Chapter 25
Cuteness = Greatness
『There’s no father that can refuse the request of their adorable daughter after all, so I’m sure it’ll be okay! Plus, this is the kind of work a general is supposed to do anyway!』
『In the first place, the person most in danger is his beloved daughter, Liselotte . Even from my knowledge of the game, he was a very affectionate person, so there’s no reason to be worried . 』
The Gods Endo and Kobayashi were trying to pump up and encourage me, but I couldn’t stop quivering . In the first place, were they really Gods? When I hear the voices of these two they talk to me like I’m just one of their friends…
“Are you alright, Finne?”
Bard-senpai, who stared anxiously at my face, didn’t seem to be fretting about this situation as much as I was .
To meet with Marquis Riefenstahl today in the royal palace, I asked Bard-senpai to take me to his office since he often came here as a knight apprentice .
“I think I’m okay . Maybe . I know that I shouldn’t be scared . But even so, meeting with a real nobleman, especially a big general, it’s hard not to be nervous…”
Right, I couldn’t help but be tense about this . As we kept walking down that long corridor, I took a deep breath .
Since the Marquis spent almost all of his time at the palace even if he did come home after work, which wasn’t so often, it was always late at night . Bard-senpai told me that the Marquis preferred to do all of his work here since it was more convenient than working from his office at home, so I came here to talk with him .
But the hallways leading to his office in the palace was so long and glittery that I was regretting not just staying up late to see him at home .
“Don’t worry . My Lord Uncle is always sweet on children . ”
I felt a little disturbed by the words he spoke with such a serious face as he walked next to me .
Children? Well, of course, that makes sense if you compared me to Liselotte Onee-sama, but despite that, I was still at the age where I should be considered a bit more grown up . I was going to be making my social debut soon as well .
Seeing my annoyed pout, Bard-senpai hurriedly continued .
“Ah, no, I mean, I’d never say this to Liselotte, but everyone in the Riefenstahl family are weak to anything small and cute . How should I put this… everyone in the family is tall and well-built, so for them, everyday life is suffering . So when someone perfectly adorable and cute like Finne comes into their life, they’ll be obsess over you so much that they won’t even be able to stay calm around you . Just by watching Liese, I’m sure you know what I mean?”
Even if he said that, I didn’t say a word . I was too focused on trying not to tear the hem of my dress by stepping on it .
By the way, just what was he saying with such a serious voice…!?
『I sort of had this feeling before, but this guy really doesn’t have a filter at all…!?』
『As expected of Baldur, he’s not the type to mince words . 』
It seems even the Gods were surprised . Why was Liselotte Onee-sama so shy and Bard-senpai so shameless? I wonder if it would be better to add both of them together and then divide them by two .
“In other words, it’ll be okay Finne, because you’re cute . . ”
As Bard-senpai told me that confidently, we finally arrived in front of the Marquis’ office .
Ahh, jeez! As much as I wanted to yell at Bard-senpai to shut up, I couldn’t say anything considering where we were . Thanks to him, I’d lost all the tension in my heart I’d been feeling making my way here, replaced by another weird throbbing instead .
Well, I guess it’s true that I’m small and childish…
Alright, let’s do it! Relaxing my shoulders, I got ready to open up the big double doors in front of me…
But, still feeling a little fidgety for a new reason, I decided to ask for one selfish thing .
“…Hand . ”
As I held out my hand and muttered that, Bard-senpai just stared at it dumbly .
I’ll have to ask Onee-sama how to elegantly ask for an escort next time . For now, though, I’ll have to do it the commoner’s way .
“Hand . Give me it, please . It won’t be as scary if you do that . ”
When I looked up at Bard-senpai, it seemed like he finally understood, as a slight blush spread across his cheeks .
“Please excuse us . ”
Following Bard-senpai, who called out and bowed, I silently curtseyed with my hand in his, then stepped into the room .
Ahh, the carpet is really thick . I almost tripped on my heels . I’m glad I had him hold my hand .
The Marquis, who looked troubled as he was faced by a mountain of documents, put aside his quill as he raised his face to look at visitors .
“Oh? …Ohhh!?”
For some reason, as soon as he saw us, he raised a surprised voice .
We did make an appointment in advance, and I’m fairly sure that we spoke to one of his subordinates who should have announced we were coming . What is he so surprised about?
“Is there something the matter, Your Excellency?”
Bard-senpai asked that Marquis in my place . Even if they were uncle and nephew by blood, he was still a Marquis and a general, so I guess he still showed him a lot of respect .
“Um, ummm, no, it’s just, uh… Then this is about that, then…?”
The Marquis’ eyes were firmly fixed on our joined hands as he said that .
About ‘that’…? …Ah .
Bard-senpai still looked confused, but the moment I understood I quickly pulled my hand away from his .
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You’re wrong! We didn’t come to tell you that we’re getting married, okay!?
“Um, that’s not it! This is my first time coming to the royal palace, so I was just a little nervous, and uh, we’re not here to talk about marriage or anything like that!!”
“Oh… I see, then…?”
As I panicked trying to explain myself, the Marquis didn’t even try to hide his disappointment .
“Well, I will continue to exert my best efforts so that one day we are here to deliver such a report to you . ”
What the hell are you saying!?
I glared daggers at Bard-senpai who delivered that report like a proper soldier, but he just smiled at me .
Ahhh, you really are already making an effort, aren’t you!?
“Is that so? Make sure to return with your shield or on it, then . ”
“You needn’t even command me, Your Excellency . ”
With deeply serious voices, the uncle and nephew, or rather the general and the knight apprentice, exchanged words .
“…Then, what was the reason that you came, Miss Finne? Are you facing some sort of inconvenience at home?”
As I was growing rigid with embarrassment, the Marquis turned to ask me that kindly .
“Inconveniences… That could never be true! Onee-sama is always looking after me, in fact, I’m worried that she’s the one being inconvenienced by me instead! And also, about my mama… I mean, mother, truly thank you very much for allowing her to live with me as well!!”
“I see, then I’m glad,” the Marquis said with a smile as I bowed in a panic .
That’s right, adopting me and even taking care of my mother, I really am indebted to the Riefenstahl family . I really did wonder if everything would be okay at first, but neither of us has been inconvenienced at all . Well, apart from being a little nervous at times . But even when it comes to that, I’m getting better .
“Umm… What I wanted to talk about today was, um, it was about Onee-sama . ”
As soon as I said that last word, the Marquis’ gentle smile turned sharp and deadly . I could feel the atmosphere around us change .
Prince Siegward and I had both received a prophecy .
According to it, Onee-sama will be targeted by a villain known as the Ancient Witch .
Part of the proof of that are the nightmares that Liselotte Onee-sama has been having lately .
According to the Gods, apparently Onee-sama should be strong enough to not be taken over by it on herself, but it may still be necessary to protect her as well .
The time that the Ancient Witch is supposed to revive and attempt to possess Onee-sama was at the end of autumn . On the final day of the Thanksgiving Festival, which is a celebration for both the school and the whole country, dedicated to the Goddess Lilena . Before then, it’s important to make sure that there are people at the school just in case the witch really does come to life .
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Prince Siegward is still going to make a formal request to rally the forces of the country, but I wanted to talk to Liselotte Onee-sama’s father the Marquis first .
Even though I still hadn’t really learned how to speak formally, I still have to do my best to try and convince the Marquis with my own words, no matter how clumsy they are .
“I… I want to protect Onee-sama . Somehow, your strength, can you please lend it to us?”
At the end of it, I lowered my head .
“Hm,” he mused as he heard my words, stepping forward . Was he thinking of some sort of compromise? Or was he going to flat out refuse?
“Consider it done . I swear that, with all the power that I have at my disposal, I shall protect both you and Liese as best I can . ”
With a kind voice, he gave my head a light stroke .
Quickly raising my head, I thanked the Marquis .
“T-Thank you very much!”
『Now go for the critical hit, Finne! Call him ‘father’!!』
“Thank you… Fa… Father!”
Hearing the word of God, I blurted that out .
“Ehehe…” I couldn’t hold back my smile . Even though he had adopted me as his daughter, I was worried about how much respect I should show him, so I hadn’t called him ‘father’ yet . So, being able to finally say it was a relief .
“Baldur . ”
“Yes, sir . ”
The Marquis, whose face looked positively terrifying all of a sudden, called Baldur over with a serious voice .
Even though he was called out so suddenly, Bard-senpai snapped to attention straight away, waiting to receive the Marquis’ orders .
“What we discussed earlier, I’ve decided that it really is no good after all . ”
“…What?”
Baldur and I reacted at the same time . Why was it suddenly no good now!?
As Baldur looked puzzled, I could feel an overwhelming war-like atmosphere pouring out of the Marquis .
“If you want to take this child away, you’ll have to defeat me first…!!”
What the hell is this person saying?
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I thought that he was joking, but the Marquis looked dead serious as he took a stance and gripped the sword on his waist . Stop that . You’re destroying your dignity as a warrior .
“Your Excellency, please consider your surroundings . This isn’t the place to draw a sword . ”
“Silence! I refuse to accept it! I can’t bear to see this child married away! In place of my brother, I shall protect her…!!”
Bard-senpai tried to calm the situation down, but some sort of strange switch had been flipped inside the Marquis and he wasn’t listening at all .
“Do you think I can accept such outrageous words…”
At the same time, Bard-senpai spat out an angry sigh and also lowered himself into a stance, his hand gripping his sword hilt .
…Eh?
“Well, if there’s anyone who dares stand between myself and marrying Finne, I’ll cut them down, even if its Your Excellency . I have no intention of ever giving up on her . ”
There were now two warriors who were completely throwing away their dignity and pride in front of me .
As Bard-senpai and the Marquis kept spouting off ridiculous lines at each other, they sized each other up, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike .
Wai… I… Huh… Um… What… What should I do!? Won’t they tear up the royal palace at this rate!?
Ah, this is bad .
I have to do something .
Just as I felt they were about to draw their swords, I…
“Guh…!”
Kicked the Marquis hard in the shin .
Then, taking advantage of that momentum, I bounced forward one step and span around .
“Gah…!?”
And delivered a hard uppercut to Bard-senpai’s chin .
Having their duel interrupted by a third party, the two of them looked at me in a daze . Their hands fell from their swords as well . Good .
“When I marry and who I marry, I’m the one who’ll decide! Got that!?”
I shouted at them at the top of my lungs . Faced with that, the two men nodded sheepishly . At the very least, it seems like they understand .
But, when I caught Bard-senpai’s eyes, it seemed like he was enchanted by something as he looked at me… No, I must have rattled his brain with that uppercut, he must just be on the verge of tears… I think?
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