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 19: Pushing Forward

Chapter 19: Pushing Forward

“Um, don’t you think it’s a bit too early to be talking about an engagement…?”

I asked, trying to interrupt the excited conversation between the emperor and Mariabelle.

Mariabelle frowned slightly, clearly not pleased.

“Is there a problem?”

“Well, I think there are only problems with this.”

“I see. Let’s solve them one by one, then! Lord Van, please tell me your concerns about being engaged to me, without hesitation.”

She clasped her hands in front of her chest, smiling brightly as she spoke.

It was a pleasant smile, but…

For some reason, I felt a strange pressure, as if she were challenging me with a “bring it on” attitude.

Maybe it’s just my imagination…

“Well… first of all, there’s the age difference.”

“Oh. There was also an age difference between myself and my previous fiancé, Prince Albert. And in political marriages, age differences aren’t usually given much consideration, are they?”

“Well, I suppose that’s true, but…”

“Alright, so the age difference is settled. Any other concerns?”

She smiled warmly, urging me to continue.

…What is this feeling?

It’s kind of like when an experienced swordsman tells a novice, “Come on, give it your best shot!”

Or maybe like when you’re at a friend’s house and their mom insists, “Come on, Van, don’t be shy—eat more!”

I might be overthinking it, but… I guess I’ll move on to the next point.

“Even if His Majesty approves, there will likely be backlash from those around us. Especially from those higher in the line of succession. If someone who appeared out of nowhere suddenly gets engaged to the princess, they’ll see me as a threat. I don’t want to cause unnecessary turmoil in the court.”

“Indeed, some degree of confusion will be unavoidable.”

“Right!?”

“But… Lord Van, you seem somewhat unaware of the weight of your own ‘background.’”

“Do I…?”

“Yes. The lost son of a renowned emperor returns after subduing the Demon Lord’s forces, reveals his true heritage, and asserts his rightful claim… Doesn’t that sound like a thrilling story?”

“Does it…?”

In reality, my wife of ten years cheated on me, my supposed friend betrayed me, my daughter isn’t actually mine, and I was exiled from the country… But I guess her version does sound better.

“People are drawn to stories. The more dramatic, the more they’ll feel affection and sympathy for you, Lord Van. And my father has always said, ‘I am merely holding the throne until someone worthy comes along, and I will gladly pass it on.’ There is no one more worthy than you.”

“Exactly,” the emperor nodded firmly. “Anyone who opposes this will be labeled a traitor.”

With the emperor himself agreeing, there wasn’t much point in continuing to argue about causing turmoil…

But still, I had to ask.

“Let’s say, hypothetically…”

“Yes?”

“Lady Mariabelle…”

“Please, just call me Mariabelle. And no need for formal language.”

“Well, uh…”

“We’re going to be husband and wife, so you should start getting used to it now.”

Whoa, hold on! Things are moving too fast!

But if she gets upset again, that’ll be a problem.

I guess I have no choice…

“Uh, Mariabelle… are you sure you want to be with someone like me? Even if you break off the engagement with Albert, I’m sure you could find a more suitable match…”

“No, there isn’t.”

“Well, for example, someone from the eastern nations—”

“Lord Van.”

“Yes?”

“There isn’t.”

“Uh…”

“There just isn’t.”

I guess… if she says there’s no one else, then… there really isn’t?

“If I may ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Do you think I’m not enough to be your wife, Lord Van? If so, please say it clearly.”

“…Honestly, I’ve never really thought about it, so I’m a bit confused… no, I am confused.”

“I see.”

“Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand. So, let’s think about it seriously right here, right now. First, how do you find my appearance, Lord Van?”

“…Well, you’re very…”

“Very?”

“Very… beautiful.”

“Nufh“

“Uh… nufh?”

“Ahem, excuse me. Now, compared to Lady Camilla, do you find anything lacking?”

“Lacking? Well… I have a new concern, actually.”

“Please, don’t hesitate to share.”

I had to choose my words carefully to avoid any misunderstandings. But I’m not exactly great with words, and… well…

“Um, I feel like you’re completely controlling the pace of this conversation right now.”

“Yes, I am hoping for you to make a quick decision.”

“And… well, in my marriage with Camilla, I often felt like she was controlling the pace, like I was constantly under her thumb.”

“Lord Van.”

At that moment, the emperor, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke in a serious tone.

“…Rest assured, I’m under her thumb as well.”

“Father, please be quiet. You’re making things more complicated.”

“Hm… right.”

Judging from the emperor’s demeanor, it was clear he was very much under her thumb.

Even as the emperor and princess, the highest-ranking individuals in the empire, they still interacted like a normal father and daughter. Watching them, I couldn’t help but feel…

“Lord Van.”

“Yes?”

“I’m glad—seeing you smile.”

“Oh, my apologies.”

“No need to apologize. You’ve seemed so tense for a while now, so I’m relieved.”

“The way you two get along is heartwarming, it made me smile without realizing.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I love my father very much.”

Mariabelle smiled warmly at me, and that smile was so captivating—it made me deeply envy the bond she had with her father, a bond I had lost.

—In the end, I was completely swept into agreeing to the engagement.