“The reason Prince Schneider wants the throne is to prolong his own life and that of his mother, as well as to pursue revenge for what’s happened to him. So defeating the queen and Prince Gardner is his sole purpose, and who he partners with is an afterthought. He failed to ally with me and the Granzeus and Trundle families, and the Trundles who were on his side of the army left, so he’s in shambles. The magician’s association is run by the queen. He probably made a heartfelt request to Maribelle as the only power he has left.”
I doubt his heart is really that set on Maribelle, though.
“What will having Maribelle change? Grandmother said she was nothing to fear.”
“Honestly, I think Prince Schneider and Terl alone could win the throne. As a bystander, I’d say Maribelle is more of an insurance policy. But, she has...a strange power. It’s like she can draw luck to herself, or move things to her advantage...”
“I don’t get it.”
“When we encountered Maribelle before, she said she wanted Lou... Then Lou tried to go to her against his own will.”
“She can control minds...?”
“I don’t know what to call it... But it seemed like Lou’s will won out when it needed to.”
My brother gazed at Lou speechlessly. Lou nodded quietly.
“So, she could control me too...”
“Let’s just say there’s reason to believe that she could. Don’t get close to her unless you really have to.”
Gillain, who had been listening patiently, spoke up. “What is the king doing?”
“The king doesn’t seem to want to take a clear stance,” my brother replied. “Compared to his predecessor, who was a great man, he seems to be dismissive, or pessimistic, or maybe just uninterested in anything other than being king.”
I’d never seen the king in this life. I heard that even my father hadn’t seen him since he was appointed minister. He could have been living a life of luxury and tossing his political duties aside to the prime minister, queen, and ministers.
In the book, he had said, “Now is the time to use your magic. Annihilate them,” to me when he sent me into battle. Was he not speaking up this time because it was a civil war? Could he not choose between his sons? Or was he just indifferent?
“So, do you think a civil war is going to start soon?” Gillain asked.
“Well, I think it needs something to kick it off. Even if Prince Gardner started something, Prince Schneider would immediately take advantage of it to attack. Word reached Judore that you were attacked by bandits and survived too. It cleared Prince Schneider in a way, so he might have some room to act.”
“What if we let them clash and whittle down some of their forces?”
“That would be ideal,” my brother replied. “I wonder how long the Granzeuses can last before our strength depletes? I think the key is how well we make our case when things converge.”
“Then it’s settled. We’ll fire things up and watch how it turns out. I’ll help you out when the time comes. It’s for the sake of my fiancée’s birthplace, after all.”
My brother knitted his eyebrows, suddenly lifted me onto his lap, and smooched my cheek! “About that... I heard you even had an event to announce your engagement the other day. Are you sure you’re not taking this engagement to my sister lightly? Is it just a distraction for Prince Schneider?”
Gillain raised his left eyebrow. “No, I’m very serious. I plan to protect Serephione for the rest of my life, so rest assured, brother-in-law.”
“I mean, it may have been an emergency situation, but isn’t it a bit hasty to announce an engagement without even greeting the head of the family? Shouldn’t you have at least sent a letter asking for their approval?”
“I asked for her hand in marriage ten years ago. I hope you can appreciate my consistent, unchanging feelings.”
“Are you really okay with this forced engagement, Serephione? He’s so much older than you...”
“B-Brother, he’s the emperor! You can’t talk like that!”
“It’s my job to determine whether or not I can entrust my beloved sister to him. I can’t entrust you to a man who would be fragile enough to throw a tantrum over my language.”
“I’ve worked hard to gain strength suitable for supporting Sere... Would you like to test me, brother-in-law?”
“Yes, I’d be happy to take you up on that.”
“Why don’t we step outside, then?”
“Perfect.” My brother laughed, and the two vanished instantly.
“What just happened...?”
“It’s like a ceremony to deepen their bond... Don’t worry about it, Sere,” responded Asu through a yawn.
Is the idea that they’ll understand each other after they cross fists? What is this, a shonen manga?!
“Don’t worry about it! Hey, I see Matsuki’s cake in Larouza’s Magic Room! More tea, please!”
I think it’s illegal to go into other people’s Magic Rooms without permission, Lou...
My brother and Gillain came back that night looking no different, but their magic was heavily depleted. Gillain and Asu went back to the imperial palace, and my brother decided to stay the night at my palace.
I replenished the charm magic in the lapis lazuli necklace my brother wore. I’d received magic from Miyu, Asu, and Gillain in the last two years, so my power was probably stronger now. I redid the charms for good luck and presence of mind, then added one for a safe household with his beloved family. He’d done everything he could just for Lou and me to have peace. I wanted him to have a happy home life back on the Granzeus territory someday.
I feel like I’m suddenly looking down on my brother now that I’m engaged... He can probably handle it himself! He doesn’t need my help!
“Wearing this necklace makes me feel like you’re always with me. It helped me stay collected while we were apart.”
The charm for presence of mind worked. That’s good to hear.
“Right, I almost forgot!”
My brother took a pair of green earrings out of his Magic Room. They were a translucent emerald, just like his and our father’s eyes.
“I mined the emerald in our domain. It reminded me of when you were saying you wished you had the same color eyes as father and I. Take these as my engagement gift.”
They’re beautiful... Tears came to my eyes.
“Would you put them on me?” I pulled my hair back and up.
“Just a little pinch... Okay, next one... There, all done! They look great on you!”
Lou licked up the small amount of blood that came out, renewing our contract. A ring of light shone.
“You’re the precious daughter of the Granzeus family. If things get tough, you can always come home.”
The earrings were full of my brother’s almost attack-like defensive magic to shield me. It mingled amicably with Gillain’s similar magic. After finding out about my loss against Prince Schneider, he’d given me something that I wouldn’t ever have to take off, unlike my battle outfit.
These were proof that no matter where I was or what I did, I was a Granzeus.
“I love you, brother... Thank you.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and lovingly kissed each of the eyelids that shielded his emerald eyes, wishing for his eyes to always shine clear and bright, reflecting the truth.
“I have something for you too, Lou, if you’d like. We can match, just like the four of us used to as a family.” My brother held a large emerald necklace out to Lou. The size reflected his great respect and love for Lou. And since it was so big, it likely had a good luck charm on it too!
“You call this ‘matching,’ not a collar to bind me to you...? Well, I’ll take it. I’ve loved the Granzeus family for a long time now.” Lou lowered his head, and my brother slipped the necklace on him.
I wanted to butt in and say, “The thing binding you to us is Matsuki!” but I held my tongue.
The emerald joined my small lapis lazuli, glittering from inside his beautiful silver fur.
I looked at the matching green on us two humans and one fluffball and chuckled, like I had when I was a kid and a new magic spell we’d made together worked well.
As I sat next to my brother and Lou, who was lounging around, I wrote quick letters to my father and grandmother.
“Is the emperor kind to you, Serephione?” my brother asked.
Gillain’s way of being kind is difficult to grasp.
“You’re much kinder...but I trust Gillain.”
“That’s good.” He smiled softly.