Chapter 48 Secret Meeting

Translator: Isekai Shousetsu

Its been a while, Julia (Almis)

Yes, its been a while. Thank you for coming. (Julia)

You called me after all. (Almis)

At the lake, in the full moon That was written in the letter Julia handed me in the banquet hall. I came here because of those words.

I really thought that I wouldnt be able to meet with Julia anymore. You called me something like Lord Almis before after all. (Almis)

Julia laughs and counters.

Didnt you call me Princess Julia too? (Julia)

Can we talk for a little while? (Julia)

HeyDo you remember the first time we met? (Julia)

Yes, I remember. You invited me with the butterfly to come out, right? (Almis)

Right right! (Julia)

The two sit by the lake shore and enjoy themselves with reminiscence.

There was also that time you saw me naked, huh? (Julia)

That feels like it just happened yesterday. If I recall, after that I met with King Rosyth, right? (Almis)

Whose was more beautiful, mine or Tetras?

Julia smiles mischievously.

Wellyour breasts are bigger, you know. (Almis)

Julia turns bright red and instinctively hides her chest.

Jeez (Julia)

Julia tries to hide her elated smile by sounding angry.

HeyAlmis

She fixes her gaze at me.

I like you.

Yes, I know.

Theres no way I wouldnt have known.

Do you like me?

Isnt that obvious?

As I say so, Julia presses her lips to mine.

Her tongue enters my mouth.

I pushed mine in hers as I receive her.

The two intertwined many times over.

Nnn!

I find Julias weak spot so I concentrate my caress there.

I forcibly suck on Julias tongue and gulp her saliva.

We separate as our breathing turned rough, our saliva forming a bridge between us.

Youve gotten so good at this, huh. (Julia)

Julia catches her breath and connects her lips with mine for a second time.

I put my hands on Julias shoulders and push her down.

And then

That was close. (Almis)

Just a little more and I wouldve broken my promise with King Rosyth.

Jeez, youre really hopelessit hasnt even been a year since you got married. To be thinking of cheating already. (Julia)

The one who almost made me cheat was you, you know. (Almis)

We havent done anything except kiss so it should still be safe. Probably

Almis

Julia looks at me with a serious expression.

She then kneels and bows her head deeply.

I ask of you, please. Wont you marry me? (Julia)

I cant answer that. (Almis)

Why? Do you dislike me?

No. I like you very much. I like you as much as TetraMore than that, I love you.

What the hell am I saying even though I have a wife?

Then why? Is it because you feel bad about Tetra? (Julia)

That too. But the biggest reason is different. (Almis)

As she hears my answer, Julias tears start falling. She cries out:

What? If you marry me then youd be able to love me as you like, you know? I wont lose to Tetra, too!! If you marry me, then youll inherit the Kingdom too! (Julia)

Thats the problem!! (Almis)

I unintentionally raise my voice.

SupposingI do marry you, how many people do you think would acknowledge my succession to the throne? Only the royal family and the nominally anti-DeBell faction centered around Bartolo. Even they wont consider me as a beloved King. They only hate the DeBell clan, after all. Furthermore, do you think Regal DeBell would stay quiet and recognize me? Theres no way that would happen. A civil war would break out, you know. (Almis)

I was just forced into the fight with King Ferrum by necessity. I took the risk to eliminate King Ferrum because our lives were inevitably threatened. However, this civil war could be avoided if I just not marry Julia. It will force Julia into bitterness but nevertheless no one would certainly die.

If that war were to break out, I wont be an outsider. I would be at the center of it all. At that time, who would get hurt? Wouldnt it be Ron and the guys?

I cant let that sort of thing happen.

However

However, I will never hand you over to that Regal. Thats whycould you please wait a little more for my reply? (Almis)

In reality, I should have immediately refused. As a leader, as a lord

However, I cant bring myself to do that

Julia embraces me and says:

I understand. Ill wait for five more months. Give me your conclusion until then. Otherwise

Ill be made to marry Regal.

Hey, where have you been? (Tetra)

I met with Julia. (Almis)

Tetra shows a slightly surprised expression as I answered.

Isnt that something you hide? (Tetra)

I dont have the confidence to hide it from you. Youre very smart after all. (Almis)

Youd immediately find out anyway if I told a poor lie. Its better if I just told you straight.

You were asked to marry her? (Tetra)

You knew, huh. (Almis)

Womans intuition. (Tetra)

Even though Tetras womans intuition had a low success rate, she hit the mark this time, huh.

Did you accept? (Tetra)

Im still thinking about it. I got a five-month extension. (Almis)

Really, what the hell am I consulting with my wife.

You dont have to mind me. (Tetra)

Theres no way I wont, okay? If I were to marry Julia, then you would be treated as a concubine, you know. (Almis)

Would Tetra be fine with that?

It doesnt mean that I wont have complaints. But its not like Im concerned with social status. So long as you let me stay as your wife (Tetra)

Tetra states with blushed cheeks.

Besides, Julia is so pitiful now. If I were in Julias position, then Id want to die. Although its not really a problem if its a complete stranger (Tetra)

Tetra pauses for a while.

Julia is a friend. Thats why Ill permit it. Well, if she apologizes to me sincerely first. (Tetra)

Hmmm, I really dont get women. (Note: Tetra uses yurusu which could mean to permit or to forgive.)

But is this something special for Tetra?

Isnt that so.

But thats not the problem, right? (Tetra)

Right. Its because theres a possibility a war might break out (Almis)

Theres no way anyone could forgive Julia and me if the country splits into two causing unnecessary deaths just because of such a personal reason.

For me, I think you should just do as you like. Youve been working so hard for everyone after all. Isnt it fine at this point? (Tetra)

Is that soIll take that into consideration.

Its not good to leave my conclusion to others after all. I need to decide this on my own. Its important after all.

I see. He refused because of that reason, huh. (Rosyth)

King Rosyth made a surprised expression as he heard Julias explanation.

Did father thought that Almis would accept? (Julia)

No, I did expect him to decline. Just for a different reason. I thought he wouldnt accept because he thought he still doesnt have enough achievements. (Rosyth)

Defeating King Ferrum was a great achievement.

However, it was offset by making him a great clansman.

By all rights, King Rosyth should have taken direct control of two-thirds of King Ferrums territory and for Almis to be sealed at the remaining third. That reward should by all rights be sufficient. Almis, from the very beginning, was not a citizen of the Rosyth Kingdom, after all. Furthermore, hes just a little someone from a little village somewhere.

However, King Rosyth granted him all of King Ferrums former territory. Its not an exaggeration to say that the reward was too much.

Because Almis was made a great clansman, not even one of his many achievements from before would stand. If he were to marry Julia in this situation, Almis will be seen as trying to cheat Julia. Well, its not necessarily wrong regarding these things.

Its also doubtful if the Anti-DeBell faction would cooperate.

Although I intended to forcibly make him take achievements by appointing him as supreme commander and making him attack a nearby country if war seems unlikely (Rosyth)

They should be able to capture a sufficiently great achievement with Almis subordinates martial prowess, gunpowder, and Bartolos assistance.

If it would seem he could not achieve a great achievement even with the tables set, then we would just end the matter with he was just a person of that level.

Is that soeven if Almis was determined, without achievements, then it wouldnt work, huh (Julia)

Julia drops her shoulders.

Wellwith just this much, we have no choice except pray. We can only leave it to fate. (Rosyth)

Fate, huhIs see, thats how it is (Julia)

In a certain town around the DeBell-Ars border, a small dispute has occurred.

Hey! The wheat is not enough!! Whats the meaning of this!! A man shouts as he brandishes a sword.

That man is Gilberto.

Hes Regal DeBells second cousin.

The village chief is prostrating himself before Gilberto and pleads.

I apologize deeply. The wheat is all but gone. Could you please wait until next year? Without fail, we will include this years part in next years tax payment. (chief)

Gilberto kicks the village chiefs face flying.

Dont mess with me!! You lot havent even paid this years cloth yet!!

Gilberto shouts.

He ignores the still village chief and makes the soldiers investigate the storehouses interior.

Theres really nothingnn? (Gilberto)

Gilberto directs his sight to the ground. The soils color is a little strange.

He orders the soldiers as he notices the chiefs face change color.

Dig here. (Gilberto)

The soldiers dig on the surface. The ground turns unusually soft so they were able to dig easily.

There are countless vessels inside. They open the lid and find the wheat packed inside.

You had them after all!! (Gilberto)

Ththese are seed rice!! If you take them then next year (chief)

Gilbert kicks the chiefs face again.

No problem. Well lend you (real) seed rice. You can return them next year. Alright men! Take these away! (Gilberto)

The soldiers take the wheat from the vessels away one after another.

After this, Gilberto gathered the villagers together. He confirms their faces one by one.

Its been a long time since Gilberto became in charge of this village. Even though he doesnt know their names, he would immediately notice an unfamiliar face amongst the villagers.

Incidentally, he notices a woman hes never seen before. Shes a woman with quite a fine face.

Its not strange to forget mediocre faces but its a different story for a fine face like that.

Hey, you. Youre not a citizen of this village, right? Where did you come from? (Gilberto)

The woman turns pale.

Ffrom the neighboring village. (woman)

Did you take a movement notice? (Gilberto)

Its forbidden to migrate freely in the DeBell Territory. By all means, you need to take a notice.

People who break this law are punished.

The woman couldnt answer Gilbertos question.

I see. You didnt take a notice, huh? (Gilberto)

The woman shakes as she nods to Gilbertos inquiry.

The reason you moved to this town would bemarriage? (Gilberto)

The woman prostrates herself to him and asks for pardon.

Gilberto grins widely.

Well, fine. Pay both the Wedding tax and the Bridal Night tax. (Gilberto)

The man beside the woman turns pale and prostrates himself before Gilberto.

II beg your forgiveness. Please, I will pay without fail within the month so

No. Pay immediately. Well, If you agree to my conditions then Ill forgive the Marriage Tax and Movement Notice. (Gilberto)

Gilberto states his terms while grinning. That is, Gilberto would take the womans virginity right here right now.

The right to the first night belongs to the lord, Regal. Still, taking away the womans virginity wont change having to pay the marriage tax. Naturally, not taking a movement notice is also a crime.

However, right now, Gilbert would sleep with the woman and take way her virginity. If you can promise not to tell anyone about it then he will overlook the marriage tax and the violation.

The couple didnt have a choice.

Authors Note:

The marriage tax and the bridal night tax coexisting is a specification.

Nevertheless, this indecisiveness is frustrating, yes?