamed. Freed, who had been silent until then, snapped.

"Shut up, Hendrik."
"You think it's someone else's problem!!"

This time Freed sneered.

"Of course, because it is someone else's problem."

Prince Hendrik retorted, "I don't want to be told that by you."

"That was tough."

The conversation between Raid and Prince Hendrik went smoothly… And because it finished without any problems even if it had been complicated, we headed back to the room provided for us.
In the end, it took us the whole morning, but it might have been more meaningful than I'd expected.
Prince Hendrik was exhausted, but Raid was refreshed and Ilya also seemed delighted.
Prince Hendrik's misunderstanding was resolved. I think it's quite a good result.
He said he'd immediately call Edward and tell him he couldn't marry Raid.

"… I hope the conversion with Sir Lantinotz finished without any problems… He's quite a dangerous person, right?"

I didn't notice, but I don't think Brother would lie. If Brother recognizes him as a 'dangerous man' after one day with him, I'm sure he is one.

"Dangerous, or rather, his obsession with Princess Ophelia is abnormal."

Freed corrected me, and I nodded.

"Yup, that's why I'm worried if Sir Lantinotz won't do something once he's told that he can't marry her."
"That's not for us to worry about. We are nothing but guests in Irvine. Irvine's problems have to be solved by Irvine. Lidi, you understand that too, right?"
"Yup."
"That's why, we have to go on as usual. That's the only thing we can do."
"You're right."

I reflected after being chided by Freed.
This isn't Wilhelm.
If they ask for help, we can lend them a hand then, but we cannot act on our own.
Foreigners aren't allowed to meddle with a country's problems.
Unless we're asked, we can't act. It's only natural.

"… I hope things go well."

Raid and Ilya became friends.
Hopefully, the issue of marriage gets solved quickly.
If Edward obediently nods to Prince Hendrik's words, we'll have worried for nothing. I definitely hope for that
Of course, hopes are only hopes, and there's no way for things to go exactly according to them.

―― We had no way of knowing that the next day we'd be made to fully realize it.

Editor: Valkyrie

Chapter end