Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 298

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 298 – Duke Heim Is a Man Who Can Do His Job

“Just last night did I finally realize that only you can handle her.”

After finishing his morning tasks, Tigre sat at a table on the Strohm café terrace, propping his cheek with his hand. He smiled wryly as he spoke.

Lunch was light—bread stuffed with vegetables and meat, along with a warm soup. Eating out in the cold was an act of service for passersby.

“Um, are you okay? Were you out-argued?”

“…What do you take me for, really? Though it’s true that I can’t win against her.”

To an outsider, it might have sounded like a tirade, but to Ain and Tigre, it wasn’t. They spent their break time exchanging wry smiles peacefully.

Numerous royal knights and Black Knights stood nearby as guards, but they were careful not to overhear the two men’s conversation.

Tigre held his teacup and adjusted his crossed legs. He had slanted eyes and a refined mouth that carried a hint of troubled elegance. His noble lineage was unmistakable to those around him.

As Ain observed his refined gestures, Tigre suddenly changed the subject.

“May I ask you something?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“…Why has His Majesty only taken one wife?”

“I’ve heard it’s because he was devoted to Grandmother. And I’ve also heard the vassals were uneasy about it.”

“Haha, I suppose so. Truth be told, if Ain hadn’t come, the throne would’ve probably remained vacant. I asked because I found it curious how such a thing could be allowed in a great nation like Ishtalika.”

“Ah, I suppose Grandfather just pushed it through?”

“That’s likely it. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been permitted.”

Then, Tigre recounted an old personal story.

“It seems quite different from my late father.”

“…Did King Ralph have many wives? I never really paid much attention, so I don’t know.”

“The number of women who could clearly be called wives wasn’t that high. Probably around ten.”

(That’s still a lot.)

“But, well, women in concubine-like relationships? I think there were over thirty.”

(That’s plenty.)

Apparently, the first prince was quite fond of women, too. He must have taken after his father.

In that sense, Tigre was actually more like Sylvird—quite devoted.

“My mother was the fifth queen, a lowly position. That’s why, right from childhood, I tried to behave in a way that wouldn’t be outdone by other royals.”

“…Well, I heard about it from Warren-san long ago. That Tigre was a strong candidate for the next king.”

“That’s kind of him. But it was also because the other royals were weak. Because of that, I became the top candidate and was given quite a bit of freedom. Like when I met you in Europe, for example.”

“The Runaway Prince Incident?”

“…Don’t call it that.”

Perhaps because he himself had been involved in numerous incidents as the so-called Runaway Crown Prince, Ain backed down without protest.

“I digressed a bit. What I wanted to ask you, Ain, is this: What are you going to do?”

“Me? What am I supposed to do?”

“Well, that’s what I’m asking. Sigh. Basically, it boils down to how many wives you plan to take.”

“Honestly, I know it’s wrong for royalty to marry only one woman. I know it’s a disservice to the country. But until now, I’ve only ever thought about Krone. Being told this suddenly, I have no idea.”

“Hmm, you already have one, don’t you? Wouldn’t Christina-dono suffice?”

“…Huh?”

Seeing how stunned Ain was, Tigre sighed and took a sip from his cup, thinking about this fool.

“It’s not ‘huh.’ Rather, there’s no one more suitable than her.”

“…”

“Think about it properly. She’s compatible with Ain, and you’ve known each other for a long time. She can support you, and though it might sound strange, she’s beautiful and radiant. What exactly are you complaining about?”

“N-no, no, no… It’s not about complaining or not complaining. It’s just that I never considered such a thing—”

“Why not?”

Being asked that made him uneasy.

But upon deeper thought, a traumatic memory flashed through his mind.

He nodded to himself, realizing, “Ah, that must be it.” He met Tigre’s gaze and explained,

“Probably… I can’t forget what happened at Roundheart.”

“…Huh? Are you talking about Logas? Or Grint?”

“If I had to choose, it’s more about Camilla, the second wife.” [T/N: I think it’s supposed to be Alma, but the author changed it to Camilla here. I don’t know if it’s a mistake or if the author simply forgot or intentionally changed it.)

Grint’s mother was the one rumored to still be hiding somewhere.

“There’s a difference between the first and second wives. I just can’t accept that.”

“Hmm, it doesn’t seem like such a big problem as I thought.”

“Huh? No, no. I think it’s difficult, no matter how you look at it.”

“Isn’t it just a matter of you, Ain, not making a distinction?”

“Well, obviously… But what if the queens themselves—”

“Christina-dono and Krone… No, I’ll call her Krone-dono now. Are they on bad terms?”

Not at all. In fact, their relationship was closer to that of best friends.

Ain folded his arms, closed his eyes, shook his head, and replied.

“This is my prediction: The only young lady who is that jealous and has emotions similar to a town girl’s is surely Krone-dono. Furthermore, the only person she could tolerate is probably Christina-dono. Do you understand?”

“…Tigre, are you smart?”

“Don’t mock me. When I’m calm, I’m definitely not stupid.”

Ain laughed at the slightly resentful tone and shoved the last piece of bread into his mouth. He chewed it roughly and gulped down water.

“But you, Ain, are a man who sticks to your principles. If you’re with Krone-dono, you’d never have romantic feelings for another woman. I don’t know about sexual feelings, but at least you’re devoted. What a hassle for royalty.”

“Huh? Why am I suddenly being put down?”

“Calming the people is part of the job, right? I’m a subject of the Ishtalika royal family now, too, so I should be allowed to petition the next king.”

It was not a petition, was it? This attitude made him want to call the shots, but Ain endured it.

“Make everything as solid as possible. This applies to rights and succession. You never know when Rockdam or Euro might turn hostile.”

“…I’d rather not think about it, but you’re not wrong.”

“Well, it’s practically impossible. If anything, it’d be more like my own child baring its fangs at Ishtalika, wouldn’t you say?”

Tigre suggested the possibility of revenge for the Heim War.

Heim was already the most powerful force on the continent, and now it also benefited from Ishtalika’s technological advancements.

Thus, Heim remained an autonomous territory, but the succession of the now-defunct royal line was uncertain.

“Does Tigre have such intentions?”

“I have no desire to commit suicide. Even if, by some miracle, we grew into a nation capable of opposing Ishtalika, it would be centuries from now. But, if we must consider that improbable scenario, we should unify the Heim Autonomous Territory and scatter my bloodline.”

The conversation gradually shifted, and ominous words began to surface.

But Ain knew Tigre’s words were no mere threats.

“You know, you’re kind, Tigre. You’ve warned me every step of the way. Honestly, I think I could have gotten along with you in Heim back then. What do you say?”

“…I don’t know. That’s water under the bridge.”

“No need to be shy. But I’ll take your warning.”

With that reply, Ain stood up cheerfully.

“We should get going soon. I need your help with this afternoon’s official duties.”

“Wait, so about my blood—”

“His Majesty the First unified the continent. I have no intention of repeating that, but I won’t try to conquer the Heim Autonomous Territory just for our own convenience.”

Don’t talk like that.

Just as Tigre was about to speak, Ain continued.

“I’m sure I’ll live for several hundred more years, maybe even longer than the elves who live a thousand years. Or perhaps I won’t die as long as I can absorb magic stones. If that’s the case, I’ll watch over Tigre’s bloodline too.”

“…Sigh. Fine, fine. Then, when my child is born and the line continues, I’ll write that I entrust punishment to Ain.”

Tigre finished his tea and rose from his chair, standing shoulder to shoulder with Ain. Dill, who had been watching the two of them, approached. Ain told Dill that he was going to wash his hands and then left the room.

Left alone soon after, Tigre looked at Dill in silence, wondering what to do.

“Tigre-dono,” said Dill, narrowing his eyes and lifting the corners of his mouth in a pleased expression. “You might just go down in history as the man who changed the mind of the next king of Ishtalika.”

“Hm? What exactly does that mean?”

“It means that those who take the first step will be rewarded, and the continent of Ishtar will bestow new blessings.”

“…Really, the words of this country’s people are difficult to understand. Perhaps I should learn from Warren-dono again, as I did with that argument some time ago.”

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