I Was Reincarnated as the Prince in a Villainess Story, so I’ll Use My Cheat Knowledge to Create a Noble Lady Harem and Make Them All Happy - 33

Chapter 33: The King’s Decision, the Beast’s Restraint

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The great hall for the royal council still held the chill of early morning within its stone floor. Shafts of slanting light from the high windows cut across the long table like blades, casting hard shadows across the shoulders of those in attendance.

Before the throne, seated at the highest tier of ranks, was King Ars. He was head and shoulders larger than the others—broad-shouldered, with a deep chest and sharp, youthful features. Even without speaking, his presence alone made the air seem to rumble low, like a beast’s growl.

To his left and right sat the high nobles. Duke Elfein—Milia’s father—smoothed back his silver-streaked hair, his expression thoughtful. Marquis Agreia—Reina’s father—sat with his back straight as a drawn bow, his expression unshaken. Among their number sat Margrave Klaus of Everett, and across from him, Valis had taken his seat.

Reina, Milia, Feril, and Margravine Everett waited in an adjoining chamber. News had already reached the capital, and the meeting began the moment Valis and the others arrived. Valis stood, bowed once, and recited the facts plainly. He chose his words carefully and omitted all excess. The attending lords exchanged quiet breaths; a single murmur rippled through the hall before quickly dying down.

As soon as the report ended, Klaus sank to one knee.

“Your Majesty… The disgrace tied to my house’s origins is worthy of death. I will accept whatever punishment you decree.”

The Marquis of Agreia immediately bowed his head.

“The Agreia family’s failure of oversight leaves no room for excuse. In the name of my house, I offer our deepest apologies to Your Majesty.”

King Ars neither nodded nor spoke for a long moment. He exhaled slowly, a deep sound that seemed to make the air tremble faintly.

“…Valis.”

The King’s voice called his son’s name quietly.

“What do you think?”

Valis remained standing, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

“The inheritance that occurred to Margrave Everett’s daughter, Feril, began roughly ten years ago. So far, there has been no notable movement from the side of Silva Haruna. While it is unlikely that anything will happen immediately—”

Ars exhaled again, longer this time. The deep sigh resonated softly against the stone walls.

“That is not what I meant.”

His words cut through the air like a blade.

“That is important, yes. But we cannot afford to do nothing. What I am asking is not that.”

The King met his son’s eyes directly, unflinching.

“Will you protect her? Or will you offer her up? Which will it be?”

Someone at the end of the table gasped softly. The air grew taut. Klaus lowered his head, his face pale enough to look ready to collapse. Valis pressed his lips together.

He understood. King Ars had already resolved to protect Feril. Therefore, as Crown Prince, his duty was to give voice to the opposite view before the senior ministers—to point out the risks of defending her. The potential for war with Silva Haruna, the threat to the people, the consequences for the kingdom’s future—all of these should have been raised now, balancing his father’s resolve with a pragmatic counterpoint. That was what a Crown Prince was expected to do.

But another image intruded in his mind: his private talk with Feril in the royal capital—the tears she shed when confessing that she could not tell anyone she was a reincarnated soul, enduring loneliness in silence. The tears that fell again when he told her, “I’d be glad if we could stay close, from one person of the same homeland to another.” He had been saved by that moment, too.

The reasoning of a Crown Prince clashed with the memory of a man. The words he had prepared came out as something else entirely.

“…Feril bears no sin. The incident a century ago was, in truth, Alveria’s burden. To force her alone to carry it would be cowardice. Whatever it costs, she must be protected.”

The air in the hall stirred all at once, then stilled. Ars’s lips curved slightly.

“Good.”

Without rising from his seat, the King gave his ruling.

“The matter is decided.”

At that brief declaration, all present straightened their posture.

“The Everett domain, ruled by the Margrave, shall be placed under royal control. The Everett family will be reassigned to the capital. Margrave Klaus, you will organize the knight corps stationed in the royal territory. For the time being, your duties will require separation from your wife and daughter. Carry them out with resolve.”

Klaus placed both hands to the floor.

“I accept the command with my life and honor.”

Duke Elfein and Marquis Agreia both nodded silently. Their faces bore only the weight of determination.

“The Temple Archive and the Royal Academy are granted access to the records. Let the verification begin at once. That is all. Dismissed.”

At the King’s word, everyone rose. The sound of armor fittings echoed together, footsteps flowing as they exited the hall.

“Valis, you will remain here.”

The King’s voice struck his back. When the door closed, only two sets of breaths remained. Ars relaxed his stern expression and gestured toward the door.

“You can come in now.”

The door to the adjoining room burst open. Reina entered first, performing a perfect curtsy. Milia followed, eyes glistening as she waved softly. Lastly, Feril ran forward like a shadow and threw herself into Valis’s arms.

“Valis-sama…!”

He caught her trembling body as she pressed her cheek to his chest, sobbing.

“I was so scared… I thought I might be alone in this world again…”

“It’s all right.”

He spoke the words he hadn’t said—hadn’t been able to say—before the archive that day. Valis gently stroked her hair; the soft warmth coiled around his fingertips. Beside them, Milia wiped at her eyes but smiled through her tears.

“I’m so glad…I’m truly glad for you, Valis.”

Reina completed her bow before the King and then stepped back silently, her expression composed but tense. Ars folded his arms, watching them, and spoke.

“My son is too clever for his own good. As a king, that’s reassuring, but as a man, it’s troublesome. When you protect a woman, you ought to at least pretend to be bold.”

“…You’re cruel, Father.”

Valis replied with a wry smile. Ars laughed heartily.

“They call me the ‘War King,’ but you know? That title is just for intimidation. It’s basically a sign to say, ‘if you bite, I’ll bite back.’ Like a beast’s nameplate. You’ve never actually seen me wage war, have you?”

Valis nodded. His father’s strength had always been a shield of deterrence—power that sought every possible path to peace before being used.

“You said you would protect her. Then protect her completely.”

The King’s voice was low and unwavering.

“Whether war comes or not, we cannot leave this as it is. You will take responsibility for negotiations with Silva Haruna. Stake both the kingdom and the women you cherish—and stand firm.”

Valis nodded deeply. In his arms, Feril drew a quiet breath. Ars’s expression softened slightly.

“Still, you already have Reina, don’t you? You’re rather greedy, my boy. I’ve only ever had eyes for your mother. Goodness. Just whom did you take after?”

Reina lifted her chin proudly, using a form of address she would never employ in public.

“This is what makes His Highness… Valis is not a man meant to belong to only one woman, Master.”

Ars laughed aloud and waved a broad hand through the air as if to sweep away the tension.

“Well, if Reina’s fine with it, then I suppose I am too. Though it’s a bit sinful of you to have charmed even Milia.”

Milia stuck her tongue out playfully, then smiled again. Valis watched the three of them and silently made a vow in his heart. He would protect Feril, and them as well. He would not allow war to break out.

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Night fell. In the tower office of the royal castle, candlelight flickered over Valis’s desk, where multiple drafts of negotiation plans lay open—. Rvisions to ceremonial protocols, frameworks for reparations, proposals for cooperative maintenance through 『Keystone Support Techniques』, schedules for verification by the Temple and Academy, and defense plans for the royal guard.

A soft knock sounded at the door. At this hour, any attendant would have entered with a spare key. Valis frowned slightly and turned the knob himself. There stood Feril. A faint blush colored her cheeks, her fingers nervously clutching the hem of her gown.

“Feril? What is it?”

She hesitated, then whispered.

“…Please…Help me, my prince.”

A voice feverish with heat rang true. While Valis tilted his head, she quietly stepped into the room and closed the door with her back. Slowly, she slipped her fingers into the drape of her dress and lifted the fabric to her knees. The dim light caught the silky sheen. The pale cloth clung to her skin, a stain spreading from within. A faint glint tracing her inner thigh flickered small in the candle flame.

“…It’s so hot… I can’t take it anymore. If you leave me like this… I’ll die…”

Valis narrowed his eyes and exhaled shortly. Feril, clearly had received “sex education” from Reina—and possibly Milia in some cases. He could easily picture the imaginary Reina and Milia flashing thumbs-up with innocent smiles, insisting that they had done nothing.

Where had the tension from midday gone?

“…They actually did it.”

Muttering that, Valis couldn’t tear his eyes from Feril. Since that night with Reina and the others at the Everett estate, he hadn’t had the chance to release his pent-up desire, leaving him no choice but to respond now.

Feril bit her lip in embarrassment. Yet her eyes didn’t flee. In them mingled a plea for help and a silent invitation to touch, the two occupying the same space. Valis checked the door’s lock and took her hand. The candle flame wavered their shadows on the wall. Outside wind caressed the tower walls. Distant streetlamps twinkled like stars.

He had said he would protect and so, he would see it through. The country… And them as well. For that, now, he simply received her heat. The night deepened quietly.

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