Even Though I Defeated the Demon Lord, My Wife and Daughter Treat Me Like Trash ~ I Found Out My Wife's Child Isn't Mine, and When I Confronted Her, She Got Mad and I Was Exiled. The Country's in Trouble Because the Demon Lord Came Back? Sorry, I'm Getting Remarried to a Princess, So I Can't Help. - Chapter 17: The Meeting

Chapter 17: The Meeting

Emperor Jamirat had chosen a residence a bit removed from the imperial capital for our meeting.

He was likely being cautious, as the rumor of the late emperor’s child was unverified, and naturally, they would be on guard.

Still, I didn’t expect the emperor himself to act so quickly.

Even though it was a secondary residence, it was, of course, massive.

However, perhaps because this was meant to be a discreet meeting, there didn’t seem to be many people around.

When we informed the two guards at the gate of our visit, one of them went inside, returning shortly with another man.

As soon as the man saw me, he respectfully bowed his head.

“Lord Van, Lord Karnak, thank you for coming.”

“No, it is we who should be thankful, especially for your prompt response to our request,” Karnak replied.

“I appreciate it as well.”

I added, echoing Karnak’s words somewhat awkwardly.

“This way, please.”

We followed the man for a short while until we stopped in front of a secluded room.

“His Majesty has ordered that no one else be present. Once I’ve escorted you, I will take my leave as well.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

The man knocked on the door and announced us.

“I have brought Lord Van and his companion.”

“Very well, let them in.”

The guide opened the door and gestured for us to enter.

Karnak and I stepped inside, and the door closed behind us.

There were two people in the room—an elderly man and a beautiful woman with blonde hair and blue eyes.

The emperor… and the other person?

She seemed vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t quite place her.

The emperor, despite his age, appeared strong and upright.

He had the commanding presence of a man who had once been called a great general, embodying the essence of a warrior.

First things first, I needed to introduce myself.

“My name is Van Ismir.”

“Hmm.”

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”

“Karnak, it has been a long time. I heard you were back in the capital. Why didn’t you come to the castle?”

“I left my position long ago. Visiting the castle would have been too bold of me…”

Surprisingly, it seemed Karnak and the emperor knew each other.

“Excuse me, but… do you two know each other?”

It felt a bit rude to interrupt, but curiosity got the better of me.

Besides, the atmosphere wasn’t too formal.

“Ah, yes. Karnak and I competed against each other in swordsmanship tournaments when we were younger.”

“I was never able to surpass Your Majesty.”

“Don’t be modest. I knew you held back and let me win.”

The emperor laughed heartily, his deep laughter filling the room. Then, he turned his gaze back to me.

His eyes were sharp, as if they could see right through me, carrying not just strength but the weight of his authority as emperor.

After a moment, tears began to fall from his eyes.

Wait… what?

“Lord Van… I had heard of your accomplishments, but I never imagined that you were the son of Emperor Vildreft… It feels like a dream.”

The emperor said, overwhelmed with emotion, continuing his soliloquy.

“On that day when I failed to protect the emperor, I even considered taking my own life… But in my desire to honor his memory, I have held onto the throne until today. To think that a day like this could come…”

Um…

This feels like a huge gap in expectations.

I had only intended to introduce myself and, if possible, secure a position of some importance in the empire.

While I stood there, bewildered, the young woman placed a hand on the emperor’s shoulder and spoke.

“This is wonderful news, isn’t it?”

“Yes, now I can finally abdicate without hesitation…”

“Wait, wait a minute!”

“Hm?”

“Suddenly abdicating would cause chaos! And more importantly, there’s no proof that I’m truly the former emperor’s son!”

“No, there’s no mistaking it. Those eyes of yours are the spitting image of Lord Vildreft’s.”

…True, in the memory I saw with the memory-probing magic, my father did resemble me a lot.

“For now, we can discuss that later. The reason I came today is to consult with you…”

“A consultation?”

“Yes.”

“I understand. Let’s sit and discuss this further.”

The emperor guided us to a table in the room. 

Before we sat down, the young woman bowed her head politely.

“My apologies for the late greeting, Lord Van. It’s been a long time.”

I almost let out a surprised “huh?” but managed to stop myself.

There was something vaguely familiar about her…

Noticing my delayed response, the woman looked a bit displeased and said,

“Could it be… that you’ve forgotten about me?”

“Oh, no! It’s right on the tip of my tongue…”

“How sad. Not a single day has passed since that day without me thinking of you.”

“Oh, uh, sorry about that.”

“You were my escort at Prince Albert’s engagement party, Lord Van. I am Mariabelle.”

“…Ah!”

“Have you remembered?”

I remembered now.

Yes, she did look familiar.

But back then, Mariabelle was in her early teens. And more importantly—

“My apologies. It’s just that, back then, you were, uh, a bit more… round.”

“Fufu, yes, that’s true. So, what do you think?”

“What do I think?”

Mariabelle smiled brightly as she asked,

“From your perspective, Lord Van—have I become a little more beautiful?”

“Yes, I’m shocked. You’re very beautiful now.”

“Fufu, thank you. It’s all thanks to you.”

“Mariabelle, that’s enough.”

“Apologies, Father. I got a bit too excited.”

Still, I couldn’t believe that the chubby young Lady Mariabelle had turned into such a beautiful woman.