Vol 1 Chapter 4.2 (1/2)

Chapter 4: Part 2

Two days to circle around the continent by boat, and over a week by carriage from there, and the Marlon King and Queen and their troupe arrived in Rukolbeni, the capital city of the Beelzenian Empire.

Emperor Jupitaire Beelzenia governs the Beelzenian Empire, a ma.s.sive nation that controls two-thirds of the land on the western half of the continent, the so-called Evillious region.

Emperor Jupitaire has little ambition for territorial expansion, putting more importance on stabilizing the internal affairs within his vast territory and dealing with the riots caused by barbarians scattered about the eastern nations (not part of the Evillious region).

The Emperor is already fairly old, and since he’s often confined to his bed, he hasn’t shown himself to the public much in recent years. For that reason, even when Yufina and company went to the imperial palace, it wasn’t Emperor Jupitaire that gave them an audience but the crown prince, Ja.n.u.s.

“Martius, it must’ve been difficult coming all this way. Well, you can relax now.”

When Prince Ja.n.u.s sunk his huge body in the throne, he looked down upon his brother, Martius, the King of Marlon, and said such.

“A lot’s happened since you were adopted into your wife’s family in Marlon. How is it? Being back in your homeland after so long?”

“Well, for better or worse, it appears it hasn’t really changed much.”

The King of Marlon didn’t even show any frustration toward Crown Prince Ja.n.u.s’ arrogant att.i.tude; he just smiled and laughed while rubbing his belly, which wasn’t much bigger than his brother’s.

“If it hasn’t changed as you say, then, to me, it’s evidence that Beelzenia’s at peace.”

“That’s only because of your magnificent rule, Lord Brother.”

“Oh! It’s just because I’m acting as Father’s proxy.”

“However, even if Father were to meet his demise, there would be peace in Beelzenia.”

“Don’t speak so carelessly. They say Father’s going to live for a while longer.”

“Is that so, ha ha ha.”

“Hahahah……”

The pompous brother and the subservient brother.

While watching the two converse from behind, Yufina felt her husband’s subservient behavior again.

Marlon was currently in the midst of battling Lioness to its west over the seat of ruling the entire Marlon Island. In order for Marlon to surmount this dispute, the country worked to strengthen its ties to the great empire on the continent, Beelzenia.

As part of these efforts, the previous King of Marlon married his eldest daughter, Yufina, to the second prince of Beelzenia, Martius.

Because the former King was not blessed with any boys, Marlon lacked a King in the wake of his death. But, it was decided Martius, having married into the Marlon royal family through his wife, would inherit the throne.

Marlon is currently still permitted its independence but will likely become a va.s.sal state to the Beelzenian Empire sooner or later. Still, her late father and the senior statesmen decided it was better than the Marlon Island being unified under Lioness. Still, Yufina felt sorry deep down that Marlon’s history would end within her own generation.

Though it was a political marriage, Martius was kind and a good husband.

But that gentility meant he could never be a person who could be a strong King. Unlike his brother, he lacked the strong spirit to get him to promise that Marlon would keep its independence.

Incidentally, because of Martius’ tenderness, he never pleasured her as a woman. He cared about Yufina and always tried not to hurt her whenever he touched her. As a woman, she may have been blessed with him. But there was also a feeling of dissatisfaction smoldering at the bottom of Yufina’s heart.

“Oh, so you’ve arrived, Martius.”

The one who joined them and said that was was the second child of the Emperor, Martius’ elder sister and Crown Prince Ja.n.u.s’ younger sister: the first princess of the Beelzenian Empire, Febria.

And then two more dressed up women followed behind her.

“Heheh, Lord Brother Martius…… even your face is the same as ever.”

The one who spatted something rude to Martius first thing was the fourth child of the Emperor: the second princess, Aprilis.

“Ah, Lady Sister Yufina. It’s been a while.”

The one now ignoring Martius and going ahead to greet Yufina was the youngest child of the Emperor: the third princess, Maylis.

With this, all five siblings of the Beelzenian imperial family were in attendance.

(The pig siblings are in full force……. huh?)

Even if she was the Queen of Marlon, Yufina would’ve likely been behead immediately if she had blurted that aloud, so she just murmured it in her mind.

Despite Ja.n.u.s, Febria, Martius, and Aprilis being different sizes, they were all completely fat.

(I guess the gifts sent to them from their vast territory are exceptional delicacies)

The only exception was Maylis. She had a slender body that wasn’t even close to her brothers and sisters. And yet, she stood out firmly wherever they appeared; it could be said that her figure was ideal for a woman. When Yufina saw the five siblings for the first time, Maylis was the only one she doubted could have been anything but adopted from somewhere else.

“Lady Sister, since you’ve gone to all the trouble, let me guide you around the palace. Leeet’s gooo!”

Saying that, Maylis clung to Yufina’s arm.

“No, but…… I’m still in the midst of an audience……”

“It’s all right. No need to keep the pig conference company.”

(In the name of…… this girl called them “pigs” just now……)

When the confused Yufina looked toward her husband, he nodded with a smile and told her such.

”It’s all right, you may go. This audience will just be me speaking with my siblings after all. No need to pay it any mind. Do you mind, Lord Brother Ja.n.u.s?”

“I do not. What we speak of is only between siblings. They’ll certainly be of stories that have piled up. Queen Yufina, look after Maylis.”

“See, we have their permission to go. So let’s go.”

“I see…… well, maybe I should then.“

In truth, Yufina lacked experience in this land’s audiences and had just been somewhat uncomfortable.  She decided to leave this place on account of Maylis’ generous favor.

“All right now, where would you like to go first~? ♪”

With a tap to her nimble step, Maylis walked in front of Yufina.

“Maylis…… thank you.”

When Yufina thanked her, Maylis looked back with a blank look on her face.

“Hm? What for?”

“You…… noticed it, didn’t you?“

“Aaaah…… Well, I had a feeling, I suppose?“

Maylis approached Yufina and asked this straight to her face.