Four Ikemen 89

89 The Reputed Personage

 

‘Oh, you guys come as well, you’ll be able to see something great.’ We were invited in a light tone, and we left for the audience room.

 

Princess Yifa seemed to have other work to do so she left while worriedly looking back at us multiple times.

 

Inside the audience room with beautiful blue wallpaper, an old man with a strict beard and a person wearing a white and gold robe were chatting. There are also a few guards around.

 

The robed person notices us enter the room and turns around.

 

[Honored Uncle!?]

[Alfred, Rei, we meet again. Westin-sama, I congratulate you on your ascension as the King.]

 

The robed person saluted with a praying stance.

 

[And it is a pleasure to meet you, friends. My name is Feifre.]

 

The Holy Emperor who has golden brown hair and the same light blue eyes as Alf smiled gently when he saw us.

 

I greeted him in a hurry and Ragna and Ciel properly greeted him as well.

 

[See, aren’t you surprised?]

 

After Westin, the new King, whispered in a voice that’s only audible to us, he completely changed his mood and saluted with a gentle smile.

 

[I apologize for keeping you waiting, Feifre-sama. I am truly happy for your visit today.] 

 

Uwaah, maybe because he was speaking in a frivolous tone before, the corners of my mouth twitch and I want to laugh.

 

What the heck, so you can be King-like.

 

The Holy Emperor also returned with a soft smile.

 

[Not at all, it was I who suddenly intruded after all. Thank you for the warm welcome.]

 

After that, they exchanged greetings like a fixed phrase before finally getting down to business.

 

[By the way, for you to visit Yodelia, does it mean that I can expect a favorable response?]

[Of course, I have come for that purpose. Peace is joyous for the country, and I certainly desire it to have.]

 

In short, the Kingdom of Yodelia was trying to wage war with the Holy Country Country of Habartalt, but since it was something the previous king did and the new king has absolutely no interest in war and wants to get along, Westin seems to have sent the Holy Emperor a letter regarding that matter. 

 

Alf seemed to have spoken about it as well, that’s why the Holy Emperor believed it and personally came here.

 

[I heard that my nephew has helped you.]

 

The Holy Emperor spoke about Alf. It feels like he’s emphasizing the ‘nephew’ part. 

 

Westin also indomitably praised Alf with a brilliant smile. 

 

[That’s right, thanks to my younger brother and his companions, we managed to stir up the guards inside the castle and safely capture the previous king who was widely imposing his misgovernment. As a reward, I’m thinking of welcoming Alfred as a Royalty once more. As for them(Rei&co.), I am thinking of bestowing them nobility ranks and repaying my debts to them.]

 

Hey, wait a minute!? Even though he just said a while ago that he was kidding, he took back his words surprisingly quickly!

 

In the first place, aside from Alf and Ragna, Ciel and I didn’t have that much participation, though!?

I might have been useful as a decoy, though.

 

The Holy Emperor looks at us with a bright smile.

 

[Is that so? Oh, could it be the ones before us here are the central figures of the revolution? Your deeds have left an astoundingly deep impression on us, and we greatly appraise such deeds to be worthy of conferment of noble rank. By all means, we would graciously welcome your presence, along with Alfred, among our country’s nobles.]

 

EEEH? Holy Emperor as well, what are you saying!?

 

Even though they both have perfectly smiling faces on the outside, there seems to be a trace of weirdness to it.

Wooh, we sure are popular, I’m so troubled~, haha…

 

Yifa’s whisper, ‘You are such a devilish man.’, came to my mind.

 

The bearded old man was also bewildered at the Holy Emperor who became serious and repeatedly glanced at us.

 

Hmm, this, for one is a top-level conference, right? Is it okay for me to speak in?

 

[Aniue, Honored Uncle! Please stop it.]

 

Alf was unable to watch and motioned to them. Westin and Feifre suddenly closed their mouths and decided to aim at Alf this time.

 

[ I, of all people, seem to have forgotten something important. Let us listen to my dear brother’s opinion.]

[Yes, that’s a good idea. Let us respect my nephew’s opinion.]

 

Alf tightly purses his lips and sends me a glance. No, no, that’s impossible, totally impossible. I shake my head sideways with all my might.

 

As if he’s already prepared, Alf got on one knee and opened his mouth.

 

[With all due respect, I will support the reign of my brother who will most possibly face some difficulties from now on, and I also want to help as the mediator of peace for Honored Uncle’s country.]

 

Ooh, his brother has to rebuild the kingdom from now on and it will be hard so he(A) will help him(W) mainly, but he also wants to be allowed to go and see his uncle from time to time?

 

That’s good! With this, won’t the Holy Emperor stop from unreasonably making himself a noble of this kingdom?

 

Westin’s smile deepened at Alf’s answer and made a peace sign secretly so the Holy Emperor couldn’t see it.

 

Hey hey, Your Majesty, your outer facade is crumbling, you know?

 

The Holy Emperor listened to Alf’s answer and slowly switched his gaze towards me.

 

[Is that so… Rei, what do you think?]

 

MEE!? Calling names!!? Holy Emperor, smile! That perfect smile, you’re dissatisfied, aren’t you?

 

Because Alf prioritized his brother, you’re overflowing with dissatisfaction, aren’t you!!?

Even if that’s the case, don’t get me involved in it!

 

Westin-niisan’s, wait, why do you know each other’s name? Do you know each other? Rather, he’s looking over here with such an extre~mely amazing smile.

Stop it! Your unlaughing smile is very scary!!

 

[Me? I…]

 

I look around for help. Ciel and Ragna nodded encouragingly.

 

No, that’s not what I’m asking for! What’s with those trustful eyes!

 

‘You can just do what you like, we will accept whatever your decision is’, like, those reassuring eyes!

I don’t want them right now!!

 

Dy, Dy! You can hear me, right!? Please help me!

 

{I think it’s fine to refuse both sides, you know?}

 

No, that’s why I’m trying to think up something to do that!

 

Look, don’t you have something that may make Onii-san and the Holy Emperor agree!?

 

{Let’s see…. Oh right, why were there so many assassins waiting for us at Zohana Lake? No matter how you look at it, they couldn’t deploy that many people all the time. Although I was in quite a rush, the fact that they were lurking there even before that, could it be that the previous king found out about the secret passage…. If no one watches over it, it will be very dangerous.}

 

his is not the time to talk about tha… I see!!

 

[Excuse me! We would like to build a house at the shore of Zohana Lake in order to maintain the peace between the two countries!] 

 

How about this!!

 

Westin seemingly wanted to say, “What is this guy saying?”, and tilted his head with a smile, but the Holy Emperor seemed to be reminded of something.

 

[The previous king of Yodelia sent some assassins to my country. I found it strange that the speed of the information being acquired was too fast. I wondered if they were using any shortcut or secret passage.]

 

I told them about the underground passage. About being able to come and go in the Kingdom’s capital after several minutes and about how that passage is connected to Zohana Lake.

 

[We will watch over the entrance to Zohana Lake so it won’t be abused. I am thinking of having Your Majesty and Holy Emperor look after your countries’ entrance.]

 

When I nervously tried to explain the matter using the unfamiliar respectful way of speaking, the Holy Emperor nodded.

 

[I understand. If that is the case then Rei, I will leave the lake to you all.]

[I’m also asking you, Rei.]

 

‘Bastard, you just had to slip out of my hands.’, I can hear Westin’s inner voice. It appears that we have been safely released from the coerced nobility route.